Bloom

A few photos from today. I found some beautiful flowers in the front yard! I left the ones in bloom on the bush but the grown-up ones are now decorating my coffee table in the living room!
I also did not know that cats ate flowers?

Queso de Papito

I breaded a few peices of cheese that my grandfather makes.
They were so good dipped into marinara sauce.

Sweet and Sour Tofu

I enjoyed making this dish, although I don't think it was better than the curry tofu I made a week or so ago. The recipe is pretty simple though.


1 can Pineapple chunks
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoon brown sugar
1 package extra-firm tofu,
3 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 large red and 1 large green bell pepper

First, Drain the juice from the pineapple can, saving a 1/4 cup. Set aside the pineapple for later. Mix the pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, and brownsugar together. Put the cut up tofu in a large bowl and let it marinade with 4 tablespoons of the sauce. Reserve the rest of the sauce for later use. Let it sit for at least 10min.

Second, add the cornstarch in the remaining sauce. Whisk for about 30 seconds or until smooth.

Third, place 1 tablespoon of canola oil in a pan on medium-high heat. Gently put the tofu in the pan and cook until each side is golden. DO NOT pour the tofu out from the large bowl into the pan. Use a slotted spoon or spatula and pour the remaining sauce back into where the reserved sauce is.

After the tofu is cooked. Place it on to a papertoweled plate and set aside.
In the same pan put another tablespoon of canola oil and start cooking the peppers and another other greens you would like to put in the dish. Put the ginger and the garlic in the pan as well. Let it cook for a few minutes or until tender. Pour the reserved into the pan and stir until it thickens. Add the tofu and pineapple as well. Stir until its mixed well with the sauce for about 2 minutes.

Serve with Jasmine, or Basmati rice. I bought naan bread and heated it up in a seperate pan sprinkling water and olive oil based butter.

*After being so excited for what I thought was another successful vegan dish, we find the can of pineapple sitting by the sink. I completely forgot to add the pineapple while adding the tofu. I can't get over it.*

Vegan expect for Naan bread.

Sweet Cream

I went to Goodwill this morning looking for a 2 button baseball tee and ended up buying another chair. I started working on it as soon as I got home. It took about an hour to finish. I still have some distressing to do but It's cute enough for a few pictures. Here is a before and after.


The Fabric is from an old skirt I found at a thrift store in Charlotte. I never used the skirt but it has been washed if anyone was wondering. I cut the bottom of it and stapled it to the seat.


While I was unscrewing the seat from the chair, I FIND ANOTHER STINK BUG!


I guess it was in hidden in the cushion when I got it. I am so sick of them!

My cat Billiemew also had the goodwill sticker stuck on her whiskers as she was trying to eat the stink bug!

...Now that I typed the sticker story, I don't know why I found that so amusing.

Needs a new butt.

Final product! I refinished a set of 4 chairs and table (round center base). Originally red oak and white fabric for cushions! The set is for sale and ready for a new home.

Tut.

My man's man. Which makes him my second favorite man out of two men.

Coffee and Walnut Cake

I sort of messed up on the icing. I'll post this recipe once I perfect this cake!

White Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Just for fun.

Spinach and Feta Tartlets

My first time baking Tartlets. They were delicious.
The recipe is pretty simple.
2 cups of cut up baby spinach
3 large eggs
2 cups of grated feta cheese
1 garlic clove
2 ready made pastry sheets

I also grilled a few red peppers with a pinch of pepper and oregano in canola oil on medium heat for a few minutes until tender. The hearts are quite cheesy but they too were delicious!

I poured the mix in the dish and baked it at 375 F for 25 min or until golden.

Peanut Butter Dog Cookies!

I baked a few peanut butter dog cookies today. They were a success!
www.thegourmetfoodieblog.com

Buenos dias muchachita

billiemew.






*table and chairs: also refinished myself.
White spray paint and a little distressing.
Fabric from Hobby Lobby $8
Chairs from Habitat for Humanity 4 for $25
Table from Goodwill $10*

Shmalintines.

A strawberry spongecake I baked for my valentine.

Recipe:
1 1/4 cup of self rising flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup of softened butter
1 cup of sugar
3 eggs
Preheat oven 350°F
Sift flour and baking powder into a bowl and add the butter, sugar and eggs. Mix then beat until the batter is smooth.

Divide mixture and pour into two 8-inch round layer cake pans.

Bake for 25-30 min or until golden. The cake should feel springy when pressed lightly.

Filling:
1 cup of Raspberry and Apricot jelly.
1 cup or less of heavy cream.
Fresh cut strawberries
Powdered sugar for dusting.

Enjoy:)


Brownie cake bites I baked for those who have a sweet tooth and are valentine-less.


A bouquet of deliciousness.

for keepsakes.

A jewerly box I painted and distressed.
I found the box at Salvation Army for $1.
It was originally a red oak color. I spray painted the entire box and lined the inside with a white and light blue polka dotted fabric. The metal handles are also dotted with white acrylic paint.
The entire project cost: $4