Covered in Chocolate Bakery Shoppe

Journey from stovetop to table

2010-09-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

Artichoke, stir fry Alaskan fresh veggies ready to be plated, and easy fried chicken.

A fast easy dinner that can be cooked in 30minutes.

Boneless chicken breast (2 large whole one) slice lengthwise in half to make 4 slices. Take 1 cup corn flakes, 1/2 Italian bread crumbs, season with salt and pepper Toss in large plastic food saver bag - with rolling pin mashed corn flakes until size of bread crumbs - shake bag to mix all. Beat one egg with 2 tablespoons cold water in bowl ~ take chicken slices drag in egg mixture turning over 3 to 4 times per slice. Take each slice place in crumb bag and shake until coated. Place on a cookie sheet lined with foil sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in preheated oven of 425 degrees. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes (or until done).

Cleaned artichoke by taking off bottom layer of leaves, cut stem off at base DON'T throw away! Learned from Alton on TLC Food Network that the second tastiest part of the artichoke after the heart ~ is also the stem! Cut tips off leaves, place stem and whole artichoke in 2 quart cooking pot, cover artichoke with water up to 2/3th's, add two slices of butter, season with salt and pepper and garlic. Cover with lid then, Bring water to boil and cook 20 minutes total; (at every five minute mark turn artichoke upside down so steam also cooks the inside). Serve with Pat's dipping sauce.

Clean all veggies first. Take one yellow sweet pepper, one white onion, and one Portabella mushroom cut into large diced pieces, chopped 12 stalks of asparagus into 3rd's or 4th's depending on size and thickness of stalks. Stir fry in medium hot frying pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil when chicken has 5 minutes left for cooking.

Plate all and serve up to 4 guests.

Serve with your favorite beverage.

A Piece of Cake to all Grandparents

2010-09-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was Grandparents Day.

I officially do not have any grandchildren.

I do have a sweet 4 year old who does the honor's of calling me Grandma Pat. His mother at one time was my supervisor; she being many years younger than me but we became friends.

Since her marriage, and having a child; our bond has grown even more.

I love her and family dearly. Jerry Ray is my little heart of happiness. He is bright, handsome, eager to be your best friend in a flash, and hasn't met a stranger who isn't entertained by all he knows.

And he will tell you if your wrong about something in a flash also LOL!

On Saturday a card arrived wishing me and my guy Happy Grandparents Day. Let me tell ya - this ole meanie had tears in her eyes.

So to all who are officially Grandparents - I have to say it's a great place to be. And to us who are honorary Grandparents IT'S EVEN BETTER!

Thank you DeeDee for allowing me to be Jerry Ray's Grandma cause to be a part of your lives is a gift indeed! It is one I shall cherish with all of my heart.

Kitchen Love an affair to enjoy!

2010-09-07T20:26:00.000-07:00

I love gadgets of any type. If they make cooking easier I want it! For many years I only use a hand held electric beater.

I desired a stand mixer. I left little hints. Well okay HUGE hints I wanted a stand mixer. My eyes desired a Kitchen Aide Stand Mixer. They looked like they could handle anything I desired to mix up.

I heard they are work horses of the mixers. I grew jealous of those who own a stand mixer.

It seemed my guy's ears where full of wax when my hints became a daily adventure into the virtues of stand mixers.

My birthday came and went. Christmas came and went. Still no Kitchen Aide Mixer.

Then one day out of the blue my mother called. Now Mom retired at 65...but did not like being a home body so went back to work in the retail field for the last 15 years. She loves working - what can I say.

Anyhow the retail store that is a national chain was closing the store that she had worked part time at for the last 15 years. All stock had to go. The prices where unbelievable on many items.

My mother bless her heart got me my dream machine! Thank you so very much MOM!! It arrived in June. Carried by hand from St. Louis to Alaska by my younger sister on her first visit to Alaska.

OMG I now understand why they are the best!

My little beauty:

I have been enjoying my baking all the more! Whip cream is a breeze! My cake batters are amazing. And I have joy in my heart!

Coupon - Get yours while they are hot off the press

2010-08-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Refund will be via Paypal - applies only product Not Shipping if for mailing outside of
Anchorage, Alaska.

Spenard Farmers Market

2010-08-15T11:04:00.001-07:00

Until September 30th on Saturday is Spenard Farmers Market. Farmers and crafters together making it work in a style that is really awesome. A fun place for those of you in Anchorage to visit!

Alaskans I tell ya “Live for summers fresh veggies”

I know I over indulge in all the greens that I can. The only thing I have never really eaten all my life is peas. Don’t like that mushy taste. Love split pea soup…and I honestly make the world’s best Pea Soup.

A farmer was at his table yesterday and had a bag of what I thought fat green beans but after being told "no those are Sweet Pea’s" with a snicker and quick reply “I don’t like pea’s and I’ll pass on those” but his snapped a pod open for me and offered them to me to sample. Putting a little green ball in my mouth I was expecting the worse but was totally surprised.

I loved them ~ OMG so sweet! I will be making a soup or casserole with them for sure in the next couple of days.

I also got kale, zucchini, plus a bag of potatoes, and a new item to try out zucchini blossoms, along with those sweet peas and kohlrabi; which is a great chopped to add flavor to soups – it is nice fried also.

A healthy stew for you and oh so tasty! Kale Stew:

Cheesecake Brownie Dessert when one slice is never enough

2010-08-05T20:41:00.000-07:00

Today I met a handful of friends for lunch. One dear friend was in town visiting from Washington and we rarely get to see her and her husband. So those of us who don't work in the corporate rat race all got to spent a short but most wonderful time.

For fun I baked Cheesecake Brownie as a surprise for all. Tis one of my favorite desserts and only made for special occasions! My recipe makes an 8 1/2" round dessert. Eight Slices of pure delight!

A bottom layer of Rich chocolate brownie topped with fluffy cheesecake and then drizzled with white chocolate gauche. YUMMY!

Will be adding to the 1k shop for ordering! A small 4 slice cake, an 8 slice cake and a 10 slice cake. Available for hand delivery in the Anchorage area or mailed overnight express to all other US states.
Great for those birthday parties for those who have exotic taste buds or just a simple family get together.

Chocolate the new Frankenstein of Peanut Butter and Jelly

2010-08-02T13:52:00.000-07:00

Since summer is closing to an end here in Alaska, I can once again write, bake, eat, and dream about Gourmet Desserts!

Has been a whirlwind of a summer. Now its time to get ready for the new season!

Lots of flavors will be added this fall with several old favorites! Frankenstein comes alive in the new mouth watering delights such as Peanut Butter & Jelly Bites or Super Chunk Chocolate & Peanut Butter Bites: These two will electric-fry your taste buds!

Grand Re-opening of Covered in Chocolate Bakery at 1000markets will be in one week! New weekly contests & drawings for gifts.

PLUS ~~~ drum roll please...

CIC newsletter (totally new & it is filled with fun too!) ~ Just leave a comment with your email addy for the monthly news and tips on recipes, desserts, sales, and % off coupons!

Portage Glacier - A drive down Turnagain Arm

2010-05-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

On Monday we took a break from our crazy life in Anchorage and drove down Turnagain Arm to Portage Glacier.

Friends were driving up from Kenai. Plans where we would meet for a picnic lunch; catch up with life happenings and mainly enjoy the 'Breath Taking Beauty of Alaska'.

Even though the drive is only 1 1/2 hours from our house to Portage Glacier Center front doors we love stopping along Turnagain Arm to take in all the beauty of the mountains, the inlet, and especially handsome guys with their best friend.

It was windy along the arm and Miss Patches does not like wind Nor having her hair blown...she wanted back in the car!

Driving along a scenic view such as Turnagain Arm can be very distracting...one can not stop every 100 yards as I wish I could to take pictures of what caught my eye. Glacier run off and snow runoff along the mountain side of the drive was amazing! We must have passed at least 50 waterfalls. Several are there all summer long - So next month's drive WE do plan on stopping to get those photos!

<----- This happens to be one of my favorite mini stopping areas

Another car had stopped at the same time - a couple about the same ages as us - we all said "isn't it beautiful today! And that we are the luckiest folks in the world to live in Alaska. And to be surround by sites such as this!"

As we passed Girdwood I wanted to stop at the bakery but we decided that would be best at the end of the day and drive home!

I'll be posting more pictures all week long...slow and easy just as our Day Trip!

Demon Slayer in Training

2010-05-08T12:17:00.000-07:00

I've always heard God never gives you more than you can handle. Sometimes I think God likes to mess with folks in ways that boggles one's mind. God gives them a bucketful of things to handle and then sits back & laughs as we juggle it all.

Not that I'm complaining ~ I learned to juggle very young.

Right now life is a mixture of fun and tragedy. So to overcome tragedy I have decided life needed cheering. The best way to cheer life up is "fresh paint and make over one's humble nest".

We have a small cottage style home. Tiny and just perfect for two old folks. Ha Ha he is old - I'm still a Spring Chicken!

Any how I decided since God is being a bit of a jouster at this time we needed color. Bright Colors!

I've always wanted a red kitchen. Well actually any room could be red in my humble opinion but never was brave enough. As a recent demon slayer in training ~ I marched down to Lowe's Home Improvement Center returning home with cans of Red, Yellow, Blue and Ultra Bright White paint to redo the two main rooms in our tiny cottage.

On Wednesday I started my quest. White first for ceiling, pantry hallway, and one wall in kitchen. Then I did the Red wall. Thursday I did the Yellow wall. The kitchen is Finally my dream come true. Even with cabinets that are the original ones from when the house was built in 1959 I must brag it looks FANTASTIC!

Now I have no excuse not to be inspired to cook awesome Delicious meals, plus wonderful Gourmet desserts!

Now on to the living room that will be Navy Blue and White. Stay tuned for the adventure of Living In Color with the Demon Slayer in Training of Boring beige walls.

Yam It Up

2010-04-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

Soup of any kind is one of my favorite quick and easy meals to plan and create.

Leeks are fast cooking and bring a wonderful flavor to any meal. After a friend and her children visited the other day; I decided to just do soup for dinner and wanted something fairly fast. I had already had my leeks sliced, and had been in a water/salt rinse for over two hours.

All I had to do was cook them. Taking the sliced leeks out of the rinse bath and then running fresh water again over them, they were tossed in the soup pot with butter, spices and one frozen cube of chicken stock plus 4 cups water. Within 40 minutes dinner was just about ready. Wanting more color I decided to add one yam. Peeled it, then sliced and diced into small cubes to cook quickly.

Ta Da: Yam it up Leek Soup ~

Rounding out the meal a new bread I have discovered ~ I visit Carr's grocery store on Dimond and Jewel Lake every few months...had been there the day before and had picked up fresh baked mini loaf of bread: Black Pepper/Blue Cheese. This mini loaf is unbelievable delicious!

All I can say is "Perfection!"

Eating Bitefuls of Sawdust

2010-04-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

Ever eat a item so dry it felt like sawdust? Croutons remind me of sawdust, even when one pours a liquid dressing on top of those crunchy bits my mouth sends a message to my brain 'sawdust'.

We are a house divided on croutons. My guy really enjoys them, I don't. So I will purchase a bag of different types for his eating pleasure with his salads. Usually though, they sit in the pantry forgotten and then tossed in trash after determining that they have been in the pantry past the expiration date.

I'm also a person who likes my bread lightly browned when toasted but not tortured on both sides turning that slice into a rock; a slight crunch on top with a wonderful softness of the fluffy cooked dough is the type of toasted bread I enjoy.

Today's Gourmet Sweet Treat picture is: Pecan Cookie Bars (before slicing & cutting bars)

Nightmares and Dreams

2010-04-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

Running a business online can be a bit nightmarish. Lost packages, Paypal not adding tax, down servers, and cancellation before final checkout on that selling site.

Most often everything runs smoothly! I've found selling online to be fun and exciting. I have friends across the globe, I have fans of my Art in countries I've long to visit, I've received notes from folks in different countries wishing they could purchase my Gourmet Treats.

In real life business folks will walk in the door looking for a certain item to purchase, walk up to register with item, pay and leave. Many times folks will chat a bit before leaving the register and a brief but steady friendship develops as they return for more purchases.

Many folks love to window shop and dream of things to purchase when the right time ~ they have bookmarked that special item in their storage area of their brain, I do that quite often. I have a whole inventory ready at hand for when I have the space and money available for my purchases.

I firmly believe we should follow our dreams to success in any venture that one desires. In the coming weeks I'm going to be exploring more of that. The time for me to follow a dream is at hand. I have found a charming cottage in the business district of the city I live for rent. Before ones jumps into burning fire one must know the risks involved. This week will be busy doing follow up with various City departments to gather the proper information for a budding business.

