This and that

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Foodie Friends Friday Winners!

Last week we had a great Thanksgiving Party
with lots of great recipes.
Thanks to all who shared their recipes.
I am going to have fun checking them out.

Last week winners:
Top 3 Voted
Feeding Big ~ Cranberry Orange Muffins
Cozycakes Cottages ~ Simple Scottish Shortbread
Adorned Well ~ Cinnamon Honey Butter

Most Clicked
Cozycakes Cottages ~ Simple Scottish Shortbread
Recipe Roundup ~ Bikini Tanned Turkey
Feeding Big ~ Cranberry Orange Muffin


Sponsor Winners
 

Host Favorite
Foodie Friends Friday
Go Here for your button.
This week's host favorite goes to 
Axiom At Home for  Candied Ginger
I love this recipe as we eat lots of Candied Ginger and I never thought of making it myself.
My husband grew up with it and uses it when he feels ill ~ colds, upset stomache.
I also like to eat it just like candy.

picture courtesy of Axiom At Home


This week we are having a coffee party.
Three lucky winners will receive
coffee from Don Tomas Coffee.
And if you don't win... great news
You can get your own wonderful coffee from Don Thomas Coffee
for 20% off through January.
Use code FOODIEFRIENDS.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Palpitation Cupcakes and a Coffee Review


A while back I was lucky enough to be able to receive coffee from Don Tomas Coffee to use and review.  I was so excited when I received it and when I opened the box, the aroma was so wonderful and I envisioned so many things to make with it.  I don't drink much coffee anymore but this coffee tasted so wonderful... It had a great robust taste that left no after taste and even when made strong, which is the way I like it, it was great tasting with no after taste.

Light Roast
Heritage Roast ~ courtesy of Don Tomas Coffee

After reading about the company and how they harvested the coffee beans and also helped the community I was very impressed.  Don Tomas Coffee is a family operated business that produce high quality coffee beans in Nicaragua.  With this they have also invested in building a healthy community. They have built a school, medical center and a place of worship to help their employees.  Another awesome thing about this company is that they have a fundraising program,  your school/organization will keep 25% of all internet proceeds and 30% of all other proceeds.  That sounds good to me and if you are planning on doing some fundraising this may be a good place to start for you.

During my review of this coffee, I served it for company and all that drank enjoyed the robust taste.  I also made a couple of specialty coffees with this coffee and loved them. Here are the recipes for these specialty coffees:  Pumpkin Spice Latte and Salted Caramel Mocha Latte.  Another recipe that I made was my Palpitation cupcakes... The reason I am calling them Palpitation cupcakes is that I used espresso strong coffee to make them.  I used 6 heaping tablespoons of  coffee to 1.5 cups of water to make the coffee.  The cupcakes alone weren't that strong but the frosting gave me palpitation when I tasted it alone. Together they were downright delicious... The review I got for this recipes were" thumbs up".  Everyone liked them and didn't think that the coffee was too strong but just right.

Palpitation Cupcakes with Chocolate Espresso Frosting



Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup eggnog
1/2 cup strong coffee (made mine 6 tbsp ground coffee /1.5 cup water)
1 1/2 cups flour 
1 tsp soda
2 tbsp cocoa
1/2 tsp vanilla 

Beat butter, sugar and egg together until mixed.  Mix in eggnog and coffee.  Add dry ingredients and mix well.  Add vanilla and mix well.  Line muffin tin with cupcake holders and fill 3/4. (I was able to make 14 cupcakes).  Bake at 350 degrees until toothpick comes clean, approximately 20 -25 minutes.  Cool, once cool, apply frosting (recipe below).

Chocolate Espresso Buttercream Frosting
3 tbsp soft butter
1 oz melted chocolate
1/8 cup strong coffee (6  tbsp ground coffee/1.5 cup water)
1/8 cup milk
2-3 cups powdered sugar ( I used just a little less then 3 cups)

Beat butter until soft, add chocolate and continue to beat.  Add 2.5 cups powdered sugar and beat until well mixed.  Add liquids and continue to beat for a couple of minutes.  Adding more powdered sugar until is a stiff consistency.  

