Easy Pina Colada

If you're looking for the perfect Pina Colada recipe for two people (or two of your own drinks), look no further. I've tried different ingredients and played around with recipes until I found my own mix. You'll feel like you're on a tropical island (well use your imagination), but it will at least taste like you're on one.
For my birthday, my sister bought my the new Kenny Chesney Blue Chair Bay Spiced Coconut Rum. What better way to try it out than to make some Pina Coladas!?

What you'll need:
Spiced Coconut Rum (or just plain coconut rum, but I prefer the spiced, it brings out the pineapple and tropical aspects more. The easiest way to do both pineapple juice and pineapple chunks is to buy one medium sized can of pineapple chunks.

• 2 1/2 oz. Spiced Coconut Rum
• 3oz. Pineapple Juice
• 2 1/2oz. Cream of Coconut (I love Coco Real- best flavor- can be found at most Specs, HEBs, and Walmart)
• 1/2 Cup Pineapple Chunks
• 2 Cups Ice

Blend all ingredients until smooth in a blender. Serve in your favorite glasses (with a pineapple chunk for garnish). You can even top with whipped cream.

Dark Chocolate Pie

You'll need: 

2/3 Cup Sugar

1/4 Cup Cornstarch

2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

6 Egg Yolks

2 Cups Fat Free Milk

1/2 Cup Evaporated Milk

6oz Extra Dark Chocolate Chips

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Whipped Cream Topping:

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract 

2 Tablespoons Sugar

8oz Heavy Cream

Waffles- Light and Crispy

So you have a waffle maker and you want a recipe that will turn out right, that's quick and easy. Not something too heavy where you feel like you can't move after you eat, but something light, yet filling. I've got just that. I'm big on a crispy waffle that doesn't take me forever to put together.
The key to the crunch is cornstarch. the key to light and fluffy is beating your egg whites until they're stiff. Yes, almost like you're making a meringue.

Boy Meets World Reunion

Yes you heard me correctly...!!! The cast of Boy Meets World reunited this weekend in Austin, TX! First time since 2000, when the final episode aired. This occurred during the ATX Television Festival on June 7, 2013.

The Cast of Boy Meets World walking in on the Red Carpet- June 6, 2013

The Opening night (displayed in the photo above), featured a screening of Arrested Development and a red carpet with the stars. Along with an after-party at the end of the night where we got to mingle with actors and some musicians (Teddy Geiger).  

Salmon Croquettes

This is a recipe that brings back childhood memories...for the kid that would not eat salmon any other way but this way. Now, I love it, but back then my mom would make salmon croquettes to satisfy the taste buds. Overtime I have tweaked the recipe a bit. 

Jalapeno Popper Crescent Rolls

In need of an appetizer, look no further. These are great for parties or just a simple dinner addition to keep everyone running back into the kitchen for more.
What you'll need:

• 1 Tube 8 oz. Crescents
• 1 Package 8 oz. Reduced Fat Cream Cheese
• 2 Fresh Jalapeños chopped finely- you can leave the seeds in, take some out, or take them all out. Your call.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Garlic and Parsley salt for sprinkling (optional)
• Flour for sprinkling on cutting board
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• 1/2 cup bacon bits (optional)

Easy Caramel Sauce

• 1 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 14oz can of Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 2 Tspns Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Cup 2% Milk (don't use fat free it will be too runny) 
• 1 Tspn Sea Salt

Crock Pot Pot Roast

Pot Roast made in the crock pot. An easy fall or winter meal that you can cook while your at work or on the weekend when you're out an about.


Ingredients:

• 1/2 onion chopped (sauteed in olive oil)
• 2-4lbs Chuck Roast, Shoulder Roast, etc
• 1/2 a 1lb bag of baby carrots
• 3-4 Red Potatoes Chopped into quarters (or smaller if desired)
• 1 Tbsp Corn Starch mixed with 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 Cups of Beef Broth 
• 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup red wine (cooking or regular)
• 1/4 cup white wine
• Salt, pepper,and garlic powder for the roast (season as desired- coat both sides)

               Seasonings for Crock Pot

• 1 Tbsp rosemary
• 1 Tspn  Herbs de Provence
• 1 Tspn Salt
• 1 Tspn Ground Black Pepper
• 1 Tspn Garlic Salt
• 1 Tspn Onion Powder
• 1/2-1 Tspn Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• 1/2-1 Tspn Cayenne Pepper (optional)

Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 Tsp. black pepper
• 1 Lb. Chopped stew Beef
• 3 Potatoes (chopped)
• 2 Cups Water
• 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 Tsp. Fresh Garlic
• 1 Tsp. Bay leaves
• ½ of an onion chopped
• 1 Tsp. Salt
• 1 Tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 Tsp. Cayenne pepper
• ½ Tsp. Ground Ginger
• 1 Tsp. Garlic powder
• ½ Tsp. Onion powder
• 1 Tsp. Tony C’s
• ¼ Tsp. cinnamon
• Sliced Carrots- ¼- ½ of bag
• (optional) 1/2 cup each frozen broccoli and frozen squash (or fresh, I just find frozen easier to keep around).
• ½ cup Celery chopped
• 2 Tbsp. Corn Starch and 1/4 cup cool water

Mix ¼ cup cool water with 2 tablespoons of corn starch until smooth, add to crock pot mixture and stir (this will thicken the stew). Cook on high for 6-8hrs

Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies

I was in Keystone, CO recently and the resort gave out cookies when you checked in. One had cranberries and white chocolate. It was so good, I knew I had to go home and make my own recipe for it. I added macadamia nuts to mine, but the recipe would be okay without them if you're allergic, don't like them, or don't have any around.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups White Whole Wheat Flour

1 Tspn. Baking Soda

1 Tspn. Corn Starch (*key ingredient to a great cookie)

1 stick unsalted butter (room temperature)

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Tbsp. Vanilla Extract

1 Egg

3/4 Cup Dried Cranberries

1/2 Cup chopped macadamia nuts

3/4 Cup White Chocolate Chips or chunks