tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18542518637115941232012-01-26T21:45:37.873-05:00ALWAYS KEEP IT SWEETSweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.comBlogger1781100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-19043300992113640032011-06-10T23:45:00.000-04:002011-06-10T23:45:44.602-04:00

Copper river salmon is finally in season!  To celebrate, I tried something new.  Grilling fish.  Strait on the grill.   Typically, my husband was always the grill master.  I just didn't want to deal with the extreme 700 degrees of our grill, and quite frankly the grill can be intimidating.  These days, I've had to overcome a lot of my fears, like giving birth, killing spiders, and manning the

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-33855361942167812652011-06-05T22:38:00.000-04:002011-06-05T22:38:10.088-04:00

Ok, so technically, I didn't make this.  However, I did manage to put it together in just minutes for a little appetizer while I was making dinner.  It's the perfect appetizer, its quick, simple and SO, SO good. I have had this many times before, but it finally became a staple on my Italian vacation with my husband.  We would step into a small cafe while shopping and sight seeing, and take a

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-70226247312948033012011-05-07T09:14:00.000-04:002011-05-07T09:14:00.542-04:00

Planning ahead can be really tough when you are busy.  Sometimes I get caught up in all the other tasks of the week that I can't be bothered with sitting down to write a menu for the week, plus a shopping list that I will probably forget or lose at home anyway. This week, was just one of those weeks.  I came off a busy weekend and I needed to just live with using what was in my refrigerator and

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-21651201831723407962011-05-06T14:08:00.000-04:002011-05-06T14:08:38.002-04:00

After a very busy weekend of making the lady bug cake for my friends shower, I was asked to bring the birthday cake for my other friend Leslie to our women's wine tasting club. I was short on time and energy, but I still wanted my cake to be a show piece.  Even though I need a bit of practice with the roses and piping, I think it turned out really cute.  I stole the idea from my friend over at

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-8869696884372496882011-05-05T17:03:00.000-04:002011-05-05T17:03:43.624-04:00

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Two words describe this cake. GET OUT....  GET OUT! Ok, that is four.  But seriously, this cake is shout it from the street good! Last year, I made tres leches cupcakes that were not only dry, but sticky.   A true disappointment since this cake should be extremely moist.  This year, I went simple and went with a recipe from "The Joy of Cooking".  There weren't a ton of

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-40875472187979258572011-05-04T22:11:00.000-04:002011-05-04T22:11:52.386-04:00

I made these cupcakes for my friend's shower this weekend in order to fill in the gaps of additional guests. At first, I chose cupcakes because, typically, they are relatively quick and easy.  Of course, while researching "You Tube" for some decorating techniques for the cake, I found this cute little technique and decided, I had to try it! Fast forward to the day before the party, I was in full

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-55523456563024463812011-05-02T22:24:00.003-04:002011-05-03T13:09:02.242-04:00

This past week has been 'adventures in cakeland'.  One of my good friends was having a baby shower and I offered to make the cake.  At first, it started out for a group of 50, which quickly turned into 75.  No need to panic....its nothing that a few cupcakes couldn't fix.  In the end...it was one cute dessert display. Now, most people wouldn't offer to make an extraordinary cake like this on

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-31734075999956964412011-04-27T09:00:00.004-04:002011-04-27T09:00:15.478-04:00

Up until this weekend, I was unsure if I liked scones.  The last time I made scones I was just beginning to do a lot of 'from scratch' baking.  I was very novice an unsure of how to kneed dough and what it should look like.  As a result, the scones didn't really turn out well.  They were dry and bland.  This could have entirely been based upon the recipe chosen (I would usually get recipes off

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-14324544114326466282011-04-26T09:00:00.001-04:002011-04-26T09:00:09.719-04:00

I was never one to order or make a pie.  After joining TWD (Tuesday's with Dorie) a few years ago, I began to break out of my cake/cookie mold and started to try new things, including pies.  While I need serious work on my pie crust skills, I must say I really enjoy homemade pie! The last time I made this pie, I made a ton of alterations-adding a peanut butter layer and a chocolate ganache layer

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-26739896374135400492011-04-25T09:00:00.003-04:002011-04-25T12:21:57.823-04:00

I have a confession. I do not like ham, Sam I am. I'm being serious.  I don't like it at all.  My husband and I would order a ham every year for Easter.   (Lamb is really the more traditional course choice). My father in law would get in line, every year, at the Honeybaked Ham store for all of us.  Bless his heart for doing this.  The last Easter I hosted, the ham just wasn't very good.  And I

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-84787919234070806072011-04-24T21:32:00.000-04:002011-04-24T21:32:49.832-04:00

Last year, I took Easter off.  The thought of hosting a large group of people at my house while I prepped all week, then cleaned up after all the company, was just not in the cards since my little G was only about 6 weeks old.  This year, I was much more able to handle it all--including making 2 desserts. From the first Easter I spent with my husbands family, I made carrot cake.  It just seemed

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-41642251702915542382011-04-21T22:18:00.002-04:002011-04-22T09:59:54.541-04:00

My baby cousin, Billy (I can call him my baby cousin because my mom watched him when he was just a baby --sorry Bill!  ;)  ), is serving in the Air Force and will be away from the family for Easter this year.  My aunt wanted to make sure he had a nice care package before the holiday so she called to see if I could help out by making 5 dozen cookies.  Of course, sugar cookies had to be on the list

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-36478801824476597982011-04-19T17:17:00.001-04:002011-04-19T22:04:00.249-04:00

Quick question:  Does this look like a book? Hopefully it does!  But it's not!  It's all CAKE! I look in amazement and smile at this thing every single time I pass it sitting on my counter.  I made this.   I stared at it for over a day before I finished it (had to 'title' the darn thing) and let's face it, I stink at writing on cakes (if anything blew my cover it was the writing on the cake...

