A 2 Year Anniversary…
First things first…
Happy New Year, y’all. It’s 2014. It’s a new year, which means it’s time to usher out the old year and allow yourself to plan for the year ahead.
And that’s exactly what I’m doing. And along with that comes a little announcement here in the Cocina. And I can’t think of a better time to lay it all out there than today…my two year blog birthday.
Yup, two years ago today, I posted my first little recipe here on the blog.
I’ve made some amazing friends, eaten some riiiiiighteous food, and have had opportunities come my way that I never would have fathomed were possible.
But, the time has come for me to say goodbye. Goodbye to this blog, and hello to something new.
I’ve known since October that I would be leaving the food blog world. It’s not a decision that came lightly, but it IS an easy decision.
I’ve simply accomplished the goals I set for myself and this little space on the internet. And it’s time to move on.
But, Juanita’s Cocina will still be here. I could never just up and delete all of my hard, back-breaking work. I mean, what a great two-year-long little journal I’ve set up for myself. I need proof that all these awesome things REALLY happened.
The last few years would NEVER have been possible without the friendship of lots of beautiful foodies. Isabel, Nicole, Kim, Carla, and Shannon…you guys, just…you guyyyyyys…
And all of the rest of you foodies, too. YOU know who you are. You know we’re peeps forever. And you know I’ll still be reading all of your blogs. But, can I just be Jen, now? KayThanks.
To my son, J, and my brother-in-law, Big C…you guys are the best guinea-pigs ever. Thanks for eating all of my leftovers.
And to my wife…my dear, sweet wife…let’s spend the next two years just cooking what we want, mmmkay? Thank you for holding my hand, eating my food, being honest when you needed to, and never squashing this little dream of mine. Without you, the Cocina is empty.
To those of you that sent notes of support over the years, to those of you that shared YOUR stories…you’re the reason I did all this. And you know who you are.
And to all of you who have read here in the Cocina, who’ve eaten my food, made my recipes, or left an occasional comment…YOU EFFING ROCK MY SOCKS OFF.
Now if you excuse me, I need to go finish catching up on the last season of “Walking Dead”.
One last parting word, mmmkay?
Food is bonding. It feeds more than your belly, it feeds your heart. Share something delicious with someone. Thank you for sharing my deliciousness with me the last two years.
***Giveaway Closed!!!*** Spicy Pumpkin Hummus ~ A @TexasBrew Feature & #Giveaway!
I’m firmly convinced, after my obsession with all things hummus, that you can pretty much turn anything into a flavor of this amazing chickpea spread.
I’ve been blogging now for two years, and I have five recipes for different kinds of hummus on this blog: Caramelized Onion & Portobello, Creamy Roasted Red Pepper, Jalapeno Lime, Guacamole Hummus, and Spicy Lemon Hummus.
I turned to my wife just a few minutes ago, and I was all, “Babe. I have five different flavors of hummus on my blog.” And since she knows me, she was all, “That’s it?”
Not anymore! Now it’s 6.
This Spicy Pumpkin Hummus is made spicy with my favorite salsa, Texas Brew Salsa.
What’s that you said? You’re not familiar with Texas Brew Salsa?
Texas Brew is my friend Brenda’s Texas-based salsa company. She sells delicious, gourmet, all-natural, fire-roasted salsas. Texas Brew salsas are made with ripe, fire-roasted tomatoes, roasted chipotle peppers, roasted onions, real peaches and real roasted pineapple, plus a few other secret ingredients. They are mixed with all the right spices to perfection, and tempered with just enough heat to satisfy even the pickiest salsa lover.
Each month, I feature at least one recipe using Texas Brew Salsa! Today it’s this Spicy Pumpkin Hummus featuring one of Texas Brew’s best flavors: Honey Roasted Chipotle! This month, Brenda has also offered to give one Cocina reader their own customized Texas Brew Salsa 6-jar variety pack (an extra large giveaway since it’s Christmas and all)! Make sure you stay tuned until after the recipe for your chance to get some of your own salsa delivered straight to your door!
This Spicy Pumpkin Hummus is like Christmas hummus. I mean, there’s pumpkin. Pumpkin = holidays, AmIRight?
The bit of spice from the salsa gives this hummus the perfect kick of flavor. But, it’s not kick-you-in-the-throat spicy. It’s just, “Oooooh, there’s a hint of something delicious in here” spicy.
