Foodie Friday : Texas Style Crockpot Chili , Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes

This Texas Style Chili is the perfect warm  meal for those days when you have plans and know you won't get around to making dinner unless you start it early. I have made this a few times on my Infusion days because I can just throw it in the crock pot in the morning, open the crock-pot at 5 and BAM delicious dinner is served!Its very hearty since it has stew meat instead of ground beef. 
Ingredients 

• 2 lbs stew meat
• 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes
• 1- 6 oz can tomato paste
• 2- 15oz can pinto beans drained
• 1-15 oz can chili beans drained
• 1 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 1/2 Tbsp cumin
• 1/2 Tbsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup beef stock

Instructions

1.Combine all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

2. Serve with sour cream and cheese 

               

This California weather has been perfect for all the citrus trees. We have a ton of fresh oranges and lemons. It probably comes as no surprise that this means baking time for me :) Orange Dreamsicles are my absolute favorite summer ice cream treat so I figured I'd try to make the sweet treat into a cupcake. Check out last weeks Foodie Friday for Orange Creamsicle Cookies

Ingredients

Orange Cupcakes
2  1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1  1/2 cup  sugar
1/2 tsp  baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt 
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons grated orange zest 
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 tablespoons orange juice
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk ( or 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tsp vinegar)

Orange Buttercream Frosting
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter at room temperature
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons orange zest
1 teaspoon orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.  Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. 
2.  In a medium mixing bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well blended.  Set aside
3. In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat eggs, orange zest, vanilla, and orange juice until blended.  Beat in oil, then buttermilk, until blended.
4. On low speed, beat in flour mixture just until blended. fill muffin tins 3/4 of the way full
5. Bake 20 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting:

1.Beat butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy
2. Add in powdered sugar gradually (about 1/2 cup at a time) with the mixer on low speed, slowly increasing the speed until it's combined. 
3.Add in vanilla extract, orange juice and zest, then beat on medium-high speed until thick and fluffy

 ( about 5 min)
4. mix orange food coloring with frosting and top with orange zest

While your here check out the Beauty Bag Swap Kayla and I are hosting! Its a fun way to meet new bloggers and score some new polishes ! Help us make our first swap successful by sharing our button on your blog :) <a href="http://fabulouslyfaint.blogspot.com/2014/01/beauty-bag-swap-new-yearnew-nails.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDdvJXUCXX45NODyl4C2LmIAwNWXm7uq48FJiVnBJydrVBN-owCdD7Ibb-YI2whvtPToEfx15oKa45_oKveQnj1mSS74GKEzdn_uW7L6pWYdjR3X0EMpa8h6iEIDkjC85_y8qgQVL3hY/s320/image+(5).jpeg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" height="250" width="250"/></a>