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-33103200932981509192011-04-16T09:06:00.000-04:002011-04-16T09:06:00.545-04:00

My 21 pound one-year old could eat her body weight in pasta.  This isn't a joke. After giving her a very good sized bowl at dinner, she signed "more".  So, I walk over to the stove, and scoop more pasta into her bowl.  A short time later, she signs "more" and deliberately points over to the pot sitting on the stove.  3 bowls later, she starts signing again, and pointing.  I had to draw the line.

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-88982436604747132822011-04-15T22:06:00.001-04:002011-04-15T22:36:46.236-04:00

I decided sometime last week that I was going to start my own baking business.  While I am still working on building a website (I bake cakes...not websites so this will be a work in progress) I have finally decided on a name.  I know...you are all in suspense.  I'll release it when I get my website up.  Besides, I don't want my hard work with an email focus group to go to waste ;). In order to

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-36155952262651349972011-04-09T09:32:00.001-04:002011-04-10T14:14:32.986-04:00

I love wandering through Whole Foods.  I could spend an afternoon wandering the isles looking at everything.  These days, I don't get much of an opportunity to sit and clog the grocery isles...because I am quickly reminded I have a toddler with me as a cheerio whizzes by my head. But, while my little one does not share my patience for shopping, there is one thing we both have in common--we

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-66998513221043960052011-04-08T21:22:00.001-04:002011-04-08T21:24:38.012-04:00

The winter months are busy with birthdays in my family.  Last year, I had just given birth to my sweet baby G, so my husband had to deal with a bakery bought cake.   After pulling off an extraordinary 1st birthday party for my daughter, I knew my 'husbands cake' would be a simple task to pull off. This time, I made a slight improvement:  I added homemade chocolate covered strawberries!  I also

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-45611061144270284842011-04-07T17:02:00.001-04:002011-05-01T22:51:46.286-04:00

Over the weekend, I was able to catch up on my favorite food network shows.  Giada's struck me (maybe it was because they were all hanging at the beach and there is no warm weather in sight in MI yet!).  After watching, my husband and I were drooling.  I look over at him, and said "Should we make this today?"  He gets up immediately from his seat and says, "Yes, I will get a pen a paper and write

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-31018525876452075202011-04-06T18:30:00.001-04:002011-04-06T18:31:46.312-04:00

Last night was my last Class #2 of Wilton.  (I've taken them somewhat out of order...and re-took #2 for a refresher).  I was put under a bit of pressure from my fellow classmate, Dolce by Dana, to step outside the box once again and NOT choose something from the Wilton suggestion book.  Originally I figured I might just take it easy this time but as the weeks drew closer I knew I would have to

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-44553888803040648922011-03-29T09:38:00.000-04:002011-03-29T09:38:00.498-04:00

I hosted a CAbi party at my house last weekend and I knew one good way to get people over to my house was to bribe entice them with cupcakes.  It's sneaky.  Rather sneaky. I knew that since the party was to be 'fashioned based' my cupcakes better come dressed for the party.  And did they ever! I saw these sinful silhouettes over at Fields of Cake a few weeks ago and I nearly fell over.  

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-80086725812464867032011-03-28T21:37:00.000-04:002011-03-28T21:37:45.699-04:00

My daughter had, yet another, birthday party this weekend.  This time, it was a joint party at a 'kid gym' for her and all her little friends that were born within the same month.  It was fun watching all the little ones play around on the mats and slides.  It's hard to believe I was a brand new mom this time last year.  I remembered sitting back at some point and thinking....how on earth did I

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-3540381347790518472011-03-09T22:46:00.000-05:002011-03-09T22:46:26.097-05:00

Tuesday was my last day of my Gum Paste and Fondant class with Wilton.  We had to do only one cake for the class --at the very end.  Thank goodness for that since my daughters birthday party nearly knocked me on my rear end. I researched for a design from the first day of class.  But I hadn't quite decided on what to do until the Sunday before my last class.  I was initially so caught up in

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-69696268586353798392011-03-05T22:16:00.000-05:002011-03-05T22:16:37.014-05:00

I normally don't post specifically about events but since this was a pretty significant event in MY life, I decided it was just too big not to post about it. I remember talking to my neighbor about the first birthday celebration when I was pregnant.  Our conversation is still so vivid in my mind.  She said, "Your life changes so much after having a child, you change, your marriage changes,

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-80791868411601863372011-02-27T14:32:00.000-05:002011-02-27T14:32:36.856-05:00

Just a little teaser post-- My sweet little baby turned one last week and we threw her a birthday party yesterday!  I was one BUSY mama busting my rear end baking to get this party together! Here is a picture of the 'dessert' table in the middle of assembly. More to come! Hungry?

