WTF did I just make for dinner...

Happy Monday, everybody!!

Which of course is my Friday... although I will be working tomorrow night so technically it's not quite my Friday...

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and is all energized and ready for your work week.

Weekends go way too quickly... Good thing I haven't even started mine!

So things have been a little crazy around here. And by a little I mean- 

"Holy shit! Isn't this the time of year where things are supposed to slow down?"

I'm still working my 2 jobs with Disney and the dinner theatre and lucky for me, there's been a lovely amount of extra hours to pick up. Which means I can afford to indulge in turkey from the deli counter instead of from the meat section! That's how you can tell I'm feeling rich.

The person, however, has been working NONSTOP! You think I'm kidding? This past week he hasn't worked a single day that was less than 12 hours and even worked a 34 hour day... Yes, you read that correctly. 34 hours. "Surely he had long breaks and slept for an hour in there somewhere." No, no. He pushed it through to get the work done.

I applaud his work ethic.

And will cut anyone that expects me to work for as long and as hard as he does.

So! When he works these ridiculous hours, I like to make sure he has something yummy to come home to. Mainly because I'm well aware of what he eats while he's working that hard- a whole lot of junk with a side of nothing.

On this particular night, I was home from work and, since his schedule is pretty much open ended, I had no idea when he would get home. So I didn't want to make anything that wouldn't be tasty reheated.

We have quite the smorgasbord of ingredients lying around...

Hence the whole "WTF" part of this recipe.

Because I made it up.

I'm sure many of you have made things similar to it BUT- I used no recipe and just sort of said "How bout some of this?" as I went along.

So here's what I came up with!

The ingredients-

1 Pillsbury French loaf

Olive oil/balsamic vinegar mix (I have it pre-mixed)

Ranch Dressing

Deli style turkey

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Garlic Salt

Parmesan cheese

Italian blend spices

...AND a Wild Blueberry Sea Dog to help get my "WTF" cooking mojo underway 

So, first I rolled out the dough, drizzled it with a little of the olive oil/balsamic mix, and then spread some ranch over that

Then, in the center, I layered in a whole bunch of sandwich turkey

Over that, I got a little cheddar cheese happy. You could sprinkle as much or as little as you want, we happen to be avid cheese lovers!

Then, I folded in the short sides before overlapping the long ends to give it the loaf shape again.

I drizzled it with more of the olive oil/balsamic mix and sprinkled a little Italian herbs on it

I let it bake at 350 for 15 minutes before sprinkling parmesan cheese and a little more cheddar over the top. Then popped it back in the oven to for 15 more minutes to finish it off!

And voila! My "WTF did I just make for dinner" Turkey sandwich/French bread loaf...

The name is still a work in progress 

This was seriously one of the greatest turkey sandwiches I have ever had. I'm going to have to keep a lot more of that Pillsbury French bread around because the possibilities are endless!!

Oh, the amazing dinners you can put together with just a beer and the wonders in your pantry and fridge!

**SIDE NOTE: The night I made this was the night he ended up not coming home because he worked 34 hours. Luckily, a few minutes in the toaster oven and this puppy is good as new! 

But the real side note is I just wanted to take a second and give a shout out to my person for all the hard work he does. 

He's an entertainment tech at Disney and he specializes in lighting. Right now, he's been working his butt off to make sure the lighting was up and running for all the cheer/dance competitions that happen at Disney this time of year. Most of us, I included, go to shows or events and spend little time appreciating that there's a whole crew working their butts off to make sure every aspect is just right. A whole crew thats busting their butt, putting in extra hours, forfeiting breaks, missing out on dinners with family, because its their job to make sure we as audiences and spectators get the fullest and best looking experience we can.

Yeah, that's him. Working his magic in China at Epcot for New Year's.

So next time you're at an event like this, take a second to look up and appreciate their artistry.

They work so ridiculously hard and are so under appreciated. So thank you!

I for one, would be singing and dancing in the dark if it weren't for people like my person. 

Where would be the fun in that?**

That's enough of my soap box for today. And try this sandwichy/french bread type thingy!! You'll probably eat the whole loaf in one sitting. Delicious!!

