Homemade Tapioca Pudding

Happy last day of August!

I imagine many of you have sent children, grandchildren, neighborhood children all back to school or are about to.  While it was an uneventful summer for us, that is OK, I would take uneventful over risking bad events any day!  I hope you all enjoyed the season of sun and fun!!

 If you are like me, you are ready for fall, and you are ready to hit it hard!  Along with that, for me anyway, comes being back in the kitchen making more homemade foods.  I find in the summer I do a lot of "cheating" because it is just to hot to be in the kitchen!

My husband was asking for homemade tapioca pudding so I threw this video in as well for you visual people!  (Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel!)

Without further adieu, let's get to this delicious homemade pudding! 

1/2 cup small tapioca pearls
1 cup water

4 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 T vanilla extract

PRESOAK your tapioca pearl in a bowl of water.  Let sit 6-8 hours.

In a cold saucepan, add in DRAINED tapioca pearls, milk, and sugar.  Mix to combine.  Over medium heat, bring to a simmer and simmer until the pearls are soft.  It can take anywhere from 15-30 minutes.  It depends on the size of pearls you are using, and how long it takes them to soften the rest of the way!  Stick with it and stir often!  NO BOILING just a nice simmer.

Whisk eggs in a separate bowl.  Add in a ladle of hot tapioca mixture to temper the eggs.  mix together and add one more ladle to bring the temperature of the eggs up so when you add them to the pudding mixture they won't scramble.  When that is accomplished add back into the pudding mixture and simmer another 3-5 minutes, until the pudding mixture separates on the back of a spoon or close to it.  Add in vanilla, mix it in completely, pour into a bowl and either serve warm or chilled!

ENJOY this delicious treat!  In fact, send it to school in your children's lunches!  YUM!

Melting Candle Confetti Cupcakes!

Good Morning friends!  Fancy meeting you here for a new recipe on a Saturday morning, eh?  I am up, not feeling well, and just cracked a window for some fresh 9 degree F air, and can hear birds singing.  I can't lay back down, or I am going to, well...toss my cookies so I am writing this recipe up for you.  Wait.... let's not call this one a recipe, let's call it a method.   I saw a similar idea on the YouTube channel Cookes Cupcakes and Cardio. It inspired me to make my own version, my way.

Don't be to disappointed that I used a cake mix again! HA!  I used a white one, added double vanilla and sprinkles for my own confetti cake, but you can use any cake flavor you like.  Keep that in mind, as I will write it up how I did this particular version. 

I also used Wilton chocolate.  White chocolate, whatever it is, and used them in the colors of my candles.  I didn't run out for candles these are just some I had on hand, otherwise you may have gotten a bigger color range but, let's be honest, they are going to get pitched anyway.  You will need colors of the chocolate that will match your candles.  I got about 18 cupcakes and did about 4 of each color.  (around there).  This all sounds so wishy washy, doesn't it?  Sorry about that, it is just that it all depends on how many cupcakes you get, or make.  Let's just get on with it, shall we?

Note: You can color white chocolate, with gel/oil based food colors.  Don't use the cheap ones, it will seize on you!  I did color the blue one of mine!  A few of mine were flavored chocolate as well.  Just FYI.

You will need:
1 white cake mix (not paid or sponsored but ya'll know I am a Pillsbury girl)
2 T. multicolored sprinkles
1 T. vanilla extract
birthday candles
colored chocolate
white chocolate chips, or chocolate melting wafers in colors coordinating with your candles.

Mix up your cupcakes, adding in sprinkles and vanilla and bake per package directions.  Let cool completely!!!

When they are completely cooled, work with one color at a time.  I tried to coordinate my cupcake papers as well, not everyone is that OCD, shall we say? 

Place your candles in the cupcakes before you do anything else.  Push them down as far as they will go for this one.  Just makes the "melt" look more realistic.

Melt your chocolate in a bowl 30 seconds at a time and if needed add a bit of vegetable oil to it, if it isn't as workable, or pourable as you want it or need it to be.  Also add your coloring if you need to.  When it is melted use a small spoon and start pouring it down the sides of the candle unto the cupcake.  Do this until you have the desired effect.  I used about 1/2 cup of melted chocolate for 3-4 cupcakes.  Let it drip down the side and pool, create layers, whatever makes it more dippy candle wax-ish to you!  It is kind of a fun look and unexpected with the chocolate on top when people expect icing. 

Let the chocolate set, in the fridge or at room temperature for about 30 minutes and enjoy!

I am still on a cupcake roll.  Don't worry it will all end after my birthday!!!

Wet Nuts (Walnuts)

Teehee.  You read it right, "Wet Nuts"!   They still make me giggle like a teenager.  Either because I am just that immature, or I just let my sense of humor roll most of the time. 

