Peanut Butter & Chocolate!

These are individual peanut butter chocolate cheesecakes. These are made in a cupcake pan with a cookie crust. There is a chocolate cheesecake layer and peanut butter cheesecake layer, topped off with a dollop of chocolate ganache and mini peanut butter cup for garnish.
Here is the recipe, but beware - these are deadly rich!!!!

Ingredients:
18 chocolate cookies (nilla wafer used to make a chocolate cookie, but I haven't seen it lately - oreos minus the creme filling work great though)
2 8oz packages Cream Cheese softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
8 to 10 oz melted chocolate
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 tbs whipping cream
chocolate ganache (recipe below)
Directions:
1. Line cupcake pan with wrappers and place one cookie in each wrapper.
2. Using an electric mixer, combine 8oz of cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tbs whipping cream, and melted chocolate. Spoon batter into cupcake pans, about 1/3 full.
3. In a clean bowl, using electric mixer, combine remaining 8oz of cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tbs whipping cream, and 1 cup peanut butter. Spoon batter into cupcake pans, on top of the chocolate batter, so that cupcakes are 2/3 full.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until set.
5. Cheesecakes will appear very poofy, but will settle, leaving a small indentation, when cooled. Once cooled, spoon a small amount of ganache into craters and top with mini peanut butter cup if desired.
Chocolate Ganache
Ingredients:
2/3 cup chocolate chips or squares
1/2 cup whipping cream
Directions:
1. Heat cream on stove top, using low heat, bring just to a boil (be careful not to scald the cream)
2. Pour cream over chocolate and whisk together until all chocolate is melted and fully combined
3. Allow to cool

*****Incredible Jack O Lanterns*****

These incredible Jack O Lanterns are the creations of Scott at Stolloween....He is so generous to provide this tutorial...Check him out!!!There's still plenty of time to make one or a whole yard full for this year's Halloween display. You make them using plastic garbage bags & mache....I really like the one with the snake...Be sure to check out all the tutorials they have listed on the right side of the blog...Very interesting and will be helpful in many other uses, other than Halloween.....

Omelet In Ziplock Bag...Quick & Easy!!!

"That's weird," chorused my sons when I emerged with an omelet cooked in a plastic bag. "Why didn't you use a frying pan?"
When you cook an egg in a bag, you're going to get some comments. But it works, it's slick, and it avoids the all-important clean up. The omelets can be mixed ahead and stored in Ziploc®-type plastic bags in your refrigerator for several days. When you get ready to eat, drop the pouched eggs in boiling water and . . . presto, you have omelets without the mess.

Ingredients:
1 quart size ziploc bag
2 eggs
Salt & Pepper to taste
Omelet ingredients: bacon bits, cheese, veggies, or other omelet goodies
pepper and salt to taste (If you use cheese or bacon, do not add as much salt since the ingredients are salty.)

Directions:
1. Bring a large pan of water to a roiling boil.
2. Whisk all the ingredients together with a fork. Pour the omelet mixture into a sandwich-sized Ziploc®-type plastic bag. Make sure you get all of the air out and that the seal is tight.
3. Carefully place the plastic bag (or bags because you can cook several at one time) in the boiling water. Let it boil for 14 minutes or until the omelet is nearly set.

If you overcook it, it will be rubbery. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the omelet, the altitude, and the size of the pan. The omelet will continue to cook in the bag once it is removed from the water so remove the bag when the center of the omelet is not quite firm.
Remove the omelet (the omelet will come out easily) from the bag and serve.

Note #1: The steam in the plastic bag will make it balloon and look like it may burst. In my experience, it won't.
Note #2: With a little coaxing, the bag will lie flat in the water as it heats. You will not need to turn the bag over.
Note #3: Make sure that you keep the omelet mix cold. Without being in their protective shells, eggs will not keep as long. When you cook the eggs, they should get hot enough to kill bacteria-but be on the safe side and keep your eggs cold anyway..

Make Your Own Mixes!!!!

I hate it when I am halfway through a recipe only to discover I am out of a key ingredient, like brown sugar. Todays first tip is to check your cupboard to see if you have all the necessary ingredients to make your recipe.....but just in case you don't check*****

MAKE YOUR OWN BROWN SUGAR:


Add a Tablespoon of molasses to one cup of white sugar..Mix together with a fork until thorougly incorporated, and you have instant brown sugar.....

TACO SEASONING MIX:

Make your own taco seasoning mix to control the ingredients for better nutrition.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
1/4 cup instant minced onion
2 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. crushed dried red pepper flakes
1-1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
1 Tbsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. instant minced garlic
1 tsp. ground cumin
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and blend thoroughly with wire whisk. Spoon mixture into a tightly closed container and label as "Taco Seasoning Mix". Store in a cool, dry place. Use within 6 months. Makes 6 packages (about 2 Tbsp. each) of mix. 2 Tbsp. equals 1.25-oz. pkg. purchased taco seasoning mix.
To make Taco Filling:
Brown 1 lb. lean ground beef in large skillet over medium heat; drain grease. Add 1/2 cup water and 2 Tbsp. Taco Seasoning Mix. Reduce heat, cover pan, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes enough filling for 8 to 10 tacos.

FAJITA SEASONING MIX:

Make your own Fajita seasoning mix.
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. paprika
1 Tbsp. sugar
2-1/2 tsp. crushed chicken bouillon cube
1-1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. cumin
Preparation:
Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Pour into small glass or plastic container, seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place. Makes the equivalent of 3 packets of commercial or purchased Fajita Seasoning Mix.

