Well we can blame the fact that I haven't posted on one of two things. Either I have been busy and forgotten, or, I am just SUCH an awesome cook that I have not been able to decide what to post because I have sooo many wonderful options. I choose to believe the latter of the two.
Anyway, here is my peace offering. Hope you enjoy!!!

Zuppa Toscana
Okay I made this soup for dinner at a friend's house and seriously it is so good!!! It tastes almost identical to the zuppa toscana at Olive Garden which is divine! A lot of oil winds up settling on top and so I let it settle and then just drug a paper towel over the top to soak it up, that worked pretty well actually! Although I'm sure its not the most "food handlers permit" friendly.
CLICK ME!

Devild's Food with Strawberry Cream. (i.e. heaven)
This was what I made for a couple of birthdays this month and let me tell you... it. is. AMAZING. especially if you are as much of a chocolate lover as I am. I would suggest putting the cake in the refrigerator or even freezing it for a little bit (if you will have time for it to thaw before serving) before you frost it. Otherwise when you try to spread the frosting around the sides the cream goes with it =) enjoy!!

CAKE
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cup cake flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

FILLING
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1 pint strawberries, hulled, halved lengthwise

FROSTING
10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
3/4 cup sour cream, room temp
2 cups confectioners sugar

Directions:
CAKE
Heat oven to 350degrees F.
Coat 2 round 9" cake pans with nonstick spray or 3 round 8" cake pans.
Line bottoms with wax paper. (a springform works great to just line the bottom and then close the springform edge around tyhe wax paper.
In bowl, whisk sugar, flour, cocoa, soda and powder to blend.
Melt chocolate and butter 1 min. in microwave, stir to blend.
With mixer, beat buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and chocolate mixture into dry ingredients until blended. Beat 2 min. or until smooth.
Scrape into pans.
Bake 42 min. or until done.
Cool in pans 20 min. turn cakes out of pans, cool.
FILLING
Beat cream and sugar in bowl with mixer until stiff peaks form.
Place 1 layer on serving plate.
Spread on half the whipped cream to 1/2 inch of edge.
Top with concentric circles of strawberries.
Spread remaining cream over strawberries.
Top with second cake layer.
Refrigerate cake.
FROSTING
Melt chocolate and butter in glass bowl in microwave 2 min. or until chocolate is soft and shiny, stir until completely melted and smooth.
Fold in sour cream, gradually beat in confectioners sugar until smooth and shiny.
Spread cake with frosting.

Who you calling a dip!?

Looking for something to make for a crowd? share at a party? enjoy just for yourself!? Well, you've come to the right place. So without further ado... here's to dips!

Nut free Pesto
Ingredients:
3 garlic cloves
1/2 cup fresh basil
1/3 cup grated parmesan
1/3 cup olive oil (extra virgin please!!)
1 tsp salt, more to taste
1 lemon zest (grated)
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp freshly ground (or not, whatev) black pepper
(if you want to add some pine nuts you can, but don't call it nut free if you do!)

Mmmmm.... Is it just me or are olives just plain good!?
I love all kinds and colors and stuffed with anything! I love them sliced or diced or hey, even puree!

Olive Tapenade
Ingredients:
20 pitted Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
1 Tbsp rinsed, drained, and chopped capers
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp olive oil
Fresh cracked black pepper (to taste)
**Serve with water crackers or unsalted saltines to spread on.Combine everything in a food processor (I use my magic bullet!) Put it in a bowl and chill until ready to serve. Will keep for up to 2 weeks refrigerated.


Guilt Free Salsa from my mom - DELICIOUS and addictive =)

Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Ingredients:
2 16-oz. cans black beans
1 16 oz. can of corn
5 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 medium avocado, chopped (I usually put either one large one or two small ones because I love them!)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime
Hint of Lime Tortilla Chips

Drain the black beans and corn. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for the lime and chips. Toss to mix well.Before serving, squeeze the juice from one lime over the topServe with lime chips

After School Snacks

Its that time of year again when kids are going back to school, the weather is beginning to cool down, and people are wanting one thing.... snacks! So I decided for my first post I would give some fun ideas for snacks. Whether you have kids to entertain after school, all day long, or you're like me and you just like to have a good snack, these will be sure crowd pleasers. Enjoy!

Crunchy Monkey Peanut Butter Banana Sticks
soooo yummy, soooo easy, and even fun to eat...
Applesauce Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
truth be told I've had these for breakfast. They're delicious and healthy!
Fruit Kebobs
For an elegant twist to an older crowd, cut out the peanut butter and try dipping the fruit in different chocolates

And some "originals" (although I'm sure they've been done a hundred times...)
Sushi for kids!
just use any tortilla or wrap, roll it out and spread cream cheese over the whole thing, cover it with one layer of your choice of cold cut meat. Roll tight and cut it up into slices. Serve it with chopsticks for some added fun =)

Personal Pizzas
Always a hit! Whether you use bagels, english muffins, or tortillas, you can pile it high with sauce, cheese, and any toppings you like. Just put it under the broiler on high for a few minutes and you'll have pizza before you know it!

Dips!
of course the regulars will always be good... ranch, peanut butter, yogurt, etc. but try using a fun, easy fruit dip like the one below. Give your kids toothpicks or stemmed cherries to make it more appealing.
fruit dip:
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbs brown sugar