Chocolately Hot Chocolate

My mom's old school recipe is the easiest way to make delicious homemade hot chocolate.

Chocolately Hot Chocolate 

Here's a little quick treat to warm you up.

This has to be my favorite Hot Chocolate recipe.  Found among my mom's coveted recipe cards, this one is a winner.  Such deep chocolate flavor.  

It warms the soul.

Cheers to you!

Chocolatey Hot Chocolate

serves 4

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
mini marshmallows (optional)

Put cocoa powder in a medium saucepan. Stir in milk gradually until cocoa becomes incorporated.  Add chocolate chips; melt over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Bring to simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.  Add marshmallows if desired. Serve. 

Halloween Dinner Menu

Boo!

It's Halloween Time!

Are you planning anything for Halloween?  Do you still dress up and go out to parties, or do you host one of your own?

We typically go out on Halloween, sometimes dressing up to join in all the fun.  I remember many couple costumes such as Cleopatra and Marc Antony, Laurel and Hardy, Batman and Batgirl, and his favorite....Zorro and his dame.  This year we went to a Great Gatsby event down at a Malibu Mansion and go to dress up in roaring 20's attire.  So much fun.

Sometimes it's great to stay in, have some friends over for a cozy dinner, hand out candy, and watch scary movies!  

So I've planned a Halloween Dinner menu that you can pick and choose from whether you are taking the kids out trick or treating, or staying at home with the porch light off..!

All of these dishes are perfect for a cozy Autumn evening.  Below are the links to the recipes:

Apple Cider Iced Tea
Monster Mash
Cheesy Garlic Herb Bread
Pork and Pumpkin Stew 
Take Along S'mores

Happy Halloween!!! 

Peaches and Cream Muffins

When I was little my dad used to say "Baby! you remind me of peaches and cream!"  Then he would tickle me and I would just giggle!

I decided to make these because I was thinking of my dad today.  He had such a playful side, always chasing me around, making me laugh.  And then that saying...I never really thought peaches and cream were all that special until I made these muffins.  Oh MY!

Wonderfully ripe fresh late summer peaches and cream (sour cream in this case).  What a combination and such great flavors of the south.  Especially in a freshly made hot muffin.

Perfect for a Sunday breakfast.

Hopefully you can still find some late summer peaches in your grocery store so you can make these.  But if you can't I'm sure that frozen ones will do just fine.

I've also included a sugar substitute for a low-carb version for those that like that option.

When you eat these, maybe you'll feel just like peaches and cream...without all the tickling!

Peaches and Cream Muffins

Makes 12

2 c flour

1 T baking powder

1/8 t salt

½ c sugar or ¼ c Splenda sugar blend

2 large eggs

1 c sour cream

6 T canola oil

1 t vanilla

1 c frozen or fresh peaches, chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray or line with paper liners.

In a large bowl add flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Stir to combine.  In another small bowl lightly beat eggs.  Add in sour cream, oil, and vanilla.  Beat slightly to mix.  Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.  Stir until moistened.  Do not over mix.  Fold in peaches. 

Spoon batter into the prepared muffin tin.  Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Allow to cool 5 minutes in the pan, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.