Chilled Pineapple aka Cruise Soup

Ya'll I need a vacation. I really really need to see this view again.

But since that isn't really possible at this moment, I whipped up something that I knew would take me and the Mr. back to the Bahamas. I made a chilled soup or "cruise soup" as we call it. It is a regular on any cruise line. They serve it as an appetizer and the type of fruit may vary. This one is pineapple but I have also made strawberry. It isn't something I would want as a meal but it is a perfect side to a salad. At least that is how we have it at our house. It is a simple and quick meal that is perfect when it is so hot the thought of turning on the stove makes you break out in a sweat. I use frozen fruit more often than not but fresh is probably the best. I usually make this on a whim and always have a bag of frozen, berries, peaches, pineapple or mango but occasionally I will have something fresh that I don't have any plans for and I will whip it up. 

1 ?oz bag of frozen fruit
1 cup of plain yogurt
1/2-1 cup of half and half or coconut milk
up to a 1/4 cup sugar

In a blender or food processor blend your fruit and yogurt. Once combined at you half and half until you get the right consistency. I prefer mine to be the consistency on a thin smoothie but that's up to you. Add sugar a tablespoon at a time until you get the sweetness you want.

* Fresh mint or basil would be an amazing addition to mix in at the end.
** This could also be served as a dessert course too.
*** I often like to top mine with a fine dice of fresh fruit.

Mickey Party Planning

Since my boys' birthdays are so close together (1 month and 11 days) we are combining our party this year. Choosing a theme that satisfied my almost 4 year old and a 1 year old was hard. Originally it was Dr. Suess but even though Caleb loves the books he did not approve of the theme. We also kicked around Scooby Doo but I really wanted something fairly classic for Liam's first birthday but was still fun for Caleb as well. Caleb really wanted a "Plants Vs Zombies" party and I would have done it had it been just his party. Instead we are having a mini party for him on his birthday. We already get together with family for dinner on his birthday and this way both boys can have a day all about just them but we can celebrate both boys together will all of our friends and family. As for the theme, I finally nailed it! We are doing Mickey Mouse.

The Menu:

The Dessert Menu:

The Drink Menu:

This is for the treat bags.

For the photobooth:

Clubhouse poster for the bounce house: 

That is it so far. I have a longggggg list of projects to get started on. You know me I love a good DIY party. This year it will be a little more detailed because last year Liam was a newborn last year I made it pretty simple for myself. This year I just couldn't help myself I was inspired. 

*** UPDATE: for more info on the party look here, here and here. ***

Pear Prosciutto Pizza

Pear, Prosciutto, Arugula and Balsamic Reduction with Fresh Mozzarella and Romano Cheese

So you're thinking I've gone mad right? Well maybe I have, but not because of this pizza. This is the most genius thing I've made in a longgggg time. While the pizza was in the oven I looked at my husband and he had a fear in his eyes, fear that he was going to have to go to bed hungry that night. He was pleasantly surprised. I ate two slices and he ate THE REST OF THE PIZZA!!! He has been known to stuff himself if he likes something but this is like nothing I've seen before. He was miserable and I was happy and rewarded. This pizza is a little odd sounding at first if you've never eaten anything like but I tell you it is wonderful. 

It was good! I mean good good GOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not great for my diet but who cares when it tastes so wondermus. Yep, I just made up a word, deal with it.  

I use this pizza dough. It is the best I've tried. You could always buy a premade crust but there is nothing better than a homemade in my opinion. 

For the Balsamic Reduction you will need:

1 cup balsamic vinegar

In a small sauce pan simmer the vinegar over medium heat until it has reduced by half and is thickened. Let sit at room temperature until you are ready to eat. Refrigerate any leftovers.

To top pizza you will need:
2 pears, peeled and sliced
4 oz of fresh mozzarella, shredded or sliced
3 oz romano cheese, shredded
several slices or prosciutto
a handful of arugula, roughly chopped
olive oil

Brush the crust with olive oil. I added half the cheese then pears and prosciutto top with remaining cheese. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.  Once out of the oven sprinkle on the arugula and drizzle over the balsamic glaze. Slice and Eat up!

