Yummy, Cool Summer Time Dessert!

For Mother's Day, I made my mom a delicious, family favorite dessert. It was a surprise that brought back many wonderful memories... One summer, when I was in high school and was still living at home, my mom found this recipe for a Chocolate Cherry Torte in a Taste of Home magazine and we made it all summer long. It was delicious, to say in the least, and was nice and cool for a summer time dessert! Also, it's SUPER EASY!! So make this at your next family gathering and take all the credit for making a homemade dessert:)

 It was a BIG hit with my family and everyone had a piece and left an empty pan! Even those on "diets" and "watching their calories" ate a piece with no regret!! It was that good!

I had to alter the original recipe due to a few things not being available at the store (like pkg whipped topping...).

• About 1 1/2 pkgs of Hill Country Fare (HEB) chocolate-covered graham cracker cookies, (about 1+ pound), crushed
  
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 12 ounces lite whipped topping, thawed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 package (8 ounces) low fat cream cheese, softened
• 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling

Directions

• Set aside 1/3 cup crushed cookies for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining cookies and butter; spread into a 13-in. x 9-in. dish. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the whipped topping and vanilla; beat on low speed until blended (or by hand). Add cream cheese; beat until smooth.
• Spread over crust; top with pie filling. Sprinkle with reserved cookies. Cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours before serving. Yield: 12-16 servings.

Cooking in the Kitchen...Xia & Mommy!

 While I was in the kitchen making these tasty little treats for tonight (for my Girls Night Out /Bunco group)...

 Little Xia Bliss (1yr old) was busy in her kitchen baking and cooking away! She even took a few phone calls:) I love this kitchen that was given to her - she is soooo amused by this amazing toy. Guess I'll have to make an apron for her real soon:)

Happy 1st Birthday to Xia Couture's Namesake, Xia Bliss!

 Xia Bliss, whose whole being inspired Xia Couture turned 1 today! Happy Birthday dear daughter! I love you!

Here's a little of what we did today...
1st up - Homemade wheat, banana, strawberry,  and blueberry pancakes (she even blew on the candle - not out, but on!)

Then we visited our neighbor's home - Jo (83) and Karl (90)- and celebrated a little with them (Xia snacked on graham crackers & OJ - a special treat for her!) Karl reminded Xia that he is 89 years older than she is:)!!

Then we opened Aunt Amanda's gift - a groovy ball blower and clothes!

While Xia napped, I baked cupcakes - nearly 70 of them! Carrot, Chocolate, & Strawberry... yum!Then Aunt Laura came over to help decorate her birthday party cupcakes! Let me just say that Laura is very creative and hers turned out MUCH better than mine:)!! * sneak preview of her upcoming party!*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, XIA BLISS! DADDY AND MOMMY LOVE YOU VERY MUCH:)

Two New Aprons!

I am so proud of my two newest aprons! I made these for my best friend from college. I now know which one I'm going to duplicate for myself...the top one! It matches my kitchen perfectly:)
The bottom apron is so full, I love it. It wraps around to the side of you. What a perfect cooking apron - so practical! Leave the mess behind on the apron, not on YOU!!

My First Attempt at Chicken Enchiladas!

I made up some of the yummiest Chicken Enchiladas yesterday...it was especailly cool, since it was my first ever attempt at making them! Woohoo, me!

So, of course I used canned enchilada sauce and threw the can away with the directions on the back. Luckily they were so, super EASY that I have the recipe memorized because I altered it and made it my OWN! Yay, ME!

12 oz shredded chicken ( I think I used less - maybe 8oz)
1 can ranch style beans (semi mashed. the recipe called for refried beans, but I didn't have them in my pantry)
1 cup picante sauce
1 tsp dried oregano
Dash of pepper
Fresh cilantro chopped - 1TLBS -ish
1 can Gebhardt enchilada sauce
8+ corn tortillas
Approx 1.5 cups low fat colby jack or cheddar cheese

Mix the first 6 ingredients together. Put 2/3 cup of the mixture in each tortilla with approx 1 Tlbs of cheese. Wrap the tortillas and place seam down in a baking dish. *I had extra mix, so I simply put it on top of the wrapped tortillas. You can do that or simply use more than 8 tortillas*. Pour enchilada sauce on top along with remaining cheese. Bake @ 350 for 30 mins.

I served with about 2 tsp 0% greek yogurt (instead of sour cream), green onions, fresh cilantro, and a few cubes of avocado on top. This was a big hit! I'm not sure about the calorie count... not sure I want to know! You can use less cheese or use chicken breast to cut back on calorie count and make it even more healthy.

Now make this for dinner tomorrow night!! Enjoy:)

BEST Tortilla Soup Recipe EVER! (Slow-Cooker Recipe)

Oh my goodness.... I made the yummiest Tortilla Soup for dinner!!! My friend gave me the most delicious recipe and, wow – we have total soup buzz over here!!!

Here’s my version of the recipe below - (original from allrecipes.com):

Ingredients

• ½ - ¾  pound shredded, cooked chicken (I used HEB’s BBQ chicken leg quarters, skin removed and deboned)
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes,
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups water
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth, fat free and low sodium
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn
• Several tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 lime, halved
• 7 corn tortillas

Directions

1. Place chicken, tomatoes, onion, green chiles, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in corn and cilantro and half of the squeezed lime. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3. Bake in preheated oven until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes. To serve, sprinkle tortilla strips over soup.

To serve, I substituted sour cream with Fage Greek 0% yogurt (about a tablespoon), a few thin slices of avocado, and some cilantro leaves

New Aprons, New Projects, and a New Year! Happy 2011!

It's been a while since I've last blogged and I have some new aprons and a couple new, small projects I've been working on in the NEW YEAR!

Here are my newest aprons - all new patterns for the New Year! 

The top one is for little girls, the next two are for the ladies!

I even expanded my "sewing" to a no-sew tutu for Xia! Now it's not complete, but I couldn't resist the urge to post it today! It is "tutu" cute!! The picture just doesn't do it justice...there are two lengths and it is pretty full. But at least you get the idea. I'll have to have her model it, once its complete, and I'll post an update:)

I've also put together a few things for Xia's bedroom... I'm not a crafty person, so this is a HUGE deal for me! I bought these three flowers from Hobby Lobby and painted them. I don't do things like this, so I was extremely impressed with myself and just had to post!

I also made a hair bow display (not sure what they are called). I bought the butterfly, a glue gun, some ribbon, and went to town! It turned out sooo cute!