Bryans 40th Birthday

I got this recipe from Bryans Aunt Connie. She is a wonderful cook and all of her recipes are amazing. This is one of Bryans favorite desserts so I decided to make it for his 40th birthday. I had to make this for his actual birthday because I had a surprise party planned for the following Saturday.

heres the recipe:

http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/ubbs/archive/CAKESandFROSTINGS/Cheesecake_Mocha-Chocolate_Chip_Cheesecake.html

i add a chocolate ganache layer because we are all are crazy about chocolate and i had to have a frosting so i could write happy 40th bryan on his cake.

to make the ganache...add 6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips and 1/3 cup cream to a pyrex and microwave until chocolate melts and then let it cool a few minutes and then 'frost' the cheesecake. i used white chocolate in a frosting bag to pipe the happy 40th bryan on his cake.

Cheesy taco soup

Im so sorry that i havent posted recipes in awhile. Now that the kids are back in school and i have a regular routine. I promise ill be better about posting recipes.

Cheesy Taco Soup

I had this soup at a football party last year and it was amazing. I decided that i would go home and try to figure out the recipe. I tried a few times but it wasnt quite right...this time i think ive got it down.

heres the recipe

ground 1 1/4 lbs of lean ground beef and a little chopped onion if you like onions. (i dont like them so i dont add them)

drain any grease after you are done.

add 1 tsp cumin

add 2 tbsp chili powder

add 1 tsp coriander

add 2 tsp minced fresh garlic

1 tsp mexican oregano (if you have it...not critical...but good if you do have some on hand)]

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/3 cup tomato sauce

mix together.... I take a little of the taco meat out right now for my little boy that hates soup

Then i add 2 cans of PETITE diced tomatoes

1 can enchilada sauce (red chili kind)

i added the rest of the can of tomato sauce that i used for the taco meat too

1 can evaporated milk

1 can corn drained

1 can black beans or pinto beans (whichever you like)

1/2 bag of velvetta shredded cheese

add chicken broth to get a soupy consistency...(about 1-2 cups)

mix together and wait for cheese to melt.

YUMMY...

Orange Julius Pops

Its been over 100 degrees for awhile and its just plain HOT when you add that humidity in...so weve been making a lot of pops in the zoku lately.. My kids LOVE orange julius so it seemed like a great idea to make a popsicle out of it. I made the orange julius like i normally do and then i added it to the zoku. Then waited the 9 minutes for it to freeze.

heres the recipe

http://threehungryboys.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-blog.html

Raspberry Cream Pops

Im in love with the zoku. You can get one from williams and sonoma or amazon. Its well worth the $50. Ive made popsicles almost every day this summer. I think its a necessity for moms in Texas. Its amazing to me to be able to make pops for my boys in minutes and i love that i can choose what i put in them.

My boys love the pudding pops the best but these were a close second

I had fresh raspberries so these sounded good today.

1/2 cup raspberries

1/2 cup half and half or cream

1/2 cup yogurt (any kind you want..i used the smoothie kind because i had it on hand)

3 tablespoons sugar

a small amount of mini chocolate chips (optional) this made them even better...how can you go wrong with chocolate??

Combine all of this in the blender until pureed and add to the zoku and wait for them to freeze. Make sure you wait to take these out until they are totally frozen (i waited about 12 min or so) or they wont come out in one piece.

Oven Roasted Coconut Sweet Potatoes

i saw this recipe on pinterest from the New York Times and I knew i HAD To make it because i just ordered coconut oil from amazon and ive been wanting to use it and I love roasted vegetables.

1 1/2-2 lbs sweet potatoes peeled and diced into small squares

2 tablespoons coconut oil

2 teaspoons brown sugar

salt

pepper

nutmeg

mix together oil brown sugar salt pepper and nutmeg. Add sweet potatoes and coat with the mixture. Put on cookie sheet and roast for 45 min-an hour or until tender and carmelized.

Green St Patricks Day White Chocolate Pudding

1 cup sugar
7 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tsp salt
mix together in large pan with whisk
add 5 1/2 cups of milk
add 1 tsp vanilla
tiny amount of wilton green food color
whisk milk into dry ingredients until combined
whisk often while its cooking so the milk doesnt scald
cook until mixture boils and thickens.
take off heat and add
3 TBS butter
2 squares of chopped white chocolate (about 2 ounces)
mix together until combined
put into small bowls
add whipped cream to the top and green sprinkles.

Rainbow Fruit Salad

I thought it would be fun to celebrate St Patricks Day with a fun rainbow fruit salad with our dinner. My kids seem to eat a lot more fruit if i present it in a fun way. They are sure to love this.