April 30, 2012

Recipe-a Day...

APR 30  Raisin Day
 
The word raisin is stolen word from the French.
Raisin in French literally means grape; pretty simple since they are dried grapes!
As a child I never liked carrot raisin salad...but I love this new
 lighter & fresher version...sans the mayo.


Carrot-Pineapple Slaw, adapted from Cooking Light
1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple
1/3 cup raisins
5 oz matchstick-cut carrots
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon fresh pineapple juice
1 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
salt and black pepper, to taste
Combine the first 3 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine oil and next 3 ingredients (through pineapple juice), stirring with a whisk. Add oil mixture to carrot mixture; toss well. Add parsley, salt, and pepper; toss well. Cover and chill.

Stay Cozy, 
Carrie

April 12, 2012

Chocolate Cocolate Chip Banana Bread

I absolutely hate to toss out my bananas when they have over-ripened....
I am always looking for new recipes to use them up.

This cake is so rich and chocolatey good...
the sour cream & bananas add to the moist texture and wonderful flavor!



I used this cocoa powder from my local Trader Joe's store!



Cook time: 60 mins
Serves: 1 loaf
  • 1 stick of salted butter, softened to room temp.
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 large ripened bananas mashed ( or 2.5 small bananas)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 2 Tbl. cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup of sour cream
  • 1 cup of mini chocolate chips (regular chocolate chips work too)
Instructions
  1. Preheat over to 350 degrees.
  2. Lightly grease a 9×5 loaf pan, or 2 mini pans with non-stick spray.
  3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Stir in egg, mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla until well blended.
  4. Add baking soda, cocoa, and flour.
  5. Mix everything until well incorporated (about 3 minutes in a Kitchenaid mixer).
  6. Add chocolate chips.
  7. Pour batter into loaf pan(s) and bake for 50 minutes – 1 hr.
  8. Insert a tooth pick into the center of the loaf and check to see if it comes out clean when you pull it out.
  9. Remove from heat and allow bread to rest in the loaf pan for 10 minutes.
  10. Invert the loaf pans onto a cooling rack. Enjoy warm or cold.

April 10, 2012

Take a moment and...


“Stop and smell the flowers”.... most of us know what it means...
 but how often do we actually stop and smell the flowers?

This expression was intended to help us realize the importance of enjoying the  
simple pleasures of life.
But many of us forget to take time to do this nearly as much 
as we should or as much as we think we do.

Take a moment from your usual routine today to notice the little things around you...

And you might just pick a flower along the way... 

Stay Cozy, 
Carrie

April 9, 2012

Carrot Banana Walnut Cake

Moist & Flavorful...


....with nuts & raisins....
I doubled the recipe to make this larger size!

BANANA CARROT CAKE


Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,196,148187-230204,00.html
Content Copyright © 2012 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
2/3 c. vegetable oil
2 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 c. oatmeal
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. soda
1 c. shredded carrots (3 med.)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 c. chopped nuts
1 c. mashed bananas
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.2. Grease 9" square baking pan.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, soda and spices in small bowl.
4. Combine sugar, bananas and oil; add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Stir in flour.
6. Add oatmeal and carrots; mix well.
7. Spread into greased and floured 9"x9" pan.
8. Sprinkle with nuts.
9. Bake 40 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean.

April 7, 2012

Saturday Finds....

 My sister Diane, has a darling blog called


Not only does she share all of her fabulous thrift store and tag sale finds...
but she is a wonderful altered art artist
with a plethora of truly special one-of-a kind creations!

This little nut cup basket she sent to me 
 is just a small sampling of her work!

Go over and take a peek for yourself....
and tell her that Carrie sent you!

Stay Cozy,
Carrie

April 6, 2012

Baby chicks via the post office...


This sweet vintage Easter tin came in the mail
from my sister in California!

Tucked inside were these cute little handmade chicks in some
 pretty beaded egg shells...

peep ~ peep

Stay Cozy,
Carrie

April 4, 2012

A fabulous find....

 Maybe I didn't win the "mega millions"...but.....

Just in time for Easter I scored this 
wonderful basket at my thrift store.

A gorgeous authentic Longaberger Basket
complete with liner, wood lid & protector!

And are you ready for the price?
 $3.00
Can you believe it?   It is in perfect condition too!

My lucky day!


I love these fabulous baskets!


Stay Cozy,
Carrie


April 2, 2012

Easter Morning Surprise...

Every Easter my mom would "surprise" us with 
"Easter Basket Cupcakes"
Although they are quite simple to make...
Easter morning would not have been the same without them.

You see my mom was a single mom of 7 kids with no support at all!
She worked full time outside of the home and overtime inside the home...
but she managed to make each holiday very special for each of us kids.

Being a mom of 5 myself...
 I am in awe of how she accomplished it!
~ thanks mom ~
 

Stay Cozy,
 Carrie
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...