mango upside down cake

Mango Upside Down CakeMy man loves pineapple upside down cake. I cannot say for certain that a bite has ever entered my mouth. Crazy right? Nonetheless, someday I will make one for him…but for now there’s a mango version.

Mango Upside Down Cake Mango Upside Down CakeI’ ve been dealing with a stomach bug the last couple of days. Not horrible but annoying enough to give me a constant upset stomach and weird appetite. Today I ate a corn tortilla shell, one piece of dry toast, a half a bottle of ginger ale and a piece of this cake. Because not even a stomach bug can come between me and cake.

Mango Upside Down Cake Mango Upside Down CakeLet’s get the obvious out of the way: I need to work on my mango arrangement skills. I was going for a giant rose but it ended up with a “I threw these in here” presentation. Good thing I’m not on one of those competition baking shows. Poor ugly cake would be put to shame.

Mango Upside Down CakeSweet, light and a little tart. The perfect way to get through this transitional “where is spring” season. And a wonderful addition to your Easter menu. [PSA It’s in March this year….March!!!!]

Enjoy!

brandyjsig

 

mango upside down cake
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 4tbsp unsalted butter (plus more for greasing)
  • ¼cup brown sugar
  • 1 large mango, peeled, cored and sliced into ¼" pieces.
  • 8tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¾cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1tsp vanilla
  • 1½cup all purpose flour
  • 1tsp baking powder
  • ¼tsp kosher salt
  • ½cup orange juice
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven 350F. Grease a 9" cake pan with butter.
  2. Place a small pot over medium heat and add the 4tbsp of butter. Melt completely and add brown sugar. Stir until dissolved and continue stirring occasionally until it is a thick paste consistency. Pour into prepared cake pan and arrange mango on top. Set aside.
  3. Cream sugar and room temp butter together in a stand mixer on high for about 5 minutes. Turn off and add egg, one at a time, beating slightly after ever egg. Add vanilla and combine.
  4. Place flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl and whisk together. Add half to butter mixture and beat on a low setting. Add orange juice and beat until just mixed. Dump in remaining half of flour and mix with hand. Be careful not to over mix.
  5. Spoon batter on top of mango, be careful not to disturb their pattern. Even the batter out as best you can. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool on wire rack in pan for 10 minutes before running enough along the side and inverting onto a cake plate. Enjoy!

Mango Upside Down Cake

recipe from Feast on the Cheap

Posted in recipes, something sweet | Tagged | Leave a comment

inspired

I’m sure you heard or read about Taylor Swift’s Grammy speech after scoring Album of the Year (again). Just in case you didn’t take a moment to absorb these words:

Focus on the WorkNegativity is an evil weapon. One that kills dreams and breaks down confidence. It doesn’t deserve an ounce of your time…the time you give to it is how it ultimately destroys you.

Taylor has alway been awkward, honest and most importantly herself. People hate her, like really really hate her. What she does with the ugliness though is nothing short of brilliant. Instead of allowing it to toxicate her soul, she turns it into fuel for her artistry. And guys…the girl is killing it.

I love everything about Taylor…but her message last night might be my all time favorite Swift moment.

Focus on the work. It won’t leave my brain. 4 simple words that all the sudden mean so much.

Focus on the WorkLess than 24 hours after the infamous speech and this is hanging in my office. Not as a reminder to check off the to-do list, or push through a late night work session. It’s there to remind me to focus on the good, focus on the art, focus on the love.  Focus on being me and not worry about what everyone else might think of me. To focus on what matters, and forbid the negativity from entering my life.

If you were as moved as I was last night I gift you this free printable. The way I see it the more of us listening to our hearts and passions the happier this world will be.

Gosh that Taylor sure is wise.

xoxo,

brandyjsig

 

 

 

PS Did you notice the chosen colors for the 1st graphic? Taylor killed it last night in the fashion department as well.

Posted in freebie, inspired by | Tagged | Leave a comment

little valentine style

Kids FashionWe came incredibly close to 86-ing the photo Valentine’s this year. Had it not been for last year’s adorable reminder hanging on the fridge I just may have gone through with it…. I am so thankful that didn’t happen.

Photographing one’s own children can be a miserable experience for a photographer (and the kids). All I ever need is 5 minutes of cooperation and generally I end up with about 2. Hit the 10 minute mark and we are all done.

