Monday, April 30, 2007

Banana Bread

Banana Bread with raisins, pecans, and hazelnuts.











Friday, April 27, 2007

It's scorchin!

Ahhh, I love this air. This warm air. The sun is finally shining down on us during the day. I was really missing the summer aroma. There is nothing more perfect than the Californian 80 degree weather. Yeah, we are in a desperate need of rain. But please, I sure am not. I may be a white skinned Mexican girl who can't tan for shit, but the the sunny rays are what I need the most. Gloomy days make me so depressed. Who don't they make depressed? You can do so much more things when the sun is out. And there is another excuse for me to go summer shopping! I need to fill my closet with cute skirts and shorts this year. I really need an update. There is so much clothing that I need to throw out. Or maybe send them to thrift stores, which will put them to better use.

Anyways. Enough of that. I've been looking through my recipe scrap books, and I've decided to set a challenge for myself. There are so many recipes that I still have yet to try. My excuse at the moment is time. But I can assure you once summer really rolls around, I will have plenty of it. I'm going to try to cook and bake something new each week. I have so many delicious recipes that I just can't wait to try out. But let me tell you, I will make this summer a cooking and baking extravaganza. Just you wait!

In the mean time. I still have some pictures that I need to edit. So look out for some goodies soon!

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

007: Diamonds are Forever

Well, well, well. Prom was last weekend. Over and done with. Getting ready for it was the frustrating part. I practically starved myself the whole day just for the occassion. My hair turned out nicely, so I was happy. To sum everything up, here are pictures...







Yes. You always have to take pictures of yourself right after you dolled yourself up.


























And that pretty much sums up the rest of my night.

Friday, April 20, 2007

4/20

Let's rolllll those budsssszzz, homie! 4/20!


Nah. I don't do that crap, so don't worry.


Prom is tomorrow, guys! I really don't know what to expect. And I can tell you I really don't feel all that ready yet. There is so much to do tomorrow, that you don't even know. To be honest with you, I'm not all that excited or looking forward to it. I went last year, and it wasn't all that great. Yeah, I know, it's Senior year ... but still. I almost didn't go. I don't have a date either, so my motivation to look pretty is really low. I will tell you this though, I can't wait for the food and the post prom stuff that will go down. Which reminds me, I got to charge my camera. I hope I remember to do that later on tonight.

I fucking hate this weather. I had to walk home in the rain today. No umbrella or jacket. How fucked up is that? Seriously. Had to get home quickly too, I have to leave to work in about 20 mins.

That's it for now folks.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Thai Sesame Noodles

Feeling in the mood for some Asian flavor?





You can buy the noodles already packed with the oriental spices. And you can also buy the packaged stir fry veggies in the frozen section of your supermarket. I like to saute the vegatables in Italien dressing to liven them up a bit. Very tasty indeed! We had grilled chicken left over from the weekend, so why not add it?

Monday, April 16, 2007

Let's take a stroll baby, and stop by at the diner!

Some of you may not know, but one of my aspirations/dreams is to open my own classic 50's Diner. Or maybe some sort of ice cream parlor with pastry sweets. Some of you may know that my spirit is stuck in that era, and I live my lifestyle different to others. I've always thought it would be neat to have a place like that of my own, were people could come in to hang and have a classic chocolate malt with their honey. But that's just what it is. A dream.

So speaking of diners, anyone going to catch Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the food network? My god. My stomach growled through out the whole episode last night. The classic American grub has got to be the best of all. It premieres on the 23rd if anyone wants to see it!

Now off of that. My spring break is over. Let me tell you that one week isn't enough. I dread going back to school after a break. I woke up late this morning, so I had like a quick rush 5 minute shower. No time to do my hair, which is the most important part in my mornings. When hair time is removed in my mornings, expect a pissed Jo.

I did get to enjoy some of my break time though. This past Friday I got the opportunity to see The Adicts for the first time. Let me tell you, it was by far the best show I've ever been to. They were at The Vault in Long Beach. I came back SO sore. I had only but 2 hours of sleep that night, since I had to wake up early the next morning for work. To top that off, I had another show the next night. I went to the Nekromantix's CD release show in Hollywood. I had a blast there, of course, like any other Nekromantix show. I was all bruised up, but no worries. I had a damn good time.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Strawberries GALORE!

There is one other good thing about living in California ....



Yes. Fresh anytime. My favorite fruit of all time, no doubt.

Now, what to do with a boxfull of strawberries?

I managed to get a hold of some sweet recipes. I made my own little twists in the end (like always), and came up with even better treats. I decided to make these delicious strawberry muffins. The original recipe was pretty plain with the taste, so I decided to add a notch of cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar. Which always does some good! And since I still have a bunch of strawberries in the fridge, I decided to try and go with a pie. I came across this recipe that was TO DIE FOR. I'll save that for the end. ;)


Strawberry Muffins


INGREDIENTS
  • canola oil (or corn oil)
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 1 3/4 cups of AP flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup chopped strawberries
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar



- Preheat oven to 375 F, grease muffin tins.



- Combine oil, milk, and egg. Beat slightly. In another bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Toss strawberries and stir. DO NOT USE BLENDER. You do not want to ruin the perfect little chopped strawberries. :)



- Pour in milk mixture and stir together. Fill the tins or cups half way. Bake for about 20-25 mins, or until tops bounce back from touch.

Viola!





Then garnish them anyway you want to.





And now ... last, but not least ....




Frozen Strawberry Margarita Pie



Let me tell you ... it was DELICIOUS. My two favorite things in the world, strawberries and margaritas. What is not to love?

INGREDIENTS

Crust
  • 2 cups of honey graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 5 tablespoons of butter
Filling
  • 1 lb of strawberries, halved (3 1/2 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lime zest
  • 4 tablespoons of tequila
  • 3 tablespoons of strawberry (or orange) flavored liqueur
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 (14 oz.) can of sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 1/2 cup chilled heavy cream

For crust -
- Stir together cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in bowl. Press mixture evenly in a 9 1/2 pie pan. Bake for 10 mins. Let cool on rack for 30 mins.

Filling -
- puree strawberries, lime zest, lime juice, milk, tequila, and liqueur in blender. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Beat cream at medium speed. Add cream to milk mixture in 4 batches and stir. Pour mixture to crust. Freeze for about 4 hrs. Let it cool for about 40 mins before serving, then re-freeze with plastic covering to put away for at least 3 days.

The original recipe asked for 2 tablespoons of tequila. But ... I wasn't feeling the taste, so I added more. You know me. ;)










Thursday, April 5, 2007

Busssyyyyy beeeee.

I have been extremely busy these past few days. I swear to god, high school is just getting so old for me. Work and all that comes with it. I am just counting the days until I walk down the stage and get my diploma. I am so ready for collage. I am so ready for a new environment. I look around the people here, and it just disgusts me (except my besties, of course). Why do people start following? As in the hopping-on-the-bandwagon kind of way. Lead your own fucking way! In trends and in everything. It just pisses me off that people no longer have their own space for originality. Stop asking me how I do my hair, because I'm not about to stop and teach you.

/end rant. I guess ..... ugh ...



WHAT? BETTY CROCKER MAKES CHAPSTICK?

Apparently so. What a find! The dollar section at Target .... is tight. ;)