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-27405629389584669242011-02-17T22:02:00.001-05:002011-02-17T22:02:45.864-05:00

My husband isn't much for celebrating Valentine's Day.  I'm sure he probably thinks it's a stupid excuse for Hallmark to make a few extra bucks.  Truthfully, I love to celebrate EVERYTHING. I celebrate life everyday, but a holiday that is based around love?  Count me in!  I wouldn't say I go overboard with crazy gifts and expectations, but it certainly gives me a chance to remind my husband

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-32430534080358238072011-02-07T21:29:00.000-05:002011-02-07T21:29:06.087-05:00

While reading my December issue of Fine Cooking Magazine I was enticed by the grain article.  I'm always looking to try something new so when I read you could use millet grains instead of corn meal to make polenta....I decided it was worth a trip to the grocery store. Now let me forewarn you, millet, isn't really something you may find at your corner store but I would imagine at most fancy

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-9049776470706306742011-02-01T21:53:00.001-05:002011-02-01T21:53:18.136-05:00

The last time my husband and I went to Italy, we came home with a suitcase full of Italian souvenirs---including a few bottles of limoncello. As nature would have it, I found out 10 days after returning home that I was pregnant. So my vision of sitting on my patio sipping on my limoncello was left at just that...a vision. I made my husband swear that he would not touch the last bottle of

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-35188150290218718382011-01-13T09:00:00.000-05:002011-01-13T09:00:12.293-05:00

I realized one day while walking the isle of my local supermarket that I should probably wash my fruits and vegetables--rather than just rinsing them in water. Watching people sneeze then touch the fruit to inspect it and then putting it back again kind of grossed me out. Then I thought: I don't wash my hands in JUST water. I use soap. So I made my way over to the vegetable wash; then

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-88324683758055370322011-01-12T11:30:00.000-05:002011-01-12T11:31:56.790-05:00

We are finally bringing red meat back into our diet. Mainly, because we had leftover tenderloin that needed to be eaten!I found this recipe in my Women's Health Magazine a few years ago while reading poolside in Napa. Ahhh...those were the days! Most times I do that, I end up losing the recipe or throwing it out because lets face it, I am probably not going to make it. But this time, the

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-18697531251624010822011-01-11T14:30:00.001-05:002011-01-11T21:27:02.448-05:00

I know. I told you we gave up sweets. While we still are trying to stay on track for the most part, we had plans to have our parenting group over and I certainly wouldn't impose goofy diet restrictions on anyone. Besides, I wanted to make these and it was the perfect way to be able to try one...and pawn off the rest.But as nature would have it, I came down with a cold the morning we were

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-84484292901276602172011-01-10T14:46:00.001-05:002011-01-10T14:46:00.118-05:00

I've been holding onto this recipe forever. I saw this Barefoot Contessa episode when my baby was very little. I didn't have the proper dish to make it so I put it on the back burner until I got around to ordering one. Truth is, I probably didn't need the pan--you can use a seive. BUT the pan is heart shaped and uber cute. Plus, it only set me back $8 on Amazon anyway. I'm a sucker for

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-31759258906225970772011-01-09T13:57:00.006-05:002011-01-09T14:31:37.467-05:00

I used to spend a lot of time watching Food Network. Lately, I haven't had much time for TV, let alone something that would require more than 10 seconds of my attention. Over the holiday break, I caught a few episodes and nearly every show featured breakfast. I love trying new breakfast recipes just to break free from the traditional eggs and toast on Sunday mornings.This recipe really caught

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-40247965635489490682011-01-08T17:00:00.002-05:002011-01-08T17:11:40.339-05:00

In New Year's resolution true fashion--my husband and I are working on a cleaner diet i.e. no junk food, no sugar....and for now, no red meat.Normally this isn't an issue for us. We are both red meat lovers, however, we know our limits and for the most part limit it to once a week. The holidays were red meat overload. 10 days straight....from filet, to tenderloin, prime rib, lamb chops, leg of

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-27871584720226409282011-01-01T20:37:00.004-05:002011-01-01T21:18:41.539-05:00

Happy New Year everyone!! Do I even have any readers left??!!The new year is a great time to renew yourself...and those long lost resolutions.I was never big on making New Years resolutions. Maybe because I never felt I had reason to. But since becoming a mom, I've become so much busier in life that I forget about a lot of things. A lot of things I had TIME to remember! So my New Year's

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-29559391191223825702010-08-27T12:12:00.009-04:002010-08-27T12:58:33.146-04:00

Sometimes I over estimate how much people will actually eat.The last trip we took to northern Michigan I packed 6 slabs of ribs. To feed six people. Needless to say, I came home with 3 slabs. I had to give some of it away but after eating ribs one night...my husband politely declined ribs for the rest of the week...until I decided to disguise them!I love tacos and these were no exception.

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-30555383665004012562010-08-26T08:00:00.003-04:002011-05-01T22:58:42.495-04:00

Cherry Vanilla Bean Yogurt I received this great Tribest Yo-Life Yogurt maker from the folks at CSN stores last month and I've had fun playing around with it. I've been wanting to make homemade yogurt for so long...and I just couldn't see myself dealing with the whole heating pad in the oven routine. It was just to sketchy for me. The idea of a yogurt maker is great--because it's a controlled

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-14306134205718512742010-08-25T07:32:00.000-04:002010-08-25T10:39:58.137-04:00

These are quite possibly the best ribs I have ever eaten.Rewind to the beginning of summer, I was racking my brain trying to think of the perfect fathers day feast. I was tired of the same old burger and dog routine and decided that this year, that just wasn't going to cut it.I decided on ribs, with only one problem. I didn't know how to make them. I was pretty mediorcre at the grill, and on

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-42625276885717870252010-08-10T08:03:00.003-04:002010-08-17T21:37:49.390-04:00

It's been months since I've made cupcakes. Part because I have little time, and part because I am still working off baby weight. I have zero self control when it comes to cupcakes.Fortunately though, the folks at POM sent me some POM juice to try in some recipes and I felt I probably shouldn't let them down. Not sure if cupcakes are what they had in mind but I guess we all need something good

