Now how many times have you spent your time in your kitchen cooking something you think everyone will eat only to find out their are children or grandchildren who won’t eat it. Well guess what? I thought, wouldn’t it be great to find something everyone will like and to boot it’s quick and easy to make and you won’t spend all your time in the kitchen. Sound Great. The below recipe is from Pillsbury’s site and the original recipe link is: Easy Bacon-Cheddar Sweet Hawaiian Rolls .
I do this blog hop and it’s really fun to do and it helps bring more traffic to your blog too. This blog hop is over at Esme’s Senior Salon. The link to her blog for this week’s Senior Salon is: Senior Salon Blog Hop and Esme’s blog link is: Esme’s Blog
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper.
2. Separate dough into 8 triangles.
3. Sprinkle wide end of each triangle with about 1 tablespoon of the cheese; top with 3 bacon pieces. Reserve remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
4. EAT AND ENJOY!!
Expert Tips
Shape these crescents up to 2 hours ahead of time; cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Add a few minutes to baking time before sprinkling with cheese.
Ever just want to get refreshed in this hot weather? Ever go for a glass of water but didn’t really want water? Well I’m going to help you remedy that. That’s right here is an easy recipe for a drink that looks very refreshing. That’s right I haven’t tried it. Please note, This recipe can easily be made nonalcoholic by taking all alcoholic ingredients out. “Pickle Rick” Recipe is below.
QUEEN DAISY MAE SHOWING OFF HER GREY AND WHITE BELLY. (ORIGINAL PICTURE).
I thought I’d do something different. We do recipes for humans but rarely do recipes for cats. I thought I would do some recipes for cats.
I follow TWO Spoiled Cats and found this recipe a few days ago on their blog and liked it that I wanted to share it with you.
RECIPE FOR CATS: SALMON KITTY TREATS
Ingredients
10 oz canned salmon undrained.
1 egg beaten
2 cups whole wheat flour
Instructions
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Put 10 oz canned salmon (undrained) in a food processor and/or chop as finely as possible.
In a mixing bowl using a hand or stand mixer, combine salmon, 1 egg (beaten) and 2 cups whole wheat flour until dough forms. If dough is too dry, add up to 1/3 cup of water. If dough is to wet or sticky, add a bit more flour. Dough should be tacky but not sticky.
Roll out dough on a floured surface until about 1/4 inch thick. Use a 3/4-inch cookie cutter in the shape of your choice to create your treats (or just form with your hands!)
Place treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. When they’re slightly browned and crunchy, they’re done.
Allow to cool before serving.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
CAT RECIPES: CHICKEN TREATS
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup cornmeal
1 tbsp. softened margarine
Instructions
While your oven is preheating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, combine the chicken, broth and margarine, then add the cornmeal and flour. Knead the dough into a ball and then roll it out to 1/4 inch. Cut into one-inch pieces and bake for 20 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet.
CAT RECIPES: CHEESE TREATS
Ingredients
3/4 cup shredded or grated cheddar cheese
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup sour cream or yogurt (plain)
1/4 cup cornmeal
5 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
While your oven is preheating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, combine all the ingredients into dough (add a touch of water if needed). Knead the dough into a ball and then roll it out to 1/4 inch. Cut into one-inch pieces and bake for 25 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.
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DAISY MAE AND Ihope one of these recipes appeals to your cat. Cats deserve treats frequently and daily.
*Full Disclosure* I found these recipes on TWO Spoiled Cats blog. The original post of recipes can be found at TWO Spoiled Cats blog and also on the internet. I’ve not tried these recipes on my cat since I’m not a cook. You can create your own combinations by cooking with your kitty favorites by substituting key ingredients.
If you make any of these treats let me know how it goes and how your cat likes it.
I follow this author. Here name is Jacki Delecki and she can be found at www.JackiDelecki.com . The recipe and photo(s) are from her newsletter. The recipe is below.
Watermelon Fizz
5 cups watermelon, seeded and cubed
Honey to taste
Juice of one lemon or lime
2 cups sparkling water
Fresh mint to garnish
Process the first three ingredients in a blender until smooth. Strain.
2 pkg. (3 oz. each) JELL-O Berry Blue Flavor Gelatin.
