Old Fashioned Rich Fudge

As promised... I told you all I would give you the recipe to the fudge that I helped make the other weekend. I have found out that with fudge it's all about timing and temperature. 

 My friends mom had a nice stirring device that her family always used. It helps keep the fudge smooth while stirring.

Note To Self: You'll be stirring for a while so prop a chair by the counter and watch one of your favorite shows, cause you'll be stirring for about 30+ minutes..... And it wouldn't be Southern unless you're drinking sweet tea while making it.

Click Here For The Recipe 

Macaroon's On A Monday

Let's get real... Who doesn't love Macaroons any day of the week. Remember back to THIS post when I told you about the woman who I baked these for and I promised you all the recipe?

Well I'm a woman of my word (sometimes late in my word)... but a woman of my word none the least and here is the wonderful recipe I used to make these Macaroons that are literally an I. Die. moment when you eat them.

 Lavender Macaroon Recipe

The only thing different in this recipe than the other, is that I used Wilton food gel for the batter and the butter cream. 

I only used 1-2 drops, because I wanted there to only be a hint of purple since they are lavender. 

You can find Lavender Buds at a local food market that sells natural/organic/local items. 

The decorative boxes were from Martha Stewart's line of gift wrap

Happy Monday to all of you lovelies.

Enjoy!

Pinterest comes to life...

First things first.......

IT'S SUMMER!!! And I'm free!!!! (At least until August)

I have been absent for the last two weeks because of finals week. It's been a crazy time my friends, I was so stressed it was like an outer body experience. I'm just glad it's over.

Well my mom is in Greece still (not for vacay... that's where all my family lives and she is helping her mother after surgery) and my dad has been going out to eat for every meal because there is no woman in the house. 

If you didn't know any better, you'd think my dad was a bachelor with the empty fridge and fast food left overs.

Well the night I came home, I went on my Pinterest, wrote down all the ingredients to the recipe's in my "Nom Nom" board, and then my dad gave me the credit card and I went nuts for 2 hours in the grocery store. 

The first recipe I decided to make for dinner were these two:

Apricot Glazed Chicken

and

Lentil Salad

The Best 250 Calories You'll Ever Have

The other morning, while I was eating breakfast, my mom asked me what I wanted to eat for dinner that night (yes, Greek mothers talk about your next meal, while you're eating your current one, so they can plan, shop, and cook for the next meal because, you know, it's like Thanksgiving for every meal at my house), and I told her I wanted to try something new.

Well here is that something new: Rice and Red Bean Burgers

For Amazing, Low Cal, Yummy Nom Nom-ness Recipe... Click Here

Chopping up ingredients

You will need an egg or two to mix in your mixture of ingredients, or else ingredients can't stay together.

Mixing it all together

I made my fresh and famous sweet potato fries

Sprinkle a little of each....

...And shake it like a polaroid picture in this bag.

Put the oven on 350 Degrees, Cook for 30 minutes, turn fries every 10 minutes, put on Broil for a few minutes (1-2) after they are done, if you want them crispier. 

Spinach, Cranberry, and Feta Salad. Low Cal and yummy in your tummy.

Cooking the Burgers 

So delicious... I don't know why I am not eating one right now... They are so filling too... I could barely finish one burger and this girl can eat!

Edible Christmas Wreaths

I hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas. There are so many things I want to say about what today represents but I will just share my holiday with you all and give you a last minute recipe. 

On the day of my birthday my mothers friend brought these delicious desserts to the hospital, and since then my mom and I have made them each Christmas.

They are so easy to make and it will only take you about 10 minutes!

So HERE is your last minute Christmas recipe! 

Christmas Wreaths

Our collection of Nutcrackers

Our Tree

Homemade Whoopie-Pies and Holiday Puppy Chow my sister made

Bow Ties & Pasta Go Good Together

This past weekend the inner foodie in me came out. Let's just say my mouth had a little too much fun partying these past few days.  

I started out on Friday by cooking a simple pasta found on the Food Network. Unfortunately because it was the end of the week I was scatter brained and forgot some steps in the recipe and added my own ingredients (and took out a few-- Who likes anchovies? Ehhh not a fav.). 

 There wasn't really a sauce so when all else fails.... Add a balsamic vinaigrette dressing on top. It goes with any veggie and keeps it fresh and tasty.

On Saturday it was off to one of Dallas's favorite Mexican Restaurants Monicas for a friends Birthday. Right in the heart of Deep Elum, I felt the Latin flare as soon as I walked in the restaurant... The food was perfection. I've never been one for fine dining (Hey waiter?... Where's the rest of my food?) , so when I can go to a restaurant that can cook authentic food and present it in a way where I wont feel bad when I eat it because I ruined the presentation... I am GAME.

 My mind told me to go for the salad... But who pays attention to that thing? I went with my heart instead and ordered these bad boys, Brisket Taco's with Black Beans, Mexican Rice, and a Cilantro Sauce on the side. 

The long weekend was ended with a wonderful girls lunch/shopping trip in Dallas. For lunch, Whole Foods was on the menu. I can't remember how long it had been since I had eaten outside, heck, even thought of going outside. The weather was so amazingly perfect, I was so happy to eat out of my little cardboard box, feel the breeze in my face, and have girl talk with good friends. Unfortunately I was having such a good time, I forgot to take pictures of the outing (all the more excuse to do it again ladies). 

I did take a picture though with another special friend, Jessica from this weekend when we embarrassed ourselves doing karaoke. You're looking at part of the new members of TLC, T-Boz and Chili right here ya'll.