Perfect Party Snacks

Once upon a time, there was a girl who went to a party, and she was really hungry. But when she got to the party, there weren't any of the savory party snacks she craved. So she went home and made the perfect party snack. 

Ingredients:

1 Sleeve Water Crackers

1 Pack Sliced Smoked Salmon (Lox)

1 lb. Cream Cheese

Chop smoked salmon into quarter-sized pieces. Spread approx. 1 teaspoon cream cheese on each water cracker. Top with smoked salmon and enjoy!

For a vegetarian option, salmon may be swapped with avocado or tomatoes.

Place on party platter and enjoy! 

My Favorite Brand of Water Crackers

Blondies, Blondies and More Blondies!

Okay, so my best friend Lola, a blogger at Thingologies and a guest poster/contributor of this blog (hence her post Vegetarian Eats) will be having a birthday soon-ish. So, being the control-freak I am, I have already started (and mostly finished) her present. I am making the ultimate blondie cookbook for her. 

If you have any awesome blondie recipes, please send them to me in comment form!

Btw, if you don't know what a blondie is (not the Debbie Harry rock-band from the late 1970's), it is the not-so chocolatey cousin of the brownie.

http://whatsgabycooking.com/

Gelatin

Gelatin- is it a liquid? or a solid? I guess the world will never know. I've been asking myself the same question for months now, ever since I heard it. Somewhere, although I actually don't remember where. 

Actually, you can know! Yay! We are saved! If you Google "Is gelatin a liquid or a solid" many answers will come up, but the first one is a link to this website: https://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=1719.

So go out and get yourself a pack of gelatinous Jello!

Eggs in a Nest (or Basket)

Okay, so here's a recipe that is so easy, a 12-year-old could do it. Seriously. I know a pretty awesome 12-year-old who has done this countless times. 

Ingredients:

2 slices of bread (once again, i prefer white bread, but this time for taste preferences. You can use any type of sliced bread. I recommend a thick slice, though)

2 medium eggs 

2-5 (depending on the size of your pan/skillet) tablespoons oil

3 slices bacon (optional)

Cut medium circles in bread (not too big, the egg has to sit inside. Keep cut-out part! It's perfect for dipping). Toast bread to a golden brown. Place pan on a medium flame. Add oil and coat entire pan. Add toasted bread to pan. Crack one egg into each hole in the bread. Turn oven to broiling mode (350º is recommended). Wait until most of egg is cooked, then remove from flame and put in broiler/oven. Monitor bread and eggs to make sure it isn't overcooked. It should be a golden-brown/runny egg texture. Optional: Add your bacon on the side if desired.

Sorry, picture is sideways

Vegetarian Eats (guest post)

Hi! I'm Lola, Alyson's friend. You may know me from my quote...

"You're like, practically the Queen of Grilled Cheese in an Oven!"

As well as a grilled cheese enthusiast, and blogger at Thingology (heheh go look plz now), I'm a vegetarian. Alyson asked me to post about vegetarian food. But first, let's go over a couple frequently asked questions:

Yes, I drink milk, eat cheese, have honey, use butter, and all that. Not having anything from an animal is veganism; not having its flesh is vegetarianism. I don't eat fish, either, but some vegetarians do.

Yes, I get enough protein, and yes, really.

No, I do not live off of tofu.

My parents raised me as a vegetarian, so bacon/ham/salmon/other meats do not tempt me. I've had meat accidentally a few times, and it tasted horrible. My stomach didn't like it, either.

So what if you're out to eat with somebody, and the person you're with says that saying that's so infamous among vegetarians and vegans: "How do you live without bacon?" And the restaurant's menu only has two vegetarian meals: "Tofu with a side of tofu" and "Broccoli with Steamed Broccoli and Carrot Puree"?
Here's what you do. Ditch that person, go home and save yourself the trouble of picking between tofu madness or veggie-fruit-puree abominations by making this. Optionally vegan.


