Pork Tamales

I recently took a trip across southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. While traveling through Tucson, I stopped at Tucson Tamales (http://tucsontamale.com/) for their tamales. These tamales are so fresh and delicious! Once I got back from my trip, I researched tamale making and recipes. After hours of watching youtube videos, I found one that I liked, Amanda's South Texas Pork Tamales: http://how2heroes.com/videos/international/south-texas-pork-tamales.

So, naturally I made my own tamales. I followed Amanda's recipe, but I added more spices in the pork and whole corn. I followed the folding technique that the Tucson Tamale Co shows on their youtube video since I like their method of folding. I made over 40 tamales. This photo was taken while stacking the tamales into the steamer. These are so yummy! Although not as fresh as the Tucson Tamales since they use fresh corn daily, but still good enough to satisfy my cravings.

Kinako Ice Cream and Macarons

I made kinako ice cream and then had to make kinako macarons to accompany the ice cream. Kinako is roasted soy bean flour that is used in Japanese desserts as well as some Korean desserts. I found the recipe from this blog, http://icecreamdaily.blogspot.com/2013/05/day-9-black-sesame-kinako.html. I just substituted the black sesame to kinako.

The macarons were made by following this recipe http://www.chow.com/recipes/28339-french-chocolate-macarons-with-chocolate-ganache. I just substituted the cocoa powder for the kinako. As an ice cream sandwich, this combination is so much better than a ganache for the filling of a macaron- totally delicious!

New Year's Resolution- Cinnabon

I know that this is the time of year when folks are looking for ways to lose weight, but I just had to make these yummy gluten-free Cinnabons. And yes, I gained weight just by looking at the pie of Cinnabons.

The non-gluten-free dieters of my family loved devouring these yummy buns.
Recipe can be found here:http://recreatinghappiness.com/breakfast-recipes/gluten-free-cinnabon-copycat-cinnamon-roll-recipe-updated-and-now-easier-to-make/

Enjoy and eat them while they are still warm!