bbq jalapeno poppers

another DELICIOUS recipe from the pioneer woman! the recipe on her website it a bit different from the recipe in her cookbook, which is what i used. after you wrap them in bacon, you brush bbq sauce on top of them -- YUM. these turned out really yummy and went quick! but they do have a kick!!

YUM!

carrot cake to celebrate......

..........no sign of cancer in my dad's lymph nodes! hooray and PRAISE THE LORD!

my dad LOVES carrot cake, so i decided to make him one. here's the recipe i used. it was (is) delish, and i've never been a carrot cake fan before. we put almonds in the frosting rather than pecans. much better choice, in my humble opinion.

i know this post seems kind of random, but over the past few weeks, things seem to have happened fast. first my dad has a spot on his lung. then we find out later that two years ago my dad had a spot on his lung. and since then it has grown. he's taken a few tests and one doctor (a thoracic surgeon) seems to think it may be cancer. the first step was to see if the cancer (if that is what it is) spread. he had surgery monday morning to test his lymph nodes (the first place cancer would spread to). today we received the news that there is no cancer in his lymph nodes (praise the Lord). the next step now is for the said doctor to remove a part of my dad's lung. this happens on monday morning. once the part of his lung that has the spot on it is out, then they'll know for sure if it is cancer or not. i'll keep you updated.

the pioneer woman's cinnamon rolls....

...are awesome! and pretty easy to make too! i was going to half the recipe, because it makes a ton, but i forgot to. so i have a ton. frozen. so i can look forward to them for a long time. :) click here for the recipe. and here's a picture of my finished product (a fifth of my finished product, anyway):

delish!

hungry girl cookies

we love chocolate chip cookies in our family. since most of us are doing the biggest loser challenge, we wanted to find a very low-fat, low-cal way to make them. i'm a big fan of hungry girl so we searched her website for a chocolate chip cookie recipe. we found one and made them and they were pretty good (nothing close to nestle tollhouse, the best ever, but good, nonetheless).

here are some of the ingredients in hg's cookies which differ from other cookies.

here is the final product.

try them!

tiramisu gone fruity

so i know this blog is supposed to be about caleb, but i wanted to share this very yummy recipe. my mom and i made it for my good friend natalie's bridal shower last night. it turned out so good. we also made an original tiramisu which was also very delicious (pics and recipe to come). we had never made tiramisu before so we weren't sure how they would turn out, but they were a success!

summer berry tiramisu

ingredients:

36 savoiardi ladyfingers (these are the crunchy kind made in Italy and can be found at World Market – they were also spotted at Von’s – 24 per package, so you will need 2)

Syrup

Zest of 2 lemons, peeled in strips with a peeler

Juice of 2 lemons (1/3 to 1/2 cup lemon juice)

2 whole cloves

3/4 cup (5 1/4 ounces) sugar

3/4 cup (6 ounces) water

3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) orange juice (or Grand Marnier)

Filling

1 pound mascarpone cheese (sold in 8 oz. tubs – gourmet cheese section)

2 tablespoons orange zest

1 cup (8 ounces) whipping cream

1/2 cup (2 ounces) confectioners’ sugar

2 quarts fresh berries: raspberries, blueberries, strawberries or any combination you like


9x13 glass dish

To make the syrup: Combine all the syrup ingredients and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Once the mixture is clear, remove the syrup from the heat, strain it, and allow it to cool to room temperature.

To make the filling: Place the mascarpone in a mixing bowl, and stir in the orange zest. Add the whipping cream a third at a time, stirring between additions until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the confectioner’s sugar.

To assemble: One at a time, dip the savoiardi cookies into the syrup, turning just once to lightly moisten. Cover the bottom of a 9 x 13 glass pan with moistened cookies (18).

Place a single layer of berries over the cookies.

Spread half the mascarpone filling over the berries,

then place another layer of moistened cookies.

Spread the remaining filling over the cookies,

then place the rest of the berries in an attractive design on the top.

Refrigerate the tiramisu for at least 4 hours before serving.

Adapted from a recipe found at:

www.BakingCircle.com

April 20, 2004

enjoy!