When I moved to New Jersey, my first trip to the boardwalk is where I was introduced to the ole "wet nut".  Oh my gosh, I just keep laughing.  Anyway, we got ice cream and my husband (then boyfriend) orders wet nuts on his.  I was like, "WHAT is THAT"?  I mean, let's just be honest, if you haven't ever heard of them, I know you are chuckling, and I, who tends to be a bit more dramatic at times, almost lost my marbles.  I could tell he was mortified, but did it stop me?  No.  For days afterward, I still giggled.

So what ARE wet nuts?  They are toasted walnuts, in a syrup flavored or made from maple syrup.  Now there are as many versions of this as there are people who make it.  Where I live maple syrup is pretty pricey.  When I tell you what I used, you might die.  I used regular pancake syrup.  Now for a special occasion or for guests I would use maple syrup, but for just us at home, I went with a more budget friendly choice.

Oh NO, I forgot to say, this is NOT healthy.  Wet nuts are NOT good for you.  Hold on, I need to gather myself. 

Anyway, these are an Atlantic City Boardwalk tradition and I hope you enjoy them too!  I think you could even put this on top of cinnamon rolls, apple pie, etc.  Oh yes!  Wet nuts galore!

I store these in a small jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

12 ounces walnut pieces (toast in a 350 degree oven for 10 min)
3/4 cup maple syrup or regular pancake syrup
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla or maple flavoring or both!

After walnuts are toasted combine all ingredients until well mixed.  Place in a container or jar with a lid and keep refrigerated.  Mine keep up to 2 weeks this way!  Top ice cream, or anything else you can think of.  Let me know what you use yours for!!

ENJOY!

Plain Ol' Custard Pie

You should all thank my husband.  He is always requesting that I make things and then I do and then they turn out amazing and then I post them and then, and then, and then!

This is just what it says, a "plain ol' custard pie".  Simple and comforting.  At my husbands request I made it with a cookie crust the first time.  Can you say, "HURL"?  Soggy, nastiness overload!  So when I told him I would remake it the normal way, he was thrilled and asking daily when I am making it!  I had planned on making several recipes today so I threw pie crust and custard pie into the mix!

The filling will fill your pie plate to the brim.  Please use a deeper than normal one.  Also when you pour in the filling, please put the shell in the oven first and then pour because transferring that full of a pie is nothing more than a recipe for disaster!  Make sure to let this cool to room temp and chill for at least 2 hours as suggested, but longer would be even better. 

I also did not blind bake my crust.  It came out perfect, so if you want to do that you can, but I did not.  Here is the link for my amazing, pie crust.  You can use your own or buy one but they are so easy, and the flavor and wonder of it all just can't be bought!

4 eggs
2 1/2 cups warmed milk
2 tsps. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 pie crust for a deep 9 inch pie pan

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

Place all ingredients except pie crust (hardy har har) into a blender or food processor.  Whirl that baby until completely combined and frothy.  Set aside.  Yes, you can do this with an electric mixer or stand mixer, a blender is just so easy!

Place pie crust into a deep dish and finish the edge however you like.  Place unto a baking sheet and place into the oven.  Once it is in the oven then pour the filling in.  The filling will come to darn near the top and we don't need any accidents, do we? Pour it in and bake for 60-75  minutes.  The middle should have a WEE bit of jiggle to it.  OMG, that cracked me up, I wish I only had a WEE big of jiggle to my middle.  Regardless, when it does, remove it and let come to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours minimum before cutting. 

ENJOY!!

Chris's Old Fashioned French Toast

How many times have you heard, "Oh I make the best French toast", or "everyone always wants me to make French toast"?  The entire time you are thinking, "Yea, yea, yea, none of you have EVER had mine".  OK, well I am.  French toast has been one of my breakfast specialties for a long time. 

French toast is a lot of people's specialties.  I mean let's be honest here.  You add about anything you want for flavor and texture and all kinds of goodness.  Maybe I just use the secret correct measurements.  Think?  Yes, I am arrogant about mine, because it is mine.  If you are going to be arrogant about something at least be able to share it with others!

I make this for dinner, lunch, breakfast, brunch, after the bar closes, (jk) but you definitely could!  It is easy and seriously it is likely no secret, but I wanted to share even the easiest of recipes, because there are people out there, who have never made it.  I hope they pick my recipe to try for the first time!

This will make about 12 pieces of toast.  I use the Texas toast in a bread bag, not the frozen stuff. 

4 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp. cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp. butter

Whisk all ingredients very well.  Heat your griddle or skillet and melt in 1 tbsp. butter.  Dip bread into egg mixture, flipping it a couple of times and place into your skillet.  Fry on medium until golden brown and flip, frying again until golden brown.

Serve with butter, syrup, or powdered sugar.  Maybe some sweetened, whipped, heavy cream?  Oh YES!

Magic Cake

I saw this cake on YouTube.  I searched around for different recipes and the fact is, they are almost all identical.  I hear this is an old recipe from back when, but never have seen it or had it before.

