My no-bake cookie recipe is going to ROCK your WORLD

Plus, 10+1 variations to spice up the recipe and try new ways to make the no-bake. 

Follow the recipe below.

No Bake Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 C butter
1    C white sugar
1    C brown sugar
1   tsp salt
3   TB cocoa
1/2 C milk
1   TB corn syrup or honey
1    tsp vanilla (Mexican vanilla is best, but harder to come by.)
1/4 C Nutella
1    C chopped cashews (roasted and salted preferred)
4-5 C oats ( I used rolled old fashioned, but quick oats will work too.)

Directions:
Butter Sides of pan and let butter melt.
Add sugar, salt, cocoa, milk, syrup, and Nutella.
Bring to a boil.
Boil only one minute.
Take off heat.
Stir in vanilla.
Stir in oats and cashews.
Stir until all coated.
Drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper.
Let cool.

Variations:
1. Try more nuts and less oats. (Roasted hazelnuts would go great w/ the Nutella choice.)

2. Pecans are great in these.

3. Try coconut and macadamia nuts.

4. Substitute Peanut Butter instead of Nutella (but I promise--Nutella is better) and add peanuts.

5. Try Maple Syrup instead of honey or corn syrup.

6. Add nutter butters crushed up, with peanuts. 

7. Add oreos and white chocolate chips.               

8. Try adding marshmallows and crushed graham crackers at the end. 

9. Sprinkles! A great way to for the holidays is to add your favorite colored and shaped sprinkles! 

10. Dried fruit? I guess if you want, you could. Try dried banana chips with coconut, or dried mangoes with cinnamon.

11. Candy canes! A great holiday twist on these cookies. Choose any color of candy cane. 

Tip: Use muffin cups. Instead of always "dropping them by spoonfuls onto wax paper," I use muffin tins. The small muffin ones are best, but the big ones work, too.

 

Breakfast Omelet

Eggs mixed with milk, salt n pepper.

Inside the omelet: Cheddar cheese, diced roma tomatoes, bacon, minced green peppers, lime.

Add a little cilantro on top. Delicious!

Forever a Romney Supporter.

I plan to move to Texas and propose a secession from the union. (Not really, but wouldn't it be great?) We can re-elect R&R for President and throw in  Marco Rubio--we'll want him there. We needed Romney and Ryan. Below is a celebration for all the inspiration they caused. And hopefully Obama will take a hint and employ Romney's strategies in order to save our country.

Romney & Ryan forever.

Those are my Romney/Ryan/Rubio Republican Rice Crispy Treats.

(What else can I do? I'm a recent college graduate who can't find a job. Exactly what Obama can't fix and what R&R could have. What a shame.)

Best Caramel recipe EVER.

This caramel recipe is so versatile. I have made caramel popcorn (which is it originally meant for) caramel chex (the same, but substitute chex or popcorn, and you don't get kernels stuck in your teeth!) Caramel brownies, dipping caramel, and more.

Recipe below!

Ingredients:

1 c. karo syrup

2 c. brown sugar

½ c. butter

15 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Directions: 
Bring karo syrup & brown sugar to a boil. Add butter. Boil to ‘soft ball stage.’ Take off heat and add sweetened condensed milk. Pour over large bowl of popcorn and mix well.  

Use for so many things!

 

Grandpa's Salsa

I have cut my thumb plenty of times as I sliced the tomatoes for this great salsa recipe. But it is all worth it. I think the tradition started during super bowl time. Whether that's true or not, we don't go a super bowl without this salsa. It's so good, Mom asked my dad to make it for her for her birthday. It makes a big batch and lasts us maybe 3 weeks.

Use Roma tomatoes, tomatillos, colorful bell peppers, jalapeños, onions, cilantro, tomato paste, tomato sauce. Dice and mince according to taste and desire. Stir well. Add some apple cider vinegar and honey to sweeten. Salt to taste.

Hot Cocoa

Just the way he likes it.

