Moving!

Oh my.. I have 3 sadly ignored blogs..

1 for personal, 1 for Etsy/crafts, and 1 for cooking..

I'm hoping that by condensing these into 1,

maybe it won't be so sadly ignored...

So for more cooking goodness,

please go to my

All Things Belle blog

I will tag the posts that are cooking related for those that

want to skip to the yummy parts!

Snack Food Idea For Magic Bullet

Food & Fun Cafe is having a contest for a Magic Bullet!

Here is my recipe for the contest - hope they love it...

Kicked Up Hummus

· 15 1/2 ounce(s) of can of garbanzo beans

· 3 ounce(s) cream cheese

· 1 tbsp. of lemon juice

· 1/2 tsp. of salt

· 1 tsp. of red pepper

· 1 tsp. of ground cumin

· 1 garlic clove

· 1 tbsp. of Tabasco

· 1 drizzle of olive oil

1. Drain can of garbanzos; reserve liquid. Wash garbanzos and drain.

2. In a food processor, blend: garbanzos, 1/4 cup reserved liquid, cream cheese, lemon juice, salt, red pepper, cumin, garlic, Tabasco, and olive oil until smooth.

And 1 more Gourmet Mom entry for good measure..

Berry Angel Cakes

1 cup blackberries

1 cup blueberries

1 cup strawberries, stemmed and chopped

1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 prepared angel food cake – cut into 8 large pieces

Fat free cool whip

Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Fold (8) 18x9-inch piece of heavy foil in half to make a 9-inch square.

Place blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries in center of foil.

Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon; fold packets loosely.

Place packets grill and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Carefully open packets and set aside

Place the angel food cake on individual serving plates. Top each piece with a serving from a berry fruit packet and cool whip.

Serve immediately.

Next thing on my plate.. RoTel!

Rotel is having a fabulous cooking contest!

Deep South Dish is having a fabulous contest for cans of RoTel!

I love it!

There are plenty of times I'm not sure what to cook,

and as long as I have a few cans of RoTel.. I'm set..

Like...tonight

I had some super tasty chicken sausages, pasta, cream cheese (yes I know..blame Paula Deen),

and cans of Rotel!

Well my toddler, Isabelle, was pretty sure that it was crack.

I'm not sure how "Toddler Crack Pasta" would fly as a recipe title..

*Note to self..rework title with a more family friendly spin..

And that's just the start of it because that delish RoTel dish was

solely created on what what hadn't expired in my kitchen.

Just wait till I really try!

Gourmet Mom Entry

Spicy Grilled Chicken Chipotle Pizza

2 tbsp olive oil

4 oz cream cheese, softened

2 oz feta cheese

1tbsp oregano

½ tbsp red pepper

1 tbsp chopped canned chipotle peppers in adobo

2 tbsp minced garlic

½ tsp salt

Pizza dough (can be bought at pizza restaurants or you can use the grocery canned dough)

1 large sweet onion – cut into slices

2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken

2 cups cheddar/Monterey mix shredded

Directions

Rub grill with paper towels that have been soaked with 2 tbsp. olive oil.

Preheat grill to high heat.

While grill is heating up, in a medium bowl blend the cream cheese, feta, oregano, red pepper, chipotle peppers, garlic and salt.

Form the pizza dough into a long rectangle, about ½” thick.

Carefully place dough onto greased grill. Allow to puff and cook until the crust is lightly browned.

Flip dough over with grill spatula.

Quickly spread the cream cheese mixture on the pizza dough. Top with sweet onion, chicken, and cheese.

Close grill lid and cook until the cheese has melted.

Enjoy!

Day 24 - On The Road Again

Wow! May is crazy! We had a great time in Park City, and now the kiddo & I are off to visit my folks. The hubs is going to stay home and get stuff done..

So I started entering contests a little bit before I started this blog (First of week of April to be exact). In that time, I've entered ***51*** cooking/drinking recipe contests. I've won 1and I'm a finalist in another..will know later this month if I won. And I have 9 confirmed losses :P

I have moments of elation, hope, frustration, and want to give up. A fellow cooking contest enthusiast reminded me that this is a "hobby".

So for now, it's been a pretty fun ride!

I'll try to post more while I'm gone, and of course I'll post if there is any fabulous news (aka. Paula Deen!)

In the meantime, I'm off to eat some fabulous contest entries... yum,yum,num!

Adaptable Avocado Recipe #10

Perfect Pudding

2 avocados, peeled and pit removed

1 banana, very ripe

1/2 cup soymilk

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon honey

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 mango, sliced

Preparation

In blender combine avocados, banana, soymilk, sugar, honey, and cocoa powder until a smooth consistency.

Chill for 1 hour.