Stay tune as I dream and focus on life goals.

A Little Cocktail to Go

2010-04-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

In Anchorage is a family that at one time owned 3 different sites under the name La Mex. Totally awesome Mexican food I shall add!

The oldest Location is on Spenard Road, one was on 6th Ave downtown (now closed for last several years and has been changed into some nightclub) and then they have a location on King Ave - just off Dimond Blvd.

On facebook La Mex has been running a daily contest "Win a Free Lunch" as they celebrate Cinco De Mayo which is May 5th, with a photo of a different margarita flavor for 30 days.

I seldom will enter a contest - in fact I think in my lifetime I have entered a handful. I did enter this one because I love the food. Well I'm happy to report I now am the proud winner of a free lunch! My first ever:

"I WON ANYTHING!"

We will be going next week to have lunch and I'm even going to have a frozen strawberry margarita to go with my lunch!

I plan on wearing a Cocktail Hat as my claim to fame!

Unsprung by the Snow Gods

2010-04-14T12:52:00.000-07:00

This morning Anchorage awoke to a fresh blanket of snow. Wow the weather station was actually correct in the forecast! Thanks Jackie ~ please bring back the SUN!

Many of you outside Alaska may be thinking...Hey it's Alaska It Snows...wrong by mid April it should be melting not snowing LOL! We Alaskan's want to see green by April and May have our tree's starting to bud.

So for the record an official photo of the day "April 14, 2010 Six inches of snow at 9am"

As I mentioned yesterday my adventure of Pantry organizing ~ a glance onto a shelf of things we use. My guy loves corn nuts...I personally can't stand them terribly salty and rock hard! If I'm going to be bad and eat lots of salt Give me Potato Chips. As I look at my photo I'm so glad everything is not in alphabetical order ~ at least it shows a am a tad relaxed when organizing.

P.S. another note: when I use a can good for cooking, I do rinse the veggies in fresh running cold water before use to rid them from most of the salt. Although many company's are now selling low salt or no salt canned goods ~ so I do purchase those when available!

Spring Cleaning and Renewing Life

2010-04-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

Snow is melting in Anchorage, spring is in the air! After a brief vacation from writing and recipe testing I am happy to say:

I'm BACK!

I'm also very happy to see Blogger has new templates and designs easily available for changing up our blogs. Oh baby I love tomatoes! Which is now my background, makes this old momma look hot!

I've cleaned out my pantry, rearranged shelves, and got the approval from my sweetie even he knows where things are again. Over the winter that pantry became a black hole of me saying "Where is it? I know I put that in here last shopping trip!"

Today I made up a dish of homemade Hummus. I know it's easier just to walk into the grocery store grab a small container but it's so much more fun to experiment with different beans and seasonings.

'Just barely Garlic Hummus' was is my recipe for today!

Beer, Cocktails and me

2010-02-21T11:38:00.000-08:00

It is seldom that we drink beer. It's not one of those items I ever liked...I grew up in a city that had two breweries. Most of my family enjoys a good beer; I was the outcast.

Cooking with beer is a new experience for me but heard others talking about the different beers they have used in Sweet Desserts and I had to try in some of my creations.

Alaska is a budding community of brewers! I must admit I was drawn to the label on the ones that I chose to try out. From a brewery down in Juneau, and they do like 5 types and I selected 3 with the help of the sales clerk in the liquor store. Alaska groceries stores do not sell any liquor, its found in a separate store. Most are located right next door to the grocery store, or in mini malls.

The smoked porter was very heavy and dark -tried it in a beer cheese broccoli soup and it didn't work in fact was a total mistake; the soup turned an awful brown LOL and cheese soup as we all know is a pretty yellow and since I had added the whole bottle the flavor was overwhelming - I had to toss the soup...maybe a lamb stew it would be better - needs a heavy meat to go with - next adventure in beer I will do lamb for sure I really believe it will be the perfect match!

The Winter I totally enjoyed - I was really surprised super great flavor, we liked it so much it didn't even get to be tested in any item for cooking LOL and I have to say I've never drank a whole beer until this one - we had it with mild white fish and went very well with the total dinner!

We have not opened the White yet...I'm making enchiladas today for dinner with pulled beef so I will stir in a 1/2 cup into the meat mixture and save the rest for drinking with dinner. We are looking forward to this. And will make for another post.

The past week I've worked on various things...getting ready for several juried Art Shows, sewing up a few new Cocktail Hats that I been trying to fit into the schedule; plus planning on activities I will be attending for Fur Rondy which starts next week. I love this little Cocktail number:

If your a follower and live in Anchorage: I have a photo entered into the Fur Rondy Photo Contest that is held at Sears Mall:

This handsome guy is my little guy I mention every now and then! He is as close as a grandchild I'm ever going to have. I'm Grandma Pat to him and that makes my heart sing let me tell ya! On this day we were down at Ship Creek looking for salmon and within 3 seconds of walking on the boardwalk (don't read the rest Little guys mom) but stepped in gum warmed by the sun Grrrrrr...his exact words where GRAMDMAA PAT I STEEPED IN GOMMMM! I don't chew gum, totally dislike seeing folks chew their cuds with it and think those who just spit it out where ever should be hung by their thumbs over boiling oil with snapping sharks. The picture keeps one guessing to what he is up to... it was snapped just before his announcement and yes we did clean off the gum.

Monster Attacks ~ Slain in Kitchen

2010-02-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

What to do when the monster attacks?

Bake!

I tried to do productive things today...all failed or without much success - being an A personality this was Not Acceptable!

So I turned to my trusty oven and pantry filled with all sorts of treasures.

Bam....Bam in no time at all ~

Mouth Watering Cookies!

We have White Chocolate chip cookies

Then Chocolate White Mocha White Chip cookies

And Coconut White Chocolate Chip cookies.

My recipe bakes up 3 dozen cookies so I just divided the basic mix into 3 bowls and added either cocoa or coconut flakes.

Covered in Chocolate is working on her "Wild & Crazy Alaskan Baking Recipes" cookbook otherwise this would be a wonderful recipe to share but not today!

Ice Carving and Winter Festivals

2010-02-06T16:08:00.000-08:00

In many cities that have a long winter ~ artist of different hues make the most of temps that freezes one’s breath.

Anchorage each winter has Ice Carving Challenges, Snow carving Contests, and Dog Sled Races. All are wonderful celebrations for winter.

Downtown Anchorage has Town Square where the Ice Carving Challenge takes place. For those of us whose passion is photography it’s a challenge for Ice to appear in our photographs.

Day time vs night time shots bring about different area of concerns. Lighting being the main factor; for even experienced photographers.

As with any medium the artist at times can take liberties that admirers can overlook. Or creates a piece that leaves one wondering to what it could be.

Each year the ice carving artists visit from various states and even countries. Each year my guy and I head over to see theme of that peculiar year.

This Year the Ice Carving are truly wonderful. Various themes each created with the joy of using Ice. I can only say the carvers outdid themselves this year.

A dear friend of ours enters the GCI Snow Carving Contest for Fur Rondy,

http://www.furrondy.net/

a winter tradition since fur trapping days of early Gold Miners of the mid to late 1800's.

Guy always finishes in the top 4 for snow carving! I can’t wait to see this year’s entry by him and his wife. And as always I’ll be posting some fun photo’s to share to those of you who live in those southern sunny beach areas.

Scout Em' Down Soup

2010-01-31T18:56:00.000-08:00

Saturday’s dinner I fixed a small pork roast, rice, mixed veggies, a tomato onion cucumber salad, plus brown pork gravy; along with applesauce and a tangerine.

Today as most Sundays I don’t want to spend all day cooking because it has turned into a day of doing things in my craft room ~ so

Last night’s left over’s turned into soup.

White Bean Scout Em’ Down Soup

(cause sometimes

you have to scramble

to find some ingredients)

Chop the port roast into small bite size cubes

Mix the left over gravy and 2 cups water toss in large cooking pot

Stir in rice plus bite size pieces of pork. Plus two teaspoons of Worcesterhire Sauce (I use the Thick Classic) Next:

Dice one stalk of celery into very fine pieces & Slice & dice two garlic cloves ~ add both to pot.

Measure out Two tablespoons of dried onions (Walmart sells at 68 cents a bottle and can’t be beat for price) and add to pot.
Toss one handful of frozen Sweet Pepper slices into pot. I always have a bag of frozen sweet peppers on hand. Taste just as good as fresh and it saves time when using for soups or stir fry, since they already sliced into small pieces for me!

Add additional seasoning to taste. I added one teaspoon of “McCormick’s Grill Mates”:

Spicy Montreal Steak

Add one can of White beans to mixture

Cook on medium heat on stove for 30 to 40 minutes! Stir occasionally so that nothing sticks to bottom of pot And dinner is ready in no time at all!

Serves 4 or 2 very hungry peeps

Add a croissant for each person plus a small plate full of red grapes and tangerine slices

A perfect quick Sunday Night Dinner

Hats Off To Isaac Asimov

2010-01-27T13:46:00.000-08:00

'The day you stop learning is the day you begin decaying, and then you are no longer a human being'
*Isaac Asimov

I try to practice this as much as possible. Sometimes wrapping my head around a new thing is daunting but well worth the experience!

For me trying out new methods of sewing, baking, photography are just a few ways for learning to increase my "human" status.

A few of my newest creations:

Since I have returned to my sewing roots and selling my creations at 1000Markets and Etsy I can only say "Millinery is available for purchase".

'Let Them Eat Cake'

2010-01-22T13:17:00.000-08:00

In a household of only two people cooking recipes for 12 or even 6 becomes a challenge of what to do with the excess. There is only so much room in our small freezer which is the top portion of the refrigerator. In many recipes one can divide the recipe so that one does not have huge amounts that are left over.

Since the majority of my testing recipes are desserts; Well…

I send many of my trials to preselected testing folks to eat ~ as a shop who sells sweets it is really hard not to eat everything I bake. But the saying goes ‘after awhile you don’t want to eat cake anymore’. Now I can tell within one or two bites of a sample if it is wonderful or not. If it makes my approval it goes to the testers.

This weekend I’m meeting several dear friends for lunch and as a surprise for Valentine’s Day I baked up a few tasty treats!

Brownie Cheesecake:

This serves 12 folks very easily. As with any cheesecake following the directions are the key to success!

I also always recommend using the best ingredients. It does not pay to scrimp on flavor or taste. Plus the end result will be well worth the smiles you receive when folks bite into your tasty meal or dessert!

One word describes this tasty morsel:

Beautiful!

Drooling Not Allowed or is it?

2010-01-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

My sweetie pie was going with a friend down to Girdwood and Portage Glacier to visit some friends who work at both places and spend the afternoon out of my hair. What a better way to celebrate than a day alone to do things I like SO:

Instead of sewing I decided ~ Today was a baking day for home and family members who sometimes get special desserts because I love testing out new things!

Father in law who lives in Mill Valley was going to be treated to cookies and muffins; totally new recipes I wanted to test out.

After gathering up all basic supplies for the different recipes, I got my cookbook out and read once again over each recipe I wanted to experiment with for my tasty treats.

I choose a Pecan Cookie Bar, plus Raspberry Muffins, and Carrot Cilantro Muffins. All items I had not made before and was excited to try out!

Starting with the Pecan Cookie Bars, I followed the recipe and my mouth watered as they baked. When the time was up they look heavenly! The aroma was driving me crazy it filled the house with vanilla and that wonderful smell only cookies give a home! Since they even look like Pecan Pie I was thrilled – One of my favorite pies and rarely get since the mister is not a fan of pecan pie LOL.

I then proceeded to the muffins. Both recipes had the same basics and cooking time so I thought I would whip up the basic dough then divide and add the different main ingredients of carrots/cilantro and the raspberries for the other.

I quickly measured everything out for the dry ingredients. Using the blender to grade the carrots, I hand chopped the fresh cilantro. I mixed the two into one bowl and set aside. Measured the raspberries and set aside.

Adding the eggs and buttermilk to the dry ingredients I was happy with the texture and it even looked yummy. So I divided the dough in half and mixed each half with my different additives.

Baking for the desired time since I was making king size muffins I had to experiment with actual time…recipe called for 20 minutes for normal size muffins; it ended being an additional ten minutes for the king size.

Oh my ~ the kitchen is filled with aroma’s that are so delightful I wish you could all sit at the counter and take deep breaths in of fresh baked goodies!

I put butter on the Carrot Cilantro muffin OMG yummie! The Raspberry muffin needed nothing! It was sweet from the fruit.

Now I just have to decide if drooling is permitted

Amaretto - Its Not Just 4 Drinking!

