Restaurant Review: Esperanza's

Sister Restaurant to Joe T. Garcia's, Esperanza's Bakery & Cafe is conveniently located on Main Street just South of the chaos of Stockyards Blvd.  When we went a little bit ago, we were impressed by both the food and the service.  On a week night it was not a bit crowded, we were seated and served promptly, and most importantly, the waiter treated my boys superbly.  I wish I had caught his name.  Going to restaurants with children is on my list of things I love to do right up there with plucking my eyebrows and cleaning toilets.  But this experience was practically pain free.  With my permission, he gave each of the boys a cookie upon completing their meal.  And throughout the meal he not only asked the generic "how is everything" but took the time to high five the boys, or some other sweet gesture that made me love it even more.

And the food.  I didn't taste everything.  The salsa was a bit hot, which my hubby loved.  But I did have the Monterrey Chicken Enchilada (8.25) and have been craving it ever since.  Yum.  So if you are interested in some delicious Mexican Food that is not fast food with your kids without breaking the bank, I would highly recommend giving Esperanza's a try!:)

Pineapple Dump Cake

One of my favorite desserts, this is a delightfully easy treat.  Thank you to my cute friend Erin for bringing it into my life!:)

Four ingredients:
*Crushed Pineapple
*Cherry Pie Filling
*Yellow Cake Mix
*Cube of Butter

Mix pineapple & cherry together in 9x13 pan, spread cake mix evenly on top, then top with butter.

Here I actually used harder butter and grated it with my cheese grater for a more even spread.  I have cut slices sporadically across it, but I like this better...:)

Bake at 350* for 30-40 minutes, until top starts to brown.  I probably overcooked this a few minutes, but it was still divine!

This delicious cobbler-style dessert is enhanced with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped topping!

Chocolate Waffle Cookies

 Scenario: the kids are beggin for a treat and I am craving something sweet and chocolatey, but I've been good and haven't bought treats at the store.  So we make these.  Chocolate Waffle Cookies.  Easy.  Kids love them.  I love them.  And I always have the ingredients.  Sounds like an all around win to me.:)

 

Chocolate Waffle Cookies

1/2 c (1 cube) melted butter

2 eggs (beaten)

3/4 c sugar

2 T Cocoa

1 1/2 c All purpose Flour

 

Mix together and plop on your waffle iron for a little less than two minutes.  I always try to catch it before they start going browner, but I like mine on the softer side.

Sprinkle with a little powdered sugar (if desired) and enjoy!

 Makes about 2 full batches (8 waffles) on my belgium waffle iron.

Zucchini Bread

Vegetables and my kidlets are not really friends.  We really try to eat healthy around here, but veggies are my biggest battle.  So when I tried this recipe and my kids devoured it like candy, I decided to make it a regular.  Find the recipe on my recipe page.

 

What's a good cooking project without a helper...?

 

And what's a good cooking project without some silly faces?

 

 

Voila!  After half of the muffins had been eaten. 

I find that my kids like the muffins better- probably because of their resemblance to cupcakes. So I make a couple of batches and freeze whatever we don't inhale in the first 24 hours or so...:)

Homemade Raspberry Jam

One of my favorite foods my entire life was my mom's homemade Raspberry Jam. It was always a special treat and we rationed it out throughout the year to make it last. Well, a couple of years ago I decided to be a big girl and learn how to do it myself instead of sneaking some from my mom's stash in her freezer. I was surprised how easy it is.  And you won't be disappointed- I guarantee it!

All you need is pectin, raspberries, sugar, & water!

Find Sure Jell Pectin at your local grocery store.  Wal-Mart carries it sporadically, but I never find it when I need it.  There is a yellow box, and a pink box (that I have seen, their website says they have four varieties).  I have used both.  The difference?  When I bought mine yesterday at Albertson's the pink box was $4.50 each and the yellow box was $2.50 each.  That made the decision easy for me. 

Other factors to consider: The pink is reduced sugar, so that is a plus.  It requires more fruit to compensate, however.  The process with the pink box is essentially: clean and blend fruit, mix pectin and sugar in pot, add water, boil for one minute, add fruit, stir, and put in containers.  Let it process 24 hours at room temperature and then freeze up to a year.  It is a softer set than the yellow, and sometimes separates juices a bit more, but nothing that doesn't just mix together again when you thaw it out to enjoy.

The yellow box has more sugar (biggest drawback for me), less fruit, so it is a bit cheaper.  The process is a bit easier in my opinion also.  Blend fuit, mix in a bowl with sugar.  Boil pectin and water, then mix it with the fruit.  Pour into containers and let process 24 hours.  The set is a bit firmer.

In this picture, the stack on the far right is with the pink box, the two left are with the yellow.  Either way, deliciousness to last my family until next year!  Yum!

Note: this is 3 batches.