Chocolate Cookies

  Believe it or not some weeks I do not make anything.  Tonight I made cookies because there I was minding my own business when a plate full of cookies gets my attention on Facebook.  A quick glimpse over the recipe and it's on.

  These cookies boasted of a chocolate flavor and there is no doubt about it when you see them and when you smell them fresh out the oven!

  They were easy to make adding that the teen made these.  The longest process was letting them chill prior to cooking. Ooh the torture.

  However after an hour of that I am almost sure when I took a bite of the first one I had already forgot about the waiting period.

  These are a great little cookie.  They have a great chocolate flavor, were soft, resembled a brownie in flavor and texture.  All you need is a glass of milk to accompany these and you too will be in a happy place.  These would definitely get you bonus points if you cooked them and had them ready for unsuspecting children!

 Get to cooking these!  I know you didn't know you needed them but, your welcome anyways.

Check out the recipe here:
http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/03/07/chocolate-sugar-cookies/

Money Monster (movie review)

  I went to see Money Monster based on the 3 options available to me opening week. One of them was a scary movie and I wasn't quite interested in that at the moment and the other was one I was not familiar with based on lack of advertising so Money Monster it was!

  Money Monster is a crime film rated R and runs about 1 hour 39 minutes. This movie was directed by Jodie Foster and had some great actors like George Clooney and Julia Roberts pulling off an entertaining performance.

  The movie starts off with a news segment discussing stocks. One disgruntled stockholder versus the large company. One man representing the world of believers. Believers being the people that are holding on to winning it big. Believers being the ones that waste the last of their money on a dream.

  The movie follows the ups and downs of a young man's life to bring us to the point of why he is so made at a company he invested in. He although is nothing more than a regular person knows that he was wronged. Not personally but wants justification and answers. I was not aware of the movie before I went but glad I choose it. It was entertaining.

  We already know the value of a dollar. Some of us know how to stretch it better than others. This movie makes you think of money, who controls it, you or the government, big corporations or even the media. We are teased and tempted on a daily basis but need to not only be strong and defiant but also more educated on our options of better spending and saving.

  I would rent this movie as I'm sure I would catch bits and pieces I missed while viewing it in the theater.

Let's Play Bartender

  Do you know what makes a drink better?  Making it at home, knowing what is in it controlling how much of the ingredients are in it and not having to worry about the drive home.

  All of this becomes reality when you make your own drinks at home.  Having liquor on hand, fresh fruit, crushed ice and a great shaker can make you the best host or hostess.

  The shaker kit comes in a nice velvet  drawstring bag.  

The kit includes a shaker, a jigger and 2 pourers.

 In addition to all that an ebook is included as well.  This just makes it better as now not only are you able to make your drinks you can make new ones!

  This shaker set would make a great gift for anyone! A homecoming present or even an upcoming gift for Father's Day.

  I received this premium cocktail shaker set by Shikshook for review.  All opinions mentioned are solely mine.

 For your convenience I have included the link here.
http://belugasinva.blogspot.com/2016/05/lets-play-bartender.html?m=1 #shikshook

Cookies Today with Strawberries

  Although this recipe uses a small amount of strawberries.  It also uses up the strawberries I had on hand.  So I need to go back and get more in order to finish out the month or else I will not be able to finish out the month.  I feel like I am running on fumes already but am not giving up.

  The recipe was for cookies today!  These strawberry cookies only asked for a few tablespoons of strawberries.  I had just enough.

  The rest of your ingredients are your basic requirements for a sugar cookie to include: flour, sugar, butter egg, baking powder and vanilla.

Blend that sugar and butter before you add anything else to make sure it will be incorporated.

I skipped the roll the cookies in a ball part and just plopped them on the cookie sheet but, I did add some sprinkles!

  My opinion of the cookies.  I would like to try them again with more strawberries.  I couldn't see them in any of the cookies, or taste it.  The recipe did say you could use strawberry extract in place of the strawberries.  The cookies however were good.  They didn't have that after taste that I get with some cookies!!  These were a good cookie that I could see making without the strawberries.

  Without the obvious appearance of strawberries the little man of the house nibbled on a couple and liked them too.  He had been avoiding all things strawberries for the last few weeks.

 Grab a glass of milk and make some of these they were a nice treat!
 
Check out the recipe here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/235942/chewy-strawberry-sugar-cookies/

Ice Cold Strawberries

  I have seen this treat using a variety of fruits and found one using strawberries and I wasn't even looking!  Today we made granita!

  In addition to again some simple staples you should have on hand; a blender is handy too.

Put all your ingredients into the blender and blend everything up!

  You get a beautiful smooth, red substance when it's mixed up!

Place it in the freezer for a few hours, scrape it around let it set again and your done.

  Delicious is one word that comes to mind and easy is another.  I will make more of this with different fruit because it was easy and tasty!

  Check the recipe out here: http://www.myrecipes.com/m/recipe/strawberry-granita-0

Hot Strawberry Dessert

  While I sit here and rummage through the Internet I always think to myself.  Is this a good recipe?  This recipe looks good! I hope this one is good.  We like strawberry shortcake so another strawberry dish with breading should be a hit so tonight we are eating Strawberry Cobbler!

  This was an easy recipe to make.  You should have all ingredients on hand.  Basic staples with an exception of the strawberries.  So put strawberries on your grocery list and make this for dessert!

