My humble project for 2013

Finally, I decided to gather all my strengths to fulfill a long time dream that has been hunting me for so many years. When it comes to my passion for pastry, I've got so many dreams and ambitions, but I have to take it one step at a time because I figured out that wanting everything all at once  just makes you impatient and hopeless. You will end up giving up on everything! 

My dream/project is...here is a hint

  and another one...

And one more....

 

 All the cookies you have just seen are Algerian and this is a small selection among a big list. Algeria is a very beautiful Mediterranean country. Its cuisine, especially the pastry, is even more beautiful. Unfortunately, I've never come across an Algerian cookbook here in the US. So, I decided to write one! I have been secretly hiding this wish and impatiently awaiting the day I would decide to realize it.

 I hope I'll succeed in showing Algeria's hidden treasure to the American people. I think that is the least I can do for my beautiful heritage, and let me tell you, I have seen, baked and tasted so many cookies from all over the world, I still think the Algerian ones are unique in both taste and look. Once you taste them, you'll think the same, I'm pretty sure about that :) I would love to hear your opinions, suggestions, requests and what you would love to see in this cookbook. If you have tasted an Algerian sweet before and  liked it, ask me about it in case I did not include it in my recipe list. Thank you for passing by and please wish me luck!

 I have couple links worth reading about Algerian sweets while the cookbook is cooking :)
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/29/dining/29past.html?8hpib&_r=1& http://www.wbez.org/amplified/story-algerian-pastries-and-epiphany-100560

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Top Ten Most Viewed Recipes of 2012

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas!  I thought I'd sneak in one more post before the new year.   I want to share with you our Top Ten Most Viewed Recipes of 2012 from least to greatest...

10. Beef and Broccoli (Slow Cooker)

9. Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

8. Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake Balls

7. Merry Christmas--Gifts from Your Kitchen

6. Saucy Chicken Thighs (Slow Cooker) 

 5. Pudding Milkshake (No Ice Cream)

 4. Pasta e Fagioli (Slow Cooker)

3. The Great Pumpkin Dessert 

 

2. No-Bake Butterscotch Pretzel Bars 

 1. Smothered Pork Chops

 Have a Safe and Happy New Year! 

I share recipes at these linky parties.

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A Christmas Post: True Christmas Story: Funny Christmas Conversations

A Christmas Post: True Christmas Story: Funny Christmas Conversations: From Denny:  Think back. How much can you remember about the things your parents used to tell you about Santa? This Christmas Eve my husband and I started that conversation. Though we have been married many years there were still some things we did not know about each other.

We laughed about the incredible stories our parents told us on Christmas Eve. It was becoming a contest between whose parents were the most outrageous storytellers.

Do you remember the funny and downright lame excuses your parents used to give you when talking about Santa coming to visit on Christmas Eve? 3 videos.

Peace Christmas Star Round Ornament

Enjoy the profound Peace of the Christmas season!

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Pretzel Smoochies

Just 4 days until Christmas!  Do you need a last minute treat idea?  These treats are all over Pinterest, food blogs and recipe sites.  Some friends of ours gave us these treats last year for Christmas and they were really yummy.  I wanted to try making Pretzel Smoochies this year. 

Ingredients (printable recipe)
20 mini pretzels
20 Hershey Kisses
20 M&M's or 20 of your favorite nuts (pecans, almonds, etc...)
foil or parchment paper (for easy clean-up)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place pretzels on baking sheet.
3. Place an unwrapped chocolate kiss on each pretzel.
4. Heat the pretzels and chocolate candies in the preheated oven until the milk chocolate pieces become soft but hold their shape, 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully and don't let the chocolate melt to the point of dripping.
5. Remove the pretzels from the oven and allow to stand for 1 minute to allow candy to finish softening.
6. Push a M&M or a nut into the center of each chocolate kiss, pushing it down and flattening it. Set treats aside to cool to room temperature and fully set, about 30 minutes. You can also place them in the refrigerator for a faster set-up time.

Adapted from Allrecipes 

The Results...
Crunchy, Salty, Sweet and Chocolately.  I have made a lot of these for Christmas packages this year.  When my mother received her Christmas package she told me she really liked these little treats and wanted to know how to make them. 

The kids loved these, too and it's a Christmas treat they can help me make.  I can see why these are so popular.  They are so easy and delicious!
  