Divide into 2 dessert bowls and top with mango slices

Adaptable Avocado Recipe #9

Ogre Avocado Bread

(because my toddler thinks it looks like "Shrek" food..)

Ingredients

· 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

· 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

· 1 teaspoon baking powder

· 3/4 teaspoon salt

· 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

· 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice

· 1/2 cup butter, softened

· 1 1/2 cups white sugar

· 3 extra large eggs

· 1 cup mashed ripe avocado

· 3/4 cup buttermilk

· 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

· ½ cup Craisins

· ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

· 1 tablespoon grated orange zest

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans. Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and allspice. Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the mashed avocado. Stir in the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk until just mixed. Fold in the walnuts, Craisins, chocolate chips, and orange zest. Divide the batter evenly between the two loaf pans.

3. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Allow loaves to cool in pan for at least 20 minutes before removing.

Adaptable Avocado Recipe #8

Triple Threat Tacos

Fish

1 lb. cod – cut into 2 oz portions

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

¼ tsp paprika

1 egg

1 cup beer

Shallots

12 shallots – cut very thin

4 tsp. flour

1 tsp. salt

Avocado

1 cup flour

¼ tsp cumin

½ tsp red pepper

1 avocado – peeled, pitted, and cut into slices

1 egg

Corn tortillas

Condiments- sour cream, salsa, and cheese

Directions

In a large bowl combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt and paprika. Blend egg and beer, then quickly stir into the flour mixture

Dust fish pieces lightly with flour. Dip into beer batter and fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Sprinkle the 4 tsp. flour on shallots and toss gently to coat.

Fry the shallots for about 12 minutes and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle salt over shallots.

Blend the flour, cumin and red pepper.

In a shallow bowl, beat egg.

Dip avocado slices in egg and then dredge in flour mixture.

Fry avocado for 3 minutes. Drain and set aside

Warm tortillas in a wet paper towel in the microwave.

Plate tacos with fish, shallots, avocados, and condiments.

Enjoy!

Adaptable Avocado Recipe #7

Avocado Undercover Brownie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cups butter, softened

• 2 cups sugar

• 4 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 11/4 cup flour

• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 cup milk chocolate baking chips

* ½ cup chopped avocado

• Chocolate frosting

• 1 cup toasted pepitas

Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter melted

• 1/3 cup cocoa

• 2 cups powder sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 13 by 9 inch pan.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar at medium speed until creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Gradually stir into butter mixture. Add chocolate chips and avocado. Spoon into greased pan. Bake for 35 minutes.

To make the frosting combine butter, cocoa, powder sugar, vanilla and milk in a large mixing bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until dry ingredients are moistened. Beat at high speed until spreading consistency.

Allow brownies to cool. Frost and sprinkle pepitas on top.

Adaptable Avocado Recipe #6

Avocado Samosa

Ingredients

· 1 tablespoon olive oil

· 1 small onion, finely chopped

· 4 garlic cloves, minced

· 2 cups cooked diced potatoes

· 1 cup cooked diced carrot

· 1 medium avocado – peeled, pitted, and chopped

· 2 Tbsp. curry paste

· 1/2 teaspoon cumin

· 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

· 1 Tbsp. ginger, minced

· 1/4 teaspoon turmeric

· 1/4 teaspoon salt

· 1 dash red pepper flakes

· 1 tablespoon water

· 2 packages refrigerated crescent rolls

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F.

In a medium pan sauté onion and garlic in oil for about 5 minutes or until onions have softened.

Gently add ingredients potatoes through water. Continue to cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes or until heated through. Set aside.

Unroll the crescent dough and separate into 4 pieces, and cut those pieces once again.

Add a heaping spoonful of filling in the center of each square and fold over to make a triangle. Pinch the edges to seal with the tines of a fork.

Spray cookie sheets with butter spray. Arrange samosas on sheet and bake for 14 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Adaptable Avocado Recipe #5

Fluffy Avocado Marshmallows

· 4 envelopes gelatin

· 1/2 c avocado puree

· 1-1/4 c water

· 3 c sugar

· 1-1/4 c light corn syrup

· 1/4 tsp salt

· powdered sugar for dusting

Line a baking sheet with foil. Spray the foil with non-stick spray.

Prepare your mixer with the whisk attachment.

Combine the avocado puree and 1/2 cup of the water in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the gelatin over to soften.

Put the sugar, corn syrup, remaining 3/4 cup water and salt in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until it reaches the soft-ball stage (234-240 F).

With the mixer at full speed, pour all of the hot syrup slowly down the side of the bowl. Whip until the mixture is very fluffy and stiff, about 8-10 minutes. Pour mixture into the foil-lined pan and smooth with an oiled spatula so that it's level with the top of the rim (it won't completely fill the pan). Allow the mixture to sit, uncovered at room temp for overnight.

