Thank you, Texas!

I just got back from a wonderful weekend in Texas.  My friend Myriah is attending Texas A&M for grad school; I go there from time to time to visit.  I fell in love with the: campus, people, and atmosphere when I went to the OSU vs. A&M football game this fall.

I love Oklahoma, don’t get me wrong but Texas, it’s like a different country down there.  The people have this pride about their state; it’s like they are taught this way of life in kindergarten or something.  Beside the point, the people are just charming and have that southern hospitality about them.  It’s not hard to win me over; have that preppy polo vibe to you and Southern hospitality (yes ma’am, no ma’am type of thing) and I will melt like a popsicle on the 4th of July.  That’s a whole different story for another day.

No….Thank you Dairy Queen for this heavenly Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard!

Anyhow, I love ice cream and a cheeseburger…you really can’t beat that.  I was in heaven needless to say.  There is a Dairy Queen in almost every single town it seems.  In my 82 hours of being in Texas, I only got to eat there once.  I could have had it for every meal and been perfectly happy.

Now I am back in Oklahoma, and I will be starting my internship next week.  I will be home in the kitchen making with mom and nana making who knows what!

Adventures in the Kitchen

My first adventure in the kitchen this summer took place on mother’s day!  It was something wonderful, brace yourself, Lemon Pound Cake w/ Limoncello Cream and Fresh Berries.  My family also ate it in one setting.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 4 tsp lemon zest
• 5 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 recipe Limoncello Cream (recipe follows)
• Fresh blueberries
• Fresh strawberries
• Fresh blackberries (we didn’t have but will have next time)
• Garnish: lemon zest

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Spray a 10 inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray; line with parchment paper.


2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, shortening, butter, and lemon zest beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition.


3. In a small bowl, sift together flour and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternately with milk beating to mix well. Beat in vanilla. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove to wire rack, and cool completely. Spread Limoncello cream on top of the cake. Top with fresh berries. Garnish with lemon zest, if desired.

Limoncello Cream (makes 4 cups)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 cup Limoncello

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, beat cream at high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar beating until stiff peaks form. Beat in Limoncello. 
2. Cover, and chill until ready to serve.

I hope that you enjoy this wonderful treat, it's perfect for summertime with the bright lemon and berry flavors!

A Breif Introduction

I have just recently decided to start a blog; it is something that I have always wanted to do. Not that my life is that any more exciting than anyone else or anything like that but, I feel like sometimes it is somewhat entertaining.

So, let's get some facts straight! I have no: last name, facebook, picture, or hometown until August 14 around 5:00 p.m. Believe me, it will be a happy day in history! I am a recruitment counselor, and I have sworn myself to secrecy.

I am a Sr. at Oklahoma State University, and I couldn’t be happier. I will be finished with classes in December, so that is a little scary. I am so excited to see what the future has in store for me, Grad School or Law School? I don’t know what path I am going to choose, it changes on a weekly basis, but that’s beside the point.

This summer I am living at home because I have an internship. I did not live at home the past summer, I stayed in Stillwater for summer school, so this could be really interesting to say the least. However, my family is excited to have me back, so that is a good feeling. My family is very loud and loving.

I have had the pleasure of growing up in a conservative southern household. My house looks like something that walked right out of the pages of Southern Living (that would explain my mom’s unhealthy obsession with that magazine). All of the women in my family know their way around the kitchen and are known all over Osage County for their excellent recipes. This summer, it is my goal to spend more time in the kitchen with them. It’s my last summer home, so I need to soak up all of their wisdom and secrets on how to be a modern day “Betty Crocker."