Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Very simple. Very easy. Very yummy.

Quick yummy appetizer to keep your party entertained. 

Like most of what I do there isn't exact ingredients, its more of just winging it. To make as much as you want.

Ingredients I used (To the best estimation)

1lb of Shrimp (which turned out to be about 30 shrimp)

Package of Regular Cut Bacon, (NOT THICK, there were 12 slices)

Small tub of shipped cream cheese

Directions

1. Completely clean the shrimp, remove shells, tails, and devein.
2. Cut bacon strips in half.
3. Place the shrimp on the bacon. Be sure to place the shrimp with little opening of the 'C' faced down and also place it a little ways down from the top of the bacon strip, enough to where you can fold the bacon over the shrimp and cream cheese.
4. I then scooped probably about 2 tsp or so in the middle of the shrimp. You could put more or less depending on your taste preference..
5. ** Next time I make these I will be adding a chunk of jalapeño, cause I like the extra kick**
6. Fold the top flap of bacon over the shrimp and cream cheese then wrap the rest of the bacon around the shrimp. Once they are all rolled place seam side down on the grill or in a 425 degree oven. Turn occasionally and cook until the bacon is browned and crispy.
7. Boom. Enjoy.

Current Fav

I have completely become addicted to this snack. Try it if you dare.


What you need:
Sweet Mini Peppers (or just regular red, yellow, and orange peppers)
Whipped Cream Cheese
Salt

What you do:
Using a paring knife, cut the stem portion out of the pepper (or if using regular peppers, cut out the stem and seeds and slice into strips) You can also cut the peppers in half.

Sprinkle a bit of salt on to the pepper.

Spread some cream cheese love. Then eat till your heart's content.

Such a yummy snack and super refreshing. And I'm sure it's not to terribly unhealthy.

Birthday Cupcakes

♪♫HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME♫♪

For a while now I've really been wanting to make some piña colada cupcakes. I made some a while back from scratch and although they were delicious they didn't taste anything like piña or colada :( SO I decided to try again, to make some for mine and Chris' birthday which is today. They are SOOO good. I used a pineapple cake mix, added some coconut extract and made my own coconut flavored cream cheese frosting. With a few of them I put a chuck of pineapple in the center. I will definitely be making these again.

Here is the recipe to the best of my memory:

Piña Colada Cupcakes

• 1 box of Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup of canola oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract
• 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
• 3/4 cup of milk (you may substitute with coconut cream or heavy cream)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of coconut extract

1. Preheat oven to 350˚ & grease your pan well.
2. Mix Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix, eggs, canola oil, water, & coconut extract. Put in baking dish of your choice and bake according to the cake box instructions. I use 12 regular sized muffin pans and 24 mini muffin pans. (if you want pineapple chunks inside the cupcake put a little bit of cake mix in the bottom then a pineapple chunk then cover with more cake mix. Only fill cupcake pan 2/3 of the way full.
3. Meanwhile, combine sweetened condensed milk, milk, and coconut extract.
4.  When cake is done cooking remove from oven and poke holes using then end of a wooden spoon, or something of equal size. Make sure NOT to poke all the way through. Pour milk mixture over and allow to cool. Once the cake has cooled most of the way, refrigerate.

Now for the icing:

• 4 oz of cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• ABOUT 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon of milk (or heavy cream if you have it)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (or more depending on how strong you want the coconut flavor to be) coconut extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• **1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut **optional  

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until fluffy
2. Add powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time after 1 cup has been added, add the milk, then add the rest of the powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time.
3. Beat in salt, coconut flavoring, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Add more powdered sugar to thicken or more milk to thin, until you have the desired consistency.

Chai Heaven

This morning I was in a pickle, I couldn't decide whether to go with a cup of tea or a good ol' cup of jo. I decided that I would try something a little new. I drink iced chai tea often, but recently Chris and I had gone to a local coffee shop and he got a frozen chai tea latte (which according to him was awesome). So I decided I would make a chai tea latte this morning. I used to not even like chai tea but OH MAN is this good. Here is a rough estimate of the ingredients I used and how I made it.

Start with about 4 cups of water, in a tea kettle. Once boiled throw in 4 individual sized chai tea bags.  Brew for 4 minutes. Add about a 1/4 cup of sugar(I like mine pretty sweet) and about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of milk. Stir and bring back up to a boil. Be careful so it doesn't bubble over! It will happen quick. Pour into your favorite cup and boom you're done. For something extra special top with a little whipped cream and cinnamon. Enjoy.