First Anniversary!

Today marks the first anniversary of my blog. YAY!
Recent happenings in the past week include valentine-making and birthday-celebrating in this lovely month of February.

Love,
Mandy

Homemade Cheesecake and Peppermint Bark

My suitemate's and hallmate's birthdays fell over winter break, so I wanted to bake a cake for them when we returned to school. The last time I made cheesecake I was in 7th or 8th grade, so I decided it was about time to make one again!

I even had enough leftover cream cheese and graham crackers to make a second cake...

The only downside to making cheesecake is that it takes a LONG time to set. It already takes a few hours to prepare, and on top of that, it has to cool down and then rest in the fridge for another few hours. While a long process, however, I do believe the end product is well worth the effort.

 

♥♥♥

Inspired by the holiday season, I also wanted to make some peppermint bark. Though I had never made it before, this treat was extremely quick and simple to prepare. I just microwaved a (large) handful of semisweet chocolate chips, spread the melted chocolate onto a foil sheet, and crushed peppermint candies to sprinkle on top. After allowing the chocolate sheet to cool in the fridge for two hours, I broke the bark into smaller pieces.

Here it is wrapped with a bar of Godiva peppermint chocolate, which I gave to my suitemate who likes peppermint.

<3 Mandy

Baking Birthday Bash

Last Saturday was my friend's birthday, so I went over to her house to celebrate. We made a lot of food, including  a barbeque, sushi, s'mores, cake pops, and jello. Here are some photos of the delicious goodies!

sushi: California rolls and inarizushi

a perfect s'more

fox cake pop, made by my sister

Elmo cake pop, made by my sister

ladybug cake pop

hearts cake pop

<3 Mandy

Canada in Pictures, Part I (Food)

I recently returned from a two-week vacation to Montreal with my family. Here is a quick peek of the trip in pictures!

rhubarb

rhubarb with vanilla frozen yogurt

fresh, sweet strawberries

limonana (mint lemonade)

marinated quail on the grill

flat bread

dinner: BBQed quail, beans, potato salad, mixed greens salad, flat bread

hand-rolled roast beef (rolled by my mother and me)

watermelon triangles

birthday strawberry shortcake

roasted peppers

Montreal bagels, baguette, tomato salad, salami, tabbouleh with sliced almonds

caprese (tomatoes, cheese, kalamata olives)

tea tray at Moroccan restaurant

freshly made cranberry-mango frozen yogurt

mint tea with raspberry blossom honey

mushrooms

tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and fennel

roasted vegetables

assorted beans: haricots plats (flat beans), yellow and green string beans

garbanzo beans (chick peas)

salad: garbanzo beans, carrots, sunflower sprouts, chopped chives

mixed greens salad with pomegranate & olive oil dressing

roasted baby potatoes

grilled veal chop with assorted vegetables

fresh corn

corn on the cob with cute cow corn holders

My aunt went to the farmer's market almost every day, so we always had fresh fruits and vegetables to eat, which were delicious! She also put little chocolates on my sister's and my pillows before bed.

On days we didn't go out to eat, we all had fun preparing dinner together in the kitchen. Looking at all of this food is making me hungry (as usual), so I'm off to make a little snack!
<3 Mandy