This time I used a Starbucks hot cocoa mix. Added some whipped cream on top. Drizzled Hershey's syrup across. Powdered cocoa mix. Added chocolate sprinkles. A cherry on top would have been great too. And voila. Fancy hot cocoa, just the way he likes it.

Salmon Seviche

 This recipe popped up out of nowhere. My father-in-law's client gives him salmon fillets for a great price, and this is something we happened to do with it.

Recipe below.
Ingredients:

 Preparation
1.    Combine all ingredients in a medium glass bowl. Cover and chill 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Best Soup Ever

This is a yam-carrot soup made from homemade chicken stock. It was delicious. Wish I had it all the time. I believe the recipe came from a Vegan recipe book, but we didn't make it vegan (thus the chicken stock). I made my homemade Honey Oat Wheat bread to go with, and this nice light lunch meal was delicious.

Recipes coming soon.

My homemade bread recipe comes from foodnetwork.com. Check it out here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/the-best-of/honey-wheat-bread-recipe/index.html

The soup recipe comes from some Vegan recipe book my mother-in-law owns. Here it is:

The Christmas Ham

It's early for this, I know, but our family makes this ham for Easter, Thanksgiving, Weddings, Christmas, you name it. It's because it's the best. I may share the recipe, I may not. Still deciding...

Cub Scouts!

My husband just got called as a volunteer leader for our church to be the cub master. Lol...being an Eagle Scout himself, of course he didn't refuse despite our busy schedule.

So what does this mean for me? It means I get to be in charge of the refreshments!!

Okay. So last pack meeting was the first. They sang some "When one black bug bled blue black blood the other black bug bled blue" song (you try saying that 3 times fast) while Greg played the guitar to the tune "Ghost riders in the sky." Quite hillarious! They did it slow at first (wolf's pace) then faster (bear's pace) and the fastest (webelow's pace).

But the most important part? My cookies! I used a cake mix to make the cookies, and cut out a stencil to form the boy scout fleur de lis and a paw. I used powdered sugar to place the design and used a sifter to cover the cookies evenly. 

Today is our second meeting. My plan is to make cookies again or rice crispies. But I want to buy those licorice rounds where you can pull the pieces apart like string cheese. Then I'm going to tie different knots that the scouts learn and place them all over the treats. We'll see how it goes, and I hope there are picture to take.

Licorice didn't happen this time because they moved up the meeting an hour earlier. This is what I came up with in a hurry. Cub Scout Blue Rice Crispies with yellow sprinkles.

Trés Leches, 

amor de mi vida..... (casi. pero no.)

Update: Finally! So I made my trés leches, and did them cupcake style. When I took them out of the pan they were so overloaded with milk that they basically fell apart. I don't know how Café Rio does it, but mine turne dout great anyway. Here's the picture!:

I tend to bake at night when the lighting is bad for pictures. Someday  (which is my favorite phrase) I'll have photoshop, a better camera and better skills with photoshop.

Here's what I did to these three. (I made 12, but only did 3 on display. ... Maybe I can get another picture later.) For the furthest right I powdered cinnamon over top. For the middle one I powdered cocoa.The furthest left had strawberry drippings over it. Want to know my secret? A garlic press! So I cut a strawberry in half, placed it in  my garlic press, and smashed it over the cupcake. Out came a perfect pink drizzle of fresh strawberry juice. the little pieces made a great looking garnish. Guess garlic presses are great for more than just garlic!


I have created my own trés leches recipe, using combinations from many different sources and my own ideas. It helps being able to speak Spanish, so I could really get this right. And make it easy.

Image source: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/09/tres-leches-cake/

Sure, you could make your own cake from scratch...but why, when Betty Crocker will do? If you don't like this recipe, go to Café Rio and order trés leches. There's hardly one better.(And order the pork barbacoa con salsa verde and extra cilantro. Ay ay ay.)

