Welcome Back... Me

I think this has been the longest break yet... and so many changes. 

      About a month after my last post, we found out that we were expecting our first little one and from there on life started moving full-speed.

      A house had always been on Christian's list of must haves before a new family addition, and so the hunt began. 

      Once the house was secured and moved into, an opening at my Alma Mater was posted and 7 months pregnant, the Financial Aid Department welcomed me back.  

       And then the big event, our little man came into the world and life will forever be better.

During my pregnancy, and before, I've loved reading blogging moms talk about the different stages, ones I've already gotten to experience and those I still get to look forward to. During all of this reading I have debated back and forth weather our little man would be posted on social media pages. 

As of now, his face and name have wound up on my mother and sister's Facebook pages, though Christian and I have not posted anything ourselves. On the one hand, he is too sweet and handsome to not share and my experience through pregnancy, childbirth and these first 6 months have been amazing that I would love to share with others out there. On the other hand, he is only 6 months and children these days are already too involved in social media and exploitation. 

A decision will be made soon, since I would love to partner with some of our favorite brand, thus far, if we do decide to share. I'll just keep you on your toes and coming back for more info and possibly.... pictures!

Until next time, which I promise will not be over a year!
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

Squash Cake

After receiving a semi-threatening comment on my former blog, Deliciously-Organic, I made the switch to a fresh start. With this came going through unfinished posts, like this gem. So thank you Carrie Vitt for making a fuzz over the little people using your "phrase".

I know what your thinking... Squash, in cake? But trust me, it is delicious. I found myself with a couple leftover squash from our CSA last season that were needing some attention. After baking and pureeing them up, I hunted for the perfect way to use them up. I was open to anything, sweet, savory, spicy, just not wasteful. Then I came across pumpkin cakes and thought yes please! Lucky for me, I had made Salted Caramel Sauce a few days before, the perfect topping for Acorn Squash Bundt Cake. This is my take on the Chow's Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake w/ Salted Caramel Sauce, enjoy!

Acorn Squash Bundt Cake

3 1/4 cup Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
1 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
2 3/4 cup Sugar
1 cup Vegetable Oil
4 Eggs
1 3/4 cups Pureed Squash

-Start by coating a bundt pan with oil and flour
-Mix together Flour, Baking Powder, Spices, Baking Soda and Salt
-Mix Sugar, Oil, Eggs and Squash together, then incorporate well with the dry ingredients
-Fill budt pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1hour to 70 mins
-Let cool for 15 min, then invert on cooling rack
-When completely cool, serve with Salted Carmel Sauce

The Beginning

I love reading food blogs! They always give me such great ideas for the meals and treats ahead of me.

I bake and cook, a lot. It's what I do for fun, to relax, to escape, to show my love. I grew up baking, for fun and professionally, and fell in love with it. Being a “starving student” with a live in fiancé, cooking became, or is becoming, part of my life out of survival. Regardless of skill, it’s what I do and my friends & family all think I should share my passion of culinary creation and recipe hunting with the rest of the world… so here it goes!

My local Co-Op has had an amazing deal on strawberries and raspberries lately... Thank you summer! This week I believe we have already gone through 4 lb of strawberries and am fighting the urge to get more. Besides just popping them in my mouth one after another, there are a few things I love to do with them.

First is topping them on any desert. Last weekend we had company over and made chocolate cheesecake with fresh whipped cream and raspberries pilled on top. A definite crowd pleaser.

                                                 All that was left at the end of the night...

Tonight we are having individual Straw/Rasp Crumbles!

For Christmas a few years back, my mom bought me these adorable baby ramekins. I use them for everything... French Onion Soup, Chicken Pot Pie, Apple Pies, Ice Cream, and whatever else you may think of, they are just the perfect size. 

For the Straw/Rasp Crumbles

   1/2 c sugar, divided

   1/2 teaspoon baking powder

   1 c flour

   1/4 teaspoon salt

   1/2 stick of butter, cold and cut into pieces

   2 teaspoons flax seed meal

   1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

   1 small egg

   2-3 c strawberries (cut into quarters) and raspberries

   2 teaspoons corn starch

Pre-heat oven to 375 and grease 4 ramekins

In a food processor, combine 1/4 c sugar, baking powder, flour, salt and flax seed meal. Then add the egg, vanilla and butter. Pulse until pea sized.

In a bowl, gently mix the berries, 1/4 c sugar and corn starch.

Divide the berry mixture between the 4 ramekins and top with the crumble.

Bake for 25 minutes.

Best served warm with vanilla ice cream!

Wedding Countdown

T Minus 22 Days!

With Wedding plans coming into view, I thought I'd share the Deliciously Organic Menu for our special event.

The Wedding Menu

   Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin

   Spanikopita, prepared on site by my Uncle

   Greek Salad
   Couscous with Sun dried Tomatoes 

   Organic Tossed Green Salad

   Assorted Fruits and Cheeses

   Pita and Hummus 

  

 This is the plan at least. My mom, sister and I are preparing it all. Luckily we are keeping things small and there shouldn't be more than 75 mouths to feed... wee ones included.

My mom isn't as organic and locally produced crazed as I am, but it's my big day so I get to call all the shots... Wish us luck!

We are getting married on my hometown island at the local vineyard.

 Building and Stairs from which I will be walking down from

Hopefully the North West Washington rain will refrain from attending!

