Cashew Brittle aka Crack Brittle

 

Don't fight it.... you know you want it. This brittle is addictive! Try and eat one piece and not eat more, its impossible! Please be careful with this recipe as you could get burned very easily.

Ingredients

1 Cup Butter ( I like to cut them into tablespoon increments)

2 Cups Sugar

1 Cup Light Corn Syrup

1 Cup Water

2- 1/2 Cups Cashews

1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda

 

* You will need a candy thermometer.

 

First I prep. When making Brittle there is little to no room for error when it comes to temperature and you can't be measuring things out and watching the thermometer it just doesn't work. Take a cookie sheet and line it with parchment paper. This makes for easier cracking and less clean up. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and water. Bring to a boil stirring constantly.

 

 

 

Reduce heat; carefully stir butter cubes into syrup. This is the part where you will needs a bar stool to sit on cause you're gonna be here a while. Also someone to talk to doesn't hurt either. Cook and stir until the candy thermometer reads 280 degrees ( soft-crack stage) Add nuts; cook and stir until candy thermometer reads 295 degrees.

 

Remove from the heat; stir in baking soda. Immediately pour into prepared cookie sheet. It helps to have help with this as the saucepan and brittle are extremely hot. I would hold the pan and my mom scrapes the brittle into the cookie sheet. Cool; break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

 

Yields: 2-1/4 pounds

 

*** Also its a must to have your kitchen helper (see below) nudging you with her nose the entire time, the brittle will not come our right if you skip this step!***

 

 

 

 

 





Stuff Your Face Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos

 

These are amazingly addictive but super hot! Please don't blame me the next day when your bum hurts cause I warned you :)

 

 

Ingredients:

 

* 22 Jalapenos

 

* 1- 8oz block softened cream cheese

 

* 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

 

* 1 block of white cheddar cheese

 

* 1 package bacon

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Halve jalapenos lengthwise removing seeds and membranes. Mix cream cheese and parmesan cheese together in a bowl until evenly blended. Fill each jalapeno half with the cheese mixture. Cut your bacon slices in half. Place a cube of white cheddar cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture and wrap the whole thing in a bacon slice securing with a toothpick. Arrange bacon wrapped jalapenos on your baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the bacon is crispy. Let cool and enjoy!!

 



Eggplant Parmesan

This was the first time I have cooked eggplant and it came out amazing. For the main dish of dinner it was so filling, meat was surprisingly not missed.

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 eggplant, peeled and thinly sliced
• 3/4 eggs, beaten
• 1-1/2 cups and 2 tablespoons Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 2-1/3 cups and 1 tablespoon spaghetti sauce, divided
• 3/8 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
• 3 tablespoons and 1/2 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese, divide
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F 
2. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
3. In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower

So yummy!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large head cauliflower, separated into florets
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

  Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F  Grease a large casserole dish.
2. Place the olive oil and garlic in a large resealable bag. Add cauliflower, and shake to mix. Pour into the prepared casserole dish, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. Top with Parmesan cheese and parsley, and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown.

Portabella Pizzettas

 

OMG delicious and healthy! Love love love!

Ingredients

• 5 ounces fresh chopped spinach
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil , crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 4 portabella mushrooms (3 to 4 in diameter)
• 1 medium tomato sliced 
• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine , melted

Directions:

1.  Finely chop spinach.
2. Combine spinach, cheese, basil, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
3. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
4. Clean mushrooms, remove stems.
5. Place mushroom caps top side down on a lightly greased cookie sheet, brush with butter or margarine.
6. Spoon spinach mixture into each cap.
7. Put on the tomato and sprinkle with salt.
8. Bake for 15 min

Roasted Cajun Potatoes

 

These are delicious with a little kick. I did not have shallots so I used a handful of chopped onion. Enjoy!

 

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds medium red potatoes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 shallots, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

  Directions

1. Cut each potato lengthwise into eight wedges. In a large bowl, combine the oil, shallots, garlic, salt, paprika, cayenne and pepper; add potatoes and toss to coat. Place in greased roasting pan.
2. Bake, uncovered, at 450 degrees  for 45-50 minutes or until tender and golden brown, turning every 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.

Sex in a Pan

 This came out super amazing! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 (3.9oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 (3.4oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 1/2 cups milk

  Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees 
2. In a small bowl, mix together flour and white sugar. Add chopped nuts if desired. Stir in melted butter or margarine until all ingredients are combined. Press mixture into a 9x13 inch pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Allow to cool.
4. Beat together cream cheese and confectioners sugar until smooth. Spread over cooled crust.
5. Whip cream until stiff peaks form. Spread half of whipped cream over cream cheese layer. In a small bowl, whisk together chocolate pudding mix and 1 1/2 cups milk until smooth. Pour over whipped cream layer. In another small bowl, whisk together vanilla pudding mix and 1 1/2 cups milk. Pour over chocolate layer. Top with remaining whipped cream. Chill overnight.