Killer Marinated Tomatoes

photo: tastykitchen.com These are the most amazingly delicious tomatoes you'll ever sink your teeth into. Be sure to serve them with big hunks of yummy bread to soak up all delicious marinade. You can substitute an equal amount of halved cherry tomatoes. Ingredients: 3 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley, Chopped 2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil, Chopped 1 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar 1-½ teaspoon Garlic Salt 1-½ teaspoon Seasoned Salt ¾ teaspoons Dried Thyme ½ teaspoons Ground Black Pepper ¾ cups Canola Oil ½ cups Red Wine Vinegar 3 whole Scallions, Sliced 6 whole Tomatoes, Cut Into Wedges Instructions: Whisk together all the ingredients except the tomato wedges. Add the tomatoes and toss to coat. Allow to marinate at room temperature for a couple of hours, stirring every now and then. Serve with lots of bread to soak up all the yummy marinade. Enjoy! Source: http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/appetizers-and-snacks/killer-marinated-tomatoes/ via Recipes, Dinner Ideas, Healthy Recipes & Food Guide http://www.piarecipes.com/2013/06/killer-marinated-tomatoes.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3453146

Adventure is Out There {w/ travel}

Steven and I recently celebrated our fifth anniversary. Five years went by incredible fast, and this particular anniversary came up even faster than the others, at least it felt that way. A few months ago we started talking about what we should do to celebrate. I wasn't sure if I could get any time off work since I'm still fairly "new" to my new position and a coworker had already requested time off. We thought about having a "staycation" in downtown San Diego or flying up to Napa for the weekend, but we knew those would be great options because we had already done them. And five years felt like it deserved something original. Something we would remember on our 50th anniversary. A true adventure. As the weeks passed, we couldn't figure out what to do. We have a trip to Kauai planned for October, so we didn't want to spend a lot of money. Our trip ideas for Napa resurfaced and we came to realize we were probably too late to plan anything that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. About two weeks before our anniversary, Steven suggested a cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. We've been before (for Steven's grandparents 60th anniversary), but it's quick and fairly cheap and would let us get away for a few days. But I would need to request time off from work. So I did. And I got it off. I think my mind, in this case, lent itself to the "give an inch, take a mile" paradigm. Once I had the time off work I started thinking about all the things we could do in that time that would be great and exciting and new. So we started brainstorming again. Then one morning I got a text from the husband that read, "Ok I have another CRAZY idea. How about 3 days in the Bahamas?" Incredibly, a 3 day cruise from Miami was a really good deal and Steven's dad was able to use his points (he flies a lot for work) to get us plane tickets. So we booked it, exactly 2 weeks before the trip. Part of me felt crazy - I am such a planner when it comes to vacations and usually book them 4-6 months in advance. Not to mention it is a 5 hour flight from San Diego to Miami. It seemed like a short time to go a long ways, but we both knew this was the adventure we were looking for. So Thursday before our anniversary we took a red-eye and landed in Florida on Friday morning. We boarded the boat and started our vacation! via  with milk & sugar http://www.withmilkandsugarblog.com/2013/06/adventure-is-out-there-w-travel.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3453167

Flourless Sweet Potato Pancakes

Excuse the lateness of this post and the lack of posts this past week, but having issues with our internet and modem at home has made blogging rather difficult. So, without further ado, let's kick off Day One of a Week of Pancake Recipes! I've seen countless numbers of Americans rave over sweet potatoes smothered with peanut butter. Today I tried it, and you know what? It is good. Words cannot even begin to explain just how good it is.  Is it the combination of sweetness of the potato and the savoury, almost naturally salty peanut flour? It could well just be magic. Try it once and you'll never look back. Read More >>> Ingredients 200g Sweet Potato 1 Egg (or 2 egg whites) 15g Protein Plus Peanut Flour Water Directions Steam the sweet potato in the microwave until soft Mash and then mix with the eggs Pour into a low-medium pan and cook until brown on each side In a separate bowl, combine the peanut flour and enough water to make gooey peanut butter Plate you pancakes and drizzle with the peanut (flour) butter Dig in and enjoy! Makes 1 serve Macros 305 calories 17g protein 7g fat 45g carbs 9g sugar (naturally occurring) 8g fibre Check back tomorrow for a sweet pancake recipe! via Stacie Michelle http://stacie-michelle.blogspot.com/2013/07/flourless-sweet-potato-pancakes.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3493517

