Smores Fudge

This recipe was extremely rich, decadent, and delicious.

If you have a sweet tooth this is definitely for you!

I think next time I'm going to cut down the sugar amount.

Adapted from here.

Ingredients:

7 oz. marshmallow creme
1 1/2 c. white sugar
2/3 c. evaporated milk
1/4. c. unsalted butter
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. milk chocolate chips
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla extract
6 graham crackers, chopped plus some crushed for garnish
2 c. mini marshmallows, plus extra for garnish

Directions

1. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper. Set aside. Place the marshmallows in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze.

2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil, let cook for 5 minutes while stirring constantly.

3. Remove from the heat and stir in chocolate chips. Stir until completely melted and incorporated. Stir in vanilla and chopped graham crackers. Add frozen marshmallows. Pour into prepared pan.

4. Top with reserved marshmallows and crushed graham crackers. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until set.

Cranberry Orange Bread

This recipe is a great way to use up any leftover cranberries you might have in the freezer from Thanksgiving.

Did you know that you can freeze cranberries in the freezer for an entire year? It's a great idea to buy a ton of fresh cranberries since they are usually on sale. I bought mine at a "buy one get one free" sale.

The cranberries are beautiful in this bread! Oh and your house is going to smell amazing while you're baking this!

The bread also stayed moist and fresh for several days.

This recipe comes for allrecipes.com. I only changed a couple of things.

Ingredients:

2 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. grated orange zest
1 1/2 c. fresh cranberries (or frozen, don't defrost first)
1/2 c. pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)
1/4 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 large egg
3/4 c. orange juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a loaf pan.

2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in orange zest, cranberries, and pecans. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl cream butter, sugar, and egg until smooth.Stir in orange juice. Mix into flour mixture just until combined.

4. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour. Let sit in the pan for 10 minutes before removing. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Cool completely before cutting.

The Best GRAVY!

I made this recipe after I watched an episode of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. They featured Pine State Biscuits and their amazing biscuits and gravy recipe. They did not give the accurate measurements for the gravy recipe but they did give out the ingredients used.

I have made this recipe a couple of times now and I think this time it was truly perfect! Even though it seems like there are a lot of ingredients they are mostly pantry items and you probably already have them on hand.

The great thing about this recipe is that you can adjust it any way you want. Don't like the spice? Leave out the cayenne pepper and the red chili pepper flakes. OR you can add more! Whatever your taste buds desire.

Make biscuits and gravy with this BISCUIT RECIPE.

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. oil
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. ground pork
1 1/2 tsp. vegeta
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (less if it's too spicy for you)
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. ground coriander
1/4 tsp. sage
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. crushed fennel seeds
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
2 c. water
2 c. milk
1/2 c. heavy cream
1 tsp. maple syrup
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
3 Tbsp. flour


Directions:

1. In a large saucepan on medium-high heat: add oil and onion. Saute 5 minutes.

2. Add ground pork and all of the seasonings. Brown pork on both sides, break up with wooden spoon. Cook for about 12 minutes.

3. Add water and cook on medium for 10 minutes. Keep breaking up the meat.

4. Add milk and heavy cream. Cook on medium for 5 minutes.

5. Make a roux in a small saucepan. Melt butter on medium-high. Stir in flour. After 2 minutes mix into the gravy mixture. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens. Stir in maple syrup.

ENJOY!

Biscuits~From Scratch

From Mr. Alton Brown!

I have made this recipe a million times and never change anything. It's simple, fast, and fool-proof.

I don't use a biscuit cutter. I roll the dough out and cut the biscuits into rustic strips. That way I don't have to re-roll the dough and don't end up with biscuits. I make one big layer of 1/4 inch biscuits and they end up being perfect for biscuits and gravy.

Work fast to get the ingredients together. The colder they stay, the better.

Ingredients:

2 c. flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold
2 Tbsp. shortening, cold
1 c. buttermilk, chilled

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450.

1. Mix dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.

2. Add cold butter and shortening. Mix in with a pastry cutter or fork. Don't over mix.

3. Make a well and add cold buttermilk. Mix in with fork just until combined.

4. Turn dough over onto heavily floured surface. Gently fold dough over 5-6 times.

5. Bake on a baking sheet lined with foil for 10-15 minutes.

Eclairs

Eclairs are one of my favorite desserts but every time I've ever eaten them they were from a bakery. There is something scary about making your own... but there shouldn't be.

I found a recipe on allrecipes and decided to try this recipe out. It turned out awesome! I only changed a couple of things.

The eclairs themselves turned out flaky and light. They had a ton of little air pockets inside to hold the custard. The custard is a "cheat" custard since it starts with instant pudding but that's why it's great. It only took a couple of minutes to put together.

Yields 10 four inch eclairs

For the dough:

1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 c.)
1 c. water
1 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
4 large eggs

For the custard:

1 box instant vanilla pudding
1 1/2 c. cold milk
1 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

For the chocolate:

1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 tsp. shortening

Directions:

For the dough:

Preheat oven to 450.

In a medium saucepan bring water and butter to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add flour and salt. Stir vigorously  the mixture will begin to separate from the sides and will form into a ball.

Remove from heat. Add eggs in one at a time. Stir well after each addition. Spoon dough into a pastry bag fitted with a large tip. Pipe dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make the eclairs about 4 inches long. (I used a ziploc bag with one of the corners cut off)

Bake 15 minutes, reduce heat to 325 and bake for an additional 25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Split the eclairs with a serrated knife and fill with custard.

Dip the tops of the eclairs into the chocolate mixture. Allow to set before eating. You can place the eclairs uncovered into the freezer for 10 minutes.

For the custard:

In a medium bowl combine pudding mix and milk. Stir well, refrigerate 5 minutes or until set.

In a medium bowl beat heavy cream into stiff peaks. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla. Fold into prepared pudding.

For the chocolate:

In a microwave safe bowl combine chocolate and shortening. Microwave for 30 second increments until melted. Be careful not to burn.

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

I made this recipe for my daughter's first birthday party. It was gone in the first 30 minutes! It's a recipe I always turn to for parties or for fun football days.

This recipe can also be made ahead and refrigerated. Just pop it in the oven when you're ready for it.

Slightly adapted from Allrecipe.com.

Ingredients:

4 cloves garlic, minced
10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained
14 oz. canned artichoke hearts, drained, chopped
10 oz. Alfredo style pasta sauce
1 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
4 oz. cream cheese, softened

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Combine all ingredients together and mix well.

3. Spray an 8x8 pan. Add all ingredients and bake 40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Serve warm with bread, crackers, vegetables.

Spanish Rice

Adapted from here.

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. oil
1 c. chopped onion
2 carrots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 c. uncooked white rice
2 c. water or chicken broth
1 c. salsa
1 tsp. vegeta
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 c. fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Heat the oil on medium-high in a medium saucepan.

2. Add onions and carrots. Saute 4 minutes.

3. Add rice and garlic. Saute 5 minutes or until the rice is a light golden brown color. Make sure to keep stirring to prevent it from burning.

4. Add salsa and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to simmer for 20 minutes.