National Espresso Day(recipes included)

National Espresso Day

November 23, 2021

Did you know there was a day set aside just to celebrate Espresso? Neither did I. 

Espresso is, originally, a type of coffee that is made with a special machine in which the hot water is pressed quickly over the coffee grounds, creating a richer, thicker, and creamier drink.

The word espresso is a borrowed word referring to coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee. The method of quickly pressing is similar to doing what English call "express" or the Italian word "espimere".

The first espresso machine was invented by Luigi Bezzera in Italy, in 1901. His objective was to shorten employee breaks and speed up productivity.

Ok y'all. I am starting this post with one of those I was today years old moments!

How have I gone 41 years, and be an admitted coffee addict, and I did not know you could have an actual Espresso machine in your house!

I mean, I knew there was a special machine and technique, but I did not realize there were different sizes, types, and prices!

When I think of an espresso machine/maker, my mind instantly goes to some massive contraption in a busy little cafe'. All the levers, and gadgets, and the steam!

While doing my research for this post, by simply googling the word espresso, a ton of espresso machine/makers came up under Google shopping!

I mean tons! Big, little, pricey, affordable, electric, stove top...

How did I not know this? I never thought there was such a thing that a middle class household could afford or have the counter space for!

I'm so hooked. I have been now searching, researching, and deciding which one I want! I love the idea of the mini version of an actual café looking espresso machine, like this one,

Farberware traditional espresso maker

or if I want something a little more vintage looking to go better with my kitchen.

Primula stove top 6 cup espresso maker

I have an electric stove, so either choice would technically be using electric, although the first choice claims to have a cup of espresso in under one minute. That leaves the question, speed over aesthetic. For me anyway.

Now that I know we will be adding one of these, you know I had to go over to Pinterest and find some easy and yummy recipes.

And...before I share those, let me just let you in on another little secret. I had no idea that a cappuccino, mocha, macchiato, and lattes, are all  types of espressos, and are made using an espresso machine(jaw drop)

Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Now, I'll share a few recipes with y'all.

Honey Cinnamon Latte

Paris black Chocolate Macchiato

Vanilla Espresso Martini

Y'ALL, I cannot with these recipes! This could quickly become a problem. LOL

As if I need another excuse to live by the name CoffeeWastedMomma!

I'm gonna be unstoppable!

Join me and let's compare. Does anyone already own one? Do you have a favorite recipe?

I would LOVE to know! 

Now, Go celebrate National Espresso Day!

National Sugar Cookie Day!

 Ohhhh, Sugar Sugar... Cookie

Today is National Sugar Cookie Day!

To celebrate National Sugar Cookie Day, I thought I would share a little about myself and my family before getting into our history and fun facts' part of the post.

I don't know about anyone else, but sugar cookies are a staple food in my family! We have a secret Mamaw recipe. Don't ask for it, I won't give it out, but I guarantee you, if you come over on ANY holiday, there will be sugar cookies to taste!

I'm not even kidding. My Mamaw has 3 of those Christmas variety popcorn tins absolutely full of cookie cutters. She also has given a few to the grandkids to use in their homes. I could easily guess, she has 100s of cookie cutters.

If she is rockin' her shower cap and whips out the rolling pin, it is on!

Go time!

It is such a special time for all of us. Not only is it fun and yummy, it is a great time to be with family. It is also a pretty good skill to know. Baking!

Well, I didn't exactly master that one. If it was my job to bring cookies to the school party, you'd be getting store bought. I just cannot do it! I, either end up with one huge pancake cookie or they are dry and burnt.

I'll leave the baking to the family pros and stick with the easy, cheater kind if we aren't having a family cookie party soon.

Pilsbury Ready to bake* Sugar Cookies

The sugar cookie is believed to date all the way back to the mid-1700s in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

German Protestant settlers created round, crumbly and buttery tasting cookie that came to be known as the Nazareth Cookie. The sugar cookie is, basically, what I call the "original cookie". It really is amazing just as it is. Warm, sweet, and just soft enough to melt in your mouth.

Don't look at it as a plain, basic cookie. Look at it as the base or starting point of a ton of cookies!

Take your "basic" sugar cookie dough and add to it.