2010-01-10T17:08:00.000-08:00

I don't drink very often. I do enjoy a shot of Amaretto once in awhile, a glass of good wine, or a splash of Kahlua in French Roast Coffee. Rare treats these days and to be enjoy for special occasions.

But for cooking it’s another whole adventure! Many of my stews have 1/4 or 1/2 cup of wine for an ingredient, have even tried Vodka, and for baking sweet treats; Rum and Amaretto my personal favorites in cakes and cookies.

Wine reduced brings out flavors in many cooked dishes. The alcohol is cooked out but the flavor left enhances any dishes that the chef may have added to a boiling pot or batter of dough.

Today I baked my Amaretto Silk Almond with Chocolate Frosting Sandwich Cookies and a new Crockpot Stew I'm testing out - I'm naming it 'Sunday Gone Crazy'.

In these cookies is 1/4 cup of Amaretto My recipe makes 3 dozen cookies. So the amount of Amaretto is very small per cookie but adds a delightful taste.

Sunday Gone Wild Crockpot Stew:

1/2 pound sirloin round steak

2 medium sized potatoes

one white onion

1 cup fresh whole mushroom tops

1/4 frozen corn

1/2 cup frozen cauliflower (I used green & purple cauliflower from my Farmers Market I purchased in late September and froze)

1/2 cup frozen Brussels sprouts

1/2 red sweet pepper

1/2 yellow sweet pepper

3 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons Olive Oil

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Pepper

1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

1/4 teaspoon Celery Salt

1/2 teaspoon Dill Weed

1/2 teaspoon Ginger

Slice meat into 1/4 inch strips, slice onion and sweet peppers. Heat frying pan on med high. Add the olive oil to pan. Add meat season with the above seasoning until brown on all sides. Stirring often. Add onion and peppers; cook till onion starts to turn translucent. Place all in crock pot on high. Cut potatoes into 1 inch chunks. Toss in hot frying pan with butter & brown potatoes wedges on one side. Season with all the seasoning to your own taste. Add to crock pot with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on high for 3 hours.

Serves 4 - Salad, Cheesy Breadsticks will round out the dinner! Serve with a glass of white wine of your choice.

Wrapping It Up - Blondies Grow Up!

2010-01-05T13:30:00.000-08:00

As a baker the major concern for any of my treats is Wrapping them Up!

I want everyone to see the beauty of the treat, know instantly what the product is, and drool about the treat! I also want to include something that is memorable ~ isn't that the goal of every business owner.

I've developed new labels for my "Treats in Jars" and now developing new ways to label my baked goods but with a way so that you can take the label with you and use in other ways.

Tis boring to stick a label on the food safe cello pack. After the treat is eaten - its tossed away.

Now with my sweet Tags you can use over and over. As a bookmark for that newest paperback, or to put in your own cookbook to remember to visit my blog to get new ideas plus recipes for cooking and baking! Even to visit one of my shops! Or you can wrap up you own little gift to someone by ordering a package of my Tags that will be available soon and sold at either of my Covered in Chocolate Shops!

http://CoveredinChocolate.1000markets.com

or

http://CoveredinChocolate.etsy.com

Blondie Brownies All Grown Up:

Cupcakes Gone Wild ~ Lemon Coriander Vanilla or German Chocolate

2009-12-30T22:42:00.000-08:00

Oh how I love testing day! New recipes get me all excited in a way nothing else can.

Tasting different new treats makes my mouth water at times !

These Lemon Coriander Cupcakes will definately make ones mouth water with the sweet and sour flavors that tease a normally sane person into eating two!

Owning about 20 recipe books you could say I have a small passion. But my weekly visits to the library bringing home the allotted 11 books at times is enough to break my arms they are so heavy! Depending on my mood the cookbooks could be just about cakes, or just about candy, or only certain ethnic foods.

To me each and any cookbook is a treasure to behold.

Then taking a recipe and changing it up so that you are not infringing on someone prize is another whole task.

In this day and age very few recipes are truly unique and original. Just walk in any bookstore or library and view the Hundreds if not thousands of books using flour, eggs, and sugar.

We all like to pride ourselves that we came up with the newest & best theory but in baking and cooking there just are so many ingredients and certain ones are the basics to any recipe and then you can add to them. Its like being a mad scientist.

Its totally fun and intoxicating.

Easy Cheesy Chili

2009-12-17T15:24:00.000-08:00

After two days of snow falling making my neighborhood look like a Norman Rockwell painting, plus shoveling & using the snow blower on the white fluffy stuff Plus its about a good 12-18 inches deep now I have decided its time for one of my winter favorites!

Chili!

Deciding on chili as a last minute thought for dinner requires my Easy Cheesy Chili recipe.

In this using can beans and canned stewed tomatoes eliminates a long cooking process.

It is totally the most delicious quickie chili's one can make plus serve proudly or I would not be sharing this with all my readers.

Easy Cheesy Chili

2 cans Red Kidney Beans
1 can Cannelloni Beans (these are just white kidney beans)
1 can unsalted Stewed Tomatoes

1 can of V8 (11.5oz size) juice

1 pound ground beef or ground buffalo

1/2 yellow onion

4 garlic gloves

2 teaspoons dried Cilantro

1 teaspoon Zesty Seasoning (Mrs. Dash or any other brand)

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon French Grey Salt
1/2 teaspoon Celery Salt

1 teaspoon Cumin

1 teaspoon Coriander

1/2 teaspoon Paprika

1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili peppers

1 Package Mexican 4 Cheese Blend

Rinse tops of all cans and open. For the 3 bean cans pour contents into large cooking pot. On the stewed tomato can open and pour juice into pot. Then take the drained tomatoes place on chopping board and diced into small pieces. Then add to pot. Add the can of V8 juice.

Next dice onion, and chop garlic.

In a large frying pan you will need to add 1 to 2 teaspoon of oil heat over medium heat, add diced onion saute until tender and translucent, and add chop garlic stir until mixed. Add ground meat at this time by breaking into bite size pieces to pan, sprinkle all seasonings onto meat and onions at this time. Stir meat, onions and garlic together ~ try not to break up the bite size pieces of meat.

Cook mixture until meat is throughly cooked thru and browned a bit. Once cooked add to the pot of beans, tomatoes and juices.

Simmer for 1 hour.

Serves 4 to 6

to Serve:

Fill bowl 3/4ths full with chili, sprinkle with a handful of the the cheese completely covering chili with the cheese, then place bowls under broiler for 1 minute til cheese bubbles and starts to brown. Now is ready for serving!

Serve with your favorite beer or as we do a tall glass of Chocolate milk.

Holidays past and present

2009-12-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

Mom always made Christmas magical. Even a life time later she still makes them fun and exciting for her great grandchildren!

Growing up within a large family any holiday was a major feat for my mother to get us ready, attend church service with 8 kids in tow, come home to prepare & serve a wonderful meal for us and my father and other family members who would visit, then she got to relax once we all went to bed that holiday night.

Anyone who grew up in the 50's and 60's can tell you our lives where simple and was not unusual for neighbors to have 3 to 15 kids. In the seventies and eighties family size became 2 or 4 kids.

At Christmas the early years we always had a 'live tree' once grandchildren started appearing within the family my mothers tree became a "Fake Tree.

My tree's were live until we learned my one child had allergies. Then I became a convert to the artificial trees.

In a way that turned into a problem. I could put the Tree up the day after Thanksgiving and not take it down until mid January. Then because I would fall in love each year with the tree and how it was decorated I would leave up to Mid February. Then it became a problem to take it down before the Easter holiday. One year the tree was exceptional. It was a dream ~ I put the tree in the library of my Victorian home. That tree stayed up to Memorial Day. I would have left it up all year but my family began teasing me as well as the neighbors. I succumbed to pressure and took my favorite decorating job down.

A couple of years later a divorce followed, the sell of my Victorian home deemed selling and tossing things away. Two years later I move to Alaska.

The move brought about the lost of interest in celebrating and decorating for the holidays.The magic of the tree was gone for various reasons. For a few years I didn't bother with a tree. Then brought a 5' fake tree and brought out the ornaments and the house once again became a place of magic.

I was happy with the One of a Kind ornaments. Each one has a different story and range in age from 35 years old to four years old. I haven't brought new ornaments for a couple of years.

This year I decided to enjoy the 'Christmas fake trees of the past'. I've brought a 2' silver foil tree. Tis lovely. I went with lime green as the major ornament color, with a slash of a few other bright colors. The larger 5' fake tree hasn't been set up yet, it will follow getting decorated the next couple of days; pictures of the beauty will be up this weekend.

This will sit in the kitchen window, so that as folks drive by the will have a glance of a time when I was a child of 10 and we lived in California that year and my great aunt had two trees, one a silver 6' with the colored light, and my favorite the "pink flocked angel tree". Both seemed so very magical and different than the 'green' tree's I had seen all my life. One day I will own a fluffy Ostrich Pink Feather Tree.

Can't wait for the 'after Christmas sales' because I have my eye on several online sites that had the tree of my dreams for a perfect magical holiday next year.

Covered in Chocolate Catering is available for Holiday Parties in the Anchorage Area. Visit either of my online selling sites to contact me.

Team EEAT Holiday Bake Sale

2009-11-23T18:29:00.000-08:00

Alright foodies

~The Reason For Giving ~ !FOOD!

No pushing no shoving of each other

The annual Holiday TEAM EEAT bake sale Announcement!

Mark your calendars now

DECEMBER 4, 2009

8pm EST

The place to be:

ETSY VIRTUAL LAB

Tis plenty of sweet treats for everyone.

Lots of sales, lots of prizes and most of all

Lots of beautiful treats to make selections from!

Yours Truly ME

will be offering 20% off select items

AND many of my items NOW have FREE SHIPPING.

I kid you not!

Plus I'll do the shipping for you
if you wish to give as a gift
to a friend, love one or surprise yourself

(esp useful when hubby forgets to get you a present or

lol

is one of those who gives his wife

appliances he thinks you want

NOT FOR CHRISMAS HONEY!!!)

Holiday Giveaway Package!

2009-11-16T12:50:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are fast approaching! Oh my ~ oh me! Santa's everywhere are busy in their various shops making beautiful handmade gifts for all our loved ones!

A member of Team EEAT is having their first Giveaway for their shop located at Etsy. Truly a very holiday special event for her. May you have much success SugarPlums Bakery!

I thought it would be a fun idea to also do the same thing as SugarPlum's ~ Tell me and my readers about your favorite holiday!

Tell me about a holiday that was your favorite ~ it can be a happy, sad, funny, or just beautiful. So post away contests ends Novermber 30th and I'll announce the winner on December 1st. Then your gift package of my sweet treats will be mailed off on December 3nd. It can be mailed as a gift to a loved one, or mailed directly to you! Arriving before christmas! A value over $65.00!!!

A showstopper for anyone who loves receiving or giving a special gift!

The gift package includes:
kiwi jam, apple rosemary jelly, Nectarine/Plum chutney, Sweet Pepper Apple chutney, Red Caramelized Onion relish, white chocolate lollipop, chocolate bar, and a Toffee butter crunch candy.

Please note: There must be at least 6 different members to post for contest drawing! Other wise the contest drawing will be void. So tell your friends and family about this blog and post your holiday favorite story!

Dinner for Chilly Nights in Alaska

2009-10-31T11:30:00.000-07:00

Chicken Slouper

Serves 6
Cooking time 50 to 60 minutes
Prep time 20 minutes
2 whole chicken breasts with bone and skin
1 small bag of peeled baby carrots
1 red sweet pepper
1 orange sweet pepper
1 yellow sweet pepper
2 russet potatoes
1 large onion
1 bunch Purple Kale
1 pound aspargus
5 large gloves of garlic
5 cups water
seasoning: 1 teaspoon Poultry seasoning
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smokey paprika
1/2 teaspoon celery salt

Clean/rise all veggies. Peel and then chop onion into large chunks. Top the peppers and take out seeds, slice in half, then quarters (each 1/2 should have 4 slices then). Leave peel on potatoes, dice into large chunks. Clean kale take off stem and chop roughly. Slice asparagus into 1/2 inch slices. Peel garlic leave whole. Cut breasts into halves.

In large cooking pot (at least a 5 qt) add water and chicken,seasoning, onion, peppers, carrots and kale. Bring to boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Take breasts out at this point, remove bone and skin. Chop two of the halves into large pieces, leave the other two whole. Place back into pot, add rest of ingredients, simmer on medium heat for another 20 minutes until potatoes are cook through.

Serve in bowls over cooked yolk-less noodles, along with warm slices of herb cheese bread.