I made this cake twice.  The first time I refrigerated it as instructed upon it cooling to room temperature.  The second one, I just cooled to room temperature.  Everyone loved the one I put in the fridge more.  It fell a little more than I thought it should have.  They loved the second one, but the first one was their fav.  Here is why I did it twice.  I couldn't very easily see the layers in my first cake, as every photo shows.  You could easily taste the textures of the different layers but just not see them.  Then I decided they were probably photo shopped, and just made the second, with all I had and decided it would be one I would photograph and use.   I am still not sure you can SEE all the layers but I assure you, they ARE there!

This 1 batter, 3 layer cake, has a dense layer on the bottom almost in a crust sort of fashion, then a vanilla custard layer and then the top is a light, sponge cake like cake layer. 

So long story short, this was a huge hit!  I hope it is for your family and friends as well!

You will need:
4 eggs, at room temperature and separated. (you will both the yolks and the whites)
1 tbsp. water
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 cups milk, warmed slightly
3 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.  In a clean bowl, with clean beaters, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks.  Set aside. In another bowl combine egg yolks, water, and sugar.  When well combined, add in vanilla, melted butter and all purpose flour. Keep beating until well combined.  Add in milk and again beat until all ingredients are mixed.  They will be a VERY liquid batter.  Now carefully fold in your egg whites.  It is OK if there are a few lumps left, just do the best you can.  Pour into a 9 inch round cake pan, (greased ) and bake for about 1 hour.  The cake should still be SLIGHTLY jiggly in the center when it is done. 

Let cool until room temperature and my suggestion is to refrigerate for a couple of hours at least, then sprinkle the top with powdered sugar!  Enjoy this magical 1 batter cake that gives you 3 layers of sweet goodness!

Vanilla Glazed Pears

My husband has taken over again.  Not that I mind.  I only mind when his recipes turn out this amazing.  I am beginning to have hallucinations of him coming up with better recipes than me.  We can't let that happen!!

We are in the midst of this freezing cold spell, and a few days ago, my husband wanted "something sweet".  I didn't feel like baking anything, and he wanted pears.  Again, we were both unwilling to brave the cold, so he looked through the pantry and found a big can of canned pears.  I told him, "there ya go...dessert"!  Immediately he said, "I can come up with a recipe with these".  I told him to go for it.  And you guys, he transformed these canned peaches into the most amazing dessert!  I hate pears, in fact, I loathe most fruit.  I ate TWO PEARS!  He served this with vanilla ice cream and the beautiful syrup it makes, OH!  Drool worthy. 

Sometimes, you have to work with what you have.  I loved that he took these canned pears and made them into something I would happily serve at a fancy dinner party.  I mean VERY happily.  And to answer your questions, no, you can't make this with fresh pears.  I mean you could, I suppose, but that would be an entirely different recipe, and would take longer than the 8 minutes this took.  This is a convenient kind of recipe, that you will make over and over.  So to my husband, "Thank you honey"!  You are the fizz in my soda!  Oh wait, I think I was supposed to stop drinking soda.  Oh snap.

Here is what you will need:
29 ounce can of pears in LIGHT syrup (pieces, halves, whatever is fine) do NOT drain
1 tbsp. butter
2 tbsps. brown sugar
2 tbsp. good vanilla extract

In a medium nonstick skillet, melt butter, and brown sugar, while continuously whisking.   Add in all of the pear juice from your can of pears, and whisk, add in pears in a single layer and let the mixture simmer until reduced by about half.  When it becomes a nice thickened syrup, add vanilla and gently stir. 

Serve over or under vanilla ice cream, and weep my friends!  What a delish little dessert..  Three cheers for hubs!

Your "I ate pears, and I LIKED it!" Chefwannabe

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Sauce

Heaven, pure heaven.  Now I don't know how YOU feel about peanut butter, but let me tell you, we LOVE it.  My husband has been making this peanut butter sauce for years, and he and our son add it to shakes, dip fruit in it, etc. 

As for the vanilla ice cream.  Creamy, sweet, and decadent!  My husband said, "OMG, do you remember when Breyers was GOOD?  That is what this tastes like".  I guess that was a compliment.  I like knowing what is IN my ice cream and I enjoy the whole process of creating different flavors.   There is just little, in my opinion, that compares to homemade ice cream.  As a kid we would almost always make it on the 4th of July.  That was about the only time we did.  My dad would borrow someones ice cream freezer, we would continuously feed it rock salt and ice, we might get a crank one, that we had to crank or sometimes an electric one to plug in.  Granted, you can make a lot more ice cream with one of those full sizers, but my counter top version is perfect for me.  This is the one I have and I LOVE it.

IF you do not have an ice cream freezer, this can be made without it.  Put it into a container with a lid and freeze.  When it has been in the freezer for 1 hour, remove and stir it.  Do this again after the second hour.  Let freeze until it is at the desired consistency you want! I don't like sharing recipes that require specialized equipment.  It goes against my idea of sharing food that is accessible to real people, EVERYWHERE and without having to buy hundreds of dollars worth of specialized equipment.  I made 2, maybe 4, batches (lol), made half with my machine and half without, there is zero difference so I was very excited!