Image Source: http://f-overourdiet.blogspot.com/2012/07/cafe-rio-mexican-grill-is-better-than.html

Here's my recipe:

Ingredients:
1 box Betty Crocker yellow cake mix
1/2 stick butter
1/4 c coconut oil
6 tsp Vanilla bean paste
2 eggs
1 can s.c. milk
1 can evap. milk
2 C milk (lowfat, 2%, heavy whipping cream, you choose. They're your calories.)
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract (Mexican vanilla is better than Madagascar/bourbon)
Strawberries or Fruit (I've had Hondurans use toasted coconut, Mexicans use strawberries and pineapple, etc...)
Decoratives: cocoa, honey, cinnamon, toasted coconut, etc.

 It could be this crazy, Fruit lover.
Image source:http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/follow-that-food/tres-leches-cake-recipe/index.html


Directions:
Make cake as directed, but instead of vegetable oil, use melted butter and coconut oil.
Mix 2 tsp vanilla bean paste into cake mixture.
Bake as directed. (Tonight I did cupcakes for individual servings...it's messy but fun)

While cake is baking:
Mix 3 types of milk together plus 2 tsp vanilla bean paste. 

Take cake out of oven and begin poking holes in the top with a fork.
Make many, many holes. Fill the cake top with holes galore.
Patiently pour the milk (all of it) all over the top of the cake. It will eventually soak it up.

Cover cake and refrigerate over night.
Next day, take a little bite. (Seriously.) You have to see if it's moist enough to your liking. If not,
Mix more milks together and pour some more over.

Now prepare the topping.
Combine 1 pint half n half, 2 TB sugar and 1 tsp vanilla bean paste, 1 tsp vanilla.
Beat it until fluffy and creamy.
Add sugar or vanilla to your liking.
Spread over cake.
Top with fresh strawberries or delicious fruit.
Garnish with extra vanilla bean paste, cocoa, honey, cinnamon, etc.

 












Image Source: http://recipegirl.ziplist.com/recipes/344265-Tres_Leches_Cake


I had a family in Texas make this for me once, and they added coconut and crushed pineapple to the whipped topping. And then added strawberries on top. It was to die for.












Image Source: http://www.texascooking.com/features/sept2002treslechescakerecipe.htm

Best Carrots Ever

4-Ingredient, eat-it-with-a-spoon carrot recipe. Great side dish for any meal. 

 Image Source: http://article.wn.com/view/2010/10/05/Organic_honey_glazed_carrots_recipe/

Recipe:

Ingredients
Carrots--baby or peeled and cut into desired size
Butter - 1/2 stick
Brown Sugar- 1 C
Salt

You're going to looooove this!

Directions
Boil the carrots in water or chicken stock.
Drain and put back in pan.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and brown sugar.
Mix until combined.
Pour over carrots and toss lightly.
Add salt to taste.
Voila! The end!

Image Source: http://article.wn.com/view/2012/04/19/Vegan_recipe_PastramiSpiced_Young_Carrots_With_Garbanzo_Bean/

These carrots are delicious and remind me of Christmas and Thanksgiving and Harvest feasts.

I'll have to put my own picture up here. Our family ate them so fast that I had no time to take a picture.

Another Carrot recipe...

Mashed Carrots (Papa Don's):

 Image Source:http://sccreations.webs.com/recipes.htm

Ingredients
Carrots
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Half n Half

Directions
Boil carrots until tender.
Drain and put in bigger bowl.
Add butter, seasonings and half n half.
Mash together with a pastry cutter or potato masher.
Add more salt to taste.  

And voila, Done! Again--haven't been to grandpa's in a while, so I haven't taken a picture of them. But there are plenty of these kinds of recipes online and great pictures. I gave source info for all my pictures about carrots since these are not my own.

My BEST secret yet--and it's not even a secret.

Chicken Stock.

Where did I get this idea from? My mother-in-law.
How did I get the best recipe? Her book, Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.

