Eliana Eats at the Palace Cafe in New Orleans - Friday, March 27, 2009

Hey Young Chefs!

It's been so long since my last post. My mommy has been traveling a lot and we haven't been in the kitchen as much.

On Friday, March 27, 2009, my parents took me to Dickie Brennan's Palace Cafe' for dinner. Above, I am pictured with Leo Aduana, the wait staff captain. In my hand is a cookbook by Dickie Brennan. I actually met Dickie Brennan and talked to him. He was really nice. He signed the cookbook to me! One day, when I have my own cookbook, I am going to sign one for Dickie Brennan.

The food at the Palace Cafe' was soooo yummy. I had shrimp balls, prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, wild mushrooms, and for dessert - flaming bananas foster! Mommy and Daddy had their world famous white chocolate bread pudding.

I even got to watch the chefs cook and prepare dessert. There were so many prep stations and so much going on in the kitchen.

Loved the Palace Cafe'! Remember, cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen, like the chefs at the Palace Cafe'!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Getting Ready for Santa & Recipe for No Bake Reindeer Patties - Thursday, December 24, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

It's been a while since I have posted a blog. With my mom having surgery (she's doing great now) and the holidays, it's been so busy. The past two days have been spent getting ready for Christmas! I couldn't wait for Santa to try my tasty No Bake Reindeer Patties. You can see me stirring the mix above.

One of our dearest family friends, Ms. Kat, sent us a wonderful box full of Christmas goodies. She sent me two cool cookbooks, Hello Cupcake! and The Greatest Cookies Ever. She also sent me my something I really wanted - a set up magic measuring cups and spoons. They are made of silicone and they pop in and out. They clean easily and take up very little space. Thank you, Ms. Kat. I love everything! You rock!

















Ms. Kat also sent me some cookie cutters. So I had fun with some of my Christmas cookie cutters and Play Dough. Like my Christmas scene?

















This evening, we went to church. Then we went to Nana's house and unwrapped one present from Mommy & Daddy, and one present from Nana & Paw Paw. Mommy & Daddy gave me the book Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly. Nana & Paw Paw gave me a Disney Princess book written just for me, with my name in it!! I loved it!

When we went home, we got ready for Santa. I set out his plate with a couple of No Bake Reindeer Patty cookies and milk, reindeer food, and a poem. Here is my poem to Santa:

Santa's on his way
To give me toys on Christmas Day
He always goes around the world on Christmas Eve.
He stays at our house for a little bit
To eat cookies & drink milk.
Then he goes back up the chimney to get on his sleigh
To ride back to the North Pole!
Merry Christmas!


















Here is my recipe for No Bake Reindeer Patties. They are so delish!

NO BAKE REINDEER PATTIES
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups oats

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients except peanut butter and oats. Cook over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and oats. Quickly spoon out approximately one tablespoon onto wax paper or aluminum foil. Cookies will harden as they set. Yum! Yum!

Remember, cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit & Merry Christmas! Eliana

Eliana Cooks! Gets a Logo!; Monday, November 17, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

Check out my new cool logo that Mommy had made for me. It was made by her graphic artist, Philip Chow. Thanks, Phil! We redesigned it several times before coming up with this one. I wanted something fun, cartoony, and kid-like. I love it. What do you think?

I'm going to have aprons made with my logo on them. I'll also be able to use the logo for the label of my seasoning blend, Eliana's Magic Seasoning Blend. We'll be working on a full website for next year. It's going to be exciting!

Talk to you soon! Cool kids cook! Get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Weekend Fun; Friday, November 14, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

This past weekend was a busy and fun weekend! Mommy was out of town so on Friday night, Daddy took me to the movies. We saw Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa. Dinner was a quickie. Daddy and I popped a pizza in the oven.

On Saturday, I went to 2 birthday parties! The first one was for my friend, Jessica. Her party was at Jazzy Bear. We all got bears to take home. It was so much fun. The second party was for my cousin, Edward. I jumped in the spacewalk and had a blast. Later that evening, Daddy and Uncle George took me to dinner at Serrano Salsa Company. I ate a chicken quesadilla. Yum! Yum! After that, we went to the St. Clement of Rome fair. I played games and even won a live goldfish! Uncle George is keeping him. The fish's name is "Macho Nacho."

Late Saturday night, right before midnight (like Cinderella), Mommy came home from New Jersey. Her flight was late so we didn't get home until late. But I was happy to see Mommy!

On Sunday, I went to the movies with my friend, Breanne. I saw Madagascar again! LOL Mommy gave me the beauty treatment. Here I am!



















Check out the cool hairstyle Mommy did.






















I love all the twists! I didn't get to cook this weekend but I had fun! I'm looking forward to getting back into the kitchen...

Cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Turkey Wooden Spoon Puppet; Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

Mommy and I made this cool turkey out of a wooden cooking spoon! You can too, with the help of a grown-up. Here are the directions.

Supplies
Large wooden spoon
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue gun
Large googly eyes
Markers

Directions
Color the flat side of a large wooden spoon with a brown marker. Color slightly down the handle for the turkey’s neck. On four different colored sheets of construction paper (yellow, orange, red, brown, cream, green – fall colors), trace your hand. Cut out each hand and layer them on top of each other, creating “feathers.” Staple them together. Glue the feather to the wooden spoon (should be glued to the curved side of the spoon). Glue two googly eyes on the flat side of the wooden spoon. Underneath the eyes, glue an orange construction paper triangle for the beak. Beneath that, glue a red construction paper wattle. Cut a small ½ inch strip of yellow construction paper to create a collar (this will separate the turkey’s neck from the rest of the wooden handle of the spoon). Done! Now you have a simple Gobbler puppet that can be used for Thanksgivings to come! Happy Turkey Day!

Cool kids cook and craft! Get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Eliana Draws Betsy Ross; Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

This blog post is not about cooking but I had to share my picture with you. I entered a contest to create a picture for the American Veterans of Foreign War. I had to draw a picture of a historical event in American History. I chose to draw a picture of Betsy Ross, the creator of the first official flag for the United States of America. On the wall behind her is a picture of George Washington, our nation's first president, who asked Betsy Ross to create the flag. Legend says that Betsy invented a pattern for the five point star, created out of a piece of paper with five folds and one snip of the scissors. Wish me luck in the contest!

Cool kids cook AND try hard in school!

Bon Appetit! Eliana

Grilled Pork Chops Over Creamed Spinach; Monday, November 10, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

Here I am cooking creamed spinach. Yum! Yum! It's very simple. First, you wilt the spinach over medium heat. Then you add half a bottle of Mexican Crema (cream). Next, you add 1 cup of Italian blend cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.

















Mommy and I grilled pork chops to set on top of the spinach. We also had macaroni & cheese, green beans, and a cheddar cheese biscuit.

















Dinner was delish!

Cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit! Eliana