Plus, it’s SUPER easy to make. I love hummus, because you just throw everything into the food processor and blend. Then you’re cleared for snacking.
Let’s make hummus, y’all.
Spicy Pumpkin Hummus
Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drained
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 6 Tbs. Texas Brew Honey Roasted Chipotle Salsa
- 4 Tbs. Tahini
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 tsp. chipotle chile powder
- 2-4 Tbs. olive oil
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
Add chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, salsa, tahini, pumpkin, and chile powder to the bowl of a food processor. Blend until mostly smooth.
With the food processor still on, pour olive oil through the feed tube until desired consistency is achieved.
Season the hummus, to taste, with salt. Chill until ready to serve.
This Spicy Pumpkin Hummus is my new favorite hummus…but I think I say that every time I make another flavor.
But it’s definitely perfect for the holidays!
Orrrrr…for snacking on in the middle of the night. By yourself. In the dark. Whatevs.
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And now for the giveaway!
***This giveaway is for one 6-jar variety pack of Texas Brew Salsa (winner’s choice of flavors), including free shipping right to your door! This giveaway is open to Continental US residents only. When the contest concludes, the winner will be chosen by random draw. I will then notify the winner through e-mail and they will have 3 days to respond or another winner will be chosen.***
***Disclaimer: I received Texas Brew Salsa samples in exchange for this post. I was not compensated further for this post and product review. As always, all opinions contained within this blog post belong to me.***
***Giveaway Closed!!!*** Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cobbler ~ #ChristmasWeek Day 6 with a #CakeBossBaking #Giveaway!
Welcome to Day #6 of Christmas Week, a multi-blogger event co-hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic and Jen from Juanita’s Cocina! Each day we will be celebrating the holidays with a different set of Christmas-themed treats, as well as a fabulous Christmas giveaway. We hope you enjoy this fabulous event. Tune in each day starting today, Monday, December 9th and ending Saturday, December 14th.
I’m not sure how we made it to the last day of #ChristmasWeek, but we did. And it’s been FAB-U-LOUS. Of course, Kim and I couldn’t have done it without each other…she’s like the ying to my yang. For reals. So, Kim, when you read this, I hope you know that I think you’re the sparkliest jingle bell in the bunch. And I had so much fun celebrating all things yummy with you.
‘Nuff o’ that sappy stuff, though. And on to this recipe for Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cobbler, originally from The Gunny Sack.
That’s right, I said slow cooker. Pumpkin Cobbler can be made in a slow cooker, y’all. The minute I figured out you could make dessert in a slow cooker, my life was changed. I mean…you basically toss stuff into your slow cooker, walk away, and come back a few hours later to dessert. It’s like some sort of freaky Christmas magic. The best kind of magic too, since it ends with pumpkin cobbler and all.
This Pumpkin Cobbler is SO yummy. It’s more custard-like than fruit cobbler-like. And that’s why I loved it so much. It was like a warm pumpkin pudding in my bowl. Top it with a little whipped cream and your eyes will roll back in your head, it’s so good. Plus, this is SO easy to make. Pour, mix, sprinkle. That’s it.
If you’re looking for a perfectly pumpkin holiday dessert, this one’s your star. Trust Jen.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cobbler
Ingredients
- 29 oz. can pumpkin puree
- 3 eggs
- 12 oz. can evaporated milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (plus 4 Tbs. for sprinkling)
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 3/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
Lightly grease the inside of a 6 qt. slow cooker.
In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, eggs, evaporated milk, granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and vanilla together until mixture is well-combined. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker.
Without stirring, top the mixture with the yellow cake mix. Sprinkle with the 4 Tbs. brown sugar. Pour the melted butter evenly over the top.
Cook on low in the slow cooker for 3-4 hours, or until the middle appears set, and the cobbler is similar to a custard in consistency.
Serve warm with whipped cream.
Okay, maybe a lot of whipped cream.
This pumpkin cobbler is great warm, but I chilled our leftovers, and I spooned that cold cobbler straight into my mouth.
I mean…no cobbler is bad cobbler, right?
