gumbo and cuppies

That sounds weird. Not gumbo and cuppies together! These were made on two separate occasions. First the easiest heartiest gumbo ever. It was so good when it was freezing outside earlier this week. Second... Cuppies & Joe's Boom Boom Pow. If you are wondering what the heck that is, then you need to go to Cuppies & Joe right away and get one. It is a yellow cupcake topped with dark chocolate buttercream, caramel sauce and sea salt. I know! My buttercream did not even compare to theirs. And I didn't make homemade caramel sauce, which I should have because the store bought stuff is not that great. So if you want the real experience, go there and ask for a Boom Boom Pow or two...and you can bring me one. :) But in the meantime you can make these. Oh and check out the doodles page. I've been working really hard on some prints and would love some feedback. 


Shrimp Gumbo
Ingredients
3/4 cup cooked rice
olive oil
S&P
1 garlic clove minced
1/2 small yellow onion diced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can red kidney beans 
T. cajun or creole spice
1/2 lb. shrimp 
1/2 cup okra
1/2 cup corn


Directions
Saute onion and garlic in olive oil with S&P. When onions look transparent add tomatoes, beans and seasoning. Don't drain the tomatoes or beans. Bring to a simmer and add okra and corn. Cook until okra is soft. At this point you can add a little water to reach the consistency you like (I didn't need to). Add the shrimp and cook 5 more min. Serve over rice.


Notes
I used frozen okra, corn and shrimp. Just make sure you thaw them partially before adding. You could also throw in some sausage. 

Boom Boom Pow Cuppies
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 cup milk
1 t. vanilla 
1/2 t. lemon extract (optional)
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs


2 cups dark chocolate buttercream icing
1/4 cup caramel sauce
1 T. course sea salt


Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Mix milk, vanilla and lemon extract. Set aside. Beat butter and sugar 3-4 min until fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Mix 1/2 the dry ingredients in on low. Then add the milk mixture, then the rest of the dry mixture. Pour into cupcake lined tin and bake 20-25 min. Cool completely before frosting. Pipe icing on, then drizzle caramel and sprinkle salt on top.


Notes
I believe my dark chocolate buttercream recipe is in the 2010recipes page somewhere. I used store bought caramel, but I don't recommend it. Use this homemade recipe if you have time. 

wonderful weekend

We had plans to garden and plant all of our herbs this weekend, but old man winter decided to come back. It's been freezing since friday night! So we had a relaxing weekend instead... 


Friday I had an opening to attend at Untitled Gallery. We saw some really great art. We agreed on a favorite...Frank Wick. Cool concept and awesome sculptures! The pics don't do them justice. The surfaces were so colorful and detailed. I was truly blown away. Second favorite is Grace Grothaus. She had these light boxes with layers and layers of built up material and aerial photos of Oklahoma landscape...very interesting. The different colored lights reacted to people walking by and getting closer to the pieces. 

Frank Wick's sculpture made from
foam insulation

this was my favorite! seriously, the
pictures do not even compare

Saturday was quite honestly a bit boring. We went to the Asian market and to pho for lunch, and then we went to see Rango.  It was ok. Actually it was kind of weird, but we had fun sneaking our popcorn and snacks in. We went to this little theater in Edmond, and for the first 20 minutes or so, we were the only ones in the theater. MC Hammer's "Can't Touch This" was playing before the previews, and I was dancing around. 

Today (Sunday) we went to check out a gym...I know, crazy! But they have yoga classes, so we're thinking about joining. The remainder of today will be filled with eating cupcakes and relaxing. I made the cookie dough cupcakes from They Draw and Cook! The only thing I did different was use chocolate cake mix instead of white. They were great! Here's a pic and a couple more recipes for your week...have a good one.

pre-icing

Real Simple's 

Gruyere Chicken Turnovers

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups shredded chicken
• 1 1/2 cups grated gruyère cheese
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard

• 1. 
     

• 1. Directions

• 1. Heat oven to 400° F. In a medium bowl combine the chicken, gruyère, and peas.

