Frozen Key Lime Pie - Barefoot Contessa

Oh Lord...

Well, if I haven't learned by now to test/make something ahead of time before making it for a function...

Or in this case, a gorgeous afternoon lunch on a gorgeous Friday...

We were Ladies Lunching, with a very runny Key Lime Pie!!!

:-(

I have no idea where my wheels fell off...

You know I love my Barefoot, so when I was in charge of dessert, I thought, "Well, what else?! Ina's Key Lime Pie!"

It was incredibly easy to make. Super simple instructions.

Made my graham cracker crust (which did come out perfect) and then mixed the egg yolks, lime juice, condensed milk & sugar.

Poured it into crust, per instructions and threw it in the Freezer over night!

It was in the freezer from 10p Thursday night til noon Friday...

Then in the car for a quick drive over to lunch.

Then immediately back in the freezer!

Now I know it's been a Trillion degrees outside but it wouldn't have melted that much in the car, would it?

With the car A/C on full blast?!

Taste-wise, it was delicious (of course...)

But it was all melty and runny!

What the eff?!

So now I've been racking my brains... what did I do wrong?

Did I mix it too long?
Is it cause my pie dish is glass?

Is it really 'cause it's been a thousand degrees outside?

Any ideas?

My very very good friend D, who was also at lunch Fri afternoon has made this recipe herself a ton!

And it's always come out ok for her!

What did I do?!

:-(

Homemade Granola Bars - Barefoot Contessa

Barefoot's Homemade Granola Bars

Well you know I love my Barefoot!

As you know, I'm not a fan of the granola, but I make it for hubby so he can have something to Grab-n-Go on his way out in search of good waves.

This was so easy to make and it came out so yummy!

Love the combo of Honey, Brown Sugar and Vanilla!

Didn't have Wheat Germ so thought Oat Bran would be a good sub.

Love these together!

Well... what can I say.

I was too lazy to cut them into bars.

So I just tore 'em into pieces and threw them in a ziplock.

This works well cause he just grabs handfuls on his way out!

Barefoot Contessa - Chocolate Cupcakes with Espresso Frosting

What can I say...

My affair with Barefoot continues!

I can't even begin to tell you how yummy these turned out!

Made these for a party in my honor (celebrating the longest graduation in history!).

And since it was my party, I made what I wanted!

Everyone loved these, esp. hubby and BFF, both who love their coffee!

The Sour Cream & Buttermilk really give it a kick of moistness!

Yeah... I'd eat that just as it is...

Mixed this up and added it!

So, I went a lil crazy with the frosting...
Not only did I add coffee, but I also added Espresso powder.

Perfect! They're yum even without frosting!

Oh yeah... the frosting did call for Peanut Butter but I thought coffee and espresso would be better... ;-)

Happy Graduation to Me!!!

P.S. - I've been trying so many Barefoot Contessa recipes, I need a whole new/different blog for that!

Tonight, it was Tuscan Lemon Chicken and Roasted Tomatoes...

Both from Back to Basics and both deliciously fabulous!

Banana Crunch Muffins - Barefoot Contessa

Barefoot Contessa's Banana Crunch Muffins

OMG... these came out sooooooooooooo good, where do I even begin?!

It's no secret that I personally think there is no Banana Nut Muffin like the Whole Foods Banana Nut Muffin.

It's pretty much killer and I'd eat it every day if I could (If I could NOT gain a thousand pounds and NOT have a heart attack...).

It was my very good friend J who told me to check out Barefoot Contessa, who she is totally into for Barefoot's yumminess and easiness...

and cause J has two little one's at home + a hubby, a dog and a seriously full-time job!

She told me to check it out so I immediately went over to Food Network and one of the first things I found was this Video for the Banana Crunch Muffins.

They are so easy to make!

Smooth like Buttah...

YUM! I'd eat that just like that...

I was looking for a creative & healthy alternative for hubby's diet.

We're still working on getting his Cholesterol down so I thought this would be good for him!

(ahem... minus the eggs and buttah...)

Topped the batter with more yummy granola-goodness.

Added Cinnamon on top, as I'd add Cinnamon to EVERYTHING, if I could...

Ding! Fresh outta the oven!

These were sooooo good straight out of the oven and for the few days (that they lasted) after.

Stored 'em in an air-tight container and they stayed moist and fresh!

YAY!!!!!

I'd absolutely make these again.

A note on Barefoot Contessa...

I've tried a few of her recipes now and they have ALL been wonderful and easy!

There are so many recipes on the FoodNetwork site as well as her Barefoot site.

Here's some of the things I've made that came out Killer!!!

Lemon Chicken with Croutons (this came out KILLER!!!, btw...)

Tequila Lime Chicken

Chicken Piccata