Welcome to My New Website! Sunday, July 19, 2009

7-18-09 Chef Eliana

Hey Young Chefs!

Welcome to my newly re-designed website, www.elianacooks.com. Here, I will be posting my recipes, video tutorials, travelogue, and food reviews. I transferred all of my blog entries from Blogger but the formatting was lost. It’s okay though, because at least we didn’t lose all the posts! If you have a YouTube account, please rate, comment and subscribe to my channel, elianacooks. Please also subscribe to ElianaCooks.com with the RSS feed.

A special thank you to the Eliana Cooks! team: Dianne de Las Casas, Soleil Lisette and Heidi Hafner of Hafner Designs for pimping out my site! Every great chef needs a team in the kitchen. You all are wonderful!

I will be in Cancun, Mexico from July 20-July 27, 2009. I don’t know whether I’ll be able to post anything while I am on vacation with my family. I will definitely take lots of pictures and do a video or two while I am there so I can post when I get back.

Thank you to all of my fans! Please let all your young chefs know about ElianaCooks.com I’d love to hear from you! Email me at elianacooks (at) gmail (dot) com.

Cool kids cook and get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Video Tutorial: Pesto Pizza Muffins – Saturday, July 18, 2009

Hey Young Chefs!

Today, I made Pesto Pizza Muffins. It’s a super simple recipe, perfect for an appetizer, small lunch or snack. It’s perfect for kid parties too! Hope you enjoy the tutorial! Here’s the recipe

Pesto Pizza Muffins

Ingredients:

1 English muffin, halved

1 tbsp. ready-made pesto

1 tbsp. marinara sauce or pizza sauce

1/4 c. mozzarrella cheese

4 slices pepperoni

Directions:

Spread pesto on top of English muffin. Spread marinara sauce on top of pesto. Sprinkle cheese. Top with pepperoni. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until cheese melts and edges of muffin and pepperoni are crisp. Serves 1-2

Cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Video Tutorial: Berry Simple Fruit Tart – Friday, July 17, 2009

Hey Young Chefs!

This is my very first cooking tutorial video on YouTube! I am making Berry Simple Fruit Tart. Here is the recipe:

Berry Simple Fruit Tart

Ingredients:

1 pkg. of ready-made refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1 8 oz. pkg of cream cheese, softened

1/4 – 1/2 c. sugar

splash of vanilla extract

3 c. seasonal berries

Directions:

Roll out the cookie dough on a small cookie sheet until it is about a 1/4 inch thick. You can even use a small pizza pan if you want. Bake the cookie dough according to the package instructions. You may have to bake the dough a little longer because of its size. While the cookie is baking, mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in a bowl with an electric hand mixer. After the cookie dough has fully cooled, spread the cream cheese on top of the cookie, going all the way to the edges. Sprinkle your favorite berries on top. Cut into squares and serve. Great chilled too! Serves 8-10

Cool kids cook and get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

June 18, 2009 – Hancock County, Mississippi

Hey Young Chefs!

Here we are in Kiln (pronounced “Kill), Mississippi, performing in the Hancock County Public Library system. We had a big crowd – over 120 people! A large group of kids came from the YMCA. Mommy sold a lot of books and signed a bunch of autographs.

The library staff was so nice. They even gave us peach upside-down cake – delish! The library has a cat who lives there permanently. She even has a bed on a shelf!

I met a girl whose name was similar to mine – her name is Liana! Here is a picture of us – me, Mommy (Dianne de Las Casas), Liana and Theresa.

After our show, we stopped at the Sno Palace and I had an amazing stuffed snow ball – cotton candy stuffed with vanilla ice cream! Yum yum! I wish we would have taken a picture!

If we would have had more time, Mommy and I would have loved to visit the beach because Kiln is right by the Gulf Coast beaches in Mississippi.

Time to go! See you soon… Cool kids cook and eat snow balls!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Aunt Heidi’s visit to New Orleans June 18-23, 2009

Hey Young Chefs!

Aunt Heidi came to visit to New Orleans. Nana made a Filipino Fiesta! We had white rice, fried rice, lumpia (a Filipino eggroll), pancit (like lo mein with clear, skinny noodles), chicken and pork adobo (made with garlic, vinegar and soy sauce), ribs, and carrot cake for dessert. It was ma sarap (very yummy)!

On Sunday, after a Father’s Day dinner at Outback Steakhouse, we took Aunt Heidi to the French Quarter. Above, I am standing in front of Jackson Square, one of New Orleans’ most famous places. The big building behind me is St. Louis Cathedral, a Catholic church. Here is Aunt Heidi in front of the Mississippi River. See the paddle wheel boat in the background?

Here I am with my family on a bench in Jackson Square – Paw Paw, Nana, Soleil, and Aunt Heidi behind us.

We took a carriage ride through the French Quarter. Our mule was named Ada. It was fun but I was a little sleepy. Hahaha

While we were riding through the French Quarter, we saw a miniature horse (not a pony). It was so cute. I had never seen a miniature horse before.

