Mamma's Munchies - Bacon Wrapped Figs

My pal Lindsey over at Waking Up Williams has started a weekly post called Mamma's Munchies (yes, I call her my pal, and no, we've never met. Not yet anyway. Creepy internet friend minus the creepy part, but so what this chick is cool! Don't judge, it's not nice.). It's a fabulous concept and I can't wait to check out all the delicious things people link up too. Check out the button over there on the side bar! First up, appetizers. Who doesn't love a good app? So without further ado I give you:

Bacon Wrapped Figs (courtesy of my pal Megan who first served these to me!)

Figs (packaged or picked fresh if available)

Bacon (yum)

Fancy cheese - like gruyere

Wood skewers

Place a small piece of cheese on your fig. Wrap one slice of bacon tightly around fig. Place skewer through fig (and end of bacon to hold in place). Repeat until you have desired number. Place on grill over a medium-low heat until bacon is crisp and fig is tender. Serve warm.

p.s. stay tuned, next week - dips!

Updating the site

So I've been gone a while and apparently some of my links are no longer valid or people haven't updated in a while (maybe they've been MIA like me) so I'm in the process of updating and adding some new links. Be patient with me (a little longer - it's been a year what's a little longer right?) I'll try and get them updated soon.

Basil Butter

Seems simple enough, no? But what do you do with it once you have it? Use it on EVERYTHING. Seriously. Pasta? Yes. Steak? Yes. Grilled chicken? Yes. The possibilities are endless. Bonus - it couldn't be simpler to make!

Basil Butter

1/2 lb butter room temperature (salted or unsalted your choice)

1/2 C basil chopped fine (I used the food processer)

a sprinkle of minced garlic to taste

lemon zest to taste

In a medium bowl combine all ingredients with a large spoon. Use the back of the spoon to thoroughly incorporate. Place a large piece of Saran wrap on your counter. Put the butter in the center of the Saran and roll into a log. Place in freezer until ready to use. When ready to use cut off coins of your log and its ready to use!

Blueberry Muffins

I'm on a major carb kick these days and what's better than a fresh out of the oven blueberry muffin to start your morning?!

D and I both have mention in recent weeks how good a blueberry muffin would be at various points in the day so I figured it was finally time to whip some up. 

Bisquick Blueberry Muffins

2 C Bisquick

1/3 C Sugar

1 egg

1 Tbsp vegtable oil

2/3 C Milk

3/4 C Blueberries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine all ingredients in large bowl with spoon (do not use a mixer) except blueberries. Once mixture is wet, it will still have small lumps, fold in blueberries.

Place muffin liners in standard size muffin pan. Fill each cup 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 13-18 minutes or until tops are lightly browned. Remove from oven and let since in pan for 2 minutes. Remove and let cool on wire rack.

And I'm back...sort of

I apologize for my long unexplained absence. I have a really good reason I promise. Are you ready? Are you sure? Well okay, here it is:

I'm pregnant.

You know those woman who look amazing at any stage during pregnancy and when you ask them how their pregnancy is going they gush and gush and tell you how amazing and wonderful they feel? Yeah, that's not me. 

Don't get me wrong, I've got it pretty good. I can nap when ever I want and don't have to leave my apartment when I have a craving (or rather my husband doesn't have to leave) since NYC is fabulous in the delivery department. However, I haven't really eaten meat in over a month. Red meat makes me feel ill. Seriously, the site of raw meat of any kind, not so pleasant. I'm getting better about this slowly but surely. I actually wanted hot dogs the other day! Hahaha.

Anyhoo, this is the reason there have been no cooking posts and well no posts at all really. Now that I'm entering my second trimester and starting to feel a little more human I plan on cooking a little more because honestly the only thing I've made since I found out I was pregnant was a from scratch loaf of bread. I guess I'll post that at some point.

The posts may not happen as often, but I'm going to try my best to not let it be months or even weeks between posts! 

Now, off to brave the massive snow fall and find some blueberry muffins!

Online Stationary Show Starts TODAY!!

Please check out the online stationary show I am hosting from Doodle Bugs Paper (see post below!). Enter code LLG at checkout to receive 10% off your order and to make sure your purchase is credited toward my show!!