  1. Cut the 2 sheets of puff pastry in half to form 4 rectangles and place on a baking sheet. Dividing evenly, top half of each rectangle with the chicken mixture. Fold over and seal the turnovers; brush the tops with the egg. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with the mustard.

Notes

I added chopped spinach too!

Fig, Pear and Walnut Pizza

Ingredients

1 pizza dough (get the recipe here, 

     toward the bottom of the page)

olive oil for drizzling 

1 red pear, thinly sliced

1 bag shredded mozzarella 

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

handful thinly sliced dried figs

handful toasted chopped walnuts

handful chopped fresh arugula or spinach

1 T. balsamic vinegar

2 T. olive oil

Directions

Roll out dough and place on cookie sheet or pizza stone. Drizzle with olive oil. Place half the pear slices on the dough and top with cheese, reserving about a 1/2 cup. Place the rest of the pear slices on top of the cheese along with the onions, figs and greens. Top with the rest of the cheese and then the walnuts. Bake at 450 for 12-15 min. Whisk balsamic and oil briskly until combined and drizzle over slices. 

happy accidents

I've added some cool stuff to the doodles page. I was going through old work for my portfolio and found some scrap/practice pieces of newsprint. It's funny how I threw these aside and now I think they are so cool. Take a look at them and tell me what you think. Click the doodles link to the left.

On another note... I am still obsessed with They Draw and Cook. This one sounds amazing!I think if you click on it you can see it larger to read. 

Well I hope everyone is having a good week. It's almost the weekend!

spring is here!

Chicken Picatta

Allrecipes

I think this is a Spring-like recipe. The flavors are fresh yet rich. It's not the easiest, but I just might think that because it's been so long since I've cooked chicken. I don't feel like typing the recipe out, so click on the link if you please. I didn't change anything except I cut the recipe in half. It was perfect. So good and filling!

My show on Friday went great. We got there late, and this is what was left of my work. Both pieces sold!!! They said over half the art sold and they raised over $7,000 for Pets and People! I'll find out soon if Lola and JoJo were adopted!

It was super nice all weekend. Yesterday we finally had a relaxing day. We both didn't have anywhere to be and it felt great! We went to the park and sprawled out on a blanket in the 83 degree sun! It was wonderful! It's supposed to be nice all week with a couple of rainy days. I'm so happy that spring is finally here. We have plans to plant herbs and flowers next weekend. 

Kev took this picture of a daffodil.
(no photoshop) I love it!

I could do this everyday

a clean studio is a productive studio

Happy St. Patricks Day! We decided not to go out tonight due to lack of money and sleep. We're staying in, cooking dinner and watching a movie. I just thought I would share the pics of my newly cleaned and organized studio. It still needs a little more work. I need to get some kind of overhead lighting. Does anyone know of something that hangs from the ceiling, but doesn't do too much damage? I just have one little lightbulb hanging from a nail right now. It's not enough. I also need some kind of flat file for all my old prints, drawings and canvases that I cut off the frames. I would like it to be water proof and it needs to be bigger than 18x24. I've had trouble finding something that works. Anyway, here it is!

Peppy loves the new futon

and the Lebowski closet corner

gearing up for St. Patty's Day!

We're going out with some friends tomorrow for the Irish holiday and I have a green recipe to share. I had to work at 6 am today, so I don't have much energy to type much more. Here it is...

Green Pasta

Cilantro Pesto
Ingredients
1 garlic clove
3 T. toasted pinenuts or walnuts
1/2 cup spinach
1/2 cup cilantro
2 T. ricotta
2 T. grated parmesan
olive oil
S&P to taste


Directions
Combine garlic, nuts, spinach and cilantro in blender or food processor. Puree and drizzle in olive oil until it reaches a sauce like consistency. Stir in cheeses and S&P. Serve over pasta. Reserve 1-2 T. of pasta water to thin sauce if necessary. 


Notes
You can use arugula in place of spinach, and basil and/or parsley in place of cilantro. It's very versatile and has a fresh flavor. I used spiral pasta and grilled some shrimp with lemon pepper. You could even go all out for St. Patty's and use spinach pasta!

show this friday!