Hats a plenty and dreams of Magic on a Website

2009-10-28T21:53:00.000-07:00

Secrets passions of mine: Two shops that fill these passions!

Besides my passion for cooking and crafts I have a couple that make me all girly girl.

One is heels~~ LOVE THEM ~~ but one learns all too soon Alaska is not High Heel friendly because snow, ice and freezing air is not so nice as toasty warm boots in winter. So I only have a several pairs of heels that thrill me when I do wear on those rare times that I'm dressed to the 9's. It's super my life partner is very very tall!

But the one thing about being a midwestern Gal in a state where winter is most of the year...I get to wear Hats. I have hats for summer, hats for spring, hats for fall, hats for winter, and hats just because their cute. From baseball caps, to a drop dead black creation by Liz Clairborne, to knit skull hats to silly fleece hats. Its if it fits and I like - I buy.

At Victorian Crossroads a very dear member is delightworthyn ART/wares. She creates one of my passions. And its not for my feet!

I had a hat that I craved of hers. Then I twittered about that beauty and dang if someone didn't steal it right under my eyes, plus a couple other of Delights' hats. Once you visit her shop you will see why - they are delightful!

So this picture is another hat but not the one I am saving to purchase! I don't want anyone stealing that beauty from me. This little red number is sweet but that black one I have my eye on will be mine some day!

http://www.1000markets.com/groups/victoriancrossroads/products/8401

I greatly admire anyone who has talent of creating items that one can use for different websites that require GRAPHICS. As a beginner with my Publisher and Photoshop Elements I've so far behind the eightball it's not even funny! I wish I could say I am a graphic designer, but the sad truth I'm not. Beginner just does not cut it!

I'm in total awe of the talents of this graphic designer artist: Bearcengic. Her shop at Etsy has a great following. With over 1,000 sells You can trust she knows how to please the pickest of graphic buyers!

As a person who sews, I found this banner speaking to me. If I own a shop that still marketed sewn items I would buy this in 2 seconds flat! Visitors comments I know would be total praise!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28385504

I invite you to take a stroll through Bear's shop and discover her wonderful artwork that she has turned into various creations for websites. From Banners, to avators, to postcards she does it all! She will build/design items just for you. Don't wait any longer to get a fanatastic design for your website!

Reflections and Shops To Be Visited

2009-10-26T21:10:00.000-07:00

In life I often do many things on my own. Visit art shows, shopping, traveling, and just running around town doing different things.

I have a life partner who is as I am ~ free ~ we are two birds following where ever the wind blows us. We share some common interests and but for the most part we are very different people in regards to interests. He is heavily into ancient history BC and mine begins more in the 1700's to modern. He world revolves around his daily bike riding and mine is the center of all things handcrafted.

One area we both enjoy is of course my cooking And we both enjoy the internet.

He is the one who started us on the internet way back in 1994. Thinking back ~ OMG those computers where so slow lol it's a wonder that the internet survived...most likely it did only because technology was constantly changing and gets better, faster, and is the "new world" for exploring for mankind until we leave planet earth.

I love finding what others do for fun and creativity online. Belonging to a couple of selling venues, groups, and markets I am developing new friendships and finding fellow folks with same interests as myself, or their creative outlets are so much better than my own.

This week I'm going to be show casing several folks I think you need to meet!

Baubles Buttons & Beads at 1000markets This shop has the greatest jewelry ~ old and new are mixed together in awesome pieces for your wrists, or necks and even your ears! The shop owner has so much joy and enthusiasm it's so nice to be in the same market that Deb is! We both belong to Victorian Crossroads at 1000markets.
http://www.1000markets.com/users/baublesbuttonsbeads

Cakes by Sugar Plums over at Etsy, a classy lady whose baked goods are a pure delight to ones eyes! Her real life shop just moved into newer and bigger quarters and even though moving is a headace, Patty remained cool and classy. Both of us are members of Etsy's Team EEAT plus Patty and I also shared a life time thrill - SugarPlums also went to the Emmy Awards Gifting Suite!
http://cakesbysugarplums.etsy.com

I invite you to visit these two shops and treat yourself to something beautiful to wear on date night or something edible & unique for your tastebuds.

Posters I love..wow a sale, a newsletter, and just fun

2009-10-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

A little bird told me that AS2Designs is having a 50% off sale from October 23rd til October 30th. The sale is for any and all of her products! WOW a super holiday deal for sure!

A reminder to all to either sign up here for Covered in Chocolates Newsletter, visit either of her shops, leave a message by either email or convo that you want to receive the monthly newsletter; there is a signup over at http://covereinchocolatebakery.com also. IT Will be full of recipes, tips, photos, and surprises LIKE: coupons, advance notices of Sales and when new products will be presented to the public!

Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup by Chef on Wheelss

2009-10-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

This week I thought I do just recipes feel free to copy

them...they soon will be in a Cookbook and then only

available by purchasing!

ChefonWheelss recipes:

Tis my very own name over at Twitter! Follow me and you could win a free dessert! Sign up for my newsletter over at http://coveredinchocolate.1000markets.com

Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup

1 cup dry red lentils

1 large onion

1 leek

1 Chicken breast with Bone

1 cup Chicken stock

2 garlic cloves

5 cups water

1 cup cooked rice

Seasoning: ½ teaspoon of each: allspice, smoky paprika, black pepper, cumin, coriander,

SERVES 4
cooking time 1hour 15 minutes to 2hours

Chopped onion into large bit size pieces, slice leek about ¼ thick (wash and clean in cold water after slicing) dice garlic cloves.

Caramelize onions in 5qt cooking pot with ½ teaspoon grey salt, and ¼ teaspoon white pepper.

Add All the following: lentils, leeks, garlic, spices, stock, & water in large 5 qt pot. Bring to boil and cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Turn heat down to medium add chicken breast and simmer for 30 minutes. Take breast out and slice/dice off bone, discard bone and add diced/slice meat back into pot. Add rice and cook all until mixture is thicken. About another 30 minutes.

Serve with pita bread, and olive/tomato salad with goat cheese chunks.

Coveredinchocolatebakery, baked goods, recipes, Gourmet, Alaska, cooking, ChefonWheelss, etsy, TeamEEAT, 1000markets, AS2Designs, Victorian Crossroads, contests, free drawing

Hallow Weenies

2009-10-13T11:40:00.000-07:00

A play on words for baked beans and hot dogs. It was one of my childhood favorites. I still like it!

I like to take dry beans; pinto and kidney - soak them overnight, then cook to use as the base for my baked beans.

Recipe for Hallow Weenies:

2/3 cup cooked pinto beans
2/3 cup cooked kidney beans
1 can tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
2 garlic cloves chopped
1 white onion chopped
Seasoning: 1/2 tsp each - pepper, salt, cumin, ginger and Mrs. Dash tomato basil seasoning
6 or 8 hot dogs sliced into bite size pieces

Mix all together and place in 8 x 8 inch baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake for 30 minutes

Serve with hot rolls, a spinach salad with orange slices dressed with a spoonfuls of Balsamic Vinegar drizzled over the salad

I serve my Hallow Weenies with chopped green onion on top and with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese.

Drawing for Fine Art Print

2009-10-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

AS2 Designs and Covered in Chocolate are busy getting ready for the Fall Bazaars!

To celebrate AS2 Designs is having a drawing for one fine art photography print. All you have to do is visit their shop at:

http://www.1000markets.com/users/as2designs

VOTE for which photo is your favorite (just add a post on their Wall) then on October 30th they will draw the winning name out of a pumpkin! WINNER receives their favorite print!!!!!

Covered in Chocolate has develope new products for the Fall, plus has new designer Labels for her Jams, Jellies and Chutneys. The bake goods are getting new labels also!

New business cards for all and we are set for the newest season to begin!

Its been a year of fun and a lot of changes.

Spiders, Ghosts, Frankenstein and plain Cookies and Cupcakes

2009-10-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

Fall is here. October happens to be a favorite month for many.

It ends in one of the most scariest days ~
Halloween!

I admit I am a huge fan of Halloween. Dressing up as someone/thing else, getting a bag full of candy from going door to door, going to parties and just being wild and crazy. But the best part is all the wonderful creations one can bake up and I don't just mean food!

My sister who lives in Chesterfield, Missouri goes all out decorating her home for Halloween. She has 3 grandchildren under age 11 ~ Kath is a hit throughout the neighborhood. Spiders, eerie music, elaborate craved pumpkins (both from grandkids and 'Chef Michael' - my #1nephew), witches hung from the garage overhang, scarecrows lining the front yard, plus a ton more I don't have time to list ~ Well your getting the picture! It's scary! And kids love it!

I happen to live in an older neighborhood here in Anchorage, Alaska - we also usually have SNOW for Halloween so it's even more exciting to see how the costumes go over the parka's and snow boots!

Thus living in an older section of town most of the kids are now in the final years of high school or most have gone on to college where I'm sure the Halloween parties have more than just pumpkins glowing on the tables. We seldom get Trick or Treaters. But I always have a bowl of mixed candy bars for the handful that decide to visit.

My mind goes more to what I could bake for Halloween and other holidays that soon will be following.

I have been thinking about purchasing a certain cookbook with all sorts of recipes for little cupcakes that are decorated into spiders, pumpkins, Frankenstein and so forth. I still may go back and get that book...right now I did up some simple favorites of mine.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

filled

with

orange cream frosting.

Surf and Turf Love Affair

2009-09-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

We are a divided house of who likes any seafood and who like redmeat.

Even as a child not even in school I had a love affair with seafood. I adore any fish, shellfish, and just about anything that moves in salt or fresh water. I ate red meat although it seemed a chore.

As I grew into an adult my red meat always had to be well cooked and I was very picky about what parts got cooked or eaten.

Seafood still remained a favorite with shrimp, crab, scallops, lobster and any type fish being the choices. Now living in a state that 3/4th's of its border is ocean I'm in heaven. Plus fresh water fish such as Salmon is a just about an everyday affair. I believe I have about 50 different recipes for cooking salmon. Then there is halibut Oh My another favorite. These two fish will have to wait for another post I'm sorry to say.

Moving on ~

I've gotten to that stage in life where I've learned the finer arts of cooking to excite my taste buds and how to entertain those who I serve. Plus I can pick or choose what, when and how I eat.

Sharing my life with a man who prefers red meat over seafood I have to find balance for both of us.

So the other night I cooked favorites for both of us.

SURF & TURF

I selected for me a 1/2 pound of Large Sea Scallops.

For him a nice thick Sirloin Steak.

Sea Scallops correctly cooked are heavenly. Wrapped in foil with a pinch of salt, pepper, and butter place on the grill are wonderful. Pan seared in butter are heavenly.

Sirloin Steak on the grill is heavenly with fresh herbs, seasoning and a marinate. When weather does not permit one to grill (a rainy day that we experience the night I wanted to grill his steak) a quick broil will work nicely also.

Pan Seared Scallops YUMOooooo!

Sirloin Steak with Teriyaki Marinate -medium rare

Slide Show CoveredinChocolate and AS2Designs

2009-09-25T22:16:00.001-07:00

Slide Show CoveredinChocolate and AS2Designs
Originally uploaded by AS2 Designs

It was much easier to make this slideshow than it was to find out how to get it to my blog LOL.

But now that I've done it once I shall not forget!

I hope you enjoy this little bright spot of joy that I create in only a few minutes.

Learning Curves - Photography 101

2009-09-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

When I brought my laptop computer I also purchased Photoshop Elements7.

The photographer in me cried out that it was a Must Have. I'm still learning and exploring this wonderful program. I hope to master it all someday. I go slow like an old turtle understanding how certain portions of the program work and then move on to a new element.

I love this program for all it does and discovered I can do a whole host of fun - cool - unusual things to delight the even the sternest art critic. Many of AS2Designs photos have been enhanced, altered, or still waiting in their folders for a day of play with Photoshop.

Last night I played with the slide shows one can create.

Wow it's a awesome easy to use format with just about anything you need for a presentation. I was totally afraid to even try but after playing with the program for about 5 minutes I got it. Now can't wait to create even more fun!

I am going to load up my 'masterpiece' hope you enjoy my test run!

Anchorage, Alaska Saturday Farmers Market

2009-09-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

My farmers market only has a few short weeks left before the season of outdoor selling by the farmers ends. I will sorely miss the fresh grown items. The first few weeks of June we eagerly await the few veggies that the early days of summer bring.

As the summer months begin to become longer days each Saturday at Farmers Market new and larger veggies appear.

I have not met a veggie that I really don't like...well except for Peas and Lima Beans. Both are the only two that I do not like and will avoid as must as possible.

