The Traveling Spoon

Divine Vegan Chocolate Frosting

2012-02-28T07:16:00.003-06:00

I was looking through my recent posts yesterday and noticed something a little upsetting - it's been a while since I featured any chocolate on the blog. Given the usually faithful presence of chocolate in my life, this is a sad thing - but fret no more, I'm here to remedy that deficiency.

The truth is, I've been trying to eat a little healthier lately which, for me, means less baking. It's a sad, sad fact. Which is why it's a good thing that this treat doesn't need much justification, and absolutely no baking at all (I'm good at loopholes, no?). In fact, it's made with such wholesome ingredients, and so little added sugar, that it might even be considered healthy (am I pressing my luck yet?).

This recipe comes to us from the lovely and endlessly creative Chocolate Covered Katie (isn't this girl just the queen of raw and vegan desserts?). She serves hers as frosting shots, modeled after the trendy treat from Sprinkles Cupcakes, but whether you scoop it out of a shot glass or use it to top a rich, vegan chocolate cake, this confection is equally divine.

Do we have time for a little confession? Okay, so the frosting pictured here never actually made it into cute little shot glasses (I had another plan for it - which I'll reveal tomorrow), but I can attest to the fact that it tastes good by the spoonful, too.

Pinned There, Done That: Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Chicken

2012-02-27T08:45:00.000-06:00

If you're new to The Traveling Spoon, you can read more about my 'Pinned There, Done That' feature here. I'm working on a button for the series, but that's no reason you should miss out on updates in the meantime!

Sorry to disappoint those of you who are here for boozy chicken - this dish isn't alcoholic (it actually gets its name from the famed Bourbon Street in New Orleans), but it's pretty amazing nonetheless. If you've ever eaten Chinese food in a mall food court (go on, you can admit it - I won't judge) you've probably encountered this dish. It's the one being passed out on toothpicks to entice you to buy - and I have to admit that on more than one occasion, it's worked.

This dish is a perfect blend of sweet and salty with a really savory kick (I love umami!), so when I discovered a recipe circulating around on Pinterest I just had to give it a try. In the past, I've sated my Bourbon Chicken cravings with my own Honey Chicken recipe. That tangy dish makes a great meal, but this recipe goes in the crockpot and, well, sometimes convenience is king.

Budget Travel's Best Travel Movies of 2011

2012-02-23T21:46:00.000-06:00

I got my Budget Travel magazine last week, which means it's time for another travel-related post. The magazine has become a bimonthly which makes me sad, but thankfully I'm still a fan. In honor of the upcoming Oscars, this month's issue had a feature about the best travel movies of 2011- and I'm sad to admit that I haven't seen a single one!

You can see their picks here, more than one of which is on my to-watch list (I'm eager to see 'The Way' after my experiences in Spain), but it made me wonder just what travel movies would make my list. To be honest, there are just too many good ones out there to choose (at least Budget Travel had the advantage of being limited to one year) but here are a few of my favorites (based on scenery, not necessarily storyline):

Eggvocado (Baked Egg in Avocado)

2012-02-22T19:53:00.000-06:00

Apparently this simple recipe has been doing the rounds of the interweb - who knew? And here I was thinking I'd invented a true original. Oh well, I guess that's what happens when you're late to the Pinterest game.

Regardless of provenance, this recipe is too elegant not to share. The Eggvocado is, in essence, exactly what it sounds like - an egg gently baked in a cradle of lightly-hollowed avocado. The elegance of the recipe is in its simplicity and versatility; you can top your Eggvocado with just about anything, from cracked pepper or parmesan, to chili flakes or a balsamic reduction (side note: I've been obsessed with balsamic vinegar of late - in my opinion, it's a culinary powerhouse that has yet to get its due).

If I'm honest, I actually prefer the flavor of unbaked avocado, but it's the texture of this dish that really makes it; the ever-so-slightly molten egg combined with the creamy avocado is just dreamy - and remarkably filling. The recipe requires the minimum of prep, which makes it perfect for an indulgent snack or, paired with whole wheat bread soldiers, a luxuriant meal. I'd love to try it topped with bacon crumbles because, well, it's bacon. And avocado. And egg. A combination worthy of internet celebrity if there ever was one.

Krispy Kreme Brownies for Mardi Gras! (Re-post)

2012-02-21T06:02:00.000-06:00

Happy Fat Tuesday! I'm going to do something a little unusual today and re-share a post from the early, early days of The Traveling Spoon. It's a long post but I think it's worth another look (especially since only a handful of people saw it the first time, my blog was so new!) and, best of all, it contains a super-indulgent 'recipe' that's just what you need on this traditional day of excess. So without further ado...

