Author Archives: Kristy Rhine

Irish Soda Bread

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On St. Patrick’s Day, wearing something green is usually as far as I go to celebrate this special day.

I took it one step further this year and made Irish Soda Bread.  This was so easy and delicious served warm…with butter of course!  Find Irish Soda Bread  recipe here.

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I also wanted to make something with the color green.  I made green mint/chocolate chip cookies.  If you like mint, then you will love these.  Same as above…delicious served warm! IMG_2760[1]

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M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies for Easter

Posted in Adventures in the Kitchen by

Just simple chocolate chip cookies with M&Ms.  Is there anything more delightful?

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Well maybe a bit more delightful if I add a glass of milk!

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Plain Vanilla

Posted in Adventures in the Kitchen, Uncategorized by

Vanilla is my signature flavor!  In my family I am the only one who wants white cake and vanilla buttercream icing for their birthday.  I secretly only want vanilla at Amy’s Ice-Cream or Lick Ice-Cream when there is obviously so many unique varieties and flavors to choose from.

Most people crave chocolate.  I crave vanilla. Sometimes I just need a piece of white cake.  The kind that you taste at your friend’s wedding.  I love biting into a moist cake with the strong flavor of vanilla and just the right amount of icing. YUM!

Below is a picture of a white cake with vanilla buttercream icing. I found this recipe on Pinterest.  I had to make it because it said it was “the best white cake recipe” ever!

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While this cake was good, it was not quite what I was looking for.  So I will continue to bake-on and let you know when I have found and perfected that one and only “White Cake”!

 

You can have your cake and eat it too!

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I love making lemon cakes and cookies in the summer, but when I saw a recipe for Lemon Blueberry cake today, I just had to make it!  It seems I am baking through Sally’s Baking Addiction Blog/Cookbook lately. I love all the details she gives not only in her actual recipe but in her photos as well.  Even an amateur like me can follow along!  If I can do it, you can do it!

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Find recipe here Lemon Blueberry Cake.  This recipe is from Sally’s Baking Addiction. I added a little more lemon and lemon zest to give it a little extra flavor.  This recipe will link you to her website as well for her full recipe. Enjoy!
Sally’s Baking Addiction: Irresistible Cookies, Cupcakes, and Desserts for Your Sweet-Tooth Fix

 

 

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

Posted in Books I Love by

I love when it’s cold outside and I am inside with a blanket, a warm drink and a good book! During the month of February, this would be expected.  However, since I live in Texas,  I will settle for warm and sunny outside with a cold glass of pink lemonade.

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I read a review online at The Book Review Directory. I saw that  The Good Girl was recommended highly and I was ready for something new to read.  It did take me a couple of chapters to really get into the book, but once I did, I enjoyed it and looked forward to reading each day.

IMG_2649[1]The author, Mary Kubica, tells about a young girl, Mia Dennett. She tells of her life before and after she was kidnapped. She shares various points of view, telling Mia’s story as seen by her mother and her kidnapper. The chapters switch from past and present,  which make for a more interesting read!  I downloaded on my kindle for $7.99.  It was worth the purchase! Let me know if you have read this book and if you have another great recommendation.

  The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

What starts with the letter C?

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Cookie starts with the letter C
Let’s think of other things that start with the letter C
Oh who cares about other things…C is for cookie, that’s good enough for me!
~Cookie Monster

I wanted to make something sweet for my girls at work on Friday.  Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies, so that was easy and I always have all the ingredients for these cookies in my kitchen. IMG_2503[1]

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When I find I also have the Ghirardelli white chocolate  chips and dark molasses, it only makes sense to make these wonderful cookies as well!  They were such a big hit last time I made them.

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You can find this recipe here. Click here for recipe  They are called Soft Baked White Chocolate Chip/Molasses Cookies. I discovered these from Sally’s Baking Blog.  I love her blog and her cookbooks!  I use my cookbooks all the time and they always seem to find a way into the background of my pictures of cookies and cupcakes!

Sally’s Baking Addiction: Irresistible Cookies, Cupcakes, and Desserts for Your Sweet-Tooth Fix
Sally’s Candy Addiction: Tasty Truffles, Fudges & Treats for Your Sweet-Tooth Fix

 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

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I make Chicken Tortilla Soup often.  I have a wonderful recipe that I have made for many years.  So when my hubby told me that while he does like my soup (and always eats plenty of it), that it wasn’t his favorite.

So I set out to find one he might like better.  I found one that looked appetizing at Cooking Classy.com.   (http://www.cookingclassy.com/)

I have found that anything I try from her cooking website always turns out to be a keeper. So while I will continue to look for other delicious tortilla soup recipes, this one I will make again for my family.  Try it for yourself.  Recipe is under SOUPS on my homepage.  Enjoy!

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http://www.cookingclassy.com/2014/12/slow-cooker-chicken-tortilla-soup-2/

Follow your heart

Posted in Adventures in the Kitchen by

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I have a few things I always make during February and sugar cookies are at the top of theIMG_2364[1] list.  So with my heart shape cookie cutter Wilton Metal Heart Cutter
I set out to try a new sugar cookie recipe.  I always, always, always make my moms recipe and it is, of course, the best!  But I found one recipe and it had almond extract added,  so I thought I would give it a try.

As I was making these I realized I had ran out of almond extract..so extra vanilla it was!

These cookies were very good and I even ate a couple without icing.  But I think I will stick to my mom’s recipe from now on!  It not only has a wonderful flavor and texture, it brings a heart full of memories with each batch!  Thanks Mom!!  And my hubby thanks you also!

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This icing is my Mom’s recipe that my sisters and I still use at Christmas.  Okay, well not just Christmas, anytime the occasion calls for a sugar cookie!  I have added the icing and the sugar cookie recipe on my website so you can try if you like. I hope you had a wonderful
Valentine’s Day!

Wilton Comfort Grip Heart Cutter

 

 

 

Valentines’ Day=Red Velvet Cake

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I love Red Velvet Cake.  However, it is hard to find a bakery that makes one just the way I like it.  I am finding it is even harder to find a recipe I can make at home!  I am on the hunt this Valentines for the perfect Red Velvet Cake!

 

So far I have found and tried two recipes.  One recipe was for red velvet cake and one was red velvet cookies.  The flavor was not as strong as I like in either one, but when I  shared with friends, they all loved it and said both were delicious! My husband thought the cake was one of my best as far as texture and moistness goes..so that is something!

While it was not exactly what I was looking for, I think it turned out pretty well.  The search will continue and I am certain I can find that Red Velvet Cake recipe that will be the one that I always go to!  I will let you know.  (recipe for both cookies and cake are under “something sweet”).

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Sprinkles are for winners.

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It is getting close to Valentine’s Day so it is time for the pretzels, white chocolate and SPRINKLES!  Sprinkles add a little something extra to everything!  YUM!

Wilton 710-6245 Valentine Nonpareils Sprinkles, Multicolor