Oh How Pinteresting...

Hello loves!!! 

Wait... it's Wednesday again?! How did that happen?

I clearly stepped into some type of time portal device because, somehow,  my last post was on a Wednesday and yet here we are... one week later...

Whoops!

I'm so sorry folks! I'm determined to get better about it and REALLY will start pre planning my posts. 

...

As soon as my life planner comes in the mail!!! I did indeed finally hunker down and order an Erin Condren Life Planner and I'm SO excited to get it, I feel like a 5 year old waiting for Christmas... or just me waiting for Christmas. Of course I could get organized without it. I just don't want to. 

I'm sure you'll all be excited for me to show that off in a post very soon!

And now, since it is of course Wednesday and one of my favorite linkup days- I'm back with Michelle for "Oh How Pinteresting..."

If any of you STILL haven't joined in on the pinteresting bandwagon- do yourself a favor and jump in!! You'll be so glad you did! And of course- join in on the link up fun too.
Most weeks, I do a smorgasbord that just has some of my favorites from all over the place. This week, I was inspired to share what my real focus was-eating well!
I'm officially training up to do my 2nd Disney Princess Half Marathon and I'm trying to feed my body right to give it the fuel it needs to get across the finish line. Here's some of what I've found so far...

Source: runningandbeautifulabs.tumblr.com via Krystina on Pinterest

I love this! Just a quick little go to. Especially when I'm running a lot I get hungry SO much more often and  I'm always wondering what I should snack on.

Source: tumblr.com via Krystina on Pinterest

I've really been wanting to get on this smoothie thing thats going around. I LOVE smoothies. I also love juice. Why not make this healthy snack/meal part of my daily routine?

Source: chiquitabananas.com via Krystina on Pinterest

Banana, almonds, and oatmeal in a healthy smoothie? Ummm- yes, please, and thank you!

And since I am human... and cooking at home is much healthier than take out- Some real food. Because I would die without it!

Source: tasteandtellblog.com via Krystina on Pinterest

4 words- Buffalo. Chicken. Pizza. Rolls. Try telling me this didn't just make you hungry.

Source: closetcooking.com via Krystina on Pinterest

Spinach and pesto grilled cheese. It has spinach in it... That counts for something, right?

Source: bakingdom.com via Krystina on Pinterest

And Cinnamon roll cupcakes. No redeeming quality except I'm sure they're delicious!

So there it is! My food-filled "Oh How Pinteresting!" I'm determined to actually make this stuff this year. It's only the 11th- I have time right?

Now, of course, I get to go fill my boards with all of your loveliness! I hope hump day finds you all well!
Till next time...

Oh How Pinteresting...

It's Wednesday!!!

And Im extra excited because its my Saturday!!! My first legitimate day off in far too long. I have some things to do around our place but for now, its pjs and couch time! 

Holy poot does that feel good.

I should add, it's in the 30s today in Florida... I understand some of you have MUCH colder weather right now, but for Florida- this is frigid!!! I am rocking my college hoodie right now and cuddling with the puppy while the cats nap on the other couch. Only one thing is missing and he'll actually be home at a normal time tonight!! Thinking I should make dinner. Maybe I'll go check out my pinboards for some inspiration...

Speaking of Pinterest...

It's "Oh How Pinteresting" Wednesday!!! I haven't linked up with Michelle over at The Vintage Apple in quite a few weeks so I'm so excited to be back in it!!

This week, being the first link up of the new year, I thought I'd focus on that. Some good thoughts for the new year and some food/craft ideas- because I fully intend to try some of this stuff in 2012! Enough pinning and saying oh that looks good! Time to get my butt in the kitchen and MAKE it! :)

Enjoy!

Source: laurawinslowphotography.com via Krystina on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Krystina on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Krystina on Pinterest

Source: fakeginger.com via Krystina on Pinterest

Source: iheart2stamp.com via Krystina on Pinterest

Source: vandco.bigcartel.com via Jaime on Pinterest

Here's hoping I ACUALLY follow through with cooking and making things on my boards this year! No doubt, when I do, it will be up here for all of you to enjoy.

