Cookies and Creme cupcakes

The finished Goods

The center of the goodness :)

My inspiration today was my deep love of Oreos..I adapted a few recipes I have found over the years to be very trusted to produce good cake and created my version of cookies and creme. I have been playing a bit more with pudding in the batter to produce a sturdy quality for layer cakes without sacrificing the moistness of the cake itself. I always use a simple syrup over the cakes to also help retain the moisture, in this case I used a simple syrup flavored with vanilla and brandy. depending on the cake I also love to flavor with honey or citrus to bring out the flavors...

For this cake you will need:

3/4 cup butter 
1 1/3 cup granulated sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup milk

1/4 cup cake batter Vodka(you can omit this if you choose and add more milk in its place)

1 small pkg Oreo pudding mix 
2 1/4 cup all purpose flour 
2 teaspoons baking powder 

Mix the butter with the sugar in a mixer until pale in color and fluffy, add the eggs one at a time until combined and then add the remaining wet ingredients. when mixed thoroughly add the remaining ingredients and mix until incorporated.

Line the baking cups with a Oreo cookie on the bottom of each liner and cover 2/3 of the way full with the batter. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 17-20 min depending on your oven, mine took 18 mins. when slightly cooled I saturated each cake with about a tsp of simple syrup and allowed to cool before frosting. 

For the frosting I used:

1/2 pkg cream cheese

1/4 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cocoa powder(for color mostly)

4-5 cups powdered sugar 

1/2 cup crushed Oreos

few tbsp milk

I mixed everything in the mixer till creamy and the consistency you prefer to work with. I like mine a little thicker to hold the shape of frosting and when I mixed the first time and added the Oreos in it took on a grayish color which I didn't like so much thus I added a bit of cocoa powder to give it a more appealing presentation and it worked beautifully.

Chile Cafe

I love starting my mornings with a BIG cup of java and over the last few years have been a coffee snob really only drinking it if I can french press it with fresh ground beans. If you haven't had coffee like that before you are in for a treat! Well a few weeks back my boyfriend was telling me about a coffee beverage he had at a coffee shop that incorporated some chile into it.. I asked him what else they put in it but he didn't know and they wouldn't tell. But it got me thinking about how I could make such a drink and decided to create a flavor of my own that had a little spice and richness and the result a delicious and metabolism revving start to the day..

my essentials: Coffee grinder, french press and electric kettle

Chile Cafe:

3 tbsp fresh ground coffee
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp chile powder
1 tsp cocoa
 dash of salt

Add all the ingredient to the french press then fill it up with hot but not boiling water( I use an electric kettle, its fast and so worth the investment) and steep for 5-8 min. I added some caramel vanilla creamer to mine to round out the flavors and that is plenty sweet for me but finish to your own preferences.


Have a fabulous morning!

Soba Noodle Soup

This soup always makes me happy on cold days such as today, not only is it packed full of veggies but it taste amazing and is filling. I created it one day when I was in the mood for noodle soup and started pulling things out of my fridge. As with most things I make it is usually never measured and always something a litle different about it each time I make it. Today's version will be with Tofu and Kale which I dont always use, sometimes I use shrimp and spinach other times it is just what I have on hand. Adapt this to your own taste and preferences to what you have available. I just love the spicy clean taste of it.

The Broth:

8 cups Chicken Broth 

2 tsp Chili Oil

4 tbsp Soy Sauce

1 tsp garlic chopped

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp ginger

1/2-1 tsp Crushed red peppers

Bring this all to a simmer over medium heat then add all the veggies you want, I added to this...

kale, chopped 

broccoli slaw

leeks

chopped onion

chopped celery

mushrooms

carrots

but truly what you add to it is purely what you enjoy eating...once the veggies cook down a bit 20-30 min add these last few ingredients: 

1 cup snow peas

1 bundle Soba Noodles

1 cup Tofu

2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp sweet rice wine vinegar( really make the flavors develop)

taste and adjust flavors to your liking, sometimes it might need more Chili oil or more sesame flavor or a touch more soy sauce. It is preference to what you like. I usually will simmer an additional 10-15 min to allow the noodles to soften and then serve and eat :) it also is delicious the next day as well...

Ceviche

Seriously does it get any better than Ceviche? low fat and delicious! this particular dish has become one of my fave go to meals while I endure the next 8 months of body transformation. I love it with and on everything! My boyfriend made me some recently and I damn near ate the entire bowl MYSELF. It really is a dish that requires no skill just good taste buds and a sharp knife. The key is to "cook" the shrimp (overnight preferably)in the citrus juices before adding the other ingredients, if you use precooked and or cook the shrimp beforehand you run the risk of having extra chewy shrimp versus the delicate flavor and texture of perfectly cooked shrimp. All the ingredients are subject to taste so add as little or as much of each as you like but always use the freshest ingredients and remember to let the flavors come together and chill in the fridge after assembly while you finish and refresh the margarita glass :) 




 Ceviche:

• 1 lb Shrimp raw and chopped 
• 6-8 fresh squeezed limes (you need enough juice to cover shrimp entirely) 
• 1 small white onion, chopped
• 2 cups roma tomatoes, chopped
• bunch of cilantro, chopped
• 1 small can jalapenos chopped (add vinegar juice into ceviche for more flavor)
• salt & pepper to taste
• chopped cucumber. optional
• diced avocado, optional

place shrimp in a large bowl and cover with the lime juice, making sure the shrimp is completely immersed in the juice. cover with plastic wrap and allow to chill the the fridge overnight until the meat cooks through and turns white and opague.Chop all other ingredients with a food chopper, knife or my personal fave my kitchenaid food processor. add to the shrimp mixture blend and refrigerate another hour or so then enjoy by itself, with corn chips or on whatever suits your fancy :)

My favorite is mixed with quinoa :)


ENJOY! 


Trish