New product review--Reynolds Cupcake Liners

I know does not sound that exciting but I saw these at the store and could not resist trying them.  Reynolds Baked for You cupcake Liners.  How many times have you gone through the effort of buying cute themed liners and you can not see the design well once they are baked.  What caught my eye originally was that these  come in some cute styles at our Martin's grocery store, pirate and monkey/banana which would have been cute for the Chocolate Chip Banana muffins.

My daughter has a class birthday treat this week so It was a perfect excuse.  I originally purchased them because they were so dark and she wanted
chocolate cupcakes and in regular pastel colored liners the color comes through.

 But when I got home I read them more closely and they are made not to fade...

I took them out of the package, one con is that they only have 36 which means only 1 1/2 batches of cupcakes.  ( a traditional box mix makes 24)
They have a silver lining is what protects the outside liner.

Not knowing how they would cook with the silver interior I put the timer on the lowest time recommended!!  Which is usually a good practice when baking!!

They were done in 18 minutes.

Here they are, what are your thoughts??  No staining of the chocolate batter.

Opps this is what happens when I go too quickly.  But I get to see how they peel since I can't send this one to school!!

Had this in my freezer, hard to tell in this one but ghosts look a little yellow, they would be hard to recognize with chocolate batter.

Monday I will be announcing a give away I am so excited!!

Bow and Headband Holder and Spirit Wear

This project was inspired by the mess my daughter has on her shelf with the numerous headbands I have made for her over the years.   I originally had made it into a bow holder when that was popular for her but then converted it into
a bow and headband holder.

The idea is basic and you can choose your material based on your needs and ablitlies!!

Simply start with a wooden plague.  The size depends on how many ribbons you would like to fall down.  I found pre made and sanded ones at our craft store.

I  then modge podged a decorative paper on the wood.   You could simply paint it.

I also found these initials at the craft store that simply painted and used wood glue to put it on.  If you want a stronger hold use a long nail and nail it in from the back.

Then using the ribbon of choice staple gun them on the back.

For the headband holder, use another piece of ribbon overlapping and make a generous loop and fabric glue it onto the first ribbon.  You can repeat this a few times if you wish.

This makes a great addition to a little or big girls room and a great present with some headbands or bows.

Looking for Spirit wear for your school contact me.  Check out my most recent ribbon creations at CTH Designs.  Dog collars, key chains and pony O's to match your school or team colors.

 

Dog Collar

Key chain

 

Make your own Carmel Apples ....A fun way to enjoy fall's bounty

I am sure you all have seen the gourmet apples they sale especially around the holidays.  All covered with carmel, chocolate and candy.  Well how about make a quick batch of carmel and set out an assortment of toppings for the kids and adults to dig into.

I put a few items like M&M's, mini chocolate chips, Sprinkles, chopped nuts and crushed up oreos out in a muffin tin.  I think if I did it again I would put them in separate bowls so you can roll the apple into the toppings.

( Less messy)

I covered a baking sheet with a Silpat this time.  They came off wonderfully.  In the past I have used wax paper, just be sure to coat it with cooking spray.

Make your own caramel, I have only made the recipe from the bag of wrapped caramels.  Have the children do the dirty work of unwrapping them.  You can always make it into a math learning experience!  I used small to medium apples and coated 6 apples.

Make sure to use different colored popsicles sticks for each person or simply label each stick. 

I follow the microwave directions and do the dipping of the apples since it comes out so hot.

The let the lucky recipient get into all the fun toppings and make their own masterpiece.  I think my husband had just as much fun as the kids.  His idea was to crush the oreos.

Let them set for a few minutes and you have a yummy and somewhat 

healthy dessert ...They are getting a whole piece of fruit!!

I think these were a hit

OPEN WIDE!!!

.

I think this would be a fun and non-traditional ending to a casual dinner party with adults:)  

What are some of your favorite toppings for Caramel Apples???


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Back to school quick Pork Chop dinner-

Now that school is in full swing, the afternoon schedules are starting up.  Which means either a very early dinner for the kids or a quick late dinner.  I was going through my cookbooks the other day and found this recipe I had printed out years ago and it got misplaced.  I made it the other night and surprised everyone with a elegant looking dinner that did not take very long.  There is no need to do much prep either, except for any side dishes you wish to fix.  I made a side of orzo  and steamed broccoli.

My kids were more excited about the "wine sauce" and us explaining that the alcohol is actually burned off.  If you are uncomfortable with using wine, grape or apple juice would be a good substitute.

 We did have one pork chop left over, I tried microwaving it a few days later for myself.  Pork and the microwave are not best friends.  Try to make as much as you will need!

From Epicurious.com
This is written for 2 servings, I double it using 8 thin cut pork chops.

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 5- to 6-ounce boneless pork chops
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1/3 cup cranberry sauce
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

print a shopping list for this recipe

preparation

Melt butter in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Sauté pork until brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer pork to plate. Add wine to same skillet. Bring to simmer, scraping up browned bits in bottom of pan. Stir in remaining ingredients. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until slightly reduced, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Return pork and any juices to skillet. Cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Transfer pork to plates. Spoon sauce over and serve.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pork-Chops-with-Cranberry-Thyme-Pan-Sauce-105794#ixzz0zVllJIuw

The best Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

For school this year, my son's class requested birthday snacks to be low in sugar and healthy.  My son thought fruit kabobs would be fun but the thought of making 22 of them not so much fun for mom.  I suggested banana muffins, I thought most kids eat banana bread and then asked the teacher if I could add chocolate chips.

