S is for Sugar: A Happy 1st Birthday Cake! (Jennifer)

Hellooooo from Hong Kong!

This week, I'm in Hong Kong and Jessica is in Honduras, but through the genius that is the Internet, I can still update the blog with at least a pictorial entry for now. I forgot to pack this week's recipes with me, so those will have to be uploaded when I get home this Sunday.

At this same time of year last year, I was travelling for the same work-related activity when my bestest friend gave birth to the most precious baby girl named Dakota. Over the last year, I've seen my bestie and her husband become the most wonderful parents to a beautiful, sweet and precious little girl. It's amazing how quickly time goes, but I look forward to watching this cutie pie as she grows. Seriously, I cannot get over her baby cuteness, though I admit, I may be biased. : )

Because I couldn't be there for her 1st birthday party, Amanda was sweet enough to let me bake the cake for Dakota's 1-year-old birthday photos. I just checked her photographer's blog, and lo and behold, there they were, as adorable as can be. Here are two photos with the cake, but seriously I love them all! I have to admit, the cake turned out pretty darn cute paired with Dakota's rockin' outfit!

Edited to add: recipes below!

Photo credit: Itsy Bitsy Photography

S is for Sweet Potatoes: Sweet Potato Pancakes (Jessica)

Happy Weekend, All!

Guess what! This is the 100th post on our blog! How exciting is that?! I'm so proud of all the recipes we've successfully made and all the great pictures we've taken. :)

So let me tell you what happened this week. First of all, I found a great recipe for spaghetti squash and requested to Jennifer that she give me spaghetti squash as an ingredient. Then, I went to the supermarket and promptly found out that spaghetti squash is totally out of season. SO, plan B: I came home with sweet potatoes instead.
I had planned to make sweet potato fries, but when I saw this recipe, I wanted to give it a try! It's a healthier version of fried latkes (potato pancakes) done via baking instead of frying, and I think it has a lot of potential. I only had one sweet potato in the end (there was a mold situation...), so I winged all the quantities. I'd suggest following the recipe below!

S is for Sidecars (Jennifer)

Hello sweet readers!

Tonight I bring you a recipe not for an entree, dessert, or side dish. Nope, tonight I bring you a recipe for a drink. A sweet, slightly sour, downright delicious cocktail. This drink and I first met on a hot and somewhat humid night way back in May 2010. An exciting family event took the hubs and I all the way down to New Orleans, LA. Folks, if you haven't been to NOLA (as it's affectionately called by some), you really need to make a trip down to tour this beautiful city. I loved every inch of it. We literally walked, ate, and drank it up. The entire city. We had a blast and I'd love to go back again sometime. For now, every time I order a Sidecar, I think back to fond memories I have of this city, of family and big events, and of delicious food and beverages. : )

S is for Sage Pork Chops and Saffron Couscous (Jessica)

Salutations!

The recipes I made this week fulfilled a craving I had. Dear readers, this may be the first time I craved making something in the kitchen that wasn't some form of dessert! What?!as;lkdj;al?! I know. I agree. What's going on? Blame it on the heat, I must be losing my mind.

OR maybe I wanted a new challenge and decided a full-on meal was the way to go. I don't want you to think the only thing I can make is cookies! Either way, I was excited to use two scintillating spices this week (and some good alliteration).  :)