Enjoying Baking & Cooking

I had plenty of ripe bananas and decided that I would make some banana bread earlier this week.  I tried a few recipes and the one from best bites was far the best.  It was yummy, of course I shared with friends and neighbors!!

So my neighbors have a brand new baby girl and I thought it would be nice to bake them a few treats.  I made this awesome pull-a-part cinnamon and sugar bread for them to enjoy (recipe from Joy the Baker) !!!

Easter/Birthday Cake Pops

I also made Easter/Birthday red velvet cake pops!! Yummy Yummy!!! I used red velvet cake mix and cream cheese icing. Coated with white chocolate and sprinkles. Check out Bakerella for cake pop and other baked goods creations and ideas or purchase her book online at Amazon.

Since Jason and I have a beautiful garden full of herbs and growing vegetabless, I used some of the basil to make a few dishes this week.  Jason loved them all of them, below is the recipe and picture for one of them.  Using fresh herbs in your food makes a world of a difference! 

Chicken-Basil Roulade with Warm Olive Pasta

Chicken-Basil Roulade ·         1 Chicken breast ·         sea salt ( to taste) ·         pepper (to taste) ·         1 clove garlic minced or finely chopped ·         1/4 cup Greek yogurt ·         1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard ·         3/4 cup mozzarella cheese ·         1 Tbsp. dried basil ·         1/2 cup fresh basil chopped ·         1 cup Bread crumbs/Panko ·         1 Tbsp. Butter, melted Pound chicken breast so that it is flattened.  Season with salt, pepper and garlic.  Then mix dried basil, Greek yogurt, and mozzarella together. Spread the mixture onto the chicken then sprinkle with fresh basil.  Roll chicken into a log and spread bread crumbs all over the chicken roll.  Place melted butter in oven safe container then place chicken in dish and bake at 425 F for approximately 30 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.  Allow to cool down and serve!!

Olive Pasta ·         Pasta of your choice ·         1 Garlic clove, sliced ·         2 Tbsps. olive oil ·         1 Tbsp. rosemary, dry or fresh ·         1 cup Olives (of your choice, I used green) ·         2 tsp. pepper ·         salt ( you won't need to much, but to your taste) Prepare pasta by package directions. In a pan heat oil and sauté garlic for 2 minutes, and then add rosemary. Let sit for a bit or can let it cool down and place in a jar overnight allowing flavors to infuse into the oil.  Strain oil removing the garlic and rosemary and reserving the oil. Place oil back in pan on medium heat; add olives and pepper and salt (if you desire). Mix with prepared pasta and serve!