Coming Soon Makeup By Mandy.

     I'm so excited to share with you guys after a long hard thought practicing and research. I decided to take my hobby of doing makeup into becoming a Freelance Makeup Artist. I love creating looks on myself. I get a lot of request to do makeup but never really had the courage to get to tell someone yes.  It's something I have been wanting to do for a long time now.

   Coming Soon Makeup by Mandy.  Spring 2015 website coming soon I will be sharing the lastest trends and finds of affordable, new, and exciting things in beauty and makeup along with a little DIY beauty recipes. I will also have an affordable price list of services for those who live in the Baltimore City area. Please pray for me as I take on this VERY competitive journey. It will not be easy but I have the passion to give this my all in making this into a complete success. Thank You in advance for all your support thoughts and prayers.


                                                                  Until next time
                                                                     

                                                            SMOOCHES XOXO

Apple Cider Gravy

  Here is another great holiday recipe This is a holiday favorite at my family dinner table.

Apple Cider Gravy

Turkey Giblets 

1/2 cup  butter

1/2 cup flour

1 cup chopped onion 

2 cups chicken stock

1 1/2 cup apple cider

2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or apple cider vinegar. 

1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon Allspice

1 1/2 teaspoon Poultry seasoning 

1 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. 

Add salt to taste if desired

Boil giblets in water cooked until tender. 

Drain water set aside. Use a large pot  melt the butter then add flour and whisk together until it has a paste like texture. Add onions and 1/4 cup of apple cider or juice and 1/4 cup of chicken broth (I recommend Simply Apple Pressed Apple juice)  cook until onions are tender. Break away the meat from the neck add the meat  the remaining chicken stock, apple juice, Worcestershire sauce, allspice, pepper onion powder garlic powder paprika and poultry seasoning. Reduce heat to simmer and frequently stirring until the desired thickness. 

Tip: If it looks like it has too much liquid mix a teaspoon of corn starch and 1-2 tablespoons of water and add to gravy over reduced heat and stir frequently to make it thicker.

Apple Brine Bourbon Glazed Turkey

  Hello!!!!! Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while been super busy. Now that I have some free time on my hands, summer will be soon coming to an end. That means THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!!!!!!! Fall is my favorite time of the year. I will be starting a series of recipes called My Holiday Recipes.  It will have some of my favorite recipes and some new one that you can try share pin whatever you want. I love to cook and share recipes.  I would also like to hear from you on recipes I post so please send so feed back.

My First Recipe 

Apple Brine Bourbon Glazed Turkey

INGREDIENTS

6-8 cups apple juice, 

2 cups dark brown sugar 

1 1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cup salt

6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

5 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

5 teaspoons freshly ground pepper

4 fresh or dried bay leaves

1 turkey (ours was 18 pounds)

1 cup bourbon(spiced rum or cognac is good as well)

1 cup Apple Butter or Apricot Jelly

1 cup apple cider vinegar

4 1/2  tablespoons paprika

4 1/2 tablespoons allspice 

2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 stick of butter, at room temperature

DIRECTIONS

1.In a large pot, combine 10 cups water with 1 cup brown sugar, the granulated sugar, salt, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, 4 tablespoons of paprika allspice and 2 tablespoons chili powder pepper and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer and stir, then remove from the heat and let cool. Then add apple juice.

2.Place the turkey in the brine (breast side down). In a large enough containter with a lid to hold the turkey and liquid. (make sure the turkey is covered in the brine if need to just and more water). Refrigerate 1 pound per hour (example:18x1hr =18hrs) I use one the those big coolers with the wheels and used ice packs just make sure the cooler is thoroughly clean and sanitized.

3.In a container with a tight-fitting lid, combine the bourbon ,apple butter vinegar and 1/2 cup brown sugar. whisk vigorously to blend; set aside.

4.Preheat the oven to 450°F.

5.In a bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar with the remaining chili powder paprika, allspice garlic powder, onion powder and butter to form a paste.

6 Remove turkey from brine and discard the brine dry the turkey with a paper towel and rub the paste all over the turkey.

7.Roast the turkey for about 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F and continue roasting, brushing with some of the glaze every 20 minutes, for about 1 hour, 15 minutes longer. An instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh should register 160 degrees F. Remove the turkey from the oven, brush with the remaining glaze, loosely tent and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Mandy's Three Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese

     Hello Guys It's been a while since my last blog. I'm so happy to reached over 200 views. Thank you for your support. I have a great recipe for Three Cheese baked Macaroni and cheese.  This recipe took 5 years in the making for the perfect baked macaroni and cheese. With hits, misses, and research. I finally found a recipe that is a keeper. I'm so excited in sharing my most favorite thing to make with you.






Mandy's Three Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese.

2 Large Eggs

1 can whole evaporated milk(you can also use fat free or reduce fat evaporated if desired)

2 tsp dry mustard(more if desired)

4 cups (2 16oz boxes) of pasta such as elbow macaroni, penne, rotini shells etc. ( Barilla in Cellentani recommended)

1 stick butter or margarine

1/2 cup All purpose flour

1 tsp fresh ground pepper

1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper(optional I like a touch of heat)

1 1/2  tsp sugar( trust me it makes a huge difference in the flavor of the cheese sauce)

1 1/2  tsp kosher salt

2 tsp onion powder

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp nutmeg

1 1/2- 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded

1 1/2- 2 cups Colby - jack cheese shredded

1- 1 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese shredded

1 cup plain panko bread crumbs (optional)


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F


Cheese Sauce

Melt 1 stick of butter in a dutch oven pot once butter is melted add flour on medium high heat whisk until it has a paste like consistency.

