Christmas Holiday

Hey y'all!

Koko & Simba 

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone has a break with their family. This Christmas I got a puppy! His name is Simba-I love the Lion King and his name is very fitting! He's a Chinook, he just turned 2 months on the 16th! He his the most adorable puppy ever!!! I've just been spending time with my family going to the festival of lights and hanging out at the house.

Little brothers, mom & I- Jamie my older sister took the picture as this guy behind her was making funny faces 

Not a lot has been going on it been a very relaxing holiday which is super nice & I wish it would last longer.

-Sam

Busy.. super busy

I know its been a while since I've written anything. Truth is between school, work and drama with a guy just haven' t had time.
So here's whats been going on:
School: 4 classes- I know that doesn't seem like a lot but at my University the class are pretty intense! We have have assignments and projects due before Christmas holiday- the holiday starts on Thursday! Did I mention that it only the 4th week of the trimester! Anyways I'm super excited to  to be away from school and back home with family and some friends in Texas!
Work: I'm a nanny who works some pretty weird hours- you would expect a nanny to work from 4-4am or 9-3pm or something like that but most nanny's dont work for someone who is a bartender. On top of that I'm starting a new job at a bakery& cafe. I know 2 jobs on top of being a full time student! Crazy right?! Well.. bills need to be paid and would like some spending money. So you got to do what you can to support oneself.
Onto the next thing I've been dealing with- guys! ughh.. apparently I attract douchebags! Here's the story- Met the guy in one of my classes last tri. He seemed really nice and he was funny and sweet and cute.  Everyone described him as So cute yet so stupid. If I was thinking clearly I would have saw that as a red flag... nope didn't think anything of it.  Well as the tri went along ( the trimester is 11 weeks long) I started to like him & I thought he liked me too. Boy was I wrong!We spent time together since we were in the same group and had this huge project to work on.  As the tri went along we would flirt with one another and  I would give some hints to him that I liked him-  I didn't want to come out and say- Hey I like you we should date. Since we still had a month before holiday break and we had 2 classes together- we spent 7 hours together each week. I would give him rides to/from school and to his work. Well the last day of class we spent the afternoon together- I took him to the doctors. I told him- everyone thinks were either dating or should date...I'm fine with whatever.. what do you think of it? He said and I quote- "I don't do girlfriends, I've been hurt before and I don't want to be hurt again.. need time to heal." What I told him- oh yeah that makes since. What I thought- "Seriously?!?! Instead of saying don't want to date.. just stay friends you make up this lame excuse.. everyone gets hurt in relationships." Anyways  went on holiday and didn't talk to him came back a week later to start Winter tri and he came up to me when I was talking to a friend and was really happy to see me and acting like nothing happened. So for the last couple weeks we have both been acting like nothing happened and he didn't say what he said and he was being nice and it was a good change...So I thought. Well on Sunday and Monday he called/text me and it really surprised me because he never did that before- all he wanted was a ride to work.  My thoughts: Seriously! we haven't really talked and this is the first thing you ask me? Nice that you  are only using me for a ride? Sorry didn't realize I was your Chauffeur!  I told him I couldn't was at church and about to go to class. Once I told him no he stopped talking to me- this was the 3rd time I told him I couldn't help him. Out of the 15 weeks that we've known each other. On Tuesday during our class I found out that not only has he been using me but he found a "new me" only difference is she smokes and drinks with him and they go out to lunch and hang out on the weekends. We spent a tri together and never once asked if I wanted to do any of that. The thing that makes everything hard is- I felt so hurt when I found out, the fact that I thought he was changing and instead he was just finding someone to do his work.  I know he's a douche and call him what ever you want.. but I feel SOOO stupid for being attracted to him and thinking that we could have something instead of  him just using me and tossing me aside when he was done with what I do for him. Live and learn.. I guess.
New Goal- find a guy that isn't a douche or stupid how hard could that be?

-Sam

So.....Life..Boys.. everything in between...

