Cake Mix Cookies

Last night, I decided to try out something new... found on Pinterest and from this blog. It is very simple, so the question now is - are they any good? I think they're pretty good, but I'll be serving them to my co-workers for a birthday celebration on Tuesday, so we'll see what happens there... I would also like to try the chocolate version (recipe on the blog linked above). Let me know what you think!

Ingredients
1 strawberry cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup coconut

Instructions
*Mix eggs and vegetable oil until well combined.
*Stir in cake mix and coconut
*Drop by teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet.
*Cook for 8-10 minutes at 350 F.

The Quick List

Hello Friends,

Just a quick note about the Quick List. I've been a bit busy this month and haven't added much lately, or updated the Quick List as I'd planned to. However, I started a page {tab at the top} which will eventually contain my full quick list, with links to some of the things I've blogged, which are referenced on the list. Use it as you'd like.

French Toast

Last night, I decided to make french toast for dinner (I was feeling the breakfast theme), so I thought I'd throw that out there here - even though I'm sure that most people are very clear on how to make french toast. Once upon a time, I was not so clear on how simple it can be, so I'll share for those out there who forgot about or don't know quite how to make french toast. Beware that this is something I do not actually make with a recipe...

Basic Ingredients
bread {the fatter and drier the better... mine was neither fat nor dry, so I let it sit out for a few minutes before I started}
eggs {I usually do about 2 eggs for every 3 pieces of bread}

Optional Ingredients
cinnamon {I add it to the eggs}
toppings {peanut butter or butter, syrup, powdered sugar, fruit, etc}

Instructions
*Heat a skillet or pancake griddle.
*Scramble the eggs in a bowl.
*Add cinnamon {if you like it - I did a few dashes}.
*Cover both sides of bread pieces in egg.

*Cook on a hot griddle {just like you would pancakes}

*Flip, cook, serve, add toppings, enjoy!

Corn on the Cob {Microwave Version}

I love corn on the cob. love it. I'm also a girl who likes things to be quick and easy. So, I have searched around through cookbooks and all over the internet, and here's my quick corn on the cob plan:

*clean the corn cob
*wrap the corn cob in wax paper
*microwave for 3 minutes (a little more as you add ears)
*be careful when you take it out - it's hot and steamy!

Try it. It works. :)

Southwest Black Bean Turkey Burgers

Tonight, I tried something new (recommended to me by my trainer at the gym, so you can be sure that it's healthy too!). It's super simple and quite tasty.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 can black beans
1 packet of taco seasoning

Instructions:
Drain the beans. Mix ingredients (just like you would any other burgers). Make patties. Grill, George Forman, whatever you like. I also froze the leftovers for later!

Tada! Enjoy!!

Sushi

This is one of my favorite new things. I was introduced to it recently by my beautiful sister-in-law (who, by the way is a very talented photographer - you should check out her website). The best part is that it looks and sounds so complicated and sophisticated, but it's so simple! So, without further ado...

What you'll need:
*bamboo sushi mat
*sushi rice
*seaweed wraps
*whatever else you like in your sushi (my current favorites are avocado, carrots, and crab, but I have had it with shrimp, and plan to experiment with other things in the near future...)
*a bowl of water
*knife

Here are the steps, along with photos taken during my first sushi excursion:

1. Prep: cook the rice, cut up the veggies and meat.

2. Lay the seaweed down on the mat with the rougher side facing up. Use a basting brush (or whatever you have) to lightly wet the seaweed.

(before you touch the rice, you MUST get your fingers wet - use the bowl of water - otherwise the rice will stick to your fingers, not the seaweed)

3. Put rice on the seaweed wrap. You only want to put it on about 2/3 of the seaweed. Wet your fingers as often as needed to keep the rice from sticking (to you). You can spread with a fork/utensil or with your fingers. You can put a thin layer or a thicker layer of rice, depending on your preferences.

4. Add the meat and veggies.

5. With the rice-edge of the seaweed at the edge of the bamboo mat, carefully begin to wrap/roll.

6. Once you have wrapped up the middle portion of the roll, stop and squeeze the roll. This is what should come out at that point.

7. As you can see in the picture, she pulled the roll back to the edge of the mat. Next you'll finish rolling and squeeze just a little more. This is what you'll get (and you'll feel so proud!)

8. Transfer to the cutting board for cutting. (IMPORTANT) Wet the knife (you can just dip it in the bowl of water you already have, and then just let the water drip down the blade so that the whole blade is wet. Then start cutting. You can make the pieces as thin or thick as you'd like. Re-wet the knife with each cut, just to ensure that your knife isn't sticking to the seaweed or the rice. This part takes a little practice. But once you get a feel for it, you'll feel much better. Don't be too hard on yourself if your first roll is a little bit... awkward and frustrating.

And when you're finished, this is what you get! The amount of pieces you get from the roll will depend on how thick/thin you cut your pieces.

And there you have it. Let me know if you have questions, but know that I am by no means a sushi expert (considering I've made it... less than 5 times). I hope you branch out and try it. It's so fun and tasty! Happy Sushi-Making!