Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

I got some ice cream makers for Christmas. By some, I mean 2…how well does everyone know me?! (wait till I debut what the duplicate became!) I’ve been wanting to make ice cream for awhile. I knew exactly where to go. The gals at We Are Not Martha make it all the time. A) it looks amazing. B) the extent of unique flavors is endless.

I wasn’t sure how it’d go. I actually had a super frustrating experience when I attached an extra piece that wasn’t necessary for my mixer…it resulted in a crazy 20-minute detachment battle.
Kitchenaid: 1
Emily: 0
when the bowl defrosted, I was able to slip it off. I refroze the bowl and I dropped the extra piece into my miscellaneous drawer so I can discover it later and have no idea what it goes to.

The next night, when we both (the bowl & me) had calmed down, was take 2. It was easy peasy!
pb_ice_cream_bowl_590_390

PB Cup ice cream
(adapted from We Are Not Martha)

Ingredients:
2 large eggs
3/4 C sugar
2 C whipping cream
1 C milk
1/3 C smooth peanut butter
¾ cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:
Whisk two eggs in until light and frothy
Mix in the sugar a little at a time, while continuing to whisk until it’s all blended.
Pour the cream and the milk into the mixture and whisk until blended.
pb_icecream_milk_590_390
Pour one cup of the mixture into a separate bowl and whisk peanut butter into that mixture until smooth.
pb_icecream_pb_590_390
Then pour the peanut butter mixture back into the cream mixture. Whisk everything together.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your ice cream machine, but I recommend chilling cream mixture for 2-3 hours before processing.
pb_icecream_mixer_590_390
Pour into separate container and mix in chocolate chips by hand or for the last minute or two of the ice cream churning.
pb_icecream_mixed_590_390
freeze 5-6 hours, until hard.
pb_icecream_container_590_390
Makes a little more than a quart

I was pretty unsure about the cream mixture (with eggs) not being cooked at all. I figured it was safe since it would be frozen, but I don’t like to mess with egg safety. I live to tell you about it.

I loooved how much peanut butter flavor there was in this ice cream. And I loved that it was vanilla based. Chocolate based ice cream isn’t my favorite.

I’m psyched to make other kinds. The sky is the limit! Mr. J has requested grapenut…he loves that old-man flavor. I like lots of stuff in my ice cream. Like ripples, nuts, chunks or whatever.
pb_ice_cream_bowl_590_390

One time way back when, on vacation with the fam in Vermont, we discovered a convenience store that sold Ben & Jerry “rejects” for a discounted price. They were labeled like “not mixed enough” or “too many chunks” as if there is such a thing! It was like a gold mine! We ate some at our rental condo in wine glasses which seemed so magically fancy when I was 6 and may have been out of rental-outfitting-necessity looking back.

Sherry Tomato Soup

Nothing says “winter meal” more than soup. Creamy tomato soup…spiked with wine. The nice folks at Tuttorosso sent me some canned tomatoes to try (and I got a beautiful new le creuset from Mr. J for Christmas) to debut so soup was in order. Don’t breeze through this thinking “didn’t she just make tomato soup?” That was different. this is different.
tomato_soup_tomatoes_590_390

I made Ree Drummond’s Sherried Tomato Soup and loved it. It stands up to her thought that after tasting it, “solemnity and peace will be within reach”. True story.

It is totally flavorful and comforting. I served it with some grilled cheeses and was thoroughly impressed. I liked how heavy-handed she is with the sherry. She’s also heavy handed with the cream making this delightful and it off-sets the sherry a bit.

