Thursday, May 28, 2015

Tex Mex 7 Layer Dip


If you have ever lived or visited Texas 
then you have tasted this all time favorite dip.
It is kind of a staple at Texas parties.
It is pretty basic but you can add your 
own personality to it. 
If you are a little spicy, you can fire up the heat.
If you are perky you can throw in a new layer 
to wake up your guests. I usually adapt it to what
 I have in the frig at the time needed. 
I usually make it in the morning on the day I need it.
If you use fresh avocados then you will want to make it 
the day needed because the fresh avocado 
will turn brown if it is made too far in advance.
If you use store bought avocado dip 
you can make it the day before.

Tex Mex 7 Layer Dip

Ingredients
1 can of refried beans (I use nonfat and organic)
1 16 oz Sour Cream
2 Cups of Shredded Colby and Monterey Jack Cheese
4 diced green onions
1 medium tomato diced
1/2 cup of chopped cilantro
1/2 stick of butter
1/4 tsp season salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbl of cumin
1 Tbl of chili powder
1 Tbl of Tabasco Sauce
1/2 tsp onion powder
3 or 4 medium avocados mashed with a Tbl of fresh lime and a dash of sea salt
OR  1 16 oz container of store bought guacamole dip

Soften refried beans with butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. 
Add 1/4 tsp season salt and 1/4 tsp garlic salt into beans. Once softened pour in the dish you will serve the dip in. Allow it to cool about 15 minutes until adding the next layer. In a medium bowl mix sour cram with cumin, chili powder, onion powder and Tabasco. This is where you can add more sauce or seasoning if you like. Just taste it with your cute little pinky finger and tweak it as you wish. When you are done tweaking the sour cream just dump and spread it evenly over the beans. Next up is the guacaMOLE! 
I like saying that....guacaMOLE!  Can you hear me? So here is the deal. 
You can cheat and use a store bought guac fake dip or make your own with a few avocados. It is up to you and how much time you want to invest in this dip. I have done both. So make the decision, own it and then spread it over the sour cream concoction. Next up the cheese. Spread the cheese on top of guac and then sprinkle the onions, toms and cilantro. Cover it up with plastic wrap and chill for a couple of hours or more. Serve it up with some good tortilla chips and of course some Big Scoop Fritos! 
Fritos are a must! If you really want to be daring add some freshly diced jalapeƱos on the top. If you do that then run and hide from your guest who can't take the heat. They will not be happy and surely will be looking for you! 

AND......You are going to want to make some QUESO!
So go HERE for the BEST (Mama doesn't lie) Queso recipe you will ever find!


AND.......You are going to want to make this amazing main course to dump all the dips on top of!    King Ranch Casserole is to die for!

 




Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Amazing Cake and Beautiful Baby Girl!









Oh Mama Is So Proud!
Proud of this sweet Baby Girl
and all that she is and will become!
She is so talented and beautiful inside and out
and while I could brag about her for days, today I'm gonna brag about her baking and cake decorating skills!

I promised you a recipe so here ya go!
This is the one she tweaked and tweaked after many attempts and taste tests! Not that we minded the taste testing sessions but this recipe was the final product and it is oh so good!

I have named it Bella Cake!

Bella Cake

1 cup sifted flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 1/3 cups of tap water
1 cup sour cream (whole milk)
2 Tablespoons Canola Oil
1 1/4 tsp Almond extract (organic)
1 1/4 tsp Vanilla extract (organic)
4 medium egg whites
Dash of Cinnamon
1 box of white cake mix (I use Duncan Hines)

Directions
I double this recipe to make 6 pans (2 of each size)

Grease and flour pans to be used.
Preheat oven to 325.
Gently stir the cake mix, flour, salt and sugar in a medium size bowl.
Add to the bowl water, oil, sour cream, extracts, cinnamon and egg whites.
Beat on low for about 3 minutes.

Pour into greased pans and bake until tops are brown about 25 minutes.
Test with a toothpick to see if it is done before bringing out of the oven.
Cool on wire racks.

Frosting recipes:
Inside layers - HERE
Outside Rosettes - HERE






Sunday, May 10, 2015

Mama's Day!


Happy Mama's Day to all of the mamas
in heaven and on earth!
Wishing my Mama a GREAT day!
May we cherish out time with our families
and love with all of our hearts!
Blessings to you all on this special day!

I am sharing some photos from my adopted girl's Facebook Page.
She celebrates her mama in heaven today.




If you are needing a little extra help maneuvering your grief
please pay a visit to Laura's Facebook Page.
She shares so many uplifting articles and offers such amazing support to help 
you move forward from loss to light.