Ladybug Cupcakes

Lady bugs remind me of summer along with sunflowers. They are suppose to bring luck. They are one of the few bugs my boy, I mean children aren't afraid to touch. I think the coolest thing about lady bugs are their dots. I have always been crazy about polka dots so I'm glad they are back in season. My sister also has a mutual like for lady bugs so I had to make these cupcakes for her with the sunflowers. They should bring her lots of luck or in the least be fashionable.

Marble Cupcakes
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup boiling water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time. Mix until incorporated.
5. Add the vanilla and mix well. 
6. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
7. Add half of the flour mixture and then the milk. Mix until just combined.
8. Add the remaining flour mixture and then the heavy cream. Mix until just combined.
9. Remove 1 cup of the batter and place into another bowl. 
10. In a small bowl, combine the cocoa and the boiling water. Mix well.
11. Stir the cocoa mixture into the 1 cup of batter bowl. Stir until combined.
12. Fill the muffin tin with the batter about 3/4 full.
13. Place a few drops of the cocoa batter on top to make dots. Do not mix.
14. (To make 1/2 batter and 1/2 cocoa batter then spoon both batter into one muffin tin at the same time but make sure the batter meets half way.)
15. Bake the cupcakes for 20 minutes. 
16. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. 

Recipe adapted from Tastebook.

One year ago..........................I made Peanut Butter & Yogurt Dip.

Did you already know.............
-Ladybugs are a beetle.
-The North American ladybug have seven spots.
-Young lady bugs are orange and become darker red as they age.

Frosted Sunflowers

My sister's favorite flower is the sunflower. If she is to draw a picture of a flower, it is a sunflower. If you want to get on her good side, give her sunflowers. She is not a carnation type girl. So, I wanted to make her some cupcakes with a sunflower on top. I will admit I am not a pro at frosting. I have never attempted to make a flower out of frosting. I watched a couple of tutorials online. They make it look so easy. I will admit I could have been using the wrong tip but overall I liked the looks of them. The main thing I wanted to show you was how to make the seeds of the sunflower. What do you think? I hope you can tell my flowers are suppose to be sunflowers. I am just glad my sister liked them.

Frosted Sunflowers
Frosting
1/2 cup Sugar
Food dye

Directions:

1. In a plastic bag, add the sugar.
2. Add a couple of drops of the desired food color to the bag.
3. Seal the bag and mix. If a darker color is desired, add a couple more drops of food dye and mix again. Set aside until needed.
4. On a piece of wax paper, pipe the desired flower shape.
5. With a toothpick, gently pick up a little sugar and place in the center of the frosting flower.

One year ago..........I made Stracciatella Double Cookie Dough Ice Cream.

Did you already know...............
-Sunflowers are a native flower to America.
-Kansas state flower is the sunflower.
-Sunflower's color range from yellow to burgundy. 

Fallen Hot Chocolate Cake

Sometimes I change a recipe because I really don't want to run to the store for a minor ingredient. A perfect example is I needed 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder. Now, the last time I looked I thought I had two containers of cocoa powder. Yes, I did just clean out my pantry so shouldn't I remember I needed to pick up more cocoa powder? Shouldn't I have placed something like that on my shopping list? Well, I didn't and I was in the middle of making this recipe when I realized my mistake. I figured I had half an hour before the store closes. Then I realized I had tons of hot chocolate packages. Why not? I will say this flourless dessert came out so good. We caught my son licking his plate. I know manners dictate that you shouldn't lick your plate but there are occasions it happens. This dessert is one of them. My husband said this is probably one of the best desserts I have ever made. It is rich. It is smooth like a souffle or mousse. It is delicate. All I know is it's delicious.

Fallen Hot Chocolate Cake
1 1/8 cup sugar plus more for pan and topping
6 large eggs
1 package hot chocolate mix
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp salt
10 oz. 60% bittersweet chocolate chips 
1/2 cup unsalted butter
 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup chilled heavy cream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray a 9 inch springform pan or eight 4" ramekins with nonstick cooking spray. Dust with sugar. Tap out any excess. Set aside.
3. Separate 4 egg whites from the yolks. Placing the egg whites in one medium bowl and the egg yolks into another medium bowl.
4. To the egg yolk bowl, add the hot chocolate mix, vanilla, salt, and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix until smooth. Set aside the two bowls.
5. In a double boiler, simmer water over medium heat. In the top pan, combine the chocolate chips, vegetable oil, and the butter. 
6. Stir the chocolate often until it is melted. Remove from heat.
7. Allow the chocolate to rest for 1 minute before gradually pour the melted chocolate into the egg yolk mixture while whisking continuously. Mix well and set aside.
8. With a mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites until frothy. Slowly beat in 1/2 cup sugar and continue to beat until firm peaks form.
9. Gently, fold half of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture until just incorporated. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites and mix until just incorporated. 
10. Evenly divide the batter between the prepared ramekins or gently pour into the prepared springform pan.
11. Carefully place the pans into the oven. 
12. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the top is puffed and the cake is starting to crack. The cake should be pulling away from the edge.
13. Transfer the cake onto a wire rack to cool completely. The cake should collapse in the center.
14. Before serving, whisk the heavy cream with the remaining 1/8 cup of sugar until soft peaks form. 
15. Serve the fallen cake with the whipped cream.

