MMMMMM Muffins

I can't think of anything better than a blueberry muffin. Well, scratch that maybe a cookie or cupcake...Or what about a croissant?  Honestly I could talk for hours about baked goods, or just food in general. Where would we be without food?  I decided to make these one afternoon while reading, watching Downton Abbey (OF COURSE). I thought that the orange and cornmeal was a unique departure from the regular blueberry muffins everyone knows and loves.

Speaking of loves, what is your favorite baked good?  I need to make something this weekend to relieve stress, what do you recommend I make next?

Ingredients

• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 cup fine yellow cornmeal
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest, plus 2 teaspoons orange juice
• 1 1/4 cups blueberries (7 ounces)
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper liners. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, butter, vanilla, and orange zest. Add to flour mixture, stirring until combined (do not overmix).
   
2. In a medium bowl, toss blueberries with 1 tablespoon flour to coat, then fold into batter. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake until puffed and set, about 20 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Let muffins cool in pan on a wire rack.
   
3. Stir together orange juice and confectioners' sugar. Drizzle over muffins and let glaze set, about 10 minutes, before serving.
   

Source: Everyday Food

Dreams do come true

Yes, that's right - the day my dream to visit Hogsmeade was actualized!  This past January we visited Universal Studios Orlando - and of course I HAD to visit Hogsmeade (aka. Harry Potter Land). It was the absolute best time, and I highly recommend it for die-hard fans and those who don't know anything about it (although I can't even fathom why everyone has not read the books or at least seen the films). Anyways, Hogsmeade is brilliant. From Zonko's to Honey Dukes everything is perfect down to the smallest detail. Like, how you can hear Moaning Myrtle's voice in the washroom (EEK!), you can tour Hogwarts castle and even help Harry, Ron and Hermione!

My favorite part of the day was when I was selected for the wand demonstration by Mr. Ollivander HIMSELF! That's right y'all - it's my Harry Potter moment, and I will remember it forever...

The time I met Curious George, SpongeBob & became a Nascar Driver...

 

Well, not exactly... But I did meet Curious George and SpongeBob!  Our first day at Universal Studios Orlando Florida was SOOOO much fun!  My favorite part of the day was waiting for the bus back to the hotel and eating a delicious cookie (oh and all the rides and having so much fun of course!!)

Enjoy these photos I snapped while there - up next Islands of Adventure (more importantly HARRY POTTER LAND!!)

Happy Valentines Day!

It's that time of year!  I love Valentine's Day, not for the fact that I would await getting a Valentine from that one boy I had a crush on, but on Valentine's Day growing up my parents would give my brother and I a small gift in the morning and we would get a note about how much they loved us and the fun things we had planned that upcoming summer, in our lunches that our mom packed for us.  It may seem small and trivial to you, but I loved receiving those letters and never felt left out if I didn't get as many Valentine's from the boys in my class as some of the other girls.

Now that I am married I still love leaving small notes around the house for my husband to find. However, we like to do things for each other throughout the year - rather than just one special day - so Valentine's isn't a major event.  This year I decided to make these Whoopie Pies as something new and special.  I also plan on taking these to work as we are having a Valentine's Day bake off!

How do you celebrate Valentine's Day?

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• My buttercream icing

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sift together flour, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside. Line two baking pans with Silpats (French nonstick baking mats) or parchment paper. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Slowly add dry ingredients. Mix until combined.
2. Using a 1-ounce ice cream scoop, place cookies onto lined baking pans, 12 per pan. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool. Repeat with remaining batter.
3. Spread 2 tablespoons frosting onto each of 24 cookies. Sandwich together with remaining 24 cookies.

 Source: Martha Stewart

Good things come to those who wait.

Dutch Oven Bread from Kinfolk on Vimeo.

This amazing video is a perfect representation of patience - and the result is truly beautiful (even if it is just a loaf of bread).

Across The Cafe Table

On the second Wednesday of each month The Travel Belles invites bloggers to to participate in “Across the Café Table." Here they ask and answer a travel-related question as a way to get to know one another, sharing our answers “across the virtual café table,” by responding on our own blogs, adding a link to the post here on the site, and linking back to it from your own answer. So grab a beverage and pull up a chair – there’s always plenty of room!

This month's question is what are the factors you consider when selection a hotel? First can I just say how much I love this question?  For me, the excitement of an upcoming trip is not only for the trip itself but the planning that goes into beforehand.  After determining the destination, my next step in the planning process is to choose a place to stay.  

When choosing a hotel, villa or B&B it really depends on the actual type of place I am visiting. For example, when we visited Paris we chose a hotel because of the language barrier - and that it was our first trip abroad. However, our last stay in Spain we chose a villa with friends (which was one of the most fantastic experiences, ever).  We have also stayed in Bed & Breakfasts to gain an experience like the locals and immerse ourselves in culture and history.  For example, the B&B we stayed in Italy was amazing. It had a lot of history - and charm!

When selecting a hotel or any accommodation for a trip I utilize a number of different resources. Tripadvisor is good, but needs to be taken with a grain of salt.  I also reach out to friends and ask them for advice, especially the other Travel Belles (who's knowledge and expertise has proved to be invaluable). I know this sounds bad, but I also use the bed bug registry - I am terrified of them.

So there you have it - it really depends on the type of trip you take in order to determine your accommodations.  Be sure to head on over to The Travel Belles and check out what the other Belles are saying.

I made tofu! Well, kinda...

Well, I suppose you can't really "make" tofu. But I did buy it at the grocery store and include in a dinner I made recently. I love Indian takeaway just a much as the next person, but sometimes I wish the dishes were not so heavy. This Creamy Spinach Curry fulfills all of my Indian at home criteria. I changed up the recipe and used Basmati Rice and two packages of chopped frozen spinach.

So now that I'm cooking with tofu and feeling more comfortable what should I make next. Any recommendations?

Creamy Spinach Curry

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons safflower oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1tablespoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 2 cups of water
• 2 Packages of frozen chopped spinach
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1/2 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt
• Cooked basmati rice, for serving
• 1 package (12 1/2 ounces) extra-firm tofu drained and cut into small cubes

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add curry powder & ginger; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add water; bring to a boil. Fill skillet with frozen spinach; cook until defrosted, 10 -12 minutes; season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer spinach until soft and liquid is mostly evaporated, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and gently stir in tofu and yogurt; serve over rice.

Adapted from Martha Stewart

In other news, Miss Minnie is not too happy with the fact that her vacation ended. My parents graciously look after her for us during our travels. And just like any good nana and pop pop they spoil her relentlessly - so for a couple weeks after any trip we are stuck with this face.

A face only a mother could love.