Doughnuts + Brownies = THE perfect Fat Tuesday recipe!

Observe the gorgeous chunk of doughnut buried inside that brownie!

Want to find out why? For a brief history lesson, round-the-world tour and one very delicious and indulgent recipe, keep reading.......

Pinned There, Done That: Meltaway Cookies

2012-02-20T07:16:00.002-06:00

Last week, I took the plunge and finally joined the rest of the world on Pinterest, and while I've already pinned dozens of things I'll probable never make or do, I decided to make a concerted effort to actually give some of my pins a try - and share the results with you on the blog!

Source

From now on, I'll be sharing my real-life renderings of Pinterest finds in these 'Pinned There, Done That' posts. It won't be a regular feature, and I can't promise that my attempts will turn out anything like the original - but really, isn't that all part of the fun?

So, without further ado, here's my first attempt at putting a Pin into practice: Meltaway Cookies from Landee See, Landee Do.

The Pinspiration:

Source: landeeseelandeedo.com via Rachel on Pinterest

The Product:

So, what do you think? Differences in lighting aside, they're pretty close, right?

Banana Coconut Pumpkin Bread

2012-02-17T07:23:00.000-06:00

So, yesterday was my one year blogging anniversary! I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't even notice until late last night, by which time it was too late to get out the candles or whip up a cake. Instead, we'll have to celebrate a day late - and with a warm, tender loaf of quick bread in place of white cake and buttercream.

That may seem like a bit of an unfair trade, but this isn't any ordinary quick bread. It's full of wholesome ingredients that manage to make it comforting (that's the pumpkin and banana talking) and exciting (that tropical coconut, again) at the same time.

Look at that gorgeous, crunchy topping

There's a minimum of added sugar which means the natural flavors of the pumpkin, coconut, and banana can speak for themselves. If that sounds like an unusual combo to you, I'd urge you to give the recipe a try. It's more sophisticated than your average banana bread and a little sweeter than a classic pumpkin loaf. As with my Chicken Crispers, the coconut is the secret ingredient, lending enough tropical flavor to brighten any wintry day, and elevating a simple quick bread to almost celebratory fare.

Coconut Chicken Crispers

2012-02-15T07:28:00.000-06:00

Heartwarming festivities and residual Valentine's glow aside, things have been positively wintry around these parts. The skies are gray and lowering, everyone is wrapped up like the 24th of December, and just the other day I spied a few brave flurries of snow - in Tennessee.

Naturally, they didn't last long, but the general outlook these days is a little cheerless, nonetheless - which makes me think that now is the perfect time to share a recipe that's decidedly unseasonal. In fact, it's even a little unusual, but no less delicious for that fact. Yes, it combines chicken and coconut. Yes, it blends the flavors of the tropics with a classic bar food. And yes, it's a match made in heaven.

I discovered this recipe at Can You Stay For Dinner (my latest blog crush) and just knew I had to try it out. I love recipes that add an unexpected twist (coconut) to an otherwise unremarkable dish (chicken tenders), and was doubly thrilled that I could have the crispy-on-the-outside-juicy-on-the-inside chicken tenders I craved, without a deep fat fryer. A combination of pan-searing and baking makes these tenders crisp and juicy, without all the mess and stench of frying - not to mention the added fat!

The toasted coconut lends a slightly nutty, slightly tropical flavor without being overpowering, and the panko bread crumbs create a thin crust of golden deliciousness. Matt and I ate these plain, but I imagine they'd be great with a honey-mustard dipping sauce or a mango-lime salsa. Either way, they'll satisfy any sweet-and-salty craving and maybe, just maybe, chase your winter blues away.

Hey, Valentine...

2012-02-14T07:39:00.001-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love Letter Postcard

2012-02-13T08:12:00.000-06:00

It's the day before Valentine's Day - do you know where your Valentine cards are? If the answer is 'no,' don't worry, I have yet another idea for you! Last week I shared a fun scratch-off, lotto-style Valentine tutorial, as well as 10 ideas for creative, handmade Valentines. Today's post is a little more serious and romantic - I'm going to walk you through making an old-fashioned love letter Valentine's card.

To make this card, you'll need a postcard-sized piece of white or cream card stock, a damp tea bag (trust me - just save one from your morning cuppa), a tiny envelope (which you can make by hand), a few tiny sheets of paper, and a gluestick. For an extra romantic touch, you'll also need some sealing wax and an object to stamp the wax with your chosen design.