I've seen different versions of this recipe.  Try Rolos and pecans for a Turtle Pretzel.  Use different kinds of M&M's.  I made some with peanut butter M&M's that were delicious, too.  I tried making these with Hugs (kisses wrapped in white chocolate), but the white chocolate around the outside melts much quicker than a regular chocolate kiss.  Next time I try to make these with Hugs, I will watch them carefully.  They probably only need 30 sec. to 1 minute.  After 2 minutes in the oven, the hugs ended up dripping.  The Hugs did set-up in the fridge, though and they were still yummy.

This is the last post for 2012.  I am looking forward to enjoying the holidays with my family.  From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Enjoy the holiday.  We'll be back in the new year with more new recipes and results.
 

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Peanut Butter Popcorn

Christmas is coming!  Just 7 days left to get everything ready.  This is a busy time of year, but I love it!  One of the things I love is making and giving away homemade treats.  This week I'm planning on spending a lot of time in the kitchen.  We have some holiday recipes that we make each year.  It just wouldn't be Christmas without them, but we also like to try a few new recipes, too.

This is a new recipe that we tried this year.  I want to share it with you because first of all, it is sooooo delicious!  And it would make a great treat for giving away or for taking to holiday parties.  Once you taste it,  you'll find lots of other reasons to make Peanut Butter Popcorn all year long. :)

Ingredients (printable recipe)
1/2 cup unpopped corn 
1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts (it's still delicious without the peanuts, too)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Pop corn and remove any unpopped kernels. Place in a large bowl or a 9X13 pan and stir in peanuts. Keep warm in a 250 degree oven.

In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, honey and corn syrup.  Bring mixture to boiling, continue boiling for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Do not boil too long or your popcorn will be rock hard. Remove from heat.   

Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.  Immediately pour over popcorn and stir to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Sources The Girl Who Ate Everything and Crafty Dr. Mom

We like popping popcorn on the stove top with a Whirley Pop. 

Having an extra large bowl is nice for this recipe.

After mixing the popcorn, I poured it onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper to help it cool faster. Then, I put some of the popcorn in holiday bags to give away.

The Results...  
I've made this a couple of times both with and without the peanuts.  Both ways are delicious.  Next time, I want to drizzle some melted chocolate on top and turn it into Chocolate/Peanut Butter Popcorn.  Doesn't that sound amazing! 

Our family loves this popcorn.  I should warn you that it is very addicting.  We plan on making more this week for a family movie night.  Peanut Butter Popcorn makes your favorite holiday movies even sweeter. :)  We give this recipe 5 stars and 6 thumbs up!

Update...
I made this again and drizzled melted chocolate on top.  After mixing the Peanut Butter Popcorn, I poured it onto 2 baking sheets lined with wax paper.  Then, I chopped about 1 1/2 cups of Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Candy Making Bar and followed the microwave instructions on the box.  I drizzled the melted chocolate on top of the popcorn and let it set-up.  Peanut Butter Popcorn is delicious, but Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn is even better!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn. It's hard to resist!

I share recipes at these linky parties.

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Prize Winner: Peppermint-Hot Chocolate Cake, Fudge Filling, Marshmallow Frosting

Note the cookies dressing up the holiday glam, garnishing the cake.

From Denny:  Love hot chocolate?  Thought of making it into a cake?  Britainy Shaw, 25, of Louisiana (before that she lived in Texas and before that in Montana) decided it was a brilliant idea.  She heard of Southern Living magazine's contest and decided to enter just for fun, taking third for this cake recipe.

She said her thoughts immediately went to her favorite Christmas flavors.  “For some reason, all I could think of were drinks.  I love hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps in it.”

Her cake consists of three layers of buttermilk chocolate cake that is filled with a fudge-mint filling, frosted with peppermint-tinged marshmallow crème frosting.  

Shaw said the very first time she made the cake it came out perfect; what luck for an experiment!  “I’ve just always been watching my mom and grandma cook.  I would love to open a bakery one day.”  Her cake is featured on Pages 140-141 of the Southern Living December double issue.

