Flashback Friday & Foodie Friday- CUPCAKES

Joining my dear friend, Suzy, of Kitchen Bouquet in her Flashback Friday. Going back and revisiting recipes I have done brought up two delicious cupcake recipes I'd like to share.

The first is a Boston Cream Pie Cupcake from Martha Stewart. The creamy filling is thick, smooth and decadent. If you love the pie, you'll love this cupcake!



The next is the favorite of my two sons, a Strawberry and Mascarpone Filled Cupcake. They "hint" constantly by saying how much they like the cupcake and reminding me how long it has been since I've made them! It is a recipe from Giada, so you know it is absolutely scrumptious!



To finish off this Flashback Friday, here's a Flashback Flower from my garden. A pink hardy hibiscus...can't wait for it to bloom again this year..



Stop by and visit Suzy's blog to link up with other bloggers taking part in Flashback Friday!



I'm making this post also my entry for Foodie Friday..visit Gollum's post for some great links to recipes...

White Chocolate Macadamia Crusted Tilapia

Since I have some tilapia filets to use up I was checking out my past recipes that I have marked as definitely make again! This recipe for White Chocolate Macadamia Crusted Tilapia had five stars... If you're a fan of Top Chef, you may remember this as a winning recipe which Red Lobster adapted and had on their menu a few years ago.



The Macadamia Crust mixture could be used on a variety of fish or chicken... my oldest son thought this was completely over the top! As you can see by the photo, in addition of putting the white chocolate mixture on the bottom, then plating the tilapia..I put it ALL OVER!!! ( Even on the baked potato) Trust me, there IS tilapia under all that sauce!! You do not get an overwhelming taste of chocolate, it's the infusion of all the ingredients of the sauce that makes it so velvety, smooth and utterly delicious. One word of caution, add the lemon juice slowly and taste as you go, the last thing you want is the lemon flavor to completely overtake the other ingredients.


Now to my garden... I have been filling my containers and the quantity seems to have grown some since last year! On the website Garden Buddies there is a gal from NH, Deanne, that does spectacular things with container gardening. She has been a pure inspiration on what I want to achieve with my containers. One of the favorite containers I make every year is Saturn Coleus..it grows so fast and gets huge! I'll keep you posted on the growth..here it is just starting out.... the smaller coleus is Versa Crimson Gold which I just put in for contrast.

Caramel Apple Pork Chops

Yes, Yes, Yes... they taste as good as they sound and look!!! We all know applesauce goes well with pork dishes, BUT when you add some cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar and granny smith apples it takes your taste buds to an all new level! With a side of roasted fresh garden asparagus gives you a complete meal.

You can find the recipe HERE... you will not be disappointed. Make sure you read some of the reviews, they give you some ideas especially doubling the sauce. (I actually tripled it)


Another little something from my garden... love the color of this gerber daisy!



And last but not least, a beautiful sunrise I was able to capture..the variations of the different colors in the sky was breathtaking... Perfect way to start the day.






Debbie from Mountain Breaths will be hosting her first event June 13-14 with Kick Off to Summer BBQ! She will have Mr Linky up and running..can't wait to get a bunch of new recipes for the summer since I try not to turn the oven on in summer!!

Mosaic Monday - Pinks & Purples

Debbie from Mountain Breaths has convinced me to try my hand with a mosaic! This is something started with Mary@Little Red House, so stop by her blog and check out all the great mosaics!




As you can see, I made my 'garden helper' Louis as the centerpiece of the Mosaic. He excels at curling up where he can get in the way and then proceeds to watch every little move I make. It was like he was daring me to want the terra cotta pot he had plopped himself in...

Love my pinks and purples in the spring months, we'll have to wait and see what other colors I have for the summer... Stay tuned!

Fiesta Chicken

I know, I know that I haven't been posting much lately but I will try and rectify that in the next few weeks. Lots of changes going on in my life and now have to begin to prioritize, with this blog being towards the top for awhile!!

This dish is a stand-by favorite of my sister, Laurie! I have to admit she actually made this one and invited me up to join in. The recipe is so simple and tasted fresh and was ever so filling. One of the variations is to put the chicken on top of rice, but in my opinion that would be almost too heavy. The tortilla chips seem to be just the right component.

Enjoy!!

Fiesta Chicken

1 jar salsa
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 pkg frozen corn
1 can black beans (drained)
2 tsp minced garlic(or 2 cloves minced)

Stir together salsa,corn,beans and garlic
Place in crockpot with uncooked chicken
Cook on high for 4 hrs
Serve over rice or shred and serve over tortilla chips
May dot with sour cream when serving.

It's super easy! My kind of recipe.



I'll also give you a peek at a new clematis I have this year..it's called Ville De Lyon and is so pretty...



I fill a "topsy-turvey" pot with these Supertunias - Vista Bubblegum... I'll be showing you photos as the summer goes on.