Thursday, December 31, 2009

Update on the 'Mexican Cheese Dip'...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Now that's truly a party dip!!! I had a party in my mouth and so did our guests!!! It was definitely a hit...of course it was sooooooo easy too! Literally all the ingredients in the Mexican Cheese Dip....you 'toss' into a sauce pan and on medium heat mix together...let it come together as you stir occasionally...be sure that it doesn't burn (I'm the expert on burning even water)...then turn down on low heat and let it simmer...It is awesome!!! My husband is making chicken enchiladas with that cheese dip tomorrow...placing it inside the enchiladas!!!! Sounds like a tasty plan...what do you think?

Well...that was a great way to end this year of 2009 going into 2010...with a yummy appetizer.

Happy New Year to you all!

Attempting the 'Mexican Cheese Dip'

Yummy and Happy New Year's Eve...in just a few moments I will be attempting to make the 'Mexican Cheese Dip'...I will be checking back with you all to let you know how it comes out...if you decide to make the same recipe...let me know how it goes! Remember the 'Mexican Cheese Dip' I'm getting ready to prepare is on my post titled, "Great Party Appetizer!"...check it out for the recipe!!!!

"Hasta La Vista"!
"Goodbye until we see each other again"!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Does She Exist?

Does she exist? Yes...Holly does truly exist! Haahaa! Actually I have attached her reply as I gave her an assignment before she was to go on my new blog...to watch the great movie...
Julie & Julia
starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.



Here is Holly's reply after seeing the movie...
(Trailer):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjvJHsJD8ic

"OK I rented Julie/Julia last night and thought it was great!!! I am even inspired to the whole cooking thing!! I think I will get Julia's cookbook and try some 'Bouff Bougnignon' (You also need to say that just like Julia when saying that phrase!!!!!!)

Anna Cat is here and we looked at your blog...I thought you should do a Julie/Julia challenge and be required to complete the whole cookbook in ... days! What a challenge!!!

Love ya. Glad you were so inspired. You better start practicing up, because I just gave you all the easy ones. I am working on my full-size cookbook and I won't be so easy on ya, gal! Heeheehee!!!!..."

Yes...I think in mid-January I just might take Holly up on her challenge...why January? Well, my husband the King of the Kitchen will allow me to do so...heehee! We'll see what cooking challenges and breakthroughs come about. If you ever saw Holly in action in the kitchen...you would be inspired to get those pots and pans clangin', oven doors slammin', and more than anything...just good ol' eatin'!!!!!

I am still remembering the moment when she literally cooked 3 things at one time...no joke...she prepared quiche...braided sausage and baked brownies...in which the brownies were being prepared to make a chocolate trifle with whip cream, chocolate pudding, brownie and crushed 'Heath' bars...my mouth is watering just thinking of that glorious, delicious moment!

I long for your comments like I long for chocolates!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Great Party Appetizer!

Ok...let's see here...what sounds good? As I flip through the pages of the small cook book from my Holly, I believe I'll choose the Mexican Cheese Dip from the 'Appetizers Section':

Ok, get your small grocery list ready, here's what you will need:
* 8 oz. (ounces) cream cheese
* 8 oz. Monterrey Jack Cheese, shredded
* 2 TBS (Tablespoons) of chili powder or taco seasoning
* 1 tsp. (Teaspoon) of garlic powder
* 2 cans chili with NO beans

Mix the first four ingredients together. Then, pour chili on top and heat until melted. Serve with tortilla chips!

Acabado! ('Finished' in Spanish)!

We're going to make this for New Year's Eve...we'll let you know how it turns out!!!! I would love it if you would let me know how it turned out for you!

Thanks for leaving your comments...I love comments as much as I love chocolates!!!!!

Monday, December 28, 2009

The Beginning of My Inspiration to Cook...

Inspired by the movie, 'Julie and Julia', I have decided to start a cooking blog.



Where do I begin? From a woman who is a blessed wife, mom, daughter, sister, auntie and friend, what can I actually do to inspire my sense of taste among the ones I love the most? Especially with one of the biggest blessings...my husband is an amazing 'gourmet' chef in our home. What would cause me to want to start something like this? Well, I must say, being around people like my husband and my best friend, Holly, they enjoy cooking so much, they make it look fun and so delicious. They make what use to seem like a major task, look like a get away from the bland to the delightfully tasty parts of life.

This journey has begun as I opened up a surprise package from a dear friend in Iowa on Christmas Eve. Again, I must say, Holly loves to bake and cook; and every meal is exquisite and performed with great excellence. As I opened my surprise package, there it was. The source of my inspiration. She created a small cook book...a small cook book just for some of her close friends and family. The title, "Only the Easiest, Quickest and Best Recipes" From Holly's Kitchen To Yours.

Also inside the package was a fun beginner's cooking kit for none other than my fun, creative and my source of inspiration...my daughter. The kit was filled with a wisk, miniature muffin pan, miniature cupcake liners, a small spatula, wooden spoon and apron. O so adorable, and beyond fun. This kit has inspired the creativity already on the inside of my adorable daughter, in which I am reminded all over again, that I get to be her mom.

All in all, today I baked pumpkin bars, and made my own frosting...for the first time successfully!!! Now that's exciting...

My daughter used every one of her important tools from her kit and here are a couple of photographs to prove it....enjoy, salivate and be inspired to inspire your taste buds, as we have in our home this fun, memorable evening!








The big sheet are the pumpkin bars I made...

Recipe:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray your jelly roll pan (see image below) with Cooking Spray.
Here's your grocery list:
* 1 small can pumpkin
* 2 cups sugar
* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 4 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
*1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients just til blended; don't beat too long or bars will turn out chewy. Bake in Jelly roll pan at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.


(Jelly Roll Pan)

For homemade frosting:
* 2 pound package of powdered sugar
* 1 stick butter, softened (microwave for a few seconds)
* 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (microwave for a few seconds)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat together and spread on cooled bars...you can cut after it has been frosted.