I Feel So Loved......

Lets be honest. I am never stressed about anything. I live life fully and enjoy every moment. I am very calm and down to earth. BUT right now I feel stressed out and to receive these awards has brought me happiness this week. I received 5 awards this week! It feels good to be recognized by your fellow peers. I received the HONEST SCRAP award form the talented Claudia from The Journey of The Italian Cook. Her site is inspiring. She is a incredible women who cooks and works in theater. I adore her site!

I received the Kreativ Blogger and One Lovely Blog Award from Rachael from Laptop and Stovetops and also from Claudia at Pegasuslegend. Both are creative in their own way and are amazing cooks. They also live in Florida with me! Thank you so much for inspiration

The first award informs you that you have to name ten things about yourself. The other two asks for 7 things.I am just going to tell you ten and I will pass all three awards to 7 fellow foodies. I hope that will not confuse, but I would hate to pass them out separately. I would be here all night. LOL

1. I am a twin (I also have a little sister and brother. Both my sisters visit my site regularly for inspiration in the kitchen. LOVE YOU GUYS!)
2. I am moving to an extended stay on Halloween for a month!!!! NO OVEN!! It stresses me out a little...
3. I moved to Florida a little over three years ago. I hated it at first, but now I am in love with Florida. I do miss the fam. They live in Ohio
4.& 5. I went to Kent State University. I graduated with 2 BA's in four yrs. YEAH, but I have not used my college diploma's. I have had the best job: Stay at Home Mom
6. I have two beautiful little girls. (1 yr. old Bailey and 4 yr. old Alex)Shhhhh....I still want one more beauty.
7. I love Food Blogging and the amazing wonderful people I have met.
8. I am addicted to House, Lie to Me, and Bones.
9. I made my daughters Halloween costume this year. It was so hard, but I finished it with flying colors...
10. MUAH! I love you guys! Thank you for being such great friends!

The Bloggers I pass the Award on To:

1. My girl Ingrid from 3 B's: Baseball, Baking and Books, She rocks! ROCKS! Rocks! I love the recipes she posts. She is an incredible mom too!!!!
2. Cristine of The Mistress of Cakes. She went through a lot this yr, but is back in the kitchen. I can't wait to see what she posts next! I adore her recipes!!!
3. Pam from For The Love Of Cooking, She was my true inspiration to start my own site. Her and my next amazing blogger. I loved to cook and went to their sites on a regular basis. They inspired me.
4. Leslie from The Hungry Housewife. I love Leslie and her talent!! Her recent cakes are OFF THE HOOK!
5. GirlChef Wow. She rocks. Her pictures and unique posts are INCREDIBLE.
6. The Cookin Canuck, I visit her blog on a dailey basis to see what she is cooking up. She is extremely talented.
7. Donna at My Tasty Treasures. She makes me laugh and crave sex and food!!! LOL!!

I am so lucky to have met these amazing bloggers. Thank you for the award!

Cinnamon Crumb Suprise Bread

Well, let me just tell you. I will be living without an oven for atleast a month...SOOOO I will be baking a lot this week. I need my fix. I might have to visit some friends and use their oven. Anyway, this is a recipe that I found in the Bread Bible. It is very yummy.(VERY VERY..IT IS ALREADY GONE) It reminded me off a coffee cake, but better. Who would not love a bread that has the middle filled with Apple and Cinnamon goodness? I hope everyone had a great weekend!

The Crumb Topping

1/4 cp. light brown sugar packed

1 1/2 TB. Granulated sugar

3/4 cp. walnuts (I used pecans. I love pecans.)

1 tsp. cinnamon

8 TB. Cake Flour, unsifted

3 TB. butter, melted

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1. In a food processor blend the sugars, nuts and cinnamon. Set 1/2 cp. aside. Add the cake flour, butter and vanilla. Pulse. Put in the fridge for 20 minutes.

2. Preheat oven at 350

THE APPLE FILLING and BATTER

1 Apple, skinned and seeded, chopped (1 heaping cup)

2 tsp. lemon juice

1 Lg. Egg

2 Lg. Egg Yolks

1/2 cp. Sour Cream

1 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract

1 1/2 cp. Sifted Flour (Must be sifted into the cup for right measurements. Do not tap.)

