happy new year turtles

it will be 2012 in a while so we need chocolate right? well turtles it is...

turtles candies

4 cup pecan piece toasted
14 oz caramels
10 oz chocolate chips
coarse salt for sprinkling optional

preheat oven to 250 degrees

lightly salt pecans and toast on a baking sheet for 25-30 min

while pecans are toasting, melt caramels according to package direction or in micowave

mix pecans into caramels, slightly cool so you can handle

drop by tablespoon size rounds onto buttered or lined baking sheet

if mixture begins to haden, reheat for a few secons at a time in microwave.

let cool

melt chocolate chips in microwave stirring after each 30 seconds

top each caramel pecan drop with 1 tbsp chocolate

let cool

makes 4 dozen

this recipe was found on The Cutting Edge of Ordinary blog
happy new year all!

christmas

`Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending it`s gleam of hope to the world``-- Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States

classic eggnog

5 egg yolks
three quarter cup sugar
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
1 one quarter cup bourbon or whiskey
one quarter cup spiced rum
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla
one half teaspoon nutmeg

1-whisk yolks with sugar until creamy and sugar begins to melt

2- addcream, milk, bourbon and rum, stir to combine

3- stir in nutmeg and vanilla and chill well

4- serve chilled on the rocks with a sprinke of nutmeg. yummers

ricardo`s egg nog

ricardo is a very shishipoopoo kind of chef so his list of ingredients is not always on hand in our kitchen. I do like hisdfood however and so I will post his recipe for egg nog as well as a more classic one. we love eggnog at our house!!


ricardo`s eggnog

2 cups milk
one half cup 15 per cent cream
2eggs
one quarter cup maple syrup
2tbsp brandy
2 tsp dark rum
ground nutmeg

in blender combine all except for nutmeg.pour in pitcher and refrigerTE 3-4 hours<

Nutella Hot Chocolate

This is my gift to you all Nutella fanatics!!

3 tbsp nutella
1 1/3 cup milk
mini marshmallows

whisk nutella and 1 1/3 cup milk, in a sauce pan on low heat, increase to medium high and whisk until hot and frothy. add marshmallows. drink while watching a christmas story!! yess!!

wishes

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas with new beginnings in year 2012, no resolutions that we can't keep but with just the intent of taking care of ourselves more conciously.. Are you with me?

lasagna the only recipe you'll ever need!

8 servings

2 onions
1 carrot
1 rib celery
3 cloves garlic
1 lb ground beef or pork
salt and peppa
2 tsp dried oregano
3/4 tsp dried thyme
2 bay leaves
4 1/2 cups crushed tomates
1/2 lb mozzarellA cheese about 2 cups shredded
2 oz parmesan cheese about 2/3 cups grated
1 egg
1 lb 6 oz ricotta cheese
about 2 1/2 cups
1/4 cup frsh chopped parsley
pinch of nutmeg
10 oz lasagna noodles


prep

chop the onions, carrot and celery. mince the garlic. in a large frrying pan, cook the ground beef, onion carrot and celery over medium high heat until the meat is browned. stir in thr garlic and all spices, tomTOES nd 1 1/2 cups water. cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thick, 45- 50 minutes. shred mozzarella. grate parmesan. Beat the egg and stir in the ricotta, parse=ley 1/2 cup parmesan, nutmeg, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. cook noodles or use precooked ones ( my preference)

assembly

heat oven 375. spread 1/5 of the sauce in a 13x9 pan. top with 1/4 noodles. spread with 1/2 ricotta mixtire and 1/5 remaining sauce. top with another 1/4 noodles. spread with1/5 ofsauce and sprinkle with 1/2 of the mozzarella. top with another 1/4 of the noodles and the remaining ricotta mixture. spread another 1/5 of the sauce. top with remaining noodles and sauce. sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan. bake until brwned and bubbling about 35 minutes. let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

cinnamon rolls without yeast

this is from www.momswhothink.com

rolls: 2 1/2 cups flour and more for dusting
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tap salt
6 tbsp melted butter

frosting 8 oz cream cheese
3 cups confectioners sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp milk
1/2 cup butter

mix all ingredients until smooth

filling:
3/4 cup pack brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
3 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
1 tbsp melted butter

preheat over ro 425 degrees- generously coat a 9 inch round cake pan usong vegetable oil spray.
2- make the filling by combining brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, salt and 1 tbsp butter until mixture resembles wet sand.

3- make the dough- in a large bowl whisk together flour, white sugar, baking powder baking soda and salt.
4- In a separate bowl whisk the butermilk ansd 2 tbsp melted butter together.

5- stir the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture with a wooden spoon until absorbed about 330 seconds. the dough will look shaggy.

6-knead the dough onto a floured surface 1 min.

7-press dough into 1 9x12 rectangle using your hands

8- brush the dough with 2 tbsp meltedbutter, sprinkle the dough evenly with the filling leab=vin a 1/2 inch border. press the filling firmly into the dough.

9- loosen the dough from the counter using a metal spatula.

10- starting at a long side roll the dough pressing lightly to form a tight log

11- pinch seam to seal, slice into 8 even pieces

12- place in greased and brush will butter

13- bake 20-25 min

14- use knife to loosen buns from pan and onto cooling rack right side up
let cool, 10 min and frost

11-

Food Plan

I love cooking but i thoroughly dislike having to think of what to make for supper. what with our diverse likes and nutritional needs, its hard to please everyone and to prepare food that they will all eat. There is nothing more infuriating than spending hour in the kitchen and cleanup only to have your near and dear ones scoff at your preparations. Hence the food plan, this is only for my benefit but if it helps you that's great...

some ideas

steak and green bean cherry tomato and fresh mozzarella salad

falafel with rice and spinach salad

chicken pot pie, salad

cod, potatoe salad with oil and vinegar

home made pizzas

stuffed zucchini and tomatoes

chicken sausage and green pepper stir fry with ginger and soy sauce on basmati rice

chicken parmesan with salad

taco salad

leek and potato soup, manicotti

roast chicken with garlic and baby potatoes and braised string beans

tourtieres with mashed sweet potatoes and broccoli

hamburgers on whole wheat buns, salad, soup

zucchini omelet with couscous or mushroom orzo

spaghetti and ricotta filled meatballs with scallions and marinara sauce

ricotta meatballs with scallions, tomato salad

hot dog and Clark bean supper, whole wheat buns

pasta e fagioli salad