New Web page!!

Hey!

So I started my new web page. Everything from here transfered to there. I am probably going to keep this and maybe turn it into a family web page, but I am not sure yet.

Check out the new web page:

http://thediva-dish.com/

Thank you =]

New Beginning

Good News!!

I officially started a web page!

I'm not going to tell you what it is yet because it isn't ready.

Check back soon and I'll direct you where to go =]

much love!

Switching Web Sites

Ok, so I have just been informed that I cannot add anymore pictures to my blog because its too FULL! What is this?!? I have never heard of this before?

Apparently I have to purchase more space...

GHETTO

But seriously, 

I had some really awesome things to post.

So now I am lost.

Maybe this is an answer to my prayers.

Because I have been deciding wether I want to switch from blogger to a .COM, but I really know nothing about it.

Am I good enough to switch from blogger to a real web page?

Any suggestions would be helpful =]

One more thing about this whole "blog space too full deal"

LAME

New Years Resolution

I know it's about a month early to be talking about New Year's Resolutions, but the sooner I get started, the better prepared I am for the new year.

Actually to be honest, I don't really believe in New Year's Resolutions.

Meaning, I don't believe that you can set goals to change ONCE a year. I think goals should be consistently set often in order to improve who we are.

And, I wouldn't necessarily say I am very good at the whole accomplishing goals thing. I tend to leave things...un-finished.

(Pics of unfinished things)

Teal & Pink Cupcakes

Recently I visited a baking store in town, just to spend money see what they had, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I noticed they carried these:

DRAGEES!

No, not drag queens.

Although I'm assuming they would like these too.

They are edible silver balls for decorating cakes/cupcakes etc.

My mom, who was separated from Martha Stewart at birth, always had these around the holidays. She would put them on her Christmas cookies, and it added a beautiful touch.

Recently we have been looking for them everywhere, until now! 

DRAG QUEENS...I mean DRAGEES for everyone!!

I love those little balls so much, they helped inspire me for my next cupcake project.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting, pink flower, and silver pink dragee.

Marble Cupcake with Double Dutch Chocolate frosting, teal flower, and teal dragee.

And then I learned a valuable lesson.

One thing you may not know about me is that I LOOOVE cooking shows.

Top Chef Just Desserts!..WHAT WHAT!

Anyways.

When I first got married, my husband worked at Nordstrom's.

He worked so many hours, I was alone alot...It was terrible!

( Besides the employee discount =] )

So I found a way to make the days/nights go faster.

I watched cooking shows, and baked and cooked alot.

(I know what your thinking. I sat on my butt in front of the TV, and then I ate lots of food. No I wasn't depressed OR eating my feelings. And No I didn't gain 500 pounds. I got close though)

Anyways,  I learned alot of valuable lessons.

Problem was...

I tend to not like being told what to do, and I'm sure my dad would agree. But one thing I remember the chefs always saying was that food taste SO much better when you use high quality ingredients.

I didn't believe them at first, but as time grew, I realized they were RIGHT. Dangit!

And today, that realization slapped me in the face again.

Meet the most amazing chocolate frosting I have ever made:

All because I used a high quality cocoa powder. I bought it online, and it tasted AMAZING.

Ghiradelli didn't even COMPARE =]

So if I teach you anything, it's that, the quality of the ingredients you use DOES make a difference.

Now if you will excuse me, I have a bowl of frosting to eat.

Ms. Diva

Everyday I am reminded how lucky I am to be me.

Not to brag

But I have the CUTEST little girl.

Who, I might add, is obsessed over polka dots.

Which means every outfit she wears has polka dots on it. 

If not, she gets very upset.

Unless she is on a polka dot BlAnKeT...

then it's ok.

Such a diva.

Just like her mamma =]

And us divas like to have fun.

Like going to an aquarium.

And, take probably one out 5 of our family photos.

Ok, maybe six family photos total.

Ok, now seven.

That's because we have a million photos of this little angel.

Maybe if she would just stop being so silly...

I think she is just a show off really...

At least she doesn't cross the line like her daddy.

Don't worry. He's just trying to be funny.

Hardy har har har

Goat Cheese Black Bean Burger & Turkey Burger

 I have learned a few things things this past weekend.

Such as, 

pacifiers are not just for babies.

Puppies need pacifiers too.

My child will probably never trust me again.

"Sure mommy, i'll let you put an ice cube in my mouth, cuz I love you!"

"Hmmm, something doesn't taste right."

"That definitely didn't taste right"

"Why does my head feel funny mommy?"

"I will never trust you again mommy."

