Recipe :: Fleur de Sel Caramels

         {Simple ingredients :: not pictured, candy thermometer}

{Once heated to the correct temperature (248*) pour onto oiled parchment paper and sprinkle fleur de sel on top}

{After refrigerating for a couple hours, cut up into desired size and wrap in wax paper}

Over a year ago I posted that I wanted to make fleur de sel caramels, and since then I've made them a half dozen times. They're actually easier to make than you would think and everyone love them.  These would make great Christmas presents and it's a super easy recipe to double!

This One Time We Made Pasta

{Flour ready for the eggs, some oil, and water.  Knead until just mixed.}

{Once completely mixed, roll out using a pasta maker or rolling pin.  

Roll it out as thinly as you can.  Next cut using a knife or pizza cutter.}

{Fettuccine shape and size pasta ready to be cooked!}

{Almost done and ready to be eaten.}

I've been wanting to make pasta for awhile now, and with the simple ingredients (eggs, flour, and oil) I thought it was worth a try.  With one of my favorite fellow cooks and best pal, Justine, we set out to make some pasta.  One item that I didn't have which would have made the process easier is a pasta making tool.  They have some really awesome ones that attach to a Kitchen Aid mixer and others that just sit on your counter.  This time we just used a rolling pin and pizza cutter.

Although the pasta could have been better with the use of a pasta maker, it actually tasted like pasta and the process couldn't have been easier.  This is the recipe that we used, and we also used some whole wheat flour and some all purpose.  Once the noodles were ready to be cooked, we whipped up a mushroom, Parmesan, and butter sauce to go on top.  Delicioso!

Blog Filled Weekend

{Three trips to the grocery store last week}

{Just a few chocolate chips}

{Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies}

{Rianna & I at the dinner party}

{Fun SWAG from the Portland Blogger's Meet-Up}

{Playing pool with my love}

This past weekend was very busy, but also really fun.  I had the opportunity to attend my first Portland Blogger's meet-up and meet a few local bloggers.  It was so nice to meet the people behind some blogs that I already follow, and add a few more blogs to my Google Reader. I highly encourage any local bloggers to attend the next meet-up and come socialize with other bloggers!  I also went to a friend's dinner party, played pool with my love, and went to Creative Connection PDX.  All in all a great weekend, that I wouldn't mind repeating again.

Valentine's Day Cooking Ideas

{Grilled Salmon with Mustard Sauce and Asparagus}

{Crab Cakes}

{Heart-Shaped Eggs in Toast}

Valentine's Day seems to fall into one of two categories for most people, they either love it, or they hate it.  I for one, love it because it's an excuse to show love and affection and be shown love and affection and not be looked at (too) strangely.  Because it is falling on a Tuesday this year, my boyfriend and I are celebrating the weekend before, and will probably do something small on the actual day.  

I think one of my most favorite ways to celebrate is to get somewhat dressed up, listen to nice music, and cook a delicious dinner at home.  Not only is it super relaxing, but it's also inexpensive.  Something my boyfriend and I like to make is fish with some sort of veggie and starch or breakfast for dinner.  Above are some recipes that I want to try cooking.

Rose Bowl Football Game

{Google}

Today I will be cheering on my Alma Mater as they play the Badgers in the Rose Bowl.  I'm baking these pretzel bites, and having a couple friends over.  And then tonight I'll be indulging in a guilty pleasure by watching The Bachelor.  Happy Monday and Go Ducks!

Food Network: Anne Thornton

This past weekend I went to Spirit Mountain Casino to watch a baking demo by Food Network Chef, Anne Thornton.  She taught the audience one simple chocolate chip recipe that could be used in five different ways.  It was a fun (and tasty) demo to watch, and she was so nice!

Blue Moon Cupcakes

{Cupcake Ingredients}

 {Frosting Ingredients}

 {Completed Cupcake}

{Just about to try one}

When I came across this recipe for Blue Moon Cupcakes on Pinterest, I immediately pinned it without thinking twice.  What's better than combining a delicious beer with delicious cupcakes? Not very much.  I'm happy that they turned out as well as I was hoping, and were perfect for my boyfriend's birthday party.

No Bake Energy Balls

{Pinterest}

I don't have my own picture of these, because I ate them all so fast, but they are by far my new favorite snack.  I came across the recipe a couple months ago on Pinterest, and they are so easy to make and super delicious.  You probably already have all of the ingredients in your pantry, so go make some, you won't regret it.

Fleur De Sel Caramels

{pinterest}

I'm planning on making these caramels for a family get together I'm going to, but I've never made anything requiring a candy thermometer before.  Any tips or tricks from you would be appreciated? Is it okay to use a meat thermometer (clean of course) instead?