Sherried Tomato Soup

(adapted from Pioneer Woman)

Ingredients:

1 small onion, chopped (next time I’d reduce this to ¼ cup)
3 tbs butter
1 tbs garlic, chopped
28-oz can crushed tomatoes
2 cups tomato juice
2 tbs sugar
½ cup chicken broth
1 cup cooking sherry
1 ½ cups heavy cream
chopped parsley, basil, ground pepper (optional)

Directions:

Heat a pot over medium heat and add onions and butter, cooking until translucent, adding garlic just for the last minute or two of cooking.
tomato_soup_onions_590_390
Add canned tomatoes, tomato juice, sugar, and broth cooking for 5-10 minutes to heat through and release the flavors and sugars, not boiling.
tomato_soup_pot_590_390
While first few soup ingredients are cooking, assemble grilled cheeses or prep garlic bread.
Reduce heat to medium-low, and add sherry.
Now is an opportune time to start grilled cheeses or garlic bread for dipping. Cook soup for another 5 minutes.
Turn heat off, and add cream & herbs.
tomato_soup_cream_590_390
Serve & enjoy!

I loved the super strong tang of the sherry. Mr. J thought it was a bit too intense. You can reduce the amount or cook it a bit longer. I think soup gets a bad wrap and should be very flavorful. None of that Oliver Twist watery cabbage junk. This soup is like a warm itch-less-sweater wrapping like a hug around you.
tomato_soup_done590_390

I liked this one reheated. If you’re feeling fancy, only add some of the cream to the part you’re eating right then. Reheating the soup, with the cream in it, isn’t for everyone. I like it though. A dollop of plain greek yogurt in each bowl, instead of the cream would be good. I got about 5 good-size servings out of this.

Talk about McSteamy! (Also, I know. I’m aware my placemats are still supporting the holidays. All they need is a flip to the reverse to become winter versus Christmas. I’m delaying the holidays-being-over thing.)
tomato_soup_bowl_590_390

Full 3 Bite Rule Disclosure: Tuttorosso sent me a set of samples of their canned tomato products to try out and taste. The product samples were completely complimentary but my experience, thoughts, opinions, and words are entirely my own. They are offering an apron giveaway for the first 4,000 people to “like” their page on facebook and who provide an original recipe. Also one lucky winner gets $500 to cooking.com. 

No Fail Fudge

I gave a few edible gifts again this year for the holidays. Sometimes there’s just so much stuff. I like a few gifts in there that can be consumed, used, and then gone. I haven’t gotten crazy with my packaging but maybe I’ll have my act together enough sometime.

This year I made my Dad some mocha fudge. He was telling me about some mocha fudge he had on a vacation he and my mom took so I nabbed that subtle hint and ran with it. Now let’s also set the stage: I don’t bake a lot. Making candy? Umm nope, never. My grandma used to make it and she wasn’t really a cook, so I figured if she could do it, I’d definitely give it a whirl.

I followed the instructions EXACTLY. Fluff’s no-fail fudge seemed simple enough and I did it! Woohoo! Spoiler alert: success!

I made a half batch and it was quite a lot of fudge. Plan on giving it away. It won’t help your New Year’s resolutions one bit. I swear. I’ll stop tempting you soon.

mocha_fudge_final_590_390

Ingredients:

2 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 stick butter or margarine
1 5 oz. can evaporated milk (2/3 c.)
1 Jar (7 1/2oz) Marshmallow Fluff
3/4 tsp. vanilla
1 12-oz. package semi-sweet chocolate pieces
espresso

Directions:

Grease a 9-inch square baking pan. (I lined a pan with parchment paper instead.)
In large saucepan combine the first sugar, salt, butter/margarine, and evaporated milk.
mocha_fudge_sugar_590_390Add fluff and stir over low heat until blended.
mocha_fudge_cooked_590_390

Increase heat to Medium and bring to a full-rolling boil being careful not to mistake escaping air bubbles for boiling. Boil slowly, stirring constantly for 5 minutes (use Soft-Ball test).
mocha_fudge_fluff_590_390
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, chocolate pieces, and espresso until chocolate is melted.
mocha_fudge_choc_590_390
Turn into greased pan and cool.
mocha_fudge_cooling_590_390

The original recipe makes 2 1/2 pounds. That is a heck of a lot for one person. I used a 9×9 pan and really liked the thickness. I can’t imagine my fudge doubled in that same size pan. The half batch is borderline-too-much-for-one-person.

