Chai Chocolate Chip Scones

Today is the Monday after Daylight Savings... like I'm sure many of you did, I had to stop by Starbucks today to grab a Venti coffee!! Boy, was I dragging!! #thestruggle haha! Speaking of coffee, here are some awesome scones to go with the freshly brewed Cup-o-Joe! Or maybe with your tea, if you are being properly British!

Chai Chocolate Chip Scones

Shopping List:

3/4 C Cold Heavy Cream

1 lg Egg

2 C Flour

3/4 C Sugar

2 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/2 Tsp Salt

2 Tbsp Loose Leaf Chai Tea

(Mine of course is from Borough Market in London :)

5 Tbsp Cold Butter

3/4 C Chocolate Chips

1 Tbsp Superfine Sugar

Method (British word for Recipe):

1. In a small bowl, whisk together cream and egg. Set aside.

2. In  a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, chai mix, and baking powder.

3. Cut in butter using  a pastry blender until mixture looks like coarse meal. 

4. Stir in cream/egg mixture with a wooden spoon.

5. Stir in chocolate chips.

6. Continue to stir just until dough comes together — it will be crumbly!

7. Put dough on to a parchment lined baking sheet. (Note: Parchment paper and wax paper ARE NOT THE SAME. I learned this the hard way! Wax paper should not be put in the oven. Parchment paper can be put in the oven).

8. Pat out in to a disc on the cookie sheet. 

9. Brush 1 Tablespoon of cream on to the dough and sprinkle sanding sugar on top.

10. Cut disc in to 8 triangles. 

11. Bake at 400 degrees for 16-18 minutes or longer. The trick is to bake it long enough that the middle isn't too doughy, but the outsides are not browned or burned.

Look on the bright side today! 

Spring is coming!

And you can enjoy these awesome scones with a cup of tea while watching 

The Bachelor Finale tonight!! 

Photo Credit: www.eonline.com

Who are you rooting for? 

Catherine or Lindsay?

Cabbage & Ramen Noodle Salad

I am excited to share a recipe from my Mom today! If you read the side column of my blog, you know she is my biggest cooking inspiration - and inspiration in general. This tasty salad is always a big hit at get togethers!! It's just got the perfect amount of crunch!

Cabbage & Ramen Noodle Salad

Shopping List:

2 bags Shredded Cole Slaw

1 bunch Green Onions, diced

2 pkts Ramen Noodles

1 C Toasted Almonds

(You can either buy almond slivers 

and toast them, or purchased the ones 

that are already toasted - in the aisle 

with the salad toppings)

Dressing:

2 Tbsp Soy Sauce

1/2 C Olive Oil

1/2 C Apple Cider Vinegar

1 C Sugar

1. In a large salad bowl, combine cole slaw, and green onions.

2. Crunch up ramen noodles in packets BEFORE opening them. Remove ramen seasoning (you will not use the seasoning packet in this recipe).

3. In a jar with a lid combine soy sauce, olive oil, cider vinegar, and sugar. Shake well.

4. When you are ready to serve, add ramen noodles and almonds to salad, mix well. Drizzle with dressing. Enjoy!

The Master Chef and I! (and the other one)

Oreo Cupcakes

The name of the recipe really does all the talking necessary... What else can you say about Oreo Cupcakes?! You just know its going to be awesome!! And the light, fluffy "cake" of the cupcake works well with the rich, chocolately, oreo-y flavors!! Guaranteed to become a go-to recipe for you!

Oreo Cupcakes

Shopping List:

1 box Chocolate Cake Mix

(I used Duncan Hines Classic 

Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix)

1 box Oreo Jello Pudding Cookies n' Cream Mix

3 lg Eggs

1 C Water

1/3 C Vegetable Oil

Frosting:

1 can Vanilla Frosting

(I used Duncan Hines Creamy Home-style 

Classic Vanilla Frosting)

10-15 Oreos

1. Preheat oven to 350 and place cupcake papers in cupcake tins.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil. Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, mix for 2 minutes on medium speed.

3. Divide evenly into cupcake papers. Bake for 18-22 mins. Insert toothpick to check if they are done. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

4. Frost with vanilla frosting.

5. Place oreos in a ziploc bag, seal bag, and crush oreos. Add some crushed oreo topping to each cupcake. Enjoy!

Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake (Copycat)

So I've missed a few days... This week has been crazy busy, but that's life! I'm excited to say though, that today is our SECOND guest post from none other than my sister!! I hoping this is her first of many!! She has some great recipes which I steal from time to time, including the very first recipe posted on this blog - see here: Meat and Veggie Stromboli. Hannah (Face) and I both love Starbucks, so I wasn't surprised when she chose a copycat recipe of something from the Starbucks bakery. This yummy snack/dessert is sooo good, and therefore I must say... WARNING: It is extremely difficult to eat just one piece!! Thanks Face, for sharing this recipe!

Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake (Copycat)

Shopping List:

1 box Yellow Cake Mix

1 box Instant Lemon Yellow Pudding Mix

1/2 C Vegetable Oil

4 lg Eggs

1/2 C Skim Milk

8oz Sour Cream

6 Tbsp Lemon Juice

Icing:

2 1/2 C Powdered Sugar

3-4 Tbsp Lemon Juice

1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease two loaf pans.

2. Combine cake mix, pudding mix, oil, eggs, milk, and sour cream in a mixing bowl. Using blender, beat until ingredients are well combined for 1-1 1/2 mins.

