Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Banana Ice Cream

It is probably one of my most favorite things.  With just three ingredients, this one just can't be beat.





Banana Ice Cream

By: Userealbutter.com


4 bananas, just slightly overripe
2 tblsp creamy peanut butter
2 tsp coca powder (Dutch process)


Peel the bananas and slice them up into ¼ to ½ inch thick disks.  Place the banana slices in the freezer for an hour or until they are frozen solid.  Put the frozen slices in a food processor and pulse (I skipped this step and took ripe bananas and mashed them with a pastry blender until mashed).  First they will start to resemble gravel, but keep going.  The bananas will soon turn into a frozen mush- at this point, start scraping the sides down  (you will do this a lot) .  Or you could add a dash of milk since the liquid will help the blending.  I’m lactose-intolerant, so after a few minutes of stopping to scrape the sides down, the banana begins to blend into a creamy texture.  When the bananas look like whipped ice cream, you can add your mix-ins like peanut butter and/or coca powder, chocolate chips, toffee, raspberries, anything goes. 

Sunday, May 12, 2013

My Mother's Mother's Day



As I sit here trying to start a sentence that describes my Mom it is impossible for me to think of a word, words, or sentence that pinpoints exactly what she means to me or what she embodies to those around her.  One of the best quotes from Elizabeth Stone about having kids is, “Choosing to have a child-it’s momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”  To me, my Ma is strength, beauty-both in and out, integrity, peace, and above all else and many more things, Love.  My Mother has taught me to thrive in independence, to know that I am beautiful no matter what the world says, and shows grace everyday that I hope one day I can pass on to my kids and future family.  This beautiful lady, my Mother is my one of a kind Mom. 

Since my mom is so far away and I can’t celebrate with her (she is spending the weekend with equally amazing women, my grandma, aunts and cousin) I decided to make her most favorite thing!  I asked what her most favorite thing to eat was and I should have known it would have been something sweet.  Since she gave me the creative license to go in any direction I wanted I decided to make a pie that she made and I absolutely love!  Though I’ve added new components to the pie to make it extra special and new.  Instead of the chocolate cookie crust I crumbled up stroop waffles and lined the bottom of the pan.  Stoop waffles is two thin wafers with a caramel filling between the two.  Upon serving I plan to whip strawberries within the whip cream to add a fruity overtone.     
 
I love you Mom, I hope you enjoy!



Chocolate Truffle Pie

By:  Unknown



2 cups (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups whipping cream, divided
1/4 cup confectioners; sugar (powdered sugar)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 chocolate cookie crust (8-9 inches)
Whipping cream and chocolate covered candies optional

Ina microwave safe dish, combine the chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of cream; cook on high for 1 - 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Cool to room temperature. Stir in sugar and vanilla, set aside. In a small mixing bowl, beat remaining cream until soft peaks form. Beat in chocolate mixture on high, one-third at a time; mix well. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Garnish with shipped cream and candies if desired. They put the whip cream in little dollops around the perimeter of the pie so each serving had a little dollop and a candy on top. I don't usually do this. 




Sunday, May 5, 2013

Boston Strong


I wrote this a week following the 15 April attack. My sentiments are still the same and have a greater love of this city.  Below are pictures of the memorial as well as the cookies!  


By definition strength is physical power, emotional toughness, support, resistance and among many others, force.  This past week Boston was thrust into terror by the sheer force of two men whose motive is unknown.  Despite not being a native, I would consider myself a Bostonian having lived here for six years and through it all have never known this city to be weak.  From our presence in the sports community to the support that was proven over the last five days, we will not, we did not fall.  We were strong, we were Boston Strong!  As we move forward and pay tribute to those who were overcome by this force, let us remember to reach out to those we know are struggling to be heard, as it may have been in this young man's case.  We must also have the strength to hear without judgment the reason for this act of terror.  It is not something we will want to hear and ultimately accept, but with strength comes the need for compassion and understanding. 


In trying to figure what to make for this I tried to do some research to make what the four individuals that lost their lives during this tragedy would enjoy.  I had no luck; instead I’ve made cookies which for me means life and health.  It is sweet, savory, and full of pieces that makes the next bite more enjoyable than the last, like life.  We have no idea where this life will lead us, but we can only pray that our next steps will be ones of power, toughness, resistance and have a positive force enough to firmly and proudly say we are Boston Strong!





Silly Saucy Chef’s Good Oatmeal Cookies

By: Grandma Walling adapted my AnnMarie


1C Margarine
½ C Brown Sugar
1 ½ C White Sugar
2 tblsp molasses
2 eggs
2 C wheat flour
1 tblsp vanilla
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
2 C Oatmeal
1 ½ C Chocolate Chips

½ C Dried, Sweetened Cranberries
½ C Pumpkin Seeds
1 C Walnuts
½ C dried pitted Dates

Cream wet ingredients, then add dry ingredients one at a time until completely mixed.  Bake for 10 minutes at 350 Degrees F.