You may need to eat these with milk.


This weekend on Foodie Friends Friday
we will be having a Coffee Celebration 
with 
You don't want to miss an opportunity of winning some great coffee...

 
In case you don't win any but still want to try this coffee go to Don Tomas Coffee and use Coupon Code ~ FOODIEFRIENDS for 20% off through January.




This recipe and article was sponsored by Don Tomas Coffee.  I was given a pound of coffee to taste and review.  The opinion of the coffee was mine and what I observed by the friends that I served it to.

Never Fail Pie Crust that you can freeze

The holiday season is just about upon us 
and we are all busy thinking of what we are going to prepare.
Pies are one thing that I think most of us make
and who wants to use store bought crusts?

Homemade is much better better
but can I make my own?
Yes, anyone can and here is an easy recipe that never fails.
And the great thing about it
You can make 6 single crusts and freeze them.
So you can make this ahead, freeze it 
then bring it out, thaw out the crust and make your pies...
What can be more simpler?

Never Fail Pastry
5 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups lard or shortening
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tbsp vinegar
Water to equal one cup with egg and vinegar



Which to use ~ I use 1 cup Crisco shortening and 1 cup lard
Tenderflake lard ~ I buy in Canada and import.
first 4 ingredients mixed until crumbly
1.  Mix first 4 ingredients ~ flour, baking powder, salt, and lard or shortening; Mix together with hands or pastry cutter until crumbly.  I use my hands and mix these ingredients together.

2.  Add 1 egg slightly beaten and 1 tbsp vinegar in 1 cup measuring cup.  Add water until cup is full and pour in center of  the flour/lard mixture.

pour egg, vinegar and water mixture into center of flour mixture
3.  Mix all together until dough holds together.  I again use my hand to mix this together and then fold the dough until it holds together.  Divide into 6 equal portions.  At this point you can freeze the dough.

divide into 6 equal portions.
ready to go into the freezer
4.  To freeze wrap each portion in plastic wrap.  I usually use 2 layers and then place in freezer bags.  When ready to use take out of freezer and thaw until dough is pliable and ready to use.

* If using dough when you first make it.  It is easier to roll out if you chill the dough first.  I chill it for about an hour or two. 

I hope that this recipe works for you.
I have never had it fail.
One tip is not to over work your pastry dough.
Mix the dough only until it holds.




Linked up to these great parties:  Saturday Dishes Pies & Cobbler









Thursday, November 8, 2012

Foodie Friends Friday Thanksgiving Party

Are you ready for another great party?
And I am also excited to see what recipes will be linked.
The Theme for this week is Thanksgiving
and as this is my first Thanksgiving as an American
I am really looking forward to see what 
a true American eats on Thanksgiving... as long as it isn't
sweet potatoes ~~ Sorry I just don't like them.. And I have tried.

We also have some great giveaways...
So remember to fill out the rafflecopter...
If you would like to see what happened last week
 which recipes were  voted top 3 and most clicks
and who won the giveaway.. 
Go Here

Now onto this week party
Hosts:

Foodie Friends Friday http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com
Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com
Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/
Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/
Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com
Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com
Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.blogspot.com
Jodie at Binomial Baker http://www.binomialbaker.blogspot.com
R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com
Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com
Jutta at HungryLittleGirl http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/
Ericka at Chef PickyKid and Me http://www.chefpickykid.com
Cindy at Cindy's Recipes and Writings: : http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com 




Please link your recipe back to Foodie Friend Friday
and to the blog you posted from
also would if you link from my blog, I would love it if you would leave me a comment
so I can send a personal thank you!







Thank you

Come back next week for our Coffee Party





Foodie Friends Friday Winners!





As I said last week 
I am going to do my Foodie Friends Friday
in two parts.
Here is part one: 
The winner's of last week's party!


