Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Exciting News...

It has been my dream to one day put together a recipe book and get it published. Last month, I came one step closer to my dream being fulfilled. A photo editor from Carolina Country (Magazine dispersed throughout North Carolina and reaches over a half a million people) contacted me and asked if they could use this picture in their July issue:

I was thrilled and honored. I told her yes!!! Last week, 4 crisp copies of the July Edition arrived at my door step! 
Look who is on the front... Scotty from American Idol.

I was so excited. 

I then looked inside and saw this...


and this...

I am very proud of this accomplishment and look forward to someday completing my ultimate goal of getting a recipe book published. For those of you that read my blog, would you buy one?

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Monday, July 11, 2011

Chocolate Chip S'more Cookies


Summer wouldn't be complete with out eating one or two S'mores around an open campfire. My kids are in love with S'mores and ask if we can make them on a daily basis during the summer months. However, sometimes it isn't convenient to start a fire in our fire pit just to roast the marshmallows. When my kids get really desperate, I cave and we make them in the microwave, however, they are not nearly as good when they are made this way. I recently came across a S'more cookie recipe that in my opinion rivals the original campfire favorite.

This recipe makes a huge batch, forty-eight cookies to be exact, so be prepared to share with friends and neighbors. I did just that when I made these and dispersed these delicious cookies throughout my neighborhood. I love sharing my culinary creations with my neighbors and friends and not once have they turned away my cooking. YET.

Chocolate Chip S'more Cookies
recipe adapted from jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com
Ingredients:
1 package Graham Crackers, crushed
6T. Butter,melted
1 T. Sugar
dash of salt
1 c. Butter, softened
2 c. Brown sugar
2 eggs
2 T. Milk
2 t. Vanilla
1 t. Baking Soda
2 t. Baking powder
1/2 t. salt
3 1/2 c. Flour
1 c. Mini Chocolate Chips
24 Large Marshmallows, halved
4 small 1.55 oz. Hershey Bars

Directions:
1. Break the graham crackers into pieces. Place them in a small food processor and grin them into crumbs. If you don't have a food processor, you can place the graham crackers in a gallon sized ziploc baggie and crush them by rolling a rolling pin over them.
2. Add your 6 T. Melted butter, 1 T. Sugar and dash of salt to the Graham Cracker crumbs and mix all ingredients together in the food processor or in your ziploc baggie. Set the Crumb mixture aside.
3. Place softened butter and brown sugar into a mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until sugar and butter are creamed together, about 2 minutes.
4. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla and mix for another 2 minutes.
5. In a separate bowl, add baking powder, soda, salt and flour and combine. Add it to your creamed mixture and mix until well combined. Toss in your mini chocolate chips and combine until chocolate chips are evenly distributed.
6. Add your Graham Cracker crumbs into the cookie mixture and fold in gently. You  don't want the crumbs lost into the dough but lightly incorporated.
7. Using a small scoop, scoop out about a two inch ball of dough and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake cookies in a 350 degree oven for about 6 minutes or until the crack. While cookies are in the oven cut your marshmallows in half with kitchen shears or knife. After cookies have baked for the 6 minutes, remove them  from oven and place a half of a marshmallow in the center of cookie.  Place cookies back into the oven and bake for an additional 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately place/press a Hershey bar piece into the center of marshmallow. Remove from cookie sheet and allow them to cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Saturday, July 9, 2011

The Queen's Fry Sauce

If you have visited Utah before, you might have come across a condiment that is located near the ketchup and mustard packets at your favorite burger and fry joint. This delicious condiment is called "Fry Sauce." This delectable dipping sauce is widely common in Utah and I am told it is hard to find in other states around the country. If you are not familiar with fry sauce it is used to dip french fries, sweet potato fries, tator tots, and chicken strips in. Fry Sauce is usually made by combining ketchup, mustard, mayo and sometimes Barbeque sauce, along with other spices. 

Fry Sauce is a favorite condiment of mine and I love to try different restaurant chain versions of this delicious dipping sauce.The best fry sauce I have ever eaten had a hint of Barbecue Sauce in it, so naturally, I wanted to recreate the recipe. My recipe is perfect for spreading on any type of burgers, dipping veggies, french fries or chicken nuggets in. I hope you Enjoy my creation!

