Fresh Fig Cake

This poor blog.  LOL

I have a fig tree, and have so many figs, I decided to make a fig cake for my mother.  Of course, I decided to use a cake mix for a base.

FRESH BROWN SUGAR & FIG CAKE

1 box butter yellow cake mix
1 cup oil
3 eggs
1/2 cup water
10 fresh figs cut into fourths
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all dry ingredients, and then add in oil, water, eggs, one at a time.  Lastly, add in diced figs. (you can toss them in a small amont of dry ingredients to keep them from sinking)  Pour into a greased bundt pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr.

This was surprisingly yummy!!  I will definitely make it again!

xoxo

4 months is just not right!

I know, I know...I've been MIA for sometime now.  I REALLY need to get back on here with my recipes.  I have become a big fan of www.skinnytaste.com  with weight loss, so I haven't done a TON of my own recipes. 

This AWESOME party invite/decor site has actually gotten me back on here though, so thank you DimplePrints! : )  

DIMPLEPRINTS is having a HUGE 1,000 fan giveaway worth $130 in prizes at www.dimpleprints.com!

**I just finished some dark chocolate cake pops...

vanilla cake mix (bake is directed)
dark chocolate frosting (3/4 container)

*mix first two ingredients and shape into small balls slightly smaller than a golf ball.  You may either leave them like that or place them on a cake pop stick.  I like to freeze mine, I think they coat better that way.  Once frozen, melt semi sweet chocolate over a double broiler.  Dip and coat each cake pop, twirling and lightly tapping stick on side, to knock extra chocolate off.  Although I did not, you can decorate with sprinkles, or a second chocolate drizzled on them, etc.  Place standing up to harden.  I had to rig a contraption up using a cooling rack (with small squares) with a big book under it. LOL  Hey, it works!  Once hardened, I prefer to keep mine refrigerated.

xoxo

Another Low Fat Night

Tonight I will be BAKING some egg rolls!  I am going to use a WEIGHT WATCHER recipe (4pts a piece)  and I think I will also whip up a little dipping sauce for them.  I am going to serve some steamed white rice with them.  I made a low fat cake that was SO good and does NOT taste low fat at all!!!  SIMPLE recipe too.

Easy Low Fat Cake
1 box of cake mix (I used chocolate fudge)
1 diet coke

*You still bake it the same way..just follow the recipe on the box. 

THAT'S IT.  It was so moist and yummy...I will never make a cake mix cake the old way again. (with eggs and oil)  You can use any cake mix, you can use any diet soda (sprite, cream soda, etc)  The possibilities are endless here!  I already am planning some cute pink and red Valentine's Day cupcakes. = )  I will post the recipe then. 

I will try and post the link the BAKED EGG ROLLS tonight!

xoxo

Super Low-Fat/Low-Cal. Apple Bread

After making and loving the recipe for Almost No Fat Banana Bread, I thought I would put a spin on it and make a loaf of Apple Bread/Cake.  Smells good, can't wait to taste it! I'll have to update this once I do.

SUPER Low-Fat/Low-Calorie Apple Bread (Cake)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup Splenda
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 egg whites
2 single apple sauce containers (regular)
1 apple (I used a Pink Lady-my fave)half  cut into tiny pieces, the other half shredded

Spray a loaf pan, and preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Mix dry ingredients first, then add in other ingredients, saving the apple pieces for last.  Bake for 45 minutes. ENJOY!

xoxo

Reducing the Week Night Fat

So along with the new year and my own personal "health" goals, I plan to try and make more low fat, healthy dinners. (at least during the week!)  Tonight's was a hit! = )

Low Fat Mexican Lasagna
1 lb lean ground turkey
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 minced garlic cloves
1 14 oz. can of NO SALT added crushed tomatoes
1 10 oz. can enchilada sauce (red)
sea salt and pepper to taste
4 slices 2 % sliced cheddar cheese
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
1 egg white
4 large fat free tortillas, cut into fourths

*Saute ground turkey with diced onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic.  Once all meat is browned, drain excess fat.  Add in tomatoes, enchilada sauce and salt and pepper to taste.  Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, mix sliced cheese, cottage cheese and egg white in a food processor.  Saute over medium heat, tortilla pieces in a lightly sprayed non stick skillet with a teaspoon of salsa or enchilada sauce until it is SOFT on both sides.  Layer 1 third of meat mixture, 1/2 of cheese mixture, and then a layer of tortillas, repeating layers ending with meat, in a 9x12 Pyrex dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, uncovered.  Serve with fat free sour cream, diced jalapenos and diced green onion. ENJOY!