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Visit all the other Christmas Week Peeps for more Holiday Baking Goodness:
- How To Make Perfect Gingerbread People by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cobbler by Juanita’s Cocina
- S’mores Fudge by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Cherry Noir Noel by Noshing With The Nolands
- Japanese Blondies by Ninja Baking
- Peanut Brittle by Food Lust People Love
- Elf Nibbles by Dizzy Busy and Hungry
- Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies with Salted Caramel by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Gingerbread Men Cookies by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
- Mint Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookie Bars by Mom’s Test Kitchen
- Penuche by Cooking In Stilettos
- Triple Orange Biscotti by Liv Life
- Homemade Caramels by Jen’s Favorite Cookies
- Kerstol (Dutch Christmas Bread) by The Dutch Baker’s Daughter
- Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Tropical Toffee Brittle by Home Cooking Memories
- Chocolate Raspberry Linzer Cookies by Pineapple and Coconut
- Lemon-Pistachio and White Chocolate Biscotti by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
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Today’s #ChristmasWeek giveaway comes courtesy of Cake Boss Baking. Cake Boss Baking is the new branded bake ware from Buddy Valastro, the talented chef and baker behind the TLC TV show, “Cake Boss”. Cake Boss Baking features a full line of cake pans, decorating tools, dessert plates and more, with product for all levels of expertise.
Cake Boss Baking is offering one #ChristmasWeek reader the opportunity to win a prize package full of baking tools and essentials {ARV: $260}, including:
- 1 Basics 6 Cup Mini Loaf Pan
- 1 Deluxe 11×17 Cookie Pan with Drop Zones
- 1 Professional 3-Piece Cake Stacking Set – Round
- 1 Novelty 12 Cup Molded Cookie Pan – Star
- 1 Novelty 6 Cup Flower Cakelette Pan
- 1 12-Piece Basic Tip Set
- 1 Large 12″ Disposable Icing Bags
- 1 Set of 2 Bowl Scrapers
- 1 10″ Icing Spatula w/ Serrated Edge
- 1 Mechanical Cookie Scoop
- 1 Spoonula/Spatula 2 Piece Set
- 1 Ceramic Tool Crock
- 1 4 Piece Classic Fondant Imprint Mat Set
- 1 Flower Cake Decorating Kit
- 1 “Mini Cakes” Cake Carrier
To enter, read the details and use the Rafflecopter below!
***This giveaway is for one Cake Boss Baking baking essentials prize pack (details listed above)! This giveaway is open to Continental US residents only . When the contest concludes, the winner will be chosen by random draw. The winner will be notified through e-mail and they will have 3 days to respond or another winner will be chosen.***
***Disclaimer: This giveaway is being provided by Cake Boss Baking. #ChristmasWeek bloggers have not received product or been compensated as a part of this giveaway.***
***Giveaway Closed!!!*** #ChristmasWeek Day 5 with a Pioneer Woman Cookbook and #Freund Gift Certificate #Giveaway!
Welcome to Day #5 of Christmas Week, a multi-blogger event co-hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic and Jen from Juanita’s Cocina! Each day we will be celebrating the holidays with a different set of Christmas-themed treats, as well as a fabulous Christmas giveaway. We hope you enjoy this fabulous event. Tune in each day starting today, Monday, December 9th and ending Saturday, December 14th.
I don’t have a recipe for you today (I will have one tomorrow for our last day), but I am still sharing links to all of today’s participants, as well as info. on today’s giveaway!
Make sure you visit these Christmas Week Peeps for today’s Holiday Baking Goodness:
- Christmas Fudge by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Peanut Butter Cup Fudge by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
- Peppermint Mocha Tart by See Aimee Cook
- Peanut Brittle by Noshing With The Nolands
- Spiced Cranberry Holiday Margaritas by Pineapple and Coconut
- Turtle Bark by The Girl In The little Red Kitchen
- Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Sauce by Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker
- Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate by My Catholic Kitchen
- Pomegranate-Ginger Champagne Cocktail by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Kletzenbrot – Christmas Fruit Bread from Tyrol by Masala Herb
- Spiked Butterscotch Hot Chocolate by Dizzy Busy and Hungry
- Frozen Mint Cookie Pie by The Messy Baker
- Stuffed Nut Roll Cookies by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Irish Cream Tiramisu by Cooking In Stilettos
- Lemon Sandwich Cookies by Try Anything Once Culinary
- Orange Creamsicle Fudge by Home Cooking Memories
- Stained Glass Window Cookies by Like Mother Like Daughter
- Eggnog and Cranberry Thumbprints by The Dutch Baker’s Daughter
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Today’s #ChristmasWeek giveaway comes courtesy of Freund Container & Supply. Freund Container & Supply has been helping build businesses since 1938 as the largest distributor of glass bottles, containers, and wholesale packaging supplies online. Freund offers over 5,000 items in stock every day, 98% same day shipping, and low-price guarantees. Take a look at Freund’s wide selection of jars, tins, bottles and vials for all your crafting and food related needs!