Happy Shopping!!

Honest Scrap Award - Yay Me!

Mrs. Potts over at Experiments in a Galley Kitchen has bestowed upon me the "Honest Scrap" award. Yay. I love an award. To be honest, my other award was getting sort of lonely, I'm glad she has a friend now!

The rules:

1. Chose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.

2. Show the 7 winners names and links on your blog, and leave them a comment informing them they were prized with "Honest Scrap." Well, there's no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon.

3. List at least 10 honest things about yourself.

So 10 honest things about myself:

1. I make the bed everyday, even if its 10 minutes before I get in it at night. Sleep just isn't the same to me if I didn't get into a neatly made bed.

2. I'm a terrible driver. I should not have a license. And now that I live in NYC, when I do have to drive, I'm a nervous driver. (P.S. your driving makes me nervous too)

3. I've become very spoiled while living in NYC. Though I think most people who live here are. I'm accustom to having only to walk 20 feet to take my trash out, having a doorman sign for my packages and someone to deliver them to my door, having my dry cleaning picked up and delivered and basically never having to go outside to get food if I don't want too. 

4. I love and hate NYC all at the same time.

5. I pick change up off the street. A penny saved is a penny earned (or something like that).

6. I gave up soda a few years ago but I still long for a Diet Coke every once in a while.

7. I use to tell my husband that when my dog died I wanted to have him stuffed so that he would always be around (no, I'm not kidding, yes, I'm apparently crazy) until we had to put my parents dog to sleep this fall, it completely changed my mind on finding the best taxidermist around. I'll settle for a nice little urn now.

8. I have a very odd sense of humor. The only person that understands it is my father. We crack each other up.

9. Baking is good for the soul. I love to bake.

10. I'm an only child which should explain a lot. :)

Now, for the seven lucky bloggers who I am tagging...

Bama Belle in the Big City

elefantitas alegres

New Girl on Post

Ravings of a Mad Housewife

Danelion Wishes

Millitini Straight Up, With a Twist

On My Way to Being a Healthy Bride

Online Stationary Show

Hi Everyone!!!

I am cordially inviting you to an online stationary show I am hosting from Doodle Bugs Paper. While I know this has nothing to do with food or cooking, Kacey over at Doodle Bugs has some seriously cute stuff that I want to share with all my readers! Plus you get a discount (10%) because you read my blog (You're Welcome.).

Need new address labels? 

How about some notecards?

A personalized stamp (I want one of these bad!)?

Don't forget to check out the sale section too!!

My online show is from January 18th through February 1st. When you check out (during that time) please enter the coupon code "LLG" and your order will go toward my show! Did I mention you'll get 10% off your total order???? Well you will (but you have to enter my coupon code!).

Shop early. Shop often. Just make sure you shop between January 18th and February 1!!!

Food and Wine Magazine

Over the Holidays a few friends and I participated in a Holiday Exchange. I always look forward to things like this, we do it a couple times a year and its always such a good time to see what others think you'll enjoy. 

This Christmas my friend A (who apparently knows me oh so well) sent me Kool-Aid (yes, the stuff you drank when you were 5), Bojangles Fry Seasoning and a subscription to Food and Wine magazine.

When I got home from the holidays my first copy was waiting for me. I had heard of the magazine but had never picked up a copy before, my mistake. It's a mecca of knowledge on obviously food and wine. The recipes? Simply AMAZING. You are sure to see a ton of stuff from here in the near future. Click here to check out their website.

Now if only I could learn to photograph food the way they do...

Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits

Who doesn't love a biscuit? Especially if you open it up and add some country ham? Yum. With my sort of southern friends (hey, they all went to school in the south at some point, that counts for something!) all hanging out I had to bring a little southern food to the party. What better way than a ham biscuit?

Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits

Courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten

All-purpose flour

1 Tbs baking powder

1 1/2 Tsp kosher salt

12 Tbs cold unsalted butter, diced

1/3 C cold buttermilk

1 large egg

1 C grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese

1 egg beaten

Preheat over to 425 degrees. Place 2 cups flour, baking powder and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer using the paddle attachment. On low, add the butter and mix until the butter is the size of peas.