Chicken stock holds magical powers. It calms the tummy, relieves the head ache, suppresses menstrual cramps, warms cold hands and toes, and everything else.

Ever wonder why those books are called "'Chicken Soup' for the Soul." ? That is because chicken stock (or broth; it is the same thing) in chicken soup is healing. Healing, I say!

If you haven't bought her book, you should. I plan to when there's some extra cash flowing in...
We need to be healthy, live longer, and pass that health on to our children. This book is a great guide for that. It is exciting to know what to do to keep your family healthy and happy!

Picture from http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2011/02/transcript-of-sally-fallon-morell-interview-how-the-weston-a-price-foundation-began.html

One smell of home is chicken stock. It is vital to a healthy life. So enjoy the recipe, all credit given to Sally and her book people. Stock and broth are interchangeable, just so you know. Stock is used for commercial, big batches. We use broth for a more homey-sounding word. But my husband thinks broth is too close to the sound bra so we just say stock. Doesn't matter.

Picture from: http://mykitchenpot.com/tag/sally-fallon/page/2/

That's right. Chicken feet. Save the chicken feet! Gross, right? Well, I have my husband cut up all the bones and put the meat in. All I have to do is cut up a few vegetables and fill a stockpot with water and vinegar. Check out the recipe below.

Homemade Chicken Stock

7 Ingredients:

Note: You cannot skimp on these ingredients. Sure, you can make do with what you have and do your best. But the best chicken stock with the most health benefits and best taste will come by using these exact ingredients and following these exact directions. Trust me. I've done it plenty of time other ways. Not as good.

1 whole free-range chicken or 2-3 lbs of bony chicken parts (necks, backs, breastbones and wings.)
gizzards from one chicken (this one's optional)
feet from the chicken (this one's optional. But really--use them.)
4 quarts cold filtered water
2 TB vinegar
1 large onion, roughly chopped
2-3 organic carrots, roughly chopped
3-4 sticks organic celery, roughly chopped
1 bunch parsley

Directions:

Chicken: Have your husband cut up the bones and break the chicken into pieces. (Sorry vegans.) Or do it yourself if you're brave enough. I'm not.
Put the chicken and chopped veggies (except parsley) in a large stock pot filled with the water. 
Let it stand for 30 min - 1 hr. This does good things.
Bring it to a boil. Remove risen scum.
Lower heat to simmer.
Cover. Simmer 6-24 hours.
Add parsley 10 minutes before you are done letting it simmer.
Remove chicken pieces and veggies. You can save these for other recipes. 
Strain stock with cheesecloth or strainer into a large bowl.
Leave in fridge until fat congeals at the top--usually overnight.
Skim off fat and discard. Keep in fridge or freezer.
It is now ready to be warmed up, sipped, and added to other recipes.

Picture from: http://www.girlichef.com/2010/07/making-beef-stock-bone-broth.html
Reserve it in ice cube trays and add it to favorite soups and dishes. I use it to boil my rice and quinoa. It is ever so useful and makes you feel like a good homemaker. Because you are. Especially when you make this. : )

ENOUGH MSG in our foods. I'm tired of MSG. Most chicken stocks, broths, and cream of chicken whatevers have MSG in them. Well, now you can make this on your own and it's infinity times better than what the store can sell you. Take that MSG.


Note: Don't simmer for less than 6 hours. It is best when left simmering overnight. The house smells yummy when you wake up in the morning, and the stock is richer in vitamin/mineral content. Plus it's a more attractive color and will gel better if you used the right kind of chicken. 

Fastest easy dinner ever!

My husband works. So do I. So planning and making fancy meals is difficult when there's just not enough time. The fastest way I've found to make dinner quickly is to use the BBQ grill. I make marinades for chicken and they soak overnight. Then I ask my hubby to take 15 min & grill.

