Monday Morsels

Now here’s something new for all of you devoted Diary of a Jewell readers, Monday Morsels. Yes, I came up with that all on my own and no it won’t be about just food but it probably will involve something I ate…cause let’s face I eat A LOT! Since I generally don’t post anything to entertain you on the weekend I thought I start a regular post that would recap my weekend for you, so here we are!

I decided to stay in and take it easy this weekend since I really have not spent all that much time at home in the past few weeks. But I did accomplish a few things on my to do list:

The Help. I finally watched it, finally! I really enjoyed the movie and I thought it was a great representation of the book. However, if I had to choose I would say that I enjoyed reading the book just a little bit more.

Coconut Milk. Another finally, finally I broke down and bought a carton to try and I am kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Holy delicious! I really liked it, and then I decided to use it to make a smoothie with strawberries, pineapple and mango and I felt like I was on vacation in a tropical place… except I was at home in my pajamas because it was pouring rain outside. Which, in turn made me like it even more!

Sadly, I did not drink any green beer on St. Patrick’s day, but I did one better and baked up a storm!

I also tried a little recipe I found on Pinterest…yes I am still obsessed. Zucchini boats, so easy, so good! Seriously, you need to make these. I did a pizza version. Simply scoop out the pulp of your zucchini(s), a teaspoon works just fine. Then add pizza sauce and the toppings of your choice and bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes. Voila!

Happy Monday!

Blogroll – Daily Garnish

It’s been awhile since you have seen one of these, no excuses, I just haven’t started reading any inspiring new blogs. But who says they have to be new! I don’t know how I forgot this one but Daily Garnish is one of my favorite blogs and honest to goodness I read it every day. In fact, I subscribe via email to make sure I never miss a beat.

I love the way that Emily writes, and we also share a number of loves in life, including; dogs, country music, healthy living and of course cooking. I have been reading Daily Garnish for quite some time and I feel like I know Emily. Weird, I know, but not in a creepy way. She is just so relatable and down to earth. She also recently created a genius tool for anyone that loves to cook, Recipage. This nifty little tool combines all of your favorite food bloggers recipes in one place. You can search a recipe by ingredient or even by a bloggers name. Seriously you should check it out…genius I tell ya!

Enjoy!

February Recipe Round Up

So I know that I definitely missed the Super Bowl snack boat and the mushy Valentines recipes but have no fear I have found recipes that are so much more awesome than pulled pork, chilli, bacon cheeseburger dip, nachos, and every food imaginable cut out in a heart shape. Who am I kidding I love all all of those things and would eat them on a daily basis if my ass would allow it. Since I have decided to accept reality, I thought I might pass on a few recipes I have been digging lately.

Jalapeno Cheddar Hummus and Cowboy Potato Chowder from Eat Live Run …of course! No I don’t know Jenna but I kinda wish I did. I just plug her because I love her and cowboys too!

Fig, Brie and Walnut Pizza – Holy smokes… sooo delicious!

Chocolate Chip Lava Cookies yes this is real life!

Roasted Strawberry Shortcake Shakes … need I say more?

Maple Bacon Cake Doughnuts surprisingly easy to make, and delish!

I have yet to try these Gooey Red Velvet S’more Bars but as soon as you look at the picture of them you will understand my obsession.

This is definitely not an “ass-friendly” food but how can you resist a Ham, Brie and Pear Bake…wait I am not sure I want to!

And finally just Enjoy, would ya!

Valentine’s Day in a Nutshell

Happy belated love day to all of you! I know Valentines day can be quite controversial, for many people it is looked at as a Hallmark holiday, solely intended to break the bank. I can’t say I completely disagree, I am not one for grand gestures but I do enjoy the little things, it’s nice to feel special once in awhile right?!

All in all, it was a pretty awesome day! It started on a hilarious note, Andrew and I got each other the same card. No joke, exactly the same.

In case you were wondering that the inside said, it read “I never get tired of looking at your face.” Romantic I know, obviously we were both sold on the Shar Pei gracing the front cover.

We also went out for dinner at The Refinery on Granville Street. Neither of us had been before and we were both pleasantly surprised. The food was delicious, the drinks were inventive and staff was excellent. I highly recommend this gem if you are looking to try something new. Make sure you get the Mixed Board, and the cinnamon bun cheesecake for dessert. We indulged and had 2 desserts…why not right?

Chef’s Valentines Day special…who doesn’t love a brownie!

We really don’t do gifts but I scored myself a rockin’ new royal blue cardigan, way better than flowers and candy. Speaking of candy, if you were given a whole bunch or your like me and proceeded to buy all of the day after discounted candy at the grocery store, you should definitely try this recipe for Valentine’s day candy bark. It’s like one of those what to do with your leftovers recipes, throw everything in a casserole pan and bake it. Except throw everything in chocolate and make it pretty is so much more fun!

Enjoy!

PS. If you are still bitter about not having a Valentine, read this and I promise you’ll not only split a gut and but also feel better about being alone all at the same time. ..amazing!