Have any of you had some great successes from your pins? I've only tried a couple and it always comes out fabulous!!

Alrighty, now for my favorite part- time to go steal some of your pins!! :) Happy Wednesday everyone!

My Thanksgiving/November Recap...

Happy December, loves!!

May I be the first to say- what the hell happened to this year?! Seriously people, it has flown by and its making me feel all philosophical. (Go with me on this...)

You know how when we're young, a year seems to last an eternity? But then the older we get, time just starts moving faster and faster until it's this unstoppable snowball? Does our mind legitimately register time differently as we get older and our thoughts are filled with an endless amount of concrete information, and worries, and memories? Are years so long when we're young because there seems to be an endless amount of possibilities and imagination? 

No? Just me?

...Very well then.

What with it being a week since Thanksgiving and officially the start of December, I figured today was my last chance to post my Thanksgiving recap!

For the new followers- Hi, welcome, I'm Cuban and my holiday meal included black beans and rice. 

:)

Feel free to be jealous because when Abuelita (Grandma in Spanish) hits the kitchen for holiday meals, the result is nothing short of DELICIOUSNESS. This year being no different. 

I thought you all might appreciate my family/ Thanksgiving warm fuzzies in a lovely little photo drop!

Enjoy!

My Pumpkin Pie cupcakes- literally just my vanilla cupcake recipe with the entirety of a pumpkin pie filling mixed in!
Came out so delicious and served with whipped cream on top!

Step 1 of my first homemade Pecan Pie! Used my Williams-Sonoma pie crust leaf shapes to jazz it up...

The ridiculously yummy finished product... In hindsight, I should've made two pecan pies.

My full addition to the meal- the desserts! A whole lot of pumpkin and pecan goodness.

Me, showing off my goodness once I set them out at my sister's house

The lovely ladies of my family- Me, My Mommy, and my gorgeous sister

And of course, all our generations so far, we added in my Abuelita on my Mom's side

So, I swear my dad was there too!! I didn't realize I hadn't gotten a picture of him on my camera... :( But he does exist and he is an awesomely handsome rockstar of a Daddy.

Sadly, my sister's husband and my person were missing from the festivities. Mickey Mouse had other plans for them and required they both make other families have awesome Thanksgivings. I promise we saved them leftovers!

So, you may remember my picture a month I did for October? Well I repeated it again this month! Check out how November looked in my life-

And finally- My giveaway winner!! I can't thank you all enough for your awesome participation in this giveaway! I wish I could send you all some delicious hot chocolate. Hopefully, as I keep coming across appropriately themed goodies, I'll do more fun things like this. But this time, the winner was-

Which was.....

Alyssa from Ten Feet Off Beale

Congrats lady!! Make sure you send me your info so I can hopefully get your goodies sent off to you ASAP! :) 

So... November wasn't too shabby in my world. But- I'm really looking forward to it being the Christmas season. 

I love the first day of every month. It's such a refreshing new beginning... Whatever may have made you stumble the month before- screw it! This month has no idea what you did or didn't do last month! It's another shot to show the world you can be better than you've been. Like a mini New Year. 

Happy New Month, everyone.

Let's take December by storm and finish up 2011 on a high note.

:)

100+ Followers?!? Ay que rico!!!

About 2 years, ago I started Cup 'a Hot Chocolate.

A year ago this November, I was inspired to wipe the blog clean and start fresh! I didn't keep any of my old posts. I wanted a brand new blog under the same name.

6 months ago, I actually started learning about blogs. Design, communities, and I actually started looking around and following blogs I loved and liked to visit regularly.

Just 3 months ago, I felt like I finally started making my blog my own! I started writing how I wanted to and about whatever I wanted to and for the first time was proud to be able to say this is fully a reflection of me! Here's the post where that really took off...
For one thing, this makes it so difficult to decide on a blogiversary... but that's a subject for another day!

Today, I'm celebrating reaching 100+ followers!
I cannot express to you all enough what rockstars you guys are!! I LOVE getting comments from you guys and the constant support in everything I do. It's funny but so true how you can "meet" such amazing people through blogging. Such incredible and inspirational people have come into my life through this adventure in blogging I've started and I love it! I'm so excited to see what comes next...

