Bagels

 

 I don't indulge in bagels very much.  It's a habit since I was pregnant with my second and on a diabetic diet.  They have huge amounts of carbs.   When I do buy them my kids gobble them up very fast.  

When I used to work across the street from a bagel joint, I regularly got either sesame seed or honey wheat.  So Why not make them together?  I used half Whole wheat in the recipe.

It has been a long time since I made bagels.  So long that I couldn't find my old recipe and had to make do with something new.    I didn't want to go with the two day version.  I'm all about immediate gratification.  I found this version on Allrecipes.  I don't have a bread machine I just used my mixer.

I had a problem in that I didn't use the right yeast I think I used instant and it rose too much before I got them in the pot. SO they ended up getting a little too wet.  When they baked they never really dried out in those spots and were kinda like biting into boiled dumpling.  They did however taste good and managed to get eaten all gone.

From my Heart to Yours

 

Cinnamon Rolls for Valentines

This is what I made my family for breakfast on Valentines day.   I needed to let they rise more but I was too busy getting ready for early church and forgot to take them out of the fridge earlier since I had made them the night before.  So they were not quite as fluffy and soft as they usually are.  But they are still super cute!

Just use your favorite cinnamon roll recipe and roll up from both sides to the middle.  When you place it on the pan, pinch the middle to form a heart.  Easy never looked so fun.

Top with your favorite cream cheese frosting and you will get lots of love in return.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Once again, my photography does not do this justice.

This is the last Zucchini Cake recipe you will ever need.  It's even better warm right out of the oven.  I got the recipe from King Arthur Flour.  They make some good recipes over there.  I used to always make Zucchini Brownies because the Cake recipe I had just wasn't what I wanted, very mild in the chocolate department compared to this. But now I may not make the brownies again.  This was made in honor of my 15th Anniversary.  Everyone was pleased, even my 6 year old who always thinks he wants cake and then never ends up eating it ended up eating almost a whole piece (big piece).

I left out a bit of oil and baking soda for my high altitude.  Also I used my frozen zucchini and lots of water is removed once it thaws so I think the cake was slightly more dry than  it might have been.  Although my test warm from the microwave was very moist.  (Do you think I was just going to let this sit out on my stove for me to gawk at all day and not be able to try a bite?  Nuh Uh!  Toss a cupcake size of batter in a bowl and microwave for about 40-60 seconds! )  Also instead of returning the chocolate chips to the oven I just cooked the cake the whole way then let them sit on top a few minutes to melt, then spread it around.   Note: the white lines on top are not pieces of zucchini, it's bits of "Happy Anniversary" that was on top in left over cream cheese frosting from cinnamon rolls that will be posted later.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Hugs and Kisses

 

Happy Valentines!

Valentines day isn't a holiday that has a lot of decorations for your home.  But I thought this hug and kiss a very cute addition.    

Lasagna

 

I thought I had already posted this but when I looked at my blog today, I found I hadn't.  Sorry the picture is so bad.  I have decided I really don't have what it takes to make a really good food blog.  But I want to keep trying at least, if nothing else a sort of recipe book.    

So this week I made Lasagna.  This is not something I make often.  I grew up with a sort of loathing of anything spaghetti-like.  However I learned to like good lasagna and sometimes spaghetti.  My Daughter LOVES spaghetti.  But she hates lasagna.  I think it's just a kid vs. casserole thing but I don't understand it.

I actually bought a frozen lasagna last year.  Because I had a coupon and it was on sale and I figured for one of those busy nights...  I won't make that mistake again.  Bleck.   

Although I do use packaged noodles, I really do prefer homemade.  The effort is worth it.  For this batch I was also lucky enough to have several of the ingredients from my own garden.  That makes it even better!  Tomatoes, basil, parsley, garlic