The Queen's Fry Sauce
from the kitchen of Ashlee Frisbey
Ingredients:
1/3 c. Mayo
1/8-1/4 c. Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce
1 t. Yellow Mustard
1/2 -1t. Montreal Steak Seasoning

Directions:
 Combine Ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use. This sauce is, "Oh, so yummy" when spread on Burgers, and used as a dipping sauce for french fries, veggies and sweet potato fries.

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Friday, July 8, 2011

Turkey Bacon Avocado Burgers


Grilling season is in full swing at my home here in Utah and I am trying to take advantage of cooking dinner outside before these perfect summer evenings turn chilly. Today, I have one top notch grilling recipe that I would like to share with you all- Turkey Bacon Avocado Burgers. These burgers are super juicy and delicious. I know this to be true because after dinner was complete and all the plates were polished last night, my husband turned to me and deemed these burgers the BEST BURGERS he had ever eaten! We all have heard the old saying, "A way to a man's heart is through his stomach!" 
This is definitely the recipe to make if you are trying to impress that super hunky guy in your life.

These turkey burgers are easy to prepare and are lightly seasoned with salt and pepper and then garnished with lettuce, pepper jack cheese and a tangy avocado mixture. Try making these scrumdiddlyumptious burgers at your next  BBQ or for a quiet night in with that oh -so -goodlookin'- man in your life!
Happy Grilling!

Turkey Bacon Avocado Burgers

Ingredients:
1.25 lbs  Ground turkey
Salt and Pepper to taste
10 slices of Bacon, I prefer to use the thick cut bacon
6 slices of Pepper Jack Cheese
6 Hamburger Buns

Guacamole
3 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
Juice of 1 Lime
1 t. Salt
1/2 c. onion, diced
3 T. Cilantro, chopped
2 Roma Tomatoes, diced
1 t. Fresh Garlic, minced
1 pinch Cayenne Pepper

Cooking Instructions
Step 1: To make guacamole- in a medium bowl mash avocados together with the lime juice. Add salt. Stir in cilantro, tomatoes and garlic. Mix in Cayenne Pepper. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
Step 2: Shape the ground burgers into 6 patties. Season on both sides with freshly ground salt and black pepper. Lightly grease the grates of your grill and heat the grill to medium high heat. Grill hamburger patties until they have reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees. With in the last few minutes of cooking top with two slices of bacon and a slice of pepper jack cheese.
Step 3: Split the hamburger buns and lightly toast the halves on the grill. Remove from the grill and set aside. Place a burger patty on each bun. Top with Guacamole and lettuce and top with the top half of bun. 
Yield: 6 Servings.

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Festive Vanilla Creme-Filled Cupcakes

Let's hear it for the Red, White and Blue! Wahoo! I hope all of you enjoyed celebrating our County's Birthday yesterday! My holiday was a wonderful one. I enjoyed spending time with my little family, neighbors and friends and enjoyed indulging in some scrumptious American Barbeque! I can't think of a better way to  celebrate the 4th. My little family was invited to two BBQ's this weekend and I could not go empty handed. I spent most of my Holiday morning customizing and baking up these little gems to take to the celebrations. Anyone that knows me, knows that I don't like to go empty handed to any holiday festivities with out yummy food in tow. These festive cupcakes were a hit with both the little kids and  "BIG Kids" alike. In fact, after arriving at our last get together with friends, these little gems were gone in a matter of 2.9 seconds. I am not joking! I didn't have time to even place them on the table without friends stealing them off my cupcake holder. :D
These cupcakes are refreshing with hints of coconut, almond and vanilla extracts in the batter and fresh whipped cream frosting. These little cakes make a great dessert for the Fourth of July Barebeque or any gathering during the summer time months! Enjoy!