I wanted to do something special to celebrate, so I decided to share something with you all! Most of the time, when I share something I've cooked, the recipe comes from some random source that I link back to. 

Today, I'm actually going to be sharing a family recipe!
 That's right my lovely followers- 

time for some Cuban deliciousness in your lives!!!

Some sabor!!
***My Abuelita's Fricase de Pollo***
y arroz con frijoles
aka My Grandma's Chicken Fricassee
and rice and beans

A couple notes before I start though- Cuban cooking is all very much a gusto, or to taste. Just as my grandma taught me, there are next to no specific measurements in this recipe! But I promise, it's so easy!! You just have to try it as you go and decide what you want more or less of. If you trust yourself, it'll turn out delicious!

Also- this is the easy way to cook it all! I like to call it "The poor girl's Fricase de Pollo" because I use onion powder alone instead of real onions and canned black beans instead of dry ones. I almost always have all the ingredients I need for this at home, so I don't need to depend on those extra items! Plus, if we decide we want Cuban food last minute, it's actually doable!

Aaaaand cooking time!

Ingredients, for the whole shbang-

1 pkg chicken tenderloins

White or brown rice, your choice

Corn oil, I use Mazola

Spanish Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

1 can Hunt's tomato sauce

Onion powder

Garlic salt

Ground Cumin

White Vinegar

1 can black beans (no seasoning added)

Cooking the arroz-

1. Add your desired amount of rice to the rice cooker and add just enough water so there is a thin layer sitting over the rice (about half a centimeter above for white rice and a full centimeter above for brown rice).
2. Add 1 cucharada, or tablespoon, of your corn oil and add as much salt as you'd like. I go a little salt heavy... But it's how I was taught!

Making the sofrito-

(This is the sauce that acts as a base for alot of Cuban and island cuisine. In this case, it'll be used to cook the chicken!)

1. Empty the contents of the tomato sauce into any deep pan you have a cover for! Fill the can 1/3 full with water and add that to the pan too.
2. Now, all the goodies- add a cucharada of corn oil (tablespoon), 2 capfuls of vinegar, and then a ridiculous amount of garlic salt and onion powder. Those are the tricky amounts to describe both here and in the beans. What I normally do is legitimately add enough onion powder to just coat the mix in the pan and then add a little less than that of the garlic salt.
3. Bring this to a boil and then reduce it to just above medium heat.

Now, cut down the tenderloins into little chunks. You can use chicken breasts or even cutlets here- I've just always done it this way because it seems to cook so well and it gives me the look I want to come out just like Grandma's... I also get crazy anal about cutting out all the nasty parts of the tenderloins.

Add the chicken to the sofrito and make sure you mix it so the sauce is really getting all over the chicken. Cover the pan and let it cook! I like to check back and mix it up a few times periodically while it's cooking. That way it all soaks up the delicious sauce!

On to the frijoles!!

1. With the stove on medium heat, empty the can of beans into a sauce pan. Then fill the can 1/3 of the way with water and add that in too. I've started adding even a little less water than that because I like for the beans to get as much of the seasoning as possible. If you're cooking for anyone that just likes the soup without the actual beans, more water makes it a little easier to do that.
2. Add just a splash of the spanish olive oil and corn oil  and then it's on to all the seasonings. Just like with the sofrito, make a coat almost of the onion powder, this time about the same amount of garlic salt, and just a dash of cumin and pepper.
3.  Bring this to a boil, and then add 2 capfuls of vinegar. 
4. Lower the heat and just let it simmer for 10 minutes. During all that I like to mix it up and sort of smush the beans as I go. It makes it a little thicker and that's how I like it!

By this point, your rice cooker should've popped, your chicken should look like the above picture, your beans should be harmoniously cooked and seasoned, and your kitchen should smell like you died and went to heaven!!

Aaaaaaaand dinner is served!! I like to make sure I get a good amount of sofrito on my chicken and even toss some over onto my rice too. 

Yes, it is that good.

