Deceptively Simple beer bread

I've never actually been to a Tastefully Simple party but I have definitely had their beer bread. Again and again and again. It is addictive but at something like $5 per box, it is not a sustainable bread habit. I mean, how are you going to afford the beer? Chef Google to the rescue with a ridiculously simple (seriously, I can't believe this works) recipe.

Beer Bread
Makes one loaf

Ingredients:

• 3 cups self-rising flour
• 3 tbs sugar
• 1 12 oz bottle of decent beer
• 1 tbs butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. 
2. Mix together flour, sugar and beer. Pour in to pan. Pour melted butter over batter. 
3. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Trails and 'tinis

Yesterday marked not only the arrival of my external flash, but also our first big walk of the season. Generally, a few times a month we head to my mom's to take the dogs out on a the miles of horse trails surrounding her farm. I don't know if I've mentioned it (yes, I have), but the weather around here has been total crap for the last few months, so we've been pretty cooped up. After our walk, we piled the calories back on with a dinner featuring filet mignon and caramel appletinis. Yum.

Colin actually started out on foot, but he wasn't going fast enough for his grandmother. 

I love that picture. It reminds me of this one of my dad and I from the early '80's:

Anyway, Peanut ended up in the hiking pack/trampoline (he likes to add his own bit of cardio by jumping up and down as Chris walks).

The rest are just some random indoor shots - mostly just testing this whole Speedlite thingy. Verdict? LOVE.

An excellent Saturday was had by all. The dogs have been passed out for most of today, which is usually the measure of a fine walk.

Lighting my life

My Speedlite came today! Yay! I haven't played with it too much, but I thought this was pretty neat. A glass of Malbec on a mirrored placemat:

Friday bliss: Cupcakes

I thought my random photo of Samoas last Friday was such a good way to end the week that I decided to make it a regular thing. I give you Morning Call and Peanutbutter Cup from Red Velvet Cupcakery:

It was surprisingly difficult to take a decent shot of these without it looking like the top half of a  Hustler spread.  Cupcake bakers must have dirty minds.  I certainly don't.

And with that I bid you a happy weekend!

Silver and blue

Taken on my phone and processed with Instagram. Fun!

Mashed Cauliflower with Rosemary and Bacon

I guess it's my calling to transform cruciferous vegetables using a simple Cuisinart, because I've recently discovered a way to whip up (literally) the humble cauliflower. It's a weird calling and probably not one I'll make much money out of, but it will do for now. At least for dinner.

I've been curious about mashed cauliflower ever since the low carb craze had people raving about them, but I've never been able to get the texture right. I figured that the sugar-deprived brains of crazy dieters will trick them in to eating just about anything and this mess - an unappetizing mix of chunky and watery, was not something sane people ate. Well, evidently my problem was actually my choice of equipment and the crazy dieters were indeed on to something. Mixers do nothing for cauliflower, food processors however, make them delightfully creamy. 

Mashed Cauliflower with Rosemary and Bacon
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, broken in to large florets
• 1 tbs butter
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1 tsp. fresh rosemary, finely diced
•  salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

Directions:

1. Steam cauliflower until completely soft. Transfer to food processor. 
2. Add butter, milk and rosemary. Pulse and blend until very smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Top with crumbled bacon.

Fetch

Colin found yet another use for his ball pit and a way to get Donkey to pay attention to him. Win-win.