Add peanut butter= peanut butter cookie

Add chips=Chocolate chip cookie

Add cinnamon=Snickerdoodle

Add oats and raisins= Oatmeal/raisin cookies

You get the idea. One other way to jazz up your sugar cookie is icing it.

Today, sugar cookies have become an art form, with making and decorating for people of any age.

Cookie decorating dates even farther back than the sugar cookie. It seems around the 14th century, Switzerland had cookie molds that they used to impress biblical designs into cookies.

If you are the type to put "icing" on your cookie, it may be fun to know that icing actual came before frosting.

Icing was first used around 1683, while frosting was first attested in 1750.

I am a fan of old-fashioned buttercream icing.

It could be, just nostalgia, but it will always be my favorite.

What type do you prefer? Frosting, icing, buttercream, cream cheese, whipped.

If you aren't a baker, be sure to click the highlighted link above to grab some easy break and bake sugar cookies!

Do you have a certain holiday that brings out your baking skills?

I'd love to hear about it. Any tips for the non-bakers out here?

Have a great day and go celebrate National Sugar Cookie Day!

National Fudge Day!

 It's National Fudge Day!

I know I missed a few days last week, but I'm trying to focus posts on either things I know about or things I'm interested in learning about. Or, just something that looks fun!

I do know about fudge!

I think of fudge as something nostalgic. It reminds me of Mamaw's kitchen, being at fairs or flea markets, going on vacation, and watching the confectioners churn chocolate those huge brass vats!

Fun Facts(Wiki):

Fudge originated here in the United States in the late 19th century.

Its popularity was partly due to the decreasing costs of refined white sugar, and partly because it was easily made at home without any special equipment.

 Mackinac Island Fudge, located on Mackinac Island, Michigan was the first candy shop established!

Founder, Rome Murdick was also the first to use a marble slab to make the fudge. This not only gave the fudge a unique flavor but also let customers watch it being made!

I think one of the things that attract people to fudge is its diversity.

You can start with any base(chocolate, peanut butter, or vanilla) and add in just about anything to jazz it up. Try adding crushed cookies, fruits, nuts, coconut, marshmallows, baking chips, candies, even liqueurs, and anything else that sounds yummy in a piece of fudge!

I went over and grabbed a couple recipes for you to check out.

For those that want quick and easy.

Easy 2 Ingredient Fudge!

For the more adventurous.

41 Delicious Fudge Recipes

If you're like me and love fudge but have no desire to actually make it...

Go here! 

Great selection of fudge! Yummm!

Make sure to comment and let me know how you are celebrating National Fudge Day!

Recipe: Jello Flavored Candy Popcorn! Yum!

Super Gooey Jello Candy Popcorn 

Hi Y'all! I am super excited to share one of our favorite snack recipes with you!

It is so yummy. Super easy and doesn't take a lot of time.

My sister had a birthday party for my niece this past weekend. The theme was all things junk food! Pretzels, pizza, ice cream, cake, and...popcorn! Well, and unicorns, of course!

She calls at the last minute and asks us to make a ton of microwave popcorn. 

We popped 6 bags...

We came home with 3... as in 3 huge ice cream tubs full(we recycle) of popped popcorn!

I just couldn't let it sit and go stale and be wasted!

So, we decided to go for our old tried and true recipe. We whipped up our yummy Jello Flavored Candy Popcorn. 

We used Raspberry jello for this one! See in the picture that wonderful shiny pink? It tastes as good as it looks!

Here is my recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 bags of popped microwave popcorn
  
• 1 1/2 cups light Karo/corn Syrup
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 package of Jello(any flavor)

Directions:

• Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
• Spray the paper with any cooking spray
• Pour out your popcorn onto a sheet and set aside
• On medium heat, mix corn syrup and sugar in a sauce pan
• bring to a boil, stir until all sugar is melted 
• add entire pack of jello powder
• allow to boil and mix well until all jello is dissolved
• remove from heat
• carefully drizzle or pour mixture over popcorn slowly and as evenly as possible(Extreme Caution! It is boiling sugar!)
• using a spoon or spatula, toss and coat all popcorn
• Allow to cool or refrigerate a few minutes(I like it a tad still warm)

That's it! It is so easy and only takes about 10 minutes!

Remember, you can try any flavor and the colors are amazing!