Some people are a little scared to try Cuban food but I'm telling you now, this will become a staple in your regular menu! It really isn't too out there as far as flavors go. I often hear "How come it's not spicy?" ... I hate to break this to you all, but, Cuban food is NOT SPICY. It is in deed full of spices and we're known for our flavor! We don't really do the "hot" stuff.

I really hope you guys try this out! My grandma is the greatest cook I know and having her recipes now could not make me happier!!

So thanks again, my 100+ followers! I'm so happy to be sharing in this journey with all of you and I hope you keep coming by!

Lots more laughs, craftiness, deliciousness, and all around awesomeness to come!!

Till then...

Local deliciousness- Delish New York Bakery

I decided recently it was time to start having some local fun with my blog! I'm, of course, a lover of all things Disney but there's so much else to do and more importantly EAT here in beautiful Central Florida! Aside from all of the big time tourist attractions and chain restaurants, there is an absolute treasure trove of locally owned deliciousness that deserve some serious recognition. This is my attempt to highlight some of them! Hopefully a few times a month, I'll venture into these gems, sample some of their goodness, and post my adventures here to make you all mouthwateringly jealous. But no need- if they strike your fancy, go check them out yourself!

Thanks to a good friend, my first stop on this new project was the aptly named Delish New York Bakery in Dr. Phillips. 2 of my sweet and hungry friends joined me for an afternoon sugar rush.

This locally owned bakery offers an array of NY style cookies (like I've really only seen when I visit my city friends), sandwiches, and fresh bagels. But we came on a very specific mission...

To try their cupcakes!!!

 They caught my attention online because of the variety they have in the store on a daily basis. But beyond the selection, the staff was also very personable! From the moment we walked in, they were helpful and honest. I always appreciate talking to shop owners that aren't just being nice because they want you to spend money there. He was genuine and obviously loved and was proud of Delish and it made the experience all the more enjoyable. It took me what felt like forever to decide which cupcakes to try (I'm sorry, this is no easy feat! I'd like to see you pick faster!) and he didn't lose patience, simply offered his opinions. The kind of places I like to go back to time and time again are the ones that make me feel like an old friend from my first visit- this is definitely one of those places.

That would be me... unreasonably excited to give them my money. 

 Since I clearly have some serious issues in the "decision making" department I went with the 4 pack. My final choices? Lemon, Buttermilk Spice, S'mores, and Coney Island Cannoli...

I should also mention my friends got Strawberry Cheesecake and Cappuccino so I would actually get to try 6! Woot! Thank goodness too. I'm fairly certain my friends knew we would've been sitting there a lot longer if I had to legitimately only choose 4. Thanks guys! :)

And the fun part- dig in!!

 It's impossible to say which was my favorite. I realize this is no help to you, and I'm sorry. The flavors are all so distinctly delicious it would just be unfair to pin one up against the others. Poor cupcakes! They deserve to all be loved equally! I'm not exaggerating in the slightest when I tell you we sat there taking bites from one at a time, stopping only to say "Man! That is good!" The pffft of filling (as the owner so humorously and eloquently put it as he praised his wife's work) in flavors like Strawberry Cheesecake and Coney Island Cannoli made for such robust flavors, it really just sets delish cupcakes on a level of their own. Excuse me when I say- these things are like crack! And the flavored buttercream frostings?!? Possibly my favorite part. It's no wonder they sell them in individual little shots. 

It's quite obvious I officially love this place and I really think you will too. I'm anxious to go back and try their bagels and I'll be sure to let you all know when I do! But go check them out. And "like" them on Facebook  and follow them on twitter while you're at it! 

... thank goodness I still have left overs in the fridge. I'm in need of another hit of cupcake after writing this post!

Seriously though, do these not look delicious?! Let me know if you try them out! And if you're from out of town and visiting the area soon, let me know so I can give you my suggestions. I'd also love some other good locally owned lunch spots to visit! Any ideas?

A special thank you to Delish New York Bakery for being my first local deliciousness guinea pig. I received no incentive to do this write up, I simply tried their treats and fell in love! Plus, they didn't kick us out when we started snapping obnoxious photographs! Hurray! :)