Puff wheat cake

I usually only make this on holidays but I really wanted some today so I gave in and made it.
It's one of those things once you start eating it you just can't stop!

You will need:

10 Cups puffed wheat

5 tbsp cocoa

2 cups brown sugar

1 ¼ cup corn syrup

1 cup butter or margarine

2 tbsp vanilla

1 tsp cornstarch

Directions:

1) Put puff wheat in a large bowl. Set aside.

2) Melt and boil for 3 minutes all ingredients except vanilla and cornstarch.

3) Keep stirring so it doesn’t burn. 

4) Remove from heat add vanilla and cornstarch and  stir well.

5) Pour over puff wheat and mix until all the puffs are coated.

6) Put into a greased 9X13 inch pan and press down with greased fingers.

baked brie

I had Baked Brie with our neighbour's last night and I have to say its one of the best tasting things in the world. Plus its super, super easy to make and it always looks amazing!

Baked Brie

1 small Brie wheel

1 baguette

1/3 cup chopped nuts

1/2 cup of cherry, peach, or apricot preserves (jam) or chutney

(if you use chutney you don't need to add garlic or jalapeno)

1 clove garlic

1 tsp diced jalapeno pepper

salt and pepper

Mix together last four ingredients

Cut cheese in half lengthwise

Place in baker cut side up and cover with half the mixture and half the chopped nuts

Place 2nd half cut side up and cover with remaining mixture

Surround with bread slices cut diagonally

Bake in 400 degree oven for 20 min or until cheeese is bubbly

Can be made ahead

Enjoy!

hemp hearts

Hemp Hearts are really good for you high in protein and keep you feeling full, and they go great with yogurt. You can buy them at Costco or a super market.

Dark Chocolate Acai and blueberry

I love to have a couple of these for a little treat they are super rich tasting and yummy.

Creamy Pasta & Italian Sausage

This is a great meal for the family or if you want to impress someone with a nice dinner.

You will need:

1 clove crushed garlic

½ cup milk

½ container of garlic and herb cream cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

3-4 Italian sausages

3 cups penne or rotini pasta

Directions:

1)Fry in pan 3-4 Italian sausages remove from pan dry oil with paper towel and slice on an angle

2)Boil 3 cups penne or rotini pasta in salted water.

3)In saucepan combine:1 clove crushed garlic, ½ cup milk, ½ container of Garlic and herb cream cheese, salt and pepper to taste

4)Stir over medium heat

5)When pasta is done, spoon into sauce pan with the sauce and mix until well heated

6)Spoon into bowls , top with sausage and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.

Serve with Garlic toast~ Serves 3-4

nut bars

I got these nut bars and they are perfect for an on the go snack. You can only get then at Costco because they are Kirkland signature but its definitely worth the trip.

five alive

I don't know why but I really love this juice and its extremely high in vitamin C which is always good to have.

Ham and Havarti Omelette

If you have teenagers that never stop this is sure to keep then going in the morning. Its packed full of good and yummy things they are sure to love.

You will need:

3 eggs

½ tsp oil

1-2 slices havarti Cheese

1 slice ham

1 strip crumbled bacon

¼ tsp dill

¼ tsp chives

Directions:

1)Put oil into non stick frying pan, on a high to medium heated stove top.

2)Break eggs into bowl wisk and pour into greased pan, turn heat to medium

3)Sprinkle with dill salt and pepper and chives

4)Lay ham on half the egg mix and then lay cheese on top of ham,

5)Then sprinkle the bacon on cheese

6)Fold in half and let cook for 3-5 min on medium heat

Serve with toast

Latte Macchiato - 3 Layered Coffee

This is a great way to impress some one with a simple latte.

You will need:

2 cups milk (no fat-reduced product)

3 tablespoons instant espresso coffee powder, heaped

Directions:

1)Heat milk in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium-high heat (do not boil).

2)In the meantime prepare instant espresso according to package direction.

3)As soon as the milk is hot put it into a blender or use frother and blend on high for 40 seconds or until the milk has a velvety milk foam.

4)Fill glasses up to 2/3 with milk foam.

5)Now pour hot espresso VERY SLOWLY into the foam, I suggest to pour it from the rim.

6)If you like, you can turn a spoon around and pour the espresso slowly over its back side.

7)After 1 minute the drink will divide in 3 layers

8)You can add sugar to it to if that is how you like to drink it

Classic French Toast

This is super good and easy to make in the morning and goes great with bacon!

You will need:

2 eggs

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1tsp cinnamon

 tsp of butter

 baguette slices

Directions:

1)Wisk all ingredients together in a flat dish

2)Melt a tsp of butter in frying pan on med to high heat

3)Use baguette slices about ½ inch thick, dip in egg mixture on both sides and fry in pan until golden

4)Dust with icing sugar serve with syrup and bacon or sausage

Makes 8-10 pieces but can be easily doubled for more

spinach dip

I tried a spinach dip from M&M meats the other night and it was actually really good and easy to prepare. Just pop into dish and microwave until bubbly serve with tortilla chips or pita chips.

chocolate banana

I had a chocolate drizzled banana for a snack.

hot chocolate

After a long day I always love to have a nice glass of hot chocolate.

candy apple

Had a candy apple at the Rockie Mountain Chocolate Factory in Harrison while walking by the water.