I have a show this Friday 7-11. It's at the Film Exchange Building in downtown OKC. The proceeds go to The Humane Society's Pets and People. Come if you can and maybe adopt a pet?!

Sit. Stay. Art!

"Sweet Baby JoJo" mixed media
monotype screen print on wood

"Lola" mixed media on wood

back to the kitchen

I'm finally cooking again like I was before we got sick. I've cooked every night this week. I love it! I'm also finding time to work on some art for a fundraiser show...pics are up on the doodles page. Only some pics of the food...it just disappears too fast. These are quick and easy recipes. Enjoy!


Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp and Broccoli 

Ingredients
1/2 box of angel hair pasta
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 T. pesto (I use the frozen cubes)
1 T. chopped parsley (or 1/2 T. dried)
1 T. grated parmesan
1/4 t. white pepper
dash hot sauce
1/2 cup steamed broccoli (or frozen and thawed)
1/2 lb shrimp (I use frozen here too, thawed)
1 minced garlic clove
salt


Directions
Boil pasta according to package. Meanwhile melt half the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1-2 min. Whisk in milk and cream and simmer until thick. Stir in pesto, parsley, parmesan, pepper and hot sauce. Reduce to low and simmer while you saute the shrimp with garlic in remaining butter over medium high heat. Toss pasta with sauce. Add broccoli and shrimp. Salt to taste.


Broiled Spicy Pineapple Salmon

Ingredients
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 t. cayenne
2 salmon fillets
S&P
olive oil
1/2 a pineapple or 1 large can of pineapple rings
1/4 cup cilantro
juice of 1 lime
1 cup rice


Directions
Preheat oven to broil. Stir together syrup and cayenne. Season salmon with S&P. Drizzle olive oil on baking sheet and arrange salmon and pineapple slices in a single layer. Brush with half the syrup. Broil 5 min. Brush with remaining syrup. Broil another 5-7 min. Combine cilantro and 1/2 the lime juice with the rice. Serve salmon and pineapple over the rice and squeeze remaining lime juice over. 


Notes
I know this sounds kind of weird, but oh my goodness it is so good! If you use canned pineapple, it is so easy and is ready in 15 min. 


German Potato Soup
Ingredients
2 T. vegetable oil
1 diced yellow onion
1/2 lb. diced red potatoes
handful chopped green beans
1 box vegetable broth
1 cup water
2 1/2 T. flour
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup sauerkraut, drained
1 T. fresh or 1/2 T. dried dill
S&P to taste


Directions
Saute onions in vegetable oil until soft. Add green beans and cook until they turn bright green. Pour in broth, water and potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are soft. Stir flour and sour cream together and add spoonfuls at a time. Stir in kraut and dill. Simmer 5 min. Add S&P to taste.


Notes
The original recipe said to add the juice with the kraut. I thought it was a little too sour this way, but if you really like German food and the taste of sauerkraut, go for it. I also think it would be really good with sausage. I know that sounds weird coming from me, but even chicken sausage would be good.


The Quickest Chocolate Croissants
Ingredients
1 refrigerated tube of crescent rolls
1/3 cup chocolate chips


Directions
Preheat oven to 375. Separate dough triangles. Place about a T. of chips on the bottom third and roll up (like the picture on the tube). Transfer to baking sheet. Bake 10-12 min. 


Notes
This recipe is from Real Simple magazine. It is seriously the easiest thing ever! You could also use jam or cinnamon sugar or even cream cheese and smoked salmon with capers. My mind is full of ideas for this quick little recipe. 


Bottom of the Cookie Jar Cookies
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups flour
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 sticks butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups mixed candies, chocolate chips, nuts or whatever you have on hand (I used dark and white chocolate chips and M&Ms)


Directions
Preheat oven to 375. Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Beat together butter and sugars. Add vanilla and eggs. Gradually add flour mixture until well blended. Stir in the stuff from the "bottom of the cookie jar." Drop in rounded spoonfuls on greased cookie sheets. Chill for 30 min. Bake 8-10 min.