Voted Top 3
Who Needs a Cape ~ Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Who Needs a Cape ~ How to can Apples
Chef PickyKid and Me ~ Pumpkin Pie Martini


Most Clicks
Spatulas on Parade ~ Cabbage Rolls Redone
Who Needs a Cape ~ Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Who Needs A Cape ~ Veggie'd Meatloaf

Sponsored Giveaway


Host Favorite
This week's host favorite goes to one of our Foodie Friends Friday hosts, Dawn from Spatulas on Parade
I love Cabbage Rolls but can't be bothered to make them, but her recipe Cabbage Rolls Redone
is perfect and I am hoping to make them for dinner tonight.
Foodie Friends Friday

I want to thank everyone for linking up your great recipes
with Hurricane Sandy causing so much havoc
it was wonderful to see so many links!

hurricane sandy

If you would like to help with the Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts
And have something to donate for an auction
Pop over to the
For more Details
Auction takes place on November 11th.


Sunday, November 4, 2012

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

I have been trying really hard not to drink very much coffee and for the last 4.5 years I have done a very good job.  Only drinking it when I am visiting, where I don't want to explain why I quit drinking coffee.... But over the last couple of months I have had a craving for coffee and not just plain coffee but specialty coffees.  This also is possibly due to receiving a free sample of Don Thomas Coffee and wanting to be able to try it so that I can do a proper review.   A couple of weeks ago at our Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party, one of the other co-hosts, From Calculus to Cupcakes linked up a recipe for Salted Caramel Latte and I knew that I just had to try my own.  As I was making it I thought that chocolate would go good with it too, so hence the Salted Caramel Mocha Latte.  I did try to use chocolate squares but all I had was dark chocolate and I am not a dark chocolate fan and it was overpowering, so tried hot chocolate mix and Bingo... It worked.


Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

For one cup:
3/4 cup double strength coffee ( I used Don Thomas Coffee)
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 tbsp hot chocolate mix (I used double chocolate hot cocoa from Harry and David)
2 heaping tablespoon salted caramel sauce (recipe below)
heavy whipping cream for topping (optional)
extra hot chocolate mix to sprinkle over whip cream

Mix evaporated milk and hot chocolate mix together and warm in microwave.  Add hot coffee and salted caramel sauce and stir.   Whip heavy whipping cream and add to top, sprinkle with extra hot chocolate mix and pour extra caramel sauce over. 
If you are like me then take pictures before enjoying... 


Salted Caramel Sauce
adapted from The Slow Roasted Italian No fail caramel sauce

2 cups brown sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cups heavy cream
2 tsp salt ( I used kosher salt)

Combine all ingredients in saucepan.  Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, whisking occasionally.  Remove from heat and pour in jars.  Refrigerate. 
I did let mine harden slightly before putting it into my salted caramel mocha latte.






this is part of a review of Don Tomas Coffee where I was given a sample to try and review.  Full review will be done by November 16, 2012.


Links: Melt in your Mouth MondaysWednesday Extravaganza,Farm Girl Friday Blog FestFoodie Friends Friday

This post was featured in Foodista Drink Blog of the Day ~ December 5/12

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party... November 1/12

It's time for another Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party
As I wrote in my winner's post I am going to do these in two post instead of one
Last week's winner post and  this week's party post
I hope this will work out better for you.
If you would like to see last week's winners go HERE

Now onto this week's party 
and
Our Sponsor Giveaway:

One lucky winner will win a set of embroiderer towels from one of our host Cynthia from Home Matters 1st
and
One lucky winner win a handcrafted scarf from Adorned Well
Members:
Each recipe link will be linked to each of the following members blog
Foodie Friends Friday http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com
Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com
Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/
Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/
Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com
Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com
Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.blogspot.com
Jodie at Binomial Baker http://www.binomialbaker.blogspot.com
R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com
Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com
Jutta at HungryLittleGirl http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/
Ericka at Chef PickyKid and Me http://www.chefpickykid.com
Keira at Luscious Delights http://lusciousdelights.blogspot.com.au/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules:

Please link your recipes back to Foodie Friends Friday and
the blog that you linked up to
I also ask that you leave a message if you linked through my blog
so that I can personally thank you.