SURPRISE FILLED CUPCAKES

Surprise filled cupcakes is another loved family recipe.  This recipe came from my  Jr. league cookbook called "A Pinch of Salt Lake".  If you ever see one buy it, it's a good one.  I saw one in perfect condition at the D.I. last year, and snatched it right up.  Do you have a favorite recipe that when you make it, you always have a request for the recipe?  well this is one of those.   I have an opinion on sharing recipes. Remember It's just MY opinion.  I think  people who won't share a recipe are "Insecure Cooks".   I know there are the exceptions.  But in general I think if someone asks for a recipe it's a complement. don't you?  If you think differently, let us know your opinion on the subject.

On to the recipe.  This recipe is very versatile.  can be doubled, made into cakes with the filling dolloped in.  The original recipe doesn't use a frosting.  But, what's a cupcake without frosting.  If you are transporting them then leave the frosting off.  They do well stacking one on top of the other.  A friend asked for the recipe to make for a family reunion.  I think she made alot.  So lets get going and make some cupcakes.         Bon appetite Peggy


Surprise Filling

8 oz cream cheese, room temp
1/3 cups sugar
1 egg
pinch salt
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

mix filling ingredients together in a  bowl and set aside.



Surprise filled Cupcakes

makes about 24 cupcakes

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
4 TBS. cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 TBS. cider vinegar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups water

Use cupcake liners in your muffin tins.  Mix first 5 ingredients into a large bowl.  Gradually add next 4 liquid ingredients and beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.  Fill each liner 1/2 full with batter. Drop 1 tsp (about) on top of each cupcake.  Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, being careful not to over cook.

If you choose to frost them.  Use your favorite chocolate butter cream

BRING IT HOME COMFORT FOOD

If you ask me the definition  of comfort food is pasta, sausage and a yummy sauce.  This Nelson comfort food has hit the spot with our family for years.  It's really FAST and  SIMPLE to make.  And as you know i stand by and guarantee every recipe I put on my blog.   I hope you try it and give me your feed back.  I have made this recipe with different types of noodles like quinoa noodles, 100% whole wheat noodles.  Just make sure they have little twist and turns to hold the yummy sauce  This time I made it with fat free half and half.  So have fun ! This recipe will be a favorite "go to meal" with your family too.  Bon Appetite , Peggy

Farfalle With Sausage Tomatoes and cream

 serves  6

2 Tbs.. olive oil

1 pound sweet Italian sausage casing removed ( I like to use hot Italian sausage)

1/2 tsp. dried crushed red pepper flakes

1 med onion, chopped

3 garlic gloves, minced

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes with added puree

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 lb. farfalle (bow tie pasta)

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

grated romano or parmesan cheese.  

Heat oil in a heavy large skillet.  Over medium heat, sauté sausage and crushed pepper  until sausage is no longer pink, breaking into chunks while cooking.  Add onions and garlic and continue to cook for 3 more minutes.  Add tomatoes and reduce heat to low simmer until all ingredients are combined and mixture thickens.  Add cream and correct seasonings.  (Remember it's important to taste your food)

Meanwhile cook pasta in a large pot of salted water.  Cook pasta until tender but still firm to bite ( Al-dente).  drain pasta reserving 1 cup liquid.  In a large bowl or pan combine pasta and sauce,  adding liquid 1/4 cup at a time if sauce seems to dry.  Sprinkle with basil and and cheese

This cheese bread completes the meal.

Three Cheese Garlic Bread

2 Tbs. mayo
2 Tbs. butter
1 garlic glove, minced
1 1/3 cups crumbled feta
1 1/4 cups grated parmesan cheese (divided)
1/2 cup grated (packed) monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
Rustic bread (like ciabatta) sliced

Position rack in the middle of oven.  Preheat oven to 450.  Mix first 3 ingredients in bowl.    Mix in feta, 1/2 cup parmesan,  jack cheese and green onions.  Spread each  slice of bread with about 2 Tbs cheese mixture.  sprinkle with parmesan cheese,  You need to press to adhere to bread.  Place on baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly.  Careful not to burn.

JUST MEMORIES

Just thinking about Roz and Thad today.  Last Saturday they moved into their beautiful new home in Trussville Alabama.  Then I ran across my favorite wedding picture of them standing in front our our "65" Ford pick-up.  Love them both..I mean them and the truck.  Good luck ya'll

CREAMY WHITE CHILI

As I look outside at the rain, yes I said rain.  I agree rain in January in Utah is weird, strange and bizarre. Luckily it's snowing in the mountains.  I still miss the snow in my yard, not to mention to much rain isn't great for the Lavender.  Anyway it's' certainly a good day for a nice hot bowl of Chili.  My friend Mel gave me her cookbook for Christmas.  It was a group effort by her and some friends.  I don't know about the other gals but Mel is an awesome cook.  So I knew I could find something good in her cookbook.  And I did,  the recipe for "Creamy White Chili" is a definite winner.  My family said is was blog worthy, so I had to share.  Isn't Super Bowl sunday coming up.  This would be a real crowd pleaser.  I doubled this recipe and plan on taking the other half to a friend.  It would also freeze well.  Happy new year, and happy cooking.   Bon Appetite,  Peggy


CREAMY WHITE CHILI

1 lb. chicken
1 med. onion chopped
1 clove garlic
1 Tbs. veg. oil
1 can 14 oz chicken broth
2 cans 15 oz white beans, drained
1 can 4oz diced green chilies
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup half and half
a couple dashes of tabasco
taste to correct seasonings

In a large heavy pan heat oil and add onions, chicken and garlic.  Sauté until chicken is no longer pink.  Add broth, beans, spices and chilies, Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and half and half.  We crumbled tortilla chips in the bottom of our bowl for an added texture.  yum

* I used low fat sour cream and non-fat half and half

HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS

With grocery shelfs exploding with marshmallows in all shapes, sizes and colors you might not have thought to make your own.  If the thought did cross your mind, the expectations of sticky and gooey may have crossed your mind too.  Then again why would anyone make marshmallows when they sale delicious bags and bags of them at the store.  It's all in the taste.  The homemade marshmallow is in a completely different league than their kin with the same name.  And as I always say...("they are easy to make!).  The only items you need, and may not have is a candy thermometer.  If you don't have one, go get a good one about $15.00.  It will open you up to all kinds of fun stuff the cook.  This recipe I've been making for a few years.  It's from "Ina Garten the Barefoot Contessa" It also turned out to be one of my families favorite goodies at Christmas.  I bet it would be a family favorite for Valentines too!

