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Sunday, February 28, 2010

My new ice cream maker!

This is my new ice cream maker



and this is the first thing I plan to make with it!


Deeply Chocolate Gelato

2008, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups whole milk
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup sugar, divided
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (recommended: Pernigotti)
  • 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 4 extra-large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons Mexican coffee flavor liqueur (recommended: Kahlua)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Large pinch kosher salt
  • 8 chocolates, roughly chopped, optional (recommended: Baci)

Directions

Heat the milk, cream, and 1/2 cup sugar in a 2-quart saucepan, until the sugar dissolves and the milk starts to simmer. Add the cocoa powder and chocolate and whisk until smooth. Pour into a heat-proof measuring cup.
Place the egg yolks and the remaining 1/4 cup sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on high speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until light yellow and very thick. With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the hot chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Pour the egg and chocolate mixture back into the 2-quart saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. A candy thermometer will register about 180 degrees F. Don't allow the mixture to boil!
Pour the mixture through a sieve into a bowl and stir in the coffee liqueur, vanilla, and salt. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the custard and chill completely.
Pour the custard into the bowl of an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's directions. Stir in the roughly chopped chocolate, if using, and freeze in covered containers. Allow the gelato to thaw slightly before serving.



YUM!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Isn't it super cute?

I just got this in the mail


to hold this



It's the perfect size, I didn't want anything too bulky and the color is awesome!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

So, fleece not a good idea?

I really love these pants, but they are fleece, so can I not workout in them?  I think I might buy them anyway.  They are on sale for $19.99 and I found a code for 25% off one item, so one is $14.99, so with shipping I can get the grey and pink for $41.98, not bad, right?  I mean, I'm super cheap, but that seems like a good deal to me.









Friday, February 12, 2010

Turkey Chili

Sunday night (also the Super Bowl), I decided to use my new pot (similar to my pot) and make chili for the first time!  I went with a turkey chili recipe from Men's Health, figuring it should be pretty healthy!  It was good and perfect for lunch leftovers!


Chop the onion and peppers  (check out my new cork cutting board)

Saute the onions, peppers, and minced garlic

Add in ground turkey and brown

Add can of diced tomatoes

Add red kidney beans (rinsed and drained)

Add can of tomato sauce

Add pinto beans (rinsed and drained)

Cook on medium for 1.5 hrs.  (Isn't my pot pretty?)


Serve topped with sour cream and shredded sharp cheddar  (I made Bradley that bowl, under the chili it says "Bradley's Bowl"  with a heart)

Mexican Night- Tres Leche Cake

This past weekend we were supposed to have my brother-in-law, his girlfriend and their baby over for tacos.  I decided to make it Mexican Night and make Chicken Tortilla soup, the recipe from my friend Erin, tacos, guacamole, and Tres Leche cake for dessert.  Unfortunately, they weren't able to make it last minute, due to bronchitis, but my boss came with his family instead, so the food still got eaten!  And I only had a minor heart attack at the thought of my boss coming to my house!  Anyway, here's the Tres Leche cake recipe from Martha Stewart and here's a photo tutorial!


Step 1- Separate yolks and whites


Step 2- Mix sugar and yolks


Until it combines


Step 3- Beat egg whites


Until they are soft peaks


Step 4- Fold together yolks and whites


Step 5- Fold in flour


Step 6- Put in greased pan

Step 7- Scrape brown layer off the top with a knife



Step 8- Combine evaporated, condensed and whole (I only had fat free) milks


Step 9- Pour over cake and put in fridge for at least an hour


Unfortunately, due to the craziness of Friday night, I forgot to take a picture!  But essentially, you cut the cake after it's been refrigerated overnight and top with whipped cream (which you make by beating 1 1/2 cups heavy cream with a tablespoon of powdered sugar.  Everyone seemed to like it and my husband has been eating the leftovers right from the pan sans whipped cream all week.