i think i may have found it...

the most delicious cornbread muffin recipe EVER!

If you are like me every once in a while you get cravings for cornbread muffins. And also, if your like me, when you eat a cornbread muffin, the romantic idea of that muffin is quickly replaced by the reality - that it's a little dry or a little bland and usually leaves you wanting.
Well - I think I found the perfect recipe for delicious cornbread muffins. I made it up, it's a hybrid of two recipes I found. This recipe is pretty simple, it's pretty healthy'ish, and I was able to make it with ingredients I already had in my kitchen - 3 things that make a dish A-ok in my book. And on top of all the other pluses, these muffins are full of flavor and taste REALLY good. I was so excited about it that I wanted to post the recipe, just in case there was someone else out there looking for the perfect cornbread muffin recipe.

*WARNING: the red pepper flakes give these muffins a kick, so if you can't handle the heat you best get out the kitchen dawg!* (translation: if you don't want your muffins to be spicy, cut back on the amount of the pepper flakes or omit them all together:))

Bestest Cornbread Muffins:
1 c. flour
1 c. yellow cornmeal
1/4 c. sugar (you can use a sugar substitute if you want)
1 T. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 egg
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. oil
1 c. small curd cottage cheese
1 c. shredded cheese (you can use whatever cheese you want, i used havarti, cheddar would also be good)
1 tsp. dried thyme

in a large bowl mix together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking, powder, salt and pepper flakes. Whisk together egg, milk, oil and cottage cheese in a separate bowl. Pour liquid mixture over dry ingredients and stir lightly, using no more than 15 to 20 strokes to mix. Coat 12 muffin cups with vegetable oil spray. Fill each muffin cup 1/2 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let muffins rest in pan for 3 to 5 minutes then move to a wire rack.

--I paired the muffins with split pea soup because I already had the soup made when I invented the muffins, but I think a more perfect match would be something with a Southwestern flare like black bean soup or chili. You could also top these with jalapeno pepper jelly if you really want to blow your taste buds out of this world. I hope you like these as much as I did.


Happy Fall Baking!

Family in Pittsburgh~

On September 15th my cousin Madelyn and her husband Mike had their first baby girl - Marina O'Farrell. We are lucky because they live here in Pittsburgh so we got to spend some time with her. She is the sweetest most perfect little baby! You can't help but stare at her when you hold her, she is so beautiful. Marina is about 2 weeks old in these pictures.

*who is that handsome man holding Marina, and how do I get his number?!?*

*watching the Steelers game at Mike and Madelyn's, notice that Marina is wearing a Steelers Jersey*

My Aunt Maureen was in town for two weeks to help Madelyn so we got to see her as well. It was really nice to have her familiar face here in Pittsburgh, it almost made me feel like my mom was here with me:). Thanks Maureen for the delicious soup!

Congratulations on 3 years!!!

*picture was taken on Christmas Eve 2008 at Mama Sant's house*

Three years ago today, Rachel and Stu got married, and I am so glad they did! You two are perfect for each other. And Stu you are a wonderful addition to our family! Congratulations on 3 years you two!

Happy Birthday Calvin!

Today is my younger brother Calvin's 25th birthday. Calvin is a wonderful person. He is funny and smart and thoughtful of others. He is the kind of person you can open up to and he will listen and offer wonderfully helpful advice. He is a deep philosophical thinker - which makes for some great late night conversations. He is an outdoors man, a rock climber, backpacker, skier, and into Kung Fu. He's the kind of person that you want as a friend. I am proud that he is my brother. I love you Calvin and I wish I was in Utah today to help you celebrate!

- HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM MARIE AND JOE!!!

{picture was taken on our Colorado river trip October 2007}

Honey Walnut Bread - Walnuts = Honey Bread

I made this honey walnut bread recipe, but since walnuts are super expensive and the budget is tight I improvised and omitted the walnuts. The result was honey bread...and it is delicious! You know when you have a slice of homemade bread, and its so good that you have one more slice, and then just one more, and before you know it you have eaten half the loaf in one sitting? Ya, it's that kind of bread. Homemade honey bread feels like the perfect way to kick off the fall:). Thank you to Mama Peck for giving me the Star Spangled Recipes Volume II cook book which is where I got the recipe.

Happy Birthday Dad!

If my dad were still with us he would be turning 59 today! It has been a little over three years since he died - it's weird to think it's been that long. I have missed him, some days more than others, but I have definitely missed him. I like to think of his friendly laugh, and I've been wondering what kind of cake he would have picked out today...probably chocolate with a bowl of maraschino cherries on the side:). It's too bad he had to go so soon. It seems like there is still so much time left, so much life left to live and he should be here with us. But we still have the memories, they are our forever. Today I want to honor his memory. I will think of him and smile and know he is my dad, and always will be. I love you dad - Happy birthday!

{From left to right: Simon, Calvin, Dallin, Alec, Abraam, Vanessa, Joe
Mom, Sadie, Dad, Heidi, Marie (not pictured Dax, Rachel, Stu)}

Summer days

We saw this horse on our bike ride at Hartwood Acres.