Life...
Why is that when were little we think about how are lives are going to turn out and we all have this picture in our head. We graduate from high school with our best friends and go off to college and meet new people and rule the world. Life is going to be super easy. Well sorry to burst your bubble little ones- life isn't easy! Its freaking hard!
After high school I thought the group of friends that I hanged out with every weekend for all 4 years of school, we would still be close. Not the case- You see out of the group only 2 of us went out of state for university while the other 4 stayed in Texas. I would come home for holiday break but it would be weird.. it was like I didn't know them anymore. It was like meeting them for the first time and we didn't have anything in common. Then it got to the point where they would only text or call me when they wanted to know a recipe or if that had a problem while they were cooking.   Then the one friend that I thought we would always be friends until we were super old, went and did a Disney college program and totally forgot about me. Now only talks to people that have gone to Disney and loves it as much as she does. So some say the friends that you meet in high school will be your friends for life.  I don't think so.. I think the friends you meet in middle school and primary school is where your true friends are. those friends- Katrina & Liza we have been though a lot and nothing has stopped us from taking care and keeping in touch.
I'm in my 4th year of university with 4 weeks left of the Fall trimester and it really got me thinking about my life and what I want ot do afterwards.
Life after university:
Get more experience in restaurants
Open a restaurant
Open a bakery
Work with the school districts and get better food served to the children
start a organization to end world hunger
I know it seems like a lot but I figured if you have a degree why not use to help others.
Boys...
Why do girls think boys so freaking difficult? Thats because its us- girls that are difficult! Because we dont think we can just tell the guy- Hey I like you.. let go to dinner on friday! Instead we tell our friends- I think hes cute. and that's it. Then we get super jealous if we see the boy talk to another girl.  Especially in university, you would think by now we would be at the point in our lives where we could ask the boy out. No.. not at all!  Because what goes though our minds- Um no! he will totally say no and i'll be super embarrassed to ever see his face again so.. i'll wait until he figures I like him.. that makes more sense. Girls are totally screwed up!  We all complain about boys- how stupid they are, the stupid things they do- especially in university! and why it takes them so long to figure out we like them- not sure how many hints they want you to give them before they figure out that you actually like them more than a friend.

-Sam

Drunken Cookies

So today I made some cookies, I thought what could I add to the recipe to make it a little different and decided to add  some liquor. Here's how they turned out.

here's the ingredients:

1 cup butter
3/4 granulated sugar
1 cup cake flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cardamon
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup Italian liquor

1. Preheat oven 350,Medium bowl combine butter and sugar 
2. small bowl- combine dry ingredients then add to butter mixture 
3. Add eggs and vanilla, chocolate chips and liquor to mixture bake for 8-10 minutes 

-Enjoy 

Sam 

Pizza Cupcakes

I came up with recipe today when my family got back from church and it was my turn to cook lunch. Its such a simple recipe and it only took about 10 minutes start to finish!


Here's the ingredients:
1 can of Pillsbury grands biscuits
1 can of tomato sauce
1 pkg of pepperoni
1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1 Tbsp oregano
1 Tbsp red pepper flakes

1. Prep heat oven 350 degrees, spray cupcake tin with non stick spray
2. cut biscuits in half and place half in the cupcake tin 
3. layer sauce, pepperoni, cheese, oregano and red pepper flakes on top of biscuits 

-Enjoy 

Sam 

Nutella chocolate chip cookies

I was spending the day with my favorite little guy- Gideon who is 5years old. A family friends kid who loves to cook/bake. Most people really like nutella, his mom LOVES it! So we took my basic chocolate chip cookie recipe and made it better by adding a lot of nutella to it.


Here's the ingredients:

1 cup Butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup nutella
1 cup chocolate chip

1. Pre-heat oven 350 degrees, Medium bowl- combine butter and sugar
2. Small bowl- combine flour,baking soda, baking powder,salt 
3. Add flour mixture to butter mixture once combine add egg and vanilla 
4. Add nutella and chocolate chips 
5. Cookie sheet lined with parchment paper spoon dough and bake for 8-10 minutes. 

-Enjoy

Sam 

Jose Chorizo's

I'm pretty sure everyone has had a sloppy Joe's. Its one of those meals that you have to be in the mood for and dont care if you get messy. My family called it Jose Chorizo since I made it more Mexican  flavors then the traditional flavors.

Here's the ingredients:

2  Tbsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp olive oil
1  carrot
1 shallot
1 pkg of chorizo
1 pkg of bacon
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp red chili flakes
1 tsp oregano
4 oz tomato past
1 cup water
6 mini hamburger buns

1. In a wok- medium heat- oil, garlic, carrot, shallot cook for 5 minutes; add chorizo 
2. medium pan- cook bacon then add wok
3. sauce pan- tomato paste and water bring to boil; add to wok 
4. once everything is combine put on low heat for 10 minutes 
5. toast hamburger buns then assemble

- Enjoy 

Sam 

Vegetarian tacos

When I was little I didn't eat any meat.. and living in Texas- that was just unheard of. My family tried everything to get me to eat meat. I was that little kid that would be eating a salad instead of a regular kids meal or any meal if that. When I was little I didn't want ot eat to begin with and most of the time I still have to force myself to eat. If it wasn't for my dad and sister I'm pretty sure I would be a vegetarian and wouldn't have a problem with it but my family are big meat eaters and they think a meal isn't complete if it doesn't have meat in it.

