Cupcake - Cookie Challenge

I may have lost my mind last weekend, or, I may have been awarded "Wife of the Year 2013."  Either way, Ryan came out the winner (actually, anyone that tasted the challenge contestants was a winner), and proved to be an excellent judge for the Cupcake - Cookie Challenge.

The challenge began when I asked a simple question, "Ryan, I want to make carrot cake, would you prefer carrot cake cupcakes, or carrot cake cookies?"  You may ask yourself, carrot cake cookies?  I was thinking on the lines of convenience, cookies are a lot easier (and smaller) to eat than cupcakes.  Ultimately, I ended up making both carrot cake cookies, AND carrot cake cupcakes!  Why? Because Ryan's response to my question was, "Well, how am I possibly able to decide which I would prefer, unless I have a side by side taste comparison?"  Now, a normal (sane) wife would note the sarcasm in her husband's voice, laugh, and make the choice she prefers, but take into consideration my first sentence of this blog post, and the fact cooking/baking is a huge source of entertainment, I chose to make both, and give Ryan his side by side taste comparison.

I browsed through a few carrot cake recipes I had bookmarked, and researched a few new recipes.  I wanted the batter recipes to be very similar so that it was ultimately a competition between cupcake, and cookie.

The Batter

Above: Cupcake

Below: Cookie

Ready for the oven:

Time to cool before frosting:

Everyone knows that carrot cake is not complete without cream cheese frosting.  I knew if I frosted the cupcakes and not the cookies, then the cookies would be at a HUGE disadvantage.  I made one single batch of cream cheese frosting, and used it on both.

In corner number one, you have the dominating, traditional carrot cake cupcake, in the other corner, the small yet mighty carrot cake cookie......

The winner?  You should not be surprised, Ryan loved them both (me too!).  The judge decided that the cupcake won for the classic craving, what you would want if you craved carrot cake.  He decided the cookie won for convenience, it is so easy to grab a cookie (or two), and in a bite (or two) eat it.  In the end, the Cupcake - Cookie Challenge resulted in a tie, but now Ryan can say he had his side by side taste comparison.  I would like to say this is the first, and last challenge of this sort, but I already know there will be more in the future.  I wouldn't mind, it was fun.

An extra bit to end this post.  A brief conversation that took place, I quickly wrote, then typed the conversation knowing I would add it to this blog post, whenever I got around to posting.....

...........................................................

V (sitting at the computer): I just found the recipes for carrot cake cupcakes, and carrot cake cookies.
R(in the other room): Oh, yeah?
V: Oh, and I also found another cupcake recipe that is going to blow your socks off.
R(one second pause): Does it have something to do with peanut butter?
V: Yeeeees
R(one second pause): Peanut butter, dry aged beef, and bacon!?!?!
V: no response, pulls out post-it note, and begins to write down Ryan’s guess
R(walking to the computer): Did I guess right?
V: still no response
R: Did I?!?!
V: still no response
R(looking at post-it): I did guess right! 
V: No, honey, I have to write this down because people don’t believe me when I tell them this stuff.
........................................................

I have no intentions of EVER making peanut butter, dry aged beef, and bacon cupcakes.  Who thinks of that? 

I love him so much. :) 

But, do look for a future post, when I make the peanut butter related cupcake recipe I found that sparked this conversation.  

New Kitchen Addition

Remember, it's the small things that make all the difference.  I would love to announce that our tiny kitchen has miraculously doubled in size, or that there has been an addition to our counter space, but unfortunately that is not the case.  Our new kitchen addition came in a small form, multiplied by four:

In the picture, three looked better than four. :)

The purchase of these pots was inspired during our trip to Switzerland.  On one of the menus, Ryan noticed french onion soup, actually, it read onion soup, so he wasn't positive what he would be served. This led to us talking about french onion soup.  Ryan said he loved it, I said I did not believe I had ever ordered it before (probably the thick layer of cheese kept me from).  Either way, I said I would attempt to make french onion soup once we returned to Russia.  I must admit, for someone not able to remember ever ordering this meal, but based on Ryan's positive comments, I would say the first use of our new kitchen additions was a success.

As I am slicing and throwing the onions in the pot, Ryan asks, "Are you making onion soup?"
I used a combination of red and white onions.  

I was seeking inspiration from a blog that specialized in Weight Watcher recipes.  I wanted to make the french onion soup as "clean" as possible.  The recipe used no butter, and only minimal oil.  A great addition, adding lots of flavor with Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar.  I also took the liberty of adding extra red wine, lots of extra (but with plenty remaining to enjoy at dinner). 

Finished product.
I went light on the cheese (not being a huge cheese fan), Ryan took the liberty to "doctor his up" with plenty of extra cheese.

Based on the success of my first attempt with my new kitchen additions, and the proceeding cold weather, I was craving a tummy warming, winter comfort food dinner.  Again, always trying to make a lighter version, I turned to eatingwell.com for a lighter version (yet, extremely tasty) chicken pot pie.  My trip to the grocery store, and the lack of chicken in the meat section, forced me to quickly change chicken pot pie to turkey pot pie.  No worries though (one must always be prepared for substitutions when shopping/cooking in Russia).  I ventured to the produce area, and began collecting a variety of vegetables.  I was going to pack as many veggies in as possible.  After my searching, and collecting, it was decided, we were going to have turkey, mushroom, fennel, carrot, celery, onion pot pie.  Don't judge until you try.