Notes
These are pretty much chocolate chip cookies that I ran out of chips for. They turned out to be a hit. This dough can easily be frozen or made ahead of time. I keep the cookie sheets in the fridge while I make dinner, and after dinner I pop them in the oven. 

they draw and cook II

I've still been looking at these like everyday. I love them! Makes me wish that I knew how to use illustrator or some kind of graphics program. This one sounds really good too...

I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts

OK, not really. But I do have 2 coconut recipes for you. I'm feeling much better than I was when I made my last post. I think I owe my mood in part to these macaroons. 

Enjoy!

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Ingredients

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

dash salt

3 cups sweetened shredded coconut

4 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Whisk together eggs, sugar and salt. Stir in coconut making sure that it is all moistened. Drop tablespoons onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake 15-20 min until golden on top. While the cookies are in the oven heat cream to a boil. Pour over chocolate chips in a heat safe bowl and stir until chips are melted. Cool cookies at least 10 min and chocolate mixture to room temp. Dip cookies in or drizzle chocolate over cookies and refrigerate 1 hour.

Notes

This recipe came from joyofbaking.com. I changed very little, but let's be serious...who can wait 1 hour while they're just sitting in the fridge? We ate them warm and put the leftovers (2) in the fridge. They were better all warm and gooey. 

Coconut Milk Chicken
Ingredients
grated ginger
1 small yellow onion (diced)
1 garlic clove
chili powder
S&P
olive oil
1 can coconut milk
2 chicken breasts (diced)
1 bunch fresh spinach
1 green chili (optional)
juice of 1 lime
1 cup cooked rice


Directions
Saute ginger, onion and garlic in olive oil with chili powder, S&P to taste. When onions are soft add half the coconut milk and the chicken. Cover and simmer on medium heat for about 10-15 min until chicken is cooked through. Add remaining coconut milk, spinach, green chili and lime juice. Serve over rice.


Notes
I've posted this recipe before using tilapia, but now I am eating chicken again. So I decided to try it. It works well with the chicken and is just as fast and easy.

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."

I have been thinking about these words all day today. I've been feeling a little down lately. It might be my hormones, but I just haven't felt like myself at all. I'm still coughing and trying to get over this bronchitis too, so that is just adding to my feeling of weirdness. 


I go through these stages of hating my job. It's usually when something happens at work that makes me realize (or rather makes me remember) that I'm not using my degree. Not only am I not using my degree, I'm not even doing anything that is remotely related to what I want to do with my life. That is what has had me in a funk the past few days. I've been looking for a job in the art field, but nothing is paid. I am applying for yet another internship, and I'm planning on volunteering in the spring, but these things do not pay bills. When I get myself worked up thinking about this, I remember that Kevin is going to grad school in the fall and will be in school for the next 3 years. That makes me freak out even more. What am I going to do? I can't keep making coffee for that long!


This time around, I have not only been worked up about these same old issues, but I've also started thinking... what DO I want to do with my life? Do I really want to go to grad school in 3 years? That means I'll be 30 when I graduate! So then what are my other options? Do I even want to work in the art field anymore? My head is spinning with these questions to myself. 


That brings me to the Lao Tzu quote "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." I spent the afternoon spread out on a blanket in the sun pondering these words. I'm still not completely sure how they relate to my situation. I came up with more questions to myself. What am I? How do I define myself? What are the things that make me me? Why am I so attached to these things? I know the answers and I know that no matter how much I think art defines me, it is not me. It is part of my ego. (My psych husband would enjoy this conversation.) For the sake of not getting too deep on the internet, the ego is what "separates" you, it is what makes you feel individual. I could go deeper and explain what I think this means in the bigger picture, but I'll spare you. 


When applying this to my current issue, I think "letting go of what I am" means letting go of my artist ego. Then I can "become what I might be", simply meaning that my options are wide open. Just because I have a degree in art, doesn't necessarily mean that I have to work in the art field. I mean, I know that I will always create art, but as far as a career in art goes, it may not be for me. Coming to this realization is slowly helping me get out of this funk, get off my butt, and do something about my situation.


Thanks for reading my thoughts and feelings. :)