Sara's newest creation...

Sara has perfected a new treat for the kids (and me)...CAKE POPS. 

For those that haven't heard of this phenomenon, don't worry, we hadn't either before Sara stopped by a bake sale at work last week and picked up a few of the pops for us lucky guys in the house. 

The best way I can describe them is by saying that they are simply one of the best foods I have ever tasted.   After taking my first bite of one last week, I told Sara that when I envision what food tastes like in heaven, I think cake pops.

After consulting Google on how to make the delicious treats, we took a stab at making our own early last week.  Then Sara spent a good chunk of time on Friday night kicking them up a notch by making them look like ice cream cones. 

She nailed it.

Here is what she created. 

Thankfully, she made enough for not only all of the kids at Addy's party to have one, but there were a few leftover for us as well.

New and improved hamburger recipe.

Sara and I both arrive home from work just before 6 o'clock in the evening and the kids go to bed at 8, so we like trying to make the most of that two hours and that usually doesn't include an elaborate dinner.  That means that dinners usually involve a quick batch of spaghetti, microwavable meals, or me firing up the grill.

When we do grill, it is almost exclusively chicken, hamburgers, and corn on the cob.  Admittingly, my burgers have a left a bit to be desired as of late so we set out to find a way to improve on them.  We found what I would consider and excellent option and I am happy to share the new secret (I guess it's not really a secret due to the fact that I found the recipe in a Kroger circular...I'll share it nonetheless).

1 pound ground beef
1 pound sausage
2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Simply combine all of the ingredients and make the burgers as big or small as you like. 

Add a sidedish of your choice (which happens to be tater tots in this house) and a cold beer and you are in for a real treat.

Enjoy.

The gift that keeps on giving

No, it's not the Jelly of the Month Club, it's even better. I wanted to give a small gift to everyone out there reading my blog, and I thought what better gift than letting you in on my baking prowess and sharing my favorite recipe.

This could be considered "re--gifting" in its truest form, as I was given this recipe by a friend a couple of years ago, but I am sure the original giver won't be too offended that I am sharing it with the world (Thanks Lile).

So here is my gift to you:

The All Seasons Pumpkin Roll
(it's too good to just be enjoyed in the fall)

Ingredients*

Roll:



3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup pumpkin
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup flour

Filling:



2 tablespoons margarine
8 ounces cream cheese
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar

*It should be noted that all of the ingredients do not have to come from Kroger, but due to the fact that approx. half of our income comes from that company, it would be much appreciated.

Mix roll ingredients together. Grease a 10" x 15" cookie sheet. Line the sheet with parchment paper and grease the paper. Spread mixture on the paper.



Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

This is where I need your full attention: After removing the roll from the oven, turn it over onto a pillow case or towel (preferably not a fuzzy towel, as the fuzz does not really taste good) that has been sprinkled with powdered sugar.



Roll up in the towel and let cool on a wire rack.



Now, mix the ingredients for the filling. When the roll is cool, unroll and spread the filling.



Re-roll and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Feel free to sprinkle some powdered sugar on top.



To borrow a line from my brother-in-law Andy, this is one of those recipes that while you are making it, you wouldn't be surprised to see Bobby Flay show up at your door for a Throwdown. It's that good.

Thanks for reading and enjoy!