2 pkg (3 oz. each) JELL-O Gelatin, any red flavor.
3 cups cold water, divided.
1 pkg. (3 oz.) Jell-O Lemon Flavor Gelatin.
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed.
Let’s make It:
Add 1-1/2 cups boiling water to blue gelatin mix in medium bowl; stir 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Repeat in separate bowl with red gelatin. Stir 1-1/2 cups cold water into gelatin in each bowl.
Spray 10-cup flag mold with cooking spray; place on baking sheet. Pour Red gelatin into mold. Refrigerate 45 minutes until set but not firm. Meanwhile, refrigerate blue gelatin 45 minutes. After 20 minutes, dissolve lemon gelatin in boiling water in separate bowl. Refrigerate 25 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Whisk COOL WHIP into lemon gelatin; spread over red gelatin layer in mold. Refrigerate 10 minutes or until set but not firm. Cover with blue gelatin. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Unmold.
Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 for substitute:
Prepare using COOL WHIP LITE Whipped topping.
Tip 2 for substitute – How to make a Flag without the flag mold:
Prepare as directed, using 13 x 9-inch pan. Decorate with additional COOL WHIP and fruit (such as blueberries and strawberries) to resemble a flag.
Tip 3 – How to unmold:
Dip mold in warm water for about 15 seconds. Gently pull gelatin from around the edges with moist fingers. Place moistened serving plate on top of mold. Invert mold and plate. Holding mold and plate together, shake slightly to loosen. Gently remove mold and center gelatin on plate.
Tip 4 – To substitute:
Substitute 1 (6 oz.) package JELL-O Gelatin for the 2 (3 oz.) packages.
Nutrition:
Calories 110
% Daily Value
Total Fat 2 g 3%
Saturated Fat 2 g 10%
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 90 mg 4%
Total Carbohydrates 21 g 8%
Dietary Fibers 0 g
Sugars 20 g 40%
Protein 2 g 4%
Vitamin A & Vitamin C 0%
Calcium & Iron 0%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
I follow this author, Cambria Hebert and they put in yummy recipes in their newsletter. Sometimes healthy sometimes not but either way they look yummy. This weeks recipe is a Dessert called Hot Cocoa Poke Cake and the recipe is from Cambria Hebert of Cambria Hebert Books. Recipe is below.
Ingredients
1 box of chocolate cake mix (you can use gluten free).
2 cups of marshmallow cream.
2 TBSP of water.
2 cups of heavy whipping cream.
3 packets of hot cocoa mix.
marshmallows for topping.
chocolate chips for topping.
hard shell ice cream topping or chocolate syrup.
Directions
Make cake according to box directions, baking in a 9 x 13 glass baking dish. When cake comes out of the oven cool for a few minutes, then poke holes in the cake with a wooden spoon (or anything that will make large holes).
Place 2 cups of marshmallow cream into a microwave safe bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of water. Microwave the marshmallow cream and water for about 20 seconds. Stir it together and then pour the cream over the top of the cake, making sure the cream fills the holes. Set cake aside.
With a mixer, place 2 cups of heavy cream into a bowl (make sure its large enough to whip the cream). Add in 3 packets of hot cocoa mix (you can use the kind with or without the mini marshmallows, it doesn’t matter).
Whip the cream and cocoa mix until the cream forms stiff peaks.
Spread the whipped cream over the cake, covering the top.
Sprinkle the top with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and drizzle and drizzle with the hard shell ice cream topping.
This recipe for Homemade Ice Cream is not only tested and tried but this recipe has also made its rounds through the family. You see my Family Homemade Ice Cream Recipe was passed down from Great Grandmother to my mother and you guessed it, I got the recipe from my mother. Now onto the recipe.
Homemade Ice Cream Recipe For 6 Quart Ice Cream Freezer
Ingredients
1.) 4 Eggs.
2.) 2 1/2 cups White Sugar.
3.) 1 can of Evaporated Milk.
4.) 4 tablespoons of Vanilla.
Directions
1.) Beat 4 Eggs then add the Sugar slowly while beating it.
2.) Now add the Evaporated Milk and the 4 tablespoons of Vanilla.
