Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Easy Ratatouille Recipe (confit byaldi): Gluten free, and Vegan friendly dish!

Easy Recipe for Ratatouille (confit byaldi).

In 2007 the world fell in love with a tiny rat named Remy and his belief that anyone can cook. In case you’re wondering what I might be talking to I am referring to the Pixar animation Ratatouille. This movie is by far one of my favorites, mostly because it speaks the truth on the fact that anyone has the ability to cook good food. And that is exactly why I started this blog, to show you all how fun and easy it can be to learn to cook.



            Ratatouille is a traditional French Provençal stewed vegetable dish, originating in Nice. The full name of the dish is ratatouille niçoise. The version of ratatouille that I am making is based off of the movies take on ratatouille which was created by Chef Thomas Keller. This dish is actually called confit byaldi. This recipe has a delicious taste and will impress anyone who you serve it to. The best part is that it’s cheap and easy!





Monday, January 20, 2014

Easy cheap Homemade Hot Pockets

Easy Cheap Homemade Hot Pockets 
Everyone loves those scrumptious cheesy ooey gooey hot pockets, they are an American staple food and the easiest hot lunch ever. I personally love hot pockets, but the market by my dorm never has the kind I like best (Ham & Cheese). And the other day I was really craving some ham and cheese hot pockets and was not wanting to have to take a bus to be able to get them so in that moment I decided it was time to make my own hot pockets. 


 See recipe in attachment below


Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Free two day shipping on your textbooks and favorite cooking items!

Free Two Day Shipping!? 

This post goes to all of my fellow college students who struggle with the overpriced college book store items and are too busy to ride the bus to a store to buy certain cooking items. Well I have a wonderful opportunity for you!
It's amazing how those overpriced textbooks are so much cheaper online than in the book store, if only there wasn't any cost of shipping or the terrible wait for your books to arrive on time. What would you do if you were able to have free two day shipping on Amazon? Well thanks to a good friend I am now signed up for Amazon Student for their free six month trial. I was able to order one of my required textbooks and the best part is I know it will be here before the weekend! How much does the extra shipping cost? It costs nothing! Not a cent, but fair warning keep in mind that if you decide you don't want to pay for it after six months you need to make sure you cancel your trial before the six months are over to prevent paying the $39 fee. I have to admit I am really happy with the fact I don't have to pay for shipping for the next six months, in fact I am going to have to be careful to not go on a Amazon shopping spree with my paychecks from my new job. I will probably buy myself a nice cast iron grill skillet first. I miss having grilled chicken and this product is the closest I can get without having an actual grill (dorm life problems). 
Even if this is only for six months, I personally think its perfect timing. I am now able to buy my text books for the next two quarters saving a ton of money and avoiding the hassle of lines, and waiting long periods of time for the books to actually arrive. And to top it off I am able to add to my cookware and never have to leave the comfort of my room for an overpriced store bought item. I think I am in love with amazon right now, and to think it’s all free! Any college student should be able to appreciate that! I decided to attach a link to what I will be splurging on once I get my first pay check! I can’t wait to try that grilled chicken, I am sure my boyfriend won’t mind having something to grill steaks on as well. 

If you want to sign up for Amazon Student feel free to click the link below! There are no strings attached, as long as you cancel your trial before the six months are over its completely free for you! (Not going to lie, that's probably what I will do) But one interesting point is that the $39.00 you pay after six months is letting you access Amazon Prime, which usually costs around $80.00 and this is a yearly fee. If you are the type to order on amazon a lot I recommend this, it will pay for itself if you use it right. Well enough of my babbling go sign up! It’s free!

Amazon Student Registration Page

Have a great day and enjoy life! 
Till Next Time 
Maddy Bennett





Sunday, January 5, 2014

The Secret of Happiness and Success



So to start this post, I am not normally the type of person that reads self-help books let alone believe the mumbo jumbo that they are about. I am normally a pretty optimistic person but for some reason last year I got into this weird funk of being negative and unhappy with how my life was turning out. I am now 19 years old and have been looking back shaking my head at the silliness of my belief of my life going nowhere. I am in the prime years of my life, this is the time where I can truly make something of myself. Yet I was wasting both my time and energy telling myself I was going nowhere. Well in my moment of darkness my dad continuously pestered me to watch this documentary called “The Secret”. I never did watch it until just a couple months ago. And believe it or not this movie was life changing, and the best way to find out is to watch it on your own.






Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Quick, easy Ebelskivers (danish pancakes)

Danish Ebelskivers Basic Batter

Happy New Years everyone! In order to bring the new year in right my mom pulled out her brand new ebelskiver pan and made some delicious Ebelskivers for breakfast. Ebelskivers are delicious sphere shaped pancakes that are very light and fluffy and have a similar taste to German pancakes. They get their lightness due to the whipped egg whites being folded  into the batter, which is made primarily with flour and buttermilk. These are great treats with endless possibilities. You can put any stuffing in them as well as top them with anything you want. The only thing wrong with them is that they are so easy to pop in your mouth your going to eat them up too quick!




10 Cooking Essentials for the New Year

10 Cooking Essentials for the New Year 

Happy New Year’s everyone! Here is a list of 10 tools that every kitchen needs to make the next year of cooking easier. If you like the tools you see feel free to click the links below the images, they will take you to some great products with great prices! 



Monday, December 30, 2013

Dedicated to Barbara Bennett

My beautiful grandmother has helped me so much with learning to cook. She is the person I call when I need help solving a meringue problem and she encourages me to eat new foods (mostly the vegetables I don't like). Grandma is the type of person who believes anyone can cook, sew and learn. She has taught my sisters and me all how to cook as well as showing us how to do different crafts and artistic projects. Just last quarter she helped with my first sewing project which created my first apron. Once it was done we put it on then made Ratatouille to break it in. This blog is dedicated to you Grandma, Thank you for teaching me how to cook you are the best grandma a girl could ask for!