Today’s winner will receive one $250 Freund gift certificate, as well as one copy of “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays”. To enter, read the details and use the Rafflecopter below!
***This giveaway is for one $250 gift certificate to Freund Container & Supply, as well as one copy of “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays”. Gift certificate is a one-time use certificate and must be used in its entirety; any leftover monies on the gift certificate will be forfeited. This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. However, it should be noted that due to current International shipping rates, any Canadian winners will pay higher shipping costs for orders. ***
***Disclaimer: This gift certificate is being provided by Freund Container & Supply, while the cookbook has been provided by Juanita’s Cocina. #ChristmasWeek bloggers have not received product or been compensated as a part of this giveaway.***
***Giveaway Closed!!!*** #ChristmasWeek Day 4 with a @Swissmar 5 Qt. Roaster #Giveaway!
Welcome to Day #4 of Christmas Week, a multi-blogger event co-hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic and Jen from Juanita’s Cocina! Each day we will be celebrating the holidays with a different set of Christmas-themed treats, as well as a fabulous Christmas giveaway. We hope you enjoy this fabulous event. Tune in each day starting today, Monday, December 9th and ending Saturday, December 14th.
I don’t have a recipe for you today, but I am still sharing links to all of today’s participants, as well as info. on today’s giveaway!
Make sure you visit these Christmas Week Peeps for today’s Holiday Baking Goodness:
- Mini Sugar Cookie Houses aka Hot Chocolate Mug Perches by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Eggnog Cookie Truffles by The Weekend Gourmet
- Spiked Candy Cane Hot Chocolate by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks:
- Gingerbread Texas Sheet Cake with Lemon Frosting by Chocolate Moosey
- Swirl Cookies by Noshing With The Nolands
- Caramel Apples by My Catholic Kitchen
- Homemade Caramels by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
- Puff Pastry Ravioli Mince Pies by Food Lust People Love
- Mounds Brownie Cupcakes by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Hot Chocolate Pull Apart Bread by The Dutch
- Sugared Grape and Phyllo Tart by See Aimee Cook
- Taffy Tan Fudge by Mom’s Test Kitchen
- Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies by Cooking In Stilettos
- Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal Bread by Liv Life
- White Chocolate Candy Cane Fudge by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Devil’s Food Cake Cookies by Try Anything Once Culinary
- Cinnamon Whiskey Balls by Home Cooking Memories
- Pumpkin Chiffon Pie by Jen’s Favorite Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Dough Truffles by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Candy Cane Blossoms by Like Mother Like Daughter
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Today’s #ChristmasWeek giveaway comes courtesy of Swissmar. Le Cordon Bleu has been a worldwide leader in gastronomy and hospitality for over 100 years and are widely considered the guardian of French culinary technique. Swissmar now combines this culinary expertise with their own knowledge and brand recognition to introduce this fantastic new line.
The Le Cordon Bleu ceramic ovenware from Swissmar are all freezer safe, oven safe, dishwasher and microwave safe. The French-inspired Charmant Collection 5 qt. Rectangular Roaster has scalloped edges and is beautiful enough to go straight from oven to table! To enter to win a Swissmar Roaster, read the details and use the Rafflecopter below!
***This giveaway is for one Swissmar Charmant Collection 5 qt. Rectangular Roaster (winner’s choice of color: blue, yellow, red, or white)! This giveaway is open to Continental US residents only . When the contest concludes, the winner will be chosen by random draw. The winner will be notified through e-mail and they will have 3 days to respond or another winner will be chosen.***
***Disclaimer: This giveaway is being provided by Swissmar. #ChristmasWeek bloggers have not received product or been compensated as a part of this giveaway.***