Apple Sandwiches with Granola and Peanut Butter

This is a great healthy snack for kids and they can even help you make it. Its also great to put in lunchboxes.

You will need:

2 small apples, cored and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick rounds

1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

3 tablespoons peanut or almond butter

2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips

3 tablespoons granola

Directions:

1) If you won't be eating these tasty treats right away, start by brushing the apples slices with lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.

2) Spread one side of half of the apple slices with peanut or almond butter then sprinkle with chocolate chips and granola. Top with remaining apple slices, pressing down gently to make the sandwiches. Transfer to napkins or plates and serve.

pizza wings and salad

Had pizza, wings, and salad with the neighbors the other night.

strawberries and whipped cream

Who doesn't love a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream

Chocolate chip cookies

Who doesn't like a simple chocolate chip cookie. In my house I make them and they are all gone within 10 hours leaving the question "when are you going to make cookies again?"

You will need:

3/4 cup melted butter

1 ½ cup white sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1egg yolk

1 tbsp vanilla

2 cups flour

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 325° and grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper

2) Combine the first 6 ingredients with hand mixer or wooden spoon

3) Mix in the next 3 ingredients with wooden spoon until just mixed then add chocolate chips

4) Drop onto cookie sheet in ¼ cup mounds if you want MONSTER cookies,

or smaller scoops for smaller cookies.

5)  Bake for 15-17 min or until edges are lightly golden, cool for a minute before removing from pan.

mashed potatoes and stew

Had mashed potatoes and stew tonight with my family yummm.

Choco Banana Cake

This banana cake is a nice change up from the normal banana bread, its also really yummy with ice cream!

You will need:

1 cup margarine

1 ½ cups white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3-4 mashed bananas

1 cup sour milk or butter milk

3 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

Topping:

1tsp cinnamon

½ cup brown sugar

1 ½ cups chocolate chips

Directions:

1) Mix first 7 ingredients well.

2) Add flour, soda and powder. Mix with beater.

3) Put half the batter into a greased 9X13 pan. Sprinkle half the topping mix onto batter.

4) Pour the last half of batter into pan and sprinkle with the remaining topping.

5) Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes.

candy and caramel covered apples

Hade one of these supper cute candy and caramel covered apples from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Victoria this weekend.

Ice Cream Cake

I made this for a dinner and not only did the kids ask for more but so did the adults. It's actually kinda fun to make an ice cream cake just the way YOU want it and not to buy one from the store. Plus you know what every thing is that you are putting in it so it must make it a little better for you to eat...right?

You will need


For the crust:


crushed oreo cookies


1 stick butter (1/2 cup)


For the ice cream cake:


2-3 1.5 quart containers of your favorite ice cream flavors


Directions: For the crust
1.  Mix the melted butter and crushed oreo cookies.  Press on the bottom of a springform pan (I used a 10-inch springform pan) or a cake pan nicely lined with plastic wrap.  There should be enough plastic wrap for you to be able to grab and pull out the cake after it’s been frozen.

2.  Put the pan in the freezer for about 20 minutes before filling it up with ice cream.


Directions: For the ice cream cake
 1.  Allow the ice cream to soften in the fridge or on your kitchen counter.  This should take about 15 to 20 minutes.  You don’t want soupy or melted ice cream.  You just want it to be soft and pliable that you can spread it on the pan.


2.  Layer the ice cream and spread evenly per flavor on the spring form pan.  If you’re using a 10″ spring form pan, you’ll use up all of the 1.5 quarts of ice cream per flavor.


3.  Freeze for at least four hours.


4.  Take the ice cream cake out of the pan and spread whipped cream (recipe follows) on the top and sides of the cake.  Pipe a border on the top and base of the cake.


5.  Decorate the top with Oreo cookies or your candy of choice.


6.  Be sure to work quickly!  Freeze the cake for at least another 4 hours before serving. 

cheese cake muffins

I got to eat the cheese cake muffins my group and I made in Foods class... and they were to die for soooooo good!

brownie

Having a slice of brownie with some strawberries is definately one of my favorite desserts. It's also a simple dessert that kids will always love and eat!

You will need:

3/4 cup butter 

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoon vanilla

3 eggs

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

a pinch of salt (optional)

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 deg F

2) Line a 13 x 9 in (33 x 23 cm) cake tin with grease proof or other non-stick paper and grease the tin. 

3) Beat eggs with sugar, and add vanilla, flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt (optional) and melted butter.

4) Bake at 350 degrees until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 20-30
minutes.

5) Cool the cake. Dust with powdered sugar or glace with your favorite chocolate frosting.

Berry tea

I had berry tea and watched a movie with my friends in Foods class, what an awesome day!