Peach Mango Salsa

The Bellman and I are on a "let's get healthier" kick.  It's almost impossible to be outside in this molten lava Florida summer heat so exercise is limited an occasional dog drag around the block and some lounging in the pool.  We've become pretty committed to eating healthier, too.  I've discovered the power of a green smoothie---yep, complete with leafy fresh spinach. The Bellman won't touch them but I love them! I am sure my body will go into shock soon from all the fruits and veggies I've been pumping into it.

Aside from the green smoothies I have also started preparing fish one day a week.  The Bellman isn't a big fan of fish.  I told him that eating fish one day a week won't kill you--right?! I asked him what kind he preferred and he replied, "sticks".  Uhh, no.  No Bueno Bellman.  So--I've been busy preparing and sampling different types of fish (some stinky some not) tying to find something he can tolerate,  I think we found a winner with some Mahi Mahi simply prepared with salt/pepper and a spritz of lemon. I then covered the top with an amazing peach mango salsa!!  Peaches are in so now's the time to get your peach on.  This salsa is so good!  I eat it on anything, even those new coconut triscuits.  BTW, have you tired those yet?  Super yum! Yay Martha!

I had instragrammed a photo of the salsa and had so many people ask me about it that I thought I'd share here.  It's super easy and so tasty.  I like a lot of cilantro and a little heat but you can customize it any way you prefer.  The peaches are so soft and juicy now that the salsa won't stay fresh too long without going to mush. Sometimes I just make a half batch, too.



PEACH MANGO SALSA
Yield = 3 cups




2 peaches, diced
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 mango, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/4C red onion, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
juice of 1 lime
1tsp sugar




1.  Dice up all fruits and veggies.  Mix together and add lime juice and sugar.



Enjoy!!

Wickedly Chocolate Bundt Cake with Fudge Frosting

Holy wow this cake is good!  Seriously, it is the most dense and intense chocolaty cake I've ever baked.  The fudge frosting is killer. I couldn't stop eating it--I may even have licked the pan once or twice :)  Okay, not really, that would be gross.....right?

I made this cake to take to work for Boss Man's birthday. He is a chocolate fan and one of those people who doesn't like frosting --just really good dark chocolate cake.  I am kind of the opposite in that I really like frosting and the cake is merely a vessel to carry the frosting to my lips.  Yes, I am that person who always requests the frosting heavy corner piece of cake, too.

I believe this cake recipe is a keeper just in the fact that after Boss Man ate his cake he then entered my office wide eyed and asked how on earth I got that cake so intense.  "HA, winner winner chicken dinner" I said to myself! Must be the espresso powder...or all the eggs...or the really dark cocoa powder.  Whatever, it all just works. Trust me on this.

BTW, I used the Hershey's special dark cocoa powder.  I've tried all kinds of cocoa powders from fancy pantsy and expensive to some obscure chef's choice.  I always end up back with the Hershey's. To me, it really is the darkest and most intense.  

CAKE
Yield = One 12-cup bundt cake

1TBL cocoa powder
1TBL butter, melted

3/4C cocoa powder
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
1tsp espresso powder
3/4C boiling water
1C sour cream

1 3/4C flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda

3/4C butter, at room temp
2C brown sugar
1TBL vanilla
5 eggs, at room temp

1.  Stir together the 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1 tablespoon cocoa powder.  Using a pastry brush coat the entire interior of the bundt pan.  

2.  Add together cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and espresso powder in a medium bowl.  Add the boiling water and whisk until everything is melted and smooth.  Set aside to cool, then whisk in the sour cream.

3.  In another bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt.

4.  Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).  Add eggs until well combined.

5.  Add 1/3 of the flour mixture until combined, then half the chocolate mixture.  Repeat with another 1/3 of the flour mixture and the remaining half of the chocolate mixture.  Finally, add the last of the flour mixture and beat until just incorporated.  Be sure to stop and scrape down the sides often along the way.

5.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

6.  Bake at 350F for 45-50 minutes.

7.  Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan before turning out the cake onto a wire rack. Let cake cool 3 hours before frosting.