I did come home with Green Cauliflower, as well as Purple Cauliflower, a fresh stalk of Brussels sprouts, and radishes. Several delightful meals for the week ahead!

We already had a bag of potatoes, fresh spinach, onions, and a friend just brought us a bag over of his home grown carrots that are "rainbow colored" Red, Yellow, Pink and Orange Carrots ~ so cool I'm going to make a Carrot soup with them all!

Celebrate!! Two Winners!!!!

2009-09-18T21:01:00.000-07:00

NOT ONE

BUT

Two Winners!!

For Septembers 'Follow My Blog'

I put the names of all who are following my blog into a big dark jar. The unexpected happen!

I Had folded each piece of paper and threw them into a big ole black jar. Then I had my sweet man who rides his bike every day pull a name out so I could say who won.

Well he stirred the names up, pulled up a folded piece of paper Except two had tangled.

Since we could not decide which one was the single winner I decided to go ahead and send the two names pulled out a winner's treat!

Names will be posted shortly!!!

The winners are:

Debbie~

and

SilkPurse

You both have WON

Kiwi Rumba Jam

Each of you will be receiving a 4oz jar

If the two of you would please email your mailing addresses!

My email is:

CIC-AK@hotmail.com

Looking forward to sending off your Jam and hearing how you like it!

Congrats to Both

Debbie~

SilkPurse

Life's Funny Moments & Scammers & Pet Peeves

2009-09-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

In life you can only laugh at things that are so bazaar that occur day to day at times.

I am pretty easy going for the most part. I believe every human being has the right to do what ever they want in life as long as it does not involve harming another person, is not illegal, or one of the internet spams that one runs into all to often.

Having a "Gourmet Edible Shop" on Etsy I receive so many wacky requests for "FREE" products it has turned into my NUMBER ONE pet peeves of the internet world.

I always answer in a very polite manner and thank each one for their request for also say my products are Not given away for Free and try to steer them to a product that is not expensive and has low shipping if they wish to purchase for their supposely Blog Review.

Actually its a pretty good internet scam...They get a free product wheter it's food, clothing, soap, home product, garden product, items for kids or adults totally Free ~ They just send a note to the person running a business and say:

"I have a blog and want to do a review on your shop and products. Just mail me YOUR product to write about AT YOUR cost, plus all YOUR expenses and I'll write up a sentence or two of my thoughts on YOUR product that I got for FREE". Okay they don't exactly say it that way LOL but you get the picture.

I think I'm in the wrong business I actually work and pay for items in life!

Well here is my true thoughts on that whole thing: Ya right Eat my product that I shipped to you totally free and get a review ~ Ya buddy don't wait for a certain hot place to freeze over!

Today I receive like my 1000th request for " I have a Blog and want to review your Products" wrote back very nicely again saying No freebies...got this answer back saying "Well we don't do our reviews for free" yadda yadda yadda, so I wrote back saying Well my products cost me money to make and ship plus I have my own blog and I have several folks who do reviews on my products already.

THEN I said I didn't care for their scam and not to write me back or I would report them the Etsy abuse for running a scam. So I got a nasty reply back stating I was "CATTY and They would never recommend my products" Well how can they recommend my products since I declined their scam?

There are lots of really nice folks in the internet world of Handmade Products and people trying very hard to make a living.

THESE two women are Not part of that world! Beware!

Since these Two Women don't even bother to have a business on Etsy but just make a living scamming real working folks for free products who work very hard to just make ends meet selling on Etsy. The sad part is some folks selling on Etsy fall for these scams; send out products expecting sales to follow, then are dissappointed when the blog review does nothing, except scam them.

Okay off my high horse!

I am adding a new product that received wonderful reviews!

'Elvis Has Returned'

that are nutty peanut butter and banana

if I could only find a way to fry them

keep them fresh

I could have my own scam going in seconds

Friday is also the day I do my drawing for the Blog for September and to celebrate my products going to the Emmy Awards Gifting Suite!

My Favorite Mushroom

2009-09-11T11:14:00.000-07:00

As in several posts I have mentioned a beautiful mushroom called 'Lobster Mushroom'. Its a mushroom that is available from late May to end of September growing in the Pacific Northwest states.

To me it is a mushroom that the cost $18.00 a pound is not going to stop me from purchasing. I will miss these tasty morsels when the season ends. Its a heavy thick mushroom, so a pound is only a few pieces but once sliced is a lot of yummy bite fulls for the two folks here! We get two meals out of a pound.

I cook them in a simple manner: sliced, cooked in just butter, pepper, & with a dash of Grey Sea Salt.

We have eaten them stacked high on a spinach salad, as a side dish to a lemon chicken and rice and as a "taco" on a pepper flour shell warmed & with a handful of lettuce with a Ranch dressing. I also have added them to a soup for additional color and flavor.

If you have the opportunities to eat different foods DO IT! I love to try different tasty morsels! But it also needs to have color to excite me when trying new food items. I've tried several different cultural foods and they taste oooooh so good but sometimes lack color so they seem a tad boring. So mix it up when cooking. Add lots of colorful veggies, fruit sliced thin served chilled along side the dinner add so much appeal.

Lobster mushrooms are a bright cheerful color which for the most part when cooked retains its beauty.
Plus the flavor is so like its name: Lobster!

A long Week of Change

2009-09-08T22:43:00.000-07:00

This past week over at 1000markets a new & improve site was released to many of the merchants dismay. So I spent the week learning new formats and voicing my opinions on the good and the horrible aspects that followed with the change. I'm not one to hold back when I'm not in the majority of those who think change to a website is helpful. But I'll give it a honest review in a couple of months again. Right now I'm trying to maintain and live with the change. Because actually there is nothing one can do now. I also been busy preparing my products to go to the 2009 Emmy Awards Gifting Suite that is being sponsored by Emerging Magazine! I'm happy to say they were mailed today by USPS large flat rate priority mail. As you can tell from the photo each Gift Bag will be receiving 6 products plus a Media Packet that includes, business card, menu of products, and a gift certificate. I really had a lot of fun deciding which products to send plus preparing the different products. I will be setting up a "2009 Emmy Awards Gift Package" to sell at my CoveredinChocolate shop. After wrapping everything up nicely and packing into mailing box it was a mad dash to post office to mail my precious items. If you haven't been to the Post Office in awhile to mail a package let me tell you - Flat Rate Priority is the Only Way To Mail! And the Prices again have risen :-( Tis a bit costly to mail. We have been spoiled for a very long time by reasonable shipping costs. Not anymore; tis cheaper to raise a child!

Giveaways and Specials

2009-09-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

What a better way to celebrate September than to have a few specials and giveaways going on for everyone who visits! Run over to my online bakery shoppe and find a delight that you could even share with a friend or two or even three!:

http://coveredinchocolate.etsy.com

"Going to the Emmy Awards Special" Buy any Cookie Package and get one free (order is doubled) Good only til September 5th!

Since you are here you might want to start following me and then you are eligible to be in the drawing ~

Giveaway Special drawing!

Sign up to follow me and get your name in the drawing - Drawing will be on the September 18th! You will win a product that went to Hollywood's Emmy Awards!

Fine Art or Weird Art or is it Not Art?

2009-08-28T15:14:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I surprise myself! A creation of mine, is it good, is it bad? Does it matter when I'm the one to decide? Is the process worth the effect? Is the work worth the mention? I like the colors. I like the design. Where in the scheme of art does it fit?

The Offical Invite for the Emmy Awards Gifting Suite

2009-08-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

I want to say Please visit Emgering Magazine's website. It is full of wonderful news, great articles, and a very friendly staff. I also now have my own website which of is being worked on but if you wish to view: http://www.CoveredinChocolateBakery.com

How does one Prepare for the Emmy's

2009-08-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

Now that I've settled down from the news that Covered in Chocolate was a shop selected to provide products for the 2009 Emmy Awards Gifting Suites I need to choose what sweet little treats will be going. http://www.emergingmagazine.com/#/gift-suite-sponsors/4534879543 Check them out! Unfortunately my Truffles have a short shelf life because they have dairy products in them requiring being kept chilled, so are out of the running...well maybe not... the Double Mocha Hold the Latte is non dairy so it could go - lots of different ways to dress it up also, change the flavors Oh my I think I just hit on something! Several of the cookies are delightful and unusual. A big surprise for those with a palette desiring something different. Two of my cupcakes are edge breaking with a taste on the wild side. I also do dipped apples with all kinds of wonderful sweet treats covering them to enhance the mild taste of the apples. Let me tell you - it's very hard to decide what shall be in the gift packages I'm sending. I have my own favorites for when I crave sweets; should I send those or what I think others will like?

Don't forget starting September 1, I be doing a drawing for a sweet treat to go out to the lucky winner! Sign up now to be included in that drawing! All you have to do is become one of my followers!!

Birthdays, Trees, and neighbors

2009-08-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Today is my honey's fathers birthday. Turning 84 must be exciting in this day and age. He is healthy, active, lives alone, dates every now and then, plus he loves my sweet treats that I sent him. He tells me every time we talk he is going to live to he is 104. Lately he has changed that to he is going to live til he is 120 years old since he is enjoying it so much. He has lived in the same community, same house for last 50 years, if not longer. Just outside San Francisco. Across the Golden Gate Bridge. His hillside home is full of beautiful redwood trees. Ancient and powerful trees. There is one tree that is so old it takes 3 adults with arms stretched to the limit to circle it. Last week we were discussing paper products - he sends us magazines and newspapers articles that he feels we might enjoy reading. I had to tell him "Dad don't do that, we read everything online these days so Tree's are NOT cut down. Which then lead to the conversion about the redwood trees in his yard. A neighbor had suggested to him that a few of these should be cut down to improve the "View" from their hillside. Needless to say Dad was outraged. I could not believe someone would even consider cutting redwood trees down. I wish these trees were 'protected trees' in regard that it is against the law to cut these down. All I can say is "His neighbor must be a self-centered nitwit." So today I need to cook up a few of his favorites to send off. He loves the marshmallows, and several of the cookies. I'm thinking some of my zucchini bread since it's a bit more healthy. Then he could also share at the local gathering place of his friends.

2009 Emmy Awards

2009-08-20T23:22:00.000-07:00

I have had the most exciting last two days. Has even been better than when I was a kid waiting for Santa Claus to bring a zagillion presents. Just a side note: I still believe!

Covered In Chocolate is GOING TO THE

EMMY'S

For those folks at Etsy if you been visiting the forums you might have notice a posting by one of the folks doing a Emmy Gifting Suite. They also selected a handful of Etsy sellers to have the opportunity of being sponsored by Emgering Magazine.

I was One whose shop was selected In that Handful!

Don't laugh yes I know my items are not fancy nor elegant but my Truffles are to die for and I know my pictures do not do my Gourmets Sweets justice~ They are the best you could ever taste! Now that I'm going to be in the Lime Light (oh god I looked icky in green LOL) I will be updating pics and making things look more professional. But you know you can take the girl out of the county but you can't take the county out of the girl! Anyhow I'm just so excited! This truly is a once in a lifetime chance for a moment of frame! My sweetie has been teasing me "well What are you Going to Do when Miss Oprah calls" and Says "oh my dear could you sent off 200 dozens of your key lime truffles so that we can hand out to our guests next week at the studio." Okay I'm being silly but Honestly I'm so dazzled by this. I called my Mother yesterday to share the joy with her and we cried. We are silly women I admit it. But she was just thrilled to hear that in my small world here in Alaska far away from family that I have been blessed with creations that are going to the EMMYS!!!! I wish to Thank Cher and Stef the owners of Emerging Magazine, Inc along with their Board members who are the sponsors for my creations to go to the 2009 Emmy Awards Gift Suites. If you would like to read all about this excitement, please visit the website: http://www.emergingmagazine.com/#/gift-suite-sponsors/4534879543 Thrill ~ thrilled ~ thrilling!!! Just to show you I'm going all Grown Up to the Emmy's a preview of my new Banner, which also will be a few other things:

Monthly Drawings for a Tasty Gourmet Treat!

2009-08-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

Now that the hottest part of summer is over in the northern half of the United States I'm restocking Covered in Chocolate Shoppe at Etsy. I also am happy to announce I have a monthly newsletter for those wishing to sign up and receive. It will be crock full of useful tips, recipes, coupons to my shop and announcements of the monthly free drawing for one of my tasty treats! Sign up now! Just send me a message that you wish to be added to my list of followers. Today's tip: use less salt. Add other spices that you haven't used to add a great flavor to your cooking creation! Cardamom is wonderful in soups!