Quick and Easy Lemon Curd

I've been meaning to post this and the cake that this went into for welllll, a week now but I wound up with a gnarly migraine and could not sit at the computer to write this. All is well now and my brain no longer feels as if it is about to spontaneously combust. I used this in the middle of a lemon blueberry layer cake. That recipe is next up to be posted.

This curd is so good and doesn't use a double boiler, which is a good thing for me since all of my metal bowls, with the exception of one with a plastic shell and the one to my Kitchen Aid, disappeared when we moved two years ago and I keep forgetting to replace them. D'oh! I found myself using it as a dip with fresh strawberries this afternoon. I love this stuff!!!! It's great for between cake layers, filling cupcakes, trifles, toast, eating with a spoon... Just about anything works with a bit of curd. The name curd really sounds disgusting though huh? I believe something this tart, thick and luxurious deserves a better name!

For the curd you will need:
4 lemons, zested and juiced
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1/8 tsp salt

Zest and juice your lemons making sure no seeds get in. (add water to equal a 1/2 cup if lemons do not produce enough juice) Cream butter, sugar and zest. Beat in eggs one at a time. Beat in lemon juice and salt. Add everything to a 2 quart pan cook over a low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Refrigerate. Keeps up to two weeks.

Currently...

1. My bestie, who is honestly like my sister and my cousin who is my other bestie and also more like a sister and I went to see NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK and BOYZ II MEN and it was AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGG!!! oh and 98° was there too, they were good but I never really got into them. We actually started screaming like 12 year old girls and dancing. We looked like idiots but then again so did every other woamn there. 'Cause you know, we were some of the younger people there. hahaha!!!!  We stayed out way passed out bed time and realized we are, in fact, old. You can tell how excited we were just to be out of the house in this picture.
(include them with my actual sisters and I have a lot of them... hmmmmm.... That's pretty awesome. Yep.)

2. Speaking of boy band awesomeness, the bestie made a NKOTB station on Pandora and told me I must. I may have made one on Pandora and iheartradio, you know, just to be thorough and stuff. Yeah, so... I've been dancing around the house to music I should be ashamed of liking . Even worse I know every single word. Don't judge. Fine, judge me. I don't care, I deserve it.

3. Speaking of amazing Pandora stations. My other new favorite station is a mixture of, Ben Harper, Prince, Bob Marley, Mumford and Sons, Bruno Mars, Jack Johnson and Weezer. Weird right? WRONG! Best. Station. Ever. Created.

4. I'm obsessed with Maxi Skirts right now. I foresee this being my first sewing project in years!

5. How cute is this project Monkey and I collaborated on for his Daddy??? I should point out I interviewed Caleb while he was in the bath (it is literally the only time I could get him to sit still) so that should explain the "My Daddy is best at..." section.

6. I may stop watching SNL now that Bill Hader has left. I mean, how can I carry on without my beloved Stefon??? 

7. I am dying to try this. Seriously honeysuckle syrup, people!!! That is a game changer!!! It's like my childhood in a jar y'all. So, can I come to your house and pick your honey suckle blossoms? I promise not to share my syrup. 

8. Also this is me in a color scheme. True story.

9. I've been planning a Dr. Seuss birthday party for the boys and I cannot stop looking up quotes! 

10. I see these in my future and this. This too. 

11. "Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate." That is my new motto. I have no clue who said it and I have tried multiple times to find out. No matter who said it first and no matter what their thoughts and beliefs are that may be the same as mine, or different, there is something so simple yet so important in this thought. This is an idea that seems foreign to us, all of us, today where everyone is scrutinizing everyone else's thoughts, beliefs, outfits, choices, blah, blah, blah. Off my soap box. Have a beautiful weekend!!! 

What's for dinner??? And other random stuff...

Some of these things aren't actually dinner, but whatever, who cares, I don't. Do you? Good, besides we ate them and they were delicious. These are things that I am either still tweaking the recipes or won't be blogging for one reason or another. I post these because often time I'll look at a recipe and don't follow it, I tweak things and put my own spin on it so, I post these pictures as a jumping off point for other people to get ideas. I also like to look back at them and get ideas for myself. 

California Chicken Burger
a chicken burger with teriyaki mushrooms, bacon, avocado, spinach and horseradish.
Sooooooo good!!!!