3.) Pour all of this into the ice cream container then fill the container 3/4 full of Regular Milk. Put container into the ice cream freezer and surround it with ice and plug freezer in. Can use hand crank ice cream freezer to make the Homemade ice cream too.
4.) ENJOY!!
Baker’s Note
If you don’t have a Ice Cream Freezer/Container you can usually find one at Amazon.com, Walmart or another shopping store/mall that might have one.
Now I don’t know about anyone else but in my opinion bacon in almost any recipe is great and you can’t go wrong. Today’s recipe comes from a wonderful site called Two Spoiled Cats . This site I just love.
Ingredients
Ten Eggs (important ingredient in an omelette!)
1/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 dashes hot pepper sauce, or to taste
1/2 pound bacon – cooked, and chopped into bite – size pieces
1 (4 i) can black olives, drained
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1/3 cup mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup Colby – Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat an 8 inch square baking dish with non – stick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine eggs and milk. With an electric mixer, beat until frothy. Blend in salt and hot pepper sauce. Stir in bacon, olives, tomatoes, green onions, mushrooms and cheese. Pour into prepared pan, and cover with lid or aluminum foil.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until eggs are set in the center.
Baker’s Note
If there is an ingredient you either don’t like or want in your River Omelette DON’T PUT IT IN!! It’s that easy. As for the cheese if you prefer American, Provolone, Swiss or some other cheese instead of Colby – Monterey Jack cheese please feel free to use it. As we all know THAT the bacon is the most important ingredient then the eggs. Now maybe you’ll try it for Breakfast, another meal or even serve your mother Breakfast in bed.
I wanted to have some fun with my recipe so when I found this recipe for Jamaican Guinness Punch Recipe I knew I had to do it. If you want to print this recipe you can do so by clicking on the above link then that will take you to original site where you can print recipe. Recipe, Ingredients and Instructions are below. ENJOY!!
Ingredients
1 bottle of Guinness Stout
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 vanilla supligen
Instructions
1. Place the Guinness Stout, vanilla supplies and condensed milk in a jug.
I follow Author Anne Greene via her newsletter by email. In her newsletter there are excerpts from her books, excerpts from other author’s books, recipes and book recommendations. This recipe is from Anne Greene’s book Recipe For A Husband. I’m sharing this recipe of hers with permission and with her blessing. Below is the Recipe. Enjoy. Please let me know how things go and how it turned out if you make it.
NEW ENGLAND BLUEBERRY CAKE
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups fresh New England blueberries
Blend sugar and shortening on medium speed, add milk and eggs. Reduce speed to low. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to mixture. Mix only until all flour has been moistened. Fold in blueberries. Spread batter in greased and floured 9-inch square pan.
Crumb Topping
1/3 cup sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup soft butter
Combine and blend until crumbly. Sprinkle crumb topping over batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Also makes 2 dozen muffins.
Hint
Spread berries on wax paper and sprinkle a little flour over them. This keeps the berries from settling to the bottom of the cake.
I was on Bakin’ with Bacon in Baconia and I saw this smoothie recipe which looks good. Now you vegans and vegetarians out there, I am sure that you could make this smoothie without adding the bacon. The original recipe can be found at Banana-Peanut Butter-Bacon Smoothie. Below is the recipe.
BANANA-PEANUT BUTTER-BACON SMOOTHIE.
Ingredients
1 container (6 oz) vanilla yogurt
1 banana, sliced
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup ice cubes
2 slices crisp cooked bacon (you can use more)
Steps
Place all the ingredients except bacon in blender. Cover; blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth.
Pour into 2 glasses. Serve immediately with bacon slice placed in each glass.
If you try this recipe please let me know what you think of the smoothie.
I thought since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, wouldn’t it be nice to do a recipe for Valentine’s Day. Sandi Scott was kind enough to give me permission to share this recipe. This not only looks good but sounds good too. If you do make the recipe, please let me know how they turned out and how they taste.
RED VELVET VALENTINE COOKIES
Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time
10 mins | 10 mins | 20 mins
These Red Velvet Valentine Cookies are decadent , rich and super easy to make – everyone will love how fun and flavorful they are!