You will need to follow your machines directions on preparation of the equipment.  My freezer bowl has to be in the freezer 12-24 hours before using, so make sure to check that out!!

Here we go!!

Vanilla Ice Cream
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-2 tsps vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Whisk until smooth and creamy. 

Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.  Carry on with your ice cream makers' directions on freezing.  Mine took about 15 minutes, at which time it was like soft serve ice cream.  Since I wanted it harder, I put it into a container, covered, and put into the freezer for at least 2 hours, it can stay as long as overnight.  Proceed with the manufacturers directions on your ice cream maker

Peanut Butter Sauce
1 cup creamy peanut butter (you could use crunchy if you like)
3 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup milk (any milk)

Combine in a small saucepan and heat until sugar is dissolved and peanut butter is melted.  Mixture should be smooth!  Remove from heat, serve over your ice cream warm or let it cool and use it cold, the choice is yours.  Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

(When you go to reheat this, you might need to splash it with a little milk to get it smooth and creamy again.)

ENJOY!!!

P.S  Did I tell you how I acquired this ice cream maker?  Flea market, a husband whose wife had an affair on their honeymoon, so he took all of their wedding gifts to the flea market, I got this baby for 5.00! 

Your "I scream you scream we all scream for HOMEMADE ice cream" Chefwannabe

Fresh Peaches and Cream Tart

This post if for my sister...........

My sister Karen loves peaches more than anything.  We tease her constantly about putting peaches in EVERYTHING.  I mean, the woman is batcrap crazy with these things!  Peach pie, peach cobbler, peach anything she can think up!  Her birthday is coming so I did one better, I surprised her with a tart.  I knew she hadn't ever made it, attempted to make, or eaten it so, what does good old "perfect 10" do?  Uh huh, she makes food wishes for Karen come true! HA!  By the way, I am the youngest of 10 children, I recently decided it took my parents 9 children before they got a perfect 10, so I have made it my new nickname.  Like it? HA!

By the way, my sister Peg, puts peas in everything.  Gah!

Seriously though, she does love peaches.  This tart is so simple.  It isn't overly sweet, but it is a dream.  I used a couple of my old tried and true recipes and just smacked them together.  They blended beautifully and Karen got her birthday dessert a few days early, and the world is just as it should be!

I am happy to share this with you.  You could trade the peaches out for strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, I mean, you could even do pears or kiwi or a mix of your favorite, GOD BLESS AMERICA the options are endless!!!

It has a few steps but none are hard.  So don't freak out..........k?  My tart pan is rectangular but you will use any tart pan you have.  This crust could work for a bazillion tarts.  Let your creativity run wild!  Not like running naked through the jungle wild, but wild in a clothed kinda way.  Ya know?

Crust (shortbread)
2 1/2 cups flour (all purpose)
6 tbsp granulated sugar
1 cup butter

Preheat oven to 325 F.  In a bowl mix flour and sugar.  Using a pastry cutter, blend in softened butter.  Combine until mixed and you can squeeze it together and it stays in a clump.  Spray tart pan with nonstick cooking spray just as insurance and press down into a crust.  Make sure it goes up the sides as well and make it as even as possible.  Bake for 15-18 minutes or until slightly golden brown.  You will know when it is done, trust me.  Remove and sit aside to cool while you make the pastry cream!

Pastry Cream
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
4 tsp cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups half and half
1 tsp vanilla

Beat your egg yolks in a bowl and set aside. 
In a heavy saucepan mix together sugar, cornstarch and salt.  Slowly add in half and half, mix completely.  Cook over medium heat until bubbly and it starts to thicken, and then cook it one minute.  Keep stirring it will burn SO easy!  Now, SLOWLY drizzle some of the hot mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, add in about 1 cup in total to temper the eggs and they won't scramble.  When you have add approx. 1 cup of the liquid, it will heat the eggs up slowly and you can now pour them into the pot with the rest of the hot mixture.  Whisk until combined and bring to a boil, cook for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat, add vanilla and combine.  Now, to cool it fast, set the saucepan into a heat safe bowl full of ice and stir occasionally.  It will help it cool faster.

Peaches
4-5 peaches, peeled and sliced

The answer is, "yes", you need to peel them.  Nobody wants hairy peaches on top of their dessert, right?

Add cooled pastry cream to the tart and spread out evenly.  Add sliced peaches in whatever design you desire. 

OPTION:  Just before serving, I sprinkled the top of mine with sugar and used my torch to brulee the sugar on top! 

There you go an easy tart you can change up 1,000 different ways!  Enjoy being creative, just keep your clothes on!!

Your "anything is possible" Chefwannabe

Eclair No Bake Dessert

Long ago, in a place far, far away......