Besides that, 

Goat Cheese Stuffed Black Bean Burgers are my new favorite thing.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Black Bean Burgers:

Adapted from Allrecipes

Ingredients:

1 Can black beans

1/2 bell pepper (I used green but you can use yellow/red/orange)

1/2 Onion

1 TB chopped garlic 

1 egg

1 TB chili powder

1 TB cumin

Dash of hot sauce

3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Goat cheese (I used herb and garlic seasoned)

Directions:

1. Mash black beans

2. Finely chop onions, bell pepper, and garlic

3. Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix together

4. Form into smaller patties (4), reserving less than half the batter

5. Press goat cheese onto tops of patties

6. Using remaining batter, top patties so goat cheese is covered

7. Either pan fry or bake at 375 for about 35 minutes

So you start of with a simple can of black beans.

I love them beans.

For some reason I have this song stuck in my head,

"Beans, beans, the magical fruit. The more you eat the more you...."

Then you mash them...I used a potato masher...

Worked JUST FINE

Then chop your pepper, onion, and garlic.

Gather your spices, crumbs, and the egg.

Throw all ingredients into the bowl, and mash.

Then don't forget the star of the show.

You don't have to use goat cheese...

I guess...

Your problem, not mine =]

Top your patties with goat goodness.

Then top with remaining batter.

I baked mine, but pan fried would probably taste better.

Then top with all the fixings,

Such as,

avacado, lettuce, tomatoe, onion, hummus, ketchup, mustard, chocolate...

wait....

no never mind,

chocolate taste just fine on it.

Don't worry, I tried it.

 And for those of you who are lame, and don't want to try a black bean burger...

Try this turkey burger that I made for the "male" members in my family...aka sissy men who don't branch 

out =]

you know who you are.

P.S.

My dad said it was the best turkey burger he has ever had.

But he's my dad, and he is supposed to say that.

Turkey Burger

Adapted By: How sweet it is

Ingredients:

1-2 pounds lean ground turkey 

1 TB. olive oil

1/2 Cup seasoned bread crumbs

2 tsp. chopped garlic

dash of tabasco 

1/2 TB onion powder

1 tsp. paprika

1 TB. dried parsley

dash of salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mash together

2. Form patties

3. Cook on skillet until cooked all the way through.

Make sure to share with everyone...

Pumpkin Banaynay Bread

Probably one of the biggest questions after thanksgiving is,

"How much weight did you gain?"

"What Do I do with all these left overs?"

As we contemplated what we should make, none of us could agree on the same thing.

Therefore, we all did something different.

We are kinda a complicated family.

I kept it simple. I just heated the leftovers and grubbed.

One of my brothers got a little more creative.

Turkey, cheese, mashed potatoes, and gravy panini.

That's not even that weird compared to what my older brother made.

Turkey, cheese, goat cheese, and pineapple pizza.

I'm guessing that it's an acquired taste.

Moving on.

This morning I had chocolate for breakfast. I've said this before, It's the ONLY way to start the day.

No, that's not melted chocolate on top of a banana. 

Although I could be kidding just cuz I don't want to be judged.

Actually it's dark chocolate peanut butter.

WAY better for you =]

Normally I make a bread at the beginning of the week so the hubby and I can enjoy it for breakfast.

And considering that I bough 56 cans of pumpkin puree, afraid that they would run out due to the season, I made pumpkin banana bread.

It was super moist, which is really the only way I like my bread.

And I used alot of natural ingredients, so I felt better when I ate half the loaf in one sitting.

Kidding 

Kidding

I felt really guilty

Pumpkin Banaynay Bread
adapted from: Peas & Thank you

Ingredients:

1 3/4 Cups Whole Weat Pastry Flour

1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Nutmeg

1/2 tsp. Ginger

3/4 Cup Sucanat (or brown sugar)

1/4 Cup Vegan Butter, or canola oil

1/2 Cup Non Dairy Milk (Or regular Milk)

2 over ripe Bananas

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 Cup (Heaping) Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin Butter (Optional)

Directions:

1. Combine flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in medium bowl.

2. In a separate bowl combine butter and (sucanat) sugar, and beat until combined. Add milk, vanilla, & pumpkin and mix until incorporated. 

3. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients.

4. Now, if you want to, you can add pumpkin butter, which I made a few weeks back. Just take about a 1/3 cup of Pumpkin Butter, and using a mixing spatula, swirl it in the batter. You don't have to fully incorporate it, but just enough. If you don't want to do this, you can skip this step.

5. Pour batter into greased bread pan, and bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes.

Now go suck your thumb, lay on the couch, and wish you didn't eat 5 servings of grandmas sweet potato casserole.