That was until last night when I made tacos. I told my sister that it was just veg tacos and I wanted to try something different- she hesitated but finally agreed on trying it. They turned out really well, my sister loved them an went back for seconds! My mom and I was really surprised. After we ate I told Jamie(my sister) that she just had tofu and she freaked out but her face was priceless!

Here's the ingredients:

2 1/2 tsp minced Garlic 
1/4 Cup vegetable oil 
1/4 cup Salsa- mild
1 tsp cumin 
1 tsp paprika 
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp crushed red peppers 
2 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt & Pepper for seasoning 
1 package of tofu
1 zucchini
1 shallot 
1 tomato
1 bell pepper
3 cups of rice 
6 tortillas

1. Heat oven 350 degrees, medium pan- medium heat combine garlic, oil salsa, and spices together and cook for 2 minutes 
2.  Grill pan- cut tofu into slices and dipped them it the spice mixture and place onto grill 
3. Saute pan- cook vegetables 
4. While that's cooking- cook rice, place tortillas in foil and into oven for about 10 minutes
5. once everything is finished cooking- assemble tacos 

-Enjoy
Sam 

Long time, no see

So its been a while, and its funny because I haven't been super busy. Just have gotten distracted by other things and by the time I think about posting on here its 1 or 2 in the morning haha. But I'm gonna be better at posting try to do it daily or every other  day :)
Today the family is cleaning the garage... maybe!  (Note the sarcastic tone in my voice) Over the past 5 or so years, the family has said " this is the summer or the day that were gonna clean the garage" NEVER HAPPENS!!!! The garage has gotten worse over the years, we've kept stuff that we probably shouldn't have.. just because it has sentimental value or just not wanting to go though it. It makes sense, we've made excuses- I think my favorites are: 
"Its already 10am.. and its really humid outside"- Jamie " my sister"
"Oh I can't do it.. its just to hard, brings back a lot of emotions" - My mom  


Out of the whole family, I'm really the only that wants to clean it .. and I would be more than glad to clean it by myself.. if I knew what my mom would like to keep and get rid of.  It bothers me that its really messy- I like things clean and organize.. My family doesn't really like that idea. But hopefully I wont be go though a whole OCD rampage and make my family go nuts! 
Hopefully by this afternoon sometime we will be able to have a clean garage and able to park both cars in it! Keep your fingers cross! 

-Sam

Taco Cupcakes

Yesterday was a busy day and never got a chance to post what I made for lunch. I made this simple lunch that takes about 30 minutes or less to make. 

Like I said super easy to make and the taste amazing- my family said the taste like a traditional meal you would get at your favorite Mexican restaurant! Big complement! :) Not to mention easy clean up.

Here's your ingredients:

24 Wonton Wrappers 

3/4 cup of can ranch style beans 

1 pound ground beef

1 tbsp oil 

1 1/2 tsp salt and ground pepper

1 1/2 tsp chili powder

1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 

1 1/2 tsp red chili flakes 

1 1/2 tsp cumin 

1 1/2 tsp Mexican oregano  

1 cup salsa 

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese  

1/2 box of Velveeta

1 can of rotel tomatoes ( any can of diced tomatoes will work)   

1. Pre- heat oven 350' spray cupcake tin 
2. Pan- oil and cook beef 
3. add the spices and continue cooking for about 5 minutes 
4.  While beef is cooking, put the wonton wrappers in the bottom of the tin 
5. Place a spoonful of the beans in the wrappers, then add the beef, salsa, and cheese
6. Place another wonton wrapper on top and repeat 
7. Place in oven for about 10 minutes or until the wonton wrappers are brown and cheese is melted 
8. While the tacos are in the oven in a microwave safe bowl- combine the Velveeta and can tomatoes and microwave for 2 minutes 30 seconds until it is all melted 

*I served the taco cupcakes along with the queso with chips and tortillas 

-Enjoy 

Sam 

Fish & Chips

Hey y'all, so continuing with my last post about  being British I decided last night to cook dinner for the family and made Fish & Chips. It's such a simple recipe that literary takes about no time at all to make!  

