Orange Chocolate Peanut Bark

Well, I suppose I should have posted all these before the holidays, so just consider this your Holiday 2010 Go-To place!

I've never made this before, but it turned out really quick, was super easy, and I would totally recommend making it!



Please click the recipe card below to open in a new window and print:

The Unhealthiest Potato Casserole in the whole world!

Actually, I hate this recipe. I hate it because everyone LOVES it. I hate it because I made two -from scratch- recipes (Plus this one) and all people could talk about was this stupidly delicious potato casserole. I hate it because you gain 10 pounds just from looking at it. I hate it because it's cheap and easy and seems like a cheater recipe. I hate it because people request I make it every time I'm supposed to make something.

Make it and tell me if you hate it too!

A recipe in pictures.

In a big bowl, mix:

1 thing of sour cream:

1 thing of Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 stick of melted butter

1 packet of ranch dressing

1/2 packet of Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Stir all those thoroughly together and then add:

1 package of frozen shredded hash browns

 Put in a big casserole dish, cover with remaining cheddar cheese, and cover with foil. Bake for at least 30 minutes at 400. Remove foil and finish crisping up the top for at least 15 additional minutes.

I don't have a picture of the final product because as soon as I set this sucker down, it's GONE!

That's it folks.

ENJOY!

Winter Projects

Well folks, I'm about to do something I rarely do.....  BAKE! Actually, I don't know if this has any baking involved, but it does involve dessert and I NEVER make dessert! I start to feel all "craftsy" at the end of the year and like to give out stuff to my friends.

After MUCH research and deliberation, I've settled on making 3 types of alcohol infused truffles and some orange/peanut bark. Won't you tune in with me while I start out cooking with love and finish full of anxiety and exhaustion?  Okay, that was strong, but I guarantee you it won't go smoothly!

Maybe one of these days I will learn and make something that I've MADE BEFORE so I know what to expect!!

Here's an example of things I've made in times past:

My 1st year I started out without baking and just made color coordinated wine baskets. That was pretty fun!

One time I made chocolate peanut butter mallow bars. Those were a hit :)

One year I made white chocolate dipped cranberry oatmeal cookies:

Here was a fun year. Ever made a candy apple? Yeah, me either. WHOA - That was A LOT of work! But look how cute they turned out:

What things have you made?

VINO 100 - An education and overall good time

This past Sunday I stopped by Vino 100. This place is just a few blocks from my house and everyone knows I LOVE WINE! It's a wonder I hadn't been yet!

Actually, I'll tell you why. As much as I love wine, I'm NOT AN EXPERT. I try to learn as much as I can, but this is one thing I just haven't mastered yet. I sort of feel like you're either a member of some secret Illuminati club with the code words and special movements or you sit in an alley way and drink your wine from a spigot out of a box.

Yeah, this review isn't going where I wanted it to! Hang in there, I have a point!!

Often times I don't go into wine specialty stores because I fear having to interact with wine experts. They can be wordy and condescending, and as much as I try to say and do the right thing, I feel like I come up short. Fortunately for me, I put those feelings aside and took a chance.

What a great store!

I was greeted by a nice younger man. He was knowledgeable about their products without one ounce of condescension. I stayed for nearly 20 minutes asking questions, sampling wines, and BUYING stuff!

I even got a cool new gadget. Since I only have one glass at a time, this leaves about 3/4 of the bottle open. After a couple days of being open and letting air into the bottle, things just aren't as great as when I 1st uncorked it. So, now I have the Vacu Vin Wine Pump Set which keeps wine fresh for up to 14 days! It's a hand-operated pump that extracts oxygen and creates a vacuum, which slows the deteriorization of your wine.

COOL!!

Vino 100 has wine clubs, daily tastings, and events all the time. I'm rallying the troops and SO WANT TO HANG OUT THERE! They've got this cute little tasting room in the back with barstools and a big flat screen TV.

Can you tell I'm thoroughly enamored with them? Check them out and tell me if you love them too!