December 22, 2013

Salted Rocky Road Fudge

Rocky road is hands down one of my favorite ice cream flavors. It’s not the chocolate or the marshmallows I crave. Nope. For me, it’s all about the toasted almonds. They seal the deal. Every year my mom makes a batch of Rocky Road Fudge and her famous coffee cake for Christmas dessert. I generally allocate my calories towards the coffee cake because HELLO. It’s COFFEE CAKE. Who can resist? This means I usually pass on the Rocky Road. Sad face.

This year I (forcefully) stepped in and volunteered to make her Rocky Road recipe. But I’m doing something I’ve always dreamed of doing….swapping the raw cashews of my mom’s traditional recipe with SMOKED ALMONDS.

Now we have Salted Rocky Road Fudge!

It adds the perfect amount of salt to balance the sweetness of the chocolate. Before I’d only have one piece of fudge–if that. Now? I’m like 4 pieces in…willing myself to walk away. It’s the almonds! They add incredible depth because they’re roasted & smoked. You get the creaminess of the fudge, the pillow puffs of marshmallows with delightful crunches of almonds. Watch out coffee cake, there’s a new guy in town. I can’t wait to see what my family thinks.

my everyday life, Photography

December 21, 2013

My Everyday Life: Week 51

Here’s what this past week looked like:

A bit of sunshine & a flower. Felt like a bit of summer in December.

December 20, 2013

I love lists, Friday!

I might have to do this next time I’m around someone talking too loud on their cell.
Putting this on the TO DO list after my holiday indulgences.
I hope someone gifts me a jar of Bacon Salt for Christmas!
Aida is on the Bark Train too!! Woot Wooooot!
This made me happy/sad.
The things people do...that make me laugh!
Test answers that are totally wrong…but still genius. Also..PUNS!
This makes me want to watch Home Alone now.
I can relate to John Goodman’s experience at H&M (skinny jeans?!) Still love it though.
It’s funny because it’s true…
The Power of Empathy. ANIMATED!!!
Totally going to make this whole grain gingerbread
I love a good spritzer, don’t you??!
These shoes & necklace…I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them…Sigh.
How to Make Your Food Last Longer. Some good tips in there.
I will do anything for you if you make me this french toast…

The Cheesy Kitchen adapted my White Bean Soup

To + Fromage adapted my Crunchy Peppermint Bark

A Glass of Milk made my Pear Cranberry Arugula Salad

Chattavore also made my Crunchy Peppermint Bark

Curly Girl Press made my Bourbon Salted Caramels

Kitchen Calculation made my Homemade Amaretto

The Crafty Cultivator made my Candy Cane Vodka

That Pink House made my Herbed Cheese Straws

recipes

December 18, 2013

Tropical Bark

I realized that I never really announced that this week is BARK WEEK on Shutterbean! BARK WEEK…like Shark Week but for Bark. Bark like the candy, not like the dog sound. Last week I rehashed my Crunchy Peppermint Bark recipe which fueled my current bark obsession. Monday was all about Cookies & Cream Peppermint Bark and today I’m introducing you to another new favorite— TROPICAL BARK.

We shy away from peppermint in this bark and go the Aloha route with toasted coconut, salty roasted macadamia nuts (OH BOY!) and we add the yellow and orange jewel tones of candied mango and pineapple. It’s creamy, dreamy and conjures up a quick island vacation in your mouth. Is that even possible? Maybe. That subtle hint of lime zest makes it uber tropical! I highly recommend candied ginger if you have it. I’m going to add it to the next batch because I have some pantry stocking to do….

I’m glad we’re on this BARK TRAIN together. Woooooot Woooooooot! Edible Gift-Town, next stop!

recipes

December 16, 2013

Cookies & Cream Peppermint Bark

Question: What would happen if I crushed up Trader Joe’s Candy Cane Joe Joe’s, mixed them with white chocolate and turned them into bark? Uhhh. Could I make a ridiculous bark that would rival my Crunchy Peppermint Bark with puffed rice cereal?

Answer: DING DING DING! YES. And it will be this Cookies & Cream Peppermint Bark!

I feel like I hit the jackpot with this one. The creamy minty filling mixed with white chocolate and cookies is WONDERFUL. When you get a crunchy peppermint bite of the crushed up candy cane?? OH YES. Heaven.

I’m going bark crazy this year. It’s just too dang easy to make something SO GOOD. I have another bark recipe coming this week. I can’t stop this bark train.

gift guide, Inspiration

December 15, 2013

Gift Guide: Cocktail Edition

So, I am sure you’re probably inundated with Gift Guides these days. It’s getting a little stressful, isn’t it? I think we just need a drink (or two!)…SERIOUSLY. I put together some our favorite things for you to impress your cocktail loving friend/family member and maybe while you’re at it, pick something up for yourself? You deserve it. All of these items are from Amazon, so if you decide to order something now, you should be in good shape for the holidays. Thank heavens for Prime Shipping! CHEERS, friends!