 

I met my bestie, Mel.   She taught in the classroom next to me and my principal suggested I introduce myself because we were both young, (see I told you it was a long time ago) and she thought we would get along well.  So that morning, when we met in the gym to get our students, I saw her walk in.  She appeared about 7 feet tall and had ALL this red (natural) LONG, curly hair bouncing side to side.  I thought to myself, "self, she isn't friend material look at her strutting in here like a diva".  She had on 4 inch heel boots, and was gorgeous and I thought, "wow, she is obviously delusional with her perfect hair, high heeled boots, makeup, accessories and all her tallness, in PRE-K".    Anyway, isn't it funny (and sad) how we judge people.  I think I was actually not judging, but intimidated by all that hair.  I finally decided to invite her class over to our classroom for a dance party after several days of being asked, "Have you met Melissa yet"?  It has been downhill ever since!!  We laugh over this still, 10 years later.   After 2 marriages (neither of us were married when we met) , 3 kids (almost), lots of tears, laughter, sadness, joy and 1500 miles apart later we are still best friends.  She married a wonderful man and they are creating a beautiful family!  I am so happy for ALL of them!  Oh WAIT.....did I mention, I picked her husband for her?  Ok well not really, but I facilitated it, isn't that just as important?  Thanks to her visiting me in Nebraska, and a blizzard, she is one adoring wife, of Tom!!

Mel with her husband Tom and son Jackson (and a little pink bun in the oven too)!

As we become better friends and started spending more time together outside of work, Mel just became part of our family.  She would come over and I would have a list, we affectionately called "the tall girl list".  You guessed it, she helped me paint rooms, hang curtains, cleaned out top cupboards. HA!  Oh, the painting...........!  Was not her favorite tall girl list chore.   I know she is thrilled over my creation of the tall girl last even to this day.  Yea, I am sure she is...

I was just starting to get into cooking, and she dubbed me the "soup Nazi".  Soup has always been my thing.  We would concoct some amazing creamy, fattening soup, slap a Grands biscuit on top and hang out, for hours, or days!  Mel on the other hand, is Betty Crocker.  There is nothing this woman doesn't bake or create.  It would become a tradition for her to make us this Eclair Dessert or we would go pick up french silk pie, (before I knew how to make it)  and we would stay up all night, my husband was working grave shifts then, and just laugh and have great adventures.  She was part of our family from the beginning and it just seemed like we had always been friends.  My husband had to nickname her Rusty.  I am sure she enjoys that to this day as much as she enjoyed the tall girl list back then!

I am not sure how I survived life before her, and there are times the distance since my husband and I moved will kill me but, one day Mel, I swear we will be neighbors, and I won't have 1500 miles separating me from my sister from another mister!  Thanks for sharing your life,  your food, and yourself with us all these years, you have never really been a friend, you have just been part of our family! 

Aren't girlfriends the best?  Are there things you do with your girlfriends that are hilarious and fun?  Did I mention we used to drive through the worst parts of Philly just for fun?  OMG, we drove through some sort of "event" on this narrow street in Fishtown and we couldn't get out of it so you threw the car in reverse and backed up 2 blocks to get out of it?! "Yelling" at me the whole time, "OMG OMG OMG OMG, WHY do you NEVER give me the right directions ANYWHERE" ROFL  I miss our adventures, Ikea, Staples (mwaaahaha), farms out in Franklinville and coffee, at Fortesque at midnight.  Some of these I still laugh out loud about when I think of them!  I love you and miss you!!

Eclair No Bake Dessert
3 small boxes of vanilla instant pudding (I used sugar free)
4 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 - 8oz tub of cool whip (feel free to substitute fresh sweetened whipped cream)
16 ounces of chocolate frosting.  (it can be store bought, or homemade)
1 box graham crackers (not the cinnamon ones)

In a large bowl combine pudding mix, vanilla, and milk.  With an electric mixer, beat until combined.  Fold in cool whip or whipped cream.  In a 9x13 pan, lay the bottom with graham crackers.  Don't crush them, lay the crackers so they cover the bottom.  Add half of your pudding mixture on top and spread evenly.  Add another layer of graham crackers and the rest of the pudding mixture.  Now take your icing and microwave it for a few seconds to make it almost runny.  It will pour easily over the top and you can use an offset spatula or knife to spread it out.  If you don't heat it up to thin it out, it will be impossible (obviously) to spread it over soft pudding.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.  I like to put mine in the freezer for a few minutes as well, I like the texture when it has been SLIGHTLY frozen but not completely.  Feel free to just chill if you like.

Easy or what?  The best thing is the memories it brings back, AND how delish it is.

 

Your "besties forever" chefwannabe

PS.  FYI, if there were written on paper, it would be unreadable because of my tears...HAPPY ones of course!

Rice Pudding

My husband has emailed me 3 times from work wondering if this would be ready when he got home.  Yes, it is one of his favorite and yes, it is THAT good. 