Festive Vanilla Creme Filled Cupcakes
From the Kitchen Of Ashlee Frisbey
These are my own creations so if you share this recipe with others, please give credit where credit is due. Thank you!
Ingredients For Cupcakes:
1 box French Vanilla Cake mix
3 eggs
1 teas. Coconut Extract or Vanilla Extract
1 c. Milk

Directions:
Mix together the cake mix, eggs, milk, and extract of your choice. Pour the batter into cupcake liners. Fill 3/4 of the way full.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until cakes are light golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.Once cupcakes are cool, hollow out centers of cupcakes using a a knife or spoon or cupcake corer. Meanwhile, make pudding according to directions. Let set until firm. Then fill each cupcake center with 2 to 3 teaspoons of pudding.


Filling:
1 box French Vanilla Pudding
Make according to directions for pudding.

Frosting:
2 c. Whipping Cream
1/4-1/2 c. Powdered Sugar
1/8 tea. Coconut, Almond and Vanilla Extracts

Pour Cream into Large mixing bowl and start mixing at a low speed. Gradually increase speed until cream thickens and soft peaks form. Turn off mixer and add the powdered sugar. Start mixer slowly again-no messy counters!  Beat until stiff peaks form.
* The stiffer the cream, the easier it is to frost the cupcakes. Keep refrigerated!

Frost generously and spoon fresh or frozen berries over the top just before serving!

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Master Bathroom Makeover

Before I took my little hiatus from blogging, I promised you all a peak at my newly redecorated Master Bathroom! This is one makeover that has been a long time coming. My husband and I bought our home almost three years ago. It was a short sale so we were able to get more for our money. Our Master Bathroom was in good shape but several things were missing, including towel holders. I finally decided that after having a bathroom that wasn't anywhere from feeling like a retreat that it was in deed time for a update. I didn't re-paint this space but I did add a few more decorations,-a new valence, candles surrounded by berries, towel holders and a shag rug which really contributed to warming up this area. My color of choice when it comes to decorating my home-Red!  Anyone who knows me, knows that I enjoy a pop of red in any room. My color of choice is Burgundy and I have carried that theme color throughout my home. It not only keeps things simple but It truly brings out the cherry and black stained wood that is around my home.

Let's take a look at the before...

Pretty DRAB. AND. BORING.

Now let's take a look at the After.

I love how it is warm and dare I say Romantic?


I love my newly decorated Bathroom.

One of my favorite Decorations is my Earring Holder Frame.

Isn't it cute?
My talented Friend Emily made it for me for my birthday back at the first of June. I love that this Earring holder matches my decor yet is functional and stores all my Jewelry!

Well, there you have it. My new Master Bathroom Makeover! I hope you enjoyed seeing the before and afters! :D

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Grillin' Up a Good Time...

A few favorite pastimes of mine during the summer months is camping, cookouts and family picnics. These are memorable events that my family and I look forward to each year. However, it can be frustrating if you don't have great equipment to use when participating in these fun past times. I was recently asked to review Canada Post Website. This is a great comparison website that features products sold at many big box stores. I love the convenience in knowing that instead of roaming around town trying find the best deal on your desired outdoor items you can just make Canada post your one stop shop!  I love that They compare prices and make shopping easy and simple.

This website is tailored to offering their customers products that are perfect for enjoying the Great Outdoors. Some of the products that they offer are BBQ's, Grills, Smokers, Outdoor cooking equipment and utensils, camping accessories, and products for pick-nicking. Their selection is limitless and they have some very interesting and fun products.

While searching their website, a product caught my eye and became my favorite by far!They have darling picnic sets that include the place settings for four and it comes with a picnic blanket. Perfect for laying on the ground or over a picnic table.


 I can see my husband, kids and myself using the nifty little picnic set often during the summer months. I also like that this set would  be perfect for taking on camping trips!! Just throw it into your RV or into the back of your vehicle and you have a earth friendly cute little plate, cup, and utensil service for 4. Just think, there will be no need to waste money on buying paper goods before heading out of town! 

So if you are in the market for buying a new camp stove, BBQ grill, smoker picnic supplies or looking for some new out door furniture, look no further and head on over to Canada Post to see the other wonderful products they have to offer. You won't be disappointed! Click on the link below to see what Canada post is all about!


The opinions written in this review are solely my own.

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...