Okay, now you've gathered all your supplies, here's how to get started (I apologize for not having step-by-step photos - you'll just have to wade through the text on this one). First, sponge the damp tea bag all over your card stock, taking care not to get the card too wet. This will give you that aged paper effect (you may remember the technique from grade school school projects back in the day - it's just like making a Magna Carta or a Declaration of Independence!). Set the card stock aside to dry.

While your paper is drying, you can pen your tiny love letter. Make sure that your paper sheets fit inside your little envelope and that the envelope is smaller than your tea-dyed card stock. If you're unsure about what to write, copy a few quotes or a favorite poem - anything your loved one might enjoy reading.

By now, your card stock should be nice and dry. At this point, you can leave it blank, cover it with a love note or poem or, as I did, the names of famous couples from literature and history (I warned you it would be serious and romantic - if you're looking for something more playful, try these). When your card is ready, affix the tiny envelope to the card with a gluestick and press down to secure.

The last step is to seal your letter with sealing wax or, if you'd prefer, a cute sticker.

This post has been shared at:

The Southern Institute: Creative Me Monday - I Should Be Mopping the Floor: Mop It Up Monday - Brassy Apple: Make It Monday - Craft-O-Maniac: Craft-O-Maniac Monday - It's So Very Cheri: It's Party Time - Skip To My Lou: Made By You Monday - My Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wednesday - Southern Lovely: Show & Share - Ginger Snap Crafts: Wow Me Wednesday - JAQS Studio: Made by ME Wednesday - Clean & Scentsible: The Creative Spark Wednesday - Oopsey Daisy: Wednesday's Wowzers - Creations by Kara: Look What I Made Wednesday - Sew Much Ado: We Did It Wednesday - It's a Keeper: It's a Keeper Thursday - These Peas Taste Funny: Link It Up Thursday - Bear Rabbit Bear: Things I've Done Thursday - Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff Thursday - House of Hepworths: Hookin' Up with HoH - The Crafty Blog Stalker: Blog Stalking Thursday - Between U & Me: Crazy Cute Thursdays - Allie Makes: Making It With Allie - A Glimpse Inside: Catch A Glimpse Thursday - Crafty Scrappy Happy: Crafty Scrappy Happy Me - Domesblissity: Thriving on Thursdays - Gluesticks: Get Your Brag On - Happy Hour Projects: Freestyle Friday - Days of Chalk and Chocolate: Latest and Greatest Friday - Stuff and Nonsense: Fridays Unfolded - Chic on a Shoestring: Flaunt It Friday - Simply Designing: Simply Link - Creation Corner: Friday Link - The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday - Five Days...5 Ways: Friday Free-for-All - Whipperberry: Friday Flair - Sassy Sites: Free-For-All Friday - Nutmeg Place: Show Off Saturday - Six Sisters' Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday

I'm on Pinterest!

2012-02-12T16:13:00.000-06:00

Well, folks - I finally took the plunge. I joined Pinterest last night, and I'm ashamed to admit how much time I've spent on it since. It's just as fun as I had imagined (which is why I'd resisted joining), although it will be a while before my boards are filled and fleshed out.

In the meantime, feel free to track me down (you may notice my bright red, shiny, new Pinterest button on the sidebar!). I'd love to see what you all have been pinning!...And if you you have any tips for this somewhat overwhelmed newbie, I'd appreciate them!

One more thing: don't forget that tomorrow is the last day for the My Memories Suite giveaway! Entry is still pretty low so your chances of winning are good!!

10 Valentine Card Ideas

2012-02-10T07:52:00.000-06:00

Have you sorted your gift for your sweetheart yet? Valentine's Day is right around the corner - kids are already bringing home fistfuls of tiny heart-shaped notes and pretty soon every long-stemmed red rose in every gas station in the state will be worth its weight in gold. Yesterday, I shared a fun scratch-off Valentine card idea, but if that's not your cup of tea (or piece of cardstock - hehe) here are a few more ideas that might do the trick!

I Love Ewe: This is one of my favorites, even if it is a little goofy. Made from cardstock covered with torn construction paper. The sheep is made of wadded cotton wool.

Scrabble 'I Picked a Good One': I used special Scrabble stickers for this one, but you could easily make your own with some tan card stock and a fine-tipped pen.

'I'm hooked': The background for this card was clipped from a magazine, but you could use a photo or colored construction paper. Hand-drawn fish are just as cute, too (but don't forget to draw the hook!)

Missing You: For the absent Valentine, like Matt this year (he's away doing field training). Colored construction paper and a few heart stickers are all that's needed.