But just like I always tell my clients…”You’ll be amazed by what we did capture.” These kiddos always amaze me. Regardless of attitude or lack of enthusiasm I am in love with what we got from our last minute Valentine session. Or maybe I just love them and any and all images are my absolute fave.

Kids FashionJettie has had her fair share of heart attire in the past but this year I felt like I really dropped the ball. Not a heart to be found in her closet, and not an ounce of pink in Bingham’s. That’s when I thought “when all else fails go black and white”. It may not scream Valentine’s Day but it’s simple, classic and fun. I like those 3 things a lot.

Kids Fashion Kids FashionThe image below was an instant “that’s the back of their card” moment. I saw a heart in between them and just knew it would be perfect…

Kids Fashionand it was.

VSCO Cam-1||WEARING|| Bingham H&M blazer/Old Navy denim shirt/H&M tee/Gap denim/shoes similar/hat similar Jettie similar jacket/Target hoodie/tunic similar/H&M jeggings/shoes similar/H&M beanie 

I know we won’t do these little photo Valentine’s for many more years, but I sure love doing them for now. These kids I tell ya…they’re stylish, they’re sweet and they will always be my loves.

Hope you guys had a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

brandyjsig

Posted in holidays, Kids, kids style, valentine's day | Tagged | Leave a comment

recipes for your valentine

When it comes to Valentine’s making something from the heart wins every single time. I love cooking for my family, it’s especially fun when there is a sweet holiday to celebrate. Whether you are having dinner in for 2 or making a yummy treat for your little ones here are a few last minutes ideas to try (I forgot about that roasted pear…oh my gosh YUM!):

Recipes for your Valentine1Gnocchi for Two/2Roasted Pear with Ricotta and Honey/3Red and Pink Monster Cookies/4Salted Dark Chocolate Coconut Balls/5Strawberry Banana Scone/6Cherry Margarita

XOXO,

brandyjsig

Posted in breakfast, brunch, cheers!, cookies, holiday fare, holidays, recipes, something sweet, valentine's day, vegetarian | Tagged | Leave a comment

lentil taco “meat”

Lentil Taco "Meat"You guys, I am so mad at myself right now. To know that I could have been making vegetarian taco “meat” all these years and haven’t been….urgh!!!!!!

Do not be me. And by this I mean do not look at this post, think about trying it and then never ever make it. Be smarter. Make the lentil taco meat. Be better than me.

Lentil Taco "Meat"

Why is this so good? Because it’s meatless taco meat that can used anywhere taco meat is used. That’s flipping fantastic! What about the taste? It’s everything you would want it to be. Spiced just like taco meat with a similar texture. Vegetarian perfection in other words.

Lentil Taco "Meat"Lentil Taco "Meat"

Before I gave up meat (well, the land walking kind) I would eat supreme tacos from Taco Bell sans sour cream. I loved the crisp of the lettuce with the juicy tomatoes and melted cheese. All atop a pile of disgusting meat and wrapped up in a soft tortilla shell.

I’m nearly gagging thinking about that meat now…yet I do miss all those tastes and textures together. I should be saying missed because now I have the same experience sans the meat (and sour cream). It is the best sort of nostalgia for me.

Lentil Taco "Meat"This version is sort of mild, still too spicy for my kids but definitely not over the top in the heat department. Feel free to play with the spice and herbs. It’s a very simple recipe, something you can easily put into your regular rotation. It’s also really filling which makes the vegetarians and carnivores both happy.

Enjoy!

brandyjsig

lentil taco "meat"
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Ingredients
  • 1cup dried lentils
  • 2cups water
  • 2tbsp olive oil
  • ½ medium onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic minced
  • 2tbsp taco seasoning
  • 15oz can Ro-Tel
Instructions
  1. Rinse and inspect lentils to ensure wholeness. Place in a medium pot with water. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Allow to simmer, with lid partially covering pot, for 15 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile place olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another minute. Add taco seasoning and sauté for another minute. Add Ro-Tel and bring to a simmer.
  3. After lentils are done add to tomato mixture and simmer for 10 minutes. Pulse with an immersion blender a few times (optional, I like the texture it gives). Add salt and pepper if needed. Use like you would taco meat on tacos, nachos or soup/casseroles.

“http://prettyplainjanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lentil_taco_meat_pin.jpg” rel=”attachment wp-att-10283″>Lentil Taco "Meat"
Posted in healthy eats, recipes, vegetarian, what's cooking | Tagged | Leave a comment