Friday, January 6, 2012

Oh my goodness muffins......yep that's right that's what I call them!

I felt experimental this morning and oh my am I happy I did...these muffins are amazing..I guess they should be call Peanut Butter, Banana, Pumpkin, and Chocolate chip muffins..but they are rightfully called "Oh My Goodness Muffins" they are beyond good, and moist, and filling and hey hey now healthy. I also discovered  that adding  half the brown sugar at the end of the mixing creates a spectacular, crunchy exterior on the top of the muffins...did I tell you these are amazing oh wait till you try them.



Oh My Goodness Muffins Recipe

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar (divided in half)
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/2 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup of banana puree
1 egg
1 cup of Whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup of chocolate chips (I use semisweet)
1 tsp baking powder
1tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt


Preheat oven 350 degrees coat 12 cup muffin tin or line them.

In a large mixing bowl mix 1/2 cup of brown sugar with the peanut butter, pumpkin, banana puree and egg using a wooden spoon.

Put the flour, baking powder and soda along with salt in to a zipper lock bag and shake to blend well. Now add to with wet mixture, and stir just to combine (batter will be lumpy DO NOT OVERMIX, now add remaining brown sugar and stir once or twice. Divide the batter among the muffin cups and bake until brown exactly 18 minutes in my oven. Turn muffins out on rack to cool. Pour yourself a cup of milk and enjoy. Did I tell you these are so yummy?







Encouragement to chew on:

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us."~ Alexander Graham Bell


Be sure to join the fun at Sugar Bean Bakers Linky party...here you go http://sugarbeanbakers.blogspot.com/2012/01/watcha-got-linky-party.html



http://comfyinthekitchen.com/2012/01/feasting-in-fellowship-friday-link-up-stuffed-pepper-soup/

Fun recipe, the kids loved....Baked Egg Puffs



 My munchkins loved these cute, puffy little egg souffles. I make them in ramekins so that we each get our own puff (makes each kiddo feel pretty special)..best part they are good for them too. I paired them up with some crazy delish muffins that I'll add in another post.

Baked Egg Puffs recipe

Ingredients:

Nonstick spray
2 large eggs
4 large egg whites
1/2 cup of pumpkin puree  (trying to use up all the canned pumpkin I bought)
4 tbsp of shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
2 tbsp of all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 400. Coat 4 ramekins with spray and set on baking sheet.
In large bowl, whisk eggs, egg whites, pumpkin puree, cheese, flour,baking powder, and salt until combined. Divide the mixture among the cups, sprinkle some more cheese on the top and bake until puffed and eggs are no longer runny in the center about 15-18 minutes...(every oven cooks different keep eye on it after 15 minutes)
There you go a simple healthy breakfast that looks fancy enough to serve at a brunch...enjoy



(Peanut enjoying his, he's my slow eater so I was able to get a picture of him)


Gotta love that silly smile








Encouragement to chew on:

When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."~ Unknown
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, January 5, 2012

New giveaway....Yeehaw ladies...come on over.

My new giveaway....drum roll please........

One of my favorite books, grab your favorite apron, and some cowgirl boots and sit back and read this adorable book full of ideas, recipes, cute little sayings. Have you all heard of them..Love these girls!





Mompreneurs” Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards have achieved super-success, winning a following with their family-friendly food and craft projects. In a few short years, they established an annual antiques fair, created a line of products, and became contributing editors at Country Living. And fellow Farm Chicks across the country have embraced them, inspired by their warm motto: Live Well, Laugh Often, Cook Much. Now, fans can enjoy the duo's first book, which serves up 50 tasty recipes and 19 easy projects to bring Farm Chick style to your kitchen.

They have the cutest ideas and fun recipes...not to mention that they call themselves "Farm Chicks" which won their way to my heart in the first place. Here's some examples of their cuteness.

(Hearts of palm salad...seriously on my menu)

(What an adorable idea for winter...exceptionally with kiddos)

(Ways to make something out of nothing)

(Last but not least one of my favorites picnic pies)




Here's what you do to enter:

Mandatory Entry: Follow my blog and leave a comment of what your favorite thing to cook is.
Optional Extra Entries: ( only after completing mandatory entry) You can do any or all of the following entries below for one extra entry each. Please leave a separate comment below for each one you do so I can keep track. Don’t forget to leave your email so I can contact you if you are the winner!
  1. “Like” Joyfulmelody on Facebook here's the link http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joyfulmelody/176433765780276
    2.  Mention this giveaway on Facebook using the share button above.

    3. Subscribe via email or RSS feed and never miss a post or tell me you already do.

    4. Last but not least, write a post about this giveaway on YOUR blog. (Leave a link to your post.)

The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be contacted by email. Please respond within 24 hours or a new winner will be chosen



Dreamy chocolate cobbler hit the spot

So it's been cold here in Massachusetts lately which I know what you are thinking "It's the east coast of course it's cold" but just last week we were enjoying 50 degree weather, and for as much as I enjoy winter here in the east coast I was spoiled by the warm weather. So with this brisk change in weather and now freezing, (maybe something to do with being pregnant) I want warm, gooey, comforting yummies to fill my belly. I've made this before a chocolate cobbler and LOVE it, so here it again debut on this cold day. I like it so much but figured I like you more and would share the recipe. So here you go lovies.

Chocolate Cobbler Recipe

Ingredients:
2 stk butter
1 1/4 c sugar
1 1/2 c self rising flour
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 c milk
CHOCOLATE LAYER
1 c sugar
6 Tbsp cocoa powder
2 c boiling water      

In a bowl, mix together the 1 1/4 cups of sugar, flour, vanilla and milk. Once the butter is melted
Pour the batter over the butter, but do not stir.
In a separate bowl mix together the cocoa and remaining sugar. Sprinkle cocoa/sugar mixture on top of batter. Do not stir.
Pour the 2 cups of boiling water on top of that (don't stir) and bake for 30-45 minutes. I bake mine until I have a nice golden brown crust. In my oven this usually take about 35 minutes. Serve warm. Great with ice cream reheat oven to 350. In a 9x13 glass baking dish, melt the two sticks of butter in the oven.  
 
 
P.s I bought brand new boots...going back to my roots ;0)
I might have been born in Massachusetts, but being raised on a farm in California made me who I am...and if your wondering they are the most comfy boots ever.
 
                           Encouragement to chew on:
 
New beginnings start with the Word of God! “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

Ritz cracker crusted haddock


Ritz cracker crusted haddock recipe

Ingredients:
1 roll Ritz crackers
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1/2 stick of butter (melted)
Mayonnaise (just a little to coat the fish and adhere the crumbs)
1-2 lb. white fish fillets (haddock, hake, cod, etc.)
    13 x 9 inch baking dish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place haddock in greased pan. Melt butter and add crumbs and spices, and mix well. Add cheese mix. Spread thin layer of mayonnaise on all sides of fillets. Roll fillets in cracker crumbs. Place in baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until fish is tender. (Option - garnish with lemon slices before placing in oven.)
Serves 4- 6 people the best tasting fish they ever ate serve with veggies and rice pilaf! Enjoy!


                                   Encouragement to chew on:

Christianity is not the life you live for God. It's the life that Jesus lived for you and the power he gives you by the Holy Spirit. - Driscoll

Answer me this????




I find it amazing how the love I have for my husband can exceed my heart (watching little loves tokens walking around the house)...I am more in love with my husband then ever before (many many times I wonder what did I do to deserve him), his heart, his mind, his faith, yep and definitely his looks ;0)...So today stop and think of how blessed you are to have the wonderful man in your life and while you are at it...What is your favorite characteristic of your husband?