Valentine Cipher: Hide your message in a jumble of letters and then provide a cover sheet to your secret love. Just be sure they know which way to apply the sheet (matching stickers on the top corner are one solution) Because everyone likes a bit of mystery, right?

Hey Cutie: Because no one can resist a smiling, zippered orange (you have to admit, it's 'cute'). Clip this 'cutie' from a box of fruit. Bonus: clementines for weeks!

I want S'more: For the food lover's lover. It's also a great excuse for using to-die-for food photos! A brown-paper background makes it campfirey and authentic.

Like Cookie and Milk: There are lots of ways you can do this one, and they're all sweet and delicious!

Ransom note: Not to be confused with the creepy, awful kind - this is a fun way to let your sweetheart know you'd like to whisk them away.

'A Waffle Lot': For the Valentine you love more than breakfast food (which, if you're anything like me, is saying a lot!).

This post has been shared at:

The Southern Institute: Creative Me Monday - I Should Be Mopping the Floor: Mop It Up Monday - Brassy Apple: Make It Monday - Craft-O-Maniac: Craft-O-Maniac Monday - It's So Very Cheri: It's Party Time - Skip To My Lou: Made By You Monday - My Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wednesday - Southern Lovely: Show & Share - Ginger Snap Crafts: Wow Me Wednesday - JAQS Studio: Made by ME Wednesday - Clean & Scentsible: The Creative Spark Wednesday - Oopsey Daisy: Wednesday's Wowzers - Creations by Kara: Look What I Made Wednesday - Sew Much Ado: We Did It Wednesday - It's a Keeper: It's a Keeper Thursday - Bear Rabbit Bear: Things I've Done Thursday - Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff Thursday - House of Hepworths: Hookin' Up with HoH - The Crafty Blog Stalker: Blog Stalking Thursday - Between U & Me: Crazy Cute Thursdays - Allie Makes: Making It With Allie - A Glimpse Inside: Catch A Glimpse Thursday - Crafty Scrappy Happy: Crafty Scrappy Happy Me - Domesblissity: Thriving on Thursdays - Gluesticks: Get Your Brag On - Chic on a Shoestring: Flaunt it Friday - Simply Designing: Simply Link - Creation Corner: Friday Link - Stuff and Nonsense: Fridays Unfolded - The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday - Five Days...5 Ways: Feature Friday Free-for-All - Whipperberry: Friday Flair - Sassy Sites: Free-For-All Friday - kojo designs: Friday Fun Finds - Design Dazzle: Share Your Awesomeness Friday - Happy Hour Projects: Freestyle Friday - Tidy Mom: I'm Lovin' It - A Little Knick Knack: EBTKS - 30 Handmade Days: Pity Party - Happy Hour Projects: Share the Love Valentine Party - Tatertots & Jello: Weekend Wrap Up - Six Sisters' Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday - Gingerbread: Sweet Saturday - Too Much Time: Get Schooled Saturday - Be Different...Act Normal: Show and Tell Saturday - Nutmeg Place: Show Off Saturday

Scratch-Off Valentine Cards

2012-02-09T07:55:00.000-06:00

Ever since I was little, I've loved surprises and the promise of discovery. I used to read Agatha Christie novels, Choose-Your-Own-Adventures, and 5-Minute Mysteries by the handful. Even today, I love scavenger hunts, detective stories, and procedural dramas. I guess I just can't help myself - one whiff of mystery and I'm hooked. So when I saw this fun Valentine idea in this month's Better Homes and Gardens, I just had to try it out.

Okay, so it's not exactly mystery, but it is discovery and, either way, it's a lot of fun! The cards in the magazine were printed (you can find the printables from BHG here, or visit Oopsey Daisy for Alison's fun twist on the idea), but I went the handmade route for a more personal touch (or maybe it was just because our printer is having issues...).

Whether you choose to print or pen, all you need is some card stock, a small paint brush, metallic acrylic paint, clear contact paper, and dishwashing liquid. That's right, dishwashing liquid. Now that's a surprise!

Print or write your card, using a stencil or cookie cutter to make the heart shapes if crafting by hand. To make the scratch-off solution, combine two parts metallic paint with one part dishwashing liquid.

Cut a small strip of contact paper, just large enough to make the number of hearts you've drawn (see pictures below for some different design ideas). Then, using a small, flat brush, paint the contact paper with a layer of scratch-off solution and allow to dry for at least one hour (if you're impatient like me, a hair dryer on low will speed the process). Repeat for two or three more coats, until the contact paper is well covered and not streaky.

