End of the Blogathon

Well folks, this post brings us to the end of the blogathon.  While I've had a lot of fun blogging everyday this month, I'm ready for a little break!  Enjoy this follow-up recipe to yesterday's homemade gnocchi recipe while I take a step back from the blog for just a bit.  I picked out an extra rich one to keep you full while I'm away. ;)

Gnocchi in Fontina Sauce

Enjoy!  I'm sure I'll be back on Friday with another edition of Freebie Friday!

Cuppie-cakes!

Oh boy do I love me some cuppie-cakes (read:  cupcakes...duh).  They are fast and easy to make and filling and frosting them is a piece of cake (hehehe) when you have the right tools so it's extra easy to make them extra special.  Check out this spread I made for Mother's Day!

Don't they look lovely?  Look closely and you'll notice one is missing from the bottom layer.  I allowed my hubby to sample one ahead of time...you know, for quality control.

Here's one up close.  Mmmm...who knew there was strawberry preserves on the inside?  Me!  That's who!  And isn't that stand a bute?  My mom got it for me for Christmas from Crate and Barrel.  Love it!

My niece and nephew certainly seemed to enjoy them, don't you think?  This is becoming a trend. 

Aunt Lauren = cake.  I think I'm ok with that.  :)

Hope you're enjoying the blogathon!  Are you following any other blogs that are participating?

Did You Save Room for Dessert?

That question haunts me at restaurants...Do I want dessert? Yes.  Did I save room for dessert?  No.

Well tonight I hope you have saved room for dessert!  I had never made cupcakes from scratch before and these weren't perfect but they were still mighty tasty.  Check out this Classic Vanilla Cupcake recipe I found on cooks.com!  I added a shake of cinnamon (a little overly generous but it worked).  Felt a little odd to make the cupcakes from scratch and then top them with a can of store bought icing since I already know how to make icing but eh, what's a girl to do?  ;)

Have you ever made cupcakes from scratch?  Have any suggestions or recipes to share?  I'd love to hear from you!

Sloppy Joes...Slop, Sloppy Joes

Time for some serious comfort food, folks.  I saw the Pioneer Woman's recent post about sloppy joes and it inspired me to create a combo recipe between her amazing one and the items available to me in my fridge and pantry.  First, allow me to be totally honest...had I had everything in my pantry to make it Ree's way, I totally would have.  So here's how it went...

Extra Sloppy Sloppy Joes

1 lb. extra lean ground beef
4 oz. diced green chilies
minced garlic
chopped onion
3/4 c. ketchup
1/4 c. chili sauce
1 Tbls. chili powder
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/3 c. water
2 shakes worstershire sauce
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 Tbls. brown sugar

Super easy folks...brown the meat, add the rest, simmer and devour. 

Does it get any better than that on the fourth night of Blogathon 2010?

Mouthwatering Marinade

I've been saving this marinade I found on http://www.simplyrecipes.com/ for a couple weeks so I'm excited to have the blogathon to push me along to finally share it with you!

We made this flank steak on a Friday night for a special dinner with friends with some roasted asparagus and big ole' baked potatoes...it really was a treat and we love to grill so it was super easy.  One thing I will note is to make sure you follow the marinating directions and score the outside of your steak to make sure the marinade can penetrate the steak even better.

Here's a link to the recipe.

Grilled Marinated Flank Steak

For once in my life, I actually stuck to the recipe!  Feel free to experiment if there's something you don't have or something you don't particularly care for, though. 

Stay tuned for more delicious recipes to come later this week...vanilla and cinnamon cupcakes, super sloppy joes, delicious and healthy whole wheat pancakes!  Help me keep up with the blogathon!  If you have any suggestions (or Ask Lauren questions) I'd love for you to leave a comment below!

Blogathon 2010

I just heard about May being a "blogathon month" meaning you sign up to "pledge" to post on your blog every day for a month.  I'm not officially signed up (I'm lazy like that) but I figured I could give it an "unofficial" try.  (Have I used quotation marks enough yet?)

So here goes nothing...31 blog posts in 31 days...can your google reader handle that?  I don't think it's ready for this jelly.  Mmmm...jelly.  Oh, yes, where was I...

I thought it might be fun to start off the month with a theme day so Saturdays this month will be my "Top Five" days.  Why five you ask?  Why not ten?  Most times you see a top ten.  It's simple really, coming up with my top ten anything would take me forever.  I give you...my first top five...

Top Five St. Louis Patios

5.  Llywellyn's CWE location (lots of shady trees for those afternoon happy hours)
4.  Growler's Sunset Hills location (might rank higher if there wasn't always a crazy wait for a table)
3.  Tucker's Place (partially cause it's so close to my house but the frosty mugs are a nice touch)
2.  Schlafly Bottleworks (live music, great food and beer...fantastic combination)

but I think my favorite patio to sit on would have to be (and I've only been there once...what a shame)

1.  The Vine on Main  (Can't beat two patios, one in front for Main Street views and one out back with occasional live music...love it)

See you all tomorrow with some recipes!