Madelyn's Creation: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake

My daughter and I had an entire day to ourselves and I asked her what she wanted to do.  "I want to create something new for Cooking Creation!"  One of the greatest joys that I have experienced from this food blog is seeing my daughter get excited about cooking.  We went through the fridge and pantry to see what ingredients we had to work with and she came up with a plan.  After some brainstorming, she drew a picture in the living room, came back in the kitchen with her hat and apron on, and said, "I want to make chocolate cake with strawberries and strawberry-flavored jello."  We gathered the ingredients and went to work.  Chocolate cake wasn't quite enough - she wanted whole chocolate chips in it, too.  After the cake was done baking, we poked holes in it and poured some liquid jello on top so it could seep into the cake.  Yum!  We then chilled the cake in the fridge.  The last step was to top the cake with strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate syrup.  The results?  Amazing.  My little 8-year-old sous chef really has a knack for this baking stuff!  

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Bangers and Mash with Sweet Onion & Beer Gravy

My deep freezer is nearly bursting at the seams and I have been trying to slowly go through everything so that nothing goes to waste by the end of this year.  I decided to chip away at some of the sausage and make what has become one of my family's favorite comfort foods, bangers and mash.  Delicious browned sausage is laid upon a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, slathered in a sweet onion and beer gravy, and served with a side of peas.  Yum!  If you prefer a less sweet gravy, simply start with 1 tsp of the brown sugar and then add more, to taste.

What is one of your family's favorite comfort foods?  

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Garlic "Mashed" Cauliflower with Cheddar

Cauliflower is packed with many essential vitamins and minerals and it is also low in calories, low in saturated fat, and high in fiber.  It's definitely something that I have been trying to incorporate more frequently into my dinner rotation.  Though not technically "mashed" as the recipe name suggests, the cauliflower is first steamed or boiled and then pureed along with other ingredients into a creamy consistency.  You'll love this delicious, healthier alternative to mashed potatoes!  

Note:  Depending on the actual size of your cauliflower head, you may want to use more or less milk as indicated in the recipe.  Always start with less milk than you think because you can always add more later.

Low-Carb Diet:  You can easily substitute the milk for heavy cream for a low-carb version.  

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Oreo & Whiskey Milkshake

Conjure up the kid in you with some Oreos and milk but enjoy them as an adult, milkshake style with a little whiskey.  You deserve it!  Everything in moderation, of course.  

Note:  Baileys, rum and bourbon are also good substitutions for the whiskey.

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Twice-Baked Potatoes

We had cod with chipotle aioli sauce (recipe to come) for dinner tonight and I decided that twice-baked potatoes would make a perfect side.  Twice-baked potatoes are comforting, delicious and very forgiving.  If you prefer them creamier, add more milk.  If you prefer them cheesier, add more cheese.  Try adding sauteed onions or bacon.  Steamed vegetables make a wonderful addition, too.  They are basically a boatload of goodness that you can easily adjust to your taste.  My family loves these and I serve them pretty regularly as a side dish.

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Slow-Roasted Barbecue Beef Spare Ribs... Taking a Break

Have you done much grilling this summer?  So far, we've grilled ribs, shrimp, steak, chicken, sausage, burgers, corn, potatoes, and various veggies and fruits.  The other day, we grilled up some pretty delicious, sticky barbecue beef ribs for a cookout and they were a hit.  These are cooked low and slow in the oven, basted in beer, slathered in barbecue sauce, and then grilled to perfection!  

Note:  Spare ribs have less meat than short ribs, so plan for about 3 to 4 ribs per person if they are the main course.  

I'm going to be taking a week break from blogging starting this weekend to spend some quality, uninterrupted time with my family.  See you in a week!

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Chicken Stuffed with Garlicky Kale & Cheddar

There is a plethora of fresh kale from the garden and I decided to use some of it in a chicken dish for dinner last night.  This is one of my family's favorites.  The chicken is moist and tender, and the garlicky kale and cheddar stuffing is so good it's hard to believe it's healthy!  If kale isn't currently part of your diet, you should consider throwing it in the rotation because of its health benefits.  Kale is packed with nutrients and vitamins, is low in calories, is high in fiber, and has zero fat.  

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Crab Macaroni & Cheese with Ritz Cracker Topping

We finally have our first vacation planned out this year and are anxiously counting down the days until it's go time.  I can't wait to smell the salty ocean air, feel the hot sand between my toes, listen to the waves crashing, and indulge in some freshly caught seafood.  My longing for the ocean was the inspiration for this meal.  The succulent crab comes through beautifully but isn't overpowering and it adds a lovely texture.  You know you want to sink your fork into this decadent dish!  

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Blueberry Wheat Germ Smoothie

It's blueberry season!  Refresh yourself with this delicious, creamy blueberry smoothie.  Rich in vitamins and high in fiber - it makes for a great start to your day!  For a lower calorie version (185 calories), substitute 1 cup of the blueberries for 1 cup of ice.

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