Cut the hearts from the contact paper, using your stencil and a pair of sharp scissors. Affix painted hearts over the drawn hearts to cover completely.

Be sure to give your Valentine a shiny new penny so they can reveal your hidden message!

This post is shared at:

Skip To My Lou: Made By You Monday - It's So Very Cheri: It's Party Time - Craft-O-Maniac: Craft-O-Maniac Monday - Brassy Apple: Make It Monday - I Should Be Mopping the Floor: Mop It Up Monday - The Southern Institute: Creative Me Monday - My Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wednesday - Southern Lovely: Show & Share - Ginger Snap Crafts: Wow Me Wednesday - JAQS Studio: Made by ME Wednesday - Clean & Scentsible: The Creative Spark Wednesday - Oopsey Daisy: Wednesday's Wowzers - Creations by Kara: Look What I Made Wednesday - Sew Much Ado: We Did It Wednesday - Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff - House of Hepworths: Hookin' Up with the HoH - Bear Rabbit Bear: Things I've Done Thursday - The Crafty Blog Stalker: Blog Stalking Thursday - Between U & Me: Crazy Sweet Thursday - A Glimpse Inside: Catch A Glimpse Thursday - Delightful Order: Delightfully Inspiring Thursday - Gluesticks: Get Your Brag On - Something Swanky: Sweet Treats Thursday - What's Allie's Making Now: Making It With Allie - Crafty Scrappy Happy: Crafty Scrappy Happy Me - Diana Rambles: Thematic Thursday - Chic on a Shoestring: Flaunt it Friday - Simply Designing: Simply Link - Creation Corner: Friday Link - Stuff and Nonsense: Fridays Unfolded - The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday - Five Days...5 Ways: Feature Friday Free-for-All - Whipperberry: Friday Flair - Sassy Sites: Free-For-All Friday - kojo designs: Friday Fun Finds - Design Dazzle: Share Your Awesomeness Friday - Happy Hour Projects: Freestyle Friday - Tidy Mom: I'm Lovin' It - A Little Knick Knack: EBTKS - 30 Handmade Days: Pity Party - Happy Hour Projects: Share the Love Valentine Party - Tatertots & Jello: Weekend Wrap Up - Six Sisters' Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday - Gingerbread: Sweet Saturday - Too Much Time: Get Schooled Saturday - Be Different...Act Normal: Show and Tell Saturday

Giant Cookie Pie

2012-02-08T07:02:00.000-06:00

I'm doing pretty well on my New Year's resolutions this year. I mean, yesterday I rolled out the new blog design, and some of you may have noticed a definite uptick in veggie-centric and 'real food' related posts. I really am trying - and it's only February.

It's important that I point this out...because I'm about to singlehandedly destroy all my progress thus far with today's post.

See what I mean?

Because sometimes all the spaghetti squash and roasted brussels sprouts in the world aren't going to do it for you.

Because sometimes a platefull of roasted cabbage doesn't let someone know how you really feel about them.

Because sometimes nothing says 'I love you' like a broken pie crust,

filled with thick, creamy cookie dough batter,

sprinkled with a rainbow of M&Ms,

and baked until just magnificently molten in the center.

When I asked Matt what he wanted for Valentine's Day this year, he promptly answered 'a giant cookie.' I mean, really? I offer you the world, and you want an oversize pastry?

I guess I shouldn't have been so surprised - it's the same thing I gave him for Valentine's Day last year.

But this year's cookie is a little different - it's ooey, gooey cookie dough batter, stuffed with milk chocolate candies, and baked into a buttery pie shell (crumbly pieces and freezer burn are optional - but they add extra character) - because like our love, Matt's giant cookies are always evolving.

A New Look!

2012-02-07T07:25:00.000-06:00

Regular readers of The Traveling Spoon may notice that things look a little different today. I promised you a redesign as part of my New Year's resolutions and, while it's still a work in progress, I think I've made a good start. Gone is the rust-colored background (very 1970s) and the Moroccan tagine photo border (I'll admit I was partial to that photo, but it's time to move on). Instead, I'm aiming for something a little more clean and crisp.

I'll be the first to admit that I know nothing about blog design. In fact, I'm pretty stone age when it comes to computer skills in general. Matt always laughs at my two-finger typing (some of us weren't fortunate enough to have computer classes in high school and, anyway, it gets the job done), and before I started this blog, I thought HTML was a shortened version of Hotmail (okay, I might be fudging the truth a little - I knew what HTML was, but you can be sure I couldn't understand it!).