While it was hot, it didn’t seem very mocha flavored. I let it sit for a few hours then I thought the flavor came out big time. I gifted it in a holiday tin with wax paper. I didn’t cut it into bite sized pieces since it will get stale and hard faster.
mocha_fudge_final_590_390

I was psyched it worked so well. I want to try my hand at chocolate peanut butter fudge next! I just need a willing recipient…

Pizza Soup in Breadbowls

Today I have a leftovers on rehab which I like to call Tonight & Take 2. It is a great way to use something you prepped or even ate before. Using leftovers and creating them into something new is key especially since I’m cooking for 2 and love to reuse leftovers…creatively. It simplifies dinner planning and is green (environmentally speaking and money saving!).

Speaking of leftovers, why were the ladies on the Bachelor so annoyed that Kacie is on, yet a gal from Bachelor Pad was no big deal? Sometimes leftovers are better the second time around! Not that I realllly want to call her leftovers, she is way more classy than the 50-shades of gray drunkard. Anywho, back to food.

Way back when, I tried my hand at Bolognese sauce (which was a hit) and then I wanted to let the leftovers shine. Along comes another Tonight & Take 2. Take last night’s bolognese sauce and make it into a comforting soup. I froze my leftover sauce so the soup came later and we weren’t eating the same thing meal after meal after meal…

Ingredients:

leftover bolognese sauce or meat sauce
pizza dough
1 cup pepperoni sliced
1 cup shredded mozzarella
2 tbs Parmesan cheese
3 tbs cream

pizza_soup_final_590_390

Directions:

Start with bolognese sauce, or any meat sauce you like.
bolognase_plate_590_390
Reheat and add a touch of cream, Parmesan, and pepperoni.
Bake pizza dough in baseball/softball size blobs at 400-degrees for about 20 minutes. The interior doesn’t need to be fully cooked. Once cooled, chop of the top, pull out the interior, and add a few tablespoons of shredded cheese.
pizza_soup_bowl_590_390
Add soup and top with another sprinkle of cheese.
pizza_soup_serving_590_390
This was a great use of leftovers feeling completely different without pasta. You could nix the bread bowls to eliminate a step/ingredient. I like that these guys are balanced and filling. It is flavorful and comforting without being complicated. I have a surprising number of soup posts to catch you up on so hold on tight!

What do you think? Thoughts about leftovers? Do you recreate them or enjoy them again and again as-is? Are you watching The Bachelor?

Apple Cider Cookies

I wanted to try out the pudding cookies that Flying on Jess Fuel made, butttt the necessary gingerbread pudding ingredient wasn’t for sale anywhere near me. The office cookie swap warranted something out of the ordinary for a holiday cookie swap. I’m not always 100% into mint so that narrows holiday cookie options.

I know, this goes against resolutions about 97% of of you out there have made, but they’re really good, and I made them during the holiday craziness and just didn’t get to share it with you till now. Just wait. There’s more to tempt you still to come…
cider_cookies_baked_590_390
I took a personal day that would have expired by the end of the year and baked cookies at mom’s house. We made a few different kinds going and all were successful!

I pinned these sugar cookies made with hot apple cider mix and thought they sounded great. They seemed a bit fall-ish but I tweaked them and they were a hit for the holidays.

Apple Cider Cookies

adapted from Dreaming All Day

Ingredients:

1 cup butter
6 tbs sugar
1 individual serving size packet hot cider
2 tsp vanilla
¼ tsp salt
2 cups flour
1 tbs milk
1 ½ cups butterscotch or cinnamon chips
¼ cup sugar
3 tbs cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Beat butter, sugar, cider mix, vanilla, and salt.
cider_cookie_ingredients_590_390
Add flour in and mix until well combined.
Mix in chips by hand.
cider_cookie_mixed_590_390
Roll cookie dough in 1 inch balls into mixed cinnamon and sugar.
cider_cookie_rolled_590_390
Bake 9 minutes and let cool on cooling racks.
cider_cookies_baked_590_390

I loved these. I thought they were way more exciting than sugar cookies. I amped up the cider mix more than the original recipe called for and I added chips. It might be a weird ingredient to buy just for cookies, but I had some for a hot drink anyway.