Veggie Soup Stock Part Dux

2009-08-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

The soup stock turned out really good. Safely put into ice cube trays and is now frozen. Whenever I need stock I'll be able to take out a couple of veggie stock ice cubes and make up something tasty in different recipes for a couple of weeks. For this basic veggie stock: three carrots along with the green tops one large potato 3 celery stalks 1 large tomato 3 yellow turnips 6 red tipped lettuce leaves 1 large onion - I used yellow 10 red grapes 6 cups of water 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 tsp dried dill 1 tsp Mrs Dash tomato basil 1 tsp herb de Provence Chop all the veggies into large chunks, toss into water that is in a large pot I use my 5 qt pot, add seasoning and start cooking! Bring to boil and cook for 30 minutes on full boil, then simmer about 4 hours. This reduces the stock to about 3 to 4 cups of usable veggie stock. Remember to Stir a few times while cooking just to make sure nothing has stuck to bottom of 5 qt pot. Let sit for a few minutes after turning off heat. Then stain stock into a bowl. Reserve the cooked veggies and 1 cup of the stock. I let it cool down for about 10 to 20 minutes then I pull into ice cube trays for freezing. This did two trays for me with a few tablespoon left over which I just added back to the reserve veggies. I put the reserve cooked veggie into blender and blend into a fine thick stock with the 1 cup of the veggie stock. To do this portion I suggest you do 1/2 of the veggies at a time with about 1/4 cup stock. Once the veggies are blended totally add remaining stock and blend until smooth. This is great just heated as its own soup for the next day. Looks very much like a thick split pea soup

Veggies for Soup Stock

2009-08-15T16:03:00.000-07:00

As on any Saturday during the summer, I head out to to Anchorage Saturday Market. The local farmers from Wasilla have their wonderful veggies ready for purchase. Since we eat mostly a Vegetarian diet I crave fresh veggies. Fruits are rather hit and miss here in Alaska unless its berries of different kinds. So I do have to rely on the supermarkets for what is in season for fruit during each month. Today at the farmers market I got fresh squash, broccoli, yellow turnips, carrots, lettuce. As soon as I had the veggies cleaned, I select a handful of them to chop and slice for making a veggie soup stock for the weeks usage.

Chocolate Candy

2009-08-05T22:20:00.000-07:00

As my name is Covered in Chocolate...this post is about classy candy. I am about to begin a testing with my chocolate truffles I create. New flavors will be coming to my shop soon. Watch out you sweet tooth folks! Anyhow going to also try using some of those classics we all like and grew up with. M&M's has the new and fancy candies called M&M premiums Yummm. I tried the triple Chocolate today not bad! Thought I would use them as a topper on two of my truffles just to add something cute. What do you think? I thought the blue almond ones looked great but didn't purchase will have to try next time. Then I also tried Lindt 'Lindor Truffles' the swiss white chocolate with a smooth filling. OMG really good. For a candy bar its the best. So it will be a added treat on the side of one of my handmade super Key Lime or Orange Truffles. Tune in a few days from now to see pics!

Soup and French Bread

2009-07-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

Just to update all ---- Guess what I'm on Twitter! Follow me at: http://twitter.com/AS2Designs Ya I know totally crazy but I don't want to be old and left out of the cool things to do in this modern techno world! Today I am creating Chicken Rice Soup. Ohhhhh it smells so yummy in my house today! Recipe: 1 large baked chicken breast 1/2 cup uncooked rice 2 stalks of celery 1 large onion (your choice of type I use yellow) 1 large zucchini 6 white mushrooms 1 teaspoon pepper 2 garlic cloves chopped 1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash original 1/2 teaspoon salt two tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon Herb De Provence 3 1/2 cups water Remember to wash/clean all veggies before cutting and cooking with other items! Cut pre-baked chicken breast into bit size cubes (about 1/2" to 1 square) Cut zucchini in large cubes (1" to 2" square) slice & dice the celery stalks slice mushrooms thinly chop onion into bit size pieces Toss all into 5 qt pot, add water - butter and seasoning, add uncooked rice. Cook on medium heat until boiling, let boil 5 minutes stir a few times, then decrease heat to low and cook for 1 hour. You will need to stir this a few times while cooking; rice does like to stick to bottoms of pans when cooking May I say its totally YUMMM OOOOOOOOO! Serves 4 healthy adults easily, add Garlic French Bread and boom Dinner is served!

Trial and Error

2009-07-18T20:39:00.000-07:00

Over the last few days I've been testing out my #1 basic recipe for my Zucchini Bread. A short time ago I was asked by a bakery to sell this recipe to them. I said no. Plain and simple its mine and it can not be beat for taste. Yes I know its good and I'm not above on bragging on it ! I know many cooks say oh Mine is Great...but read my lips: MINE IS SIMPLY THE BEST. It took me a long time to prefect this recipe soooooo now I'm adding additional treats in it. Let me tell you all the new flavors I will be adding to my shop at Etsy:

Totally Gourmet Zucchini Mini Loaves ->

Almond Jalapeno Cheese

Wasabi Nut

Five nuts plus one (pumpkin, sunflower, pine nut, almond, pecan, and chocolate chips)

Fruits Ole' (ohhhh you are going to love this one)

I can't wait to load these into my listings and start selling! Over the next weekend I'll be stocking the shop up once again for the holidays. Summer is half over and the heat will end, school will begin and I need to be ready with tasty treats and desserts!

I'm BACK

2009-07-05T18:53:00.000-07:00

I know that it's been two months since I've posted. This year the spring and summer has been so dang beautiful I just could not stay in the house baking and testing out new recipes. Plus during this time of year is when I do all my photography. I go all around the area shooting pictures of flowers and other odd things that get my attention. I also set up a new shop for my cards, jewelry and I took a giant leap of faith and am showing/selling my artwork in the photography media. Just too cool eh! Visit my newest shops: http://www.AS2Designs.1000markets.com http://www.AS2Jewelry.1000markets.com Is of course luxe jewelry for the everyday woman. Come on over to either site and leave me a note!

Cookies, Chocolate, and Living the Good Life

2009-05-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

My mother taught me the how to cook, my father taught me joy of eating what I cooked, then my grandmother taught me to love cooking. As a beginner cook I always thought cookies were the best thing to bake. Cakes you just baked once. Cookie baking lasted all day long. It was an afternoon delight filling the house with wonderful smells and aroma's. Neighbors would drop by to have a cup of coffee and taste the latest batch of cookies. With the new cookbook I purchased last week, I tried a new recipe withlots of my own twists to it. I'm naming the cookie after my father. Has many of his favorites.

"Myles to Go"

It's a mocha chocolate chunk candied cherry almond nut cookie. A dozen of these cookies will be available for ordering at my shop at Etsy. http://www.CoveredinChocolate.etsy.com

Cookbooks: Heaven & Sin

2009-05-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

I have a confession. I'm a cookbook junkie. Today I was out and doing some general shopping when out of the corner of my eye I spied cookbooks for a price I could not pass up. About 6 different titles but the one that really made my heart sing was "Perfect Chocolate". As I was checking my list of 'do I need this' - 'do I want this' - 'do I buy this' - 'will I really use it if I buy this'. Well of course I threw the book in my cart after scanning through the pages of the book and several recipes pictures just blew me away. Each recipe has some form of Chocolate in it. Totally heaven if I say so! For a sinful price of only $5.00 I have an additional 100 recipes that Chocolate stars in. Two cheesecake recipes really stand out and of course I'm going to try those right off! Then there were 3 cookie recipes. One day in my dream home I will have a whole room just off my kitchen for all my little kitchen gadgets plus designer bookcases from pecan wood for all my cookbooks.

Sidetracked

2009-04-27T18:36:00.000-07:00

Oh my I can't believe I have not posted for almost a month! Yipes...that's what happens when you get sidetracked with new computer, new programs, and new venue for selling some of my other products. I want to thank everyone who are "followers" of my blog and I love having comments left for me! Thank you Thank you! As many of you know I send my sweeties father many of my trial items to taste out for me. LOL he has become a food junkie I confess I turned this man into a food junkie. He was a normal man who had few wants in life. Now he calls every week and mentions how much he liked this or that item I sent to him. Had to send more marshmallows to him and more candy bars to him. He sounded desperate when he said he was out. LOL This past week I made Orange/Banana Marshmallows. I liked them and thought Dad would also. Sure enough he called this weekend and Loved them. With summer just about on us...some of my chocolate items will be leaving my online shops. Too hot to mail and with the economy as it is not many going for the exotic in baked goods. I am also closing my store at Lollishops. Its a great venue but not working out as I had hoped. Tis a shame. I've meet some really great folks who also sell there. So now you will only find CoveredinChocolate at Esty for the time being. Tomorrow I'll be playing in the kitchen with some cookie recipes Wooooohoooooooo....I haven't had a chance to play lately with cookies and looking forward to measuring, baking, and TASTING!!! Can you say "CHOCOLATE" some will be in chip form, some will be in covered form, and some will be chocolate through and through! Watch for updates on the new cookies!

New computer

2009-04-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

The computer that operates my three online business’s was built in the fall of 1999. I purchased it early 2000. In computer lifetimes she is as old in technology as the first Apple we all drooled over when some of us were just youngsters in a exciting new times of the 80’s. This Compaq has served me daily, only once having to go the repair shop - a month before the 3 year service contract ran out. The hard drive was acting up and hence was replaced. Following that the last 6 years she has run like a perfect little computer with very little acting up. The other member of my household has gone through 3 desktops and 2 laptop computers. He must be really rough in his activities when online. No he just enjoys new gadgets…it’s a man thing. I still have plenty of storage space on this old baby. But as my artwork advances I no longer can put on new software programs. The manufacturers are not making for XP anymore. My XP is also just Widows updates. This computer real working program is Windows 98. I love this computer I know the programs inside out. Yesterday I became the proud mamma of a brand new laptop. Toshiba. 3GB of ram, 320GB memory. More than enough computer for anything I do. She’s fast, she’s slick, and the new programs on it already make my head spin. I’m just thrilled to now be able to go anywhere and do my work. I’ll no longer be tied to the home office. In fact all my updates and new listings for my products will be done at the local library or coffee shop that have wi-fi. Dialup is fine for home and old computers but gotta get with the new age and speed is the name of the game for me now. So the next few weeks I’ll be learning new things, new ways, and new products will be forthcoming. All I can say is “Watch Out!”

Volcano Ash in Anchorage

2009-03-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

<--Volcano Ash on my car this morning! Living in Anchorage a mere 100 miles from Mount Redoubt an active volcano is exciting. South Central Alaska has been on volcano alert since January. The last few weeks the Mt. Redoubt has decided life needs a little reminder. So in the fashion of volcano’s she decided to huff and puff her way into the news. First the towns and cities south of Anchorage, Homer, Kenai where in the wake of the dangers…ASH. Ash has dangers. Not only to a person health; but also of going about your daily business. Ruins the paint on your car, damages the engines of cars, will scratch up your windows when you turn on the wipers. Harms home electronics. Airline passengers stand stranded as planes are grounded. Everything comes to a halt. Anchorage yesterday now stands in the wake of ash from Mt. Redoubt. At 3:20pm, March 28, 2009 an eruption towering into the air currents up to 40,000 feet floated over the 100miles in a dark cloud, raining tiny particles of Ash over cars, yards, and homes as it traveled north to Anchorage. I have experienced two different volcano’s activity here in Anchorage. My first experience was 1992 and now 17 years later. Gardens will be glorious this summer. Ash is a gardeners delight! Plus the scientists and geologists are filled with excitement of learning more of active volcanoes. As I woke this morning to gray skies and dusty dirty snow outside my windows. I am again amazed of the way Earth shows her growing pains. Anchorage Daily Newspaper has a wonderful website covering Mount Redoubt and her activities: http://www.adn.com/

2009-03-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

Since my fathers death in 2001 my mother seldom cooks at home. In fact even when Dad was living the last several years with only the two of them they would dine out 3 out of 7 days. I guess after cooking for so many years for 8 children and two adults that when we all left the family home and started our own lives/families moving across the country, that my parents found it was enjoyable to be able to have a meal prepared by others. I like to go out once in a while. In Anchorage the choice for spots of good food is getting better but still is needs more. We have lots of little Mom/Pop places. Some you wonder how they manage to stay open, and then you will find one where the burger is big, juicy, and a treasure to bite into. Another spot has potato soup that equals my own. One day I had visited the Library and I was developing a headache because I had not eaten all day, so at two o'clock I ventured into a small place I had driven by several hundred times saying "got to try there one of these days". I had the most awesome Red Lentil Soup! Thick and spicey served with a homebread bread that only enhanced the soup if that was even possible. Lunch is when I get to sample the different eating spots. Every several weeks 8 friends gather for lunch. We are due to meet again and there is a place we not been to and I'm sooooo wanting to try it! Maybe I can talk the owners into carrying my newest creation of Marshmallows: May I introduce "Ba nana nana Royal" Has banana flavoring and covered in coconut. Okay I ate 6 pieces in one day. I had to stop myself from eating all of it because 1/2 was getting shipped to my sister in St. Louis to taste test for me. Now I'm just waiting for the results. So you might get a chance to also taste soon!