For this reason, my new design isn't very adventurous. But I'm learning, and I expect the blog to grow with me. Of course, I wouldn't have managed nearly so well without the help of My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software. Yesterday, I mentioned that the software was for much more than scrapbooking, and this blog redesign is another example of what it can do.

In case you haven't noticed, I have a giveaway going on at the moment, so if you're interested in some fun easy-to-use software to help you get your photos in order, re-vamp your blog or perhaps create a few cute Valentine's printables, head on over to the giveaway and enter!

My Memories Suite GIVEAWAY! (UPDATE: We have a winner!)

2012-02-06T08:49:00.000-06:00

Last week, I mentioned my desire to get a little 'crafty' on The Traveling Spoon...and I believe I promised you an exciting GIVEAWAY. Well, it's here!!!

I've dabbled in all sorts of crafting, using everything from macrame to Mod Podge, but most of all I love working with paper. I love scrapbooking (I even made my husband a scrapbook of 52 handmade postcards - one for each week of the year - sent during his last trip to Afghanistan), but I don't love the mess, the expense, and the endless boxes of equipment that seems to come with it these days. So you can imagine how excited I was when Liz from My Memories contacted me about hosting a giveaway of their award-winning digital scrapbooking software, My Memories Suite.

I made this page for my adorable nephew in under 10 minutes!

My Memories Suite was rated #1 by Amazon and TopTen reviews, but more importantly its incredibly fun and easy to use! It takes the mess and mistakes out of paper-craft and allows you to create exciting, professional-looking scrapbook pages on your own computer, with no need for all those pricey scrapbooking gadgets (the page above was created in under 10 minutes, using one of their design templates). It's Windows and Mac compatible (which is good news for divided Mac/PC households like mine), but the best part is that it's not just for scrapbooking. That's right, with My Memories Suite you can also create cards, calendars, photo albums and gifts.

This page was made 'from scratch' in less than half an hour

I was provided with a copy of the software for review (the pictures about are just some of the ideas I came up with), and I can honestly say that it is really easy and fun to use. Oh sure, it takes a little while to figure out how to use all of the features, but if you use their album templates, you can create a professional-looking page in just minutes!

Pages can be exported as jpegs, which makes it easy to drop them into blog posts or e-mails. And - my favorite part - you really can do a lot more than just scrapbooking. In fact, you can come back later this week for a sneak peak at my latest My Memories project.

But in the meantime, why don't you hurry on over to their website and take a look for yourself? In fact, I'll sweeten the deal:

My Memories is offering $10 off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software plus a $10 coupon for any purchase in the My Memories store.
That's a $20 savings for every Traveling Spoon reader!

Just copy and paste this promo code:

STMMMS22562

If you've ever spent money on scrapbooking supplies, you know that's a great deal, but that's not all...

My Memories is also giving one Traveling Spoon reader the chance to win their very own My Memories Suite software (a $40 value!)

Here are 6 things you can do to enter
(Please leave a separate comment for each entry, or it won't count!):

1. Follow The Traveling Spoon via GFC or Linky Followers (and let me know you did!)

2. Visit My Memories.com and leave a comment below telling me what products you love!

3. 'Like' My Memories on Facebook (Bonus: Facebook fans can get a $5 coupon code for the store!)

4. Visit and Follow the My Memories blog.

5. Share this giveaway via Facebook or Twitter.

6. 'Like' The Traveling Spoon on Facebook.

You'll get 1 entry for each of the above actions, but make sure to leave a comment below.

The giveaway will end at 10pm EST on Monday, 13th February. Winner will be notified via e-mail and have 48 hours to respond (so make sure I have access to your contact details!).

Good luck and Happy Scrapbooking!

UPDATE: The Winner of the My Memories Suite Giveaway is Alecia! Thanks so much to all of you who participated!

Note: This is my first sponsored giveaway! I was given a copy of the software to review, but all opinions are entirely my own.

What...no GFC?

2012-02-03T11:26:00.001-06:00

Hi again, folks. I guess today is an admin day, because I've got another bit of blog news to relate.

As many of you have probably heard, Google Friend Connect is going away for all non-Blogger blogs in March. This is sad news, especially for older blogs with a more established following, but there is a ray of sunshine - and it's called Linky Followers.

You'll notice that I have a new little follower widget on the right hand column...and you can have one, too! Just head on over to their website and sign up for their FREE service. Then you can start re-following all your favorite blogs with no need to panic, come March. So what are you waiting for?

For more info on how the new program works, check out this informative post at It's So Very Cheri.

