'Key'p Yo Mind Balanced

So my friend Shaun had a birthday a little while ago, and in a semi-selfish move I thought I'd do both him and I a favor by making him a Key Lime Pie to celebrate.  Not only do I get to benefit from baking by getting time to myself and the chance to try out a new recipe, but he gets to enjoy it as well by scarfing it down after work.  :)  Yay mental health and yummies in my tummy!

Shaun and I @ the lovely Papas 

Shaun may or may not look like the guy from this photo here: 

So the pie was a suppper easy one to make, here's everything you need!  I used Emeril Lagasse's recipe found here.  Seriously it's probably a two step pie, mix and chill... you can't ask for anything easier!

I may or may not have been rocking out to some sweet Usher while the pie was chillin in the fridge... 

Finished pie!  Yummyyy!!

Till next time, biotch.  Deuces.

"You're a lot hotter than Martha"

A disclaimer to my title:  I did not think so highly of myself, although I think I could give Martha a run for her money... Girl's got skills, just not sure hair/ makeup are one of them... :)  So my department at school had our capstone presentation day yesterday, and I decided to bake cookies for all of our presenters and teachers.  When people found out I was the one who made the delectable treats at the event, one girl said, "You're a lot hotter than Martha!"  Hahaha So eat that, Martha Stewart!!  :)  

I decided to get my baking on since I am done with classes and turned in my final paper on Wednesday, so I went out and got meringue powder, a new icing kit, and a black icing pen and started baking!!  I decided to try flooding, a technique I've heard tons about but haven't ever attempted, so it was a learning experience in that regard, but super fun in the process.  It felt nice to just get things off my mind and get to be a little creative chemist in the kitchen :)

I used the vanilla almond sugar cookie recipe that Bridget @ Bake at 350 always uses, and her recipe for royal icing, as well. 

Oh, and did I mention my new icing kit?!  All my baking tools are in boxes in KY, so I had to get a new #2 tip, and apparently there's no place to just get those, haha, so I got a whole new kit!  Yay!

 It has these really convenient, interchangeable bottles and tips.  Loving it so far! :)

Here are my canvases, all outlined in perfection :) hahaha (not really, obviously)

There's been a flood!! ;)

Final products!  These were for those presenting their capstone presentations 

yesterday for the Health Law Department @ Boston University's School of Public Health

where I go to school.  Congrats, everyone!!  We did it!! :)

And what kind of a student wouldn't say THANK YOU!!! to all of their amazing professors and advisors who have helped them along the way?!

And just because I had a few extras left over :)

And here I am, proud lil mama, getting ready to head in for presentations :)  

So, from my kitchen to yers (as Ms Paula Deen says!),

"Eat THAT, Martha!" ;)

Edible April Fool's Joke

I told you in the middle video from last post that I was going to do an April fool's joke and make cupcakes that look like food for my friends Brenda and Rich's birthdays, so I thought I'd post some of the pictures for ya and let you see what they turned out like!  They got rave reviews from both the restaurant I work at, as well as everyone at the party, so you could say I was kinda proud :)  I even got asked if I was a pastry chef, haha I wish.  I might look like one cause my backend is so big, however, no, no no, I am not a pastry chef. Thanks for the nod of confidence though :)  Here's a great tutorial on this super common joke.  Enjoy!

The Makings before the Made

Blank Canvases... Ah ha ha haaa!

The goodies!   Spaghetti and Meatballs, Mashed potatoes and gravy, peas and carrots 

Me with the cupcakes before I ate them all.  

Not really, I saved a few for the party :)

Great Treats: That's Better.

Let's talk for a second about how much I love food. More specifically, treats. I have always been in love with them, probably because my wonderful Mother and Grannie always filled by belly with delicious, comforting Southun foods and treats (we're from the best state in the country, the one and only Tejas-- Texas for anyone not native), but sadly, after moving to Boston, I haven't had too much of a drive to cook for one. I have, however, been able to find some great treats online I will surely be trying over spring break next week. I bring you two:

1st- Baked Chocolate Doughnuts with Ganache Can we say heaven?? I've always had a supppper big weakness for chocolate cake doughnuts, and have never thought about the amazing idea of making them at home! How perfect!!

2nd- Lavender Dark Chocolate Chip Ice Cream I've been obsessed with lavender ice treats since 2008 when I went to a restaurant in Provo called Rooster and tried their lavender milk boba pearl drink. Ooh I can't even think about it too much right now because I want it, it's soo good!! Anyways, I think this recipe is the perfect flavor combination for a treat and I can't wait until I have my ice cream maker again and can try it!!

Let me be one to quote Drake, here, when I say 'You can thank me now, or you can thank me later' because of how delish these all look. :) So, next time you have some time and want to satisfy that sweet spot on your tongue don't just grab a nasty, processed candy bar, try these! Great Treats, that's better!

Spinach Tart: That's Better.

I'm eating vegetarian-ish as one of my April goals, and I found this AMAZING spinach tart recipe that was absolutely divine! It only has about 250 cal per serving and it is full of tons of great flavor, especially when topped with fresh pico de gallo salsa!

Crustless Mushroom Spinach Tart

2 T seasoned bread crumbs

1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced

1/2 c chopped onion

2 T EVOO

10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 cup milk

1 cup egg substitute (I used about 3 egg whites and 4 eggs instead)

salt and pepper

1 1/4 c shredded Mexican cheese blend

1/3 c grated parmesan cheese

1. Coat a 9-in pie plate with cooking spray Sprinkle bottom and sides with crumbs; shake out the excess. Set plate aside.

2. Saute mushrooms and onion in oil until all liquid has evaporated (~10 min). Remove from heat; stir in spinach.

3. In a bowl, combine the milk, egg, salt and pepper. Stir in the spinach mixture, 1 cup Mexican cheese blend and Parmesan cheese. our into prepared pie plate. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Sprinkle remaining Mexican cheese blend around edge of tart. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.

4. ENJOY this AMAZING dish!!