FUDGE FROSTING
yield = 2 cups

1/2C butter
1/2C cocoa powder
1/3C evaporated milk
3 3/4C powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

1.  In a small saucepan combine the butter, cocoa powder and evaporated milk.  Bring to a boil and add the salt, vanilla and powdered sugar.  Whisk until smooth--about 30 seconds.  This frosting will begin to harden quickly so be ready to pour!

2.  Immediately pour over your cake!

bundt!

Enjoy!


**adapted from the Brown Eyed Baker

Thunder Bread

"Let it go....let it go".  Yep, I am still loving and singing along to the Frozen soundtrack on most of my morning commutes.  Good thing I drive alone, right?!  :)

Yes Frozen mania has officially taken over.  It is everywhere....and I mean everywhere in the Disney Parks and in the Orlando/Tampa area.  It was even just announced this week that the Disney Cruise Line has added a 'Frozen Experience' to debut on the ships bound for parts of Europe and Alaska this summer.  I guess we should have seen that one coming.  Frozen had become the highest-grossing animated film of all time last year taking the coveted title from Toy Story 3 as total sales reached more than $1 billion.

I have to say I loooove it.  HAHA!  Yep, I love the music, I love the story and the look of the film (the colors are amazing) and I even love the merchandise.  Check out this cool wand I found in DAK...do I need this?  YES!

So, to get in the spirit of things I was asked to provide a prop for a very important presentation.  I was asked to whip up some Icelandic Thunder Bread.   I of course was super curious as I had never heard of such a thing.  What is Thunder Bread??  Here is the Wikipedia definition:

Thunder bread is a rye bread traditionally baked in a pot or steamed in special wooden casks by burying it in the ground near a hot spring. The bread is crustless, dark and very dense, usually rather sweet, and keeps for a long time. It is often served with butter, mutton pate, smoked lamb or with pickled herring.  Excessive consumption of this bread is said to cause flatulence, earning it its nickname þrumari which roughly translates as "thunderbread". 

UH---fart bread??  Yes, I am intrigued.  :) 

I googled my heart out and found tons of recipes out there.  I tried two, the one below being the most tasty.  I skipped the pate, lamb and herring and instead opted for a bit of good ole grape jelly on mine.  The Bellman thought that was blasphemous.  Whatever.  I thought it was YUM!

ICELANDIC THUNDER BREAD
Yield:  One Loaf

1 1/2C rye flour
1C white whole wheat flour
1C bread flour
1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/3C molasses
2C buttermilk

1.  In mixing bowl add flours, salt, baking soda and yeast. 

2.  Blend together the molasses and buttermilk and gradually add to flour yeast mixture.  The mixture will be fairly thin, more like cake batter than bread dough.

3.  Transfer the dough to a lightly greased loaf pan and smooth the top.  Set aside for 60 minutes covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel.  You may or may not see any yeast activity at this time.

4.  Preheat oven to 360F.  In the lower rack of the oven place a roasting pan filled with hot water.  This will create a steamy oven. 

5.  Bake uncovered for 60-75 minutes or until the internal bread temperature reads 200F.  I tented my loaf with aluminum foil for the last 30 minutes as it was getting much too brown and crusty on top.  This worked perfectly for my loaf.

6. Let the bread sit for a few minutes then turn out onto a cooling rack. Let the bread cool completely before slicing.

Enjoy, toot toot!!

Pumpkin Spice White Chocolate Snickerdoodles

It's fall.  Yep, today it was noticeably cooler.  A brisk 92.  whoa. 
 
Yes, folks---that's sarcasm. 
 
I know I say this every year, but really this summer was one of the hottest ever in Florida.  We lost the big tree in the front yard due to a wicked bolt of lightening.  Maybe we need to plant a replacement to provide some more shade?  I am ready for cooler weather, morning drags with the dog, and baking.  I've been away from the blog for awhile.  I've missed it and am ready to get back in the kitchen, woohoo!
 