Ingredients:

However much pasta you'll be eating (linguini and farfalle are best)

Carrots (1 carrot is enough if you just want some carrot bits, go for two if you want a bunch, 3 if you're making it for several people)

Marinara sauce/olive oil/some pasta sauce

(if you eat butter) 1 or 2 pats of butter


Directions:

Rinse and peel the carrots. Chop at a slight diagonal so you get a good amount of long oval-shaped carrot pieces.

Once the carrots are chopped, fill a pot about 2/3 full with water and put to a boil.

Prepare a frying pan with some olive oil. If you're using the butter, melt it in the pan. Put the pan on a low heat and pour on the carrots. NOTE: The carrots can require some patience. Keep the pan on a LOW heat, and stir it occasionally. It will have to cook for a long while. They should taste warm and carrot-y, but also visibly cooked.

While the carrots are sitting, put the pasta in the pot and let it cook for about 8 minutes or until it has reached it's desired softness. Drain in a colander.

When both are done, combine in a large bowl with some sauce. Or, you can just use shredded parmesan. Anyway, eat.

Brownie in a Mug

Okay, so have you ever wanted a brownie but haven't been able to use an oven to make it? No? Well, now you will never have to feel that way! Introducing: The Brownie in a Mug.

I actually did this at a friend's house, so i just used her ingredients. Just make sure you mix the ingredients well so you don't end up with a salt bomb every few bites. 

Enjoy!

Image courtesy of: thurfbortt, Tumblr
https://www.tumblr.com/search/mug-brownie

Fizzing Whizbees

Now, who's ever heard of a fizzing whizbee? Well, if you haven't read any of the Harry Potter books (if you haven't then shame on you) then obviously you wouldn't. Well, unless you went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida (where one bag of fizzing whizbees cost around $9.95, thanks mom and dad) and it is TOTALLY worth the trek. Seriously. Three must haves for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: 1) Magic Wand 2) Fizzing Whizbees 3) Chocolate Frog. 

Although I love going to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I have always wanted to make the wonderful fizzy treats myself. I searched the web and found this website: http://hpcooking.blogspot.com/2012/03/fizzing-whizbees.html But please don't desert me when you find out how awesome this person's blog is! 

A Question

Hi! I was wondering how many people read my blog, so can you please comment to let me know? 

Thanks!

No recipes today, just a review!

Hi guys, today I have something different. It's a review. Er, I've never written a review before, so here goes:

Oscar Mayer's bourbon-barbecue flavored bacon jerky. As a person who is a huge bacon fan, I find it incredibly delicious, yet, the only place where I can find it is my neighborhood Grocery Outlet. And, unfortunately, their stock has just run out. I didn't really think I would enjoy it, but I just decided to buy it because there was a lot of bacon in there for a $1.99 pack. When I got home, I gave it a try and it was delicious. Although the picky eater adamantly refused to try even the smallest piece. Your loss, little bro. More for me. 

Here is the link to the Oscar Mayer website: http://www.oscarmayer.com/bacon#bacon-jerky

Bacon Jerky. Who knew? 

Nutrition Facts

Seaweed... What to do?

Seaweed. It's great for a person, and is practically a staple in Japanese cuisine. This coming week I must pack a lunch for myself, and a very picky eater. I've searched the web for anything along the lines of "easy lunch ideas for picky toddlers" and "easy lunch ideas for teens" and even just "easy lunch ideas for kids". It was all pretty much the same thing: turkey pinwheels, sandwiches (almond butter and apples, avocado and some fruit, apples and peanut butter, etc.), and pizza. I, for one, have none of these ingredients and would not want to buy them just to find out that the picky eater and I do not like them.

Something we do enjoy eating, however, is seaweed. But how would one put that in a lunch, you ask? Well, I like to make a create-your-own-sushi box. And here is my recipe:

3 sheets sushi nori (those big sheets of seaweed in those bags in the Japanese supermarket)

1-2 cups cooked white rice (I like jasmine rice, but you can use whatever you have)

8 tablespoons rice seasoning (My favorite brand is Nori Komi Furikake)

Put rice in a thermos. Cut seaweed sheets in half. Put rice seasoning in container. Pack in lunchbox. Enjoy!