There are so many variations of rice pudding but personally, while not fond of the texture of rice pudding, I would say this is the best, vanilla, creamy, goodness!!  I might be partial, but at the same time, I am quite brutally honest, so yea, it is the best and easiest!  My dad grooves on raisins in his rice pudding.  I, think raisins are really little bug corpses.  I mean, I don't know that for a fact, but I guarantee, if examined closely, they would be outlawed! :)   You guess it, not a fan of the raisin.  I will be sending a big bowl of this to my parents in a couple of days, I will make them a double batch and I will add raisins, because you know why?  I am the their youngest and most perfect child.  I mean, it is what it is right?  Come on "youngest children", you know what I mean?!  They would expect nothing less than that from us.  HA!

I mention in the ingredients to make sure your egg is room temperature.  When you add it, add slowly and don't stop stirring, we don't want scrambled eggs here and if the egg is at room temp it is closer to the temp of the scalding, boiling, mixture and not like, COLD to ya know....hotter than the sun.   I like to make sure I have everything measured out and ready to go. This is another one you are going to need some good music for.  You will have lots of dance party time while you stand at the stove and stir.  DO NOT, leave the stove kids!

3/4 cup white rice (uncooked)
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups milk (divided
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg, slightly beaten (make sure it is at room temp)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup raisins (optional) Blech! 

In a small pot, bring water to a boil, add in white rice, turn down to low and simmer for 15 minutes.  Keep checking it so it doesn't stick or boil dry!  Trust me, keep it low, again, TRUST ME!

In a clean, medium saucepan, add in rice, sugar, and 1 1/2 cups milk.  Stir on medium until mixture begins to thicken, it could take 12-15 minutes.  Be patient and do not walk away, it will burn so fast you won't know what hit ya!  After it has thickened, (15 min point if you aren' sure), add in the remaining milk, egg, and raisins (if adding), stir until combined and cook another minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, add in butter, and vanilla, stir until melted and divide into 4 small dishes or ramekins. 

I hope you enjoy this creamy, perfect every single stinkin' time rice pudding.  I am off to make a double batch for my sister to deliver to my parents this weekend! 

Your "not so sure about this rice pudding thing"chefwannabe

Homemade Caramel Sauce

Oh boy.  Do I have alot to talk about today. 

Seriously, I haven't botched in the kitchen this bad since my blackened yeast rolls.  I even shared a photo of those with you on Facebook, but today, was completely horrendous.  Tragic really.   I thought I was going to be defeated by this recipe.  I have made it a million times, BUT, I haven't made it for probably, 6 or 7 years now.  I thought my touch was gone.  In fact as I poured the first seized batch down the disposal, I kept my composure, brushed it off and started again.  As I dumped the second seized batch down the disposal, I considered everything I might have done wrong, and though I felt defeated, as my husband would say, I "picked myself up and brushed myself off".  I beckoned the aide of a few fellow foodie blogger friends.  I got some good tips, a little "insurance" and decided to give it another shot.  I mean, heck, I had already pitched a good 7.00 in ingredients, what was a few more if it didn't turn out?  (You will see why 7.00 is a considerable amount considering the ingredients)

I assure you, you can NOT mess this recipe up.  I used both forms of "insurance" offered, there was no way I was going down, not THIS time.  I did it.  And I know, this is so easy, but it is SO easy to ruin too.

You are going to need a few dance tunes for this one.  You have to spend a considerable amount of time watching the pot.  Literally.  I had some old jams, "Beautiful Life" Oh oh oh oh.......  Some Fugees, "Killing me Softly", those kind of old jams.  I danced like nobody was watching...OK I THOUGHT nobody was watching.   Anyway you know how I roll with shakin' and bakin'.  You need music.  DO NOT, leave the stove.  Especially if this is the first time you have made this.

You CAN do this without use the "insurance policies" but as the daughter of an insurance man, I wouldn't be without it.  ONE bit of crystallized sugar falling back into the mix can ruin it all.  Please, USE INSURANCE!!

Here is what you need:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp Caro syrup (insurance police 1)
1/4 tsp cream of tartar (insurance policy 2)
2 tbsp butter
3/4 cup of WARMED heavy whipping cream (Yes, it MUST be heavy whipping cream and I warmed in the microwave.  Heat 2 minutes if you are doing it before you start, 1 min if you do it just before it is added)

In a medium nonstick pot.  Add in sugar, water, syrup, and cream of tarter.  On medium-high  heat, allow the the sugar to dissolve.  There is NO NEED to stir.  Just let it do its thing.  Got me?  When you see the sugar is dissolved, turn down to medium and here is where you dance your future ice cream sundae off.   This will feel as though it takes forever.  You are going to let it slowly begin to boil, it will look something like this.

Now you dance and you wait.  This could take 10-15 minutes.  Maybe more.  Just keep watching and dancing, watching and dancing.  Eventually, after 8-12 minutes it will look more like this.

Then, as soon as it hits this stage, it seems to go fast.  DO NOT leave the stove.  About 3-5 minutes later, you will have this beautiful amber color.