Cranberry Orange Scones

Scones are one of my favorite things to buy at a bakery when I go to one.  So when I came across this recipe for cranberry orange scones, which combined two of my favorite things, scones and cranberries, I knew I wanted to bake them.  They were super simple to bake, and were perfectly moist and crumbly.

Thin Mint Cookies

Girl Scout cookies happen to be a pretty big weakness for me, especially Thin Mints.  When I came across this recipe I added it to my "to bake" list.  They were actually fairly simple to make, and I even got to experiment with a double boiler for the first time which was pretty cool.  One thing that I would change for the next time I make these is to cut the rounds thinner, and pour the chocolate over cookie instead of dipping them so the ratio is better.  For me, the chocolate coating was too thick compared to the cookie, but they were pretty good.

Weekend Plans

{via}

You can find me this weekend:

Baking these scones

Visiting with friends from Klamath Falls, OR

Drinking coffee from Stumptown Coffee

Taking photos at Ace Hotel

Eating at Noble Rot

[Hopefully] browsing at Noun

Happy weekend!

Red Velvet Cupcakes

This weekend I was so excited to make cupcakes from scratch for the first time.  I wanted to make red velvet cupcakes because they're one of my favorites, and in honor of Valentine's day today. 

Don't worry if you don't have a pastry bag for the frosting, I didn't have one either so instead I put all of the frosting in a Ziploc and cut off one corner and used that to pipe the frosting.  You also can use a knife to spread the frosting on the cupcakes.  Unfortunately this recipe calls for a lot of oil, so the next time I will substitute apple sauce for the oil to make the recipe somewhat healthy.  Other than that, these were very simple to make, maybe you'll whip some up for your Valentine's day.

National Popcorn Day

 

Did you know that today is National Popcorn Day?  I heard this earlier today, and immediately started thinking of recipes to make with some fresh popcorn.  I made a couple of batches in my old fashion looking popcorn machine that was a gift from my boyfriend, and put toppings on them that I had around the kitchen.  My favorite was the Craisins and white chocolate, and then cinnamon and sugar.  Do you ever put different toppings on your popcorn?

New Year's Eve Cocktails

 {Sorbet & Champagne Cocktail}

{Red Currant Champagne Cocktail}

 {Pomegranate Champagne Punch}

It seems like everyone is talking about the end of a year and decade (can you believe that New Year's is tomorrow!?).  It got me thinking about what cocktail would be perfect to celebrate the new year.  Martha Stewart has some delicious sounding drinks on her website, click the above links to see the recipes.  What is your favorite celebratory drink?

Holiday Goodies

This week I've been baking like mad.  I plan on giving some treats to my boyfriend's parents, my parents, and my pals so I wanted to have a good assortment.  I made Rolo pretzel treats, cranberry, oatmeal, and white chocolate cookies, peppermint bark, and sugar cookies that I bought premixed to support a local childrens' hospital. 

Tonight I'm celebrating Christmas with my boyfriend, I plan on going out to dinner and to either Peacock Lane or the Christmas ships to see Christmas lights.  Tomorrow I'm driving to my parent's house to celebrate Christmas with them.  I hope that you have a wonderful holiday and weekend!

Spinach & Ground Turkey Lasagna

This past weekend I made lasagna for the first time, and the recipe that I found on Epicurious sounded both delicious and healthy so I thought it was worth a try.  I have to admit, I fully expected my boyfriend to not care for it seeing as he doesn't like spinach or mushrooms and the recipe calls for both of them.  I was pleasantly surprised that he liked it, and if that's not a good testimonial I'm not sure what is.

Baked Potato Soup

Over the weekend I made some delicious baked potato soup. It was super easy to make, and it only took a little bit of time! You can even make the recipe easier by using store bought bacon bits. I will definitely make this recipe again, because nothing is better than comfort food during the Winter!

Blackberry Cobbler

My best pal and I went to the Portland Farmer's market the other day, and bought many delicious fresh fruits and vegetables. I bought some blackberries to make a blackberry cobbler. It was my first time making a cobbler, but I think that it turned out well. Here is the recipe and a picture.

- Mix one cup self-rising flour with 1 cup sugar
- Whisk in 1 cup milk
- Rub some butter in the baking dish so it doesn't stick, then melt the stick of butter and whisk into batter
- Pour the batter into the buttered baking dish
- Rinse and pat dry 2 cups of blackberries (fresh or frozen)
- Drop the berries on top of the batter evenly
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar over the berries and batter
- Bake at 350 for 1 hour until it is bubbly and golden