Friday, December 19, 2014

Peppermint Frosting

 

2 sticks (1 Cup) Salted Butter, Softened
5 cups Powdered Sugar, Sifted
40 whole Peppermint Candies, Crushed Very Fine
3 Tablespoons Heavy Cream, More If Needed (use 3-5)

Beat the butter to get it started, then add in the powdered sugar. Beat on low while adding the cream. When it comes together, add the crushed peppermints, reserving some for garnish. Beat the frosting for a good 30 seconds on high until it's light and fluffy, longer if needed.

Frost the cupcakes or brownies or cake however you want, then sprinkle on more crushed peppermints.

Note that the frosting will develop a light "crust" on the outside if left out.

From whence it came:  We can bow down and thank The Pioneer Woman for this festive and fabulous recipe!  I wanted to make peppermint frosting for these brownies so I turned to my dear friend, Google, and Google sent me right to PW's website.  And PW did not disappoint!  In fact, I'm gonna share the link with you to give PW the shout out she deserves:  

Why it's blogable:  Peeps, this recipe has butter, heavy cream, powdered sugar and candy in it.  Enough said!  Well almost enough said.  I was good when I made it, bowl lickin' good if you know what I mean.  But when I accidentally tried one of these bad boy brownies the next day, something magical had happened.  The little bits of peppermint had melted, or softened, or done something magical, and the frosting was even better!  So, my advice to y'all would be to make this a day ahead, or in the morning before the night you plan to eat a dozen of these problematic brownies.  They are problematic because you will accidentally try them over and over and over.  I say accidentally because I didn't mean to eat one, it just accidentally happened.  More than once.  

NOTE:  I didn't sprinkle more peppermints on top, I dumped every yummy one into the frosting.  That is after I pounded them to death with a rolling pin.  Pound 'em people!  You don't want a stray big chunk sending some one you love into the dentist's chair!

Hope you enjoy stirring it up!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Homemade Salsa















1 small onion, roughly chopped

1 jalapeƱo, chopped (seeds and ribs are optional and add HEAT)

1 large garlic clove, smashed and roughly chopped

1 (28 oz can) crushed tomatoes

1 (14.5) can of diced tomatoes with green chilies

1 handful of fresh cilantro leaves

1/4 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Juice of half a lime (or a whole lime if you're a lover of limes like me)

DIRECTIONS:

Add the chopped onion, jalapeno and garlic to a food processor or chop everything  very finely by hand.

Pour crushed tomatoes into a medium bowl and add chopped ingredients along with the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, fresh cilantro, sugar and salt and the juice of half a lime. Stir.

Refrigerate for a couple of hours at least before serving, but over night is best! (If you are able to accomplish this step, you have more patience than me!)

From whence it came:  Google led me to this fabulous recipe.  Thank you Google!  I originally found the recipe here, and I made it, and it was fab!  But then my mini food processor bit the dust due to complications from overuse and old age (boy, can I relate). So, I decided to try making the recipe without a mini food processor.  I simplified it and it's just as good.  You're welcome!  

SIDE NOTE OF REALLY NO IMPORTANCE:  If you know me well you know my doctor is named Dr. Google!  He is awesome!  I will do almost anything to avoid going to the doctor, so instead I just enter my symptoms into Google and voila, I have a diagnosis.  Then, I Google the diagnosis and find out the treatment.  Then I Google the treatment and find out where to get it or how to do it or if there is even hope for me. 

Why it's blogable:  Because you're gonna have to will yourself not to drink this stuff!  It's that good. Once you make this you will never want to buy store bought salsa again.  You will become a chip and salsa-aholic and you will feel the need to seek treatment.  But don't, just keep eating and enjoying!  

My little grandpunk loves this stuff so much!  He uses his chip as a spoon and just eats the salsa.  He doesn't waste his energy on chewing the chip, he saves it all for pounding down the salsa!

(Okay, so maybe he's not eating chips and salsa here, maybe he's eating fruit and ice cream, but I don't have a picture of him eating salsa and I have to show the world, or the ten or so people who read my blog, how positively adorable this little punk is!  And if you don't agree with me, may this salsa give you heartburn!)

Hope you enjoy stirring it up!