3/4 cp. sugar

1/4 tsp. baking powder

3/8 tsp. baking soda (I just put a little less then 1/2 tsp.)

pinch of salt

9 TB. softened butter

1. Peel, core, and cut the apples in cubes.Toss in lemon juice.

2. Medium bowl combine one fourth of the sour cream, the eggs, and vanilla.

3. Mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix on low until combined.

4. Add the butter and remaining sour cream into the mixer.

5. Add egg mixture in two batches.

4. Fill greased pan half way (2/3 of the batter) Add the rest of the 1/2 cp. cinnamon and sugar mixture and top with the apples. Drop the remaining batter and spread over. Top with the crumb topping.

5. Bake 50-60 minutes. Let cool

Halloween Fun

It has been complete chaos. We are moving most of our stuff out of the house this weekend. We plan to finish and be completely moved out by Saturday (Halloween) morning. Not to mention, Bailey (my lovely two yr. old) had me up all night (I mean ALL NIGHT.) I finally fell asleep at 3 in the morning! Then up at 7 am! Needless to say, I am exhausted. Running on four hours of sleep. I finally finished Alex's costume. (I let her pick out the garment and I made her a witch costume. The pic is above in her costume) My husband informed me that it was one of the best costumes at the zoo. ( I missed out on Boo at the Zoo because I was home with sick Bailey.)

ALSO, we had to carve pumpkins because we will be living in an extended stay on Halloween! Yep! I will be held up in an extended stay for a MONTH! But don't worry. It will be a unique twist at MFLE. I will post all the food you can make in a SUPER tiny kitchen with NO OVEN!!! I will have withdraws. LOL.
By the way, I bought The Bread Bible. I am in love!!! I already made the first recipe. I will share it tomorrow!!! Take care and I hope you had a WONDERFUL weekend....

Fabric!?

I know this is a food blog, but I am a avid sewer too! I am actually making my daughters witch costume. (If I can get it done.) I have two very sick kids and I am moving this weekend.

Anyway, I wanted to share with my amazing followers this amazing giveaway. You can find the giveaway here. For my amazing friends, if you post that you found out about the giveaway from muah it will give me an extra chance....so stop in post a comment and link it back to me!! Thanks in advance!! You guys rock!!!

Thanks!!!!

Cool Weather in Sunny Florida

We finally got a taste of fall in Florida this weekend! It was awesome! I moved to FL a little over three years ago. I miss Fall so much! Fall is my favorite season. This weekend it was in the 60's! Breezy! Perfect!

The weather was SCREAMING fall! The first thought that popped in my mind is CHILI! I went to my favorite butcher who HAPPENED to have Sirloin Steak on sale...mmmhh..what a coincidence. Here is my Sirloin Steak Chili! Enjoy!



2 lbs on Sirloin, cut in cubes
1 Red Onion, chopped
1 Red Pepper, Chopped
1 Jalapeno, Chopped
1 Poblano, Chopped
2 Garlic Cloves, Chopped

1. Toss together and let the beef brown and the veggies get soft. (Can I just say, the beef was so tender and amazing.)

1 tsp. Oregano
2 TB. Chipotle Chili Powder
1 tsp. Cumin
Lawrys Salt and Pepper

2. Add the seasoning and toss.

1 Small Can of Paste
4 15 oz. Fire Roasted Tomatoes
1 15 oz. Tomato Sauce
2 15 oz. Dark Red Kidney Beans
2 15 oz. Black Beans

3. Add the Tomatoes, Beans and Paste. Stir.
4. Let simmer until thick. I usually let it simmer for a few hours.

Top with Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream and Tator Tots (One of the best toppings EVER!)

By the way, Sorry for the delay. My 4 yr. old came down with Bronchitis. She is horribly sick. Not to mention, we are moving by Halloween, so I am packing and preparing....WHEW.

THIS IS WHAT WE MADE WITH THE LEFTOVERS:
YES! This is Steak Chili Pizza...IT ROCKED!!!

ENJOY!!

O Olive Oil Giveaway/ Fall Collection

I reviewed O Olive Oil a few months back. I enjoyed their product immensely. You can find the review here.It was an enjoyable post to write and a fantastic product to use.

Today I am offering a giveaway. It will be for their Charcoal Box Fall Collection which includes O Blood Orange Olive Oil (I used to make my Orange and Cranberry Granola Bars), O Zinfandel Vinegar (One of my favorites.) and O Porto Vinegar. The gift box is beautiful and is worth close to 40 dollars! All you have to do is leave a line about how you would use this amazing gift set. I will announce a winner on Tuesday, October 20th.
For those who enjoy their product and would love O Olive Oil go to their site at: http://www.ooliveoil.com
Type in: kidsandfood
SAVE 10%
They have amazing and unique products.

