a little experiment

I am trying some cake mix based strawberry cupcakes.....the reason I do a lot of my cakes/cupcakes from a cake mix base, is because I have two kiddos and its EASIER! LOL  I DO make adjustments to make them more moist, etc.  And I either do homemade frosting and/or filling.

Today I am making ALL STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES:

strawberry cake mix
3 eggs
2/3 cup oil
1 cup water

Strawberry buttercream frosting

2 sticks butter
1/2 cup homemade strawberry preserves (or store bought)
3 cups powdered sugar
2 T heavy cream
1 t vanilla

Beat butter until creamy.  Beat in strawberry preserves.  Add in sugar.  Add in heavy cream and vanilla.
(this should frost around 2 dozen cupcakes, depending on how much you use)

I may or may not FILL them with homemade strawberry preserves. = )

What's for dinner??

Today's hunt is on.  It will be hard to top my father's birthday dinner for me from last night.  Here are my options meat wise...

ground turkey
chicken
tilapia
rib eye steaks (probably not since we had steak last night)

any suggestions?

just a few things

Real quick:   from the Pumpkin Spice Cake, I would LEAVE OUT the vanilla pudding mix on this one.  I will next time...it was great, but almost too moist.  I think with the pumpkin, it doesn't really need the pudding mix.

My macaroni was even better than my Lobster version.  I used Cheddar, Beemster & Monterrey Jack.  I liked this combo better.  You really can throw almost any cheese in there.  I like to try new ones each time. 

here is the recipe for the Oven Baked BBQ Ribs courtesy of http://www.allrecipes.com/.  They are PHENOMENAL!  A little tedious with all the turning/basting every 20 minutes, but worth it!

Pumpkin Spice Cake w/Vanilla Drizzle

Here is the cake recipe from last night!  I used a bundt pan for it. (as I do most of my cakes)

Pumpkin Spice Cake w/Vanilla Drizzle

1 box spice cake mix
1 3.4 oz. vanilla pudding mix
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
1 cap pumpkin

Vanilla Drizzle

1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup (give or take for your preference) of milk or water

*mix all ingredients together, and pour in a greased bundt pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes depending on your oven. (I even check mine at 45 minutes)   Once done, take out of oven and leave in pan for at least 5 minutes.  Take out, and mix up your drizzle.  You may wait till cool if you'd like.  If you want your drizzle thinner-add more liquid.  Drizzle over top. Enjoy. = )

You REALLY can use cake mix for the base of anything...makes it much easier.  I DO do somethings from scratch though. ; )

and the search begins...

Well, I have volunteered to make the dessert for my oldest son's Halloween/Harvest Party, but one of the children is his class is allergic to MILK, EGGS, SOY & NUTS!  SO...I am searching for a great cake or cookie recipe with non of these is them.  Please, leave me a comment if you know of one!

I apologize for no fish last night.  We ended up going out for pizza. ; )  Tonight, no cooking dinner, but  I WILL be concocting a Pumpkin Spice Cake recipe!  So, check back tonight or tomorrow for that.

Tomorrow I will be making those PHENOMENAL ribs, my country green beans w/bacon, and a macaroni and cheese.  I have already posted the green bean recipe, but I will be adding the other two things.

still here = )

I haven't forgotten about my blog, despite my lengthy absence. = )

I think I will be doing a tilapia recipe for tonight....maybe with balsamic vinegar.....

stay tuned!