Azoresgal~Life on an Island

Sharing with you today a brown sugar crumb topping, that will make your  muffins extraordinary! It's crunchy and delicious and will melt in your mouth. Your muffins are going to look like you bought them at fancy shmancy coffee shop. I won't judge you if you turn your muffin upside down, and eat the topping last, that's how I do it anyway. Crumb Topping 1/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 2/3 cup all-purpose flour  In a medium bowl, combine both sugars, the cinnamon, and melted butter. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the flour. The crumb topping will be thick and crumbly. Sprinkle on the muffins before baking, gently pressing down. **I like extra thick topping, so I always double this

Can you believe it's the last week of November and that we are coming up on Christmas again? I must admit, I am already a bit excited about it, it's by far my most favorite time of the year. I can't tell you how many times over the years, I have wanted to share this recipe with you, but by the time I got  around to actually baking my cake and wanting to post the recipe, Christmas had already passed. So this year I am finally adding it here, the pictures are from last year, because I am no where ready for the holidays, and  because life happens, I will probably only bake this cake the night before Christmas, again  this year. I know that alot of people can't stand fruit cake, but you see I married a man who loves it! Yes Mr. G is the reason I bake this cake every year, I will not judge the man for loving candied fruit, he's just lucky he is cute! Truth be told, I really do not like anything with candied fruit in it, but this cake I will eat. Lord know's I sure ha

This is an old-fashioned cake recipe, made with a surprise ingredient...a can of fruit cocktail. I bet you have a can forgotten somewhere in your pantry, right now. When I was growing up,  my mom would  sometimes serve fruit cocktail for dessert. I always tried to scoop out extra cherries into my bowl. Sadly, there were never enough of those bright red cherries in the can..I wonder why? Anywho... by adding a whole can of fruit into the batter, the syrup too, you do not add any fat to the mix.   Now there may not be any fat in the cake,  but the scrumptious butter sauce is another story!  This cake is so delicious and easy to make!I promise you, this will become a family favorite. 2 eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar ( I like brown sugar) 2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1  can fruit cocktail with juice (840g) 2 cups flour Sauce 1 cup sugar 1 cup milk/ cream/ evaporated milk 1 tablespoon butter 1 tsp. vanilla Instructions To make cake: Beat eggs. Add all ingredients, exce

"And suddenly the memory revealed itself. The taste was that of the little piece of madeleine which on Sunday mornings at Combray…my aunt Léonie used to give me, dipping it first in her own cup of tea or tisane".-Marcel Proust These are lovely little morsels, a mix between a cookie and a cake. Golden crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. Really easy to make, so very delicious, and I promise they will vanish right before your eyes. 2 large eggs 2⁄3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1⁄2 teaspoon grated lemon peel 1 pinch salt 1 cup all-purpose flour 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, cooled slightly powdered sugar Preheat oven to 375°F Generously butter and flour pan for large madeleines (about 3x1 1/4 inches). Using electric mixer, beat eggs and 2/3 cup sugar in large bowl just to blend. Beat in vanilla, lemon peel and salt. Add flour; beat just until blended. Gradually add cooled melted butter in steady stream, beating just until ble

Hurray it's finally chilli weather! This is one of our favorite meals around here. My kids absolutely love it, and request it often for our friday night meals. I made this big ol' pot of beans this week for our halloween dinner. This recipe is super simple to make, and requires basic ingredients, all  simmering away in one pot. When it's ready to eat just load it up with you favorite toppings! 2 tablespoon  olive oil  1 kilo/2 pounds ground beef /pork/turkey 1 large yellow onion, diced 3  large cans beans, drained and rinsed ( I like red beans) 2 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce 3 tablespoon chili powder 2 teaspoons  salt 1 tablespoon cumin 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 2-3 shakes of cayenne pepper (optional or to your liking) Toppings  sour cream shredded cheddar cheese bacon, cooked and crumbled jalapenos green onions, sliced corn chips Heat the olive oil in a large (5 or 6 quart) dutch oven/ big pot over m