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-474373646006082542010-07-24T08:43:00.002-04:002011-05-01T22:52:14.337-04:00

Bon Appetit has had my toungue wagging all week with amazing recipes that have not let me down. This recipe was so easy and so quick....perfect for a weeknight (or the weekend...whatever). I know what you're thinking. Fish sticks? Really? Really. Let me explain. This is NO freezer burned, cardboard, bottom feeder, tasting fish sticks....let me assure you. (Sorry Van de Kamps...I'm

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-18402597938449212722010-07-23T08:00:00.000-04:002010-07-23T08:00:12.874-04:00

It's amazing what 2 hours on the beach, ALONE, can do for you. For me, I was able to catch up on my Bon Appetit magazines. I don't think I've focused on a single thing for more than 10 minutes since I became a mom. So I made up for lost time....and salivated over every single thing I wanted to make. I was sure to make a mental note of everything I wanted to try.This was one that caught my eye

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-90434247589737177132010-07-22T14:49:00.007-04:002010-07-22T15:18:22.217-04:00

Summer is at it's height in Michigan. We have had so many 90 degree days it makes it hard to get out of the house...and I need to stay hydrated.I gave up soda a long time ago. If I have one, I consider it a treat, but it's certainly not part of my daily routine to drink. I stick to water but sometimes that gets to be a bit monotonous. Since I'm not a fan of juice (too sugary for me) I'm

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-88471503670284900252010-07-20T07:40:00.008-04:002011-05-01T22:59:18.073-04:00

When I became pregnant last year, I had sworn off fish for months. Not by my choosing but of by choice of my woozy stomach. Unfortunately that lasted well past 'fish season' so I missed out on nearly the entire thing. Fortunately though, my normal tastes and appetite have reappeared (probably times 100 these days because I'm nursing). But because of this, the choices I make are so much more

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-58556767394491574522010-07-02T07:54:00.003-04:002010-07-02T11:44:42.214-04:00

My husband and I are part of a co-op. Pre-baby I kept my own garden, but after last years poor yeild, we made the decusion that it would be best to let the experts handle growing while I focused my new role on motherhood, instead. So far it's been great. All I have to do is put the baby in the stroller and walk a few blocks to pick up our share. For anyone not able to plant their own garden,

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-71575416446276840742010-05-05T17:43:00.005-04:002011-05-01T22:47:40.957-04:00

Happy Cinco de Mayo!! I wanted to celebrate this year...with many things. Unfortunately, I was able to only make just one of them. Tres Leches Cupcakes. The first time I had tres leches cake was the night I went into labor. (No, I don't think it was the cause, rather, a major coincidence!). I loved it so much, I devoured it as if it were going to be my last meal, little did I know, it would

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-48594026814738336842010-04-24T13:33:00.006-04:002010-04-24T14:45:43.070-04:00

I think these cookies speak for themselves.A friend recommended these to me after I gave birth to my baby girl in February. I think they work, although they aren't proven, I will use any excuse to eat a baked good.The great thing about these cookies is that you can exchange many of the ingredients. I like to add chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, cinnamon and walnuts. You can certainly

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-55217881050070801032010-04-22T08:20:00.007-04:002010-04-22T11:29:40.159-04:00

Lately, my husband hasn't been the biggest fan of chicken. I'm not sure what brought on this new aversion, but I personally love chicken.I think chicken is one of the most versatile things to create a dish, plus it's an inexpensive purchase at the grocery store. Since I am all about easy these days, I took my inspiration from Ina Garten's Chicken Piccata.To save myself time and stress I prepped

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-76559604997261179092010-04-19T14:12:00.006-04:002011-05-01T22:55:10.148-04:00

I must say, I've been lucky to have a baby who takes a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. It gives me enough time to cool my jets, throw in about 3 loads of laundry and possibly consider baking something (or prep dinner). Just after bringing home the baby, Food Network had a pie special that had my toungue wagging. I for one, am not a pie person. I never really cared for it, therefor, I haven't

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-28250726388328723242010-04-18T14:10:00.006-04:002011-05-01T22:53:13.638-04:00

Since I've become a mom, I've learned that I have very limited time to make dinner. (not to mention limited hands!). BUT we still have to eat and I need to put food on the table. So you will probably find many more 'mom inspired' meals around here! (Don't worry, I still hope to keep baking!) I found this on the "Cuisine at Home" website. I get the magazine and I must say its great. All

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-38009240068724807912010-03-18T20:57:00.004-04:002010-04-18T14:07:08.227-04:00

Wondering why I've been absent?I have very good reason....This little lady walked into my life and has kept me on my toes ever since. I haven't had time to brush my teeth let alone bake. Not to mention I've been taken off dairy and soy due to a protein intolerance of this sweet angel. (I've snuck a few bites....I know totally sinful but I can't help it). How am I supposed to run a blog

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-41897107953930887782010-02-12T15:03:00.006-05:002011-05-01T22:38:48.822-04:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner along with my baby's impending birth. (Yes, I'm still waiting.) But if I had my choice in a Valentine's dessert--it would be a cupcake. I'm a complete cupcake fanatic. There is no question. So when PAMA Pomegranate liquor sent me a press release on these decadent cupcakes from more cupcakes, I was hoping that this baby would make its debut so that I

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-61550629003008390372010-02-12T14:03:00.005-05:002010-02-12T16:59:55.734-05:00