Here I am with Ada the Mule.

The carriage ride was fun. We rode for about 1 hour. We learned a lot of important history during the ride. It was my first carriage ride through the French Quarter.

Afterwards, we went to Cafe’ Du Monde for beignets! Beignets are French donuts. They are square and puffed up, with powdered sugar on top. My sister said, “When you eat beignets, you can’t breathe in and you can’t breathe out.” The powdered sugar goes everywhere! This is why you wear a napkin bib (especially if you are wearing the color black).

Here is a picture of me in front of beautiful sculptures at Cafe’ Du Monde. I love the bright colors and it’s a pretty water feature.

This man set up a high-powered telescope on the sidewalk – John Brown’s Sidewalk Astronomy, right in front of Cafe’ Du Monde. My sister, my mom and I were able to see Saturn with its ring! It was so cool.

We had a fun time in the French Quarter. I can’t wait to go back (when the weather is cooler). hahaha

Cool kids cook and eat beignets!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

June 14-16,2009 Vermilion Parish, Lousiana

Hey Young Chefs!

From June 14-16, 2009, wWe were in Vermilion Parish. We stayed at Abbeville’s Apartment A. The little cottage is so nice. It has two beds (a queen and a sofa sleeper) and a kitchen. The minute we walked in, we loved it. It felt like home to us.

Ms. Debbie, who owned the apartment, is so sweet. She surprised me with a brownie cheesecake birthday cake. It was delicious!

Here is a picture of me with Ms. Debbie. Thank you so much, Ms. Debbie. Mommy and I love you!

We performed in Gueydan, Maurice, Abbeville & Delcambre in Cajun Country. We had a great time in all the libraries. Here is a picture of me performing “The Princess Pat” with Mommy on my birthday (June 15) in Maurice.

On the evening of my birthday, we met Mommy’s friend, Troy Leger, for dinner. He is a DJ for 94.5 KSMB Hit Music Station. We ate at Posado’s Mexican restaurant in Lafayette. The food at Posado’s is delicioso! Mr. Troy surprised me with a huge ice cream sundae with “9″ written in caramel on top. Mr. Troy also gave me a bunch of cool gifts – CDs, posters, stickers and magazines! Thanks, Mr. Troy!

In Abbeville, I saw a guy pulling his pirogue down the street with his bicycle. We’ve never seen anything like it before!

I had a wonderful time in Vermilion Parish! Mommy even sold out of her Cajun Cornbread Boy books and had to get a stash from Barnes & Noble. I can’t wait to go back and visit again.

Cool kids cook and visit cool places. Get creative at the library!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Week of June 8, 2009 – Visit to St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

Hey Young Chefs!

Here I am in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Above, my cousin, Jasmynn, and I are taking a dip in the Olympic size swimming pool at our motel.

Mommy’s first show was at the Patterson Branch Library. The library was brand new, only open for a couple of weeks.

After having fun at the Patterson library, we had a show at the West End Branch Library in Baldwin, Louisiana. My favorite part of the Baldwin library was the Cajun Jungle Children’s Section. There were vines hanging from the ceiling, a jungle rug, animals mirrors, gators, and lots of jungle plants! Jasmynn and I posed in front of the wilderness.

On Friday, we will be in LaSalle Parish, one of my favorite parishes in Louisiana. I love eating and shopping at the Caboose Cafe and Gift Shop. It is soooooo awesome!

Cool kids cook and go to the library!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Week of June 8, 2009 – Visit to St. Martin Parish

Hey Young Chefs!

I am coming to you from St. Martin Parish. This week, my 7 year old cousin, Jasmynn, is traveling with us. Above, I am performing “Princess Pat” with Mommy. Too bad Mommy’s hand is covering my face! LOL

Below, I am sitting in front of a huge serving of white chocolate bread pudding from the famous Cafe Des Amis in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. It was the best white chocolate bread pudding I have ever tasted!

Here is a picture of Jasmynn and me in front of pretty artwork (it looks like seaweed to me) in Cafe Des Amis.

After eating, we went to a shop called Monroe, where I met a dog named Kennedy. He was the cutest dog ever! Kennedy was a Teddy Bear Pomeranian.

Then we went to La Te Boutique where I found the most gorgeous apron. Mommy bought it for me as an early birthday present. I love it. It says “Diva in Training!”

On Wednesday, we met the most amazing 9 year old waitress. Her name is Mali (pronounced MAY-lee) and she’s in the middle between me and Jasmynn. Mali works at Angelle’s Burgers, which by the way, has delicious burgers, homemade fries, battered onion rings, and ice cream!! If you visit Breaux Bridge, go to Angelle’s!

After leaving St. Martin Parish, we traveled to St. Mary Parish (Franklin, Louisiana). Talk to you soon!

Cool kids cook and meet new friends!

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