Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The First Bite: Chewy Lemon Cookies


For the past week or so, I've been craving lemony goods like lemon cookies or cakes. So when I did Google a search for lemon cookies, My Baking Addiction blog came up and I found the perfect recipe for her Chewy Lemon Cookies here. I attempted it and LOVED it, my roommate also enjoyed them as well as her co-workers. Thanks Jamie!

Le Ingredients: Flour, Sugar, Salt, Baking powder, vanilla, Butter, an egg, lemon zest and juice, .

Mix together dry ingredients, then in a separate bowl mix the sugar and butter (I used shortening). In another bowl mix the egg, zest, vanilla, and lemon juice. Then mix everything. 

Everything is mixed in.

I used 1 Tablespoon to scoop the cookies, then rolled them into balls.

Roll in sugar.

Place on cookie sheet.

In the oven they go. 

VOILA!

This recipe was easy to follow and wonderful to taste. I will definitely be making these again. 




Monday, July 30, 2012

The First Bite: Rice ~n~ Peas w/Tilapia


This post is long over due, but I am finally able to to post it. I made this for dinner on Sunday last week, and I was just 'bout licking my plate clean! I love seafood, did I mention that I LOVE SEAFOOD? Tilapia is one of THE EASIEST fish to cook, at least for me so I used what I had and went at it with le Tilapia. 

Ingredients: 1/2 cup of peas, 1 cup of rice, salt, garlic & oil.

Finely Chop 2 garlic cloves . 

Fry the garlic in oil.

Add the peas

1 1/2 cup of water, then rice to boiling water.

I learned from my mother that the rice is enough when it peaks at the top of the water. 

Boil! Boil! Boil! Stir the rice, when the water is just about done boiling, lower the temperature on the stove and cover the rice. 

I first fried the Tilapia in oil. 

Then I used a paste I made (will do another post) for coating and seasoning.

Added tomato sauce and VOILA!

Cooked Rice

Finale!





Friday, July 27, 2012

Taking out the Trash...the lies, hurt, & pain


You're probably wondering why I am sharing my trash with you guys, but wonder no more. The day I took out this trash, I also threw out worry, lies, hurt, pain, insecurities and many other "stuff" in my life that was hindering me from progress. As we mosey along this life, we often times do not realize how much trash we accumulate. Trash from friends, trash from television, trash from society, just in general TRASH and its everywhere. 

When I turned 26, something just clicked. All I kept thinking was that I can't live like this anymore. Living a lie, living in sin, living a way that was unacceptable for me period. If I was unhappy with my life, I can just imagine how God felt about it. And trust me, I was walking around faking the funk. So I looked around, and decided to throw out the trash. This is by far not all of my trash, but little by little I am cleaning up this mess that I created. So in a series of post, I'll be cleaning up, wiping down, dusting off things that have resided in me for far to long. I know I can't do this alone, so with God's wisdom and peace, I'll be sure to clear the unwanted trash. 

When you feel like you are in a funk, or a place that is simply not appealing to you, pause and look around. See if there is anything that you may throw away that can help un-clutter your space. It's really refreshing. 


Blessings,
Divine Beauty

Saturday, July 21, 2012

The First Bite: Turkey Balls and Broccoli


My version of beef broccoli from The Moptop Maven's outing.
 

 So as I was browsing as usual through one of my fave blogs The Moptop Maven, and lo and behold I run upon a dish that she enjoyed and I figured "Hey I can do this!" so that what I did. It was really easy since I already had turkey balls in my fridge and broccoli in the freezer. The sauce on the other hand was a bit of an improvise. I used soy sauce, tomato sauce, and barbeque sauce. And you know what? IT WAS AWESOME! Simple and delectable.

 The actual Beef and Broccoli from Phillipe Chow.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The First Bite: A taste of Italy


via the basics of spaghetti and meatballs...

So I was craving meatballs the other day and it took me about 3 days to actually make some. And when I finally made some it was past 9 o'clock. (I need to do better) But anyways, I got my fix and so did my roommate (who happened to have made spaghetti too, minus the meatballs). But any who, to Italy we go with an easy, simple everyday pasta dish. 



Gathered my ingredients

Aside from the Italian seasoning I added a touch of Cajun and Cayenne, to give it a little kick. 

and then....we roll

I used Olive Oil to fry (Since that was all we had in the  cabinets)

I used four cheese tomato sauce, to coat the balls with. 

Pasta time

Drained and washed over with cool water....

Buon Appetito!




Wednesday, July 18, 2012

26 and Counting

July 15, 2012 Dinner at Negril, NYC

Now that I have crossed over the quarter life mark I feel slight pressure to pursue my dreams harder and work towards them with a fervent spirit.

My 25th Birthday was AWESOME!!!!! and then it just went....Lately I've been feeling like I'm being complacent, but then I don't have any motivation either. I remember back in when I first moved to Texas I called up a friend and we were talking about where we were in life, and I remember mentioning that I don't have the faith that I use to have and I don't know where it went. His words to me were "Go get your faith back."

So here I am once again, but this time motivation is the one that has ran from me, and looks like I'll be reigning that in soon. Anyone, I'm done ranting, here's a recap of my Birthday weekend.

Saturday Night Pre-Celebration in Times Square, NYC

Blessed, Loved, Crazy

Asking and Believing

Miniature Photo Op

Oh and by the way.....I Celebrate ALL MONTH!

The First Bite: Egg Cups


Disclaimer: I LOVE EGGS!

Now that I got that off my chest, let's get down to the nitty gritty of having breakfast for dinner. I'm on of those people that can eat breakfast at anytime, though I am not really a morning person, I just love the food.

So after browsing through some food blogs (I don't remember which one) I usually get inspired and go home and cook away. I am kind of new to this so the recipe or lack thereof will be via pictures. The egg cups were quite easy to make and there are many variations out there on the web.

Ingredients: 4 Eggs, Spinach, Onions, & Cheese.


Saute Onions

Add Spinach

Mix Together


Scramble Eggs

Add Spinach and onions in bowls cover with cheese

Bake for about 5-10 Minutes...Last minute or 2, Broil to brown cheese on top.

Bon Apetite!