In medium bowl, stir together cookie mix, butter, egg, cream cheese and red coloring until well blended.
Place rounded tablespoons dough 2-inches apart onto parchment lined cookie sheet. Spray the bottom of a glass jar with non-stick spray. Press down each ball of cookie dough gently until a 2 1/2 ” diameter circle of dough forms.
Bake 9-10 minutes.
Cool cookies completely.
To make cream cheese frosting:
With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add in powdered sugar, milk and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Spread on each cookie and top with holiday sprinkles.
With the Superbowl approaching I thought it would be fun to do a couple of recipes for game day or anytime. I found my recipe on Hidden Valley Recipes|Game Day Recipe Ideas. The website is Hidden Valley Recipes| Game Day Recipe Ideas. The Particular Recipe I’m doing its link is: Original Ranch Meatballs (Keto Friendly!). Below are the recipes.
Prep: 25 MIN| Cook: 15 MIN| Total: 40 MIN
Ingredients (4)
1/2 cup beef broth
2 teaspoons Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning
1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
Step 1
Combine ground beef and dressing mix. Shape mixture into 24 meatballs. Melt butter in a skillet; brown meatballs on all sides. Add broth; and simmer 10 – 15 minutes or until cooked through. Serve warm with toothpicks.
Step 2
ALL DONE!
* Recipe only gluten free when made with all gluten free ingredients. Read labels of all packaged ingredients to determine whether they contain gluten.
RANCH BUFFALO WINGS
Prep: 5 MIN| Cook: 40 MIN| Total: 45 MIN
Ingredients (8)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup hot pepper sauce
1 1-oz packet Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
24 chicken wing or drumettes
3 tablespoons vinegar
celery sticks
1 cup Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2
In a small bowl, whisk together butter, hot sauce and vinegar. Dip drumettes in butter mixture; arrange in single layer in large baking pan. Sprinkle with Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix. Bake until chicken is browned and an internal temperature of 165 degrees F has been reached, about 30 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with paprika and your buffalo wings or hot wings are ready.
Step 3
Serve with Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing and celery sticks.
Food. Who doesn’t like food? Whether you’re a vegetarian, Vegan or Meat & Potatoes kind of person(like me) we all eat some sort of food. I follow several people as do all of you but in the email today there was a recipe from this blog I just started following. It’s for Braised Short Ribs. Sounds yummy doesn’t it. The blog these recipes came from is Yankee-Belle Cafe. The blog link from the original post is: Braised Short Ribs Recipe . Also, the blog this recipe came from has a total of 5 authors contributing recipes. Now onto the good stuff, the recipes.
BRAISED SHORT RIBS RECIPE
What You’ll Need:
3-4 lbs. short ribs, you can use boneless or bone-in
Salt
Pepper
1/3 cup flour
Bacon, cut into small pieces (about 4 strips if you’re using thick-sliced or 6 regular slices)
2-3 tablespoons cooking oil
3 carrots, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
32 oz beef broth
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.
Season your ribs with salt and pepper.
Then lightly dredge in flour.
Set aside.
In a large Dutch oven, over medium heat, cook the bacon until all of the fat is rendered and the meat is crispy, but not burned.Remove bacon to paper towel.
Crank up the heat to high and add your oil to the bacon fat. Brown the ribs in batches.
Remove from pan and set aside.
Lower the heat and add carrots, onion and garlic.
Stir that around for a minute or so, then add a little bit of the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to incorporate all those little bits of meat.
Add the remainder of the broth, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste and bring to a boil.
Now add your browned ribs and top with thyme and rosemary.
And don’t forget about that cooked bacon.
Cover and place pot in oven for two-and-half to three hours.
Remove from oven and allow to rest with the lid on for at least 20 minutes.
Oh, the aromas of this feast will have you counting the seconds.
You can whip up a batch of creamy cheese grits to serve with these. You can find the recipe Here . But if you prefer, mashed potatoes are an option, too.
Thank you Yankee-Belle Cafe and Mindy Obenhaus. Mindy Obenhaus can also be found at Mindy Obenhaus.