GOODLUCK!!

THE WINNER WILL WIN THE ENTIRE COLLECTION !!

Pickled Banana Peppers

I visit the farmers market every Wednesday and the last few weeks I would buy banana peppers to put on salad or pasta. They tasted fantastic without pickling.

I decided to make my own pickled banana peppers. I must say, YUM! I can't wait to add them to my sandwich and salads. I have already been opening the fridge and sneaking a few here and there.

ENJOY!

Pickled Banana Peppers

The BRINE:

1 TB Dried Dill Weed
1 1/2 cps. of Water
Quart of White Wine
3/4 cp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. of Pickling Salt

4 LBS Banana Peppers (Washed Well)
Garlic
Fresno Pepper or Jalapeno (Washed Well)

1. Boil the jars and lids and the brine in another. While the brine is warming up cut the peppers.

2. When the brine is ready add a garlic to each jar and a Fresno or Jalapeno pepper.

3. Pour the boiling brine over the top and add the lid. Boil for a few minutes until really hot. Let cool. The lids should seal if they do not store in the fridge.

Chocolate Cookie Covered Oreo's and Rolo's!

What could be better then an Oreo Cookie or a Rolo Candy bar?

How about if they are covered in chocolate and sugar!? Needless to say my girls loved these. It is a good thing I made a vast amount.

I stumbled on the Chocolate Oreo cookies here. It is called my Tasty Treasures. It is about sex and food. What more could you ask for? It is very entertaining and will give you a little chuckle.

The ROLO AND OREO COOKIE RECIPE:
1 cp. of soft butter
1 cp. of sugar
1 cp. of brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. of vanilla
2 1/4 cp. of flour
3/4 cp. cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder

1. Cream the butter and sugar together for 3 minutes. Add one egg at a time. Add the vanilla.
2. Sift the flour cocoa and baking powder. Add it slowly to the wet mixture.
3. Place in the fridge for 2 hours.
4. Remove and flatten a small piece of the dough. Add a Rolo or Oreo in the middle and roll to cover completely.
5 Bake on 350 for 8 to 10 minutes. You do not want it to flatten. You want the Rolo still in form.

Apple Juice Pancakes with Sauteed Apples

Let me start by saying that it began with only 1 cp. of milk.



I woke up this morning with my husband and kids asking for pancakes. I pulled out all my normal ingredients for my pancake batter. When I started making the pancakes I realized I only had 1 cp. of milk! I needed 1 3/4! What was I going to do!? I decided to substitute with Apple juice. My husband hates fruit IN his pancake, so I made a Apple topping. I usually do not commend myself but I WAS SO PROUD! It turned out so so good. Put it this way, both kids finished there entire plate! That never happens! That is the greatest compliment ever! HAPPY KIDS, HAPPY HUSBAND, AND HAPPY ME! The morning is off to a good start!





APPLE JUICE PANCAKES

1 cp. milk
3/4 cp. apple juice
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 TB butter
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cp. sugar
2 cps. flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
pinch salt



1. I added the cinnamon, flour, salt, and baking powder and sifted it. Set it aside.

2. In the mixer I added the milk, apple juice, eggs, sugar, vanilla and butter. Mixed until combined. Slowly added the sifted mixture.

3. Cook on a oiled skillet. Add a 1/4 cp. batter per pancake. When it bubbles then flip it.



The Easy Topping: (Let me just say, I ran out of butter too! Haha. It is my shopping day today. But if you want to add some butter be my guest. But this turned out wonderful this way.



In a Skilled add two apples diced with 1/2 cp of apple juice, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, and 1/4 cp. Maple syrup. Cook only a few minutes. You do not want the apples to get to soft!

Bacon and Egg Salad

My husband and I love salads. I was raised where we had a salad as a side for every meal. I make a huge salad almost every night. Today, the husband came home for work and wanted something healthy but filling for lunch. I made this salad and it was perfect. He finished it quickly and then fell asleep for an hour before heading back to work.
I bought organic local grown Arugula, Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Peppers that I could not wait to use. It was mighty tasty.