The Traveling Spoon is Getting Crafty!

2012-02-03T08:05:00.000-06:00

For a few weeks now, I've been debating whether or not to include crafts, home accents and DIY ideas on The Traveling Spoon. Since this is essentially a food and travel blog, I wasn't sure they'd fit. Still, I spend a lot of time browsing other craft and lifestyle blogs, and I've come to the realization that crafting and creating are a big part of my life. In fact, they used to be a big part of my everyday life until this blog came along and coaxed me into trading time at my craft table for more time in the kitchen.

I don't regret the exchange, but I do miss crafting.

And so, I've decided to introduce a few of my crafting ideas on the site, starting next week. Die-hard cooks and bakers needn't be disappointed - I've no intention of slacking off on the recipe front - but hopefully the change will appeal to other readers whose interest is as...eclectic as my own!

I'll be sharing a few Valentine-themed craft ideas next week (how could I resist with all the hearts and cupids floating around the blogosphere?) but I'm even more excited to be sharing my first ever sponsored GIVEAWAY!!!

Thanks to the kind folks at My Memories, I've had the chance to try out a digital scrapbooking software called My Memories Suite - and they've given me the chance to give a copy away! I'll also be giving you my unvarnished opinion of their product and showcasing a few of the fun things it can do, so make sure you come back next week for a chance to win!

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

2012-02-02T07:24:00.000-06:00

Remember that gorgeous, sumptuous, too-simple-too-be-true Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken I shared on Tuesday? Well, ever since that post I've had Mexican on my mind. So today, I'm sharing my favorite recipe for chicken enchiladas. Tender, meaty, and enrobed in cilantro-studded, homemade enchilada sauce with a generous topping of golden cheese, these enchiladas are a real weeknight treat.

Can I share a secret? I love enchiladas. I mean, love them. I know I talk a lot about innovation in the kitchen and trying different foods, but it's pretty much a guarantee that I'll order some sort of enchilada every time we got out for Mexican food. I always promise myself I'll try something different...and then before I know it, I'm cutting into a tender, cheese-drenched enchilada - and loving every moment of it.

Oh, look at that cheese.......

Slow-Cooker Mexican Chicken and Spanish Rice

2012-01-31T06:25:00.000-06:00

Have you ever found a recipe that's just so good you have to share it? It's happened to me a few times but, honestly, the phenomenon is rarer than I'd like - so when I tried this simple, five-ingredient recipe for Mexican-isnpired chicken last week, I just couldn't wait to get it on the blog.

Sure, I may have discovered it by accident (after buying salsa, but no chips) and sure I may have only made it twice so far (although that's a lot for one week!) but I just know you're going to love it!

Served with homemade enchilada sauce

This recipe is so simple that you'll wonder why you'd never thought of it before, and so delicious that your husband will start requesting it for dinner every night (if he's anything like mine, that is). It requires less than a handful of ingredients, but the chicken is packed with tangy, Tex-Mex flavor and can be easily transformed for use in enchiladas, fajitas, tacos and chimichangas, to name just a few.

You can dress it up with some roasted bell peppers, a bit of avocado or some sour cream (we paired ours with my favorite homemade enchilada sauce) or just enjoy it with a few spoonfuls of Spanish Rice. And the best part? The hands-on cooking time is about 10-15 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy moms.

I know it may sound like hyperbole, but I haven't had a recipe I've been this excited about for a long time, and it's so easy. But, enough of my rave review - get out your crock pot, thaw out a few chicken breasts and make this meal tonight!

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash (the easy way!)

2012-01-30T08:09:00.000-06:00

From Valentine cookies to...spaghetti squash? Well, life is about balance after all, and if you baked, whipped, and frosted along with me last week, you're gonna need some veggies in your life right about now. And where better to start that with a veggie that doesn't feel like a veggie.? I mean, it's all in the name: it looks like spaghetti, it feels like spaghetti, and with a bit of sauce it even tastes like spaghetti...and all for a fraction of the calories.

In my experience, I lot of people are intimidated by spaghetti squash - and that's somewhat understandable; many varieties of squash require hours of oven or stovetop cooking to render them soft enough to be edible, but if you have a microwave, you can prepare a delicious bowl full of spaghetti squash in less that 15 minutes - about the same amount of time it takes to boil a pot of ordinary pasta!

I like to use spaghetti squash as a lower calorie alternative on those nights when Matt comes home craving a vat of starchy noodles. Half a squash will more than fill me - and all for about 40 calories per cup, (versus 200 for pasta!). Just like its namesake, it's a real blank canvas and pairs well with all kinds of meats and sauces. Leftovers will keep for a few days in the fridge or can be frozen.