Well Vegan’s it’s your turn. I wondered after doing recipes for chocolate is there such a thing as Vegan Chocolate? I’m happy to say there is. Also, if you haven’t read my other cooking posts I did previously, you can read them by going to A Simple Cooking Life Hack, Christmas Cooking Hacks And Helpful Cooking Hacks……, and 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂Simple Chocolate Recipes……🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂. I hope you not on go to these posts but read and comment on this one too. Now let’s move on to those delicious-looking Vegan Chocolate Recipes.
EASY VEGAN CHOCOLATE:
Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time:
20 minutes 3 minutes 23 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup cocoa butter (finely chopped, packed)
5 tablespoons agave nectar (or maple syrup)
1/2 cup cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
to taste pinch sea salt (optional/plus more)
add cacao nibs (optional/for topping)
Instructions:
Arrange 14 (amount as original recipe is written//adjust if altering batch size)mini cupcake liners on a small baking sheet. Set aside.
Add 2 inches of water to a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Then set a glass or ceramic bowl on top, making sure it’s not touching the water (this creates a “double boiler”).
To the mixing bowl, add finely chopped cocoa butter and let melt-2-3 minutes.
Once melted, add the maple syrup or agave nectar and use a whisk or wooden spoon to mix until fluid and thoroughly combined. Remove bowl and set on a flat surface. Also, turn off stove – top heat and set saucepan aside.
Add cacao or cocoa powder, vanilla (optional), and sea salt (optional), and whisk to combine until there are no clumps.
Taste and adjust flavor as needed. (amounts as original recipe is written//adjust if altering batch size), but it’s completely up to how sweet you prefer your chocolate.
Carefully pour chocolate into 12 – 14 mini cupcake liners* (or 7 large cupcake liners//amount as original recipe is written//adjust if altering batch) and top with more sea salt or cacao nibs (optional).
Transfer chocolate to the freezer or refrigerator to set – about 10 minutes.
Enjoy straight from the freezer, refrigerator, or at room temperature. Store leftovers in a well – sealed container in the refrigerator for 1 week, or in the freezer up to 1 month.
Notes:
*You can sub up to 2 Tbsp (amount as original recipe is written//adjust if altering batch size) of the cocoa butter with coconut oil in the recipe. However, cocoa butter is superior! Coconut oil tends to separate, get a little oily, and melts easily when touched.
*Between both raw cacao and cocoa powder the raw cacao tastes a bit more bitter, while the cocoa was a little less stark and had a more familiar taste on the palette. Cacao wins in health benefits, but cocoa powder wins in taste.
* To keep this chocolate raw, use cacao powder and (water bath).
*If you don’t have mini cupcake liners, lay parchment paper down on a baking sheet and spread the chocolate into an even layer. Once set, break into bark, or cut into bars.
*If you’re afraid to try cocoa butter, don’t be! It’s so versatile. Definitely worth it if you’re a chocolate fan!
4 Medjool dates, soaked in water for 1 hour and drained.
1 Tbsp. water.
1 tsp. maple syrup.
1 tsp. coconut oil, solid.
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract.
Instructions:
In a high-speed blender, whip up all the ingredients for the raw caramel sauce until completely smooth. Allow to chill in the refrigerator to cool down.
Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
Melt 1/2 c. of the non-dairy chocolate chips. Place in a Ziploc bag with a slit cut out of the corner and drip 1 tsp. of chocolate onto the parchment paper, making circles. You may want to use the back of a spoon to flatten down a little bit.
For each chocolate circle, place 6 pecan slices on top of the chocolate in the position for the head, legs and tail. Fill in the remainder of the chocolate with smaller pecan pieces. Place the baking in the freezer for 5-10 minutes.
Remove the sheet and pour the raw caramel sauce into a Ziploc baggie to pipe on top, about 1 tsp. worth. Freeze again while you melt the remainder 1/2 c. of chocolate.
Pipe the remaining chocolate on top of the caramel. Smooth out with the back of a spoon to ensure it is evenly spread. PLEASE READ: Do this one at a time because the warm chocolate hitting the items that have been in the freezer will cause the chocolate to quickly harden. If you wait too long, your chocolate will be unworkable.
Allow the turtles to fully set (either back in the freezer or if you keep them on the counter, they will harden as well).