Spring Chocolate

2009-03-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

Having brought a new cookie mold pan I ventured into making chocolate candies with it. Its a Wilton "Easter" cookie sheet pan but it is so Spring looking I could not resist trying it out to see if I could make chocolate candy bars from it. The sheet has flowers, rabbits, eggs, watering can, chicks, a lady bug all the right combo's for 'jumping into Spring'. Melting the white chocolate and mixing it with Oreo cookies crumbs then pouring very carefully into the molds. After a short time in the fridge to let the candy set I brought the sheet out and tapped gently and ... It worked! Perfectly molded candy bars. Showing the design of each making my little ole heart sing with joy. The cookie sheet makes 12 different shapes. Plenty of candy to go around a family of four. The group of 12 candy bars weighs in at just over One Pound. I know my little dessert tester in San Francisco will be enjoying these treats! He called when I sent the first group of White Chocolate down to him and he said to quote him "You got a winner here - I want to purchase a bunch of these - make them up and send me a bill so I can mail you a check!" I had to laugh...you don't charge Parents for anything! I am more than happy just mailing my sweets to him for testing them out and for making him have a special day of joy.

Flops in the Kitchen

2009-03-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

I'm not one for "Fresh Live" fish in the kitchen. Did live Maine lobsters once that was flown in, sitting on my brother in laws lap. From Boston to St. Louis. The lobsters were huge and my pots almost too small. They tried clawing their way out of the boiling water. I had to leave the kitchen and let my mother beat them back in the pots. To this day if not in the case on ice already taken apart (I only like the tail anyhow of lobsters) I do not venture over to the fresh tanks. Nope nope nope. Wish I could but my brain and tummy just will not get over that picture of long ago of those helpless creatures. Most of my family enjoy fish of any type. My sister does the most awesome Orange Roughy. My moms crap cakes are heavenly. And I do a great shrimp scampi. The man I live with now even though he was raised in San Francisco the capitol of Seafood, he does not anything other than lobster or shrimp and of course King Crab. Every few weeks just to make him healthy I serve up a fish. He grumbles but does eat what he calls "carrotfish". He does not like carrots either so his reference is to let me know he is eating it but does not care for it. Anchorage has a large market for 'fresh and live' one market has the live water tanks. This weeks special was Alaska Orange King Crab. Smaller than the Red King Crab but when cooked almost tastes the same. I'm going over today to see if any are left. But I will have them cook them up for me an offer they are doing for free when you purchase the crab.

A touch of Irish

2009-03-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

March is a fun month one of my favorite meals is very popular on March 17. Coming from an Irish background; although I would really say the family is more of a Hinze 57 variety; we always had Corned Beef and cabbage on St. Patties Day. My parents would also go to the local pub and sip on green beer. A taste I never developed is drinking beer of any kind. But it is good in some of my recipes. Just saw some Alaska beers that I'm wanting to try in some brownies and cake recipes. Okay I almost got sidetracked with the beer! But stay tuned in a few days will be trying those out. Back to corned beef and cabbage - I cook mine on the stove top for a good 3 to 4 hours on simmer after its been brought it to a boil. I like my corned beef very tender. Usually sliced thin or pulled apart in chunks is how it gets served here. If you can not cut the corned beef with your fork don't serve it to me! During the last 1/2 hour of cooking the corned beef add russet potatoes cut in 4ths and chopped chunks of carrots and then at the last 5/10 minutes cabbage cut in wedges. You want the cabbage cooked but not mush...Cabbage cooks very quickly so watch it carefully when you add. A meal made for kings - well I think so! I also make up a small bowl of fresh horseradish and mayo for a side dipping sauce for the meat. Adds a slight punch to your taste buds. I also like just a shot of mustard on the side to dip a bit of corned beef into. But mainly its the veggies that I love digging into! Its the part of the meal I've waited 3 hours for the melting of the various flavors is wonderful. But I have mentioned before I not much on eating meats, just give me veggies! Cooked veggies such as the picture I took just before dinner makes me one happy Alaskan girl!

Making Marshmallows

2009-03-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

I only recently learn how to make home made marshmallows. Now I can't get enough of making them! I love just stirring the sugar mixture on the shop, its relaxing. Then when it is ready pouring into a bowl to cool slightly and then using the electric mixer to beat into white yummy fluff. To me it is magical that each batch turns into a pan of fluffy marshmallows. I've been sending the test samples off to a special man in my life. My partners father. He lives in California, tells me he isn't a real judge of what is good or bad if cooked, but swears he loves these treats he is getting & they are the best he has ever had, then in the next breathe tells me he Has to excerise extra hard now to maintain his high school weight. LOL for a man who is 86 years old he is in excellent shape! He was the high school PE teacher and coach for several sports before he retired. He is slender and just as cute as he can be. I just tell him if he wants just toss the treats in the trash it won't hurt my feelings or share with all his buddies down at the YMCA swimming hole that he goes to 3 times a week. He has called a couple of times now when he runs out of fresh Marshmallows and makes up some funny excuse and then I know its time to make a new batch and mail them out. Friday I made a batch of Anise flavored marshies. The ones I test tasted where really good! Soooo I know Dad will love them. I'll be adding them to my shop tomorrow. Pop on over to my Etsy shop and place your order

2009-03-06T10:52:00.000-08:00

Oh I'm dancing for pure joy! I'm toooo excited - I can hardly type. My shop is the featured shop at Lollishops.com! Yes me little ole baker girl of gourmet homemade sweets and treats. OMG Front page. Okay my shop is: http://www.lollishops.com/coveredinchocolate If you get lost just click on my shops banner and it will take you right back to my shops yummie treats. Go on over take a look...order up something for the family or just for yourself. Put in message to me "Featured seller March 5 - 7" and I'll double your order as my celebration gift to you and ship your treats right off to you"

I joined another venue to sell my products

2009-03-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

I'm dapple - I admit it freely - I dapple in many crafts. It's like an addiction. I have favorites and they show. But I've always been afraid to show some of my dappling items off. Was my 'dirty little secret". I just got accepted at 1000Markets.com. shops name will be AS2designs http://www.1000markets.com/users/as2designs visit it and see what the rest of my post is about! I will be selling my cards and photos and jewelry there. Mainly to show case my photos. Not food photos but photo's of things I love to take pictures of items that interest me in ways you would not think. But back to my regular post: Many years ago my ex hubby brought me a SLR camera. I took private photography lessons from a great person who was an great photographer and their work was mind blowing. Then followed up with college courses on photography all the way thru color. Won a blue ribbon at a collage art show. Got even better, brought fancier SLR camera, equipment for making my own photos. Had a super great time with it all. Still have the photo enlarger. Loved the smell of the chemicals when I was in the dark room. Could be in there lost for hours. My passion was Black and white photography. Seeing some of my photo's of my products makes me wonder Ummmm what happen. I've gone digital. The whole world is digital. I can't even find a place here in Anchorage where I can purchase the chemicals to do my black and white developing. But this blog post is about something I did...I stepped out of my fear of letting others see some of my great photographs and the comments I have received confirm that when I do something I love - it is a totally awesome photo. So my point is Do what you love and it will come across to all that the LOVE is there and its awesome.

Baking Mistakes

2009-03-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

Yes every now and then I do create a ugly or a monster that just won't go away. Most of my dessert I truly love to bake and can not wait to eat them. Last week I tried some new baking pans for brownies. I wanted to become the brownie queen. I desired to amaze my customers. I wanted them to be so delighted they danced in the streets. I thought oh these pop brownie pan would be perfect for me...brought it. Not cheap either folks...stirred up a quick batch of brownies, spooned the mixture into the silcone pop pan (does 8 at a time and takes 35 minutes to cook) Then waited and waited for cooling so I could get these little brownie pops out onto the cooling racks. They do come out easy; once I learned the popping trick of pushing from the bottom. Once on cooling rack they sorta look like a mound of science gone bad. Just totally weird looking. So I though okay its just me, I am old fashion in what things baked should look like - must get with the times. Told myself to buck up and frost those mounds. Frosting idea went to another corner of my mind very fast. Do you wonder how your brain works some days? I do. My brain seems to be on another planet on rare moments like this: Decided instead to dip in chocolate and make them look pretty for a little girls birthday party. My creation of ugly ---> I found pink chocolate coating over a chocolate brownie is not so pretty. Even after putting sprinkles all over it. Maybe some little girl will jump for joy but not this big girl. I will admit I did taste and they were lovely, its just not my cup of tea for that vision in my mind.

Yes this is dinner from last night!

2009-02-26T18:37:00.000-08:00

cAs I said we eat rather well in this household. I love to cook, I love to bake, I love trying out new recipes, I love doing old recipes. I have my favorites, and the man who eats my cooking has his favorites . When I hit the jackpot he says "Can we have this again" then I know the recipe is a keeper. He loves wild rice. If you do not know wild rice is black and takes longer to cook and has a nutty crunchy taste - it is also a more expensive rice to purchase. I love rice of any flavor! Red rice is fun, brown rice is nice, and white rice although bleached out it is just pretty to look at. I like rice on the side, fried is omg so good, in soups, as mixture of the main course, but not as dessert. So to help the grocery budget I get Black Rice and jasmine rice and mix them together so that the flavors can mingle and makes the Black Rice last longer. So we had roasted boneless & skinless chicken breast with BBQ sauce added last 15 minutes of cbaking, my rice dish, red/green/yellow fried pepper slices, and the ever favorite of both of us - Asparagus. On the asparagus I roasted in the oven just a little to long...it was not quite overdone but was close. Asparagus cooked should still have a slight snap to it when you bite into it. If you bite down and its mushy well thats just nasty and wayyyyyyyyyy over cooked!

Sun and Snow

2009-02-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

The last two days have been crock full of sun! A wonderful treat indeed. Although when so sunny one must have dark sunglasses...that glare from the snow can blind you. Listen to me I sound like an ole mother hen "wear your sunglasses" LOL. Okay sometimes I forget not to preach. Did a little baking...tested out a recipe for Blue berry cake. Turned out rather good if I say so. I got a big bunch of fresh organic berries at the market - these berries where as big as my thumb. So in blue berry standards they are HUGE! And sooooooo tasty. So as the picture displays my lovely mini berry cake sliced and ready to eat. Makes you want some doesn't it! Just add your own whip cream. You could also try this: take 1/2 cup of the berries add two tablespoons sugar and 1/4 water heat over medium heat, bring to a boil, remove from heat, spoon over sliced mini cakes - totally awesome berry syrup.

Fur Rondy and Iditarod

2009-02-19T12:09:00.000-08:00

The next two weeks are Fur Rondy which is a winter festival here in Anchorage ending with the kickoff of the world famous dog sled race the "Iditarod". If your in Anchorage for Fur Rondy...watch out I'll be visiting lots of the different activities myself, taking pictures & giving out freebies of my candies! Although these are mini bites of White chocolate Oreo cookies candies Yes two in a box to be giving out plus I'll be giving out Dark Chocolate Truffles, chocolate lollipops and also will be handing out the "Blonde Bombshell cookie". Totally awesome way for folks to get a taste of my gourmet desserts! Plus what a fun way to advertise my online shops! Low cost- high impact and I get to have fun too! I'm be the one with a huge bag of treats handing out small white boxes with truffles or bites in them, & clear bags with cookies. I be the one wearing a red jacket, black gloves, and black hat and plaid scarf! So come on over to Fur Rondy and all the activities and Make sure you get your freebie of a delightful gourmet dessert!

Just call me chicken...

2009-02-16T19:58:00.000-08:00

Wings, thighs, breast. Roasted, fried, broiled, baked, and even B.B.Q Any the the above cooking methods are good. Some fix one way are healthier for you than others. We eat lots of chicken. I only like the white meat, although I will eat most chicken pieces except for maybe legs. Legs don't appeal to me. Legs are for kids not adults LOL. My mom made the best fried chicken when I was a kid. I never learn how to really do 'fried chicken'. Sorta fell into that same grouping as pie crusts. I can't make a homemade pie crust to save my soul. And I remember when I first was married and did the ole Shake & Bake chicken...omg that haunts me to think of that gross faked fried chicken. All other cooked items I excel at, so why not fried chicken or pie crusts? Guess everyone needs an item that just isn't for them to cook. I do an awesome BBQ chicken, my roasted chicken is next to heaven, and my crispy chicken broiled is also a favorite. My chicken dinner: Roasted Breasts with French Grey Salt and spices. Bone in, and with the skin left on chicken truly is the tastiest. But boneless and skinless is healthier. And we all know fried chicken is "death". Spices add so much to any cooking Be brave and try all kinds! I also love chicken with India spice theme!

