Santas Hot Chocolate

Christmas is around the corner, and I am definitely not ready. Too busy working on a decadent snack for Santa when he delivers the goods this Christmas Eve!

I know some folks claim that your packet hot chocolate is "just as a good", because it saves time (and there is a time for water and powder), but serving Santa is not the time to skimp on quality!

Equipment:

Small to medium saucepan

Functioning  stovetop

Whisk

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups milk

9 Dove Dark Chocolates

2 squares 85% Dark Chocolate

1/4 - 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Pinch of cayenne (optional) 

Marshmallows

Whipping Cream

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Heat the milk in saucepan over MEDIUM until simmers.

3. Add chocolate and turn heat to SIMMER.

4. Let mixture sit x 30 secs. Remove from heat.

5. Whisk milk and chocolate together until smooth.

6. Add your spices. Season to taste.

7. Ladle into your cups. I suggest espresso size since this is rich , but hey...it's Christmas...go all out!

8. Add mallows and whipped cream.

9. Sprinkle with cinnamon or cocoa!

Hearty Old-Fashioned Oatmeal

No doubt breakfast is one of the most important meals, but the one meal most of us spend the least amount of time on, especially during the week.  Morning seems to be the busiest time of the day--rushed, bathroom busy, woke up late, gotta get to work or class, or just didn't have time.

But this can change and it could make all the difference to slow down for this meal for the rest of your  day. Try it out with this Hearty Oatmeal made from scratch without the sugary mealy water-made paste from packet oatmeal. 

All you need are oats, milk, a bowl, a microwave, and 10 minutes. Add fresh fruit, berries, cinnamon or brown sugar, raisins, and /or anything else!

Equipment: 

Microwave

Microwave-Safe Cereal bowl

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Old-Fashioned Quaker Oats, not instant

1 cup milk 

Add-Ons:

Brown sugar

Raisins

Cinnamon sugar

Cream or milk

Fresh berries

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Combine oats and milk in cereal bowl.

3. Microwave on HI for 2 minutes. Mixture will look foamy but not rise up.

4. Stir and microwave for several cycles of 30-45 seconds. Approx 2-3 times.

5. Watch oatmeal closer as mixture begins to rise and boil more quickly.

6. Remove from microwave once thickens and let sit to cool.

7. After 5 minutes, begin adding your extras.

8. Feel ready for the day as you walk out the door.
9. Or run a marathon like they are doing this morning in Chicago Oct 13, 2013.

Tapioca

One of my favorite desserts is tapioca. Can you put stuff in a bowl and heat it up? Then you can make tapioca. The key, once again is standing by the stove and stirring the ingredients until they have thickened to just the right consistency.

I stumbled upon this great idea for tapioca from Epicurious magazine--a fantastic dessert for any college kid with a sweet tooth. The original recipe calls for blenderizing fruit (an extra step) and using heavy cream (high on fat), but if you are watching money and weight, try my alternative version.  Just as tasty.  I have listed both options below. 

Follow up any meal with this and you'll be golden.  Approx cost: $ 4 / 4 Servings.   

Equipment:

3 quart sauce pan

Whisk or wooden spoon

Small juice glasses or plastic cups

Ingredients:

Smucker's Low Sugar Strawberry Preserves

2 cups water

1/3 cup Minute tapioca

1 cup heavy cream (or use half-and-half)

1/4 cup sugar

1/8 tsp of salt

2 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Fill your glasses or cups with preserves, approx 3/4" high.

3. Prepare the tapioca (I doubled the recipe)  

4. Try either version.

Version A / Rich and Decadent

--Bring water to a boil.

--Whisk in tapioca and simmer uncovered until tapioca becomes mostly opaque. 

--Stir occasionally for 10-12 minutes

--Whisk in cream, sugar, salt and vanilla.

--Simmer uncovered while stirring continously for another 3 minute.  Remove from heat.

--Allow the mixture to cool down some, stirring frequently. (Use an ice bath to cool things quicker if you are so inclined)

--Spoon the warm mixture into the prepared cups with preserves.

--Place in the fridge

Version B / Less Fat and Cheaper

--Follow Steps 1 thru 4 above.

--Follow box instructions for tapioca preparation using 2% or whole milk instead.

2 3/4 cups milk

1/3 cup sugar

3 Tbsp MINUTE tapioca

1 egg, well beaten

1 tsp vanilla

--Combine egg, tapioca, milk, sugar in saucepan and let sit for 5 minutes.

--Cook on medium-high, stirring constantly, until the mixture come to a full boil and pudding thickens.
--Add vanilla

--Remove from heat and wait until the mixture is slightly cooler before filling cups.

An Omelet For Anthony

Yes, another post on making eggs, and this one is for Anthony.  Anthony is one of Jon's  friends who commented that "it's kinda hard cooking on your own." And,  he needed something simple, "like an omelet."

Funny thing...eggs look easy, but that's just it, they take several rounds of practice.  Writing this blog took three tries in order to break down the recipe for our novice cook Anthony...and to get the pictures right.

So, here you have it: The Basic Omelet For Anthony!

Equipment:

8" non-stick skillet

Rubber spatula or small flat spatula

Small mixing bowl

Measuring spoons

Ingredients:

1 tsp butter

2 large eggs

2 Tbls milk or cream

Salt & Pepper

2 Tbls sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Whisk the eggs, milk, pinch of salt and pepper together.

3. Melt your butter in the skillet over MEDIUM--eggs are sensitive beings and have to cook slowly.

4. Add your egg mixture.

5. Do not touch the egg mixture.  Let it cook and begin congealing.

6. After 2-3 minutes, swirl the pan to keep the liquid egg moving. But do not move or scrape.

7. Add your cheese.  (If you like other ingredients, like ham, peppers...you add them here)

8. As less and less egg remains liquid, lift the sides with a rubber spatula and separate the edges.

9. Gently roll the egg onto itself or fold it in half.

10. Turn the heat off.

11. Flip it one last time and slide it onto your plate with toast and hot sauce or ketchup.

12. Please don't starve Anthony!  This egg's for you.