Warm a large heavy bottomed pan with a lid, over medium heat until hot. Pour in the popcorn kernels and put the lid on tightly. Move them around frequently by gently moving the pan. They will start popping after about 30 seconds.
Keep watching/listening until the popping stops then remove from the heat but keep the lid on in case a rogue kernel decides to surprise you!
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Add the coconut sugar and water to a small saucepan and warm over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and it is just starting the bubble.
Remove from the heat and add the coconut oil, tahini and salt. Stir really well until it is smooth. It is normal to see some pale flecks throughout. If lumps persist or it doesn’t combine well put the pan over a low heat and continue stirring. It will come together.
Remove the lid from the popcorn kernels and pour over the caramel. Be careful as it will be very hot. Stir until evenly coated evenly.
Pour onto a baking tray lined with either Silpat or baking parchment and spread out into a single layer. Put in the oven and bake for around 15 minutes until crunchy and golden.
Melt the chocolate chips over simmering water, or gently in a microwave, then drizzle over the popcorn with a spoon.
Place the tray in the fridge to allow the chocolate to set. If you are in a hurry you can put it in the freezer for 10 minutes. Once the chocolate is set break into pieces and store in an airtight container where it will keep well for a few days.
Notes:
Feel free to omit the chocolate if you prefer to just have caramel flavor.
Nutrition:
Serving: 1 1/2 cup serving |Calories: 124 k cal | Carbohydrates: 18 g | Protein: 1.4 g| Fat: 6 g | Saturated Fat: 3.4 g |Sodium: 53 mg |Fiber: 1.5 g |Sugar: 2112 g |Calcium: 51% |Iron: 4%
My favorite Christmas (or Hanukkah)decoration is the Santa throw my Human bought and goes over the rocking chair to make a wonderful tent to sleep or play in.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Meowy Christmas with the exception of no presents or gifts under the tree.
This time of year, I eat my fare share of dry Meow Mix. My Human gives me a mix of Indoor Health, Tender Centers and Hairball food. It’s good stuff and I like to eat it. YUM!!
CRYSTAL’S FRIENDLY FILL – IN ANSWERS
I really need to get motivated and get my Christmas cards out in “snail mail”. Even though my gifts are bought they are not wrapped or gift bagged so I need to do that yet too.
My favorite Christmas (or Hanukkah) decoration is the Nativity scene. Love this Christmas Decoration. Personally this decoration could be left up all year round.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas now that the gifts have been bought, Christmas cards have started coming to me and one of the spare bedrooms is almost filled with gifts, wrapping paper and gift bags and of course stockings.
This time of year, I eat my fare share of chicken wings and Homemade Orange cookies with Orange Icing. Yumm!!
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As you know I’ve done two cooking hacks post they can be at A Simple Cooking Life Hack and Christmas Cooking Hacks And Helpful Cooking Hacks……. So that got me to thinking what are some simple chocolate recipes and alternatives to chocolate are there. Who doesn’t love chocolate? Who doesn’t love chocolate? I love chocolate except for chocolate coffee. Yes I have tried chocolate coffee too. Vegan’s I didn’t forget about you. I will have a separate post for you. Because there are so many good chocolate recipes I’m only listing 5 but will give you the link for all the recipes for your recipes.
SOME SIMPLE CHOCOLATE RECIPES
Chocolate-Banana Pudding Ingredients:
2 cups of heavy cream.
tablespoons confectioners’ sugar.
3 bananas, thinly sliced lengthwise, plus 1/2 banana, sliced into rounds.
5 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped.
26 chocolate wafers.
Directions:
In a small saucepan, bring cream to a boil over medium-high. Remove from heat and add chocolate. Let sit 5 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar and whisk to combine. Let cool to room temperature.
Layer 13 chocolate wafers in a 2-quart baking dish. Add half the chocolate mixture, then top with lengthwise banana slices. Top with 13 more cookies and remaining mixture. Cover and refrigerate until pudding is set and cookies are tender, about 2 hours (or up to 1 day). Top with round banana slices and serve.
Servings:
Serves 8.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries Ingredients:
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped.
1/3 cup of pistachios(optional).
1 pound large strawberries (about 20), washed and dried well.
