Cali Cooking Couple

Today the topic in my life seemed to be healthy habits and the childhood obesity problem. 

My eldest was having a hard time with dinner tonight so I thought it was time to sit him down and explain to him the food pyramid... He does much better when he understands the "why" behind the rule. He then expressed that he can't remember what healthy food he eats during the day. Me either I told him. So I sat down tonight and made him a coloring chart. (life is just so much better when you can mark/color in your progress). We also talked about exercise and trying new foods. Since I was so proud of my chart I thought I would share it with the rest of you. Wish me luck and let me know how it goes in your household. 

we have our ticket kitchen winner. 

Our grand prize winner is Sue Lambrix

 - She won a serving for 4 of the Salted Carmel 

Our second place is Erica Williams - She won a Three Chili and Vanilla Mint 

Our third place is Shannon Hattyar- she won a French Chocolate 

Please contact me with your address and info so I can get you your prizes. 

thank you to ticket kitchen and all those who participated. 

We truly enjoy all the love and support you have shown us.

1. Cover the bottom of the pan with oil and seeds and 1-2 T butter 
2. Turn heat to medium 
3. Cover
4. When you hear the corn start a popping crack the lid 
5. Take off heat when popcorn stops popping. 
6. add salt 

• white chocolate chips 
• candy cane 
• candy 
• tin foil 

1. Make basic popcorn 
2. melt desired amount of white chocolate chips 30 second in the microwave mix then 10 seconds until melted 
3. - I added  finely chopped candy cane for a peppermint taste 
4. lay popcorn on tin foil and drizzle over melted chocolate and candy. Sprinkle over candy and mix with hands. 
5. Cool and serve 

• 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
• 1/4 cup sugar 
• 1/4 cup oil 
• 1-2 tsp vanilla 

1. add all above ingredients into pot or a whirly pop and turn on medium heat 
2. keep shaking pot or turning whirly pop until popping stop

• roasted garlic bulb
• 1 garlic clove
• oil
• 5 T butter 
• parmesan 
• popcorn kernels 

1. roast garlic bulb in oven 
2. cover bottom of pot with oil and a garlic clove heat on low for five minutes 
3. remove clove 
4. add popcorn kernels and pop 
5. blend up parmesan cheese, 3 roasted garlic cloves from bulb and add to melted butter 
6. pour over popcorn 

talonandanniewebb.blogspot.com

-alix 

Now I know that you are thinking seriously more lemons. I am in love with lemons right now. My name sake grandmother would cook me these cookies every time I went to her house and they are my favorite. 

Lemon Cookies 

• 1 cup butter 
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar 
• 2/3 cup corn starch 
• 1 cup flour 

Lemon Frosting 

• 1/4 cup butter 
• 2+ Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice 
• rine of a Lemon 
• -Powdered sugar to spread - Can be a whole box you buy at store. All Preference.

1. Mix butter and powdered sugar 

2. Add corn starch 

3. Add flour and mix 

4. Drop teaspoons onto cookie sheet and indent and cook 325* for 15 minutes - 

5. Cool 

6. Mix frosting butter 

7. Add  fresh squeezed lemon for  juice 

8. Grate lemon 

9. Add powdered sugar to spreadable consistency. 

10. ENJOY !!!!! and then say "this is the best cookie ever"

11. Hide them because you will eat the whole batch. 

Six months ago we made a new years resolution. (who says you can't make a resolution in july) To find something for us to do together- just for us.  Thus our blog was born. It has been a great six months and our love for each other and cooking has grown more than we have imagined. We truly have enjoyed sharing the start of our journey with all your wonderful love and support. To thank you, we have a wonderful giveaway available to all our current followers on our blog or facebook and anyone who comments telling us what your new years resolution is. 

note: We will be having multiple winners :) 

Our give way, just in time for Valentine's Day, is from the wonderful Ticket Kitchen. I am sure that you have heard of this delightful, hot chocolate on a stick, treat since they have been featured on the Today show, in Real Simple, Sunset Magazine,  Ladies Home Journal, Amy Atlas Events, Cooking Light and The Chicago Tribune to just name a few. They are just celebrating their one year anniversary and it has been fun to watch their new company grow. Congratulations to our local friends.