Talk about funny; Shaw was sitting outside, reading a Southern Living magazine, when the company called to inform her that her cake had won.  She was awarded $500 for her first time effort.  That should pay for a few Christmas gifts this year. :)

Love Light Large Mug

Let your love light shine! Hot chocolate looks great in this mug... I'm just sayin'

Peppermint-Hot Chocolate Cake

From: Britainy Shaw

Makes: 10 to 12 servings

Ingredients:

For the cake:

1/2 cup boiling water
1 (4-oz.) milk chocolate baking bar, chopped
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, separated
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk

Fudge filling - recipe follows

Peppermint-Cream Frosting - recipe follows

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.

2. Pour boiling water over chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

3. Beat butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty stand mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating until blended after every addition. Add melted chocolate and vanilla, beating until blended. Combine remaining dry ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until just blended after each addition.

4. Beat egg whites at medium speed until soft peaks form. Gently fold into batter. Pour batter into prepared pans.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks and cool completely, about 40 minutes.



Fudge Filling

Ingredients:

1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12-oz.) pkg. semisweet chocolate morsels
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract

Directions: 

Combine milk and chocolate in a saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 4 to 6 minutes or until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in extract.




Peppermint-Cream Frosting

Ingredients:

1 (7-oz.) jar marshmallow crème
1 (8-oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1⁄8 tsp. peppermint extract

Directions:

Beat all ingredients with an electric mixer on high for 1 to 2 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.
To assemble the cake, spread the fudge filling between layers and frost with the Peppermint-Cream Frosting.

Fat Elf Christmas Square Cocktail Plate

Delivery: 1 fat elf stuffed full of good cheer! Awww, come on; you know you are part of the I Believe Club.  Take home a fat elf today! 

Related articles

• Romancing The Chocolate: Christmas Gift Recipe: Peanut Butter Fudge
• Comfort Food From Louisiana: 8 Roast Turkey Recipes: Thanksgiving and Christmas
• Dennys Funny Quotes: Funny Video: Happy Dachsund Plays Fetch With Machine

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - helping homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thank you for supporting this cause.  You rock!

Subscribe in a reader to Romancing The Chocolate

* Check out Dennys News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food - a place where all my other 20 blogs link so you can choose from among the latest posts all in one place.  A free to read online newspaper from independent journalist blogger Denny Lyon. * 

* * * Be sure to check out the Romancing The Chocolate Amazon book store for cookbooks on chocolate!

*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

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Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake Balls

Isn't this a brilliant idea to combine cake balls with chocolate covered cherries!  I found this recipe on Hungry Happenings.  Beth from Hungry Happenings made these as a valentine treat.  I thought these would be terrific for the holidays, too.  We love chocolate and cherries together, especially  my husband.  This recipe went right to my must-make holiday treat list this year!

Ingredients (printable recipe)
1 box of cake mix, whichever flavor you like (I tried a white and a dark chocolate cake mix)
eggs, water, oil as directed on box of cake mix
1/2 cup frosting (I used Duncan Hines classic white)
40 Maraschino cherries with stems
2 (12 oz.) packages of Wilton white candy melts or about 1 lb. of Ghiradelli dipping chocolate
wax paper or parchment paper
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare your cake mix as directed on box. Bake and let cool completely.
2. Crumble the cake into a large bowl. Add the 1/2 cup of frosting and combine using a hand mixer. Keep mixing until you get a similar consistency to cookie dough, about 2 minutes on medium speed.
3. Scoop mixture out by a Tablespoonful. Roll into a ball.
4. Drain maraschino cherries and pat dry with a paper towel. Using your thumb make a dent into the ball. Add the cherry. Bring cake mixture up and around cherry. Roll in hands to make a nice round ball.
5. Follow package instructions for melting your dipping chocolate. Dip each cake ball and set on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper. Let chocolate harden.
6. Store in the refrigerator, but bring to room temperature before serving.
Makes approx. 40 cake balls

Adapted from Hungry Happenings

Here are the ingredients I used. I also used a Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix (it isn't pictured) for the dark chocolate cherry cake balls.

I added a 1/2 cup of classic vanilla frosting to each of the baked and crumbled cakes.

After mixing with the hand mixer for about 2 minutes, I had a consistency similar to sugar cookie dough. I used a Tablespoon to measure out the cake balls.

Cherries drying

First, I took a ball and used my thumb and made an indent in the middle. Then, I added the cherry. Finally, I pushed the cake ball around the cherry and rolled in between my two hands to make these nice little round cherry balls.