CHILI SEASONING MIX:

Ingredients:
1 1/8 cups flour
3/4 cup instant minced onion
1/3 cup chili powder
2 Tbsp. ground cumin
2 Tbsp. salt
1 1/2 Tablespoons instant minced garlic
1 Tbsp. crushed hot red pepper flakes
2 tsp. sugar
Mix all ingredients very well. Seperate into 6 equal portions - packaging in aluminum
foil or another airtight package of some type. Label.

To use: Brown one pound of ground beef - drain off excess fat. Sprinkle contents of
one package of the mix over the beef, stirring well. Add one 15 oz. can tomato sauce,
1/4 cup water, and one 15 oz. can undrained kidney beans. Simmer uncovered, for at least
20 minutes, or until the beans are cooked to your liking. Makes 4 servings

ONION SOUP MIX:



Ingredients:
3 onion bouillon cubes, crushed
1 beef bouillon cube, crushed
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/3 cup instant onion flakes
2 dashes pepper
Put all ingredients in a small sandwich bag. Seal well and store in cool, dry
place.

To use: Empty package into a pot and gradually stir in 4 cups cold water and
1 Tbsp. butter. Bring to boil, reduce heat and cover. Simmer 20 minutes. Ladle
soup into oven proof bowls, sprinkle with croutons or toasted bread. Then add
one slice provalone cheese. Briefly put bowls under a broiler to melt cheese.
Serve. Makes 4 1-cup servings.
ONION DIP:
Mix one package onion soup mix with 2 cups sour cream. Chill before serving

BAKING POWDER:

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Cream Of Tartar Powder
1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
Sift ingredients together and store in small container with tight-fitting lid.
One teaspoon of this equals 1 teaspoon of commercial baking powder.

COOL WHIP:



Ingredients:
1 teaspoon gelatin
2 teaspoons cold water
3 tablespoons boiling water
1/2 cup ice water
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons oil
Chill a small mixing bowl. Soften gelatin with 2 teaspoons cold water,
then add boiling water, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved.
Cool until tepid. Place ice water and nonfat dry milk in the chilled
bowl. Beat at high speed until mixture forms stiff peaks. Add sugar,
still beating, then oil and gelatin. Place in freezer about 15 minutes
then transfer to refrigerator until ready for use. Stir before using
to retain creamy texture. Makes 2 cups

SOUR CREAM:

Ingredients;
2 cups light cream
2 Tbsp buttermilk
Combine cream with buttermilk in hot, clean glass jar with a lid.
Cover tightly and shake gently to thoroughly mix.
Let stand in a warm place till thickened (24-48 hours). Store, covered in refrigerator. Stir before serving. Use within three weeks.

TATOR TOTS;

Ingredients;
8 med. potatoes, cooked and peeled
4 rounded tbsp. flour
Dash pepper
1 tsp. salt
Canola oil
Finely shred or use ricer while potatoes are hot. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper. Heat 1/4" oil in heavy pan. Form into small balls and drop into oil. Fry till slightly golden.
Drain on paper towels, then freeze. To Use: bake in single layer on baking sheet at 400F till crispy

Cake In A Mug!!

Here's an ingenious recipe, which makes a single cake that bakes right in its own coffee mug in the microwave. It makes an ideal gift for the single friends and college students on your list. While each portion serves one, you could also place matching sets into a baskets and give it to a couples or families.

Ingredients:

Cake Mix:
1 box cake mix, flavor of your choice
1 small instant pudding mix (not sugar free), flavor of your choice

Glaze Mix:
1/3 cup confectioner's sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons dry flavoring such as:
lemonade mix
orange breakfast drink mix
cocoa or vanilla Powder
instant flavored coffee or cappuccino



Instructions:

Combine cake mix ingredients and blend well. Measure 1/2 cup of mix into a sandwich bag. Label this bag "Cake Mix."

Place the glaze mix ingredients into a sandwich bag. Label this bag "glaze mix" and attach it to the other bag with a twist tie.
Place one bag cake mix and one bag glaze mix in each coffee cup and attach the baking instructions.
Tip
Be sure to select a large mug that can hold 1 1/2 cups of water. The mug must be microwavable.

Flavor Options
Lemon cake mix-lemon pudding
Yellow mix-chocolate pudding
Devils food mix-chocolate pudding...Add a few chocolate chips
Pineapple mix-coconut pudding...Sprinkle some toasted coconut on top
Butterscotch mix-butterscotch pudding



Attach the following note to the gift:
Mist inside of coffee mug with cooking spray. Empty cake mix into cup. Add 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon water. Mix well. Microwave on full power 2 minutes.

Empty Glaze Mix into a small bowl and add 1 teaspoon water. Mix well. Pour glaze over baked cake

Slow-Cooker Shepherd's Pie!!

Slow cookers have made a comeback as a frugal cook's appliance of choice. And for good reason: They offer hands-off cooking, which can free up time for you to do other things while still serving a nutritious meal...

Slow-Cooker Shepherd's Pie

32-ounce bag frozen Tator Tots
1-pound ground beef, browned
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 (14-ounce) cans vegetables such as green beans, mixed vegetables, corn or cream corn
1 (10-3/4 ounce) can cream-of-mushroom soup
1 Tablespoon of dried onions
1/4 cup mild cheddar, shredded

Line the bottom of the slow cooker with the Tator Tots. Combine remaining ingredients, and pour over the Tator Tots...Cook on high for 3 hours, Sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese on top:

Attitude Is Everything!

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed that she only had three strands of hair on her head. "Well", she said, I think I'll braid my hair today." She did and had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw she only had two strands of hair on her head. "Hmmm", she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." She did and had a grand day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and noticed that she only had one hair on her head. "Well", she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a poney tail." She did and had a fun, fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "Yeah!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!" Attitude is everything.

Have a great day and be kinder than necessary, for someone you meet may be fighting some kind of battle.