Sunday Supper - Chicken Pasta with Garlic Toast

Sunday for me is a day to unwind from the previous week,

and look forward to the next.

I like to make something simple, tasty, and pleasing.

So tonight I made pasta with garlic toast.

Who doesn't love pasta? :)

1lb Penne Pasta cooked, drained

1lb ground chicken breast

1 garlic clove minced

pinch of parsley

1 Jar of your favorite sauce

Fresh grated Parmesan, or mozzarella

Ground the chicken with the parsley and garlic clove.

Once fully cooked - browned,

cook for about 15 minutes with sauce.

Add the pasta to the meat sauce, and combine.

Garlic Toast

10 Garlic Cloves, minced

5 Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons Butter

pinch of dried basil

pinch of dried oregano

1/8 Teaspoon Sea Salt

Bread of choice sliced

Preheat oven to 400°

Cook all ingredients over medium-low fire

until garlic is slightly browned.

Place sliced bread on cookie sheet,

and spread garlic mixture on the bread.

Cook for about 10-15 minutes or until crunchy.

Black and White Cookies

Today I wanted something sweet, but not too time consuming.

So I deceided on Black and White Cookies :)

I found a recipe on Food.com
I did a little altering since

I didn't have a few ingredients on hand,

and it still came out yummy!

Cookie ingredients:

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/3 Milk mixed with 1/2 teaspoon Vinegar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

Icing:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon corn syrup

1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

2-4 tablespoons water (add more if too thick)

Add for chocolate:

1/4 cup cocoa powder

Sift together baking powder, salt, and flour. Set aside.

In mixer blend sugar and butter until well mixed.

Mix egg into butter mixture.

Add vanilla to milk vinegar mixture /buttermilk.

Alternate milk and flour mixture into the butter mixture.

Take a medium cookie scoop,

and place 6 cookies per sheet pan.

Bake 15 minutes or until tops are brown.

Let cool.

Mix together all icing ingredients, but not the cocoa.

Use half the mixture for the white side,

then blend the other half with the cocoa.

Frost the cookies flat side up :)

Ready to ice..

Close up :)

Ready for hungry tummies,

So tempting..

YUM!! :)

Starch please!

I love starch.. It makes me happy.

Pasta, potatoes, corn, rice, and please pass the bread!

Today I just wanted pasta, and more pasta!

Tri Color Pasta Salad

1 box Tri Color Pasta, rinsed and drained

1/2 box Wheat Pasta, rinsed and drained

1/2lb Roasted red peppers chopped, dried

1/2lb Mozzarella chopped, dried

6-8oz Sliced black olives, dried

1/3 cup Italian Dressing

Take the chopped Mozzarella, Peppers, and sliced olives

Add to the pasta

Mix together and add the dressing..

Enjoy :)

Tranquility

I've done a two tier cake, but I've never done a three tier!

Yesterday I made a "Tranquility Cake" for my mom and dad.

I know it was my birthday, but instead of making a cake

for myself I made one for them.

For all the birthdays I've missed, for all the holidays,

and every other precious moment.

Baking this cake just helped me feel more at peace.

It was only my second time with fondant, and I even made a Dove (something that represents my parents to me) out of Rice Krispies and Marshmallow.

My first time ever sculpting something, and it didn't turn out too bad!

I miss my parents more than anything, and I bake for a sense of peace.

I know when I'm baking that they're right there with me..

I love you both so very much..

Marshmallow Fondant

So I have always disliked the taste of fondant.

I figured I'd try Marshmallow Fondant, and honestly it's not so bad :)

It was pretty easy to work with, and took color really well.

For my first try I liked the outcome. Can't wait to try again! :)

Marshmallow Fondant

From Wilton

16 ounces mini marshmallows

2-5 tablespoons water

2lbs confectioners sugar

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

In a glass bowl combine 2 tablespoons water and the mini marshmallows.

I microwaved the marshmallows for about 1 1/2 minutes.

Place melted marshmallows into

stand mixer bowl that is lightly greased with shortening.

For this you'll want to use your dough hook.

Add about 3/4 of the sugar to the marshmallows on low speed to combine.

Once a ball forms start kneading on sugar dusted counter top.

-1/2 cup shortening is for counter top/dipping hands in if you choose to use it.

I did use it to cover my hands,

but I found that the powdered sugar worked better on the counter top

Make sure to knead for about 8 minutes.

If the fondant is too dry add a little bit of water,

in this case a little goes a long way.

Once you can feel that the fondant is smooth and not tearing rub the fondant with a little shortening and double wrap in plastic. It's best to let it sit overnight.

Next day you can knead and color as desired.