Here's the Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake mixed with 1/2 cup of classic vanilla frosting.

I added the cherry in the middle just like the others.

I was so busy dipping all these cake balls that I didn't stop to take a photo. But, I simply followed the microwave instructions on the packages of dipping chocolate. For the white chocolate I used Wilton Candy Melts and for the dark chocolate I used Ghiradelli Double Chocolate candy dipping bar. Both were very good!

The Results...

I'm so glad I gave these a try.  They turned out just as delicious as they look!  Everyone loved them.  I asked each person in my family to try a white chocolate and a dark chocolate cherry cake ball and tell me which they liked better.  My husband couldn't decide, he said they were both equally delicious.  The kids also happily ate both kinds.  I suggest you add these to your must-make holiday treat list, too.  You won't be disappointed.  

Happy Holiday Baking!

This recipe is shared at:

I share recipes at these linky parties.

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Dennys Funny Quotes: Funny Video: Happy Dachsund Plays Fetch With Machine

Dachsund (Photo credit: stirwise)

Dennys Funny Quotes: Funny Video: Happy Dachsund Plays Fetch With Machine: From Denny:  Check out this hilarious dachsund playing fetch with his own play machine in the hallway of his house.  He knows exactly how to place the ball into the machine and when to start running to catch the ball as the machine winds up to throw it.

At the end of the video enters the family's little baby, sitting in the hallway, having fun stuffing the machine with a ball.  Then the dog brings another ball to place in the machine.  He politely waits for the baby first.  When the dog starts running to catch the ball down the hall the baby starts laughing.  Definitely in the Too Cute category.

Louie Pet Name iPhone 5 Case

The man about town: introducing the infamous Louie! - more pet names available, check it out!

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Holiday Cookie: Double-Shot Mocha

From Denny:  OK, never write a cookie post right before lunch.  It all looks so good you want to rush into the kitchen and start baking! :)  This cookie recipe is basically a dense brownie with pools of melting chocolate oozing out when you break them open straight out of the hot oven!
  
There are two cups of chocolate chips and chocolate chunks in this awesome recipe, certainly more than I'm used to baking.  It's no wonder you can get your chocolate fix in one small cookie all at once.  

If you have the discipline to wait until the cookie cools all those chocolate pools solidify into huge nuggets of gooey goodness.  No one ever said these little chocolate gems would last long in your house - or mine! 

Peace Christmas Star Round Ornament

Enjoy the profound Peace of the Christmas season!

Double-Shot Mocha Chunks

Yield: 3 dozen cookies

From:  King Arthur Flour

Hands-on time:  10 mins. to 15 mins.

Baking time:  10 mins. to 10 mins.

Total time:  20 mins. to 25 mins.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa
• 1 3/4 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour or King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chocolate chunks: semisweet or white
• 
  

Directions: 

1) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or line with parchment two cookie sheets. 

2) In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, sugar, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt. 

3) Add the eggs and vanilla, beating until smooth. 

4) Stir in the cocoa powder and flour; the dough will be stiff. 

5) Mix in the chocolate chips and chunks. 

6) Drop the cookies by tablespoonfuls (about 1 1/2" balls) onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 1/2" between them. A tablespoon cookie scoop works well here. 

7) Bake the cookies for 10 minutes. Remove them from the oven, and allow them to cool on the pan. 

Tips from our bakers

• Reader Mrs. M. says she makes a "Chunky bar" variation of these with 4 ounces (2/3 cup) chocolate chips, 4 ounces (3/4 cup) raisins, and 4 ounces (3/4 cup) peanuts, instead of all chocolate chips and chunks. We found that these cookies will be VERY soft coming out of the oven, but don't panic; they'll firm up nicely as they cool. Thanks, Mrs. M!
• 
  
• For slightly flatter cookies, bake on a greased (not parchment-lined) cookie sheet; and press them down gently with your fingers before baking.
• 
  

Love Light Large Mug

Let your love light shine!

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - helping homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thank you for supporting this cause.  You rock!

Subscribe in a reader to Romancing The Chocolate

* Check out Dennys News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food - a place where all my other 20 blogs link so you can choose from among the latest posts all in one place.  A free to read online newspaper from independent journalist blogger Denny Lyon. * 

* * * Be sure to check out the Romancing The Chocolate Amazon book store for cookbooks on chocolate!

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