Showing posts with label yummy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yummy. Show all posts

Friday, 13 December 2013

High Five for Friday

Hello!

This week has been crazy! With major construction happening in both my new condo and my mom's house, my mom and brother temporarily moving in, feeling under the weather, and working like crazy, I haven't had the chance to blog.

That being said I am making my addition to High Five for Friday. 




1. As mentioned above constuction has continued in my kitchen. My new counter top went in yesterday which is extremely exciting!! My uncle and I will have to do the plumbing this weekend and get the backsplash started so I will put up pictures at that point. 



 
2. Cookie Exchange 
My department at work did a cookie exchange this year and I made truffles :) unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of how I did it but I will eventually for you. 

 

3. Secret SantaThis year I have been blest to be apart of two secret Santas. One with my amazing group of friends and another with my department at work. This is what I received :) 
This year I have been blest to be apart of two secret Santas. One with my amazing group of friends and another with my department at work. This is what I received :)






4. My little condo is looking quite full with me, Holstein (my dog), my mother, my brother and AJ (his dog). Construction is going well in both homes and it's exciting having them stay with me :) 


5. Christmas decorations
Because of the craziness going on in my home I have been slacking on my decorating (also I didn't want them all dusty with the kitchen renos) but here I what I have so far 

Enjoy!

Steph xoxo


Friday, 6 December 2013

High Five for Firday!!

What a great week I had!! Here are some high lights in my #HHF



1: This week was the kick off to Advent!!! I love this time of year! Preparing my heart and mind of Christmas get me so excited! I made this wreath out of old wine bottles! 
2: We got our boxes out and started decorating! Not done just yet but I get to put out a little more everyday!  Here is a preview of my mantel.
3:I bought one of my favourite Christmas treats is PC Candy Cane ice-cream!! BEST THING EVER!!
4:Thursday night, Carrie Underwood stared in The Sound of Music Live on tv! I love this show! I remember watching it as a little girl and it has brought back some happy memories.
5:Planned an Ikea trip with Steph for Monday!!! Can't wait to see what we find!!

Tell me what the BEST part of your week was!?! Leave a comment!

XO Liz
*Linked up with www.thelaurenelizabeth.com

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Yummy!!! Easy Pad Thai



How about Thai for dinner!!! No need to order out, make is yourself!!
I am not the most experienced cook but I love to try to make my fave city dishes out here in the country!

What you will need to serve 2-4 plates:

  • 8 ounces dried rice noodles
  • 1/4 cup seafood sauce
  • 3 cups of chicken or beef broth (get the low sodium kind)
  • 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar (or simply white vinegar)
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 pound peeled and de-veined raw shrimp, chicken, beef, or pork (or a combination)
  • cayenne powder or Sriracha sauce (AKA Rooster Sauce)
  • 3 tablespoons peanut oil or Olive Oil
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups bean sprouts
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions mixed with 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup chopped roasted unsalted peanuts
  • 2 Limes quartered




How much time it will take:
With prep 2 hours

Cost:
$30-$35

Heres how you put it together:
1. In a large bowl, combine the noodles with water to cover. Soak until just tender, about 45 minutes, then drain. (some brands of noodles you do not have to soak first, so read the directions) Try not to over soak the noodles! they will become very mashy by the time we are done.




2. In a small pot, combine the broth, fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Heat through on medium. Add either Cayenne powder or the Sriracha Sauce to taste (depends on how hot you want your final product to be).




3. In a wok or large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic (If you really want it to zing add half a diced jalapeno), and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add your meat, season with pepper, salt, and garlic powder, and cook through. (can also add dried red chili pepper flakes) Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.




4. Add the eggs and cook, stirring, until just set, about 45 seconds. Add a ladle full or more of the fish sauce mixture, and noodles, and cook, stirring, until warmed through, and there is no excess broth in the pan. Repeat till all the sauce and noodles are in the wok.




5. Add the meat back in, mix (tongs are handy at this point), and cook for 30 seconds. Add your bean sprouts. Cook for an additional 30 seconds. (If seems dry, can add more of the broth, just make sure to cook until there is no extra liquid in the pan).