I do love snickerdoodles.  The brown butter version I did last year was pretty awesome and I didn't think I would be playing with a new snickerdoodle recipe any time soon.  However, I was intrigued when I saw the pumpkin spice versions all over Pinterest. I tried it and added the white chocolate chips.  They are crispy on the edges, soft in the middle and turned out to be really good coffee dunkers! The Bellman says, "yum"!
  
 
PUMPKIN SPICE WHITE CHOCOLATE SNICKERDOODLES
Yield:  22-24 large cookies
  
1/2 C butter
1/2 C shortening (butter flavored)
1 1/2 C sugar
2 eggs
1TBL vanilla
 
2 3/4 C flour
1 1/2 tsp cream of tarter
1 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBL pumpkin pie spice
1C white chocolate chips
 
ROLLING MIXTURE
4TBL sugar
2tsp pumpkin pie spice
3tsp cinnamon
 
1.  Cream together butter and shortening.

2.  Add eggs and vanilla.

3.  In separate bowl combine flour, cream of tarter, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.

4.  Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture.

5.  Fold in white chocolate chips.

6.  Refrigerate for one hour.

7.  To create the rolling mixture combine sugar, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon in a small bowl.  Form dough into walnut sized balls (I use a medium sized scoop) and roll in sugar mixture.

8.  Bake at 375 for 11 minutes.
 
Happy Fall, Enjoy!

Cookie Dough Dip

 

Ole Ole it's Dip Day!!  Well, that is what I am calling it anyway.  This week at work we decided to kick off  the FIFA World Cup with a potluck celebration.  I'll be honest, I know nothing about soccer.  I don't even know what FIFA stands for---but I'm all in when it comes to pot lucks!   Just for fun the potluck festivities included a "bring your best dip" show down hence my name, "Dip Day".

As usual there were tons of  yummy treats to sample.  I nibbled my way through fresh salsa and guacamole, spicy chicken buffalo dips, hummus, cheese balls and tres leche cake.  Oh my!

I decided to make a cookie dough dip served with fresh fruit and chocolate graham crackers.  I do love my cookie dough, you know.  As I gazed across the Dip Table I noticed my dip was the only sweet one in a savory sea.  It seemed it was being overlooked as the first wave of tasters filled their plates with all that spicy goodness.  I was totally surprised when I later returned to the table to see my dip bowl demolished!  Woohoo! 

Anyway, later in the day as we all sat in a collective food coma the Dip Day votes were tallied and guess what?  Yep, Cookie Dough Dip rules!!!!  I was awarded a trophy and Fantasia Gardens mini golf tickets.  So, I can officially dub this my Award Winning Cookie Dough Dip....and Bellman approved :)

COOKIE DOUGH DIP

Yield: 4 Cups

 

8oz    cream cheese, at room temp

1        stick butter, at room temp

1C      confectioner’s sugar

2TBL brown sugar

2tsp    vanilla

1C      mini chocolate chips

¾ C    Heath toffee bits (I used the plain ones not covered in chocolate)

 

1.       Combine cream cheese and butter.
2.       Add confectioner’s sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.
3.       Beat until smooth and creamy.
4.       Fold in chocolate chips and toffee bits.
5.       Serve with fruit, chocolate graham crackers, pretzel rods, etc.



Enjoy!

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

 

I'm exhausted.   Exhausted and a total emotional hot mess.  Caring for an angry, cray-cray, aging parent just sucks every ounce of energy right out of you.  Sometimes I wish that this would all end....but then realize what I am wishing for and well, that just isn't right either.  Is it?

With so much going on at home I really have no idea how I am functioning at work these days.   I've been coasting and somehow I have thus far escaped the intense scrutiny of my boss man.  That will no doubt change soon.  I can feel change is in the wind.  ugh.

The Bellman, who is always supportive in every way, really deserves a treat.  I haven't baked or blogged anything at all since this parental craziness all went down.  It's been too long.  Seeing that we have a couple of Guinness rolling around in the fridge I thought I'd whip up something involving beer and chocolate (a Bellman fav). Nuthin' says love like chocolate stout cupcakes, ha!

