We love Indian food. There is a place right by our house that we love to go to, but they take FOREVER! We’ve learned not to go there when you are already hungry because it will be at least an hour before you eat. My Fiancee had a hankering for some Tiki Masala this weekend so instead of spending two hours and $50 bucks on dinner, I decided to try my hand at making it.

I scoured Pinterest for a recipe. I wound up combining/adapting a few to make this Tiki Masala. The number of ingredients is a little scary, but it’s actually very easy to make in the slow cooker. Just thrown them in, give it  a stir and four (or eight) hours later you’ve got amazing Tiki Masala which is dead on for the fancy Indian restaurant version.

I was stoked to make it in my Cuisinart MSC-600 3-In-1 Cook Central 6-Quart Multi-Cooker: Slow Cooker, Brown/Saute, Steamer

I received this beauty at my Bridal Shower and have already used it quite a few times. It’s a dream! With a non-stick surface, you can sauté your anything you need to without having to dirty another pan. Of course for the Tiki Masala I just used the slow cook function, but I still love using it.

Getting all fancy, I attempted to make Naan to accompany this dish but failed. Miserably. My guess is that the yeast was bad because the dough never rose. We ate it anyway, but it wasn’t anything to blog about.

The Tiki Masala on the other hand was fabulous! Served with Basmati rice, I will try the Naan again for a authentic Indian dinner. (Note in the pictures that I totally forgot to add the Cilantro)

Tiki Masala
Yields 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1/2 large yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp freshly, finely grated ginger
• 1 jalapeno, chopped, seeds removed (if you don’t want this as spicy, you may omit or slice in half and remove the seeds and then pull at the end of cooking)
• 1 (29 oz) can tomato puree
• 1 1/2 cups plain greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp Garam Masala (spice found in most grocery stores)
• 1 Tbsp cumin
• 1/2 Tbsp paprika
• 2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1-3 tsp cayenne pepper (Depending on how hot you’d like it. Can also be omitted)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
• Chopped cilantro, for serving

Directions:

• In the crock pot combine chopped onions, minced garlic, grated ginger, sliced jalapeño, tomato puree, plain yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, Garam Masala, cumin, paprika, salt, cinnamon, pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir until combined.
• Add the cubed chicken, stirring until all of the chicken is coated.
• Add the 2 bay leaves. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours (or high for 4 hours).
• With 30 minutes of cooking time left, whisk together heavy cream and cornstarch in a bowl.
• Pour the mixture into the slow cooker and gently stir. Allow mixture to cook 20 minutes while you prepare the rice.
• Remove bay leaves (sliced jalapeño) and serve over rice and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

Easy and tasty; that’s the best way to describe it. With no more than 5 minutes of prep it’s a fast meal which doesn’t taste like it. You can easily half it, or double it for a dinner party.

Honey Soy Salmon

Ingredients:

• 4 Salmon Filets – we buy the individually wrapped frozen salmon filets from Sam’s Club
• 1/4 cup Honey
• 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
• A few dashes of pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Line a cookie sheet with foil (for easy clean up) and place the defrosted salmon filets on it.
3. Combine honey, soy sauce and pepper.
4. Pout over the salmon.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Basting the salmon with the sauce half way through cooking.
6. Serve with the sauce poured over the filets or on the side.

Tips

• The honey and soy will be sticky and I strongly advise lining whatever pan or dish you are using with foil.
• Because cooking times can vary, try to select similar sized salmon filets.

I’m a sucker for a good salad. In fact I have one every day for lunch or dinner or both. While I load them with fresh veggies ( and fruit if I’m in the mood), I’ve got a weird thing about salad dressings. Blue Cheese is my absolute favorite, but it’s loaded with fat and calories. My work around is a dressing loaded with flavor with a few sprinkles of blue cheese on top. Not exactly the same thing, I know but more flavorful and maybe more delicious.

This Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette is beyond easy to make. You could probably make it in a larger batch and refrigerate it, but I make it fresh daily. I’ve found handmade dressings often solidify in the fridge after 24 hours or so because of the olive oil.

This recipe is for one large salad or two smaller dinner salads, but can easily be doubled.

Easy Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette 

Ingredients:

• 1 tbs of Strawberry Jelly or Jam (I’ve used both. You could also use an Apricot Jam which I did in the photo above.)
• 3 tbs Olive Oil
• 3 tbs White Balsamic Vinegar (I’ve used Balsamic Vinegar before too)
• Dash of pepper

 Instructions:

1. Add all of the ingredients in a shaker or any small container.
2. Shake vigoriously.
3. Serve.

Tiramisu Cupcakes
Makes 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

• 1 box White Cake Mix
• 2 egg whites
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup oil
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup strong coffee

Filling:

• 8 oz mascarpone
• 1 tablespoon strong coffee
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pint heavy whipping cream

(For my coffee, I used a French Press with 1/2 cup of hot water and two heaping scoops of coffee – you may adjust for how strong or weak you’d like your cupcakes to taste.)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, gently whisk egg whites, egg, oil, buttermilk, sour cream and vanilla.
3. Add cake mix to the bowl.
4. Using half of the batter, fill cupcake liners about 1/3 full.
5. With the remaining cake batter, add the strong coffee and mix. (You may need to add 1 or 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the batter.)
6. Scoop the coffee cake batter over the regular batter so that each cupcake liner is filled about 3/4.
7. Bake for 16-20 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
8. While the cupcakes are baking, make the filling by simply combing all ingredients in a small bowl using a spoon.
9. For the topping, use the whisk attachment on your stand mixer or hand mixer to beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add vanilla. Slowly add in heavy cream and beat until stiff peaks form.
10. To assemble, wait until the cupcakes are cooled completely and cut a cone shaped piece of cake out the top of each cupcake and generously spoon in your filling.
11. To finish, pipe your whipped topping over the hole with the filling and top with chocolate shavings and cocoa powder.

Source: tatertotsandjello.com viaCheri on Pinterest

Because I’m a procrastinator (especially when it comes to crafting), Easter came and went without making this wreath. By fabulous fiancee knew my plans and picked up a bunch of eggs for me the day after Easter last year…1/2 off whoot whoot!!!

Tired of looking at those eggs, I decided this was the year I was going to make this wreath. Off to Hobby Lobby I went with my 40% off coupon where I picked up an 18″ straw wreath and some fabulous yellow ribbon. With all of my supplies ready Archie had to get in on the action…

I carefully wrapped the ribbon around the wreath to cover the straw from showing should there be any holes between the eggs. (Sorry for the horrible pics – There is no natural light in my kitchen)

Then I was ready to start gluing the eggs on. You will need way more eggs than you think you will need. I ran out of eggs rather quickly. I didn’t count, but I’d guess it took well over 100 eggs.

That was okay though. Stepping back for a moment made me realize there was way too much space between the eggs.

I found that it was easiest to place the eggs in a small bowl and make three zags of glue on the egg. This method kept the egg in place and allowed me to place enough glue in the right place. I also found the best way to ensure there were not huge spaces between the eggs was to plan out where the egg went before I put glue on it. (Duh!)

I started at the inside of the wreath and worked my way out in a circular motion until the entire wreath was covered. I tried the bow a few different ways but settled on glueing it on an egg just right of center. To hang the wreath, I wrapped floral wire around the wrath and looped it on the back.

I’m so pleased I finally finished this craft!!!

What other lovely Easter crafts should I make?

Taking this recipe for Cinnamon Sugared Pecans from Pinterest, I subbed out the pecans for almonds and they quickly became a favorite around our house.

Source: justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com via Cheri on Pinterest

Tomorrow I head back to work after over two weeks off!!! As I looked at the blog today I realized that while I have about 20 drafts, I didn’t post anything – yikes! Might as well start at the very beginning…

We put up the tree and decorated the day after Thanksgiving.

