A Lovely Easter Lunch...A Little Late

I'm barely squeezing in posts for June! I apologize wholeheartedly!
Let's venture back to April, Easter weekend. My friend invited me over for a fabulous Easter lunch. Here's what we scarfed down...

I know, that ham looks phenomenal.

Soooo good.

Hooray! for May

Many May things to Hooray! for...

Hooray for...

Hiking

Freshly gathered eggs

Winning

Zombies...in China

Awards...for things I cannot explain

Hammocks

Graduations and a darn, good-lookin' family, if I do say so, muhself ;)

Chocolate cake...in a cup...made in the microwave...in less than 5 minutes.

Yes. It does exist! And oh goodness, is it GOOD.

I am definitely in for it. Oy vey. Apologies to my teeth and my waist line. And your teeth and your waist line.







Now, people, this is where you add some nice, cold ice cream to this piping hot treasure of a treat.

I am not a real big fan of the cold stuff, so I reached for this...

Yep, I went there with the moo-moo juice.

Holy yum.

Moist, Rich, Fudgy, Chocolate Cake in a Cup
adapted from Instructables

4 tbsp. all-purpose flour
4 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tbsp. milk
3 tbsp. oil
3 tbsp. chocolate chips (Or, whatev you find in your cupboard at the time! I used chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.)
splash of vanilla (totally forgot to add this, but it was still delish)
(The original recipe calls for eggs, BUT by omitting them, you get a fudgier cake.)

Combine all ingredients in a big coffee cup/mug. Place in microwave for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Take out. DEVOUR.

For My Not-So-Little Sister

My little sister turned 18 a little over three weeks ago. Crazy.
And now she has officially graduated from high school. Surreal.

I constantly find myself thinking how fast time has passed the last 18 years.
It literally feels like it was yesterday my dad called my brother and I from the hospital to tell us we had a new baby sister. My poor brother, who was hoping and praying for a little brother (apparently, I wasn't all that entertaining as a baby girl) thought my dad was joking..."Really, dad, what's my new baby brother's name?" I, on the other hand, would have been happy with a boy, girl, cat, dog, whatever, I was just ecstatic to have a new sibling.

Once a rough 'n tough tomboy (eh, she's still pretty tough), my sis has blossomed into a beautiful, young lady accomplishing so much in a matter of 18 years.
Happy Birthday and Graduation, Hannah Banana! Love you and proud of you so much. Thanks for being the little sister I look up to. :)

The whole "-4" thing dates back awhile ago. We were celebrating her birthday in Lawrence at my place and I was cheap smart and reused my birthday candles.

Moist Lemon Cake
adapted from Family Circle

1 lemon
3 c. flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 c. milk
6 oz. lemon yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 c. sugar
3 large eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line pans with waxed paper. Spray paper with cooking spray.
Zest lemon peel (about 2 tbsp). Juice lemon and set aside for frosting.
In medium sized bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a measuring cup, whisk together milk, yogurt and vanilla. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at at time, beating well after each.
On low speed, beat flour mixture into butter mixture in three additions, alternating with milk mixture. Beat well after each addition. Fold in zest. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
Bake layers at 350 for 35 minutes or until cake springs back when pressed lightly. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Carefully invert cake layers directly onto racks, remove and discard waxed paper and let layers cool completely.

Frosting

3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
16 oz. powdered sugar
2 tbsp. lemon juice
yellow food coloring (optional)
(Note-this recipe for frosting did not yield near enough. I will double the amount the next time I make it.)

Once layers are cool, beat butter, 1 cup of the confectioners' sugar, the reserved lemon juice (about 2 tablespoons) and 2 tablespoons in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in remaining confectioners' sugar until good spreading consistency. Tint with a few drops of food coloring, if desired. To frost cake, place one layer on a plate or stand. Spread top of layer with 1 cup frosting. Stack second cake layer on first and begin frosting side of cake. Continue around side of cake, then finish top, swirling decoratively. Serve immediately or refrigerate before slicing and serving.

Beads, Bourbon, Beignets, Oh My!

My best friends and I boarded a plane a week ago. Can you guess where we went? Here's a hint...

Nawlins', NOLA, New Orleans, whatever you call it, we headed south to the Big Easy.

Since this is a blog about food, I decided to document our meals.

First stop was Juan's Flying Burrito, suggested by our hostel's owner.

Such as cool restaurant! There are two located in New Orleans and we ate at the one located on Magazine street in the Garden district.

Fly dranks, anyone?

Salsa selection

KP got beef tacos...

And Carissa and I got burritos. I can't remember what exactly Carissa got, but it looked good.

I got the Veggie Punk loaded with potatoes, rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, guac, and sour cream. Mmm...these burritos definitely give these guys a run for their money.

The next day we headed over to the French quarter and Jackson Square, where we ate at the famous Cafe Du Monde.

Known for it's excellent cafe au lait (coffee) and beignets (French doughnuts) Cafe Du Monde is a hot tourist spot and always busy.

Bring on the beignets!

Delicious!

Later that night, we headed to Bourbon street and ate dessert at the Old Coffeepot Restaurant.

Carissa got the cheesecake, I got the bread pudding (yum) and KP got a caesar salad. (That's why I love her.)

Juan's was just so delicious, we headed back a second time the next day for a late lunch/early dinner. KP got the beef tacos (again), Carissa got the nachos...

and I got the Juaha roll.

Chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, jack cheese, and cream cheese wrapped in a spinach wrap. I do believe I will be making these myself, soon, very soon.

Our last full day was devoted to eating some true Cajun food. We headed back to Jackson square and stopped at the Market Cafe.

Outside seating and live jazz music can't be beat!

KP got the ham and cheese Po'Boy.

Carissa got the fried shrimp Po'Boy.

And I got the gumbo and fried alligator.

First bite of alligator...
Verdict: It's semi-true about it tasting like chicken, a little more chewier, but definitely a different taste towards the end, but awesome! I loved it!

We had a great time in New Orleans and didn't want to leave the 80 degree weather and Bourbon street, but this responsibility called, "school" was calling us back. We've decided this trip should be an annual thing with the three of us, so who knows where we'll go next year! Hooray for fun times with good friends!