I've been busy in babyland for the last few months. Between dealing with the holidays, over swollen feet, and setting up a nursery, I haven't taken much time to post. So now that I have finished with all my 'nesting' all I have left is to just wait for this baby to come....Although I have cooked quite a bit throughout my pregnancy, my baking has fallen to the way side due to uncontrolled water

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-68007189069656461922009-12-18T16:50:00.010-05:002009-12-18T17:18:43.578-05:00

I've been doing a lot of baking lately....not a whole lot of posting. To prove it...I bring you...English muffins...from scratch.You may be saying...um...ok...Thomas' makes those and you can buy them in the grocery isle. But if you have ever had the pleasure of a homemade English muffin, like I did from the Model Bakery in St. Helena, California you too would be on a wild man hunt for something

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-89831733945299726492009-12-06T18:06:00.006-05:002011-05-01T22:40:56.191-04:00

I let my pregnancy cravings get the best of me one afternoon and decided it was a good idea to make not only one kind of cupcake...but two (see my anniversary cupcake). As luck would have it, I had to go to a gym opening that evening, and I told my trainer I would bring a dessert. (I know...who brings a dessert to a gym opening besides me?) But regardless, he was grateful. Plus, maybe he '

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-2473205295789800392009-12-01T20:17:00.003-05:002009-12-01T20:37:52.038-05:00

Sorry guys, no TWD this week. I'm hoping to catch up next week!Last month, the wonderful folks at POM sent me a huge box of POM samples to try new recipes with. While I was super excited for the venture of trying new things...I have to admit...I love free stuff!I was a bit at a loss though, when I received the box. Not because I wouldnt be able consume it, believe me, I drink my weight in the

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-21607798141901915292009-11-22T21:09:00.005-05:002009-11-22T21:31:39.202-05:00

Fall is my favorite time of year for cooking. I love the savory smells that come wafting out of the kitchen, and I love snacking on anything pumpkin.Yesterday was my baby shower, and after assembling every piece of baby gear and unpacking all the gifts, my husband and I were looking for a nice treat for breakfast. Instead of getting myself together to make it out to breakfast, I decided it

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-62454582331498421522009-11-14T08:22:00.011-05:002011-05-01T22:37:03.883-04:00

Actually--I'm delayed--2 months! Have you ever been in a deep sleep, to be awoken by "CRAP! I FORGOT!" I had one of those "oh crap" moments last week. I got up, checked the blog and sure enough, I missed my own blogiversary. How on earth did that happen? I could have sworn I started late fall. A well, all is forgiven. Since starting this blog, I lost my job, gained some new ones, went

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-54694599820730465852009-11-10T20:46:00.006-05:002009-11-10T21:29:35.692-05:00

It's TWD again! Em from The Repressed Pastry Chef is our host, so if you are interested in the recipe, be sure to head over to her page!The best part about November's TWD is that we can bake any of the four recipes--in any order. So be sure to check out TWD's blog roll to see what everyone else is up to!I happen to love fruit crisps of any kind in the fall. I'm pretty sure its one of my

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-44041879791675719802009-11-03T10:52:00.004-05:002009-11-03T11:14:30.779-05:00

To make life easier on all us TWD'rs, the month of November, we get to actually pick the order of the 4 recipes. This weeks TWD (at least for me) is Sugar Topped Molasses Spice Cookies.When I read the November roster I picked these cookies first. Mainly because I have been craving gingersnaps and I figured this would be very close (well in reality they are gingersnaps). I made these along with

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-54295174957516074062009-10-27T17:30:00.009-04:002009-10-27T17:54:42.992-04:00

I actually planned for this TWD...and wasn't scurrying on Tuesday to complete it. Thank goodness, because this one needs cooling time AND setting time.I read the recipe several times, and even doing that....I accidentally melted ALL the chocolate so I just added more chunks in the end. More chocolate never hurt anyone? I also added the mascarpone too soon to the mousse, however I don't think

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-11282859480014443232009-10-25T11:59:00.005-04:002009-10-25T12:24:07.622-04:00

Yes, I am late late late for this one. I wanted to make these early, but I was going out of town. Then when I returned from town, I of course didn't have the sweet potato I needed plus I had a sick husband on the loose and we all know how sick husbands are. So better late than never...So Sunday morning, I decided was great time to make these. Plus, I wanted to make them with some gravy and

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-91214359103555379122009-10-17T09:00:00.001-04:002009-10-17T09:00:05.669-04:00

If anything about pregnancy that changed me, it has been my taste buds. I always had this inclination that pregnant woman craved meat. This theory has been proved so wrong in my case. If anything, I have reverted back to what I knew and loved as a child. And that is carbs. Carbs ALL the way.But since becoming an adult, I became more mindful of my carb intake, and so these last few months

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-39565242059065537022009-10-16T09:00:00.001-04:002009-10-16T09:00:02.054-04:00

I don’t normally ‘promote’ events on my blog but I was asked very nicely so here we go!My husband and I are huge fans of Guy Fieri from Guy’s Big Bite on the Food Network. I like him because he has great recipes while my husband likes him because he’s no ‘foo foo’ chef PLUS he’s super fun to watch. Lets face it...Guy is a “guy’s guy”.In fact, ever since his “Diner’s Drive-in’s and Dives” show

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-29158789453184960652009-10-15T15:20:00.001-04:002011-05-01T22:45:44.363-04:00

One of my favorite Sunday past times during the months of May-October is the Farmer's Market. First off, I love supporting our locals. Secondly, I absolutely love fresh fresh fruits and vegetables (I plant my own vegetable garden but growing in 'tubs' just isn't working out so well). A few Sunday's ago while browsing the market, I was dealing with some serious hunger management issues and

