Thursday, July 29, 2010

OBSESSED WITH...


STUFFED FRENCH TOAST!!! MMmm! I found this recipe a while ago on some random site, but it is SOO good!! I did tweak it a little though, because I could not find the random cheese it asks for in the cream part. I just added more cream cheese and powdered sugar, so yes, I pretty much just made a cream cheese frosting and added to my already unhealthy french toast. SO worth it though! Anyways I will post the recipe also so try. .you'll love it!!
Strawberries and Cream Stuffed French Toast
(inspired by Marion Cunningham’s The Breakfast Book, as well as a dear friend of mine)
• 6 (approximately 2″ wide) slices artisan-style Italian, French, or any other dense white bread
• 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 4 ounces Mascarpone cheese
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (plus more for garnish)
• 6-8 fresh plump, large strawberries (plus more for garnish)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3 large eggs
• 1 level tablespoon white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest (optional)
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
Assembly
Laying each (2″ wide) slice of bread on its edge lengthwise, create a *pocket* by slicing through the middle of each piece but stopping as you near the opposite crust, so as to create a single, hinged piece (much like a clam shell). DO NOT SCOOP OUT ANY OF THE BREAD. Do this for all 6 slices until you have created 6 pieces, each with a hinged *pocket*. Set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl, mix cream cheese, Mascarpone cheese, and powdered sugar until well blended. Set aside.
Slice 6-8 ripe, large strawberries to desired thickness.
Opening the *pocket* of each piece of bread, begin scooping and smoothing the cream cheese, Mascarpone, and powdered sugar mixture into each, creating a thick layer of cream in all. Following the same procedure, lay 1 row of sliced strawberries atop each layer of cream, slightly overlapping the berries as you go. When you are finished, each *pocket* of bread should contain a single layer of cream and a single layer of strawberries. Set aside.
In a medium-sized oval or rectangular dish, mix buttermilk, eggs, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and lemon zest with a whisk until blended. Melt (and spread) 2 tablespoons of butter in a 12″ skillet over medium heat.
Dip (don’t soak) each stuffed piece of bread into the buttermilk and egg batter using tongs, taking care to cover both sides and the edges. Drain slightly before setting each piece into the moderate skillet containing melted butter.
Frying no more than 3 pieces at a time, flip each piece over after the bottom reaches a light, golden brown. Continue frying until second side turns a light, golden brown as well. Keep cooked pieces of French toast warm in a 250 degree F oven while you continue cooking the remaining pieces of stuffed French toast.
When all the pieces of stuffed French toast have been cooked, place each on individual serving plates and dust lightly with powdered sugar. Garnish plates with additional whole strawberries, or slice and fan additional strawberries to garnish.
Serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes: This recipe will produce 6 pieces of Strawberries and Cream Stuffed French Toast. As an entree, allow 2 pieces per person. As a side, allow 1 piece per individual. Halve or double the recipe as needed.
You may also substitute regular milk for the buttermilk in this recipe’s batter. If substituting, I suggest you omit the level tablespoon of sugar from the mixture.

Read more: http://inncuisine.com/elegant-entrees-for-breakfast-brunch/worth-the-wait-recipe-strawberries-and-cream-stuffed-french-toast/#ixzz0uzrJdlK2

Saturday, July 24, 2010

OVER IT. .

Hi, my name is Melanie, and I used to be addicted to Twilight.
Yes, I was one of "those girls" who read the Twilight series-after it became popular. I had heard about them for a while, but was sick of all the girls who were -obsessed with- them. I put off reading, until I was in great need of a good book. I gave in. I started reading the first book and found myself flipping the pages faster and faster. After about 2 weeks I had completed all 4 books, and LOVED them! Yes, I had then turned into one of "those girls" ranting about how amazing it was. Well that little obsession has come and gone, and now I would like to classify myself as "OVER IT". I have not watched Eclipse yet, and I am still living. Shocker-I know. I just want to let all the girls know, there is life outside of the Twilight series, find it. :)
Peace and blessins ya'll, peace and blessins!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

OBSESSED WITH. .


ok. . so i know the video may be a little cheesy, but LOVE this song!

OBSESSED WITH. .





FAMILIES!!
I love my family so incredibly much! In my family, there are 6 girls and 2 boys. Personally, I LOVE having 5 sisters because I can tell them all what is going on in my life and get 5 different outlooks, combine them to what I want to hear-and honestly, it usually almost always works for the best. Then my brothers come into play quite often too. When I need advice from a man's perspective-I call them. They are very aware of my needs and always know what to say-or not say-when the time is right. My parents are amazing! They have supported me in everything I do. I may hear "No." A LOT from them, but in the end-when they have said no is when something of greater worth to me has happened. (Ex. The day I met Cody-I was supposed to be going down to Provo for the weekend, but at the last minute they told me the favorite saying "No." I went to Pocatello instead and met the one .) Thank goodness for that favorite word! My parents are great examples of parenting. My siblings have all turned out amazing and good parents themselves. I hope someday, I can be half the wife/mother they are. I don't know what I would do without them. I know people say that all the time, but i mean it to the extreme. They are amazing! I love them and am so grateful they will be my family-FOREVER!

Friday, July 2, 2010

OBSESSED WITH...









When I decided to create a blog, I thought it would be fun to theme it with "Obsessed with..." and "Over it..." I have to start with what I am most "obsessed with". This obsession began on September 12, 2009 in Pocatello Idaho, more specifically--The Holt. With time, something amazing has come from this encounter with Cody Jardine. I have fallen madly in love, and there is no stopping it! We have dated for over six months, and have both made it through the first month of his mission. 23 more months to go, and by how fast this last year has gone, it should go by pretty quick. Regardless of how fast or slow it goes, I know he is worth the wait! "Obsessed with..."? I think it is more "in LOVE with..."I, like Buddy the Elf, am "In love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!"