Divinity

Divinity. I remember seeing a recipe for this many years ago (I was probably 13 years old) in my mom's Better Homes Cookbook. I always wanted to try it, but was intimidated by it. Well, I was bored last night and started flipping through my cookbooks. Found the same divinity recipe that was in my mom's old cookbook..I know this because it's the same cookbook, just updated almost 20 years. Anyways, I had all the ingredients, so I went for it. I did not have a candy thermometer though, so I had to test the sugar with the water test. Pulled it off the stove at "hard ball" temp, and streamed it into the whipped egg whites. I'm pretty sure I got it right. I used mint extract instead of vanilla, making it taste like soft pillow mints. The texture I like, the mint...well, not so much. Mint is very strong, and I only used a quarter teaspoon. It was just to much for me personally. I think I would prefer an almond flavor, and will try that next time.

Adventures in Chop Sticks

We had Chinese food for dinner tonight and it came with chop sticks. We decided to let the kids try the chop sticks. It was interesting.....and a little funny...and very cute. But then, they are my kids so I am always amused when they learn something new. After a while, Jacob gave up and just started stabbing his food with one stick. While Jessica, used her hands to but the food on the stick and slurp it off.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Pineapple upside down cake...never made it before, or eaten it for that matter. I'm not a big fan of fruit on my cake. My husband, however, loves this kind of cake. Matter of fact, it's his favorite. So, I decided to give it a try. Came out pretty good, and tasty too. Not to mention, this was a very easy cake to make. I don't know why I thought it was going to be hard. You can't tell from the picture, but I made it in a heart pan, just for Valentines day.

Fresh salsa, without jalapeno hands

I love fresh salsa! I don't know many people who don't. It is so much better then the canned stuff. The only problem with making fresh salsa is cutting the jalapenos. Those oils stay on your hands forever. God forbid you touch your eyes anytime that week. Or any where else for that matter.

Anyway, I have found a solution to my fresh salsa problem. Tastefully Simple! They have this wonderful Simply Salsa mix. All you need is a can of diced tomatoes and a 1/4 cup of this mix. Throw both items in a bowl and set in the fridge for at least an hour. Voila! Fresh salsa, and you didn't even have to peel an onion.

Wanna get some? go here-http://www.facebook.com/l/fba60;www.tastefullysimple.com/web/jhabra

Triple Chocolate Cake

Triple Chocolate Cake...Heaven on a plate...no really, it is.

Chocolate cake recipe from Better Homes, creamy dreamy chocolate mousse from Tastefully Simple, and chocolate ganache, also, from Better Homes cookbook. I wasn't able to get the beautiful smooth texture from the ganache, but it didn't matter. It was so good. Very rich and creamy. I made this for a bridal shower and it was a huge hit.