Here is the Ingredients: 

1 pound Cod - cut in strips about 8 or 9  (depends on how big the slices of Cod are)
1/3 Cup + 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
1/2 Cup Panko
2tsp salt
2 tsp ground pepper
1tsp sage
2 eggs
5 potatoes


Cooking Fish: 

1. Heat pan with 1/3 cup of oil ( have a pan large enough to shallow fry the cod) 
2. medium bowl combine Panko, sage, 1 tsp of salt and pepper 
3. medium bowl- add eggs 
4. dip cod in eggs then coat it in the Panko mixture place in pan and cook for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown 

Cooking Chips: 

1. Cookie tray with parchment paper 
2. wash the potatoes and cut them length rise 
3. place on tray and coat them with 1 tsp of salt and pepper and 1 tbsp of oil 
4. Cook for 10 minutes at 350 degrees 

-Enjoy 

Sam 

British at Heart

So, I love everything British!  My family is British so its ok for me to love England.. right?!?! yeah for sure.  I would move over there in a heart beat!  Recently, during the Diamond Jubilee, it got pretty crazy. Here's what Love about it- the Boys, the humor,TV, Music, the society, the whole country, the Chefs!

A couple things happened during and after the celebration was over: 
1. I watch everything that was about the celebration.  
2. I got pretty offended when the magazine reported about Prince Phillip being in the hospital and calling him Phillip. ( Side note- I dont get offended about the US politicians and I dont really pay attention whats going on with them)
3. I keep tabs on whats happening over there.  
4. Most of the musicians I listen to comes from England: Adele, Jessie J, Ellie Goulding, Mumford and Sons, Florence and the Machine Ed Sheeran and so many more! 
5. 9 times out of 10 my tv is always on BBC America
6. I'm obsessed with The Duchess of Cambridge- Kate Middleton

   

-Enjoy

Sam 

Happy Fathers Day

So today is actually a really hard day for me. You see 5 years ago in May my dad passed away, and I had to be the strong one for my family. My mom and sister were nervous wrecks and someone had to step up and take care of the family. If you saw me today- you wouldn't know anything was wrong because I'm a pro at hiding my emotions. I know its not good to do but that's what I do have a wall built around me were no one came get close. I've been this way even before my dad passed away.  Its how I cope with things.
So here's a little letter that for my dad.
 Daddy,
        You taught me how to walk and how to ride a bike. You taught me how to play baseball. You would watch cartoons with me even though you didn't like them. You would let me get away with being "sick" just so I didn't have to go to school and we would watch tv together.

       Some of my favorite memories will always being with you outside while you BBQ and started to teach me how to and swinging back and forth on the porch swing. Watching all of our favorite tv shows, and driving along listening to the oldies station and getting a happy hour drink at sonic.

      I know we had our ups and downs when I became a teenager, and I wish I could go back in time and spend more time with you instead of in my room. I should of listen to you when told me to be careful about my "friends". I know during this time I wasn't the best person to be around and didn't care what you or mamma had to say.   You taught me a lot -how to be accountable, respectful, driven, successful, never giving up. I wouldn't be the person I am today if it was for you and mamma. The fact though all the tough times in school you would never let me give up means a lot and the fact you were right by me each step of the way- I can't tell how much that meant to me, especially with everything you went though as a child.

        I know it was hard for you when I started elementary school and it was really difficult for to teach me how to drive. I know our time together was short and even though you weren't there in person to see me get my license or to graduate from high school and get my associates degree I know you were their in spirit.
     

       I may be growing up and starting my own life and about to live in my first apartment and starting to pay bills and all the other adult things. Two things will never change 1. you'll always be my dad and someone I look up to and 2.  I'll always be your little baby.  

 Happy Fathers Day Daddy 

                                               Love and miss you so much

             xoxo Sam 

Chocolate Banana Bread

Hey y'all!
So today I had some ripe bananas and I might as well go ahead and use them up. I supposed that I could just throw them in the freezer for a later time, but next thing you  know 6 months will past and the bananas will be a gross black mass. So I made a Chocolate banana bread.. very chocolatey!  I guess this recipe isn't really in keeping with eating healthy but some days you just have chocolate cravings. I'll get back to creating the healthy recipes soon.. right after I have another piece of this scrumptious bread. 

Here's the Ingredients: 
1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup  light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 ripe bananas, mashed

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chocolate chips

1. Pre heat oven 350 degrees and grease loft pan. In a medium bowl- Cream butter and sugars. 
2. Add eggs and bananas 
3. Swift Dry ingredients- add to sugar mixture 
4. Once incorporated add milk and chocolate chips 
5. Bake for 35 minutes  

-Enjoy 

Sam 

Dr. Pepper Cookies

So this is a recipe that my mom and I came up with. I love Dr. Pepper, its my favorite  drink- not the healthiest but oh so good! My mom was telling my about the soda cakes that her family used to make- you know the ones- cake mix with either sprite or coke or any other soft drink.
I got to thinking.. its not hard to change the amounts of ingredients and make it from a cake to a cookie.
The cookie is moist and fluffy like a cake but bakes in a short amount of time.