6. Transfer to a serving platter and top with the cilantro/green onions and peanuts, serve with slices of the lime.



Notes:
**If you do not want to use oyster or fish sauce, substitute in a couple of tblspn of soy sauce in broth instead.

**You can pretty much add any veggies you want to this dish and it’s delish. I recommend keeping it simple though with diced carrots, celery, water chestnuts, or bamboo shoots. (Broccoli tends to not mix as well with the fresh cilantro and green onion flavours)

**If some people do not like it at all spicy, then simply serve it with the Sriracha sauce on the side (instead of in the broth), so anyone can add the heat to their individual plates.

** I cooked my noodles WAY to long and by I was done cooking the dish they where very mushy!! so  watch it carefully!!

**I also forgot to add Bean Sprouts,Lime, and any extra veggies in the dish in pictures.


I hope you try it and tell me how it worked for you!! Did you substitute any ingredients?
Do you have a tip thats work for you? Leave a Comment below!!!

OX Liz

P.S. Your house will smell AWESOME!! while your cooking!!

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

Fondant Polar Bear Tutorial

Hello!

This Thursday, Fanshawe College is doing a cake walk fundraiser for the United Way. This is the second year my mom and I have donated cakes for the event. This year I am doing a winter theme :) 

Here is a photo tutorial of how I did the polar bear that will be on the cake.


You will need:
White, black and brown/pink fondant
Small rolling pin
Small fondant mat 
Tooth pick 
Gum glue/ water


  First, make a cone shape with your white fondant


Make a U shape with your fondant and use some gum glue or water to tack it on top. Once that is balanced you can use your tooth pick (cut down to size, leaving enough room to stick on the head).
Next you want to make the legs. I am having my polar bear sitting so I have made two legs this shape.
Using a little gum glue, tack the legs to the sides of the body. 

Next you will want to use more white fondant to mild the head. Ensure that you pinch the top of the head to make hears and your finger tips to make the intendant for the eyes. Apply the head with a little gum glue and carefully stick into the tooth pick.


Next you want to put on the nose. I used a brown/pink skin colour for the nose and used a little gum glue to attach it. 



Finally, add the black eyes, mouth and skin colour (to make nose) for the bottom of the feet. 


Isn't he a cutie? 

Note: For any figures, I use premade fondant and I think it holds up best. This fondant allows me to make the figures without a long drying time between parts. I purchased this specific fondant (as seen in the background of the photos) from Bulk Barn.


Enjoy and Happy Christmas baking! 

Steph xoxo 







Sunday, 17 November 2013

Chocolate Covered Oreos

Hello!

Christmas baking season has begun and I wanted to try something that would be quick and easy for holiday craziness. 

Chocolate covered Oreos are super easy and only take about an hour from start to finish. 

Supplies: 
Coloured chocolate melts
Sprinkles
Candy pops
Oreos 

Start by heating the Oreos in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. This will make it easier to seperate the two sides. 


Next stick the candy stick into the icing side and put a dab of chocolate to hold the cookie together.

Lay them all down on a cookie sheet and put them in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. 


Melt the chocolate in the microwave until melted, approximately 1 minute but check on it every 20 seconds or so. 

Put the bowl in a pot of simmering water to keep it from hardening. Ensure the water level is low because getting any water in the chocolate will cause it to seize.

Cover the Oreo in chocolate and shake off the excess chocolate. 

Lay them back down on the cookie sheet , making sure they are not touching.

Now for the fun part! 
Decorate as you wish! Doesn't need to be fancy as long as your enjoying it.

Put them in the fridge until hardened all the  way through. I left mine for 1/2 hour.



Enjoy! 

Steph xoxo 






Thursday, 14 November 2013

Creamy Reese Peanut Butter

Hello!

When shopping in Walmart in Port Huron I came across this.....

The moment I saw it I knew I had to purchase!! It was $4 for the little jar which is crazy compared to the peanut butter I usually buy is usually less then $2. 

I thought I would give it a try on some Pita Break Morning Rounds. I get the Apple Cinnamon flavour from Costco.



So I tried it and..... I'm so sad but I don't love it :( I think it is very salty and doesn't taste at all like the inside of a peanut butter cup. 

Let me know if you have tried it and what you thought!

Enjoy 

Steph xoxo