Archway where our guests will enter

 But of course, regardless of what the weather holds for us, we will remember it is about the marriage, not the the wedding day.

Are you attending any weddings or special summer events?

What is your favorite meal for a big event?

Finally Catching Up with Life

Sorry to be so scatterbrained when it comes to keeping up on the blogging, but life always seems have something a bit more pressing.

Life recap of the past 4 months:

     The Wedding was AMAZING! Almost everything went according to plan, but it couldn't have been more perfect and all the in-laws and random relatives got along wonderfully.

                                                    Sister (maid of honor), Bride and Groom

                                                                           The Food!

  

                                             One of our favorites since we are so un-photogenic!

     We finished up the summer, went to Bumbershoot, our annual end of summer celebration for the past four years, in Seattle and stayed with our awesome Seattle buddies. Fall quarter started and Christian ( my husband ) and I both got some life plan changes handed to us; my major didn't come through so I am now working towards Bio-Cultural Anthropology and the hubby had a bit of legal problems, not so much fun but part of life.

      We ended up hosting a pre- Thanksgiving diner at our house with two sets of in-laws since we were heading to Montana for the real holiday, and everything went wonderfully!

     We took the train out to Montana and we celebrated the holiday with Christian's mom's side of the family and visited his dad's side as we traveled home in our new car! ( A wedding gift from his maternal grandparents! )

     Winter Break is now upon us and that means lots of free time for making delicious cookies. A friend of mine doesn't have a sweet tooth, but loved these cookies after a birthday ski adventure.

Sugar Cookies

   2/3 cup softened butter

   3/4 cup sugar

   1 egg

   1 tablespoon milk

   1 teaspoon baking powder

   1/4 teaspoon salt

   1 teaspoon vanilla

   2 cups flour

  

   Beat the butter until fluffy, then add the sugar, baking powder and salt. Beat until combined. Add the egg, milk and vanilla until combined. Then add in the flour, mixing any by hand if it becomes too thick. Divide the dough in half and chill for two hours ( just enough time to make some more cookies and tidy up the kitchen! )

   Preheat the oven to 375f. Roll out the dough on a flour dusted surface about 1/4 inch thick. Pull out the various cookie cutter and get cutting! ( These guys shrink down a bit so you can fit them pretty close on the pan, just don't touch )

   Bake 7 to 10 minutes or until the edges start to brown a bit.

Hope the Holiday Season is treating everyone well!

Happy Holidays

The build up to Christmas is always huge and then its just over..  Always seems to bring me down a bit, but at least I have a few awesome gifts to keep my spirits high!

   We always go to my mom's for Christmas, momma's girl through and through and this year was a pretty quick trip. As some of you know, my family lives out on an island that requires a ferry to get to, not some much fun with busy holiday work schedules but we were able to get out there Christmas Eve afternoon, but had to jet back the next night. 

   While on the island, along with spending time with the family and doing the Christmas thing, we always make sure to visit family friends, even if just for a few minutes, and boy do they appreciate even that!

This year I got some pretty awesome swag for my kitchen, now that I'm a full fledged wifey!

Check out these adorable aprons my mom made for my sister and I! She just started sewing like a year ago and is seriously making an outfit a day, and her stuff is so stinkin' cute!

   But my favorite gift has to be my BEAUTIFUL Le Creuset Dutch Oven!

   I can't wait to cook up something delicious in this bad boy... Can you say Coq au Vin!?! Yum Yum. Well time to do some more relaxing, I may even be ready to eat again, last night was the annual Prime Rib Dinner with Yorkshire Pudding, Texas Potatoes and all the yummy sides :)

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Last Days of Sanity

What I mean is the last days of the year and the last week of winter break is upon us. Time to get in some final sleeping, movie watching, stress free morning Yoga sessions, home work free evenings and baking, and get my list of crock pot ready meals together, can you say dinner ready when you walk in the door!?! Yes please :)

   But before I get into the haze that is Winter Quarter, I'll share with you some very versatile tasty cookies. The original recipe I found for these called for chocolate covered caramels, but I had miniature peanut butter cups on hand and my man loves his peanut butter. I later tried them with crushed up peppermint/peppermint bark ( pictured below ) and they were also a hit. 

   Take away message: These are some good chocolate cookies that will work with anything!

Stuffed Chocolate Cookies 

   2 3/4 cup flour

   3/4 cup cocoa powder

   1 teaspoon baking soda

   1 cup softened butter

   1 cup sugar

   1 cup brown sugar

   1/4 teaspoon salt

   2 eggs

   2 teaspoons vanilla

   *Fillings: around 3 dozen miniature peanut butter cups, caramels, chocolate covered fruit, or crushed candy, whatever you have around

   Beat the butter for about 30 seconds, then add in the sugars until combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and vanilla. Follow with the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. If using crushed candy, add it in now. If the dough seems to soft to work with chill for about an hour.

   Preheat your oven to 375F and begin shaping the dough into 1 inch balls or so. Press in your filling and enclose. Bake for 8-10 minutes, two inches apart. 

   For an added treat, drizzle melted chocolate or caramel over the cookies, maybe even a sprinkle of course sea salt!

   Another awesome Christmas gift this year.... The Whole Foods Market Cookbook. I will have to dig in and share some of it's awesomeness. ( Maybe even a look at my kitchen resources... )

   Until next time, relax and get in that kitchen!