Now, turn off the heat, add in the cream.  It will bubble up, so be ready!  Keep whisking or stirring!!  When you have it combined, add in the butter and vanilla.  Stir and let it sit to cool.  This is SOOOOOOOOO extremely hot.  PLEASE be careful.  Let it cool before putting it in a mason jar or other container. 

This should last up to 2 weeks in your refrigerator.  Just reheat as you want to use it!!

Your "3rd time is DEFINITELY a charm"chefwannabe

Carrot Poke Cake Supreme

Ok so let me tell you all how this started.  You may or may not have heard of the blog thecountrycook.  Well Brandi posted a photo of a Pudding Poke Carrot Cake.  The photo had me drooling and all I have been able to think about for 24 hours is how to recreate it!  I am still on my use up kick and wanted to find things I had in the house to use.  So while they are definitely different, my cake was inspired by this mouth watering recipe!  Thanks Brandie for the inspiration!

Now I don't know how you roll with carrot cake, but I like it plain  No pineapple, no coconut, no nuts, no nothing.  Ok, maybe nuts.  OMGOSH definitely NO RAISINS! BLEH!  If I wanted all that stuff, I would make some kind of fruit cake!  Every time I order carrot cake for dessert I have to interrogate the wait staff on what its IN the carrot cake!  Now don't get me wrong, you can feel free to add any of those things, HOWEVER, it won't be my delicious goodness!  Who started or made this whole pineapple, coconut, raisin rule anyway, I want her number!

Ok, since I made this and hurried up and got this blog written so you could have it for Easter, I won't hold this up any longer.  I made the carrot cake from scratch.  Not difficult, and I am kinda gettin' in that whole cakes from scratch groove thang.   Also, if you use the caramel chips, they are awesome.  They are this very chewy bite here and there.  If you decide to make this cake, plain with just the icing, it will NOT be disappointing, the cake is awesome and SO moist.  But I dare you to change it up and go full monty...no wait, full speed ahead and make it like I did!  Mine isn't "poked" as well as Brandie's, but I hear she is a poke cake master!  I coulda, woulda, shoulda poked my holes bigger.  Have you ever tried getting a photo of a poke cake and slicing it in just the right place to find the pokes?!  Yea well.......me either, until now.  That cake looks like it was in a car accident now! LOL  Oh also, I poured my pudding on when it was still very liquid so it would get down into my "to small" holes.  Just work that out however you want!  Here is my Carrot Cake Supreme!!!

Carrot Cake
2 cups white granulated sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs
2 tsp vanila extract
2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups flour
3 cups finely grated carrots (this took 1lb plus 2 or 3 for me, but they were smallish to medium)
1 1/2 cups walnuts (crushed, smacked, or beat up)
2 small boxes of Vanilla INSTANT pudding

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick cooking spray and flour it! Set that aside.   Put all ingredients except flour, and carrots, into a bowl.  Mix until completely combined.  Add in flour and mix just until the flour is absorbed.  Fold in carrots.  Pour into prepared baking pan and bake for 55-60 minutes, or just until a toothpick comes out clean!  I used my kitchen aid of course but this can easily be done in a bowl with a whisk and spatuler, I mean a.  When it is done, let it cool completely before moving on. 

Using the round handle of well, anything that has a larger round handle, poke holes all over the cake! Then...prepare instant vanilla pudding according to package directions.  Whisk until combined and pour over the top of the cake.  Refrigerate for 1 hour. 

Now it is time to prepare your frosting.  It is a lightened up traditional cream cheese icing, just cut with some cool whip!

Cream Cheese Icing
8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
4 tbsp softened butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 small tub of cool whip

Beat it baby!  I mean, beat with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy!

When you are all done, keep refrigerated.  I would suggest a couple of hours at least in the fridge before serving!

Enjoy a special holiday with family, friends!!

Your "Easter is so special to me" Chefwannabe

Fortune Cookies!

I am SO excited about these.  Let me gather myself, or medicate or something before I get started!  The possibilities with these are endless, colors, flavors, fortunes, ACCKK!!

Ok.  Ready.

Only in America can we get this little gem for dessert at a Chinese restaurant, but they don't serve it in China!  HA!

Fortune cookies are as traditional as pumpkin pie in the United States.  They were allegedly created in California, but many different people claim to have made the first ones.  It doesn't really matter to me, what baffles me is how many different ones I have eaten.  Some are sweet, some are not, some taste like paste, some taste like vanilla, some are light golden, some have been brown, but didn't taste of chocolate.  I mean, it is crazy how many versions of these there must be in the world!  And don't even mention that little "add ons".  You know the little words you add on to the end of your fortune?!  I know you know what I am talking about!

If you don't have a buddy to help you, please only make 2 at a time.  They MUST be hot, (I burned my hands) when you form them or you get a cracked mess!  You can purchase white cotton gloves that would make these much easier on your hands. 

