Tie Dye Cupcakes

Check out these really fun and easy cupcakes!
Someone at work requested them and since she's great, I made them!

All you have to do is whip up batter for your favorite cake (white or yellow).
I used a box mix because I was feeling a bit lazy.
Divide the batter into 3-5 different bowls.  Dye each bowl with a different color.  Try to make sure they are bright and contrast each other.

Using a spoon put batter into baking cups.  Try to get some of the batter down the sides and don't fill the bottom completely for a better tie dye effect.
Layer the colors into all cups.


(don't use dye too heavily or the cakes will taste bitter)

Karin's Cupcake photo!

Easy Poached Breakfast

I LOVE breakfast.

Growing up I had poached eggs on english muffins as much as possible.

But its starting to get a little boring so this morning I decided to see what I had in the fridge and spice up my usual meal. It's super tasty!

I made poached eggs on english muffins, but the muffins have hummus, muenster, tomato and Sriracha.

A lot of people have trouble poaching eggs. I've been doing it since I was a kid so I rarely break yolks but I'll tell you a few tips. It's amazing how hard it is to find a decent egg poaching technique online. A lot of people suggest using vinegar but I've never used it (I don't want to sacrifice taste).

Poaching Eggs

Use a pan about 3inches deep and fill it with about 2inches of water. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and olive oil into the water. Allow to come to a boil. take heat down slightly so that it's more of a simmer then a rolling boil. Crack eggs into pan (some people like to crack it into a bowl first to avoid breaking the yolk or getting shells). I just pop it right in but either is fine.

With a slotted spoon (after about 30secs) gently wiggle under the yolk to avoid sticking.

You might want to swirl the egg white towards the yolk so that it holds together better (what people usually use vinegar for)

Eggs should take 2-4 min depending on how runny you like them.

While your water is coming to a boil toast your english muffin to your liking.

Spread Red Pepper hummus on muffin, a slice of tomato and a slice of muenster cheese.

When eggs are finished use slotted spoon to remove from water. Allow water to drip before putting on muffin.

Top with Sriracha salt and pepper.

I would normally add bacon or potatoes but I didn't have any at the moment.

But these sure were yummy!

Easy lunch, Super Yummy!!

©Rachel Amendola

Well, my figs made it to lunch today, with a super tasty salad on the side.

I've always struggled to make food that I actually still want to eat by lunch time.

I've started to figure out that it's actually quite easy.  This meal took about 15min to put together the night before, and now I don't feel like I need a nap to keep going.


See fig for all for the figs.
I just brought 4 figs with me.
Pack the figs in tupperware to avoid damage.  Put goat cheese, honey balsamic and prosciutto in separate containers (I used tupperware for honey and goat cheese, and a sandwich bag for prosciutto).
Assemble on plate.

Salad
Baby arugula (however much you want!)
1/2 Large tomato
1/2 Avocado
Left over prosciutto from figs
Balsamic and Olive oil
About 1Tbsp goat cheese (more or less if you'd like!)

Put greens, sliced tomato, sliced or cubed avocado, prosciutto (I just tore mine into pieces) onto plate.
Crumble goat cheese on top.  Drizzle with balsamic and olive oil (I brought mine pre-mixed in tupperware and shook it before using).

Eat up!!
nom nom nom

©Rachel Amendola

fig for all

It's fig time!

I made these prosciutto wrapped figs stuffed with goat cheese and drizzled with a honey balsamic glaze. It only took about 5 min and they are awesome!

What you need:

Black figs 8-12

3 oz prosciutto (approx)

2 tbsp honey

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Soft goat cheese

Take figs and cut an X shape starting from the top without splitting the fig apart.

Put a few crumbles of goat cheese into the X opening.

Starting at the bottom, wrap a thin piece of prosciutto around the fig.

Mix the balsamic and honey until smooth and drizzle over the figs.

This is my favorite balsamic vinegar for the price.

Enjoy! :)

no bake oatmeal cookies

Well, here is my first blog post.

What might have been a disaster turned into a delicious mistake!

Originally I was going to make this recipe: No Bake Oatmeal Cookies but midway through, I realized I didn't have cocoa powder, enough sugar, or vanilla extract. (Hooray for being a scatterbrain)

SO, I improvised and came out with a very tasty treat!

I cut the sugar, added creamy honey and replaced vanilla with Hennessy.

I'll admit the original recipe is easier on the eyes, but these are delicious!

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 Heaping TBSP honey
2 tsp Hennessey

3 cups oats

Line a baking sheet or smooth surface with wax paper, set aside. Cut butter into small pieces and place in large saucepan. Melt butter then add sugar, milk, honey and chocolate chips. Bring ingredients to a rolling boil while stirring continuously. Boil for one minute and remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and Hennessey until thoroughly blended. Add in oats and drop by teaspoon-full onto waxed paper. Let cool until hardened (leave overnight or put in fridge).

Beware: These are SUPER sweet!!

Enjoy! :)