Food

Love is Sweet

May 8, 2013 by TheBaloneyBug 4 Comments

This past weekend I threw a bridal shower for my friend Jessica. We became quick friends when she started dating Jon’s best friend Matt.

I always used to tell Matt that I wanted him to date someone who I could be friends with, so I was pretty excited when he introduced me to Jess.

I of course had to have a mimosa bar, because what event is complete without a little booze? I served the champagne with grapefruit, orange juice and raspberry lemonade. The raspberry lemonade was by far the most popular choice (probably because it was awesome).

This cheese board is actually Jon’s masterpiece. Thank goodness I had him around to help set up before the shower because preparing for a shower with a newborn takes a tiny bit longer than I expected.

I used this recipe for the cucumber topping. It’s just Boursin cheese and a tiny bit of heavy cream. Easy and awesome. Done and done.

Then there were cheesecake pops. Oh, cheesecake pops.

True story: I tried to make my very first cheesecake the day before the shower while Adelaide was napping. I rushed through it and got it in the oven literally at the same time that she woke up. I baked it for an hour and then let it cool in the oven for the recommended five hours.

And then I forgot about it.

The next morning I woke up and realized my mistake. I’m pretty sure the guests wouldn’t have appreciated eating a cheesecake that had been sitting out for twenty four hours, so I had to throw it out and send Jon to buy a store bought one. The worst part isn’t that I had to throw out a perfectly good cheesecake, it’s that I wasted an entire two hour nap.

Next time I would skip trying to make it from scratch and just buy a store bought one to begin with.

Congratulations to Matt and Jessica. We couldn’t be more excited for you!

Filed Under: Baking, Cake Pops, Food, Life in General, Photography

Buffalo Chicken Tacquitos

April 25, 2013 by TheBaloneyBug 2 Comments

In a hunt for easy recipes, I of course took to Pinterst and found these buffalo chicken tacquitos. They looked easy to make and we had almost all of the ingredients already in our fridge. I made them during the day and refrigerated them until Jon got home from work, then we just popped them in the oven.

You can see the original recipe here.

They were easy and delicious.

Also, these pictures are making me hungry.

Filed Under: Food

Breakfast for Dinner

March 8, 2013 by TheBaloneyBug 5 Comments

In the four and a half years that Jon and I have been married, we haven’t had breakfast for dinner once. Not one single time. Shocking, I know.

Maybe it’s because I don’t like breakfast foods.

So when Jon wanted pancakes the other night I agreed, with the condition that they could be pumped full of chocolate chips and then I would top my stack with powdered sugar. Because what’s better than a breakfast food than a breakfast food covered in sugar?

I have to say, they were pretty darn good. But then again, so are most things garnished with sugar.

Filed Under: Food

Strawberry Pistachio Salad

March 6, 2013 by TheBaloneyBug 4 Comments

Lately it seems like I’ve been living off of this salad. I pack it for lunch, I make it as a side dish for dinner and I’ve brought it to dinner parties.

Growing up my parents would always bet each other that they were right, and the loser had to buy the winner a bag of pistachios. So now every time I bring home pistachios Jon asks me if I lost a bet. Doesn’t really matter because either way I’ve got pistachios.

To make the best ever salad, throw in a handful of the following:

Pistachios (Trader Joe’s sells them unshelled– I buy them unsalted)

Strawberries

Chopped Onion

Dried Cranberries

Goat Cheese

Toss with some Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic. You can also add chicken to make it a heartier meal (and barbeque chicken is a surprisingly delightful addition).

Seriously, take my word for it. Go make this salad.

No really. Go right now.

Filed Under: Food

Nutter Butter Truffles

February 21, 2013 by TheBaloneyBug 2 Comments

I may have a bit of a secret addiction to Nutter Butters. When Jon and I were in the airport headed to Fiji I stopped in one of the newsstands and picked up a bag of them. Next thing I know a full on addiction had been formed. Ohmygosh, so good.

So when one of my friends said she’d seen the idea of Nutter Butter Truffles floating around the internet I knew I immediately had to try my hand at them. Ridiculously easy, ridiculously delicious.

Throw the entire package of Nutter Butters into the food processor and blend down until it’s all crumbs.

Mix in a stick of cream cheese. You can start with a spoon, but you’re going to have to get your hands in there to really blend it together.

Form the cream cheese and Nutter Butter mixture into balls.

Dip into melted chocolate. I use Wilton Candy Melts, like I use for making cake pops.

For a little extra pizzaz I throw the extra chocolate into a bag and drizzle over the truffles. Instant fanciness.

Refrigerate them for a bit and then break off all the excess chocolate. Serve up to your friends and impress them all.

Or just keep them all for yourself. I won’t tell.

Filed Under: Baking, Food

Baked French Toast Casserole

February 19, 2013 by TheBaloneyBug 3 Comments

Since Jon and I had off of work yesterday I wanted to make us a nice breakfast to wake up to. I had seen this recipe on The Pioneer Woman for French Toast that you make the night before and throw in the oven in the morning when you’re ready to eat it. No work in the morning? Sounds like a plan to me.

I halved the Pioneer Woman’s recipe because I’m just feeding two mouths, but if you’re having overnight guests go for the full recipe. Maybe I should consider opening a Bed and Breakfast, just so I can make this more frequently.

Gotta love a recipe where you have most of the ingredients on hand, or at least know where to locate them in the grocery store without feeling like you’re on an episode of Supermarket Sweep.

