Buttermilk Syrup Time

Yes!  The one and only.. Let me remind you, it is calorie and fat free.. NOT! But, so worth it.  Now, my one and only son, Mark, actually put the power point together for a project.  I am BORROWING!   I'm working on trying to insert it somewhere/somehow. Umm..this could be a problem.  Sad to say, but it took my 10 year old to even show me how to blog.  So not my generation.

Buttermilk Syrup

2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup butter
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
2 Tbsp corn syrup
2 tsp vanilla
pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Combine sugar, butter, buttermilk and corn syrup, baking soda in a large saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes (continue to stir!) until all sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla (and cinnamon, if desired).  Best if served warm  Goes great on ice cream too.  Store left over in fridge...if there are any!

Now, this is not even close to maple syrup, which I miss.  My only brother, Dino, who lives back in New York..upstate of course, has like 106 acres of land.  Upon that beautiful piece of land are many maple trees. Hence, he tried his hand at the genuine stuff and WOW!  I love his maple syrup.  Hoping to get more this year but he fell off his ladder about 10 ft and hurt himself.  I am so happy is he alive..I talked to him tonight. But as far as syrup this year...no go.  But that's ok....I'd much rather have my brother here then the syrup.

Oh More Goodies to Share

Yes!  This is THE best scone recipe you will ever use.  Don't let the word SCONE scare you..they are so easy to make.  This recipe is so versatile.  ENJOY!!!

BASIC SCONES

2 c. all-purpose flour

1/3 c sugar

1 t. baking powder

½ t. baking soda

6 T. chilled butter, cut into pieces

¾ c. heavy cream

1 large egg yolk

1 t vanilla

2-3 T whole milk

3 T. sugar

1.        Preheat oven to 400ºF.

2.       Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.

3.       Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda into a bowl

4.       Add the butter pieces and work it into the dry ingredients with  a pastry blender until the mixture resemble small peas.

5.       In a separate bowl whisk together egg yolk, heavy cream and vanilla.

6.       Pour into the butter mixture, stirring continuously until the dough becomes sticky and everything is incorporated.

NOTE:  The KEY  is to handle the dough as little as possible!

7.       Press dough into a circle that is 1″ thick. Cut into wedges and place on baking sheet.

8.       At this point you can either brush the tops of each scone with milk and scatter with sugar or wait until after they are baked and drizzle a simple icing on it

9.       Bake for 20 minutes, or until edges are golden brown

Fun Concoctions to try:

Add any one of these at step 6

A.      Mini-Chocolate Chips with orange zest or extract is super. 

B.       Cinnamon chips

C.       Craisins and 1 tsp cinnamon

D.      Blueberries (fresh or frozen) with or without lemon zest

E.       Dried cherries

My Very First Post - Oh So Proud of ME!!!!

RECIPES, RECIPES, RECIPES! That is what I am all about.  Spending a day, even a week in a kitchen is THE most enjoyable & relaxing activity.  I am hoping to use this BLOG to share ME with the WORLD!

     Knowing who I am...I haven't quite figured out that yet, so it's hard to share.  But I do know I am a mother of six BEAUTIFUL children.  Yes! I did say SIX.  They are my life, joy, happiness, sadness, tranquility, stress.  One husband, it will be 24 years in July (2011).

My Family..Becca & Tyler's Wedding Day - Oct. 16, 2010
Left to Right:
Sarah, Me, Roger, Becca, Julia, Tyler, Mark, Mary, & Liz

I graduated from a fine University - though I never really stood on campus until graduation day.  Then I was pregnant with my third child, trucking around an almost one year old and a 2 year old.  But Utah State University is MY school...I am an AGGIE..true blue.  Anyway, I have a BS in  Accounting.

I am One of..........

I never really worked full-time after my 5th child was born.  I have always worked part-time and ran my own accounting business doing bookkeeping, payroll, & taxes.  Oh, I still do that.  Love my clients.  I have a lot of experience in different areas now - it's fun.

   Currently, as of today, I work for Central Bank Insurance Agency (dba Foote Insurance), RealtyNet Advisors, and Hotdocs.com - all in the field of accounting. Oh yes, my own business too.

   I have my "UPS" and my "DOWNS", but life still goes on..so I just try to stick with it. It isn't the road you travel, as I have been innovated by, but how you travel that road.  Makes sense.  I guess you can choose to be bitter by your ordeals or try your best to pull through and hope you gain strength and knowledge for the next ordeal.

   So in between kids, work, and working out at the gym..I actually find time to COOK & BAKE.  Here is a look at a few items...

Just your basic Nestles Toll House Cookie Bars cut out.  Then decorated with melted chocolates.  Nothing extravagant.  Fun to make, much more fun to SHARE!!!!(Which by the way, I love to do- share that it).

    

Becca & Tyler's Wedding cake - October 16, 2011

Wedding Cake..yes..a long tedious project. And has luck has it, the second layer didn't get placed right so the top layer "fell" slightly on the one side.  I was BROKEN HEARTED.  Oh! But the cake...white with lemon cream filling.  

    The mirror base just was so beautiful.  One person told me to use a window...but this..so much more FUN!  That second layer could use LESS flowers, but oh well!  It's over...time to MOOOOVE on..

These are one of my FAVORITE cookies - Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies.  I was frustrated because I couldn't get one from Subway..so I created my own.  SUBWAY!  Trust me...mine are so soft and yummy.  Hands down..mine are better.

I LOVE to make PIZZA!  MMMM...good.  Here is a GREAT pizza dough recipe:

Pizza Crust 

1 TB active dry yeast

4 Cups flour

1 1/2 cups warm water

1/2 cup olive oil

Cornmeal (i don't always use it)

2 tsp salt

Stir salt into warm water.  Add yeast and dissolve.  Set aside for 5 minutes.

Mix flour and cheese together.  Stir in yeast mixture and oil.  Mix well.  Turn dough out onto a well floured surface.  Knead 10 times until smooth.

Transfer to a greased bowl.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour.

Punch Down after it Rises, Let Sit for About 5 Minutes BEFORE using.

Preheat oven to 425° F.

Punch down dough and roll to 3/4 inch or thinner.  Brush with olive oil.

Lightly oil the pan and sprinkle with cornmeal.  Spread dough over pan.

Add desired toppings and bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Preparing the pan

Dough in pan

Sauce

You can even use this same recipe for bread sticks! I roll into ropes and cut. Brush with olive oil, then sprinkle with parsley or grated cheese or whatever! YUMMMMMMY. Then after they are baked, dip them in sauce. Ohhhhh!

Well enough for my first day of blogging, I have had a bunch of fun. Can't wait to share ...more recipes, more fun. Please feel to send me fun recipes or just contact me in general.