Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

I have been dying to make these for awhile now. My uncle called and asked me to contribute the bread to thanksgiving dinner so I grabbed four cans of cresant rolls, checked that off  my list, and grabbed the ingredients to make these delicious treats. (I was never great at following directions. Whoopie pies are kind of like bread, right?).I used this recipe here. I made sure to test the batter, filling and finished product and they were delicious. Highly recommended and super easy to make!

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Things that make me happy today:

1. Holiday season in full swing

2. 24 hour Christmas stations on the radio

3. The 25 days of Christmas on ABC family

Summer Salad

Last weekend was spent at a friend’s house in Connecticut. It was full of best friends, yummy food and good times. The hostess of the mini reunion made the most delicious salad ever and I immediately asked for the recipe. When I was home for my mom’s birthday this past weekend I made the salad. It was just as much a hit with my family as it was with my friends thanks to the fresh summer vegetables, light dressing, and amazing taste. Make it yourself, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

 

Ingredients:

6 ears of corn

3/4 of a ball of fresh mozzarella

1/2 (or 1 small) red onion

1/2 a container of cherry tomatoes

2 avocados

white balsamic vinegar

truffle oil

olive oil

S & P

Cook the corn in your chosen way. I prefer to steam it.

While the corn is cooking, chop the tomatoes, onion, cheese and avocado and place in a serving dish.

When corn is finished cooking, remove warm corn from the cob with the rest of the ingredients. Add enough of each oil and vinegar to moisten the ingredients. The amount could changed based on how fresh the vegetables are among other factors. I used about 3 table spoons of each. Toss everything together with salt and pepper to your liking.

Serve and enjoy! This version feeds up to 8 people but the recipe is very easy to cut in half. You can make it in advance and dress right before serving. Delicious both hot and cold! I can’t wait to have it again.

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Things that make me happy today:

1. New spa wrap

2. New a/c for my room

3. my Kindle

La Bella Vita

A few days ago I had a craving for a fresh, rich and delicious pasta dish. Not sure exactly what I wanted, I went to the grocery store and browsed around until something sparked my interest. I decided on fresh cherry tomatoes, fresh brocollini, Mozzarella, Italian sausage, penne, and pesto. Pesto is one of my favorite “sauces” especially home-made. The grocery store near my parents house sells a local homemade version that is delicious and I had to take the opportunity to use it. I didn’t use a real recipe but here is what I did:

1 lb of Penne Pasta
1 lb of Sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 bunch of Brocollini
1 bunch of Cherry Tomatoes
6 oz. of Pesto
1/3 of a ball of fresh Mozzarella, cut into small pieces
Salt
Pepper
High quality olive oil

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Use two separate baking sheets (feel free to use one) and line one with halved cherry tomatoes and one with the brocollini. Sprinkle the tomatoes and brocollini with olive oil, salt, and pepper and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes until roasted. While vegetables are roasting, cook the sausage in a frying pan until fully cooked. Cook pasta and drain. Once everything is cooked and ready, combine all with pesto, add cheese and serve! It was very delicious and made me excited for all of the fresh vegetables that come with summer!

Things that make me happy today:

1. Making old music new again

2. Running getting easier

3. Eliminating my daily soda

“Oh darling don’t you ever grow up”

Whenever I go home to my parent’s house I always feel nostalgic. I long for foods, experiences, and routines from when I was young. This past weekend, while home, I had a craving to make Rice Krispie treats. I used this recipe here but added one box of instant vanilla pudding mix to give it a little different flavor. Since Easter is just around the corner I added some festive sprinkles too!

My mom had the idea to spray tin foil with cooking spray to pack the Rice Krispies into the tray without sticking.

Things that make me happy today:

1. Holding on to my youth

2. Mani, pedi’s

3. Flowers beginning to sprout