I decided to use my Reindeer Tiered Stand from Pottery Barn on the Dining Room table. Filling it with glitter ornaments and covering it with my glass dome, it proved to be the perfect centerpiece.

I mixed the tree up this year. Instead of my usual elegant tree of hand blown glass ornaments, we opted for a more lively blue, green and teal tree with accents of silver.

While the tree was beautiful, it wasn’t nearly as festive as our usual tree. Not quite feeling in the spirit, we didn’t go as crazy with the decorations. That could also be due in part to the new addition to our family.

We welcomed home Sterling Archer or Archie a week after Thanksgiving. He’s been a great addition and the fiancee and I are crazy about him!!!

So that’s the extent of the decorating. More on the cooking and baking soon…

The worst part in the planning process so far has been the guest list. While everyone says it’s my day, they sure do feel like they have a say in who to invite. Hopefully we will get that locked down soon and can move on to happier things.

1. Set a date
2. Book a venue
3. Book photographer
4. Take engagement photos
5. Ask bridal party to be in wedding (I’ve asked my attendants, he still needs to ask his)
6. Find officiant
7. Create wedding website
8. Find and book florist
9. Buy wedding dress
10. Select bridesmaid dresses (working on it)
11. Select and order groom & groomsmen attire
12. Find veil or hairpiece
13. Find and book baker (found baker, need to book)
14. Buy cake knife and server
15. Order save the dates
16. Finalize guest list (drafted)
17. Find a cake topper
18. Ring pillow?
19. Send save the dates
20. Figure out what we are doing for a guest book
21. Select decorations for gift and dessert table.
22. Register
23. Reserve hotel room blocks
24. Hire a calligrapher
25. MOB & MOH dress shopping
26. Find wedding shoes
27. Choose wedding jewelry
28. Find garter
29. Find other accessories for the bride
30. Something old
31. Something new
32. Something borrowed
33. Something blue
34. Make day-of emergency kit
35. Going away outfit (maybe)
36. Book makeup artist
37. Book hair stylist
38. Select wedding favors (we know what we want, just need to order)
39. Select props for photobooth
40. Select decorations for bride and groom’s chairs
41. Design escort cards and table number signs (we know what we want)
42. Make table assignments and seating charts
43. Purchase getting ready outfit for bride and bridesmaids (I know what I want)
44. Menu tasting
45. Cake tasting
46. Hair and makeup trial (did makeup trial for Engagement photos)
47. Book venue Rehearsal Dinner (looking for venue)
48. Order invitations for Rehearsal Dinner
49. Send invitations for Rehearsal Dinner
50. Select a date for Bachelorette party
51. Select a date for Bridal showers
52. Book honeymoon (currently working on this)
53. Purchase Hostess gift for all my showers
54. Schedule dress fittings
55. Design invitations (Groom is doing this and has ideas)
56. Order invitations
57. Send invitations
58. Bridal party gifts (I bought one already)
59. Purchase wedding bands
60. Design programs
61. Get marriage license
62. Book transportation for wedding party
63. Welcome bags
64. Gift for Groom
65. Music selection for reception and ceremony
66. Playlists for cocktail hour and rehearsal dinner
67. Book wedding night hotel room
68. Order thank you notes
69. Tips and thank you notes for vendors
70. GET MARRIED!!

Okay so I know Thanksgiving has passed. While I had every intention of posting this before Thanksgiving, it just didn’t happen.

It isn’t however too late to make this for next year. You are probably putting your fall decorations away this weekend to make room for the Christmas decorations. Before you toss those pumpkins, rip those stems off. Well don’t really rip, carefully cut them out.
I’m not going to show you, or even tell you how to do that. My attempts were horrible and I’m 99% sure I didn’t do it correctly. Even YouTube didn’t provide me with easy instructions on how to safely remove the stem. My advice to you is to remove it how ever you feel comfortable.