I made these cupcakes a couple of years ago and surprisingly loved them.  The cupcakes don't really taste like beer, they just taste dense, moist and earthy.  You have to try them!  I added the caramel flavored Bailey's to my buttercream on a whim.  It works!!  No tasting and driving though :)


GUINNESS CUPCAKES
Yield = 24 cupcakes

1C Guinness
1 stick plus 2 TBL butter
3/4C unsweetened cocoa
2C sugar
3/4C sour cream
3 eggs
1 TBL vanilla
2C flour
2 1/2 tsp baking soda

1.  Preheat the over to 350.  Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

2.  Pour the Guinness into a large wide saucepan, add the butter and heat until the butter is melted.

3.  Whisk in the cocoa and sugar.

3.  In another bowl beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla and then pour into buttery, beery pan.

4.  Finally, whisk in the flour and baking soda.

5.  Pour the cake batter into the prepared cupcake tins and bake for 20-25 minutes.

6.  Leave to cool completely in the pans on a cooling rack.

**adapted from Nigella


BAILEY'S BUTTERCREAM
Yield = 4 cups

3 egg whites
1C sugar
1 1/4C butter
1/4C caramel flavored Bailey's liquor

1. Find a pan where a bowl will sit on it comfortably without the bowl touching the water in the pan.  Add an inch or so of water to the pan and bring to a simmer. Add your egg whites and sugar to the bowl and whisk until all the sugar has dissolved.  I usually run my finger through it and if there is any grit---keep whisking as it isn't ready yet.  It should feel creamy and smooth. 

2.  When all the sugar has dissolved move the mixture to the mixing bowl.  Using the whisk attachment, whisk until the bowl is cool to the touch.  About 5 minutes.

3.  Add the butter, small chunks at a time and whisk until smooth.  Add the Bailey's.  It's okay to taste test along the way :)

4.  Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.


Slàinte and Enjoy!

Cranberry & Eggnog Bread

I am sitting here on this dreary blustery morning drinking coffee, listening to the wind chimes clang and watching Elvis shiver (why he won't wear his sweater I don't know.....it's so dang cute!).  It has just dawned on me that winter has arrived and the Holiday Season is certainly upon us.  We've already had our Thanksgiving Feast at work....and finished off the leftovers!  My neighbors have their Christmas lights up and I realize I have a ton of baking requests to prepare for.  All this and Thanksgiving isn't even here yet?!  Time is just whizzing by. 
 
I am loving all the goodies being offered in the grocery stores this time of year.  Apple cider and caramel apples, eggnog and fresh cranberries.  I've been indulging in each, trust me.  Did you know that eggnog makes an awesome coffee creamer?  YUM!

 

So, I'm making use of those fresh cranberries with this moist, tasty holiday cranberry eggnog bread.  Don't be afraid of eggnog.   These days it's really just dairy with nutmeg and vanilla.....and sometimes a little rum :) 
 
CRANBERRY & EGGNOG BREAD
YIELD:  one loaf
 
1C sugar
1 box instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz)
1/2C butter
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp rum extract
1 1/2C eggnog
2 1/4C  flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg, freshly grated
1C chopped fresh cranberries
 
EGGNOG GLAZE (optional)
1/2C confectioner's sugar
2 TBL eggnog
 
1.  Grease a loaf pan and line with parchment paper. I like to leave an overhang of paper to help remove the loaf after it bakes.
 
2.  Cream the sugar, pudding mix and butter together.
 
3.  Add eggs, vanilla extract and rum extract.
 
4.  Add eggnog.
 
5.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.  Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture until just combined.  Be sure not to over mix as it will make the bread tough.
 
6.  Fold in the cranberries.
 
7.  Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes.
 
8.  Let the loaf cool 20 minutes or so before unmolding then move to a wire rack to continue to cool. A little trick----when the loaf is still just a bit warm to the touch wrap it up in tin foil.  This will "steam" the bread and make the outside soft.  This trick works great for banana bread, too.
 
9.  Optional Glaze:  whisk eggnog and confectioner's sugar together and pour over bread.  Honestly, this bread is so incredibly moist you really don't need the glaze.
 

Enjoy!