Here's the ingredients: 
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter- melted
5 cups of All purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder 
1 tsp. salt 
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cup Dr. Pepper 


Glaze: 
equal parts Dr. Pepper and Powder sugar

1. Pre-heat oven 375 degrees. medium bowl- combine sugar and butter until creamy 
2. medium bowl- combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt. Add to butter mixture.
3.  Add eggs and vanilla to mixture combine until all incorporated. 
4. Add Dr. pepper- texture should be a little sticky and more on the cookie dough side. ( add more flour if needed)
5. Baking sheet with parchment paper- spoon the dough onto it- leaving a couple of inches in between each cookie. 
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. 

While the cookies are baking make glaze. Whisk together powder sugar and Dr. Pepper until you reach desired glaze consistency. drizzle over cookies once they come out of the oven. 

* If you don't like Dr. Pepper you can use other Coke's- regular and diet. 

-Enjoy

Sam

Stuffed Peppers

Hey y'all!

So tonight for dinner, I made stuffed peppers. It's a little different then what my family expected since it didn't have any meat- we do live in Texas so the family thinks that every meal should have some meat. Not tonight! I filled the peppers with rice, chopped tomatoes, different spices, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Turns out the family actually liked it and wants it for dinner again!  Which is always good! >)

  Here's the ingredients: 


4 bell peppers 
1Tbsp cup olive oil
2 medium zucchini, grated 
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28-oz.) can chopped tomatoes 
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 can of chicken broth
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese- grated 
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese-  grated
1/4 cup oregano 
1/4 cup cilantro 
2 1/2 cup rice
tortillas 

1. Pre-heat oven to 400F. In a skillet- oil pan, add garlic, zucchini cook until soft. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper cook for about 5 minutes.
2. Add broth, cheeses, oregano, cilantro. Cut peppers take out seeds and ribs. 
3. Cook rice-little under done. Add to tomato mixture and cook for about 10 minutes. Place a spoonful of rice on the bottom of the dish to hold the peppers- that way they dont fall over. 
4.  Spoon the tomato mixture into the peppers and place them into the dish. Cover with foil an bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil cook for 10 minutes. 
5. Wrap up tortillas in foil and place in the oven the last 5 minutes. 
6. transfer to serving dish and sprinkle cheese over the tops  

-Enjoy

Sam

Panko Crusted Pork chops

Last night I made dinner for the family- bake pork chops are delicious! Don't get me wrong grilled pork chops are great but baked chops.. it's just something about them... maybe its the fact that I dont have to stand outside by the grill in TX summer.

Here's the ingredients: 

4 boneless pork chops

2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1/2 cup  Panko breadcrumbs

1 Tbsp sage

1 Tbsp oregano 

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2.  Heat skillet medium heat- oil to coat pan. Medium bowl rub mustard over the chops. Add to pan saute for 2 minutes
3. Medium bowl- combine Panko, sage, oregano, salt & pepper. Coat chops in mixture
4. Oven safe pan- place in oven for  10 minutes or until golden brown. 

I had it with rosemary jam on top of the chop and it gave it a nice mixture of a little sweet and savory taste and a side salad with apples instead of croutons. 


Servings: 4
Serving size: 1 pork chop 
Calories: 210 

 Enjoy

-Sam 

About me

Hi everyone,

I'm Sam
-Im a foodie!! 
- grew up in south Texas 
-Senior in college- JWU Denver.  I have degree in Baking & Pastry Arts and currently working on getting a bachelor degree in food service management. 
- Love sports- baseball, football & hockey! 
-volunteer for Special Olympics

 I grew up in the kitchen, my parents used to own a donut shop- guess that's where my  love of sweets came from. I would always up my parents cook dinner and would create new recipes. Cooking & baking as always held a special place in my heart. the kitchen is were I feel safe at, its my home, my escape from reality.  being able to do what I love for a living is awesome, Im so grateful that I get to do it. I've always been a adventurous eater.

Saying that, its has had its up & down.Entering into my senior year of college, Im making a change in my mind, body and spirit. changing eating habits which is a lot harder when you work with food on a daily basis. I'm starting to eat healthier and doing this creating new recipes and living a better life. 

With this blog, I am hoping to keep a record the recipes, motivate myself more and give insight into life as a chef trying to change the way I live life. Also share with friends and family some of the craziness that happens in my day to day life. 

Talk soon
-Sam