The toasted coconut is the barrier between you and a sticky mess.  If you happen to hate coconut.  Make sure you use a good amount of powder sugar instead.  I have to say the toasted coconut gives a nice crunchy texture to the marshmallows.   Bon Appetite, Peggy

7oz  sweetened coconut

How to toast coconut;

There are two ways to toast coconut.  In a pan on top of the stove, or in the oven.  I use the oven method.  So turn your oven to 350.  Sprinkle coconut on to a cookie sheet.  Bake in the oven, siring with a metal spatula so the coconut gets evenly browned.  Watch closely it doesn't take long.

 In a nonmetallic 9x13 pan ( i use a glass dish) sprinkle 1/2 of your toasted coconut. 

MARSHMALLOWS

3 packages unflavored gelatin

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup water, divided

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 tsp salt

1 TBS.  pure good vanilla

confectioners sugar for dusting

In a bowl of a stand mixer, and with the whisk attachment in place.  dissolve the gelatin and 1/2 cups cold water.  Let sit while you make the syrup.  In a heavy bottomed pan combine sugar, corn syrup, salt and 1/2 cup water.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves and syrup reaches 240 on a candy thermometer.  Remove from heat.  With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the syrup into the gelatin until combined.  Scraping down the sides the best you can.  Turn the mixer to high and beat until the mixture is very thick and the bowl feels cool to the touch, about 10 minutes.  Add vanilla and mix well.  Now this part is sticky and fun... pour the marshmallows on the layer of coconut.  With wet hand scrape pan the best you can.  Now lick your hands, thats the fun part. With wet hands smooth the  marshmallow in to the pan.  I don't go all the way to the edges.  Sprinkle rest of coconut on top.  Let sit over night or for a few hrs uncovered.  The finishing touch is some good chocolate drizzled on top

The Marshmallows made a great BIrthday gift for my son Quentin's 29th birthday.  I can see the possibilities for Valentines, can't you.

SKIERS STEW

"I survived Christmas"  don't they make tee-shirts that say that?  Well I did and had a rather great time doing it.  The whole family was here.  Good food, and good times flowed.  Not to mention the piles of dishes too.  I love cooking,  but even I got tired and closed the kitchen down.  This recipe for "Skiers Stew"is so easy and delicious it's like you have closed the kitchen, sort-of.  The whole premise of this stew is that it cooks all day.  So while your out skiing it slowly cooks in the oven.  And when you get home it READY!   Preferably you have stopped and bought a fresh baguette to complete the meal.  Thats exactly what Mike and I, Roz and thad did last Monday.  It was a beautiful sunny day with great snow.  You have to "SKI THE BEAV"  Ya'll have a Happy New Year!

                                                                                Bon Appetite , Peggy

"SKIER'S STEW'

2 1/2 lbs. beef cut into 1 inch cubes

8 medium potatoes, quartered

8 large carrots cut into chunks

2 bay leaves

1 package (1 1/2 oz) dried onion soup

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of celery soup

1 8oz can tomatoe sauce

Turn the oven to 275.  In a large dutch oven with a tight fitting lid.  Make a layer of half the beef, then half the vegetables; repeat.  Mix the soups and tomato sauce together.  Add bay leaves on top and finish  with soups.  Bake 6-8 hours.  Or if you'll be gone longer then lower the heat to 250

I like to add a couple of cups of peas at the end

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas!  are you still looking for that perfect one of a kind gift?  I wish this blog would allow you to smell. feel and taste the quality of our products.  As you know they are all handmade with the highest quality and the freshest ingredients.   They are either organic or 100% natural.  All our products are " Naturally fresh from the farm" At the top of this blog  click on the red box that says "buy Lavender Products".  Need your gift by Christmas? December 16th is likely the last day to order for Christmas delivery (no guarantee)  For a guaranteed delivery date call  435-363-4676.  Or If you live near,  come by the farm.   Call first to make sure I'm home.   Merry Christmas,  joyous Noel   Peggy (The Lavender Apple)

Below are some new products 

  

Two family Favorites

Apple Butter:  made with our own apples which are "low Spray" apples.  Many of our 100 plus trees are  delicious vintage varieties  $6.00  (  plus shipping)

Apple Cranberry Relish:  This is a big must with the Nelson family at the holidays.  They are made with our apples and spiced just right.  Watch this blog for our "Turkey Panini" using this relish.  It's delicious all year round.  $6.00  (plus shipping)

Our mulling spices  are a must for those cold winter days.  They also make your home smell fantastic when added to a pot of water and warmed on the stove.  $5.00  (plus shipping)

Our dryer bag set has 3 sealed bags.  Each bag will add a clean scent of Lavender to each load.  One bag will last 6-8 loads each  $7.00  (plus shipping)

One more very popular item is our "Comfort Heart" (seen on great grandmas stove) They are handmade and filled with lavender, rice and flax.  They can be used to sooth a tender muscles, or warmed up and taken to bed.  The smell is very calming. $13.00

P.S.  send this post to a friend :)