turning cornmeal into delicacies :)

I make some amazing chili.  Seriously- everyone loves it :)

I've always used Jiffy Cornbread mix, but I've always wanted to make it homemade.

Something about homemade just makes it warm and comforting!

So here is a GREAT cornmeal recipe:

Ingredients:
*1 cup all purpose flour
*1 cup yellow cornmeal
*2/3 cup white sugar
*1 teaspoon salt
*3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
*1 egg
*1 cup buttermilk
*1/3 cup vegetable oil
*honey (optional)

(I did saute corn in a saucepan with a tablespoon butter and brown sugar.  If you like texture in your cornmeal this is a great add.  I however, like smooth cornbread so if I do this again I will put it in a food processor to puree it,)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray or lightly grease a 9in round cake pan.  I used a rectangle stoneware pan and it was magnifico!
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and baking powder.  Stir in egg, milk and vegetable oil until well combined.  (this is where you'd want to add the sauteed corn if desired).  Pour into prepared pan.
3.  Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. 
4.  Drizzle honey over the top!

If you use a stone baking pan you will get a really nice crisp outside with a soft, fluffy inside!!


Here's a variation for some great muffins!  I recommend making a batch and putting it in the freezer.  Pull a couple out at night to thaw and in the morning it will be a delicious breakfast!


Berry Cornmeal Muffins
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Zest of a lemon
1 cup fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, mixed berries)

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 cup (240 ml) milk

1/4 cup (60 ml) safflower, corn, or canola oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Position rack in center of oven. Butter or spray with a non stick cooking spray 12 - 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 inch muffin cups. Can also line with paper liners.
*In a large bowl combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. 
*In a separate bowl combine 2 tablespoons of this mixture with the berries.
*In a large measuring cup or bowl whisk together the egg, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. 
*With a rubber spatula fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir only until the ingredients are combined. Gently stir in the berries. Do not over mix the batter or tough muffins will result. 

*Evenly fill the muffin cups with batter, using two spoons or an ice cream scoop. Sprinkle with the white sugar. Place in the oven and bake until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 15 - 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for about 5 minutes before removing from pan. 

Makes 12 regular sized muffins.

Note: If using frozen berries you may have to bake the muffins a little longer than the stated time.

it's been awhile.

Hello blogger world.

I have to admit- I kind of missed it.

there's something almost theraputic about sharing your adventures, successes and mishaps!

never fear- even though I haven't been blogging- I have indeed still been baking and crafting away!

Some crafts you'll have to wait until after Christmas to see...since they are Christmas presents!  They are pretty fantastic though- so they'll be worth the wait :)

And in the meantime, I'll share with you all the recipes I have been trying out.

I hope that you'll share any tips you have with me as well!

This week, I'll post my apple crumbe cupcake recipe, my favorite cream cheese frosting, and some of the struggles I've had making red velvet cupcakes!

stay tuned...

my new love

Here is a quick update on what I learned in

last week's class...

my fav- carnations!  So fun to make.

Calla Lillies

 Roses

 Oh, and a picture of my new favorite toy...   :)  I LOVE!!

I will update more soon.

I plan to craft tonight

and I have class tomorrow.

*perfection for a perfect newborn

a friend just had a new baby boy.

CONGRATULATIONS

Brody Anthony was a bigggg boy- 9 lbs 13 oz.

I decided to make cupcakes for the new parents.

I tried a Recipe from Martha Stewart-

Polka Dot Cupcakes

I made a few tweaks though- I added vanilla flavoring.

And I made my own chocolate frosting!

THESE CUPCAKES ARE DELISH!

be warned though- these cupcakes need a strong frosting flavor to counteract the orange in the cake.

I think I may be doing an orange,lemon, and raspberry cupcake next time with a light cream cheese frosting!

To make the chocolate frosting-

1 cup shortening

1 lb. confectioner's sugar

1 tablespoon Meringue Powder

10 teaspoons milk/water

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup melted chocolate chips

*mix all together in the blender.  You may need to add more water/milk.  The chocolate makes the mixture more stiff!

Banana Creme Pie Cupcake Recipe!

Well...you all wanted the recipe...so here it is:

(it'd be faster for ya'll if I just wrote one as a I went oops!)

Cupcakes:



1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-4  mashed ripe bananas

1/4 cup buttermilk

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Filling:

1/2 pint Heavy Whipping Cream

4 cups Powdered Sugar (more if consistency isn't stiff!)

Frosting:

Use whatever frosting you love!

Crust:

Vanilla Wafers

Melted butter

1. Grind the Vanilla wafers as small as possible.  Mix in just enough melted butter to make the cookies able to combine.  If you put too much butter, it will be greasy.  Put a tablespoon in the bottom of each cupcake liner.  Stamp down.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add the eggs, vanilla, bananas and buttermilk. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl; add to banana mixture. Add cupcake mixture to liners until it is 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. 
3. Cut a hole into  the middle of each cupcake.  Mix heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar to make filling.  Add one cup of powdered sugar at a time to get desired consistency.  Add a dash of salt to cut down on sweetness.  Fill each cupcake until top of cupcake.
4. Pipe your favorite frosting on each cupcake ( I used a basic buttercream) and garnish with leftover cookie crumbs!

***  Alternative to cookie crust.  The cookie crust will be crunchy on the bottom.  If you'd prefer you can mix in the cookie crumbs INTO the whipped cream for the filling!  Delicious either way!

If you want to see pictures of the delectable cupcake...see previous blog posts!

mission accomplished...

mission:  banana creme pie

mission status:  accomplished!

 smashed nilla wafers being stamped down by my baking assistant :)

 Cupcake's being filled with homeade whipped cream (heavy whipping cream + powdered sugar)

Taught Ange how to use a piping bag to frost the cupcakes!

 Garnished with baked and crumbled vanilla wafers!

 Finished product...  (Kid tested and approved) 

 Today we also took Makayla to get her ears pierced and gavin had fun trying some things on!!  Here are the pics of our adventures!

She did so well!  Almost didn't cry, but she just did for a few minutes!!  Brave girl :)  She did say that she wasn't getting any more ears pierced though!

I want to do a blog on fashion.

So here's the deal...

send me a pic via text or facebook

of something in your closet you just don't know how to wear

or how to match up...

Then I'll make it my mission to show some options

here on my blog.

I'm up to the challenge...are you??