How To: Roast Peeps

It is Easter and like millions of other Americans we have Peeps in the house! Our kids took one taste...

and rejected this classic sugar coated marshmallow.

But Rob suggested, what if you roasted a Peep, like you would a marshmallow, hmmm, so, having no campfire, we broiled them instead.

The results were pretty noteworthy, I think the taste was much improved. Here are the before and after results:













To broil a Peep, place Peep or Peeps on a cooling rack and place the rack over a cake pan (in case of drips). Position top rack so that the Peep will be about 5 inches from the broiler. Heat broiler to 500 and pop in the Peep. Watch closely for the sugar to caramelize, serve immediately.

That's Sweet: 10-Minute Toffee Treats

This recipe comes courtesy of my talented mother-in-law, who has co-authored a book full of Christmas recipes, ideas, and stories including this amazingly simple yet impressively delicious candy recipe:

10-Minute Toffee Treats

1 sleeve saltine crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil, then line with a single layer of saltines. In saucepan bring butter and sugar to boil. Boil 3 minutes. Immediately our over saltines. Spread. Bake for only 4-5 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over top. Wait 4 minutes and spread. Sprinkle with nuts. Cool and break into pieces.

Happy Valentines Day!

I made cookies today:


They are a Valentine's modification of these Christmas Cookies.

Finger lickin' good! :)


There actually isn't any sugar in the cookie part of these cookies, but the icing and filling made them really sweet. The cookies are very much like puff pastry.

***

We're still working on the last menu, but a few of the recipes have turned out really well. Tonight we had Southwestern Nachos - and I made a few modifications to the meal. They were very good - instead of using pork loin, I braised 3 small pork chops in apple juice and minced garlic then shredded the meat. Instead of high priced "Scoop" tortilla chips, I used store brand white corn tortilla chips. I used all the beans recommended (the original recipe made two 13x9 pans, I made one 9x9 pan), less corn, a whole tomato, about 1/3 of a red onion, red pepper flakes, and lime juice. Instead of velvetta I topped it with shredded cheese. It was yummy!

Also the African Beef Curry was a super easy meal and very good. I also really liked the Ham Barley soup. However I do not recommend the Orange Chicken with Sweet Potatoes.