Azoresgal~Life on an Island

 I must say, that sometimes , I feel I bit guilty about being a stay at home mom, mostly when it´s cold outside, and I send everyone out the door in the early chilly morning. The kids go off to school, and Mr. G off to work, and Luna and I get to hang out in a toasty, warm home and wait for them to come back. We are a couple of weeks shy of winter, but they leave when it's dark, & arrive when it´s dark at the end of the day. Now we, in fact do not get snow, we might get the odd hail storm, but it does get chilly for us. So when they do come home, I want them to eat something warm and comforting. Pot roast is one of those comfort meals I  love to make for them. It is really easy to make, do not be scared, aside from browning the meat, everything else just goes into the pot. It´s also a one pot meal, and you know you can´t beat that, little to no clean-up. It just needs time, to bubble away in the oven, while the super delicious smell of the roast wafts through your h...

 I love the simplicity of this recipe, with very few ingredients it is a keeper in my books. Brazilian Carrot Cake is a popular cake in Brazil, it’s different from the American carrot cake recipes. This has no addition of spices, it is just made with carrots, that are blended not grated with the other ingredients. It is rich in flavor, has a wonderful fluffy texture and is coated with a delicious chocolate sauce. 4 medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped 4 eggs, 1 cup canola oil 2 cups sugar 1 pinch salt 2 1/2 cups flour 1 tablespoon baking powder chocolate sauce 4 tablespoons cocoa powder 6 tablespoons  sugar 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions:  for the cake Heat oven to 350F/180 C  Put eggs, carrots and oil in a blender. Blend on high for about 2 minutes or until there are no more big pieces of carrots left. Add sugar and salt and blend until well incorporated. Add 1 cup of flour ...

There is nothing better than a bowl of delicious homemade soup on a cold winter's day. This very simple, portuguese bean soup just hits the spot. The wonderful Mr.G loves soup for his lunch, and this bean soup just may be, hand's down his favorite one of all. Not only is it filling, but it’s also full of healthy ingredients, cabbage, carrots, beans and collard greens. Only recently, have I started adding dumplings to my soups, it is not something I grew up with, but I have wondered why my mother never made them, because they are delicious! With or without the dumplings this soup is a keeper....it’s warm, comforting and easy to make! 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 medium carrots, chopped 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped 8 cups water or chicken stock pinch of salt 1 large can of kidney beans, undrained 1/2 head of cabbage, finely cut or shredded 2 tablespoons olive oil In a large saucepan combine potatoes, carrots, onion, water and salt. Bring to a ...

These cupcakes are so moist and delicious, like eating a slice of carrot cake. I like to pretend the two cups of shredded carrots make them healthy.  Maybe if I called them muffins they would be healthier? I think if you omit the frosting, they are muffins ! The recipe only makes a dozen, so they are great for breakfast or an after school snack or a snack for you...while the kid's are at school ! In honor of Remembrance Day.....Lest We Forget For the muffins:  1 cup pecans 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon table salt or fine sea salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/2 cup canola oil ( I used butter) 1 large egg  2 cups  coarsely grated carrot For the frosting: 8 ounces bar cream cheese, at room temperature 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extr...