7-Up Biscuits

So I needed a bread to make at the last minute on Sunday and got online to see what I could find. I really wanted rolls, but didn't have the time. I've made several biscuit recipes that I love, but wanted to see if there was something else out there. That's when I found these. I will never make another biscuit! They were so flaky, buttery and delicious. Not to mention super fast. Because of Bryce's birthday party I happened to have 7-up on hand which was awesome since we never have soda in the house. Also since I didn't have Bisquick, I ended up making my own, which I 'm also going to keep using. If you have people coming over at the last minute and need something quick and delicious, try these!! 4 cups Bisquick (or all of this homemade recipe found here) 1 cup sour cream 1 cup 7-up 1/2 cup (1stick) melted butter Mix Bisquick, sour cream and 7-up in a large bowl. Dough will be very soft. I actually had to add a little more Bisquick until I was able to handle it to knead it. Knead and fold dough until it comes together. Flour your counter and pat dough out until about 1 inch thick. Cut them out using a cookie cutter or cup about 3-4 inches wide. Melt butter and put into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Place biscuits on top of melted butter. You should end up with almost exactly 12 biscuits. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes or until browned on top. Enjoy!! via Miranda's Recipes http://mirandasrecipes.blogspot.com/2013/06/7-up-biscuits.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3453160

Chocolate Velvet Ice Cream

Ingredients 2/3 cup white sugar 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3 egg yolks, beaten 2 2/3 cups heavy cream 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips Directions In large bowl, stir together sugar and cocoa. Add egg yolks and blend with electric mixer. Add cream a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Chill mixture in refrigerator. While cream mixture is chilling, grate chocolate chips in blender or food processor or using a rotary grater, until fine. Stir into cream mixture. Freeze in canister of ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. via Tasty Chocolate Recipes http://tastychocolaterecipes.com/chocolate-velvet-ice-cream.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3453208

Remaining Book Tour Dates!

You guys...I know! Reminders help. The book: The Secret Lives of Baked Goods: Sweet Stories & Recipes for America's Favorite Desserts.  The remaining book tour dates: June 29th: What: Signing and Discussion Where: Booktowne, 171 Main Street, Manasquan NJ When: June 29th, 11 a.m. And then back to Philadelphia... June 29:  What: Signing and Discussion Where: Towne Book Center, Collegeville When: 4pm  June 30:  What: Cake Baking Class! Where: COOK, Philadelphia When: June 30, 2pm (SOLD OUT!)  Then, back to Seattle! July 13 and 14 (Sat and Sun) What: Urban Craft Uprising! Where: Seattle Center, Seattle! When: July 13 and 14, 11-5pm Hope to see you at one of these great events! via CakeSpy http://www.cakespy.com/blog/2013/6/29/remaining-book-tour-dates.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3493501

How To Make Swiss Chocolate Cake

Ingredients 1 3/4 cups sifted cake flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups white sugar 1/2 cup butter 1 1/4 cups evaporated milk 2 eggs 2 1/2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring Directions Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and sugar. Stir butter just to soften, and add to flour mixture. Add 1 cup milk until all flour is dampened. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed, or 300 vigorous strokes by hand. Add to the flour mixture eggs, vanilla, melted chocolate, food coloring, and remaining 1/4 cup milk. Beat 1 minute in mixer, or 150 strokes by hand. Line the bottoms of two 9 inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool. Frost with Chocolate Torte Frosting when completely cooled. via Tasty Chocolate Recipes http://tastychocolaterecipes.com/how-to-make-swiss-chocolate-cake.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3453208

Recipe For German Chocolate Pecan Pie

Ingredients 1 cup light corn syrup 3 eggs 1 cup white sugar 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans 3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 (9 inch) deep dish prepared pie crust Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Whisk the corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter, and vanilla together in a mixing bowl until light-colored and well blended. Stir in the pecans and coconut. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the bottom of the prepared pie crust. Pour the corn syrup mixture over the chocolate chips. Bake in preheated oven until top is set, 55 to 60 minutes. Cool completely on a rack before serving, about 2 hours. via Tasty Chocolate Recipes http://tastychocolaterecipes.com/recipe-for-german-chocolate-pecan-pie.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3453208

Baker's Dozen: A Batch of Sweet Links!

