It’s Been Awhile..

I’m checking around my blog and realized my recipe index has not been updated since July. OOPS! We are already in November. Again.. where is the time in 2011 going? Just think, in about 3 weeks we will be enjoying a Thanksgiving feast. Then we will put the Christmas tree up, Santa will come and then we will ring in the new year of 2012. It is crazy, I don’t want to keep getting older!

Every year I set a few goals I’d like to achieve for the new year. I always want to achieve them but sometimes life gets in the way. My goals for 2011, well some were made and some were broken.

2011 Goals:

• Figure out what I want to do in life!
• Run another race, possibly a 10k or half marathon. Will someone join me?
• Continue to expand on my blog to increase readership and have people love visiting Fallon’s Cucina!
• Spend more time with my boyfriend and build a stronger relationship. Goodbye long distance relationship!

-Well.. I never ran any races. I simply just don’t like running a distance longer then a 5k. I’m glad I’ve accepted this realization and I’ve moved on. Instead I finally brought Body Pump into my life, which has been a blast.

-I didn’t work on my blog like I would have liked too. I’m sorry. I’m disappointed I didn’t do more but I also need to work. So finding a balance was difficult but no matter what I’ll always be around. Baby steps work for me.

-Well, didn’t see this coming. I moved back home to Las Vegas this year, after moving in with my ex-boyfriend who had lived in Texas and temporarily in Georgia, to end up back in Las Vegas single. Life is such a mystery and how much I’ve realized my life in 2011 has been turned upside down.

-I don’t think I’ll ever FIGURE out exactly what I want to do in my lifetime. I do know I’d love to marry a wonderful man and have babies. I’ve always wondered what it be like to have a bigger family. I now want this more then ever. I just can’t look for it.. and let it look for me. Right? In the meantime, I’m now employed full-time and will be starting my new job in 1 week. I’m very excited for this change in my lifetime and I need to prove to everyone I can do this. I have set some personal goals I’d like to hit a year from now.

With only less then 2 months to go I’m going to enjoy 2011. I have my family, I have my friends and you know what.. that is all you need sometimes.

Have you hit your goals? Are you already thinking about your 2012 goals? Do you even set goals for a new year?

Don’t forget that my recipe index is now updated! I forgot how good the vegan bean burgers, grilled basil chicken breast, pumpkin banana bread, and baked polenta rounds were. Which can all be found in my recipe index plus more! 

Oh yeah.. and don’t we look cute together? Too bad Brandon Vera is married, I tried!! LOL

 

Always,
Fallon

Tex- Mex Beef and Bean Dip

It is either I don't work and I have a ton of time on my hands OR I work so much I have zero time for anything. Well that was my case one weekend when UFC was being held at my best friends house again. I hate coming empty handed when people hold small gatherings at their house. My friend had all the sweets covered. I figured a little savory dish would work perfectly. Except when would I find the time to make something? I've been going through old magazines recently and came across another Cooking Light recipe. This dip came together very quickly cooking everything on the stove top and then placed into a dish to be served. The cheese sprinkled on top eventually melts into the dip. Pick up your favorite tortilla chips and this dip is like eating a taco! Very fun! I used the leftovers and placed it on a crisp bed of romaine lettuce the next day. I think my friends liked it but it definitely wasn't something they went crazy for! I'm always trying to look for a healthier alternative so I can enjoy it too. So I went crazy for the dish. ;) We joked I used "tofu" to one of our friends and he was like, "WOW I don't like tofu but this is amazing!" hehe

 
Tex-Mex Beef and Bean Dip (Adapted from Cooking Light)  
Ingredients
1/2 pound ground lean sirloin
2 tablespoons no-salt-added tomato paste
1 to 2 teaspoons spicy taco seasoning mix (I used Trader Joe's brand)
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5- ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
Salt and pepper
Tortilla chips

Cook beef in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain well; return beef to pan. Add tomato paste and next 4 ingredients (through diced tomatoes), and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon meat mixture into a serving bowl; top with shredded cheese and green onions. Serve with tortilla chips.


Click HERE for the original recipe. Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!!!
Fallon

Yummy fruit dip!

Happy Friday to everyone!! I know I'm a bit late but as soon as I got off of work today, I waited to eat dinner and been getting all my chores done before my weekend! I usually don't go out Friday nights, I think it is overrated. Everything is always busy, people getting crazy, I play it safe and stay home. ;) Last weekend I was over at my best friend's house to watch the UFC pay-per-view. We had ordered in pizza, wings and chicken fingers. Couple of desserts and I brought over a fruit platter. Usually we don't do anything "healthy" for these affairs but I really wanted to make this fruit dip I had tasted during New Years. The house I was at with my boyfriend had some great food but this amazing fruit dip was my favorite. I asked the hostess what was it because I couldn't stop dipping my strawberries into it! She said she used whipped cream cheese and marshmallow fluff. That was all. Simple! Before attempting this recipe I googled to see what I could find on this dip. Surprisingly it is a pretty popular dip and there were several variations on how to make it. I kept it simple with the cream cheese, marshmallow fluff and pure vanilla extract. Do you know about this dip? Share with me!
   