A French kind of night

Well, since I ended up making venison chili Wednesday night (My "Around the World on Wednesday Nights" night) I went with a French theme for our dinner guests last night.  And I MUST say, it was pretty great. = )  First on the menu I went a little out there and made up a savory cheesecake to serve over a bed of baby spinach and mixed greens...and it was one of the best things I've ever had!!  A MUST try!  Then for our main course I made Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon, always a hit.  I served it with some easy mashed potatoes that I made with 3 T of butter and a container of garlic and herb Allouette spread.  It really made it easy, and was fantastic!  Finally, for the dessert course I took a short cut in making my own chocolate filled mini croissants.  They were really good as well.  Here are the recipes:

Sara's Savory Goat Cheese Cheesecake w/a onion/shallot/balsamic reduction
2 4oz. pkgs. of honey goat cheese (Chevre)
1 pkg of cream cheese
1 small container of sour cream
2 eggs
1 t kosher salt

6 T butter
1 1/2 cups crushed wheat crackers
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

*crush crackers finely, and mix together with Italian bread crumbs.  Melt butter and mix with crumbs.  Press into a BUTTERED spring form pan. (9 ") Place on baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.  Let cool.  Mix together goat cheese, cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.  Add in sour cream.  Mix until incorporated.  Add in one egg at a time until mixed.  Add salt.  Pour into your crust and bake (on baking sheet in center of oven for 20 minutes.  ROTATE pan and cook for 20 more minutes.  Let cool and refrigerate for several hrs to over night before serving. 

Onion, Shallot and Balsamic Reduction
1 sweet onion, sliced thinly
3 small shallots sliced thinly
enough balsamic vinegar to cover in small sauce pan

*Cook over medium to low heat until onions are tender, and balsamic vinegar is cooked almost all down.  Put small slice of cheese cake over a bed of baby spinach and then drizzle onion mixture on top. Enjoy!

Easy Chocolate filled Croissants
1/2 box of puff pastry
melted butter
powdered sugar
semi sweet chocolate chips

*Let puff pastry thaw, and place of floured (preferably with powdered sugar) surface.  Cut at both seems with a pastry cutter or knife.  Work with each piece individually. (3)  Roll out and brush with melted butter.  Fold in half.  Roll out, keeping your rolling pin powdered.  Roll thin, then brush with butter.  Fold in half.  Repeat steps 4-5 times.  Cut piece in half . (you should have 2 squares)  Place about a teaspoon of chocolate chips in center.  Fold corner over to form a triangle.  Press seam to seal. (can brush with egg wash)  Brush tops with egg wash. (beat one egg)  Place on GREASED baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.  ENJOY!

xoxo

SUPER yummy heealthy dinner

OK, so my tilapia turned out really good...it's a must try. = )

Italian Panko Crusted Tilapia Over Steamed White Rice
* this is per fillet

1 fillet of tilapia
1/4 cup panko crumbs
1 T margarine
1 t Italian seasoning
1/2 t kosher salt

*mix crumbs, seasoning, salt together, melt margarine and mix in.  Pat mixture onto fillet.  Repeat if you are doing more than one.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.  Serve over 1 cup steamed white rice.

**456 calories, 39g carbs, 12 g fat, 24 g protein per serving**  (I know this thanks to www.myfitnesspal.com where I can enter in the ingredients I use to cook/bake with)

I served this with some steamed veggies as well!!! YUMMO!

xoxo

Almost No Fat Banana Bread

I just put Almost No Fat Banana Bread in the oven, so we will see what the outcome is...if it's good, like rated, I will be SUPER excited b/c it's so healthy!!

I also made a Buffalo Chicken Salad bu Ellie Krieger, and it was SO GOOD! I did not miss the fat from regular wings AT ALL! If you are a wing fan like me, you should definitely try this.

Tomorrow I will making a venison chili with some meat one of our good friends gave us.  I will try and post the recipe asap!

xoxo

ITALY- Low Fat can still be good!

Although I haven't gotten my tamale recipe link from last week posted, here is my recipe for low fat lasagna from last night.  It ws VERY good, you didn't even miss the fat!!!!