Christmas Recipes from Around the Web

So I have exhausted my Christmas baking recipe database…yep a big two EASY recipes. Pretty amazing, I know! For the record, I do have quite a few more Christmas baking recipes to share but there just aren’t enough hours in the day…such is life! So, I thought I would share a few recipes I have been ogling on some of my favorite blogs. Enjoy!

Bakerella’s Chocolate Candy Cookies

Dulce De Leche-Chocolate Bars

Eat Live Run’s Chewy Peppermint Mocha Cookies and Christmas Tree Rolls

The Pioneer Woman’s Mulled Apple Cider

Eggnog Scones by Sugarcrafter

Cinnamon Roll Swirled Gingerbread bars with Toffee Chips by Picky Palate

Candy Cane Crinkles & Mini Mint Truffle Brownies from Lauren’s Latest

Chocolate covered Katie’s Mini Eggnog Spice Cake with Creamy Dreamy Frosting

That should keep you going for awhile… if it doesn’t you have WAY to much time on your hands!

Enjoy.

Xo

More Christmas Goodies!

Round 2…just as delicious and simple. I promise, seriously have I let you down yet? This one comes from the lovely Carly not the Lilinator, she’s not quite as awesome but, I still kinda like her 😉 And, yes, they are actually called Yummies…awesome, I know!

Christmas Yummies

Ingredients

3 cups white chocolate wafers (morsels) or melting chocolate

4 cups of golden grahams

1 cups of Christmas M&M’s

1/2 cup of Craisins

Instructions

Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Melt the white chocolate, I like to use the double boiler method. But you can also just throw in a pot and melt it at a low temperature. Once it is melted stir in the remaining ingredients. Pour the mixture on to the covered cookie sheet and put it in the refrigerator to set. It shouldn’t take much more than an hour. It is seriously that easy.

You can also add 1 cup of peanuts, or any nut really. I prefer it sans nuts. Once in a while I like to use peanut butter M&M’s…daring I know! This is kind of a pick your own ingredients kind of goodie but, I will say the golden grahams are pretty essential, so don’t go getting any ideas to throw in Shreddies…that would be a big mistake!

Yummy…no pun intended!

Christmas Goodies!

So I am not sure how you spent your weekend but I spent mine indulging in far to many Christmas goodies! So many in fact that I am still uncomfortable wearing jeans…stretchy pants it is! Don’t worry, my wardrobe woes will certainly not stop me from eating all of the Christmas treats I love so much. The one in particular that did me in this weekend was Almond Roca, well actually it was my mom’s homemade version. Her recipe calls it Soda Cracker Candy…not very appealing I know. I thought I would rename it, Poor Man’s Almond Roca but she didn’t like that much so I think I will go with Lilinator’s Soda Cracker Candy. Despite the name, I actually like it better than the real stuff, and that is saying a lot considering I have polished off one of the giant pink Costco tins of Almond Roca in the past.

Soda Cracker Candy

Ingredients

1 sleeve Premium Plus Soda Crackers

1 Cup Butter (we use margarine)

1 cup Brown Sugar

10 oz chocolate chips (250 grams)

Powdered Almonds

Instructions

Line a 11 x 15 inch cookie sheet with foil. Grease the foil and cover with soda crackers.

Boil butter and brown sugar for 2 minutes, no more or it will burn! Spoon the mixture over the crackers and then bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Once you remove it from the oven, scatter the chocolate chips over the top and smooth them as they melt. Dust the powdered almonds over the top. Finally, put it in the fridge to set and then break it into pieces and serve.

This is a great option if you are looking for something quick and delicious to whip up for your Christmas Cookie Exchange. I have a few more recipes to share with you, but I think one a day is enough. Besides, the picture above is of the leftover Soda Cracker Candy in the fridge and it has my name on it.

Enjoy… I know I will!

Blogroll – Spoon Fork Bacon

Enough said right? Yeah, I thought so too.

I absolutely, love food blogs, I find a lot of joy in reading up on new recipes and trying them at home. Not to mention, drooling over the images. Spoon Fork Bacon is no exception and really, who wouldn’t want to read a food blog with bacon in the title…seriously bacon should be it’s own food group. Teri and Jenny do a fantastic job incorporating a variety of delicious recipes and images in their carefully crafted blog. Do your self a favor and check it out, you won’t be disappointed…promise!

All of you vegetarians out there, don’t judge a book by it’s cover, there are plenty of meat free recipes as well!

Blogroll – Gingerbread Bagels

If you have a sweet tooth like I do and you have not been reading this blog…well then you are just not living at all. You have been missing out on life’s sweetest pleasures, Gingerbread bagels. Lindsey defines her blog as baking pure delicious love and I could not agree more. From cookies and cupcakes to breads and pies, I frequently share her recipes on Twitter. Not only is she creative, she also utilizes everyday snack food, ahem Oreos, in her baked goods. How could you not fall in love?

Looking for fantastic sweet treat recipes? Then gingerbread bagels is where it is at!