Marshmallow Fruit Dip
Ingredients
16 oz jar of marshmallow fluff
8 oz container whipped cream cheese, room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Fresh fruit: berries, melons, apple, grapes etc.

Simply mix the cream cheese and fluff till well incorporated. I recommend using a hand mixer to make it extra smooth and fluffy. I was short on time and used a spatula to mix the ingredients together. It wasn't as smooth but still tasted good! Add the vanilla extract and mix until everything is incorporated and smooth. Place in the middle of a platter filled with delicious fruit! If you use apples make sure to squeeze lemon juice on top to prevent any browning from happening.


It was a good treat after eating a piece of pizza and a chicken finger! ;) Everyone else really liked it. I may of been heavy handed on the lemon juice, so try to just drizzle a little and not the whole half of a lemon, like I did. ;) Definitely a dip I will always keep in the back of my mind because it makes fruit a little more interesting and is a yummy treat. Umm hello marshmallow fluff!!! My pie post will be up on Sunday and will be a dooozy! Just thought I give you a small warning. ;) Always, Fallon

I have a secret!

I feel like a kid again when I'm able to still have secrets. Holding onto secrets always makes me feel like I'm special, but today I'm going to share my secret with you because I feel like it! I recently won my first cookbook giveaway from Cookie Madness. The giveaway was for a new cookbook coming out by Camilla Saulsbury. She's been on Food Network's Ultimate Recipe Showdown and won best cookie recipe! She also has her own food blog, Enlightened Cooking. I usually never win ANYTHING and when I saw an email I won The Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book, I was smiling from ear to ear. I was so ecstatic. I always wish I would win something and never been that lucky. This contest finally gave me hope in winning for the future! I can't wait. Camilla also has a blog featuring the Shortcut Cookie Book and updates it frequently with TV appearances and recipes!


When I first received the book I was a bit disappointed to find all the recipes either used a boxed cake mix, brownie mix, pre-made cookie dough or cereal. I'm not a fan of the ingredient label you'd find on those typical boxed ingredients from your typical supermarket. I took a chance to study the book and read through some of the recipes. I bookmarked the ones that appealed to me. I still had to give this book a chance because it offered 745 different recipes! That is more then 2 years worth of recipes. Low and behold UFC was coming up and everyone asked if I could bring a dessert. First I said I'm not really in the mood and then I remember of the cookbook and the short cut recipes it offered. Went through the recipes I bookmarked and found the winner. Peanut- Butterscotch Fudge- Filled Bars. What is my secret? Well not that I used a shortcut recipe.. but what I used in the recipe that is a secret. I didn't have any boxed brownies in the house, so I had to go do some grocery shopping. My main grocery shopping is at Trader Joe's. Took a stroll down their baking isle and remember they had boxed mixes. I knew the ingredient labels would be a bit nicer then the ones you'd find at your typical supermarket. They had No Pudge brownies, regular brownie mix, AND gluten free brownies. I put the gluten free brownies in my cart and happily went on my way! They would never know I'd use a gluten free mix, I'd keep it a secret! It tastes just like regular brownie mix but without the stomach ache from the gluten that I tend to have every so often. Hey I have to enjoy it too!

The secret! 

The verdict? They loved them. They were exceptionally sweet but the peanut-butterscotch fudge was the winner. It had the creamy peanut butter flavor with the brown sugar smell of butterscotch. The gluten free brownie crust worked well for this dish because it wasn't as moist, and held the bars well together. These are best at room temperature to enjoy. They only way they will ever find out about this secret is if they read my blog. ;)

These were before going into the oven. The fudge was amazing.  

Layered perfectly, great crumb topping,
and enough for everyone to enjoy! 

You know those candles you buy, and smells like you are baking something?
This was exactly like that moment, except I was really baking!

 So I take back about my disappointment of the shortcut cookie book. I love it! It is one of those books you can pull out, find a recipe, and make up right away when you need a dessert in a pinch. Especially when you are baking for a large party, quick and easy desserts that taste delicious are always a bonus. They will think you spent many hours in the kitchen baking but in reality with prep and cook, one hour later a delicious dessert is done and ready to enjoy! The Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book makes a great addition to anyone's cookbook library and also a great holiday gift for the upcoming celebrations! Plus the recipes in this book make for some fun holiday baking! I would just like to thank Anne from Cookie Madness for having such a great giveaway, and for the wonderful cookbook Camilla has created. Plus it came autograph which makes it even better! 