My favorite brand of rice seasoning

Popcorn Three Ways

Popcorn, a timeless snack. Simply popped corn and cheese powder. If you want to be healthy, well, don't eat it. Just pop the corn and lightly sprinkle for a healthier option. Last one, the movie theater classic. Buttered popcorn. Popcorn with a "slight" buttery drizzle.

Ingredients:

Popcorn (duh)

Whatever seasoning you'd like

Pop the corn. Season. Done.

Or, if you're lazy like me, you can just buy popcorn from the store. Pre-seasoned and everything. 

My Favorite

Lemonade and Fruit Punch Ice Pops

The perfect summer snack…

Ingredients:

Lemonade

Fruit Punch

Ice Pop Mold

Fill mold half full with Lemonade or Fruit Punch. Place ice pop stick inside and freeze for one hour. Remove ice pop from mold and fill with other drink. Freeze for another hour or so. Enjoy!

My Strawberry-Mango Smoothie

When I was in elementary school (I don't remember what grade) my parents bought me the cutest personal blender, so during the summer, since it was kind of hot where I lived, I would make a smoothie. Here is my recipe for the most awesome strawberry-mango smoothie:

Ingredients:

8 medium frozen strawberries

6 pieces frozen mango

Orange Juice

Put strawberries and mango in blender. Pour in orange juice to cover frozen fruits*. Blend until smooth or desired thickness has been achieved. 

*If you like a thicker and/or chunkier smoothie, use less.

Grilled Cheese in an Oven

"You're like, practically the Queen of Grilled Cheese in an Oven!" -My best friend, Lola.

Grilled Cheese in an oven. Contrary to what you may be thinking, no, I will not be writing about sandwiches all the time. It just happens to be something with an easy to remember recipe and it is the perfect quick after-school snack.

Recipe:

2 Slices of Bread*

A Few handfuls of shredded cheese or 2 slices of cheese (I like Kraft because it can achieve that ooey-gooey cheesy meltitude**)

Preheat oven to 350º F.

Line baking sheet with foil.

Put one slice of bread on foil and top with cheese. Top with other slice of bread. 

Place in oven on middle rack for about 5 mins. or until golden brown.

CAUTION: DO NOT BURN! Seriously, then it tastes bad and all burned and stuff.

*I like to use white bread, because it toasts better, but you can use any type of pre-sliced bread

**Is meltitude even a real word? Whatever, it sounds cool.

A Tuna-Fish Sandwich

A Tuna-Fish Sandwich, it reminds me of a joke I heard on my favorite childhood show, Wizards of Waverly Place. I loved it so much, and one of the characters on the show, Max Russo, said something along the lines of "They're not made of sand, and they're not made of witches!" and the somewhat young me laughed like crazy.

Anywho, on to the actual sandwitch no, not "witch", wich. Let me try that again. Anywho, on to the actual sandwich. Phew. Okay. Here is my recipe:

1 Can of Tuna (I personally prefer tuna in water, but if you like it in oil, then be my guest)

2 Slices Lightly (to a golden brown color) Toasted Bread*

About 3 or so Tablespoons of Light (or regular) Mayonnaise

Optional Toppings: Lettuce, Tomatoes, Pickles, Chopped Celery, etc.

In a medium bowl, mix mayo and tuna until the two have become thoroughly mixed together.

Top one slice of bread with tuna mixture and top with toppings, if desired. Top with second slice of bread.

*I like to use white bread, because it toasts better, but you can use any type of pre-sliced bread

Welcome!

Hi Everybody! I've never had a blog before, so this is really new for me. In this blog, I will review something or some place I've been to or eaten and tell you what I think and try to find a recipe for that food.

Thanks for visiting and I will start posting soon!