The feel of being inspired........

I love the feel of being inspired. The exciteablity, the brightness in your eyes, the sound it creates in your voice, the spring in your step, the smile it brings to your face.............. its simply magical!

I have been totally inspired by some truly amazing works of art. Not framed art. But food art. It is like scrapbooking, only you get to do it with food!

At my home, you will often find me watching some cooking show. The ever fun Top Chef? Dude... I love it! I will rapid fire off something I will make and its so funny because my son will say "MOM!! Look how close your idea was to some of theirs!" You will also find a stack of magazines, books ect beside my bed with post it notes and a pen beside it. A little light reading each night HAHAHA

One of the best gifts I got once was on a May Day years and years ago when on my door step was the traditional May Day Basket but beside it was a small stack of old old cookbooks. Wowza... do I love to read those and collect those. 

People sometimes say " Do you ever cook anything bad?" And the answer is "Um yes, I just clear the evidence out quick before anyone sees it!" :) But yes, I do make mistakes when I bake/cook. But I will say, if you are looking to improve your cooking/baking skills just educate yourself. Read, watch...and you will learn things you never thought you would.
I can't tell you how many times, I have watched something and thought "Well that's going to be too hard" or "There is no way I am going to do that" only to find myself doing just what I said I wouldn't.  And I amaze myself at the things I didn't think I would like, know how to do, and in the end accomplish and accomplish with great results. I love stepping back and saying to myself "Wow. I did that"

Don't shy away from an idea. Just try it. What is the worst thing that can happen. Who cares if you burn that cake. Try it again.
Feel that inspiration! Smile that smile! Put a little bounce in your step today... and inspire yourself!

Homemade Crab Rangoon

Yes yes, its so simple that you will wonder what you've been doing ordering it out!

Ingredients:
1 8 ounce softened cream cheese
3 finely chopped green onions (I use only the white and a slight part of the green)
2 cans geisha fancy crab meat (shredded) - drained well

Mix all of these together until blended.

Using square wonton skins (the size of your palm not the egg roll size)
spoon in a heaping tsp full of cheese mixture into the center
Using a small cup of water, dip your finger in and wet two sides of the wonton skin.
Fold wonton corner to corner to create a triangle.
Pressing down on the edges to create a seal.
Repeat until you have the desired amount your going to eat / serve filled and folded.

In a skillet add vegitable oil and over medium high heat. Slowly add wantons a few at a time and turn as they develope a nice golden brown color. Remove from oil and drain on paper towel. Serve with your favorite sauce or plain.

Bacon Cheeseburger Empandas

Ingredients:
Buttermilk Biscuits Grands
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup finely chopped onion (opt)
6 slices crisp bacon diced
8 ounces of Velveeta cubed

Brown hamburger and onion. Drain. Cook bacon to crisp and dice. Cut cheese into a dice. Add bacon and cheese into hamburger mixture and stir until melted. Roll out Biscuits one at a time to a 5 inch circle. Fill with 1/4 cup meat mixture. Fold and press edges with fork to seal. Bake at 400* for 20 minutes until golden brown. Serve with a ketchup and mustard mixture.

Chicken Wing Dip

Um yea... if you like Hot Wings... this dip is a sure winner!

Super Simple, great for a quick family snack or even great for a pot luck take along!

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 pkg (8 ounce) pkg of cream cheese, diced

2 cups (8 ounces) of shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup ranch salad dressing

1/4 - 1/2 cup Louisiana-style hot sauce (I suggest starting off with the 1/4 c.. and adding more to your level of taste for hotness)

Met in slow cooker all of the ingredients. (in a hurry? do it stove top on LOW heat but stir continuously so not to burn cheese as it melts)

Serve with tortilla chips and celery sticks

Molton Lava Chocolate Cakes

1 1/4 stick butter
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups pwd sugar
3 large eggs
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
OPTIONAL : 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur (Kahlua) OR 1 tsp. instant coffee powder

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Spray 6 -6 ounce custard (ramekin) cups or cupcake tin. In a medium microwavable bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter in the microwave for 60 seconds and then in 30 second increments until smooth (about 1.5-2 minutes total).  Add flour and sugar to chocolate/butter sauce.  Stir in the eggs and yolks until smooth. Add vanilla and coffee liqueur/instant coffee and mix everything until combined.  Divide the batter evenly among the each cups.  Place cups on top of a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.  The edges should be firm but the center will be runny. I served mine inside the ramekins and drizzled hot fudge on the top for a finishing touch.

Four Cheese Manicotti with Meat Sauce

12 cooked according to box directions manicotti noodles, drained and cooled

1 pound of lean hamburger

1 sm onion diced

1 jar Newman's Own Four Cheese Marinara Sauce

2 tsp sugar

2 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

2 cup shredded Mont Jack Cheese

1 carton of ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

Cook Manicotti and drain. Brown Hamburger and onion and drain. Pour in jar of sauce, sugar, seasonings and simmer. Combine egg, ricotta, parm and Mont Jack Cheese in separate bowl. Using a piping bag, fill manicotti noodles with cheese mixture. Place in a greased 9x13 pan and top with meat sauce. Bake at 350* for 30 minutes. Serve with Garlic Bread

Mexican Lasagna

Tender Noodles, Creamy Goodness!

Mouth Watering Flavor!



2 pounds ground beef

1 small onion diced

1 can (16 ounces) black beans

1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies

1 envelope taco seasoning

3 tablespoons hot salsa

4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Colby-Monterrey Jack cheese

12 ounces cooked lasagna noodles or homemade lasagna noodles ( I use these)

1 jar (16 ounces) mild salsa

2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream

Toppings: Black olives, crushed tortilla chips, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, tomatoes, onions (all optional)

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the beans, chilies, taco seasoning and hot salsa.

Cook noodles and drain. Mix jar of salsa and sour cream (this is your sauce)

In a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish, layer the noodles, sour cream sauce, meat mixture and  Sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese. Repeat layers until all ingredients are gone with the top layer being cheese. Bake 350* for 45 minutes uncovered. Top and serve!