S'mores Bars

  I've been super busy lately so I had only an hour to create, and photograph this weeks recipe. So I thought why not do something with s'mores! So I grabbed graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate and started experimenting. (Full disclosure I probably ate as many marshmallows as I toasted). After a few rounds I created these guys. They are like a chocolate bar with marshmallow in the middle and graham cracker dustings on the top. They are super easy to make.

How I Made Them:

Besides all the normal marshmallow fixings you'll need wax paper a open flame and a freezer. First thing you do is toast the marshmallow, I used the stove top for mine. Then you melt your chocolate (I used dark chocolate because I burned the milk chocolate). Once it's melted roll the marshmallow around in it completely covering the whole thing. FYI this project is really messy.

   Then you crumble up your graham cracker. It helps to use a fork. Roll the marshmallow in the crumbs. Put it on wax paper and put in the freezer for about 30 min. Wait till the chocolate is completely hardened.

(P.S what do you guys think about changing my blog name?)

One Pan Pasta

Okay confession time here, I eat a lot of pasta. This is actually the second pasta dish I had today (I had thai noodles for lunch). So i'm really surprised that this is the first post about a pasta dish to appear on my blog. I love this recipe from Martha Stewart, because it's delicious and a lot simpler than it appears. You basically gather all your ingredients, stick them in a big pot and cook for 7-10 minuets. It's the perfect dish for an impromptu dinner party. And bonus, you can use ingredients from your own garden. 

(my basil plant)

Grilled Plums

It's summer, which means grilling season. These grilled plums with greek yogurt from the food network are the perfect desert to serve at your BBQ. They are quick, healthy and super delicious. The richness of the walnut really compliments the tartness of the plums.

I did have to cook the plums for about 2 minutes (the cook recommended 30 seconds). Otherwise the recipe was perfect. 

(the yogurt with the walnuts)

(the cinnamon added a new dimension of flavor)

(orange zest and juice)

(the final mix)

(the plums on the grill)

(roasted plums)

(the final product)

Chocolate Mouse

In France I became addicted to Chocolate Mouse. It was so easy to find and delicious. I ate it every night for dessert which is probably not the healthiest thing. 

So I figured that I'd make some today seeing as how it is incredibly hot out and this is a no bake dessert that you actually refrigerate. 

I used the recipe from the "Joy of Cooking". If you don't own the book here is Julia Child's recipe. The result was fantastic. Its even better served with homemade whipped cream and strawberries. 

Bon Appétit!

Sushi

The first time I had sushi, I thought it was gross. I hated the taste of raw fish and wasabi. I since have avoided sushi, until last week when I gave some vegetable sushi at a dinner party a try. It was delicious. So I decided to try making sushi. Vegetable sushi is safer than the raw fish type and super easy to make.

Supplies:

4 sheets of nori (dried seaweed)

                                                                   4 cups sushi rice
                                                                       1 cucumber
                                                                 Soy sauce, to serve

                                                                        sushi mat

First prepare rice based on packaging instructions. In the meantime peel the cucumber and slice into sticks.

Once everything is ready lay the nori out on a sushi mat (it helps keep them from sticking if you put plastic wrap between them).

Spread 1/2 cup of rice over the nori. It helps to have a small bowl of water nearby for washing your hands off.

lay the cucumbers down. Roll the sushi. Here is a great video on how to roll sushi. Cut in to bite sized pieces and serve with the soy sauce.

Single Serve Flapjacks

               
 My friend, sent me the recipe. She said "I made it twice in 12 hours and would rate 8/10 would make again". So today I tried making them.

It makes a enough for one (hence the name) and is pretty good. I had to add more flour because it was a bit watery. Make it if you have a craving for pancakes.

Cherry Cupcakes

  I've been dying to make these black forest cupcakes. They are chocolate cupcakes with a cherry filing and a homemade whip cream frosting.

They are seriously delicious. The chocolate cake alone is a good recipe.

  I also finally got to try making whip cream, which is super easy and taste great (better than store stuff).

  Adding the chocolate sprinkles is not necessary but it does add that je ne sais quoi. Happy feasting!

Jasmine Scones

  These jasmine scones are great if you love the taste of jasmine. They aren't as sweet as some scones but still tasty. My father is mad about them. I used the recipe from here. They have stayed surprisingly moist even after four days. Would not recommend if you despise the taste of jasmine.

Make sure when you are forming them into a block not to mash the berries up to much or it will turn them a sort of purplish brown. The berries add a sweetness to them. Make sure to take into account when you make them the chilling time. 

Other than the chilling time they are really fast to make. Probably 20 minuets of hands on time. I used less berries than the recipe called for which I would not advise. Happy cooking.

Frozen Yogurt Dots

Frozen Yogurt Dots are an easy healthy snack, and a great summer treat All you need is some yogurt, a pastry bag, a pan and a fridge. When choosing yogurt, look for something that doesn't have large fruit chunks, otherwise the yogurt will get clogged up and the bag will explode.

 

The first step is to transfer the yogurt into a pastry bag. Use a spatula to get the optimum amount of you yogurt. Remember to leave room at the top of the bag so you can twist it closed.

 

Pipe the yogurt in to small circles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper . Then put in the freezer for 30 minuets to an hour.

When you take them out of the freezer , peel them of the parchment paper with a spatula. Place in a bowl and store in the freezer. Do not keep them out for long or they will melt. Happy eating!

                                   

Greek Lemon Soup

 Light airy foods have always been my favorites. And with spring upon us I thought I might share one of my all time favorite soup recipes. I use the recipe from the Joy of Cooking (if you do not own it than I highly recommend that you buy it, it has a recipe on almost everything).

The total cooking time was about a half an hour, only because you have to cook the rice for 20 minuets. To make it vegetarian I switched out the chicken broth for a vegetable alternative. Some people find that 1/4 cup of lemon juice makes it to sour but others think it is the perfect amount, so use at your own risk.

 It is delicious served with a light salad and french bread for dipping. It really is a very simple recipe so I recommend it to even the worst chefs.