Always,

Fallon 

UFC 100!

I'm a girl who loves the UFC. I grew up watching "fake" wrestling like WCW or WWF. Now it called WWE? Yeah UFC is way better and way better then boxing, in my opinion! When it is just a cage and a ring, it's a real fight and when there is blood that is even better. Tonight my favorite fighter Georges St. Pierre is competing against Thiago Alves. We have to cheer on GSP to win!!! (I started writing this blog entry Saturday morning, I'm proud to say GSP WON! GSP WON! as of last night!)
 

 

 Just a little eye candy, but don't let my boyfriend know! =P

Well UFC is more then the fights, it's about the food lately! My best friend, Lyssa and I like to make food for the fights. We call them UFC parties. It is cheaper to order the PPV, get a big group together, and have good food! None of those $8 draft beers or nachos with fake cheese! Lately it seems every big UFC fight we make something. I guess the guys are starting to get spoiled. I say we start charging or put a tip cup out! ;) Well the menu for UFC 100 will be nice. I'm making Venetian Rolled Pizza and a caesar salad that is egg and anchovy free. My best friend is on the desserts this time. She is making original rice krispy treats, Peanut Butter Marshmallow Krispy Brownies from The Cooking Photographer, and then some pretzels with white chocolate and a M&M melted on top. The pizza recipe I had printed out a long time ago. It sounded delicious and so easy to make! I really wanted to get my pizza dough from The Great Bun's bakery, but I had no time. I ended up picking all my ingredients from Trader Joe's including the pizza dough. I use to make my own dough with my father, but we never had luck with the rise. Yeast is always a challenge, and for the event I figured it be easier to find pizza dough already made up. This recipe was very easy to make and I'd make it again. 2 things happened:

1. It allows for a 25 minute cook time. It looked done, so I let it rest for 10 minutes. I started to cut slices and the dough still didn't looked cook. So I put it back in the oven for another 5-8 minutes.
2. The recipe says it makes 18-20 servings. Well I was only able to cut 10.25 servings. We had 14 people at this party. It was first come first serve. Luckily some people didn't like spinach, kosher salt on top, or they just didn't want it. So more for the people who enjoyed it!!

I thought it was delicious. The saltiness from the prosciutto wasn't overpowering. The Trader Joe's dough wasn't bad at all! I would buy it again. Next time I make this, I'll make 2 of them so then there will be enough. I may even change it up, use fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and roma tomatoes. That be delicious!

It been forever since I used my pizza stone. 
Make sure to heat it in the oven before placing your pizza on it.

   
It looked beautiful when I sliced it. See the mozzarella, 
spinach and prosciutto perfectly rolled.
 

Click HERE for Venetian Rolled Pizza recipe.

As for the Caesar salad, real simple. I just chop up a bunch of romaine lettuce, and toss in the caesar dressing from Trader Joe's. It is in the refrigerator section of the store where the lettuces' are. This is my favorite caesar dressing because it is egg free and anchovy free. Then I finish it with fresh Parmesan cheese. My caesar salad had several compliments. It is probably the most simplest thing I make because the dressing is already made, plus romaine and parmigiana. Easy, delicious and simple. It went perfect with the pizza rolls.

 
Here is the bottle of dressing, in case you want to pick it up!
 

 
Fresh and Delicious.
 

NEXT!! Dessert. We had original rice krispy treats with either blue or pink sprinkles. My best friend is pregnant with a boy and her friend is pregnant with a girl! I forgot to take a picture of them, but you all know what rice krispy treats look like! My best friend kept talking about these round pretzels. She had to order them special online because she can't find them in stores. She filled them with either white or milk chocolate. She was suppose to top each one with an M&M, but she forgot to pick them up. Either way they were a great snack!

I liked the white ones best!

The best for last, The Peanut Butter Marshmallow Rice Krispy Brownies. These were DELICIOUS! They were creamy, gooey, crunchy, and melted in your mouth. I love the marshmallow layer. Actually, I loved it all that I had to eat two! I think the next time these are made, I would use nutella in place of peanut butter. I love nutella! Click HERE for Peanut Butter Marshmallow Rice Krispy Brownies recipe. 

 
The chocolate started melting when she tried to cut them, 
so the layers aren't as clean but still tastes delicious! Look at all the 
marshmallow on the corner! Yes, this was mine!
 

 
Look at that marshmallow!
 

Wow this was a long post, but well worth it. I wanted to make sure I touch on everything we made for the party! August 8th is the next one, but I'll be in California on vacation. :(

Have a great Sunday,
Fallon