LOW FAT LASAGNA
1 lb lean ground turkey
1 lb lean Italian sausage
2/3 cup diced onion (yellow)
3 minced garlic cloves
1- 14.5 oz can diced Italian tomatoes
1- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with garlic & olive oil
1- 15 oz. tomato sauce
1- 6 oz. tomato paste
1 T kosher salt
1 t fresh cracker pepper
2 T sugar
1 T dried oregano
1 T dried basil
1 T Italian seasoning
1 pkg lasagna noodles
1 16 oz. low fat ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 T dried parsley
2 bags shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

*lightly grease a 9x13 glass dish.  In a dutch oven, saute the onion and garlic, adding in the turkey and sausage to brown.  Once browned, add in the tomatoes, sauce and paste.  Reduce to a simmer for 1 1/2 hours.  In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, parsley and egg.  Boil your noodles on high for about 8-10 minutes. (be sure to salt water/add at least a T of olive oil) In your greased dish, lay out the noodles for the bottom layer.  Next, spread about 1/2 the ricotta mixture.  Then sprinkle a generous layer (about 3/4 the bag) of mozzarella.  Then sprinkle some Parmesan.  Next, spread a generous layer of the meat sauce on. Repeat layers, gently pressing down each layer.  When you run out of the ricotta (should be at the top), Just do the other cheeses.  Cover with a SPRAYED sheet of foil, and bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.  Remove foil and cook another 25 minutes.  Take out of oven and cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting/serving.

EAT AND ENJOY!!!!!!

xoxo

BEHIND!

I am horrible! Here it is Wednesday and I am planning my international meal today, and still haven't blogged about LAST Wednesday night!!

PORK & CHICKEN TAMALES were really good!  It was quite a lengthy process for two people though.  We have fun, I asked my mom to tell me stories about my grandmother.  We ended up listened to an array of Latin music and even made margaritas. :)  We went with a recipe we found on Foodnetwork.com and made them pork and chicken instead of beef. 

Tonight's country.......ITALY!  I will be making a traditional lasagna, but with light or low fat meats and cheeses.  I PROMISE to post the recipe tonight or tomorrow.

Taking it and making it your own....

I like to take recipes and make them my own...change things, add things.  Tonight I am fixing something inspired by a pasta dish that Giada makes. (Pasta Alla Formiana) Which by the way, is PHENOMENAL!  Here is how I am doing it...

Baked Penne with Turkey & Tomato Sauce

1.25 lbs of ground turkey
1/2 cup diced onion (yellow)
1/4 cup dried oregano (sounds like a lot, but its perfect)
2 t kosher salt
1/2 t fresh ground pepper
1.5 T minced garlic
2 T olive oil
1 cup penne pasta
1/3 cup olive oil
1 can diced tomatoes 15 oz.
1 can tomato sauce 15 oz.

I started out sauteing my diced onion in the 2 T olive oil over medium/high heat.  Once they start to soften and become translucent, I added in the garlic.  I cooked that for about 2 minutes.  I then added in the turkey meat and cooked through.  Meanwhile, I took my 2 quart corning ware dish, and mixed the pasta, two cans of tomatoes/sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, and 1/3 cup olive oil.  Once the turkey was cooked, I added that mixture into the pasta mixture.  You bake uncovered for 1 hour at 450 degrees.  If you want to, you can add a Parmesan or Italian blend cheese on top the last 10-15 minutes.

Let cool for at least 5 minutes once out of the oven.

Eat & enjoy! = )

I MAY even post a pic of this later on!

xoxo 

Around the World on Wednesday Nights!

My goal for 2011...I will be cooking a dinner from a different country every Wednesday night!!

This Wednesday will be MEXICO!

Tamales of some sort....it will be my first time doing them from start to finish.  I was lucky enough to be included in the process with Matt's family recently.  This coming Wednesday night will be the anniversary of my grandmother's death.  She had a stroke on New Year's making tamales.  I have decided, along with my mother, sister, aunt and cousin, that we will start a new tradition of making tamales every January 5th in honor of her.

STAY TUNED! = )

Christmas Frenzy!

Yes, I am still alive.  Barely.  Since Thanksgiving, I have been doing ENTIRELY too much baking/cooking.  I have not had much time to post anything.  Sorry!  I did throw together a great, easy dinner a couple of nights ago, so I thought I would post that real quick.

Creamy Tomato Chicken & Penne

6 sliced up chicken breasts
1 jar of premade spaghetti sauce
1/2 diced onion
2 t minced garlic
1/2 C heavy cream
1/2 C shredded Parmesan cheese
penne noodles
2-3 T of butter
1 T Italian seasoning
salt & pepper to taste

*boil noodles with a good amount of kosher salt in the water (and at least a T of olive oil) (ALWAYS!)  Saute onion in butter over medium/high heat until they start to turn clear.  Add in garlic.  Saute for 2-3 minutes.  Add in chicken and seasoning.  Once chicken is cooked, add in sauce...heat through.  Add in cream, mix together.  Last add in cheese.  Toss with drained pasta. Enjoy!

Dijon Honey Mustard Baked Chicken Strips

I bought a package of chicken strips...although you could totally use chicken breasts.  This is currently in the oven and smells DIVINE!  Here is the recipe while I have a second to type it up!