Directions:
Place chocolate in a bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water. Stir occasionally, until melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. One at a time, dip each strawberry in chocolate, twirling to coat; then sprinkle chocolate-covered portion with pistachios, if using, and place on waxed paper.
Chill chocolate-dipped strawberries at least 15 minutes to set chocolate. (Strawberries should not be stored in refrigerator longer than 1 hour as condensation may collect on the chocolate.)
Total Time: Prep Time: Servings:
35 minutes 20 minutes Makes About 20
Peppermint Hot Fudge Sundaes Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream.
One 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips.
Best-quality vanilla ice cream.
1/3 cup light corn syrup, plus more to adjust consistency.
1 teaspoon peppermint extract.
Peppermint candy, coarsely chopped.
Directions:
Combine heavy cream and corn syrup in a small saucepan. Stir to combine, and bring just to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat, and add chocolate and peppermint extract.
Whisk until chocolate is melted. If necessary, adjust consistency with additional corn syrup. Serve over ice cream. Garnish with chopped peppermint candy.
Cooks Notes:
Peppermint extract can be found in most supermarkets.
Makes:
4 Servings
Crispy Chocolate-Marshmallow Treats Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for pan.
1/2 cup granulated sugar.
1/2 teaspoon of salt.
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled).
1/2 cup of chopped nuts, such as cashews, pecans or walnuts.
1 bag (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips.
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar.
2 large eggs.
1 cup miniature marshmallows.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides; butter paper.
In a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water, combine butter and 1 cup chocolate chips. Heat, stirring occasionally, just until melted, 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove mixture from heat; stir in sugars and salt, then eggs, and finally flour, stirring just until combined. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes.
Remove from oven, and sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips, then marshmallows and nuts. Bake until chocolate is shiny and marshmallows are puffed, about 5 minutes. Cool completely in pan. Using paper overhang, lift cake onto a work surface; cut into 16 squares.
Cook’s Notes:
To prevent toppings from sinking into the batter, sprinkle them on after brownies are baked. An extra 5 minutes in the oven melts the topping together for easy slicing.
Total Time: Prep Time: Servings:
45 minutes 10 minutes Make 16
Ricotta Tart With Chocolate And Kumquats Ingredients-For Crust:
5 ounces chocolate wafers (about 24 cookies).
1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.
Pinch of salt.
FOR THE FILLING:
1 1/2 cups ricotta. (12 ounces).
2 tablespoons granulated sugar.
5 kumquats, thinly sliced crosswise.
1/2 cup heavy cream.
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped.
DIRECTIONS:
For The Crust: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pulse wafers in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a bowl, and stir in butter, sugar and salt. Press into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch tart pan. Bake for 10 minutes . Let cool.
For The Filling: Beat together ricotta, cream, sugar, and cinnamon until fluffy. Fold in half the kumquats and half the chocolate. Pour into cooled crust. Top with remaining kumquats and chocolate. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes ( or overnight) before serving.
Total Time Prep Time Servings
1 hour 10 minutes 8
Cocoa (cacao) beans on a bean pod with focus on foreground.
To stay with my chocolate theme and to keep my promise below is what you can use if you don’t have chocolate handy or someone can’t eat chocolate this is what you can do.
5 HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO CHOCOLATE
1. Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder is a mixture of many substances that are left over after cocoa butter is extracted from cacao beans. One tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa power contains about 10 calories, and has virtually no fat, cholesterol, or sugar. And because it is 100% cacao, it is jam-packed with antioxidants.
Try mixing cocoa powder with almond or coconut milk for a homemade hot chocolate, or add a scoop to plain or vanilla Greek yogurt or as an addition to your favorite smoothie. Cocoa powder can be used in savory dishes as well – especially in many traditional Mexican dishes (cocoa and chili pepper!). For a crunchy snack, try cocoa dusted almonds (lightly drizzle almonds with honey and roll them in cocoa powder).
2. Cacao Nibs
Cacao nibs are basically Cocoa beans themselves, which have been roasted, removed from their husks, and broken into small pieces. In other words, they are a less processed form of cocoa. Cacao nibs are crunchy and taste similarly to unsweetened chocolate. They can be ground into a powder and used just like cocoa powder, or they can be eaten as is and added to yogurt, trail mixes, smoothies, or in your favorite baked good. Cacao nibs are naturally low in calories (just one ounce contains about 130 calories), are a good source of heart-healthy fiber, (9 g per ounce) and contain a number of beneficial minerals and antioxidants.
