Pineapple Flower Cupcakes

I have a confession to make.

After refusing to have yet another social media account (facebook, google+, myyearbook, myspace) I heard of pinterest.

I didn’t really know what is was or how to use it. But I did know that for some odd reason not known to man, I just had to sign up.

And boy, I do not regret it.

If you don’t have any idea what pinterest is, it has pictures of weddings, styles, food, art, cars, car parts, hair styles, etc. Anything that you would normally look for on google images. But the difference between google and this…you can “pin” the pictures to your wall and get inspiration for decoration your house, getting a new wardrobe, or just admiring the very attractive male models and actors. You can see what your friend likes and get ideas for a birthday gift…without really asking. “Connect with others by using your interests”.

Now that we have that squared away…I found this great recipe using pinterest and I just had to share it (and the pictures I used in yesterday’s post…they came from pinterest).

Pineapple Cupcakes

1. First you have to make your cupcakes and frost them. Make chocolate, vanilla, yellow, green, whatever. Frost them with white frosting and set aside for later.

2. (Now for the good part) Take your pineapple, cut the top and the bottom off, and proceed to cut the rind off. If you have no idea how to cut one, I have no idea how to explain it. Maybe you could find out using pinterest (just kidding).

3. Now, if there is any leftover rind pieces on the pineapple, be sure to cut them off (or dig them out). Eating them ruins your pineapple eating experience.

4. Then, using a knife or a handy slicer tool, cut the fruit into very thin, almost see-through, slices. Lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 225 degrees for 30 minutes. After 30 min. is over, flip the slices onto the other side and bake another 30 minutes. The idea here is to dry them out.

5. When they are all shruken and dried out, take the slices and place them in cupcake tor muffin tin. The slices need to curve when placed in the tin, to look like a flower. Let them sit overnight in the pan (or just the whole day).

6. Take them out, slowly with little force, you do not want to break them. Take your cupcakes you made earlier and place them on top of the cupcakes. Serve. Enjoy.

*Instead of placing them on cupcakes, you can put them all on one cake..or top them on your ice cream.

So what do you guys think about the flowers? How about pinterest? Leave your interesting (or boring) comments.

 

Spring Treats for Springy People

Yesterday, if you didn’t hear, was National Chocolate Mint Day.

And apparently, almost everyday is some kind of celebratory, national day. Like Create a Vacume Day…or Be Humble Day.

Sort of silly. Right?

Well. You won’t be able to guess what day it is today (and no…we are not talking about President’s Day).

Today is Hoodie-Hoo Day (and I would like to point out that it is a copywrited “holiday”, so it is official).

I know what you’re thinking, heck I thought the same exact thing. What in the world is Hoodie-Hoo Day?

Hoodie-Hoo Day is a day to chase out winter and bring in spring. People who live in the northern hemisphere are sick of being stuck in the house with no warmth and good sunshine…so they go outside around noon, wave their hands over their heads…and say Hoodie-Hoo multiple times.

I don’t know about you guys but my first thought was “What kind of crazy birds do this?”

Google image search “Hoodie Hoo Day”.

And just to ease everyone’s mind, I do not believe this was made up by some magic witch cult. Apparently a few people created a lot of “National” holidays including Hoodie Hoo Day and even No Housework Day (which is in April, if you’re curious).

So instead of my neighbors calling the looney bin because someone (me) has been running around the street singing “Hoodie-Hoo”…I’m going to make a sweet spring treat to “show” winter that I am ready for spring.

Bird’s Nest Spring Treat

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 4-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 cups chow mein noodles
• 1 cup jelly beans or candy eggs

Directions:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and marshmallows until smooth, stirring occasionally. Add the peanut butter and chocolate chips; heat and stir for 2 minutes or until smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in chow mein noodles until well coated.
•    Divide into 12 mounds on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Using fingers, shape each into a nest; press an indentation in the center of nest. Fill each nest with three or four jelly beans or candy eggs. Cool and serve.

*If you want to go all out, make the nests a little bigger…and add a marshmallow peep. Voila. Completes the spring look.

Have a Hoodie-Hoo day!

Post Valentine’s Diet

What is the worst thing about Valentine’s Day?

The candy hangover.

I bet most of you, woke up super tired..and maybe with a headache. Obviously, candy isn’t so great for you.

So what can you do to make your body go back in tune?

That’s right, eat super healthy all day long (and don’t forget to do a little excersise).

Now what could you possibly eat for lunch or dinner tonight that deems healthy? (and no, pizza with veggies on it, doesn’t count).

How about Eggplant and Goat Cheese Bake?

Ingredients:

2 medium eggplants (about 1½ pounds)

Salt

1⅓ pounds tomatoes

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for frying

¼ cup whole almonds, finely chopped

14 whole basil leaves

¾ cup unbleached all-purpose flour

¾ pound semi-firm goat cheese

Directions:

1. Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Cut eggplant into ¼-inch-thick rounds and arrange in 1 layer on prepared pan. Lightly salt rounds, cover with a second sheet of parchment paper, and top with heavy pots to weigh down. Let sit at room temperature until liquid is released, about 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to boil. Add tomatoes and cook for 20 seconds. Drain and immediately run under cold water for 5 seconds. Peel, seed and dice tomatoes; place in a medium bowl.

3. Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add almonds and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Pour mixture over tomatoes. Tear 2 basil leaves, add to tomato mixture and stir to combine; set aside.

4. Heat oven to 350°.

5. Remove parchment paper from eggplant rounds and pat rounds dry with paper towels. Place flour in a shallow bowl. Fill a large skillet with ½ inch oil. Heat over medium-high heat. Working in batches, lightly coat both sides of eggplant with flour. Fry until golden on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

6. In an 8-x-12-inch baking dish, layer eggplant, tomato mixture and cheese, stacking layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese. Bake until heated through, about 25 minutes. Serve hot, garnished with remaining basil leaves.

 

Unbaked, Eggplant and Goat Cheese Bake

Yummy. Right?

So how healthy is it?

172 calories, 10 g fat, 284 mg potassium, 12% vitamin A

Now I know the eggplant is fried a bit, but you can grill it instead…it’ll just have a different flavor.

Enjoy :)