Candy Making Day

2009-02-14T11:29:00.000-08:00

Friday I worked with chocolate. I was in the candy making mood. It's one of my more fun things to play with. Melting the chocolate, pouring into molds, waiting for it to firm up and then releasing the candy from the molds to see how they turn out is well worth it all! White chocolate with oreo cookie bits was the major project winner of the day. The first picture is my 4 pack Candy Bars, which will really appeal to the adult in all of us. Then the really fun summer time 'Sea Shore Lollipops' which brings out the child in all of us. Tasting the sweets after dinner was wonderful. I'm a true white chocolate lover...I'll pass over milk or dark chocolates in a flash if white is anywhere near. After dinner I ate the seahorse lollipop. YUMMMMMMMMMYYYYY! Thats the great part of making your own - so fresh and even if this sounds like bragging and it is - Homemade is totally good. Dang Good! I will be selling both items in my shops. http://www.lollishops.com/CoveredinChocolate and of course http://www.CoveredinChocolate.etsy.com Blog followers get a 10% discount just mention you are on my blog as a follower in your note to seller, I'll check you name and revise the invoice for you! Simple and easy. I love things that have no fuss!

Sometimes Life gets in the Way

2009-02-12T12:52:00.001-08:00

It's been one of those weeks...real life getting in the way of my internet life. It snowed a few times again since last post. Went to store, slipped on ice and totally hurt my pride and gave myself a hand that was a bit sore. And was just posting to my groups. Short and sweet. Anyhow - So I just baked up easy things for testing and tasting this week. I have added a new wonderful yummie to my Lollishops! Chocolate covered marshies! OMG total divine, mouth watering, rock my socks tasting sweets! I added a orange extract into the marshmellow. Then covered them in dark chocolate. Of course each nite for the last few days been eating them with my after dinner coffee! HEAVEN! One of my Food network Italian cooks Loves chocolate and orange herself. You know who I mean she is just beautiful and I love watching her show esp when her aunt is helping out...such faces Giada De Laurentiis does when her beloved aunt says something Giada does not agree with. I love the Everyday Italian show. Oh heck I love all of them! I'm glued to them in the late afternoons here in Alaska. But anyhow Run - DO NOT walk - RUN over to my shop drool over my latest addition and Just so you know Easter is just around the corner and IF you want a winner I'll be doing marshies in Egg, Chick and Bunny shapes! Order up a batch now and receive 10% off. They will be $15.00 plus shipping if you don't advance order. Use code EasterAdvance#10 email me with your wishes and I'll put up a 'custom order' just for you!

Angels in my Garden

2009-02-06T11:40:00.001-08:00

Angels are everywhere. Some folks believe - some folks don't. Either way is fine with me. The angels you see on Victorian cards are endearing, the full drawn angel with white flowing wings are beautiful. And the statues of angels seen in various country gardens are delightful. I know I have a whole lot of angels watching over me - it's a full time job keeping me in line and keeping me safe. Here is my version of angels: http://www.lollishops.com/node/12856 Just too darling! Drop by the shop today and order. Yes what the angels are gathered in IS white vanilla chocolate. Yes you can eat that Jewel Box! I'll will be selling the Chocolate Jewel Box shortly...we are working on the fine details of the flowers and design; when you work with melted chocolate it can wreck havoc on another color in the design when you pour additional chocolate onto the first colored chocolate. Practice makes perfect - I want the Chocolate boxes to be perfect! But then again it is so much fun to eat the practice pieces Over the weekend we will be adding a bunch of new products! We also are working on a Business Website of our very own. If you are wanting to check it out here is what we have so far: http://coveredinchocolate.food.officelive.com Let me know what you think. Still have to add pages of products, pricing, shipping and more but will give you the Professional Business Look that is a goal of mine.

Hump it day...bake and shake

2009-02-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

Okay living in Alaska in winter can be fun, can be boring, can be just so cold all you want to do is curl up in blankets and watch TV and eat chocolate. My heater in car doesn't like when it gets below zero esp when its minus 8 or below. It freezes up...then when I want to go somewhere like yesterday afternoon I had to dress so I didn't freeze myself. LOL talk about looking like the Pillsbury Dough Boy and I'm a girl! My down coat only adds about 100 pounds to my back side and walking like a blimp to car must make my neighbors laugh! Climbing into my 86' blazer is a whole another dimension - we won't discuss that! So I drove to the south end of town with no heat at minus 8 degrees. Driving time 20 minutes in traffic (Anchorage is not a big town folks) Making pit stops along the way to drop off payments for bills - run inside and leave car running to get that heater warmed up - Get to the grocery store. Do my shopping and pray that the heater turns on...car sat with sun shining on front window for good half hour. So I start up the ole blazer, fingers crossed (not really those army mittens to keep my hands warm don't allow finger crossing ) and I strain to hear that blower going for the heater. Nope Nodda, nothing... no heat. My heart does a little dip...but as I loaded the weeks' groceries into blazer, then hopped in my self wooooooooohooooo as I slammed the door the heater comes on. Mad dash home -thanking the Heater Gods all the way home, even had to take off my wool hat I was getting toasty. For those who love Stuffed Peppers: Dinner from the other night - I seldom use the green peppers they do not keep their bright color. But red peppers just pop with color and they are so much more tastier! The white rice grains against the red pepper just makes a person want to dive in and eat them all. Chop up 1/2 a red onion, a carrot, some mushrooms, add it all to the pot as the rice cooks. When rice is cooked dish into the halved peppers, cover with pre-made spagetti sauce and bake. A beautiful colorful dinner!

Just Cooking...

2009-02-03T10:30:00.001-08:00

Cooking for two at times becomes a challenge simply for the fact both of us do not like left overs. Yep we are spoiled. Although if the meal is big and more than I can eat, I'm one of those who can't really toss the leftovers into the trash. Goes into the fridge. Sometimes I'll warm up for lunch, most times a few weeks later I pull this awful looking creature out of the fridge; tossing promptly into the trash. The one thing I do like as leftovers are my soups! A hot bowl of homemade soup is really great on a cold winter day. It's minus 8 degrees this morning. Last night we had "Pat's Potato Soup" I love this hearty meal. A big ole slice of warm french bread and dinner is ready. I of course saved the leftover for today's lunch YES! Here's the recipe - Cook it up for your family tonight Serve 4 Pats Potato Soup 1 yellow onion 1 teaspoon dried chopped chives Seasoning: pepper, grey sea salt, mrs.dash, Use to your tastes but I suggest 1/2Teaspoon of pepper, mrs dash and ¼ of grey sea salt. 2 cloves of garlic peeled (toss in soup when you add the onion/zucchini/corn to soup mixture) 2 tablespoon butter 3 ½ cups water 2 to 3 cups of pre made powdered milk (you can use whole milk also) 2 potatoes ( you can use Yams also in this recipe and is really good too!) 1 small carrot shredded 1 medium size zucchini 2/3 cup frozen corn 1 can of tri beans (any brand is good) rinse under cold water until water runs clear and set aside to last 10 minutes of cooking soup. The brand I buy has kidney, pinto, and red beans in it. I’ve done just about any bean in this soup - all work. I just like seeing bits of color in this soup! White beans are really good in this also! Just what ever kind you like go for it but they must be rinsed so there is no carry over of coloring from the can of beans. COOKING DIRECTIONS: sliced potatoes in half length wise and then sliced thin, add potatoes and shredded carrot to water and add milk mixture, add seasonings, dried chopped chives and butter. Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes then turn to low temp. While potatoes start to cook dice onion, saute in frying pan until cooked, slice zucchini in half and then slice ½“ thick, add zucchini and frozen corn to cooked onion, season to taste and cook about 5 minutes over low to medium heat, then add onion/ zucchini/corn to potato soup mixture. Cook on low for about 1 hour stirring often so that nothing sticks to bottom of pot. Last 10 minutes of cooking soup add the rinsed tri beans to pot. Serve with warm garlic bread.

Chocolate Dipped Apples

2009-02-01T12:21:00.000-08:00

Lollishop Love Dipped Apple - just looks so pretty pink & white chocolates, then Rocki Road...a lots of yummies on this one! My dipped apples will only be available thru Lollishops! http://www.Lollishops.com/CoveredinChocolate Buy any three apples and save $5.00 on the total purchase price - 3 apples for $28.00 plus shipping of only $9.30 for all three (a savings in indiviual shipping of $18.60) Super great deal! Okay off to do more baking and play in the snow!

Cookie CONTEST- Cookie CONTEST - Cookie CONTEST

2009-01-29T21:41:00.000-08:00

Name the Cookie! January 30th - February 8th Visit either of my shoppes: http://www.coveredinchocolate.etsy.com http://lollishops.com/CoveredinChocolate Read over the description of the “Unnamed Cookie” Then enter a comment on either of my blogs What YOU would name this cookie! Remember have fun, keep it “PG”, be creative, and this cookie is in the classification of monster size cookies so keep that in your mind as you type the winning name! On February 10th I will announce the winner! The lucky winner will win a box of Six (6) monster cookies sent with my thanks for naming the ‘unnamed cookie’. The winning cookie name will be selected by votes through Lollishops Merchant Group. Good Luck and get those names in now!

Does Size Matter?

2009-01-29T12:16:00.000-08:00

Does a small dainty cookie appeal to you or does that monster chocolate chunk with M&M's make your mouth water up? As an online business I find decribing a cookie rather hard. Displaying a cookie so a person understands that it's bigger than a normal size cookie - okay whats normal size you ask? Recipes have certain standards. Normal size cookies are to me about 1 1/2" to 3" inches. This would cover say a Swedish Tea Cake (round) to a chocolate chip cookie (flat) Standard drop by teaspoon on to cookie sheet. Big size cookies to me go 2 1/2" to 4". Standard drop by tablespoon/two tablespoons onto cookie sheet. Then monster size cookies anything over 4". Most of my monster cookies are about 5"-6" inches. Standard drop by ice cream scoop or 1/4 cup onto cookie sheet. Then each size will also vary a tad in cooking time. Bar cookies also have different sizes. Just about any baked good can come in all shapes and sizes. This is a new cookie in my monster size that will be added to my shoppes later today: AND This cookie also needs a name! Tomorrow my post will be a contest to name this cookie. Stay tune for details posted tomorrow!

Amaretto Silk Orgasm Cookies

2009-01-28T15:32:00.000-08:00

Visit me at either of my Gourmet Shoppes! http://www.CoveredinChocolate.etsy.com http://www.lollishops.com/CoveredinChocolate I'll be adding these cookies to my shop later today! OMG never in my life have I enjoyed baking a cookie more! My preferred nut is Pecan, but almonds grounded to tiny tiny gains add a whole new meaning to nuts in cookies. Then a big splash of Amaretto Liqueur (did I say big ... I mean huge) When you order your "Amaretto Silk Orgasm Cookies" mention my blog with blogspot or indiepublic in the message line and I will send along Two Chocolate Moose Lollipops as my gift to you!

A Day in Chocolate Heaven - Ohhhh so Sinful

2009-01-27T09:50:00.000-08:00

Today I'll be working with various chocolates to test out several new candy molds I recently purchased for adding to my line of Gourmet Sweets. I'll be testing out new colorings, extracts, and different chocolates to see how each work together in the process of making Gourmet Candies! Testing day is exciting, fun, but also frusrating! But it is the one chance I get to become totally creative with all my kitchen gadgets. Then we get to sample what we made to see if and when it gets added to the growing list of sweets that go into my online shops. Pictures will be taken during the whole process so that I'll be able to share the fun I had while testing.

Baking for Profit

2009-01-26T19:39:00.000-08:00

"Spiced Chocolate Pecan Bars" just about to cut and add to my online shops! I'm setting goals for 2009. I love to bake. By this year's end I will have a real brick and glass shop that is primary my baked goodies and will also carry products from other handcrafters! I have two venues I sell my baked Gourmet Edible Desserts at. I ship priority mail...4 cupcakes can weight a pound and you want them fast! I am a vendor at Etsy and Lollishops. Visit either shop and I do allow drooling while looking at my baked creations! http://www.CoveredinChocolate.etsy.com http://www.lollishops.com/CoveredinChocolate I do catering, custom orders, and offer private teaching classes for learning or improving cooking/baking skills.