Once this was approved I searched on line for a recipe with great reviews, since this was going to be 22 new reviewers:)  I adapted the recipe slightly by using some whole wheat flour and organic sugar.  I also used frozen bananas since that is what I had.  I do think they add a little more moisture too.

Right out of the oven they were moist and tasty the kids were begging for seconds.  I had to double the recipe to get the right amount for the class so they were allowed.  As for the next school day, my son brought home a few saying some of the kids did not even want to try them...oh well more for us!!

Recipe adapted from all Recipes.com

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
Double recipe yielded 30 for me

• 1 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup  organic sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Apple Pear Cranberry Crisp

It is hard to believe it is apple season once again.  I feel like that just spells fall and means I will soon be taking out the dutch oven to make more warm comfort food.
Carter mountain here in Central Virginia offers a wonderful time for child and adults.

My son's birthday was just a few days after our trip this year, so he is getting a untraditional birthday cake....Barefoot Contessa's Apple Pear Cranberry Crisp.
A combination I have never tried before but I had a large bag of organic pears from Trader Joe's that I was afraid would not get eaten quick enough.

The hardest part of this recipe was peeling the fruit, and I kept a few of the skins on just out of laziness. Also I used both Gala and Golden Crisp in my recipe.

 SInce a crisp is best warm, although the next day I ate it at room temp, I prepared the topping recipe a few hrs before I assembled this and put it in the fridge.  I also measured out the dry ingredients for the filling and left them on the counter.  That way you can get the filling ready and put it in the oven while you prepare dinner.

  How to make topping

Also check out the recipes I prepared last year:
Apple Bread and Apple Crostata

THe birthday boy complained slightly but was happy after he saw the end result.

Check out it's a blogparty for more great ideas.

• 
  
• Recipe for Apple Pear Cranberry Crisp
• 
  
• 2 pounds ripe Bosc pears (4 pears)
• 2 pounds firm Macoun apples (6 apples)
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the topping:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Peel and core the pears and apples and cut them into large chunks. Place the fruit in a large bowl and toss with the cranberries, zests, juices, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour into a 9 by 12 by 2-inch baking dish.

For the topping:

Combine the flour, sugars, salt, oatmeal, and cold butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the mixture is in large crumbles. Sprinkle evenly over the fruit, covering the fruit completely.

Place the baking dish on a parchment-lined sheet pan and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is brown and the fruit is bubbly. Serve warm.

Okra a new vegetable in our family--Tomato okra soup

Growing up in Illinois we did not see many things with Okra in them.  I may have had it once or twice in a gumbo but definitely never prepared it before.  My neighbor graciously offered some fresh okra to me this weekend and I thought that would be a great challenge.  She also suggested frying it, but hinted that it was time consuming.....

Hearing that and talking with another friend about her uses of okra I decided to google Tomato okra soup.  Although it was 80 degrees outside I did not want to let this beautiful veggie go to waste.

 So here is a "northern" girls attempt at a very southern veggie.

Adapted from southernfood.com

Tomato Corn Okra Soup

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 green onions, with most of green, sliced
• 2 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1 rib celery, sliced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 8 to 10 ounces okra, about 3 to 4 cups sliced, fresh or frozen, thawed
• 1 cup corn kernels (canned or frozen thawed)
• 1-2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning  ( I used Emeril's seasoning)
• dash freshly ground black pepper
• salt, to taste

Preparation:

In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil and butter over medium-low heat. Add onion, garlic, and celery; sauté, stirring, until celery is tender. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, sliced okra, corn kernels, Cajun seasoning, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until okra is tender. Add salt to taste.
Serves 4.

Could not let the Italian in me get out of the way entirely, as I made garlic crostini's for a topping.  Simply toast italian bread slices .  Butter and sprinkle with garlic salt or powder.  You can also rub the toasted bread with a piece of garlic. ( this tends to be a little too strong for my kids).  My kids then dipped the bread into the soup.  Also would be tasty with garlic croutons.

I was impressed that each child finished their bowl of this soup and I will make it again....but maybe when it is a little cooler out.

Take me out the ball game...Baseball mitt cupcake Cake

I know baseball season is starting to wrap up and football is on most of the guys minds these days.  My son wanted to go to a baseball game for his birthday and our AA team happened to be ending their season this weekend at home.
Thinking about a cake we thought about traditional sheet cake with a baseball field decorated on top.  Pretty straight forward..

Well then I got something else in my head like a baseball mitt cupcake cake.  I decided to get a head start incase it did not work and I needed to call the grocery store to order one.  I froze the cupcakes I made earlier in the week for the apple cupcakes.

Shaping them was a vision my husband could not see as I moved them around. "Looks like a cougar paw, not sure mom" were some of the responses. Unfortunately I did not take a picture until after I frosted them b/c I did not think it was going to work.  I arranged 12 cupcakes on a round plate and frosted them with milk chocolate frosting.

I had never made a cupcake cake before so this was an adventure in itself.  You just frost the entire shape instead of individual cupcakes.

Here is the result of the initial frosting:

Oh yeah I see where this is going was the response from the family.

I then took another cupcake, and cut the bottom off slightly, frosted the entire cupcake (without the wrapper).  I frosted the bottom as glue and placed on top of the mitt.

Decorated with some red frosting

Well something was still missing:

I had some black decorating frosting and outlined the cake.  If I had more of the chocolate I may have piped that thicker around.

Here it is, not so bad for a first time.  Hope the kids will enjoy it.  I am sure it will be quite messy:)  In perfect world I would have had brown cupcake liners for a more uniform look:)

Favors will be simple just some baseball cards and candy. (baby ruth of course)