Sift powder sugar generously over the rested marshmallows. Turn it out onto a cutting board or counter, peel off foil and dust with more sugar/starch mixture. Slice with a thin-bladed oiled knife . Dip all cut edges in sugar and shake off excess. Marshmallows will keep several weeks at room temp in an air-tight container.

Adaptable Avocado Recipe #4

Creamy Avocado Ravioli

Ingredients

1 avocado - peeled, seeded, and chopped

1 roma tomato - diced

1 clove minced garlic

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 package wonton wrappers

1 jar alfredo sauce

½ cup parmesan cheese

1/8 cup toasted pepita seeds

Directions

Gently combine avocado, tomato, and garlic. Sprinkle lemon juice over mixture.

Open Wontons, place a damp towel over wonton package after one has been pulled out. Place one tsp full of mixture into wrapper, wet edges and press together.

Boil water in large stockpot. Gently add raviolis and cook for about 10 minutes, don’t let them stick to the sides of the walls.

Drain and top with alfredo sauce, cheese, and pepita seeds.

Adaptable Avocado Recipe #3

It’s Easy Being Green

½ cup basil pesto

Ready made pizza crust

Olive oil spray

12 oz chicken sausages, sliced

1 yellow onion, chopped

2 green tomatoes, sliced

1 jalepeno, diced

2 cups mozzarella cheese

2 avocados – peeled, pitted, and chopped

*Preheat oven to 450

*While oven is preheating, sauté sausages and onions in a skillet sprayed with olive oil over medium heat.. Sauté for about 7 minutes or until onions are softened. Remove from heat.

*Spread basil pesto on pizza crust.

*Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese on pizza.

*Add tomatoes and jalepenos

*Top with last cup of cheese.

*Add brats and onions to pizza.

*Bake pizza for 12-14 minutes or until cheese is melted.

*Top with avocado slices and enjoy!

Adaptable Avocado Recipe #2

Spicy Avocado Martini

2 oz.vodka

2 oz. avocado puree

1 tbsp. Bloody Mary Mix tomato juice

dash of hot sauce

1 oz. lime juice

salt- garnish

pickle juice – garnish

Directions

Pour all the ingredients into a shaker full of ice.

Shake for about 30 seconds.

Dip the rim of a chilled martini glass into pickle juice. Dip again into salt.

Strain martini into glass and enjoy!

Adaptable Avocado Recipe #1

Avocado and Coconut Thai Soup

Ingredients

· 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

· 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger

· 2 stalk lemon grass, minced

· 1 teaspoons green curry paste

· 4 cups chicken broth

· 3 tablespoons fish sauce

· 1 tablespoon light brown sugar

· 2(13.5 ounce) cans coconut milk

· 1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced

· 1 pound medium shrimp - peeled and deveined

· 1 medium avocado –peeled, seeded, and chopped

· 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

· salt to taste

Directions

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Cook and stir the ginger, lemongrass, and curry paste in the heated oil for 1 minute.

Slowly pour the chicken broth over the mixture, stirring continually.

Stir in the fish sauce and brown sugar; simmer for 15 minutes.

Stir in the coconut milk and mushrooms; cook and stir until the mushrooms are soft, about 5 minutes.

Add the shrimp; cook until no longer translucent about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and chopped avocado.

Day 11- 17 - On Vacation

I'm enjoying a week off from everything in Park City!

I will post if anything *really* exciting comes up...

Day 10 - Just What the Doctor Ordered

Woohoo! I'm super thrilled about expecting our 2nd baby, but this back pain has been insane and has put a real kink in my culinary contest efforts. My OB gave me a referral for physical therapy. I'm super excited because in the time it took for me to make 3 contest entries today, my back and bum are out of commission tonight!

So first up is my supper yummy "Glocal Pizza". I created and filmed it for Pizza Fusion. However it is not yet up on their voting site and I can not get anyone to respond to my inquiries. But that is for another paragraph (see further below). It is a super yummy organic pizza that can be made in your kitchen in the same time, if not quicker, than those processed pizza delivery guys! Please try it.. It will change your dependency on tomato sauce and it will thrill your taste-buds! Here is the video..

Next is my "Be Thankful Everyday Cupcakes/Muffins". The premise was to create a meal or dessert with mix starter. I used a pumpkin spice bread mix. I would love to get this country on pumpkin 365 days a year! Pumpkin is soo awesome.. Here is the recipe & photo..

And I also did a run through of my side dish for Paula. It is called "Isabelle's Mean Green". It is awesome. It will make your other side dishes cry in embarrassment. Everyone in this house loves it. You will be inclined to want to eat the whole thing.. it's okay, I won't tell. Recipe and video will be up tomorrow.