A Magnificent Mothers Day to All :)

I have been blessed with such an amazing relationship and was happy that I could help celebrate her today.   Of course we have our ups and downs, if you don't then, I'm sorry, that's just odd.  Some mothers receive homemade cards, breakfast in bed, or a meal out.  I consider my trip home a gift in itself, but Meghan and I did a bit more.

For breakfast, I tried a new recipe from my Barefoot Contessa cookbook - Orange Cranberry Scones.  My mom's favorite scone is the ever-so-popular cherry, white chocolate scone from Looney Bean in Mammoth Lakes.  But, it was a little out of my league and I have a goal to test out my current cookbook recipes, so that was the plan.  We actually started the day with a walk around town with Bodie (our fabulous yellow lab) and picked up a coffee on the way, but the scones were ready for when we returned.

4 cups plus 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar, plus additional for sprinkling

2 tablespoons baking powder

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 tablespoon grated orange zest

3/4 pound cold unsalted butter (diced)

4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup cold heavy cream (although we found out that heavy whipping cream is the same)

1 cup dried cranberries

1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water or milk (for egg wash)

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, plus 2 tablespoons

4 teaspoons freshly squeezed orange juice

Preheat the oven to about 400 degrees and let the baking begin!

I didn't have a hand-zester tool, so I ended up improvising with our cheese-grater.

Mixing up the flour, baking powder, salt, and orange zest (mmmmmm citrus)

In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs and heavy cream

Cream the butter and flour until the batter looks like little pebbles.  I had difficulty obtaining the perfect dough, so I started the integrate the egg and cream mixture. 

This did the trick and I soon was left with a perfectly buttery dough ready to be rolled out.

In order to divide the dough into shapes, I used the top of a cup, but it would work just as well with different shaped cookie cutters.  Maybe make breakfast a little more exciting.

Place the batter in the oven for about 20-25 minutes.  The biscuits might be better off if rolled out with a thicker consistency, but still ended up quite tasty.

Delicious and flaky.  Perfect on their own, warmed with a little butter, jam, and berries, or a nice cup of coffee. 

Flowers brought home to brighten the day and a lovely pick-me-up for Mom and the one and only Bodie resting in one of his favorite spots. 

Dinner was yet another treat, especially for a college student like me.  My dad had picked up excellent shish-kabobs from Bristol Farms (chicken and steak), and we paired it with asparagus and white rice.  Probably the most tender chicken and steak, grilled to perfection with pepper and onion. 

My grandparents enjoying the time by the pool

Our cheese snack platter with a selection of crackers.  Cheeses consisted of: Brie, blue cheese, salami, jack, and cheddar. 

The "Grill Chef" prepping dinner.

I've always had some trouble finding the perfect homemade frosting recipe, but somehow Meghan has managed to find one that is absolutely to die for.  Based off of powdered sugar with some butter, milk, and vanilla. Even better once placed in the fridge.  

The best were topped with coconut, per Mom's request and we topped many of them off with the fresh strawberries that Jamma and Papa picked up on their way up north.  What would have been even better is to have the "muffie" tin, a pan that only makes the top of the muffins, the absolutely BEST part of a muffin or cupcake.

It was a wonderful day with family, a lovely day outside to be in the sunshine and there are many more to come!

I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine - she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights.  ~Terri Guillemets

How Exciting, It's MAY!

May probably has to be one of my favorite months.  No, it is not just because it is my birthday, ok maybe that is the reason I like it so much, but there is also Cinco de Mayo!  A day we all claim as our own, celebrates Mexican heritage and pride as well as commemorates the cause of freedom and democracy during the first few years of the American Civil War.

Growing up I was adverse to any type of Mexican food or anything containing mint flavor.  I know, growing up in Southern California, how could I have avoided such delicious cuisine?  My aunt would tease me and say we were having tacos and mint chip ice cream for dinner.  Well, times and taste buds have definitely changed and I now crave Tex-Mex, Mexican food, and of course mint ice cream!

To start off the celebrations, I threw together a quick "Fiesta Salad" with black beans, lettuce, guacamole (compliments of Trader Joe's Avogadro's Guacamole), baby tomatoes, salsa, and some grilled chicken strips.  I could have included some frozen corn I had sitting in the fridge but I was pretty hungry by the time I got all the ingredients in the bowl.  To pair it all off, I grabbed the bag of "Reduced-Guilt" tortilla chips, another favorite from Trader Joes and was in 7th heaven.  This was a new product I was testing out and they seem to have won my heart out.  I don't try to rave about every product that I try and believe me, if something is not up to par, I will let you know.  But these chips seemed to have the most crunch.  They do tend to break easily under the pressure of the guacamole, but were not as flimsy as Tostitos and were much more satisfying.

But enough of this weak attempt at a Mexican meal.  I'm really ready for my sister's homemade tacos, where she makes the taco shells by placing fresh tortillas from (yep, you guessed it...) Trader Joes in a pan of oil and magically removes them, crispy to perfection.  I've heard my uncle Rob makes amazing tacos, but I have yet to see him in action.  We will have to have a taco throw down this summer.

Here are some great ideas from Sunset to celebrate your own Cinco de Mayo celebrations this week, month, or YEAR!  Wherever you can pick up a bag of tortilla chips and avocados, it's a fiesta.

From main dishes, drinks, even tutorials on making the best guacamole, check out some 

Favorite Mexican Recipes

{Some of the favorites? Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas, Tortilla Soup, Grilled Skirt Steak, Yucatecan Tostadas, Baja Fish Tacos, Mexican Chopped Salad with Orange Cream, Halibut Tostada with Yogurt-Lime Sauce}

Someone has already taken on the task of searching out the best burrito.  There happens to be a few spots along the California coast I might try to search out

"The Hunt for the Best Burrito"

And if you can't seem to put the perfect menu together, try this one!

Cinco De Mayo Taco Party

Fiesta Dinner Menu

I plan on testing these bad boys out very soon and definitely stay tuned for the Tres Leches Cake.  When we traveled to Costa Rica a few years ago, we were introduced to the fine sweet treat and I've been searching out the perfect recipe ever since!

*Another Costa Rican favorite was the delicious and omni-present Arroz con Pollo.

My compliments, as always, to Trader Joe's and Sunset, two quality institutions :)