Yummy In My Tummy

Snicker Doodles are not just fun to say ... they're also fun to make and eat.  Enjoy!

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 3/4 cup flour

2 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoon cinnamon

Heat oven to 400.  mix butter, shortening, sugar, and eggs.  Blend in four, cream of tartar, soda, and salt.  Shape dough by rounded teaspoon-fuls.  Mix sugar and cinnamon.  Roll balls in mixture.  Flatten with hand and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.  Bake 8-10 minutes.  

Sickly Summer

After returning from my grand vacation adventures, today

I was sick. *achoo!*

And half a box of tissues of later,

And after HOURS 

of catching up on my favorite TV series,

I finally realized I should update my blog.

Turkey Enchiladas

(I made these for my roommates yesterday, and even the Asian was a big fan!)

Bare Necessities:

• 1 pound ground turkey breast (make sure to get the breast- it's better for you than regular ground turkey because there's no rib meat)
• 1 can green chili enchilada sauce
• 1 can red enchilada sauce
• Taco seasoning 1 Tablespoon
• Fajita seasoning  2 Tablepsoons, divided
• Onion powder (or real onions ... onion powder is much cheaper and accomplishes the same task)
• Mushrooms, diced- however many you want, depending on how much you like mushrooms.  I used four big caps
• Tortillas, whatever kind you prefer
• Cheddar Cheese, (or Colby Jack works great, too)
• Mild/Hot Taco Sauce, depending on your preference

Weapons of Choice:

• Crock Pot
• 9x13 casserole pan, sprayed with nonstick cooking spray

Method of Operations:

1. Combine both cans of enchilada sauces, taco seasoning, and one Tablespoon of the fajita seasoning in a crock pot.  Add the turkey and mix well.  Cook on low for about 4-5 hours.
2. Add diced mushrooms, onion powder, and the rest of the fajita seasoning and cook on high for about 30 more minutes.
3. When the turkey mixture is done, grab a plate and put on tortilla on it.  Using a slotted spoon, place one scoop of turkey down the middle of the tortilla in a line.  Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon or two of cheese on top of the turkey.  Fold one half of the tortilla over the turkey, making sure the turkey stays in the middle.  Fold the other side of the tortilla over and under.  Carefully lift the enchilada so none of the turkey spills out and place it in the casserole dish, short-ways.  Repeat with the rest of the tortillas or until the turkey is gone, or you have no more room in the casserole dish.  Whichever comes first ;] My turkey lasted for about 10 enchiladas.
4. Pour a light drizzle of taco sauce over the whole dish of enchiladas.  Sprinkle with cheese, making sure each enchilada receives a good amount.  If desired, you may also spread the leftover juices from the crockpot on top.
5. Place in the oven and bake at 350 for about 10-15 minutes, or until the edges of the tortillas begin to brown.
6. Serve with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and/or whatever captures your fancy. :]

No picture this week :[ You'll just have to use your imagination!

Pompously Circumstantial

So with much anticipation, nail biting, and excitement ... Aaron graduated ... FINALLY.  The entire reason for my trip home is now complete (which means I'll be heading back soon ...).

I was excited to discover that two of my three freshmen from senior year were the salutatorian and valedictorian!!  Hurray!!! So proud of them!!

The Sal was awarded her medal

The Val spoke.

The PCHS graduating class of 2012
Congrats, guys!

Apparently, when people graduate, we take lots of pictures ... but I didn't want to TOTALLY bombard you ... so here are a few of the important and priceless ones.

Everyone's attitude going in to graduation ... you can tell who's excited to be there and who's not ... 

Congratulations to all the graduates!!!

The proud (and relieved) parents

And because I've bored you with graduation pictures, I reward you with a sweet treat!!  These are our traditional graduation cupcakes which we make every year!

All you need are:

Reese's Minis

Chocolate Covered Grahams/Cookies (they have to be rectangular)

Fruit Roll-Ups

Chocolate Frosting

Chocolate Cupcakes (Made and Frosted!)

Unwrap the Reese's Minis.  Put frosting on the bottom of a Reese's Mini and put the Mini on the cupcake upside down.  Cut the Fruit Roll Up in Half long ways and in half short ways.  Make slits in one end of each square and then roll it up to look like a tassel.  Put frosting in the end without the slits and stick it to the top of the chocolate covered graham.  Put the graham on top of the Reese's and voila!!  Graduation Cupcakes :]

I Like to Bake ... Among Other Things

Wow ... it's been almost a month ... sorry dudes ... but here's what I've been up to:

Threw a bridal shower for my roomie- He POPPED the question!

Yesterday was my roommate's bridal shower which I threw for her along with the help of Carrie. 

We chose popcorn for the theme- "He popped the question!"

We made about five different types of popcorn (planned to do more, but ran out of time)

and had a grand old time :]

To Die For Roast

Gail and I have been following a dietetic regimen for the past three months (her for a wedding dress, and me for kicks).  This is one of my favorite meals thus far.

Peanut Butter Meltaway Cupcakes

 I've become addicted to Pinterest ... and I've been taking advantage of every opportunity to bake something new, fun, and/or exciting.  These were for a work party back in January.

Peanut Butter Valentine's Day Cookies 

 I made these for a ward break the fast last month- super easy and fun!

Ooey Gooey Cookie Pie Bites

 These are like little pieces of flaky heaven- we've already made these twice in less than a month.  A huge success from my favorite baking/cooking website- Our Best Bites.  In these, since Gail can't have chocolate, 

we used peanut butter chips, caramel chips, toffee bits, and sweetened coconut.

Caramel Popcorn Cupcakes

These were supposed to be made for the bridal shower yesterday, but they didn't make it.  

So, I finished them last night.  They actually taste quite delicious.  The frosting could use more caramel flavoring, but the cake itself is quite delicious.  And yes, these are another Pinterest experiment.

Got anymore exciting recipes??  Send them my way!!

It's That Kind of Day

Today was a baking day.

(which is like a vacation day, 

but better 

because I can listen to my "Awesome Music" playlist

and put on my apron and open all the windows 

and just bake whatever I want 

and I feel like there's nothing else in the world that needs to get done

and I don't even have to leave my apartment!)

I got adventurous and tried out a pinterest recipe I found a few weeks ago: 

Peanut Butter Meltaway Cupcakes.