Adventures In Carrot Cake

I named my post that because there are so many different recipes out there for Carrot cake. And I was having a hard time trying to find the right one to fit my needs. Or even to make it easy for anyone to make it.
I finally, found a few recipes I liked and kind of used some of each to make it my own.

As, you can see I have a lot of ingredients here. But, do not be afraid. I did not use them all. Like I said, there are lots of recipes out there. Out of this picture I actually only used Coconut Oil, Flour, Eggs, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Salt, Sugar, Carrots, Cinnamon and pecans for the cake.  The frosting was cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar and vanilla. Topped with Pecans.

Mix your eggs and sugar and oil together.

If, you decide to use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil like I did you it is a 1:1 ratio. And if you have never used coconut oil before it comes in a solid form. For this recipe I melted it. It becomes clear. Please be careful when you melt it, watch it closely so you do not burn the oil. (begins to melt at 76 degrees)

After, you have mixed well add your dry ingredients. ( premix them all in a bowl prior to adding to wet mixture)

Once, everything is incorporated add your carrots and pecans.

Looks so yummy!!

I decided to cook mine in a bundt pan. And I will stress this grease and floor very very well. 

I did not grease and flour my pan well enough so my cake without frosting does not look the prettiest. 

But, will a little love and soothing and frosting and pecans I was able to make it beautiful. 

And if you have any frosting left over my family is more than willing to come over and finish it off for you. 

Can you see the oops I was caught look on their faces. 

Recipe:

Carrot Cake 

1 C coconut oil (melted)

2 C sugar

2 C flour

4 eggs

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon (heaping)

3 C carrots

1 C pecans (chopped) optional

Directions:

Pre heat oven to 350. 

Mix eggs and sugar while coconut oil is melting.

Add coconut oil and mix well.

Mix all your dry ingredients together and then add to wet mixture.

Once, that is mixed add your carrots and pecans (nuts optional)

pour in to pan of your choice. If you are using a bundt pan cook for anywhere from 50 minutes to an hour. depending on your oven.

If you are going to cook as a sheet cake (8 x 11) cook for 20 to 30 minutes (did not cook that way so time may vary)

Frosting Directions:

1 8 oz package of cream cheese softened

1 stick of butter softened

2 C powdered sugar

2 tsp vanilla

mix well together. You can add pecans to the frosting or on top like I did. I used a additional 1 C of pecans.

After cake has cooled frost.

Enjoy. I know my family did. I made this for my dad to celebrate his 60th birthday. And my own family can not wait for me to make it again soon.

Product I Love

There are so many products out there that claim they are health or good for you. But, when I look at the labels I see all these words of additives that I can not even pronounce. The first thought goes through my head is what is this stuff? Igreat saleeally do not have time to sit in the store and surf the Internet to find out what exactly these ingredients are. With that said, I have now made it a rule for the most part, if I can not pronounce it or say it or even know what it is, I will not purchase it. That is how I stumbled onto Among Friends Baking Mixes.


The packages were on the end of a shelve at the local CO-OP. They were on sale  and had a tag line on the top of package that says "Free of the Bad Stuff". I thought lets check this out. This seem to be the only place other than online I can find it. So, check your local CO-OP.

I looked at the back of the package to see the ingredients list and I could read and understand ever word. I then purchased my first mix at that time it was CJ's cookie mix(not the product pictured). I came home and made them up. Waited for my other taste testers of the house (my family) to try them and tell me what they think of them. Success!!! Everyone loved them. After they ate them, I informed them that they are gluten free and GMO free.








I have yet to find a mix of theirs I do not like. I think the only problem I have is I never get the quantity of cookies due to I like a bigger cookie.

  ** Disclosure**
This is an unsolicited review. These are my opinions and not paid for or endorsed by the product company. I do not get paid for any clicks on the link provided. I love this product and wanted to share it with all my friends.

*** there is a great sale going on right now on Zulily.

Almond butter Cups

My house loves peanut butter cups. Even just yesterday we were at the store and my husband wanted to buy the 1 pound peanut butter bunny they had in the Easter candy section. (nope did not buy). 

 I like everyone else I know sees all the recipes floating around on social media. The other day I came across one that looked good and I need to find something to do with the almond butter I had in the refrigerator. (family did not like it)

Here is what you need:

Unsweetened coconut, almond butter ( I had crunchy), honey, coconut oil (if you have never used it, it is in a solid form), chocolate chips, and mini muffin pan.