Giveaway results will be posted the evening of  Wednesday, January 25th. 

I had my popcorn party last night. It was so much fun. Thank you to all my friends who came and ate one of my favorite treats with me.

Pictures and recipes will be up soon!!! 

Well here it is friends iheartfoodandsocanyou recipe. This amazing couple loves food as much as we do so we decide to do a recipe swap for all our wonderful fans.  For the month of January, they decided to post delicious but healthy recipes to jump start the new year. Here's one that is incredibly easy and so very delicious. You know how sometimes you can taste the "healthy" in healthy cooking...well not here. The chicken tenders come out hot, crispy & flavorful and don't forget the creamy ranch dressing. You will love making this for your family or just for you:-)

B&K currently reside in Orange County, California. They enjoy cooking and baking together in their kitchen as well as finding restaurant gems in the OC. We are not acclaimed chefs or bakers nor do we pretend to be. We are two people with a small camera that love exploring food and enjoy learning how to make simple items extraordinary. 

• 1 C Whole wheat Flour
• 2 1/2 C panko bread crumbs (preferably whole wheat but if you can't find it don't sweat it)
• 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
• 4 Large egg whites
• 8 oz (about 8) chicken tenders
• Salt
• Freshly Ground Pepper
• Nonstick Cooking Spray (I used Pam- Organic Olive Oil)

• 3 Tsp ranch salad dressing & seasoning mix
• 6 Tbl reduced-fat sour cream
• 6 Tbl low-fat buttermilk

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Start by pulling out two shallow dishes and a medium bowl. In the first shallow dish, place the flour and in the second mix the panko bread crumbs with the poultry seasoning.
3.  Place the egg whites in the medium bowl. Using a whisk, whisk until the egg whites are foamy but not to where they hold stiff peaks.
4.  Place a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. 
5. Season your chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.    *** Here's where the fun part begins. K would be very proud of my since I'm not a huge fan of touching raw meat haha.
6.  Place the chicken tenders in the flour and shake off any excess.
7. Now place the floured chicken tenders into eggs. Coat them until they are completely covered. 
8. Once at a time, place the chicken tenders into the panko bread crumbs and coat each one completely. Place on the wire rack.
9. Salt and pepper the chicken tenders again as well as spray a little bit of cooking spay on each one (both sides). This will help give them a golden look. 
10. Bake at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes or until golden & cooked all the way through. 
11. While the chicken is baking whip together your ranch dressing by mixing the seasoning, sour cream and buttermilk together. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Have a craving for a delicious classic hamburger?

 I did. I was down in Napa today and decided to try Squeeze Inn Hamburger. I had heard great reviews and Kevin had been trying to get me to go for some time. Side note: I am very picky about my burgers. Will not eat fast food burgers. It has to be the best to be eaten by me. No medium quality. A couple years ago I went to the Build a Better Burger contest on food network and these burgers hold their own.

Squeeze Inn delivered. It was delicious. Better than five guys who has soggy buns. Their buns were fluffy yet also grilled which gave it a little crunch. The meat was hearty juicy and delicious!!!

The French fries are also fresh. Better than In and Out.

I am a big fan.

Squeeze Inn has multiple locations. 

 Napa - 3383 Solano ave in the redwood shopping center.

And now just opened in Vacaville -

211 Peabody rd ste f

I highly recommend. Check it out. Next time your travels take you to napa don't think twice about stamping Squeeze Inn Hamburger in your travel passport.

-Alix

Let us know how your experience was. 

December lemons? With this delicious fruit in season I can't help to make lemonade. It will brighten up your drab winter days. So crank up your heater dust off your flip flops serve yourself a glass of lemonade and treat yourself to a summer day in December.