Combine the buttermilk and egg in a small bowl and beat gently with fork. Add to buttermilk mixture with mixer on low mix until moistened. In a small bowl, mix the cheese with a small handful of flour and to dough in mixer. Mix only to combine.

Place dough on well floured surface, knead lightly. Roll dough out till 1/2 inch thick. Using desired size biscuit cutter cut biscuits and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle tops with sea salt. Bake for 20 minutes or until tops are golden brown.

To make the biscuits extra special I warmed up a piece of country ham in a skillet and cut it into bite sized pieces to place in the middle of the freshly made biscuits. 

I'm Back

And I'm back. In full swing too. Sorry I've been MIA for so long, but the holidays got the best of me. I was out of town for 15 days and those 15 days involved absolutely no cooking for me what so ever, unless you count my very specific daily Starbucks order, which, you probably don't.

A dear friend J is WAY pregnant and about to pop at the end of the month so I had a few ladies over to hang out with a little food and fun since we won't get to see J for a while.

Stuffed Mushroom (these things are seriously delicious) 

Coutesey of Fresh from Cate's Kitchen, via Annie Eats adapted from allrecipes.com

24 whole fresh mushrooms

1 Tbs oliver oil

2 Tbs minced garlic

16 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 Tsp ground black pepper

1/4 Tsp ground cayenne pepper

1 1/2 Tsp butter

1/3 C bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a 9 x 13 inch pan coat with cooking spray. Clean mushrooms and removed stems, do not discard. Chop stems into fine pieces. In skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and mushroom stems. Cook until mushrooms have given off their moisture and it has evaporated. Set aside to let cool. In same pan, wiped clean, melt butter. Add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until the bread crumbs are golden brown. When garlic and mushroom mixture is no longer hot, stir in cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Mixture should be very thick. Using a little spoon, fill each mushroom cap with a generous amount of stuffing. Arrange the mushroom caps on prepared pan and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve hot.

I'm definitely adding these to my repertoire they were seriously good.

Happy Holidays!!

I'm sorry for the lack of cooking/baking related posts, it's the holiday, you understand right?

When mom is around I default to her cooking. I promise new yummy things in the New Year, perhaps before. Till then...

Happy Holidays!

I've Been Tagged

My new buddy (really new LOL!) over at Good Mourning, Glory has tagged me! Now I have to tell the blogger world seven (random number - who chose that!) random or weird things about myself and then tag seven other random bloggers. Here goes... Enjoy my weirdness!!

1. Bojangles Supremes Dinner Combo with French Fries and Sweet Tea is my All-Time favorite fast food!

2. I arrive everywhere at least 10 minutes early.

3. I look for "Mole" people when I ride the subway. 

4. I'm left handed (not weird to me, but it is to some!)

5. I love shampoo. I'll try a million kinds then use the same one for a year. Try a million kinds and then use a different one for another year.

6. Haircut - generally equals a good cry, even if its just a trim. Pathetic, I know.

7. Driving a car is my own personal version of hell. I hate it.

Now for those seven lucky bloggers I am passing this on to:

Pooba

Live. Love. Eat

Jimmy Choos and Tennis Shoes

Elefantitas Alegres

Kitchen Concoction

Bama Belle In The Big City

Crazy Kyley

Check out these amazing bloggers and leave them a little note!

Homemade Pizza

Since I decided that I needed a 2 1/2 hour nap at 4pm today, cooking dinner obviously wasn't high on my priority list. D was agreeable to homemade pizza, quick and easy. Actually he loves to make homemade pizza which is great because it means less work for me. We cheated tonight and bought a crust (I did have pizza dough on hand but the thought of rolling it out seemed to much, yes, I am that lazy) but I did cook fresh mushrooms to go on top, that makes up for the store bought crust right? So half pepperoni and full-on mushroom pizza it was. Looks tasty right? If you are looking for a quick, easy and more nutritious that ordering in dinner, give this a try! No real recipe to go along with this since I didn't make the crust from scratch. Just get some sauce, some cheese, and what ever toppings sound good to you!! Bake for 8-10 minutes and you're ready to eat!

My New Look

What do y'all think? Would love some feedback.