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit March 2013 magazine.

One year ago.........................I made Zucchini Fries.

Did you already know...........

-This recipe was inspired by Richard Sax's chocolate cloud cake.

-Richard Sax was author to eight cookbooks plus contributor to several magazines including Bon Appetit.

-He was founding chef-director of Food & Wine magazine.

Taco Quesadillas

I made tacos the other night and had leftovers. Since I had plenty of tortillas left, I asked who wanted taco meat in their quesadillas. I was surprised my family were all for it. I asked what toppings they wanted and they elected onions and salsa. My family has an inclination to onions. I like onions but not to this extreme. While my sister was visiting, she was opposed to onions so I had tried to limit the amount of onions I used. Maybe my family are just trying to make up for the lack of onions in their diet?

Taco Quesadillas per serving
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 8 inch flour tortillas
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup cooked taco meat
optional: salsa, sour cream, hot sauce, tomatoes, onions

Directions:

1. In a medium skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. Add one tortilla into the skillet.
3. Carefully, sprinkle the cheese onto the tortilla.
4. Spoon the taco meat onto the cheese.
5. Add any optional topping like onions.
6. Place the second tortilla on top.
7. Once the cheese has melted, carefully flip the tortilla over.
8. Allow the quesadilla to cook for a few more minutes and the bottom of the second tortilla is golden brown.
9. Remove and add any desired topping.
10. Serve immediately.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago...............................I made Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies.

I'm not eating what you are trying to take a photo of? I don't know what you are talking about.

Did you already know..................
-Queso means cheese in Spanish.
-Quesadilla are made fried flour or corn tortillas with a filling inside.
-There are plethora of recipes for quesadillas including oysters, pumpkin, salmon, lobster, pineapple and turkey.

King Ranch Casserole

When I was a kid, I would begin to ask my Dad a question and he would answer no. All I would have to say was Dad and he would say no. So, I learned early to ask him when he was asleep. Dad can I have some money? Yes. Dad can I take the car? Yes. Later, he would tell me not to ask him when he was asleep but it worked. Well, I didn't teach this technique to my children but they decided to try it. While my husband was asleep, my youngest daughter asked him if she could have something. In his sleep, he said, "Does Big Foot exist?" She didn't know how to respond to this question. She decided to come and ask me especially since I was awake. She did confess that he normally does say yes. I guess somethings are passed down through the generations like this recipe.

King Ranch Casserole
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
8 oz. button mushrooms, chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cayene pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 cup all purpose flour
3 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 can of fire roasted green chilies
1 (10 oz.) can Rotel tomatoes
 3 cups cooked chicken
1 cup Monterey Jack with jalapeno cheese, shredded
1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
18 corn tortillas

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic. Saute for 7 minutes.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Sprinkle in the flour and stir until the flour is mixed into the vegetables.
5. Whisk in 1 cup of chicken stock until smooth. 
6. Add another cup of chicken stock and whisk until smooth before whisking in one more cup of chicken stock.
7. Whisk in the heavy cream.
8. Stir in the can of green chiles and Rotel. Allow the sauce to thicken.
9. Mix in the cooked chicken and half the cheese.
10. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
11. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
12. In a medium bowl, add the remaining 1/2 cup of chicken stock and soak the tortillas in the stock.
13. Line the bottom of the baking dish with six tortillas overlapping. 
14. Cover the tortillas with the chicken mixture. 
15. Sprinkle a little cheese over the chicken mixture.
16. Cover the cheese and chicken mixture with 6 more tortillas.
17. Layer the rest of the chicken mixture on top of the tortillas followed by a little cheese.
18. Top the cheese and chicken mixture with the remaining tortillas.
19. Top the tortillas with the remaining cheese.
20. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The hot casserole should be light browned on top.
21. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe adapted from The Pastry Queen cookbook by Rebecca Rather. 

One year ago..........................I made Chicken Sandwich.

Did you already know............
-The King Ranch was established in 1853 by Captain Richard King and Gideon Lewis.
 -King Ranch is located in South Texas.
-The ranch is one of the largest ranches in the world.