More Sweet Treats

I had some Heavy Whipping Cream leftover from the Chocolate Ganache, and although I would just like to down the entire pint, I think I had better do something else with it… So let’s make some homemade Whipped Cream.

You’ll need:

  • 2 large mixing bowls
  • Several trays of ice cubes
  • One Pint Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Vanilla Flavoring
  • Sugar (to taste)
  • A whisk, or a hand-mixer for when your arm completely tires out, like mine did.

Fill a large mixing bowl with the ice cubes, and set your second bowl on top. Add in the Heavy Whipping Cream, and whisk away. Then when your arm gets completely tired, and your kids come in 15 times asking what you are doing, switch to the hand mixer, and get the job done.

Much better, now whisk away.

Keep an eye on the Whipped Cream, and stop whisking when the whipped cream gets to a soft peak. Gently fold in a little vanilla, and add sugar to taste.

There you have it, homemade Whipped Cream. This would make a great topping for Strawberry Shortcake, or even Waffles. Mine is going on top of a Chocolate Pie, and hopefully I’ll have enough leftover for another dessert or two.

O.k., just one sip… I couldn’t resist!

Your kitties that always hang out in the kitchen would probably appreciate a little bit too.

Teddy Bear Snack Mix

When I was Room Mommy at Thade’s preschool I brought along Handmade Bears and Teddy Bear Snack Mix for all of the kiddos. The snack mix is easy to make, and super tasty too.

Here is what you need:

  • One big bowl, one wooden spoon, treat bags, embroidery floss, and a best friend to help you fill all of those bags
  • One bag of M&M’s
  • 1/2 bag of Mini Marshmallows
  • One Box of Chocolate Chip Teddy Grahams
  • One Box of Honey Teddy Grahams

Combine all of the ingredients, and give it a good stir. We used Treat Bags to store our snack mix, but you could store the Snack Mix in any air tight container.

My best friend came over to help me fill all of the bags, and then we assembled the bears for Preschool. It was a fun afternoon project, and the preschoolers loved the treats too.

Oh Ganache

O.k., I couldn’t talk about it, without sharing the recipe. Milk Chocolate Ganache Dipped Strawberries are one of my favorite desserts, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner it is time to make a batch, or two, or maybe three…

Here is what you will need:

  • Strawberries, washed, and patted dry
  • Milk Chocolate Chips
  • Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Small Sauce pan, Stainless steel bowl (to make a double boiler), wooden spoon, and a strong will not to eat all of the Chocolate Ganache as you are making it.

Let’s melt some chocolate. I’m using 1/3 of a bag of Milk Chocolate Chips. I like to use a double boiler to melt my chips, and I keep the temperature at med-low, but this is when my paranoia kicks in… If even one little drop of water makes its way into the melting chocolate it will harden and seize, so make sure that your kiddos have the water guns put away, and hope that it doesn’t start raining in your kitchen. If by some chance a sneaky little drop of water makes it in to the melting chocolate, add in a little (full fat) butter, keep it on the heat, and give it a good stir, that should make the chocolate nice and smooth again.

Now let’s add in the Heavy Whipping Cream. I use a 2:1 ratio Two parts chocolate to one part Heavy Cream. Keep it on the heat, and keep stirring until you get a nice and glossy Ganache. Then hang on, don’t eat it all just yet, the Ganache is way too hot to dive into.

Time to dip… Make sure your Strawberries are washed, and patted dry, so the Ganache will stick to the berries. Then dip away. I like to place mine on waxed paper, and then into the fridge to cool.

The Chocolate Ganache Dipped Strawberries should be kept refrigerated, and will probably be good for 2-3 days, but I kinda doubt that they will be in the fridge that long, they are way too tasty!

Hmmmm, what do you do if you have leftover Ganache? EAT IT!!! Eat it all. Eat it super quickly, get to it before your kiddos figure out what Ganache is made of, and they eat the whole bowl… Or you could always make Truffles!

Let your Ganache cool in the fridge for just a bit, and gather a few supplies. You’ll need Cocoa Powder, or Chopped Nuts, or even Powdered Sugar will work. I’m using Cocoa Powder and Red Sugar for mine. Set up an assembly line, and its time to make Truffles!

Roll a spoon full of Ganache into a ball, and then roll the ball into the Cocoa Powder/Sugar mixture, and then it is onto some waxed paper, and off to the fridge to chill. Keep these in the fridge in an air tight container, and enjoy! They are easy to make, and would make delicious homemade Valentine’s Day candy for your sweetie!

Test Kitchen

One day I hope to become a cookie caterer, making desserts is one of my favorite things to do. This month my best friend is catering for a Church Valentine’s Day Dinner, and she needed some help with the desserts, how could I say no…

She planned out the menu, and then we collectively worked together on the dessert menu. We threw a few different ideas around, but ultimately decided on a dessert trio. I’ll be making  Milk Chocolate Ganache Dipped Strawberries, Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes with Chocolate Glaze, and Sweetheart Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Icing.

I tested a batch of mini chocolate cakes, and I think they are going to be great for the Valentine’s Dinner dessert. Now I just need to get the rest of my ingredients together, and get to work in the kitchen.

February Monthly Menu

Wow January flew by, I can’t believe that it is February all ready. It is time for a new menu, and I’ve got mine all planned:

  • 2/1/09: Super Bowl Party! Chili and Nachos
  • 2/2/09: Angus Burgers and Fries, Grilled Cheese for the kiddos
  • 2/3/09: Grilled Chicken, Broccoli Rice, and Corn
  • 2/4/09: Spaghetti and Garlic Bread
  • 2/5/09: Chicken Fajitas, Re-fried Beans, Tortilla Chips, and Cheese Dip
  • 2/6/09: Chicken Rings, Fries, and Macaroni & Cheese
  • 2/7/09: Kiddos at the sitter’s, dinner out!
  • 2/8/09: Lasagna and Garlic Bread
  • 2/9/09: Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips, and Cheese Dip
  • 2/10/09: Fish & Chips, and Corn
  • 2/11/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 2/12/09: Angus Burgers and Fries, Grilled Cheese for the kiddos
  • 2/13/09: Spaghetti and Garlic Bread
  • 2/14/09:Happy Valentine’s Day! Beef Stew and Cherry Pie
  • 2/15/09: BBQ Chicken, Corn, Mashed Potatoes, and Biscuits
  • 2/16/09:Nico’s Birthday… Chicken Chow Mien, Crab Rangoon, and Birthday Cake
  • 2/17/09: Dinner out with my Hubby!
  • 2/18/09: Angus Burgers and Fries, Grilled Cheese for the kiddos
  • 2/19/09: Chicken Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls
  • 2/20/09: Chicken Rings, Fries, and Macaroni & Cheese
  • 2/21/09: Lasagna and Garlic Bread
  • 2/22/09: Pot Roast and Potatoes
  • 2/23/09: Angus Burgers and Fries, Grilled Cheese for the kiddos
  • 2/24/09:Rob’s (nico’s bro) Birthday! Steak and Steak Fries
  • 2/25/09: Grilled Chicken, Hominy, and Broccoli Rice
  • 2/26/09: Fish Sticks, Fries, and Macaroni & Cheese
  • 2/27/08:: Sloppy Joe’s and Fries
  • 2/28/09: Homemade Pepperoni Pizza and Homemade Cheese Pizza