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-53762076124102788522009-10-13T17:27:00.004-04:002009-10-13T18:10:08.135-04:00

I saw this on the baking roster for TWD and knew I wanted to make them. But for some reason, my brain doesn't turn on until late Monday or Tuesday to remind me that...um...Tuesday with Dorie is due...and you have done nothing! Thank heavens that the latest recipes have been simple and I can make them last minute! Like these muffins!I've actually been on a muffin kick lately, maybe its because

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-5329002694255709122009-10-10T08:41:00.019-04:002009-10-10T10:46:31.347-04:00

I think my problem lately is that I am categorizing cooking as a 'chore'. What I realized is that, I haven't been using my creativity....I've just been going through the motions of getting dinner on the table.Sometimes it's just easy to make my 'go-to' recipes, because I don't even have to think. And since I seem to share a brain with the baby occupying my womb--sometimes it is totally

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-475492964842578522009-10-02T16:24:00.008-04:002009-10-10T08:41:16.024-04:00

I've had a real Martha Stewart kind of day, literally. Last month my fellow cake decorating friend Shannon, bought me Martha's Cupcakes book as a birthday gift. While I only drooled over the photos when I leafed through it, I just knew that when we got together at our next 'decorating practice' session that I would certainly have to try at least one of the recipes. Fast forward to last

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-91613899699207999052009-09-29T23:05:00.006-04:002009-09-29T23:17:50.172-04:00

This weeks TWD is hosted by Carla of Chocolate Moosey. Be sure to check out her page for the recipe! I am suffering from sever pregnancy brain--its just not working! I made the TWD recipe for next week (stay tuned for the split level pudding) and while I was dealing with my mis-haps from that--I slowly realized that I had made the wrong recipe! OOPS! So today while juggling about 100 other tasks

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-88038699868722135752009-09-29T17:10:00.003-04:002009-09-29T17:12:30.605-04:00

Can I claim Preg-o brain this week????I made NEXT weeks TWD, that didnt go off without a hitch. So while I am mending that...I am in the process of making the chocolate crunch tart (plus dinner...plus clearing out the baby's room). Stay tuned...it will be here....I swear...Coco

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-6431657423667956412009-09-22T21:24:00.011-04:002009-09-22T21:56:21.086-04:00

While recovering from my red eye flight from Napa I still had yet to make this weeks TWD. I saw these on the roster at the beginning of the month and made a mental note that I would 'for sure' be making them. Well, it ended up that I made these literally last minute--not taking into account I needed to chill the dough for 3 hours. Hence, the horrible lighting in the photos and late post.

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-47074459263646068012009-09-15T21:32:00.003-04:002009-09-15T21:39:38.735-04:00

So as soon as I get back in my groove--I'm heading out again!Each anniversary (this is our second) we head back to Napa Valley where we were married. We stay in the same resort, and eat at our favorite restaurants! This year may be a bit different because we won't be doing any wine tours since that is just a cruel thing to do to a pregnanct woman. I'll be back soon! Hopefully with many food

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-52674080692424265372009-09-13T09:45:00.004-04:002009-09-13T09:45:00.540-04:00

Before I was even able to confirm my pregnancy, I started to research ways that I could tell my husband we were expecting. I just didn’t want to tear out of the bathroom with a pregnancy test in hand. I wanted to surprise him. I remembered an episode of "Full House" when Rebecca told Uncle Jesse they were having a baby. She made him dinner with ‘baby’ everything. Baby vegetables…(and I think baby

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-3104067739649493412009-09-12T20:33:00.005-04:002009-09-12T20:46:56.329-04:00

I’ve been living my life outside my normal gourmet cooking routine.In fact I’ve been keeping what I made this summer to be simple. Real Simple. I’m almost too embarrassed to say how simple. Certainly so much so, you wouldn’t think I was a person who wrote a ‘food blog’!Remember when I told you I have reasons for not blogging, and I would tell you when the time was right? Well, Café Coco is

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-66543474087829353662009-09-09T11:14:00.005-04:002009-09-11T11:02:46.587-04:00

Please be patient...I have photos--blogger is giving me a hard time at the moment.**Update--You will not be getting photos after all. My brand new Mac took a dump and now is in the repair shop. I'm crossing my fingers my photos aren't all extinct, but for now you will have to take my word for it that I did indeed make these!It's TWD again, and I am still trying to squeeze in the last of the

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-79165146483039897722009-09-01T20:46:00.005-04:002009-09-01T21:04:36.038-04:00

Brownie's anyone? I know, I've been absent. Way absent. I plan on giving you an explanation for all of it, when the time is right.For now, its TWD, and its Espresso Cheesecake Swirl Brownies, in my case, Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Swirl Brownies!These were quite easy to whip up. When I think cheesecake anything, I think 'complicated'. But these really werent. In fact, I didnt make them until

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-66296872626506275452009-08-11T13:59:00.008-04:002009-08-13T09:47:46.389-04:00

Yes, I am still here. ;) I think today has been the most I have baked/cooked in one day in a long time. (And it was only brownie buttons and zuccini carrot bread!What I loved about these brownies is that they were quick. It's not like I can't spare the time for elaborate desserts, I can. But mid-summer when its 95 degrees and humid I just dont want to spend a whole lot of time in the kitchen over

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-54162709043851878302009-07-31T15:41:00.006-04:002009-07-31T16:00:39.357-04:00

I’ve been holding onto this recipe for awhile. I love the taste of malt as does my husband so when I found this recipe from a fellow blogger at Cooking During Stolen Moments, I knew I had to try it! I didn’t follow the recipe exactly because I didn’t have a chocolate malt or Ovaltine (which reminds me…I need to buy some because who on earth doesn’t like Ovaltine!) . Instead, I used a plain malted

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-69644087779881598622009-07-29T16:45:00.007-04:002011-05-01T22:39:25.919-04:00

Some days should just be devoted to cupcakes. Last week, my friend Shannon and I got together to work on our cake decorating skills since we have been playing hooky from practice all summer. Truth is, I thought that I had totally forgotten how to even make a rose…and worried my 8 weeks of Wilton had just gone down the tubes. But after a little practice, I realized, it’s just like riding a bike.

