Month: September 2019

  • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

    I’m sure you are thinking, “really Mitzi, three recipe posts in a row?!” The answer is yes! You see, I thought that this recipe was gone for good and I need it readily available for the fall. Krusteaz has changed their packaging and no longer include this AMAZING recipe on the box. I am not a huge pumpkin spice fan, but my husband and boys crave everything pumpkin this time of year. I just happened to come across this mix several years ago, and well, we don’t make bread with it because these cookies are to die for!

    Now when shopping for the mix, it has to be the Krusteaz Quick Bread Mix, Pumpkin Spice Coffeehouse style. I have found it at Sam’s, Costco, HEB and Target in the past. Do not buy the cookie mix, its not the same. Also, please note that you must use margarine if you want a chewy cookie. If you use butter, the texture will be fluffy and much like a cake cookie (and it isn’t as good). The ingredients are as follows:

    • 1 box of Krusteaz Quick Bread Mix Pumpkin Spice Coffeehouse style
    • 1 stick of room temperature Margarine
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 cup of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

    Preheat oven to 350° and combine your ingredients. I usually combine everything with my stand mixer so that I can whip the margarine up a little before I add the boxed mix and the egg. Mix until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Use a cookie scoop to portion out the cookies and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are slightly golden. Centers may seem to be a little undercooked but that’s ok. As long as 3/4 of the cookie looks cooked and edges are golden. I pull the cookies out of the oven and place the cookie sheet on a trivet to cool. Once they are cooled to room temperature, ENJOY!

    These cookies don’t last long in our home, nor when I bring them to a party. I often find myself baking double and triple batches from September to November, They are THAT GOOD!!!

    Happy Fall Y’all!

  • Red Beans and Rice

    Red Beans and Rice

    Believe it or not, there are two southern staples that I have been trying to love for as long as I can remember. The first thing is sweet tea (or any tea for that matter). I have seriously been sipping on tea for years and while I have come to like some teas, I just can’t get my taste buds on board on liking sweet tea. The second thing is beans! Any sort of beans! My mom always had a rule and that was to taste a spoonful of everything on my plate before I could move on to something else. It is still a rule in my home, and I have to say that after almost 34 years, I finally eat beans! The recipe below is not your typical made from scratch recipe, and I typically wont eat any Cajun food that is made from a mix or a can, but this recipe works. We all love it and is the perfect fast and easy comfort food for cold and rainy nights. Now I’m handing my keyboard over to my husband so he can tell y’all exactly how to make it, because the Texan perfected it before the Cajun! Ha!

    The recipe is pretty simple and doesn’t take long to make (30 min or so). You will need the following ingredients:

    • 1/2 tsp Cajun Seasoning
    • 1/2 tsp Dried Basil
    • 1/4 tsp black pepper
    • tsp cooking oil
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 lb smoked sausage (your preference) sliced and halved
    • 4 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
    • 1 1/2 cups chopped creole seasoning (aka holy trinity). We buy the precut seasoning from HEB
    • 1 cup chicken broth
    • 3- 16 oz cans Trappey’s red kidney beans with chili gravy
    • 1- 27 oz can Blue Runner creole cream style red beans
    • Cooked rice (amount depends on how many people, but at least 3 cups)

    Heat the oil in medium size pot (preferably cast iron or Magnalite) and cook the chopped creole seasoning (vegetables) until soft and translucent. Once the vegetables are soft, add in the cut up sausage, bacon, Cajun seasoning, basil and black pepper, and cook until lightly browned and bacon is soft. This is the key to the flavor, you will want to make sure the sausage is cooked enough to release the juices and bacon is soft and not cooked too long. You don’t want crispy bacon for this recipe.

    You then add the cans of beans and how ever much stock you prefer to get the consistency you want. I prefer mine thicker and not too runny. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. You will want to taste at this point as I usually add more Cajun seasoning or salt to preference. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with fresh cut green onions if you like.

    *** please note that if you like creamier beans, use 2 cans of Blue Runner beans and 1 can of the Trappeys. We have made this recipe both ways but prefer a creamier style. It still yields the same amount. It is quick, easy and Ca c’est bon!!

  • Jo Malone Poppy & Barley Launch

    Jo Malone Poppy & Barley Launch

    I am pretty sure that I made Josh jump up a foot in the middle of Kalakaua Avenue (Honolulu, HI) when I received a message from Anicea at Jo Malone London River Oaks asking if I would like to host an event for the release of their new scent, Poppy and Barley! Of course, I said YES!!! Let me tell you, the event was every thing that I envisioned.

    Anicea was an absolute doll to work with throughout the entire planning process. Teacups & Saucers provided us with delectable light bites such as matcha cupcakes, dark chocolate & earl grey mousse, smoked salmon tartare, and a gourmet ham and toast. She also provided an amazing hand blended Elderflower, Lavender & Chamomile iced tea. If you know me, you know that I am usually not a huge fan of tea, but I love every tea that Nadita serves! She is truly the ultimate tea party queen! Bombshell Macarons made the most delectable macarons that I’ve tasted! She customized flavors to go with our event theme, and let me tell you, I couldn’t pick a favorite flavor! With custom flavors being lemon poppy, lavender honey and raspberry rose, how can you pick a favorite?! Maranda does an amazing job at coming up with her unique flavor combinations. I can honestly say, her macrons do not last 2 minutes in our home. Seriously, 2 dozen gone in a matter of minutes… Perkins family approved! Please click on their links and give these fellow mom-bosses some love! They absolutely ROCK!!!

    To everyone who came out to support me, THANK YOU!!! Huge shout out to Bubbles & Blooms! Even though they could not make the event, they provided a gorgeous arrangement for the event and were there in spirit. I wish that I had pictures with everyone, but I had an amazing time visiting with everyone and was intrigued with the different scents everyone picked and layered to make their signature scent unique!

    Anicea was amazing and brought in another neighboring business in the River Oaks district for our bubbles that night!! Our bartender was the nicest and made sure our sparkling rose was topped off for our toasts and happy hour during the event. Huge shout out to Ouzo Bay and Loch Bar for the celebratory bubbles and for an amazing time after the event! My husband and I cannot wait to come back and eat for date night! You know that this Cajun girl approves any restaurant who cooks whole fish, has an oyster bar, and uses the “good cornmeal batter” on their fried food!

    In case you were wondering if the new Jo Malone London fragrance is as divine as the rest of their scents? Well of course it is! With notes of black currant, poppy and barley, it is the perfect balance of crisp floral with a musky/woodsy undertone. I have to say that Poppy and Barley is my second favorite scent under Peony & Blush Suede (because peonies are my favorite). If you haven’t had the Jo Malone London experience yet, please do yourself a favor and immerse yourself into the realm of luxurious scents. Here is a boutique locator, you wont be disappointed! If you would like information on hosting an event in the Jo Malone London River Oaks boutique, please contact Anicea at 832-297-4471.