So what if he's super busy and can't grill? I've found a treasure. An easy, quick chicken recipe!
I got the idea from pinterest which led me to this site:
http://www.daydreamkitchen.com/2012/08/baked-garlic-brown-sugar-chicken/

But of course, with all things, I made it my own. My very own. So here's what I did:

Chicken

Ingredients:

4 chicken breast halves. Boneless, skinless. 
6 TB butter
8 TB brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced or smashed

Directions:

Heat oven to 500 degrees.
Butter a small 8x8 dish.
Sauteé garlic in butter until garlic is tender.
Remove from heat.
Add brown sugar. Stir until combined.
Place chicken in pan.
Pour sugar mixture over chicken. Cover thoroughly.
Bake in oven for 10 minutes.
Reduce heat to 450 degrees.
Turn chicken over.
Bake 10 more minutes. Adjust time to elevation and preference.

Rice

Ingredients:

1 C water
1 C coconut milk
1 TB coconut oil
1 C uncooked jasmine rice

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a pot.
Bring to a boil. Boil 20 minutes.
Remove form heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
Fluff with fork or stir with spoon.

Arrange on plate with veggies of your choice. I like to pile the chicken over the rice. Celery goes well with this dish. Seriously, it took me about 25 minutes. Wonders. Next time I'll try and make it a little spicy.!

 Beading

One of many. Cream and gold. 
Gold clasps, crazy lace center stone.  

Each bracelet takes about an hour to make. There are so many beads to choose from and so many patterns to invent. Coordinating all the colors and  shapes is part of the fun. I'm hoping to post pictures of more and to find some place to sell them. 

 Pearly, sea-shelly blues and greens.

Vintage pearls with blue-green accents.

Teal, copper, and pearls. Funky combination with skull shell.

Two favorites: crystal blue theme.

Another view. The clasps are gorgeous.

Favorite colors.

Royal crown crystals. Beautiful! Great look for winter, summer, and spring.








And More greens and blues clusters.

AT a different angle. You can see the variety of colors, shapes, sizes, clasps, center stones and beads. Gorgeous.



















Last But not least, the skeleton shell teal, gold and copper with pearly hints.

Penne al Salmone
The best restaurant in this small town is Luca's Ristorante Italiano. And the best dish to order there? Penne al Salmone. Well, it's also the most expensive dish on the menu. 

So how to combat that? Research the recipe and get as close as you can to it. And I did! It's better the first day.

What's in it? Well, I had to translate from Italian recipes and then use as much of my Spanish knowledge to understand the Italian.


This is delicious and so much more affordable than you will find at restaurants. Recipe below.

Penne al Salmone

Description: Smoked salmon penne pasta in a cream sauce with smoked cherry tomatoes and capers.

Prep time: 30 minutes.

Ingredients:
1 pkg Penne pasta
2/3 c. smoked salmon
1 c. cream -eyeball it
1/2 c. onion, minced
1/2 stick butter
3 garlic cloves, sliced into thirds
1 bunch cherry tomatoes
1/4 c. salmon cream -- you can leave it out if you don't have it. 
2 TB water
2 TB capers
fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions:
This recipe is super easy to eyeball. Don't overdo on the salmon, but be generous. Go all out with the tomatoes. Plum tomatoes or other small garden tomatoes work well. Soak them in salmon juice or salmon cream if possible before serving, or smoke them with the salmon.


Brown onion in butter and water. When the water has almost completely evaporated, add the salmon. Let simmer. Pour in noodles. Add cream, cherry tomatoes and capers. Let thicken for a few minutes. Garnish with parsley. Serve hot.

Slice some good bread and enjoy!

 Dark Pine trees stand tall

These soldiers guard their mountain

Vast army of green.

Greg and I drove to Leavenworth for our one-year anniversary. It is such a pretty drive in the summer. The pine trees and mountain trees were so stalwart and tall and immovable,  it reminded me of the Haiku poems Sister Morgan was writing and posting on her Facebook. So I made one for these trees and the sight of them on the mountainside.