Once you have the stem removed (by any means necessary) leave it out for a day or two to dry out. Then it’s ready to make these Thanksgiving (or Fall) pumpkins.

I started with a square piece of linen like fabric.Then I carefully cut it into a circle. You could also use a large kitchen bowl or wastebaskets to get a perfect circle. But don’t worry, if it’s not a perfect circle no one will ever know.

Next, take your needle and create half inch long stitches about ¼ inch from the edge of the circle.

Once you’ve made it all the way around the circle, cinch the fabric up.

Fill the bottom of the pumpkin dried beans, rice or even kitty litter to give it some weight.  Then fill the pumpkin with batting. Do not overfill-it should be fluffy, not too firm.

Cinch the fabric tightly to close up. Run a stitch criss-crossing  through the fabric a few times to ensure it’s secure.

Heat up the hot glue gun and apply a generous amount of glue on the center of the stem. Be careful not to get glue close to the edges as it could seep out when you secure it to the pumpkin.

Once the glue has hardened, carefully dab a bit of glue on the corners of the stem to adhere the stem to the fabric completely.

That’s it, you have a fabric pumpkin perfect for Fall!

This to-do list makes it look like I haven’t done anything. The biggies are taken care of: venue (which includes catering and rentals), dress, color and theme. Luckly we have a clear vision of what we want so I’m hoping everything will fall into place.

Here is a list of what’s done, and what’s left to do. YIKES!

1. Set a date
2. Book a venue
3. Book photographer
4. Take engagement photos
5. Ask bridal party to be in wedding (I’ve asked my attendants, he still needs to ask his)
6. Find officiant (we know who we want, we just need to ask)
7. Create wedding website (Groom is working on this)
8. Find and book florist (I know who I want, I just need to meet with them)
9. Buy wedding dress
10. Select bridesmaid dresses
11. Select and order groom & groomsmen attire
12. Find veil or hairpiece
13. Find and book baker
14. Buy cake knife and server
15. Order save the dates
16. Finalize guest list (drafted
17. Find a cake topper
18. Ring pillow?
19. Send save the dates
20. Figure out what we are doing for a guest book
21. Register
22. Reserve hotel room blocks
23. Hire a calligrapher?
24. MOB & MOH dress shopping
25. Find wedding shoes
26. Choose wedding jewelry
27. Find garter
28. Find other accessories for the bride
29. Something old
30. Something new
31. Something borrowed
32. Something blue
33. Make day-of emergency kit
34. Going away outfit (maybe)
35. Book makeup artist
36. Book hair stylist
37. Select wedding favors
38. Select props for photobooth
39. Select decorations for bride and groom’s chairs
40. Design escort cards and table number signs (we know what we want)
41. Make table assignments and seating charts
42. Purchase getting ready outfit for bride and bridesmaids (I know what I want)
43. Menu tasting
44. Cake tasting
45. Hair and makeup trial (did makeup trial for Engagement photos)
46. Book venue Rehearsal Dinner (looking for venue)
47. Order invitations for Rehearsal Dinner
48. Send invitations for Rehearsal Dinner
49. Select a date for Bachelorette party
50. Select a date for Bridal showers
51. Book honeymoon (currently working on this)
52. Purchase Hostess gift for all my showers
53. Schedule dress fittings
54. Design invitations (Groom is doing this and has ideas)
55. Order invitations
56. Send invitations
57. Bridal party gifts (I bought one already)
58. Purchase wedding bands
59. Design programs
60. Get marriage license
61. Book transportation for wedding party
62. Welcome bags
63. Gift for Groom
64. Music selection for reception and ceremony
65. Playlists for cocktail hour and rehearsal dinner
66. Book wedding night hotel room
67. Order thank you notes
68. Tips and thank you notes for vendors
69. GET MARRIED!!