Popsicles

With summer comes popsicles!  My mom made these when I was growing up and now I make them for my kids.  So yummy and refreshing and the gelatin prevents it from dripping too fast.  You can substitute juice for the cold water if you like.

Popsicles
In a large bowl, measuring cup or juice container combine:
1 pkg fruit flavoured gelatin mix
1 pkg unsweetened flavoured drink mix
1c sugar
2c hot water

Add 2c cold water or juice  Mix well.  Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.  Makes approx. 20 popsicles.

Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting

It was birthday time again here in our house and with it comes cake.  We find most icings too sweet and while perusing recipes came across this frosting recipe.  Tried it and it's a keeper!  When my MIL saw it she said she wanted just a small piece since it was so decadent, but when she tasted it, she was surprised at the taste.  It makes about 5c of frosting, enough to generously fill and frost a two layer 9" cake.

Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting

15oz semi sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped (or use chocolate chips or wafers)

1 1/4t instant coffee (opt)

2 1/4c sour cream, at room temperature

1/4-1/2c light corn syrup

2/4t vanilla extract

Melt the chocolate with the coffee (if using), in a double boiler or the microwave.  Remove from heat and let chocolate cool until tepid.  Whisk together the sour cream, 1/4c corn syrup and vanilla until combined.  Add the chocolate slowly and stir quickly until the mixture is uniform.  IMPORTANT: DO NOT ADD WARM CHOCOLATE TO COLD SOUR CREAM.  If you do, you will end up with chocolate pieces and not a smooth product. Taste for sweetness and add more corn syrup if needed.  Let cool in fridge until the frosting is a spreadable consistency, about 30 min.  Note: I whisked the chocolate and sour cream together with my electric whisk and it whisked up nice and thick.

Note: that is my older son blowing out the candle for his little brother, who didn't want to.

Caramel Popcorn

Holiday time is when all the nibbley food come out and you gain umpteen pounds enjoying it all just so you can make a New Years resolution to lose it all again.

The next two posts are of some snacky food that I've made, served and enjoyed with great friends this year that I thought I would share with you.

Wishing you all a Blessed New Year!

Caramel Popcorn

20-28c popped popcorn (or ~1c unpopped)
1/2c margarine
2c brown sugar
1/2c corn syrup
1t salt
1/2t baking soda
1t vanilla
1-2c peanuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 250*F.
Put popped popcorn, and peanuts if using, is a large ovenproof pan (I use my roasting pan). Put pan in oven to keep warm. Mix margarine, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt together in a med saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring often. Boil for 5 min, WITHOUT STIRRING. Add vanilla and baking soda, stir and immediately pour over popcorn. Stir until all is coated. Bake in oven for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Let cool, break apart and enjoy!

Better Butter

To all of you trying to cut down on the saturated fats in your butter, here's a recipe that is easy and the whole family can use. It's from my chiropractor.

Better Butter
1lb butter
1c olive oil

Blend together and store in refrigerator. Believe me it will be soft enough to spread.

Note: you can also use 1/2 olive and 1/2 flax seed oil (make sure it's the organic cold pressed in a dark bottle). If you use flax seed oil, you cannot use it for cooking, as the heat will ruin all the positive attributes of the oil.

You can also use UDO's oil, which can be found in your local health food store, but, while it again has more health benefits for you, also has a more distinct taste.

Bubbles

Bubbles are usually a favourite of kids in the summer and my mom used to make her own which produced much larger bubbles then the store bought bubbles. I recently tried to make my own, but all the recipes I came across had a water base and the bubbles didn't seem to work, so I called up my mom and she shared her recipe with me. All the ingredients should be readily available at your local pharmacy. Give them a try and let me know what you (or your kids) think.

Bubbles

1c Dawn or Joy (these brands produce the best bubbles)
1/4c glycerin
1T rubbing alcohol
1/4c oil

Mix together, get your bubble wands and have some fun!