Photo via Alaska from ScratchI'm seriously into these mini lemon meringues!  Bread winner: a tasty pecan cherry whole wheat loaf. I can only imagine the tasty French toast that would make! It's a great day for a peach cobbler milkshake. Behind the scenes in the life of a bake-off contestant! I want this sundae! I definitely want to eat these Portuguese croissants. Great search parameters on Etsy... Tastes like a dream...homemade creamsicles! I'm pretty sure I have shared this before, but wow--again! Neapolitan rose cake! Chocolate creme fraiche pound cake--fantastic! Tasty for the summer: a cake that looks like a watermelon!  Sounds like a guilty pleasure to me: pudding ice cream!  Remember this totally sweet cupcake art installation I did?   via CakeSpy http://www.cakespy.com/blog/2013/6/28/bakers-dozen-a-batch-of-sweet-links.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3493501

Chocolate Hazelnut Tartufo Recipe

Ingredients 2 cups whole milk 1 cup heavy cream 1/3 cup white sugar 4 egg yolks 1/3 cup white sugar 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 (3 ounce) chocolate candy bar, grated 8 maraschino cherries frozen whipped topping, thawed (optional) Directions Combine milk, cream, and 1/3 cup sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat; stir until the sugar dissolves, about 3 to 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks and 1/3 cup sugar until the egg yolks are light in color, about 4 minutes. Stir 1/2 cup of the milk mixture into the egg yolks, then pour all of the egg mixture into the saucepan, stirring continuously. Cook, stirring continuously, until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a metal spoon, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add the chocolate hazelnut spread, espresso powder, and vanilla, stirring until well combined. Pour through a mesh strainer into a bowl. Refrigerate several hours until cold. Pour into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions. To make the tartufo: Scoop 4 oz portions of gelato and form into balls using your hands. Create a hole and place 1 cherry, cover with gelato, and place on a baking sheet. Continue forming hand-made balls with the remaining gelato. Roll gelato balls in the grated chocolate and return to the freezer. Serve with whipped topping. via Tasty Chocolate Recipes http://tastychocolaterecipes.com/chocolate-hazelnut-tartufo-recipe.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3453208

Baked S'mores Bars

Baked S'mores Bars Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 2 king-sized milk chocolate bars (e.g. Hershey's) 1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows) Instructions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined. Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough. 2 king-sized Hershey's bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small shingles and laying them together). Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Makes 16 cookie bars. Source: Sugar Cooking - Smore Bars via Recipes, Dinner Ideas, Healthy Recipes & Food Guide http://www.piarecipes.com/2013/06/baked-smores-bars.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3453146

Impossible Pie

Impossible Pie Ingredients: 2 cups (500ml) milk 1 cup (90g) desiccated coconut 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 1/2 cup plain flour 120g butter or margarine 3/4 cup caster or white sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Instructions: Place milk, coconut, eggs, vanilla, flour, margarine and sugar in blender. Mix well. Pour into a greased and floured 25cm pie plate. Sprinkle nutmeg on top. Bake at 180 degrees C for 45 minutes. Source: http://allrecipes.com.au/recipe/3875/impossible-pie.aspx via Recipes, Dinner Ideas, Healthy Recipes & Food Guide http://www.piarecipes.com/2013/06/impossible-pie.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3453146

Nutter Butter S'more Bars

Taken From Something Swanky I don't know why, but I felt compelled to make these.  I didn't have most of the ingredients on hand, so it look a special trip to the store, and I didn't even have an occasion to make them, but somehow it all seemed worth it.  They are ridiculous and I'm sure terrible for you, but they were really easy...so that all balances out, right? It takes very few ingredients as you can see above, and very little prep.  I did have to take out my food processor for the crust, but that was the most exertion involved.  After you bake your butter/Nutter Butter crust for 10 minutes, remove and pile on the s'more bits.  Then smother the whole thing with the secret (worst thing for you ever) ingredient: sweetened condensed milk.  Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the top is golden. They are delicious right out of the oven; ridiculously gooey and sweet.  Once they've cooled they are sticky and crunchy and equally ridiculous and sweet. I probably won't make them again (not that they weren't good) but come on, you can really only get away with something like this once :) via Recipe Endeavors http://recipeendeavors.blogspot.com/2013/06/nutter-butter-smore-bars.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3493532

Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup NESTLE(r) TOLL HOUSE(r) Baking Cocoa 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 2/3 cup sugar 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 eggs 1 3/4 cups NESTLE(r) TOLL HOUSE(r) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks Directions PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F. COMBINE flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Beat in eggs. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chunks. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until cookies are puffed and centers are set but still soft. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. via Tasty Chocolate Recipes http://tastychocolaterecipes.com/double-chocolate-chunk-cookies.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 3453208