3. Divide batter evenly between two loaf pans.

4. Bake 45-55 mins until slightly browned. Insert toothpick to make sure loafs are done.

5. Remove and let cool for 15 mins before removing from loaf pans.

6. To make icing, combine powdered sugar and lemon juice in a mixing bowl. Mix until smooth and thick. Drizzle over over loafs, and let sit for 20 mins until icing is firm. Slice and serve. Enjoy!

This might be one of my favorite recipes! 

I'm so grateful to my sister for sharing!

Thanks Face!

Hannah spent a semester in London,
and I visited her while she was there... this was how we both
fell in love with the city!!  Here are a few photos from the trip
to show one interest we both have in common,
and to share a little of our relationship with you.

 Windsor Castle

St. James Park

(this bird was just sitting there!!)

Horse Guards Parade, next to 10 Downing St.

This is a little inside joke for Face from a double decker bus...

Good day!

Italian Muffaletta Panini

Sunday nights really are the best! Some Sunday nights, like last night, we eat and hang out with our good friends the Gilmers. Last night, we got to do this and we were looking for something quick and easy to make when Tessa suggested panini's, and I remembered a delicious sandwich I had enjoyed recently at our local coffee shop the Downtown Perk. We decided to replicate it. It's fast, easy, and really yummy!

Italian Muffaletta Panini

Shopping List:

2 slices Sourdough Bread

EVOO for brushing

3 Tbsp Italian Muffaletta Sandwich Spread

(I bought the pre-made spread in a jar, 

you can make it from scratch if you would like. 

You can find a good recipe here: Emeril's Muffaletta Recipe.)

2 slices Muenster Cheese

several slices Beef Pastrami, chipped

(You can find this at the deli counter)

several slices Genoa Salami

(also at the deli counter)

1. Brush one side of each slice of bread with EVOO.

2. Spread Muffaletta spread on bread. Add meat and cheese.

3. Cook on panini press, George Foreman grill, or stovetop griddle over medium heat for 2-3 mins (or until both sides have browned).

4. Serve hot with a nice cup of Tomato Bisque soup. Enjoy!

Butterscotch Scones

If you know me, you know that a trip 2 years ago with my parents to visit my sister who was studying abroad for a semester in London, started an obsession with all things British! British culture, British landmarks, the British Royal Family, etc. I love it all! This past year has been awesome for people like me who love GB with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee (which happened to fall on my birthday), the London Summer Olympics, and the announcement of a future royal heir!! It has been royal overdrive for me! And since I buy every People magazine that has Kate Middleton on the cover, let's just say they have made a lot of $$$ on me this year...

So don't be surprised when you see a British recipe on here from time to time. The morning of the royal wedding, I was up at 4am with a cup of tea in one hand and a scone in the other. And doing some research lately, I realized you can make scones in about as many different ways as you can cupcakes! That's a challenge I readily accept! So here begins the British journey... Cheers!

Butterscotch Scones

Shopping List:

3/4 C Cold Heavy Cream

1 lg Egg

2 C Flour

1/4 C Sugar

2 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/2 Tsp Salt

5 Tbsp Cold Butter

3/4 C Butterscotch Chips

1 Tbsp Superfine Sugar

Method (British word for Recipe):

1. In a small bowl, whisk together cream and egg. Set aside.

2. In  a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder.

3. Cut in butter using  a pastry blender until mixture looks like coarse meal. 

4. Stir in cream/egg mixture with a wooden spoon.

5. Stir in butterscotch chips.

6. Continue to stir just until dough comes together — it will be crumbly!

7. Put dough on to a parchment lined baking sheet. (Note: Parchment paper and wax paper ARE NOT THE SAME. I learned this the hard way! Wax paper should not be put in the oven. Parchment paper can be put in the oven).

8. Pat out in to a disc on the cookie sheet. 

9. Brush 1 Tablespoon of cream on to the dough and sprinkle sanding sugar on top.

10. Cut disc in to 8 triangles. 

11. Bake at 400 degrees for 16-18 minutes or longer. The trick is to bake it long enough that the middle isn't too doughy, but the outsides are not browned or burned.

Leprechaun Popcorn

Happy Friday and Happy March! I can hardly believe it is March already! In like a lion out like a lamb?? We'll see I guess! Well you know I love holidays and so obviously I had to start of St. Patty's month with an appropriate food (I've already indulged in a Shamrock Shake). I saw this popcorn recipe recently and thought it sound like an awesome fun snack that is super easy to make! Here is the original recipe. I made my popcorn green to go with the theme of the month, but you can try any flavor, any color! The possibilities are endless... well almost!  Have fun!

Leprechaun Popcorn

Shopping List:

12 C Popped Popcorn

(approx 2 bags)

14oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1  3oz box Jello Lime Jello Mix

(or the flavor of your choosing)

1. Preheat oven to 300 and line a shallow baking pan with heavy foil, extending foil over the edges of the pan (I just double wrapped the pan with foil). Butter foil.

2. Remove unpopped popcorn and pour popcorn into prepared pan. Keep warm.

3. Combine sweetened condensed milk and jello mix in a saucepan over low heat. Heat until mixture has slightly thickened and is bubbly (approx 4-5 mins).

4. Pour over popcorn and gently stir to coat. Bake 20 mins, stirring every 5 mins. Gently turn popcorn out onto buttered foil. Break into clusters. Enjoy!