(corn syrup makes everything shiny!)

Enjoy your very own fun treat!

10 Minute Meal: Pan Fried Sausage and Peppers

Fast, Easy, and Delicious

Pan Fried

Sausage and Peppers

in 10 Minutes!

Hello fellow food junkies!

I have been wanting to add a few recipes to my blog for a long time, but I always seem to forget to take pics of my food(my sister is the food photo junkie), or I get busy...cooking!

I have a crazy, chaotic life and anything, any meal that makes it easier is a huge plus! I also try to go as healthy as possible.

I am feeding a slew of people of all different ages, that have very different palates. My task is not always the easiest, but I have found a few recipes that seem to win over the majority. I consider that a win!

This is one of those recipes.

Prep Time: 5 minutes              Cook Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

2 packs Polish sausage(fully cooked)

2 cups Peppers(bell, sweet, banana, any kind)

1/2 onion

2 Tbsp/ one package garlic and herb seasoning(dry mix)

Recipe:

Slice your peppers and onion

Slice your sausage links into rounds

Start your cast iron skillet on low heat and add about 2 Tbsp of oil (I use extra virgin olive oil), any will do.

First, brown your sausage. When it is about half way cooked as you'd like add in your cut vegetables and add your seasoning.

Cook until vegetables are slightly tender.

Your dinner is finished!

This meal is ridiculously simple! No carbs, Low-Fat, and Delicious!

It is my #1 go-to meal for nights when we have games or just don't feel like a big meal.

It can easily be the whole meal or you can pair it up with almost any side...if you have the time and want to put in the effort.

Try it with brown rice, mac and cheese, even a light salad.

Add some carbs to the meal and have some garlic bread! So many things would go great with this dish.

1 pan, 4 ingredients, happy kids! It's a win!

I hope y'all enjoy!

What are your quick go-to meals?

Do you or your kids have a favorite?

I'd love for you to share!

Recipe: Super Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake

  I love Summer and all the glorious, beautiful veggies that come with it...fresh!
Zucchini are one of my favorites!
It is becoming so versatile with all the wonderful recipes floating around Pinterest.
I seriously have found tons of ways to use zucchini. Sliced, diced, fried, baked, and even the new zoodles trend is catching on!
Awesome Zucchini Recipes
I wanted to try to make up a semi-healthy, quick recipe to use as a new, summer recipe. One that hopefully at least 2 out of the 3 kids wouldn't completely refuse to eat.
Here is what I came up with. It is really a mixture of ideas from several recipes I have found.

Super Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake

Ingredients:

• 1 large zucchini
• 1 large yellow squash
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• saltine crackers(crumbled)
• 3 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper (to taste)
• cooking spray or stick butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425F
Slice zucchini and squash into discs
coat a 9X9 baking pan with cooking spray or butter
start to line your pan with a layer of your zucchini and squash(I ended up doing like an every other one pattern.)
Then you will put a layer of your seasoning on(salt/pepper, garlic and parsley)
Now a layer of your Parmesan and 1 1/2 cups of your Mozzarella
Continue on to your next layer. Your pan should hold two layers
Again, zucchini, squash, seasoning, hold off on cheeses until last!
Now, you will sprinkle on your crumbled crackers. I used  Aldi's brand "Ritz"(cause they are the best) and it was about half of a sleeve.
Pour your whipping cream over the top and then your last layers of Parmesan and Mozzarella
Pop it in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until your cheese is melted or golden to your taste.
Remove and allow to cool.

Voila'

I love this recipe!

I actually had 0 complaints! That is a total score for momma! Everyone kept raving about how good it was and..."When can you make it again?"

It really is super simple and you can always play around and mix it up to your own tastes.

My favorite was all that gooey cheese and I am partial to the outside section and all that golden crispiness!

The zucchini got soft, but not enough to make it that yucky mush, so I wouldn't go more than 20 minutes to bake. Also, I am a firm believer in everything keeps its skin except bananas, oranges, and onions, so that may have helped the zucchini keep its texture. I'm not 100% sure, but it worked for me!

Sooo, eat the skins!

I hope y'all will give this one a try and definitely let me know.

How did you like it? Did you change anything up? Will you make it again?

Inquiring cooks want to know!

Drop by and share!