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-55674030148483305642009-07-28T22:25:00.005-04:002009-07-28T22:51:21.317-04:00

This week’s TWD could not have come at a better time. First, its summer. Second, I absolutely love ice cream. (Chocolate and vanilla bean to be specific). Despite how easy this ice cream was to make, I still put it off until the last minute. I’ll never learn. I bake under pressure. It’s just what I do. I really enjoyed this ice cream. The only thing I changed was using 5 egg yolks instead of 6. I

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-85877481397251778322009-07-21T21:17:00.008-04:002011-05-01T22:55:44.297-04:00

I always think about the ‘what if’s’. Like, what if I lost all my hair. Or what if I could live anywhere in the world. I often leaf through Baking from My Home to Yours and think “What if I had my choice of TWD, which recipe would I choose?” The Blanc-Manger (pronounced blah-mahn-jay) topped my 'what if' list, mainly because of its creamy looking picture. I was a bit disappointed this week,

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-71572413325659499112009-07-20T15:40:00.005-04:002011-05-01T22:53:52.509-04:00

I’ve been quite absent from the blogging world, and I think I am just caught up in trying to enjoy summer. (Although, our summer in Michigan has been a bit cold.) Whomever said there was global warming clearly has never been to our state. Regardless, I have been cooking/baking but I have been enjoying many of my old stand-by’s while trying to take care of our sick dog (who is feeling much better

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-21410011613214088972009-07-07T08:20:00.002-04:002009-07-07T08:26:05.692-04:00

Wow, I cannot believe I have already reached my 100th post! I cannot think of a better way to ring it in other than TWD and Brownies!I was really excited about this week’s TWD Katherine Hepburn Brownies. I have been on a brownie crave for over a month and have not made any because of the abundance of desserts hanging around my house. So I really had an excuse…These brownies were extremely easy to

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-53749432189697712582009-07-02T16:40:00.001-04:002011-05-01T22:56:19.174-04:00

I always go overboard at Costco on the fruit. I don’t know if it’s the huge lots of fruit staring at me in the face…or the prices. And I can’t stop at the 12 lbs of strawberries; I get the blueberries, the raspberries, and the blackberries. Then I get home and I realize I bit off more than I could chew…no pun intended. Most times, I freeze the extra fruit we can’t eat, but if I have the time,

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-89096955690247840902009-06-29T21:49:00.005-04:002009-06-30T14:12:09.908-04:00

I'm Late, I'm LATE! Can you beleive I started this last night....but it was during The Bachelorette and I lost all control at the rose ceremony. Let's get to the real business, shall we?Welcome to another week of TWD! This week was hosted by Carol of Mix, Mix…Stir, Stir. Be sure to run over to her blog for the recipe of this fabulous cake! I must say, I have had my eye on this cake since I bought

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-34008942571358915742009-06-23T19:08:00.002-04:002009-06-23T19:51:42.729-04:00

Sorry Folks....just couldn't fit in TWD today! I will be back in business next week for sure!But that doesn't mean you have to miss out....check out our lovely host this week, Andrea, from Andrea in the Kitchen for the Coconut Roasted Pineapple Dacquoise for the recipe. Don't forget to check out what the other bakers were up to this week by checking out the TWD blogroll.

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-18183745121937315142009-06-18T10:52:00.012-04:002009-06-18T11:15:03.010-04:00

Last week, I found myself with an entire half of beef tenderloin. For some reason, my husband and I thought an entire tenderloin would barely feed 6. What were we thinking?So there I was trying to rack my brain of all the recipes I could make with the leftovers to free my conscience of wasting food. I came up with a Mediterranean salad with tenderloin slices and couscous cakes.I happen to love

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-82209110941290739602009-06-17T09:39:00.007-04:002009-06-17T09:52:09.373-04:00

Isn’t this salad beautiful? I just love the colors.What’s more than just the colorful hue of the salad, is the flavor. In the summer months, I really like to pump up the volume on my salad intake. I eat salad year round…but when summer rolls around I typically have a lot more in good quality produce choices.I actually saw the idea for this salad in Cuisine at Home Magazine. I had never even heard

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-6183094712805119072009-06-16T09:49:00.005-04:002009-06-16T10:17:39.328-04:00

There is just something about ice cream that makes me happy. It just reminds me of the summers I spent in Northern Michigan with my family.Each summer we would make the 3 hour trek to the lake…me and my two sisters crammed into the back seat. Typically we would fight about who was leaning on whom, who was breathing on whom, and who was ignoring who. I always got the middle seat because I was the

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-6144725702426986702009-06-13T15:23:00.003-04:002009-06-13T15:31:25.853-04:00

I’ve been looking for some ‘healthier’ recipes for the summer season so when I saw Giada on the Food Network make these chicken rosemary burgers I was all over it like jam on toast.I will say I ran into a bit of a problem-these are meant to be sticky—really sticky. But, when I halved the recipe, I failed to half the olive oil. Oops! So these were a sloppy mess and they didn’t quite stay together

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-55400877221575674092009-06-09T08:49:00.005-04:002009-06-09T08:56:32.660-04:00

It’s TWD and a big thanks to Jessica from My Baking Heart for hosting this week!!I decided to follow the ‘playing around’ section of this recipe because I bought a ton of peaches for the honey and peach ice cream (stay tuned it’s coming up next Tuesday!). I thought I would serve the two together but my hunger got the best of me mid-afternoon (before the ice cream was frozen) and I ate the tart.

