Red, White & Blue Cupcakes!!!

I made a version of this cupcake for Easter - with spring colors, and I knew that it would be fun to make with other colors for different holidays. So how could I NOT make red, white and blue cupcakes to celebrate the Fourth of July? I'd be crazy not to, so I made them for a few friends and my co-workers to enjoy right before the actual holiday.

They are super easy to make, so take a look at how I made the fun little treats!

The Goods:

White Cake Mix

Water

Vegetable Oil

Eggs

Strawberry Jell-O Mix

Berry Blue Jell-O Mix

Cream Cheese Frosting

Pour the cake mix into mixing bowl.

Add the water...

Then the oil...

And now the eggs!

Mix it alllll up!

Set out three bowls.

One for RED, one for WHITE, and one for BLUE!

Put the Strawberry Jell-O mix in one bowl 

and the Berry Blue Jell-O mix in another.

Fill all the bowls up with an equal amount of cake mix.

And mix the ones with Jell-O!

This is what it will look like. 

I know - not crazy appetizing,

but it tastes good...I promise!!

Put Cupcake Liners in the pan.

Spoon red mix into the cups...

Then cover it with white mix...

And finish it up with a layer of blue!

Bake according to the box directions.

Here they are after baking!

Leave them alone until completely cool.

Put your frosting into a piping bag...

And frost the cupcakes!!!!

Then take them to work for your co-workers to enjoy!

Or eat them all yourself.

Do what you want, I won't judge! :)

Farfalle Pasta a la Robyn!

I've made a version of this pasta numerous times, but it never really occurred to me to blog about it - until the other night! I was going to make dinner for a friend and wanted to use what I had in my fridge, freezer, pantry and growing in my garden. This a pretty simple dish and can be modified so many ways.  Take a look at what I ended up doing last night!

The Goods:

Farfalle Pasta - I used Mini!

Olive Oil

Bell Pepper - I used Orange, 

but whatever you have works!

Broccoli

Yellow Onion

Garlic

Chicken Sausage - ANY kind.

Parmesan Cheese

Fresh Basil

Chop up the bell pepper...

Cut the broccoli and cook for a few minutes.

It should still have a LITTLE crunch, but not tons.

Now chop up the onion...

And slice the garlic!

Now start the pasta and cook as directed on the box.

While the pasta is cooking, heat up a pan and add olive oil.

Throw in the onions and garlic and sauté for a couple minutes.

Next throw in the bell pepper, and cook for a few more minutes.

Now it's time to throw in the sausage.

Note - if your sausage isn't precooked, you'll want to do that FIRST!

Cook until the sausage gets a nice little color.

Turn off the heat and throw in some cooked, drained pasta.

Mix the pasta around and then add the cooked broccoli. 

Mix the broccoli in...

And COVER it with fresh Parmesan!

Now get the basil and cut it into long thin slices - AKA chiffonade.

Put the pasta in a bowl and top with the fresh basil.

Dig in and ENJOY!!!

Adventures With Rice: Herbed Basmati Rice

I love rice. I love it as a side dish, I love it on it's own. I love it in salad. And I love all kinds of rice, prepared many different ways!

Years ago, the only rice I made was Minute Rice or Rice-A-Roni, but as my cooking skills grew, I ventured out and realized that homemade rice doesn't take THAT much longer and the taste is just SO much better! In a pinch, or when I'm feeling very lazy, I still rely on those old favorites. :)

With all that said, let me show you how to make one of my favorite rice recipes:

Herbed Basmati Rice

The Goods:

• Uncooked Long-Grain Basmati Rice
• Water
• Kosher Salt
• Unsalted Butter
• Minced Fresh Parsley
• Minced Fresh Dill Leaves
• Minced Fresh Scallions - White and Green Parts
• Fresh Ground Pepper

Grab a big stock pot,

And melt some butter.

Then throw in the rice,

Mix it with the butter and toast the rice.

Once toasted, add the water and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to simmer and cook until water is absorbed.

YUM!

But wait - it gets better!!!

Add the Parsley, 

A little bit of Dill too, 

And finally the Scallions.

Mix it all together and enjoy!!!

This rice is so fresh and can easily go with many different meals. I'm sure you could also substitute other herbs, but I haven't given any others a try!