Dijon Honey Mustard Baked Chicken Strips
1/2 cup honey
1/2 Dijon or spicy brown mustard
1 t kosher salt
1/2 t fresh ground pepper
1/2 t paprika
1/2 t basil

Marinate chicken strips for several hours before baking.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. ENJOY!

I will post later to let you know how yummy this is!

Apple Spice Cake

Made an "easy" version of the Apple Harvest Cake!  Looks the same too. Too bad I won't get to taste it...it's for a bake sale.

Apple Spice Cake
1 spice cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 can apple pie filling

Mix all ingredients together and pour into greased bundt pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr and 10 minutes.  Let sit in pan for about 5 minutes, then dump out onto cake plate.  Let cool uncovered.

drizzle-powdered sugar, 1 t. vanilla, 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice...mix well, spoon on top of semi-cool cake.

My Fall Food

Last night I made an Apple Harvest Cake recipe that I found on www.allrecipes.com.  I left out the walnuts, b/c my mother can't have nuts.  It was SOOOO yummy! DEFINITELY worth making!!!  I also made chili.  It turned out SUPER yummy too! I started it at 2:30pm, and we ate about 5:45pm.  The longer it simmers, the better.  Here are the two recipes...enjoy!

Apple Harvest Cake

All Day Chili
1 lb. ground turkey
1 lb. ground chuck
1 lb. ground sirloin
1 lb. ground mild Italian sausage
2 28 oz. cans diced tomatoes with juice
3 15 oz. cans chili beans drained (red kidney beans)
1 15 oz. can spicy chili beans with juice
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1/2 large yellow onion diced
1/2 red bell pepper diced (seeded)
1/2 green bell pepper diced (seeded)
1 chili pepper diced (seeded)
2 T bacon bits
4 cubes beef bouillon
1/2 cup beer
1/4 cup chili powder
1 T Worcestershire sauce
2 T minced garlic
1 T dried oregano
2 t cumin
2 t Tabasco (or other hot sauce)
1 t basil
1 T kosher salt
2 t fresh ground pepper
1 t cayenne pepper
1 t paprika
1 T sugar

*Brown all meat, then add in all other ingredients.  Simmer over low heat for at least 2 hours.  The longer the better though!
*Serve over Frito's with shredded cheddar, sour cream, diced green onion and sliced jalapenos! YUM!

Italian Dinner

Tonight I decided to try my own thing, since it's been a while....FABULOUS!  You must try it. = )

I did Italian breaded pork chops and a spinach, artichoke, tomato & mozzarella bread pudding.  Both turned out really good! I REALLY wanted to make a pie, but am ATTEMPTING to watch what I eat until Thanksgiving...so.....that didn't happen.  Here are my recipes from dinner.  Enjoy!

Italian Breaded Pork Chops
2-4 thin pork chops, bone in
Italian bread crumbs
flour
Parmesan cheese (from a can)
vegetable or olive oil for pan frying
salt/pepper

*Salt and pepper both sides of the pork chops.  Mix equal parts flour and breadcrumbs, adding in about 2-3 T. of the Parmesan cheese.  I do all this on a paper plate.  Dredge pork chops through mixture on both sides.  Heat oil to medium/high heat.  Once its nice and hot, place pork chops in, and cook on each side for about 2 minutes.

Spinach, Artichoke, Tomato & Mozzarella Bread Pudding
1 pkg. frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
1 can quartered artichoke hearts (drained)
1/3 C finely diced onion (white or yellow)
1 container Cherub Tomatoes
1 t. minced garlic
1 t. kosher salt
1/2 t. fresh ground pepper
1 C heavy cream
1 C milk
2 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 C Parmesan or Italian blend cheese
1 french baguette, diced into 1 inch cubes


*butter a 2 quart corning ware dish.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place diced bread cubes in dish.  In a separate bowl mix together all the other ingredients, reserving 1 C of the mozzarella cheese.  Pour over bread, and mix together with your hands.  Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over top.  Place in center of oven, on a center rack.  Bake for 35-40 minutes.

oh my!

Its been almost a MONTH?! I am so sorry....its been a little rough here.

I haven't done a lot of homemade cooking, but made a Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie I found on the Pillsbury site.  It was very good and easy!  I added garlic, no sage and next time will add slightly less celery. 

I also remade my Pumpkin Spice Cake and it was much better this go-round, but still not perfect.  I added 1/2 a can of pumpkin, NO pudding mix and only 1/3 cup of oil.  Next time I will do the whole can of pumpkin and maybe 1/2 cup oil and it should be perfect!

That is all for now.

Tomorrow I will be attempting Kalua Pig (a Hawaiian tradition), but in a slow cooker....not in a hole in my backyard. ; )

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?