The curtains are up!

Delicious crepes!

final product!

toppings of choice- strawberries and nutella-amazing!

        INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.

Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot.

Black Bean Burgers...All credit for this recipe goes to Becky Burns!

I got this recipe off of Becky's neat blog.  Check it out for other great recipes: Vintage Mixer

I was a little hesitant to try this recipe at first...But..I am all about experimenting with cooking right now so I gave it a shot and o.m.g. so good! This is a must try! I add some cheddar cheese, mustard and sour cream (weird combo, I know..its all I had) with some lettuce and had some tortilla chips and salsa on the side! SO GOOD! and a good alternative instead of meat if you are wanting something less greasy. enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

2 14 oz cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
3 Tbsp mayonnaise
1/3 cup plain dry bread crumbs (I used planko)
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano, crumbled
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
4 soft hamburger buns
accompaniments: sour cream, salsa, avocado, lettuce

DIRECTIONS
Pulse 1 can on black beans in food processor with mayo, bread crumbs, cumin, oregano, and cayenne until coarse puree forms. Transfer to bowl and stir in cilantro and remaining black beans. Form mixture into 4 patties.
Heat oil in 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Cook burgers until outsides are crisp and lightly browned, turning once, about 5 minutes total. Serve on buns.
* note: if the burgers fall apart a little don't worry. They'll still taste amazing and you can reform them on the buns. Or you can put them in tortillas for a black bean burritos.

delicious cake!

So, I have not blogged in a month! yikes! we moved and there are a lot of time consuming activities that go with moving...packing, unpacking, painting, etc.  Are home is a wreck but..day by day it is feeling more like home as we are unpacking things and finding places for them.  I went to Jamie Vulgamott's wedding shower a few weeks ago and had the most amazing cake ever made by Kristen Carsten.  I thought that it may be a secret family recipe and the chances of me getting it would be slim.  But, I don't think it was a secret recipe because she gave it to me! It was the best cake I have ever had.  You must try it!  I didn't get to snap a pic of it but trust me..its amazing. i don't even know the name of it!..lets call it vanilla cake! Definitely not on the healthy side but..must splurge every once in a while! enjoy!

* 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 1/2 cups sugar
* 2 cups all purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 6 large egg whites (3/4 cup)
* 3/4 cup milk
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions
Set rack at the middle level in the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.

Butter the bottom of two 9-inch round or one 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan. Line bottom with parchment or waxed paper. ( i just grease and flour it).

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Combine egg whites, milk and vanilla extract. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture then add half the milk mixture. Continue to alternate beginning and ending with flour mixture. Scape the bowl and beater often.

Pour the batter into prepared pan(s) and smooth top with metal spatula. Bake cake(s) about 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.

Cool in pan on rack for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a rack, remove paper and let cool completely.

Note: For a classic yellow cake- Substitute 3 large eggs and 1 yolk for the egg whites.

Ingredients for Icing
* 3 cups confectioners' sugar
* 1 cup butter
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (almond)
* 1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream

Directions
In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for spreading consistency.