  I didn't use as much sugar but I also didn't use as many strawberries.  Next time I will use more strawberries and double the recipe.  Start with your sugar and strawberries first to let the flavors blend together.

I did have my separate bowl of batter!

Then added the strawberries to the batter prior to baking!

  This was definitely a pretty dish.  My strawberries did fall under the crust.  I'm not sure if there were more strawberries if they would stay on the top more or not?  The crust was soft on the inside and a slight crunch to the sides.  The strawberries despite my reduction of sugar was just the right bit of sweetness.  This was delicious warm and I'm sure when I grab a piece in the morning it will taste just as good.

Check out the recipe here: http://divascancook.com/fresh-strawberry-cobbler-recipe-easy-dessert/

Sipping on Strawberries

  Today I took the easy way out.  A milkshake but with the use of strawberries of course!

  A couple scoops of chocolate peanut butter ice cream , some milk and fresh strawberries equals a chocolate covered strawberry milkshake!

  It doesn't get any easier then that.  The teen was gifted this tonight and was pleased with it.  She was impressed with how east it is to make a milkshake and may not the endless possibilities for future creations.

Cheers to the strawberries!

15 days of Strawberries

  So today I used up the strawberry mousse from yesterday in today's recipe.  See let me explain something real quick as with my pumpkin challenge in the fall when I have made enough recipes I start stepping out the box and getting a little creative.  Nothing to crazy just small simple recipes.

  So today I put the Strawberry Mousse in pie shells.  I placed a dollop of chocolate on each pie and splattered some of the leftover strawberry sauce on the top as well.

I can't say they were phenomenal as the major part of the pie was what we already ate yesterday but if we liked it yesterday it would mean we liked it today, lol.  

It was good.  That nice fluffy, creamy mousse in the graham cracker pie shell.  I would try to spread the chocolate on top more versus a dollop but it still was a nice treat.

No formal recipe today.  If your interested just use yesterday's and add it to the pie shell.

Strawberry Mousse

  Tonight's strawberries was a prep ahead.  I started it just before dinner and after dinner was done and dishes were taken care of the dessert was done.  Of course more organization would of had this dessert done in the morning but who needs all that organization.

  The recipe only requires a few ingredients and is really easy to make.  I did have to pick up heavy cream as that is not a staple in my house and I doubted myself in making it myself.  (I will be attempting to make my own heavy cream to see how easy it is, how it tastes and peaks up)

  For this delicious Strawberry Mousse you need strawberries, heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla.  In measuring equipment your only using a tablespoon, 1/2 teaspoon and 1 cup!   I did have to use the food processor and eventually the mixer so you did make a few more things dirty but it was well worth it in the end!

  Turn your heavy cream

into whipped cream by any means necessary!  I started by hand but needed to hurry up so pulled out the heavy machinery to speed up the process.

                     

Enter food processor to make strawberry puree!  I have had this food processor for years and just recently have built a good relationship with it.  I am slowly learning it's true capabilities and strengths.  It does make chopping some things easier.

  Add your powdered sugar and vanilla and mix again then fold in your strawberries!
            
Before                             After

The finished product was delicious!

I could see making this dish again as a quick dessert or even for a potluck.

I didn't think it was too sweet although I did have a complaint regarding that.  The strawberries were not sweetened so I think the little bit of sugar used just blended into to everything nicely.

Check here for the recipe: http://www.pumpkinnspice.com/2015/04/10/strawberry-mousse/

Chocolate and Strawberries in a Muffin

  It is with great pleasure that I can introduce to you recipe number 13! Chocolate covered strawberries in muffin form.

  Of course I am focusing on the red berry part of the deal but chocolate is a nice compliment to the berry so why not make a recipe with both of them.

  I had made a few things from Sallys Baking Addiction so she's got my seal of approval to try another recipe!

  Tonight with the help of the teen is Chocolate Covered Strawberry Muffins.  I followed the recipe except exchanged the sour cream for two flavors of yogurt. I wasn't instructed to flour the strawberries for the muffins either, yeah!  One less step in the way of snacking.

All ingredients are mixed together in one bowl for the most part.  All ingredients are items you should already have on hand anyways (except I didn't have sour cream because we have been eating a lot of Mexican theme food this week and it seems to make a great condiment for these dishes).

  These muffins were delicious.  The chocolate chips and strawberries are visible and in every bite.  They were moist and it was fun to drizzle the chocolate on top.  The teen was very amused at her muffins tonight!

Here's to my 13th strawberry item on my strawberry monthly challenge!

Check out the recipe here: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/07/29/chocolate-covered-strawberry-muffins/

Strawberry Banana Bread (Day 12)

  Who doesn't like the smell of banana bread baking?  Probably only those that don't like bananas.  I waited ever so patiently for this tasty strawberry treat to be done!  The smell made it so agonizing.  However after tasting it; it was well worth it!

  Another recipe where I had the privilege of separating ingredients in order to make sure all components are mixed together accurately and coating the berries in flour.

  I had to cream my butter and sugar

Add my flour.

Fold the strawberries in.

Take note for two different cooking temperatures and times.

All I can hear when I can actually smell the food cooking is an endless Jeopardy theme song.

  I love some banana bread but have never added strawberries now I may always add strawberries.  I am not surprised at how delicious adding these to it really is.  The berries just take it to another level of tasty treat!

  Check out the recipe here: http://therecipecritic.com/2015/07/strawberry-banana-bread/