Add milk and dry mustard salt, pepper, sugar, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic power, 1/2 tsp paprika, nutmeg and cayenne pepper whisk until smooth. Reduce heat to simmer

 In a bowl whisk two large eggs, then take 1/2 cup of the hot cream sauce and pour SLOWLY into your eggs.  DO NOT STOP WHISKING THOSE EGGS!!! or the hot liquid will cook your eggs.(nothing worse than having cooked eggs in your mac and cheese). This technique is called "tempering."

Take the tempered egg pour it back into the cream sauce.

Now its time for some cheese. Add 1/2 cup extra sharp cheddar 1/2 colby jack 1/4 cup gruyere stirring constantly until all cheese is melted and it's a creamy smooth consistency.

In another pot bring water to a boil and put in 4 cups of pasta cook until firm to bite or at least for 10 mins drain water. (overcooked pasta in mac and cheese is an absolute NO NO)

Place pasta in that same dutch oven and mix cheese sauce together make sure sauce is completely mixed in with the pasta. In a casserole dish sprayed with non stick spray and a large spoon take half of the pasta put it in the casserole dish sprinkle 1/2 tsp of the onion powder garlic powder and paprika all over pasta, mix together using the fold over method. Then add 1/2 cup of the extra sharp cheddar colby jack and gruyere cheese continue to fold over the pasta. Take the remaining pasta spices and cheese and repeat the layering process and continue to fold over make sure the pasta has even amount of cheese and spices add more cheese and spices if desired. Top it off with more cheese and panko bread crumbs if desired.

Place in the oven for 45 mins or until cheese has melted and bread crumbs are golden brown.

This may seem like it's a lot of work but the results are great leaving your family wanting more.

Until My Next Post 

SMOOCHES 

XOXO

Mandy's Summertime Salad

  Hello Guys!!! I have a quick recipe on a refreshing Summer time salad and it has just a few ingredients.



Mandy's Summertime Salad



3 1/2 cup fresh spinach or baby spinach

1/2 cup cut up strawberries

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup cut up pineapples

1/2 cup Honey Roasted pecans

1/2 cup feta cheese or gorgonzola cheese( more if desired)

3/4 cup of Girard's Champagne Dressing(more if desired)

Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken strips or any cut up grilled chicken (optional)


Toss Spinach strawberries pineapples blueberries together.  Then top it off with the pecans feta cheese champagne dressing and chicken(if desired).

This is also a great fall salad. Just swap out the strawberries blueberries and pineapples with apples mandarin oranges and cranberries.

                                                               
                                                                 Until Next Time
                                                                   SMOOCHES
                                                                        XOXO

Extra Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders

      Hello Guys!! I have a new recipe that I've been trying for a while that I think I finally mastered. It was a lot of practice, but hey practice makes perfect right. You can also do this with cut up chicken and chicken wings.


Extra Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders

1 1/2 lbs - 2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenderloins

Batter

1 1/2 cup of buttermilk
2 Large Eggs
1 tsp of the following

Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Cayenne Pepper
Cumin
Ginger
Poultry Seasoning

1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder

Coating
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp of the following

Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Cayenne Pepper
Cumin
Ginger
Poultry Seasoning

3-4 cups of Canola Oil

Mix eggs buttermilk baking powder flour and first of the 1 tsp of spices together to form a batter(add more buttermilk if needed).
Put chicken in a container with a lid( plastic wrap or aluminum foil will do fine to cover container).
Place in fridge for at least an hour or until cold.

Mix 1 1/2 Cups of Flour and the second of the 1tsp of spices

Fill oil half way in a cast iron or large deep frying pan.

Heat oil to 375 degrees( medium high heat)

Take the batter covered chicken and place it in the dry coating make sure each tender is completely covered in the coating and place in the oil until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees flipping each tender over during frying. Place on a rack or paper towel to drain excess oil.

Sprinkle some Old Bay Seasoning if desired.

                                                                     Until Next Time
                                                                       SMOOCHES
                                                                            XOXO

Best Hair Care Products I've Ever Used

    Hello Guys I'm back to share with you some hair care I discovered and it has changed my life. Avanti Silicon Mix Bambu Nutritive Hair Treatment.


   
 Nutritive Hair Treatment Bambu contains Bamboo Extract a natural product to regenerate and nourish the hair and Silicone to smooth and give shine. Prevents hair breakage and split ends. Vitamins A, E, F, H (Biotin), H, Pro-Vitamin B5 (Panthenol), H8 (Inositol) and Horse Chestnut Extract improve the health and beauty of the hair, helping it to grow longer.

How to use: Wash hair and apply with massages. Leave on for 3 or more minutes depending on the condition of the hair. Rinse.

These are amazing products It makes my natural hair and weave look and feel amazing and it doesn't weigh the hair down like most products.  The leave in conditioner is also a very great heat protection product. It smells great as well and of course very affordable. 

Here is the link to where these products can be purchased:http://amazon.com/B004R6RQOG 

Also here is the link to the Hair Polisher(clear bottle)http://amazon.com/B005L4BS56

I hope this was some help to those who want quality hair care products without breaking the bank. 

                                                             Until next time 

                                                        SMOOCHES XOXO