All the pretty veggies cooking, mushrooms were waiting on the sidelines.
I absolutely hate mushy vegetables, so I cook them only slightly. 

Let's start assembling!
I forgot to mention previously, I added frozen corn and peas to the mixture too.
Also, instead of fatty heavy cream, the sauce was yogurt based.
I decided against the large amounts of crust on the bottom and top.  Instead, I made a drop biscuit dough.  Very nice replacement!

Your dinner is served.
Perfect meal on a cold, rainy winter evening.

I am currently trying to think of other creations I can make with the pots.  Unfortunately, I am not a huge fan of shepherd's pie, or heavy stews, so I will need to continue researching recipes.  Maybe I could pull out individual macaroni and cheese pots, oh Ryan would go CRAZY!

Switzerland

The first week of 2013 was spent in Switzerland.  Three guys, one lady, a ton of snow gear, we were ready to see what Switzerland had to offer.  After ringing in the New Year in Geneva, we set out January 1st on a couple hour road trip along Lake Geneva to Crans-Montana, Switzerland (click on Switzerland to view our photo album).

Full car. 

The weather was cloudy and drizzly during the drive, but Lake Geneva. 

Ryan enjoyed spending as much time as possible on the mountains, looking for new snowboarding areas, and enjoying everything Switzerland had to offer.  Last year, while in Utah, I tried my hand at snowboarding.  Ryan said I did a good job, but I felt it really wasn't my calling.  This year, I gave skiing a try, even though Ryan claims he can't be married to a skier.  No worries, love, I am neither a snowboarder or skier, I just really am not a snow sport fan.  Skiing went better than snowboarding, but still not my calling.  I have decided that if we were to live somewhere where skiing/snowboarding is a major hobby, then I would be more willing to give it a try.  

Ryan's snowboard.

I traded in the skis, and decided to venture out on the hiking paths, even tried snowshoeing one day.  The nice thing about the resorts we visited was that there are many people there that are hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, so there are plenty of paths to take.  So while the guys set off one way, I chose the calmer, slower path.  

On our last day before driving back to Geneva, I think I may have found my true calling in snow sports, tobogganing.  I had read a nearby resort had an incredible toboggan path, 6km long!  I expected a really big hill, but this was an actual ski path, including sharp turns, steep slopes, mountain on your right, drop off on our left.  You simply buy your pass, rent your toboggan, then you ride the gondola up.  No instructions, courses, or waivers to sign.  I remember riding the gondola up the first time, and seeing a woman fly underneath, along the path.  She was screaming and laughing the whole way, I said to Ryan, "looks like she's having fun."  Little did I know, I would be that same woman.  I screamed, laughed (occasionally snorted) the whole way, about 35 minutes to reach the bottom.  On my first run, I hadn't perfected my steering and I flew off the path, luckily it was during a flatter portion, and a large drift of snow "caught me."  My second run, steering was much better, which resulted in me going a lot faster.  My laughing got the best of me, I forgot to turn, no worries though, a wall of snow "caught me" this time.  I think that collision ended with me saying, "that's going to leave a mark."  Tobogganing, or as I like to refer to it as extreme sledding was the perfect ending to our vacation.  

Switzerland was absolutely beautiful, a winter wonderland experience.  We were surrounded by breathtaking views, and sparkling snow.    Our Swiss chalet lodging was perfect.  The chocolate, ice cream, and hot chocolate consumed made my tummy very happy.  Also, the fondue dinner experiences, and Swiss wine were delicious, and pleasant additions.

I would like to add this little bit to the end.  During our flight from Moscow to Geneva, I was flipping through the flight magazine.  I came upon an interview with a travel agency owner, one of the questions they asked him was, "When you take vacations with your family, where do you enjoy going?"  His response, "My wife has a rule, vacations should require minimal clothing, simply a bathing suit and flip flops.  Therefore, we tend to visit warm, sunny destinations."  I leaned over, smacked Ryan with the magazine, and told him to read the man's answer.  Ryan giggled, and said it sounded like me.  

Switzerland was an excellent way to welcome 2013, let's see what the rest of 2013 has to offer!

Happy New Year!

Welcome, 2013!  

We rang in the New Year viewing fireworks in Geneva, Switzerland.  We had just flown in from Moscow on a late flight, so it was dinner, and walk to the water for the fireworks display.  The next day, we left for Crans-Montana, Switzerland for a week of snowboarding, skiing, and fun.  I will write, and post more pictures in a future post.

Ryan and I look forward to many more adventures this year.  I do not know everything the year holds for us, but from the first few days, and some future plans, I know it will be another unbelievable year.

We send our  Happy New Year wishes to all our friends and family, near and far.  May 2013 bring you many adventures, and memories. Hopefully our travels will provide us the opportunity to spend time with as many of you as possible.    

Thank you for the many greeting cards, and letters.  We enjoyed receiving large amounts of mail, viewing your photos, and reading about all the exciting events that took place for you in 2012.