I think these would be adorable if you use food coloring, you can tailor them to any occasion or event.  The fortunes could be advice, questions, etc.  I just think they could be adorable for so many events!! I couldn't help be want to try these, it was so fun printing different "fortunes". They take a little fanangling but are so well worth the time!!  Enjoy these sweet, vanilla-ee, crunchy treats!!

Here is what you will need:
-2 large egg whites
-1 tsp vanilla
-3 tbsp vegetable oil
-1/2 cup all purpose flour
-1 1/2 tsps cornstarch
-Pinch of salt
-3 tsps water
-1/2 cup sugar
-muffin tin
-cup or bowl
-White cotton gloves (optional) These babies are HOT when you have to handle them, so you have to wear gloves or suck it up!  I sucked it up, of course. HA
-12-14 "fortunes" written or typed out and cut into as small of a strip as possible, you may have to fold them in half, it is no biggie!

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.  In a small bowl whip egg whites until frothy. Add in the rest of the ingredients and whisk until a smooth batter forms. 

I sprayed my cookie sheet a few times but, likely didnt NEED to.  You have to work really fast here.  I did 2 cookies at a time, trust me, it is best.  If you have someone to help you, maybe 3 at a time. 

 

Use a tablespoon worth of batter (approx), using the back of the spoon spread to about a 3 inch circle.  It should be really thin and you can see the pan through it in some parts.  Bake for 10 minutes, the edges will be brown.  Take them out, working like a MADWOMAN or MADMAN, use a spatula to get them up, flip them over and put your fortune in the center, fold in half and then bend in half over a cup. 

If you don't work incredibly fast, they will cool to much and crack on you both ways!  Immediately place in a muffin tin to help it hold the shape until completely cooled.  LIke this.........

Here is where I really messed up.  I forgot to take photos of the process!!! ACK!!  I was able to snap a few after to demonstrate as best as I could! There are many YouTube tutorials on it if you can't figure it out. 

This recipe, I changed up a bit is the only one that I found came out really crispy when completely cooled. These are delish and you could dip them in chocolate, use food coloring to make colored cookies, or use lemon or orange or lime juice instead of water.  The possibilities are endless, I just chose to go with a traditional cookie the first time around!

Your "wants to dip these in chocolate"chefwannabe

Black Tie Affair Cupcakes

Happy Monday!  Well actually it is Sunday, but since you will be reading this on Monday we will go with that, OK?  I hadn't planned on putting this up until next week but decided since it was Valentine's Day this week, you might want to make these for your Valentine!

I feel like sometimes, people think food has to be complicated to be good.  I see dishes with a mile long name, and think to myself, "I can't even remember the name unless I am looking right at it".  Food does NOT have to be complicated!  I think when you do simple flavors and do them WELL, they are the best food there is.  You won't find "Roasted Lamb Lips and Root Vegetables drizzled with a beet and plum infused white wine reduction" around here. HA!

I feel like chocolate cake with a sweet, creamy vanilla buttercream is a classic combination.  It is like a tuxedo, elegant, classic and when well fitted is in impeccable fashion.  Now adding some whipped ganache to the center, is just like adding the white gloves and top hat!  So, that being said, I call these my "Black Tie Affair Cupcakes" and I hope you enjoy them!! 

There are a few steps here, but nothing major.  Don't let ganache scare you.  So many people are afraid of it.  It is heaven, CHOCOLATE heaven!  You can do SO much with it too!  So let's get started. 


Double Chocolate Cake (yields approx 25 cupcakes or 2-9inch pans)
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup oil
1 cup boiling water
1 cup milk
2 eggs (well beaten)
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup milk chocolate chips (can use semi sweet)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Line cupcake pan with liners.  Combine all ingredients.  Mix just until combined as to not overwork your flour.  Fill cupcakes and bake 20-22 minutes.  Remove and cool completely. (this is a good time to make your ganache)

 

Ganache

6 ounces milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tbsp butter

 

Place chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl. In a small saucepan heat cream until just before it boils. Pour over chocolate chips, add butter, and let sit 2 minutes. Using a whisk combine cream and chocolate until combined. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Put into mixing bowl of your stand mixer with the whisk attachment and whip for 3-4 minutes. You can also use a hand mixer, chip until creamy and light. The color will change to a lighter brown color. Use a piping bag or Ziploc with the corner snipped off to fill the holes!

 

 

Using the end of a wooden spoon or something of a similar size that is round, poke a hole in the middle of each cupcake. Wiggle the spoon to make the hole slightly bigger. See below.

 

 

Using a Ziploc bag or a piping bag, fill each middle with the whipped ganache. 

Until they are all filled like this.....

Vanilla Buttercream
3 sticks of room temperature butter (1 1/2 cups)
2 lbs powdered sugar
2 tbsp vanilla extract
3/4-1 cup heavy cream (depending on consistency you want)

Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer. Beat until creamy and fluffy.  Frost cupcakes with a knife, or use a piping bag for a decorative look. 

Now get in the kitchen and make these!!  Sweets for your sweet!!

Your "already has her Valentine picked" Chefwannabe