 Puree 1 cup almond butter(from local CO-OP) with 1 cup coconut (organic), 1 tablespoon coconut oil, and 1 tablespoon honey

 Spoon in to mini muffin pans so it covers bottom. I was able to get 24 of them.

Now, to melt the chocolate chips. (chips I used are dairy, nut and soy free dark chocolate) I did a double boiler, you can melt in microwave if you want.

 Almost completely melted.

 Once melted spoon over peanut butter. I am all about the truth and yes it was a little messy. 

After, they are all covered with chocolate put in freezer for 30 minutes or over night.

 After, they are solid use a knife to remove from tin. 

These need to be stored in a bag in either the freezer or refrigerator. 

If you keep in freezer like I do then, let them sit for a few minutes at room temp. That way you can bite through them. 

I sampled one this morning and they are very good. 

I hope you give these a try. Yummy.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

I have always had a fear of soups. Why I have yet to figure out why. They are one of the easiest things to make. One that most of my family enjoys is broccoli cheese soup.

 Recipe: 

1 bunch of Broccoli

1 stick of Butter

1/2 Cup Flour

salt and pepper to taste

4 to 6 slices bacon (optional)

4 Cups of Milk (I use 1%)

1 Cup Sour Cream

1 8 oz block of cheese (choice)

Cook broccoli and bacon. Puree broccoli and chop up bacon. Melt butter over medium heat (do not burn), add flour and mix well. Salt and pepper. Add milk and mix until it begins to thicken. Mix in broccoli, add cheese, sour cream and bacon. Mix all together.  Enjoy! It should take under an hour to have a nice yummy soup. 

Now, what should I make next? Leave a comment so I know you are all enjoying what I am posting. 

St. Pat's Grasshopper Cake

I got a request/challenge from a local business owner to make a cake for the store on St. Pat's party. She sent me a link to a Pinerest cake.  I of course could not pass this up. I made my rendition of this cake. Making it a little bit healthier.  

 As I said I would share my failures with you and here is one. I really wanted to stay away from artificial ingredients and really want to add a natural color. I tried to cook some spinach down to pull the color from it. I just could not get a strong enough green. ( there is some natural coloring I can buy I was trying to avoid that cost)

 After baking

 We all love chocolate. I decided to make a healthy chocolate topping. 

To make this to fit a 9 x 13 you need: 

2/3 cup pitted Dates

1 cup of Milk 

3 T of coco powder

blend dates and milk to get a nice consistency

add coco mix well. Put in pan and boil till it thickens up.

 Whip cream top:

I used about a half of this carton of Heavy Whipping cream and 1/3 cup of powdered sugar. Added 3 drops of Peppermint Oil. I wipe until it forms peaks.

 I then chopped ups some Andes Mints to top off.

Enjoy. 

I got rave reviews from everyone. I even got a marriage proposal. Hehehe

Enchilada's My Way

For my first post I have one of my families favorites. Sour Cream Enchilada's.
I found this recipe online years ago and have changed it to fit our needs and the neatness of my kitchen. (I do not heat the tortillas separately and dunk in the warm enchilada sauce nor do I use corn tortillas just not a fan. My kitchen looked like someone was killed in it after I was done.)
I use ingredients that appeal to me and you can add your own if you would like. I have been on the hunt for a good NON GMO tortilla but with living in a small town it has been a struggle. I shop the CO-OP that is close to me but sometimes I can not find what I am looking for. To find things that fit my need I have to travel an hour to get what I really really want.
Now on to what you all have been hopefully waiting for. My recipe. Now, like I said in my first post measuring is not my strong suit. I am so used to just know what to put in.

Enjoy my friends.
Watch for next weeks posts.

Welcome To One Stove

Welcome to One Stove. I am not a chef, or even a professional cook. I am a mom, a friend, a person who just really loves to cook.I love seeing the look on peoples faces when I cook for them. Whether it is a recipe I see online or it is a new product in the stores I will try it. And I will say there are somethings that I have made and been told not to make again. 
I have begun a journey of changing not only what we eat but how we are eating. I am trying really hard to eliminate GMO's from our diet and artificial ingredients and go more organic in what we eat. (It is not as easy as people think.) 
I will post my failures and my success stories and pictures. 
For me the biggest challenge will be measuring. Laugh if you must but a lot of what I make, I make by sight and a little luck. 
Keep Your Eyes open for my next post it will be coming your way soon. Now just to figure out what my debut recipe should be...................................