If you've never tried spaghetti squash before, you're probably pretty excited right now, so let me share some more big news - I actually remembered to take step-by-step photos this time. This may be the first time that's ever happened, so what was going to be a spaghetti squash recipe is now a spaghetti squash tutorial.

Pretty-in-Pink Valentine Cookies

2012-01-26T08:11:00.001-06:00

Today is the final day of Valentine-themed cookies...for now (I mean, Valentine's Day is still more than two weeks away), and while the other cookies were unusual, cute, or a little bit spicy, today's are the cookie equivalent of the girl-next-door. Fresh, pretty and straightforwardly simple.

These cookies also use my favorite sugar cookie recipe, and we're back to using the mock-whipped-cream, recession-proof, Pioneer-Woman's-favorite, whatever-you-wanna-call-it, amazing frosting. As with the other versions, I added a bit of powdered sugar to help it stiffen up and 'set' on the cookies. However, you could also easily use my Better Than Royal Icing for a smoother, firmer finish. You'll have to decorate as you go, dipping each cookie in sprinkles when the icing is still wet so that they'll stick and give you a nice, even surface.

I absolutely love the colors of these sprinkles for a Valentine or spring-themed treat. Unfortunately, they came from England so I can't tell you where to find a similar version in the States. For the purposes of these cookies, though, you could use any assortment of sprinkles. Just pick one of your sprinkle colors to be the accent color for the un-sprinkled cookies - in this case, I chose the bright, fuchsia pink for a festive pop of color. I saved these cookies for last because I think they're the prettiest - a nice, fresh alternative to the usual reds, hot- and bubblegum-pinks of Valentine's Day.

Puppy Love Sugar Cookies

2012-01-25T07:57:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Day 3 of my Valentine sugar cookie extravaganza! Monday's Cinnamon Imperial Cookies were sweet and spicy, and yesterday's Strawberry Malt Cookies were a tasty tribute to the soda shops of yesteryear, but today's cookies, well, they're just plain cute.

Of all the Valentine-themed cookies I made for this week, these were the most fun. I even had a great time photographing them - and, of course, eating them was a pleasure, too (although I made Matt eat most of the puppy ones - they were just too adorable!). I hadn't originally intended to make these little pups, but I came across the cookie cutter as I was looking for the heart-shaped one (that I didn't have) and decided he was just too lovely not to use.

These cookies use the same sugar cookie dough (because why mess with perfection?) but this time, the frosting is my favorite Better Than Royal Icing. I love this stuff because it sets like Royal Icing (well, not quite as hard) but it's much, much easier to use, and much tastier, too.

Strawberry Malt Sugar Cookies

2012-01-24T07:35:00.000-06:00

From cinnamon to strawberry, today's post gives you another twist on Valentine sugar cookies!

These sweet treats start off with the same base cookie and icing recipes (in fact, you may recognize these cookies from the frosting photos!) - but they're about as different from yesterday's Red Hot hearts as you can get.

When I first saw Strawberry Milkshake Whoppers in the stores, I just knew I had to bake with them! A generous helping of these crushed candies provides a bit of fruity flavor, an hint of malt, and a gorgeous pink color. The malt isn't overpowering, but it's a nice change-up from traditional sugar cookies and the usual valentine flavors - there's no chocolate, peppermint or cinnamon here!

The red icing on top is my favorite Better Than Royal Icing

Valentine Sugar Cookies with Cinnamon Imperial Frosting

2012-01-23T08:11:00.001-06:00

At last, my week of Valentine Cookies has arrived! And to kick it all off, I'm sharing some of my favorites - heart-shaped sugar cookies covered in an ever-so-slightly-spicy Cinnamon Red Hot Frosting.

I've been planning this series for a while, so you can imagine my surprise when I discovered, post-cookie-dough-making, that I didn't own a single heart-shaped cookie cutter! I'm not sure how such an important fact got overlooked, but luckily we live within shouting distance of a Wal-Mart, so I was able to pop my mixing bowl into the fridge and come back with a whole array of cookie cutters before the dough was even cold.

Speaking of dough, these tender cut-out cookies are based on the same all-time favorite sugar cookie recipe I shared at Christmastime. In fact, all of the cookies in this series will have the same base dough - so go ahead and make it a double batch, you're gonna need it! I may be an innovator when it comes to most recipes, but I haven't changed a thing since my little sister introduced me to these fool-proof, perfect-every-time sugar cookies.