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-91117041495814464682009-06-06T12:14:00.000-04:002009-06-06T12:14:00.737-04:00

When I was a little girl, I was absolutely CRAZY about the ice cream man. My ears were conditioned like a hawk and I was able to pick up the lowest decibel of that “ice cream man music”….I can still hear it in my head…For some reason, my dad had a soft spot for me, his youngest. And whenever I could hear the faint noise coming closer, I would dart into the house and ask if I could get an ice

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-61187682145157244992009-06-03T08:27:00.013-04:002011-05-01T22:34:38.270-04:00

After 10 days of living the good life in Europe, it was hard to come back! I can’t believe I have been back for over a week. Everyone keeps asking me “What was your favorite part?” The Duomo in Como, Italy Considering I loved nearly every second of my vacation, it’s hard to pin point just ONE thing. It’s Italy. What’s NOT to love??? The wine, the food, the sun, the people, the lake, the

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-6980752113337678002009-06-02T08:05:00.016-04:002009-06-02T08:55:09.833-04:00

I’m so happy to be back on the TWD Wagon again! This week was hosted by Tracey from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures . Be sure to run over to her page for the recipe!I was running somewhat short on time this week between catching up on housework and dealing with new landscaping and a new fence going on at my house so I was quite pleased at how quickly this cake came together. It reminds me of a

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-16925374633316819572009-05-30T17:25:00.008-04:002009-05-30T17:44:40.917-04:00

I made these cookies for a friend of ours whose mother passed last week. I was trying to come up with something to say how very sorry I was about her loss….but the words just wouldn’t come together. I mean…are there really any words? The truth is, I’m not really good with words. I cook…I bake and that’s how I communicate how I feel towards my family… ‘I love you’, ‘I care about you’…. ‘I’m proud

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-74568047377591755002009-05-29T16:58:00.007-04:002009-05-29T21:44:07.441-04:00

Now that I have returned from my whirlwind tour of Italy, I think it’s now my duty to share some great Italian recipes with you! First and foremost on my ‘to do’ list is to learn how to make handmade pasta. I have had this on my list for MONTHS and still have yet to just buckle down in the kitchen one day and get to it. For now, you will have to settle for my newest favorite dish, polenta. I

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-54514204721169329612009-05-15T16:00:00.004-04:002009-05-15T16:00:00.770-04:00

I will be out of the blogosphere for a few days while my husband and I go on a whirlwind tour of Italy enjoying Milan, and the Northern Italian Lakes (A.k.a. Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Switzerland). I can't wait to share my travels and food pictures with all of you once I return! Ciao Bella ;)

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-46175011029782252002009-05-12T08:49:00.015-04:002009-05-12T09:08:37.008-04:00

I loved butter as a child. No matter how many times I got into trouble, every time I was out of my mother’s site, I would crawl up onto the kitchen table and eat the butter. By itself.Not much has changed, I still love butter. (Although, I don’t sit on my kitchen table eating it by itself anymore that would be just plain weird.) I love the smell of butter and sugar mixing together, which is why I

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-12189943469932360512009-05-09T08:00:00.003-04:002011-01-26T21:42:30.095-05:00

It’s seems that every time I turn around…there is another birthday in the family. And since I am the cupcake/cake queen I typically take on the task of baking the birthday boy or girl their cake of choice. Yesterday was my husband’s Aunt’s birthday a.k.a. “Fancy Nancy”, so I wanted to make a very special cake since she always does so much for me. What is more indulgent than chocolate and

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-35419344333596994262009-05-08T11:44:00.004-04:002009-05-08T11:55:51.290-04:00

This post so delayed it’s nearly embarrassing. I cook and bake pretty much daily but…somehow…some of my recipes/photos fall into the abyss somewhere! Like this one.After Easter its tradition to make split pea and ham soup …to use up leftovers (really it’s just to appease myself that I will use up the leftovers). Instead of going with just the plain old green split peas…I went off the beaten path

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-39558245203737669982009-05-05T08:00:00.000-04:002009-05-05T19:07:57.212-04:00

This week’s Tuesday with Dorie was hosted by Megan of My Baking Adventures. If you would like the recipe for this week’s TWD, be sure to stop by her page OR buy the book, "Baking From My Home to Yours", by Dorie Greenspan.I will start by saying Tiramisu is not my favorite dessert. (I feel like I say that a lot which makes no sense because I consider myself a dessert fanatic). So knowing this

Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-59515376529188433332009-05-01T09:32:00.008-04:002009-05-02T08:34:48.325-04:00

I was totally awestruck by my Bon Appetit magazine in April. I vowed I was going to make each and every dessert they had…I know I set some pretty intense goals for myself.The overall appearance of this dessert is mighty impressive, but don’t be fooled because it’s a total cinch to put together. Mousse can sometimes be a daunting task, but either I am really improving or this was super easy. I put

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