1 Head of Arugula
4 Cps of Mixed Greens
1/2 cucumber, sliced thing
1 Banana Pepper
1 Red Pepper
1/2 Red Onion, Slice thin
1 to 2 cups of Cherry Tomatoes
1 Carrot, sliced thin
2 Hard Boiled Eggs
4 Slices Bacon
Parm Cheese

Dressing of Choose.

I bought all of these ingredients at the farmers market and I could not wait to make a huge salad! Throw everything together and top with the bacon and eggs and some fresh Parm Cheese.

Sirloin Steak Sandwich and Stir Fry

I have been nicknamed "Sandwich Queen". I make my husband sandwiches on a regular basis. He loves them and I love being creative with what I have in the kitchen. This week I made two loafs of sourdough bread! I made it from the Panera Bread recipe. It turned out perfect! I figured that steak would make an incredible combo with it.

I grilled the bread with butter and I could of just ate a the loaf of bread that way. So yummy. But I topped with with mozzarella cheese, then fries, and more mozzarella cheese and put it in the broiler. When the cheese was brown and crispy I added the steak. Then topped it off with carmalized onions! What a sandwich!
I marinated the sirloin with a bottle of A1, 1 cp. of soy sauce, salt and pepper.

We had a ton of steak leftover, so I made a stir fry out of it last night. It turned out really well.

Sirloin Steak Stir Fry

3 TB butter
1/4 cp. diced green onions
My leftover beef and carmalized onions
1 bag of frozen brocoli or fresh if you have it.
3 tsp. of garlic
3 tsp. hot chilli sauce
2 tsp. sugar
1 cp. of stir fry sauce
salt and pepper
Rice

1. Melt the butter and add the garlic and green onions until soft. Add the steak and carmalized onions until warm and brown. Add the brocolli until tender. Add the sauce and seasoning!
2 Serve on rice.

Spider Cupcakes for My Girls

My girls love Halloween. My oldest has been asks, "Is Halloween tomorrow?" Almost everyday. I figured I would create something special for them. I bought a book called Ghoulish Goodies. Wow, what a great book.

I created these cupcakes from that book! Not to mention, they are super simple and look terrific!


THE RED VELVET CUPCAKE:

1 3/4 cp. flour
2 heaping TB of unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Sift together and set aside.

3/4 cp. veg. oil
1 sugar
1 cp. buttermilk
2 eggs
2 TB red food coloring
1 tsp vanilla
1 cp. chocolate chips

In a mixer add the sugar, veg. oil and buttermilk. Mix well. Add one egg at a time. Add the red food color and mix until red everywhere. Add the vanilla and chocolate chips.

Slowly add the sifted dry ingredients

Put in Cupcake tins. Bake on 350 for 18 minutes. Cool for Ten Minutes.



The Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8oz. cream cheese, soft
1 stick of butter, soft
6 cps confectioners sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extracts
1/2 cp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1. Beat the eggs and butter until smooth. Add one cup of sugar at a time. When all the sugar is used add the vanilla and cocoa. When cupcakes are cool top them with the icing


Use red licorice strings for the legs
I used Halloween M&M's for the eyes.
Chocolate Sprinkles

After icing the cupcake add as much chocolate sprinkles to make it look hairy. Press the legs and eyes in.
I let the girls decorate. If you look at the picture there is some cupcake with multiple eyes, my husband made those.....IT WAS A FAMILY AFFAIR!! SO MUCH FUN!!!

Autumn Cheesecake

I must admit, this is the best cheesecake ever! This is absolutely perfect for the fall. This is my husbands all time favorite cheesecake. I also brought this to my family friends Thanksgiving party and it was a favorite.




I found this on Allrecipes.com one of my favorite sites. I changed a few things. I honestly think this cake should be illegal. It is so good. I could eat the entire pie.

AUTUMN CHEESECAKE

Crust:
1 cp. graham crackers
1/2 cp. pecans
3 TB. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cp. melted butter

1. In a food processor mix the sugar, cinnamon, graham crackers, and pecans. After freshly ground add the melted butter. Push into a 9 in. spring pan. Bake on 350 for 10 min.



3 soft cream cheeses
3 eggs
3/4 cp. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
5 cps. peeled and sliced apples
1/2 cp. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cp. ground pecans

1. cream the cheese and sugar together. Add one egg at a time. Add the vanilla. Pour into the cool crust.
2. Toss the apples, sugar and cinnamon. Top the cream cheese with the apples. Add the pecans to the top.
3. Bake on 350 for 70 minutes.