Tear up the bread.

Pour the egg mixture. Cover with saran wrap. Refrigerate.

Ingredients for the topping. Again, things I had on hand. Win.

Combine those ingredients. Store in a Ziploc bag. Refrigerate.

In the morning when you’re ready to bake simply pour the topping over the french toast and bake at 350 for an hour. Before you know it your French Toast will be melting in your mouth.

You can thank me later.

Filed Under: Food, Life in General

Happy Birthday, Brady!!

February 1, 2013 by TheBaloneyBug 5 Comments

please note Brady’s tongue sticking out… can he get any cuter??

Today my little man turns five. FIVE! I seriously can’t believe my pup is five whole years old. I wonder how many walks Jon and I have taken him on in the last five years?

365 days x 5 years x 2 walks a day = 3,650 walks

That’s a lot of walks.

I decided for his fifth birthday I’d make meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting. When I told Jon this he was all, “Um, can I have one too?”

They turned out to be delicious, so the whole family got to enjoy Brady’s birthday treat.

Make meatloaf as normal and put into muffin trays.

Top each cupcake with whatever your heart desires. I used a mixture of ketchup, mustard and brown sugar. Bake for 25 minutes.

While the meatloaf cupcakes are baking, whip up some mashed potatoes. Then pipe them onto the fully baked cupcakes.

Let the dog lick the mashed potato “icing” off the mixing blade.

Sprinkle some bacon bits on top.

Admire your work.

Let the birthday boy enjoy his treat!

It’s safe to say I had no idea what I was getting myself into five years ago when I convinced Jon we needed a dog. It’s been a hundred times more difficult and a hundred times more rewarding than I ever anticipated.

Happy Birthday, my boy.

Filed Under: Brady, Food

Frozen Whipped Cream Dollops

January 22, 2013 by TheBaloneyBug 1 Comment

I may have found this recipe in Good Housekeeping, and I might just have a subscription to the magazine. Which makes me like 90 years old, but I’m okay with that. I love whipped cream on my hot chocolate, but hate how quickly it melts, so I was pretty excited about this recipe. And the fact that it only needs three ingredients:

2c heavy cream

2 tbsp confectioner’s sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

You start by beating the heavy cream in the mixer on medium speed until soft peaks are formed. I found this took about five minutes. Then add the confectioner’s sugar and vanilla extract and beat until stiff peaks form.

Pipe the cream mixture on parchment paper and freeze for at least an hour. You can store these for a couple of weeks in the freezer.

When you’re ready to enjoy a warm drink, pull a couple out, pop them in the drink and enjoy. As I was enjoying my hot chocolate I thought about replacing the vanilla extract with peppermint extract for a little flavor in hot chocolate.

And then I started dreaming of making these with a little bit of Bailey’s and putting them in coffee.

I think I may just try that once baby arrives.

Filed Under: Baking, Food

Football Themed Jello Shots

January 16, 2013 by TheBaloneyBug Leave a Comment

A couple of weeks ago we were going to our friend’s Green Bay Packers party, and I decided to try my hand at these jello shots. I realize that this post is a bit delayed considering Green Bay is no longer in the playoffs, but let’s pretend that doesn’t matter for the sake of this post.

What you’ll need:

-Water

-Knox Gelatin

-2 colors of powdered jello

-vodka

-sweetened condensed milk

For detailed instructions, check out this blog.

You start by making a batch of each color jello with vodka and refrigerating. For the Packers I used lemon and lime flavored jello.

You let these refrigerate for a couple of hours, and then cut into pieces.

Combine all the pieces into one tray and pour the sweetened condensed milk mixture over the jello pieces. Refrigerate a couple more hours, cut into cubes, enjoy!

Unfortunately, I did not get to actually taste them, but from the way they disappeared, I’d say they were quite a hit.

Filed Under: Baking, Food

Pie Pops

November 20, 2012 by TheBaloneyBug 1 Comment

Your eyes are not deceiving you, that is pie on a stick. I’d seen pictures of pie pops floating around the web and knew it was something I had to try. They were surprisingly easy to make. Especially because I cheated and used pre-made pie crust and fillings. But the beauty of these is you can literally fill them with anything. Chocolate, nuts, cherries, apples, pumpkin…the list goes on.

First, take the pre-made pie crust and roll it out a bit thinner. Make sure to use flour on the top and bottom to keep it from sticking. Then cut out your pie shapes.

Put the cut out pie crust onto your tray with a lollipop stick. Fill with your desired filling. I chose cherry.

Then put another piece of pie crust on top, making a pie sandwich. Maybe I would have eaten my sandwiches more as a kid if my mom made them out of pie. Just a thought.

I sealed the pie sandwiches by pressing around the edges with an extra lollipop stick. I’ve decided that next time I make these I’ll just use a fork, but really either way is fine. Brush egg whites on the tops and pop them in the oven at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes (or until they’re golden brown).

Leave them on the tray to cool so that the stick can settle. I might even try these next time without the stick. I mean, a mini pie sandwich is a delightful snack regardless if it’s on a stick or not, right?

These really were ridiculously easy to make. And quite a crowd pleaser as well. I already went out and bought a couple Christmas shaped cookie cutters so I can make a more seasonal variety. Can’t you just imagine your relatives singing your praises if you brought these to Thanksgiving dinner?

You’re welcome.

Filed Under: Baking, Cake Pops, Food

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