BBQ Chicken Nachos 

tortilla chips covered in shredded BBQ chicken, colby cheese, monterey jack cheese, jalapenos and sour cream. Not great for the diet but great for a pig out night in front of the TV with the honey.  

Chicken Tikka Masala

My old favorite, it's regular repeat around here.

Fish Tacos 

grilled tilapia with cumin and lime and friend in a taco shell served with honey lime slaw fresh mango and guacamole. I will post the recipe for this one day but I've yet to make them the same way twice. Once I master it I'll be sharing it. We eat these weekly in the summer. 

Homemade Tomato Soup and Gruyere and Mozzarella Grilled Cheese

Fudgy Chocolate Doughnut with Salted Caramel Glaze

Tweaking this recipe as well. These are wonderful but I'm nit quite satisfied.

Mango Oatmeal with Local Honey

Twisted Chicken and Waffles 

blueberry wholewheat waffles with coconut chicken and blueberry coconut syrup and candies bacon.

Sounds weird but was really very good.

Summer Salad 

mixed lettuce with turkey, white cheddar, mango and avocado and citrus vinaigrette  

Coconut Fudge Cupcakes

coconut cupcakes with fudge frosting and fresh coconut

Texas Sheet Cake

Now on to the other happening around here aka picture of my kids....

 My Monkey playing in the yard just before Spring.

 Bathtime snuggles with the Doodlebug

 Someone stole his brother's cracker and since has been eating table food only.

No more baby mush for this guy. 

My Hydrangea is blooming!!!!

Monkey has really been enjoying gardening with me aka digging for worms . He has been having conversations with them too. He can't seem to understand why they are scared of him.

Also gardening with a 3 year means dirt fights. I had bugs in my hair. Gross! Boys are gross! 

Honey Lemon Chicken Pitas

I cannot get enough of this chicken! I want to eat it everyday. I crave it all the time. I'm in love with this meal. For reals! It is so good that some of the sauce from the chicken was running down my arm and before I even realized what I was doing I licked my arm! Luckily for me Monkey was napping so I didn't have to do damage control in manners and the Mr. was so into his wrap he didn't notice. Doodlebug was the only one that caught me but he's got my back, he has no choice he can't talk yet.

This is super simple and tastes sinfully delicious. The only thing that can be tricky is that sometimes if you let the sauce thicken too long the chicken can become too dry. Once that sauce begins to thicken do not turn your back. 

Honey Lemon Chicken Wraps
(feeds 3 to 4)
3 chicken breast, thawed and diced
1 tablespoon Paprika
salt to taste
1 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup tablespoons of honey
1/2 teaspoon Sriracha

Combine all ingredients in a bowl toss and marinate 30 minutes.  In a large skillet bring to a medium high heat pour everything into the pan. Once sauce begins to bubble turn down to medium heat and cook until sauce has thickened.
Serve on pita or in a whole wheat wrap with guacamole spinach and tomato.
**I like a tad bit of sour cream on mine however the Mr. not so much a fan of the sour cream.

Father's Day Sneak Peak

I've just started working on the hubby's Father's Day surprise. The past two years Father's Day has been ignored slightly. Two years ago we did just what he wanted stayed home all day but I had NOTHING planned. I may have been subconsciously been paying him back for making me move into the new house on Mother's Day. I don't hold a grudge though, as you can tell. Then last year I was sick sick sick being pregnant and all. I made him brunch and almost passed out in the process so I was planted on my butt for the remainder of the day by the Mr's orders. This year I have things planned but still figure it will be a day we stay in. We have an agreement he takes me out for Mother's Day and I make sure we can stay in on Father's Day. I still have to plan a day of yummy food. Then we have the gifts. This is what I have so far.

To make a copy just right click and select Save As. 

The plan is to frame this (it is a 5x7) and let the boys paint the frame. He can set it by his bed side or on his desk at work. I found this one on Pinterest but it was geared more to a father of girls and I was wasn't keen on lying to my son on what it said. I don't think at three he's ready for S***.

I'm also working a questionnaire for Monkey to answer about his Dad. Doodlebug is a little too young to talk much less answer just yet. For other ideas check out my Father's Day Board on Pinterest.