3. Dark Chocolate (at least > 70% cacao)
It is important to choose dark chocolate with at least 70%cacao in order to reap all the antioxidant benefits. Plus, the darker the chocolate (aka the higher % of cacao), the less sugar will be in the bar.
4. Carob
Carob is a tropical pod that is derived from a tree in the Mediterranean. Its pulp is roasted and ground into a fine powder that tastes very similar to cocoa powder. Carob is naturally low in fat, high in fiber, contains calcium, and unlike cocoa or chocolate, does not contain caffeine or theobromine (a good alternative to those who are sensitive to caffeine or migraines). Additionally, it is naturally less bitter than cocoa, so it does not need additional sweetening.
Carob comes in many forms which can be used in cooking, such as powders, liquids, and carob chips. Add carob chips to trail mix, fruit, yogurt, or use it as a substitute for chocolate chips in baking (but set your oven about 25 degrees lower or it could burn!).
5. Fruit
I can’t think of a better way to satisfy a sweet craving while still staying within a healthy eating plan than with fruit. Most fruits are high in vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants, fiber, and health-promoting phytonutrients. Generally, the darker the fruit’s color pigment, the more nutrients it will have! Strawberries and whipped coconut cream, anyone? Or try mixing up a medley of cherries, raspberries, blueberries, and pomegranate seeds, with some carob chips or cacao nibs sprinkled over top for a delicious and healthy treat!
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It’s that time of year we start planning Christmas Dinner if you haven’t started thinking about it already. OK, I got curious on how to save money and time and found some good hacks I didn’t even and just had to share. These hacks are from Reader’s Digest so they are really good. The hacks are below with photos.
1.) Tackle two recipes with one dough Have someone who wants cookies; and someone who wants pie, but you certainly don’t have time to make both. Making pie crust takes a lot of time and patience, so store-bought cookie dough can be swapped in for an easier alternative. Simply Press the softened dough into a pie dish, bake it, then add your favorite no-bake filling like cream or fruit.
Photo Credit: iStock/2GreenEyes
2.) Have someone who can’t eat buttermilk or sour cream or you don’t have the ingredients and you need an alternative? Here’s what you can do. See below.
Make a buttermilk or sour cream alternative – – – If your recipe calls for a cup of buttermilk or sour cream —but they’re nowhere to be found in your fridge—take 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, then add enough milk to equal 1 cup.
Photo Credit: iStock/ivandzyuba
3.) Keep Your Cookies Soft.
Need to keep your cookies soft now that you have them baked? Here’s a simple way to do that. See below.
Who likes hard cookies? I know I don’t and neither does Santa Claus. To ensure maximum cookie freshness, store them in a container with a slice of white bread, half of an apple, or an orange peel. The cookies will absorb moisture, keeping them softer longer.
Photo Credit: Unknown
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I follow some good blogs and sometimes they share things that makes your life simpler. Today I was reading one of my book blogs and Romance Authors, Marcella Swann Romance and Marcella shared this Life Hack that makes holding a cookbook and some room in your kitchen and it’s a clever idea. For all I know some of you may have tried it all ready.
What is this clever cooking life hack? It’s a pants hanger. You hang your cookbook up with the pants hanger and hang it up on one of your cupboards above your countertop. Pretty cool and neat hah? I thought so.
EASY COOKBOOK HACK TO MAKE MORE ROOM.
I found 2 more cooking life hacks while researching the internet. The images are below.
NEED A CLIP FOR YOUR CHIPS? HERE’S AN EASY AND INEXPENSIVE WAY TO CLOSE YOUR CHIP BAGS.EASY COOKBOOK HACK TO KEEP YOUR COOKBOOK OPEN.
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EASY VEGAN CHOCOLATE:
Chocolate-Banana Pudding Ingredients:
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries Ingredients:
CRYSTAL AND DAISY MAE'S PHOTO-BLOGGING SITE 