Espresso Mascarpone

Chocolate Bourbon Cake

If you are looking for the most amazing decadent, no words can explain it chocolate cake, try this recipe out! Courtesy of  The Spice Train! The link is on the "Favorite Recipes by Others" Tab!

I topped my cake with homemade French Macarons, recipe to come soon!

Ingredients:

For the cake:

• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more to dust the pans
• ¾ cup brewed coffee or ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder and ¾ cup of water
• ¼ cup Bourbon
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting:

• 1 cup mascarpone, softened
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ teaspoons instant espresso powder
• roasted coffee beans as garnish (optional)

Instructions:

For the cake:

1. Grease two 5-inch round pie cake pans (see notes), dust with cocoa powder and shake out the excess. Set aside.
2. Heat coffee, whiskey, butter, and remaining cup cocoa powder in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, whisking, until butter is melted. Remove from heat, then add sugar and whisk until dissolved, about 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and cool 5 minutes. While chocolate mixture cools, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Whisk together eggs and vanilla in a small bowl, then whisk into cooled chocolate mixture until combined well. Add flour mixture and whisk until just combined (batter will be thin and bubbly).
3. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.
4. Bake until an inserted toothpick comes out clean (about 40 minutes).

For the frosting:

1. Whip all ingredients together until stiff.
2. Spread a layer of frosting between the two layers of cake and on top of the top layer.
3. Garnish with roasted coffee beans (optional).

Notes:

If you're using two 9-inch cake pans, double all measurements.

WHOLE 30 APPROVED! I know, I said I wouldn't do diets, but Whole 30, I've been told by my friend who studied for years and is a personal trainer, that it is a great way to eat! And he was right! I'm doing it now basically to just simply reset and "detox" my body if you will. We stay away from sugars and too many carbs and processed foods on a normal basis so this wasn't too different from my daily life habits. But giving up CARBS!!! So difficult! Thank goodness its only for 30 days!

Butternut Squash and Sausage Bake!

Ingredients:
Aidell's Chicken Apple Sausage (1 pack)
1 Large Butternut Squash, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 Red onion
4 Tbsp of chopped garlic
4 Tbsp coconut oil
2 Tbsp Fresh thyme,  4 if dried
1 lemon, sliced
1/2 lemon juiced and zested
Cracked pepper
1 tspn sea salt
Parsley, fresh

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Grease your casserole dish with the coconut oil. Spread the cut up butternut squash in the dish. Slice the chicken apple sausage (you can substitute for chicken) and spread on top of the squash. Slice the red onion and sprinkle on top. Sprinkle the garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, lemon juice and zest on top. Using clean hands, mix well. Spread out evenly in the dish and add the sliced lemons on top. You can add a touch more thyme on top and cracked pepper if you like. Cover with parchment paper and tuck the outer edges underneath. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until squash is tender. If you are using chicken instead of sausage, make sure you cook at least 40 minutes, until cooked. Once it is done, sprinkle more fresh parsley on top and serve! Or for me, divide it up for a week full of healthy lunches!

Hey Everyone! I know it's been way too long since we posted! We have changed a lot of our daily eating habits! Here is something we love eating for breakfast! Great source of protein (25.8 grams), omega 3, and healthy fats!!! If you work out in the morning, or even if you don't, this is a great way to start your day and keep you energized and full! Remember to drink 2 glasses of water before each meal and drink water in between, it'll help with the weight loss and keep you hydrated.

Ingredients:
Dave's Good Seed Bread
2 Large Poached Eggs
Sun Dried tomatoes
Avocado
3 slices Center Cut Bacon (a little fat can't kill us! Can it?! ;D)
Garlic, chopped

Toast 1 slice of Dave's bread. Meanwhile, I like to place my bacon in between a few sheets of paper towels and cook it in the microwave (gets it really crunchy and the paper towels absorb excess fat). I usually cook about 6 slices for 4-5 minutes or more,, less time for 3 slices. Slice the avocado and set aside.

Next, we want to poach our eggs! Easy peasy! Get a shallow pan/pot and pour water in it. I like to add a few Tbsp of vinegar to the water (you dont have to). Bring to a good boil, then turn the heat to medium high, to keep the bubbles rolling, but not at a high boil. If you want the perfect egg, you can swirl the water in the pot and gently drop your egg in the middle. Otherwise, just crack an egg into a ladle and slowly place in the water. Add the second egg. Cover and let it cook for about 4 minutes. Longer if you don't want the yolk liquid. Once done, using a slotted spoon, take the eggs out and set them on a paper towel.

Now, just place your toast on a plate, add the bacon slices, then add the avocado slices and garlic and top it with your poached eggs. Then just sprinkle a few sun dried tomatoes on top and cracked pepper! Enjoy!