MY NOT SO SPOOKY CUPCAKES

As part of the celebrations of Halloween my family and I wanted to try to make a dessert allusive to the activity but also fun.

My 6 year old daughter came up with that we could make cupcakes with pink frosting and decorations, excellent color for Halloween, so we put together some ingredients and ended up creating these delicious orange cupcakes.

This is a special recipe to spend a pleasant time with the family and allow the children to explore more in the kitchen.

INGREDIENTS

1 box of cake mix white
3 egg whites
1 cup orange juice
1 / 4 cup water
zest of 1 orange
1 / 3 cup vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).

In a bowl add the cake mix, orange zest, orange juice, egg whites and water.
Mix well until smooth.

Pour the mixture into a muffin pan lined with muffin paper.

Bake for 20 to 24 minutes, depending on each oven, remember that everyone is different.

Insert a toothpick in the center it comes out clean they are ready.

Let cool completely before decorating.

Yield 20 cupcakes.

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HOMEMADE BREAD PUDDING

Especially to enjoy with family, this recipe is very easy and delicious.

Ideal for afternoon coffee or breakfast.
Traditional in Costa Rican cuisine, and a favorite in almost the entire world.
I invite you to taste this delicious recipe that has been in my family for a long time.

INGREDIENTS

1 baguette
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter melted
2 eggs
3 cups nonfat milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon

DIRECTIONS


Cut bread into chunks and place in a bowl.
In another bowl mix milk, sugar, eggs, butter, cinnamon, vanilla and heavy cream.
Bring the mixture to the bread and let stand for 15 minutes.
Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

You can add raisins, candied fruit, or nuts if desired.

Once completely cool store in the refrigeration.

Enjoy it.

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MY CHICKEN SOUP

 A necessity in these rainy afternoons or early winter when all we want is to stay in bed in pajamas with a delicious soup.
But our history with this recipe is very different.
We love it for the cold wheather but is delicious and comforting when we are sick, is an excellent choice it fills us with energy and as my granny said there is no better medicine than this soup.
So enjoy.

INGREDIENTS


2 whole chicken breasts
8 medium potatoes in chunks
1 onion, into chunks
1 red pepper in chunks
2 bay leaves
2 cups cilantro, not minced
2 teaspoons garlic powder
6 cups water
8 eggs
1 package of angel hair pasta
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Put to cook the chicken in water with onion, red pepper, bay leaves, garlic powder, cilantro and potatoes about 45 minutes over medium heat.
Remove chicken and shred.
Add the eggs with the shell and let it cook for 5 minutes, during this time can also add the pasta.
Remove from heat and add the chicken.
Before serving, keep in mind to remove the egg shell.

Serve with toast and if you want you can add tabasco.

Serves 8 people.

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SNICKERDOODLES WITH A TWIST


This classic recipe, it became a favorite of my family when we add chocolate chips to the batter.
And it’s been a hit in any activity.

INGREDIENTS  

3/4 cups of sugar
1 1/3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1 stick of butter
1 egg
1 tablespoon of each white and dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Beat the sugar and the butter until creamy. Add the egg and the chocolate chips.
Combine in a bowl flour, cinnamon, cream of tartar, and baking soda.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until is completely combine.
Roll into 1-inch balls.
Place on a tray.

Bake for 10 minutes or until set.

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MY GRANNY COCONUT CAJETA

An original recipe from my beloved grandmother and I want to share with you.

I hope you enjoy them as much as me.

INGREDIENTS

2 cans of condensed milk
2 cups shredded coconut
2 sticks butter
1 / 4 teaspoon coconut extract
15 units of graham crackers
pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS

In a heavy bottomed pan heat the butter, condensed milk and coconut, stirring constantly for 15 minutes over medium heat until mixture is browned, add a pinch of salt and coconut extract.
Make crumbs with the cookies.
Remove from heat and add the cookies, bring back to the heat and let thicken about 15 minutes. Remember that during this process must move constantly.
Remove from heat.
We take teaspoons of the mixture and form balls, put them on parchment paper to cool completely.

From this recipe you get 62 cajetas.

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CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE

This recipe is a hit in my family, and believe it or not what I wanted to achieve was that my children ate mushrooms.
The flavor of the sauce is so delicious you will be surprised how quickly they finish the dish.

INGREDIENTS

4 chicken breasts, boneless skinless
1 medium onion, cut into julienne
2 cups sliced ​​mushrooms
1 cup chicken broth
1 / 2 cup heavy cream
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 / 8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 / 8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 / 2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 / 2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons oil
Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

Add salt and pepper to chicken breasts.
In a skillet, heat the oil and place the chicken, leave until golden, 5 minutes on each side.
Remove the chicken from the heat and in the same pan add the onion and mushrooms, they will cook for 8 minutes.
Followed add garlic, chicken broth, nutmeg, cinnamon, oregano and chicken seasoning (try the mix before adding salt).
Simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat.
Then add the heavy cream and chicken, cover, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes more.

Once ready, you can sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley.

Join this dish with couscous, rice, salad, mashed potatoes or pasta.

Serves 4 to 6 people.

Enjoy it.

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… A little about myself …

Born and raised in Costa Rica, my passion for cooking started when I was a kid watching my granny cook for us. Little by little she was teaching me some of her secrets and special recipes.  All those special moments I shared with her remain in my memory as the inspiration of my recipes.  Another big inspiration in my life was my father and every time I cook something he is in my mind as a reminder of how important and special is to cook for others.

My goal for this blog is to share with you a little bit of what I learned and my passion for food. Hoping to be a little influence on your own way to cook by giving you ideas and new flavors to experiment on the comfort of your home with your friends and family.

Cooking should never be overwhelming or frustrating, the more fun you have the better and that is what I want to bring here by bringing easy ways to do somehow complicated food. Hope you enjoy this journey as much as I do.

 

CHEESE BREAD

If you like corn bread, this will become one of your favorites too.
A little sweet and sour is perfect for any occasion.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups of pancake mix
1 1 / 2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
1 1 / 2 cup of sour milk.
2 eggs
1 stick of melted butter
1 cup of sugar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees Celsius).

Mix sour cream with eggs and butter.
In another bowl combine Parmesan cheese, sugar and pancake mix.
Incorporate the two mixtures and stir slowly until all is combined.
Transfer the mixture to a greased and floured pan, 8 x 8 in. or 20 x 20 cm.

Bake for 55 minutes.

Let it cool completely before unmolding.

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POTATOES WITH BACON

By joining two of the most popular ingredients that can be found in any country, I invite you to try this side dish.
It is truly a winning combination.

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds of small potatoes, cut in half
1 package of 12 ounces of bacon
4 whole garlic cloves
1 / 2 cup chopped cilantro
1 / 4 cup of water
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

In a pan over medium heat add the chopped bacon, leave for 5 minutes and add the garlic and potatoes, let cook for 5 minutes more.
Add salt and pepper and keep in mind that bacon contains salt and we do not want the meal very salty. Add water reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft in the center and the bacon crispy.
The ideal is that the potatoes are impregnated with the flavor of the bacon.

Sprinkle cilantro and serve.

This is an excellent side for meats.

Serves 6 people.

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