Recipe Wednesday - Low Cal Chocolate Pie

Some days a gal just has to have more chocolate than a single piece.  For those times when your craving takes over the logic of watching calories, go for a lower count optition.  Try this pie recipe from Alton Brown.

Alton Brown’s Low cal chocolate pie

230 calories compared to 413 in regular chocolate pie

Ingredients

Makes 8 servings

13 oz semisweet chocolate chips

1/3 cup coffee liqueur

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 lb silken tofu

1 tbsp honey

1 (9-in) prepared chocolate wafer crust (store-bought is fine)

Directions

Place enough water in the bottom of a 4-quart saucepan to come 1 inch up the sides. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Place the chocolate chips and liqueur in a medium metal mixing bowl, set over the simmering water, and stir with a rubber or silicone spatula until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Combine the tofu, chocolate mixture, and honey in a blender or food processor and spin until smooth (about 1 minute).

Pour the filling into the crust and refrigerate for 2 hours, or until the filling sets firm.

Courtesy Alton Brown, 2011

From “ Good Eats: The Early Years”

Monday Musings - Have You Ever?

Do you watch the show “What Would You Do?” where situations are set up with actors that create seemingly abusive situations, obvious dishonesty (i.e. cheating), or incidents of bullying?   

The show started me thinking and I’ve come to realize there are times when I should have stepped up and times when I have and happy I did.  Since I’ve traveled a fair amount out of the country, one of my regrets is over a particular situation I witnessed in China.  A friend and I were in a shop in Shanghai when a loud conversation drew our attention.  An obviously American woman (the accent pin-pointed the region) berated the young shop clerk who told the woman she couldn’t break up the tea set to let the woman have the item out it she wanted.

My friend and I left the shop, embarrassed to admit we were American.  Later, I regretted taking the easy way out and not telling this obnoxious individual to back off, she wasn’t at home.   

Maybe that is what spurred me a couple of years later in Zimbabwe to come to the defense of the tour guide who met the group I was traveling with at the airport.  Once again, a member of our group (a woman) tore into the poor man when some of the luggage didn’t show up.  She just wouldn’t let up and no matter what he did to try and find an answer to where the lost luggage was, it wasn’t enough for her.  When she informed him this kind of thing wouldn’t happen in her country spurred me into action.  I hate people who expect things to be “like they are at home” when they travel abroad. 

I got into the middle of the situation, telling her we weren’t in America and Americans acting the way she was doing is one of the things that gives us a ‘black eye’ to the rest of the world.   She turned on me and yelled if my luggage was lost, I wouldn’t be standing around so calmly defending this ineffective individual.  It gave me great delight to respond, “My luggage is part of the missing bags also,” and walked away. 

She barely spoke to me the rest of the trip, but most of our other tour companions came up to me and said how glad they were when I stepped in.  Her actions made them embarrassed to be identified as an American. 

Those two happens were a number of years ago and I’ve become stronger in standing up to bullies in defense of others.  Having been the person who took the abuse, snide or just plain mean remarks directed at me in my younger years, I’m now happy to stand up for those who don’t think they can and for myself if there is a need.  For the stuff directed at me, some of it's not worth the bother to comment on, but defending someone who looks as helpless as I've felt in the past has become a different story. 

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt compelled to step forward and say something to someone who obviously crossed the line?  Did you do it or have second thoughts and not take action?

Guest Friday - Welcome June Kramin!

Today we have the pleasure of June Kramin sharing about her thriller, Hunter’s Find as well as a yummy recipe for biscuits.  Brave soul that she is, June or Bug as she’s called by family and friends, gave up the sunshine of Hawaii for the snow of Minnesota…I need to have talk with this girl for sure!

Now for our reading enjoyment, here’s June. Don't forget to leave your comments too...get your name into the drawing for a free ebook...winner's selection!

Thanks for having me Lizzie!

My latest release with Musa is my 1^st thriller, Hunter’s Find.

Logline: Helping your prisoner is one thing. Falling in love with her is another altogether.

Blurb: Hunt is a small town Sheriff who finds himself in for more than he bargained for when he discovers Mandy beaten and unconscious. After repeated attempts of escaping him, he finds himself now her captive instead. Mandy convinces him she’s after her husband who has kidnapped their daughter and will stop at nothing to find her.

Although his instincts tell him differently, Hunt becomes involved with her and agrees to help. What he doesn’t know is there is no child. Mandy is hiding her involvement with the FBI and the mob, and after revenge. Hunt is in over his head tracking her husband to the isolated cabin and the backlash it causes a year later.

Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwJhLCUG3vk

Musa Buy link: http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=181

(also avail at Amazon)

My website: http://www.junekramin.com
Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/JuneKramin

This was a lot of fun for me to write. I always say my characters are bullies and this was no exception. It was like I was reading a novel, not being able to wait to see what happens next.

The recipe I chose to share is not one Hunt would approve of. Hunt is kind of a health nut. We don’t really see eye to eye on this recipe but since he bullied me through the whole book, I figured I’d take charge here.

This is one of those family recipe things. I take it to everything pot-luck and am hunted down for the recipe at the end of the shin-dig. It’s one of those “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you” kind of things. They are too good not to share & since I retired Mandy from the FBI in the book – I think you’re safe. Oops – sort of. I did just sign the contracts for Amanda’s Return so I guess you’re on your own here.

They are called Pat’s Herb Biscuit’s (But we call them Herb nodules)

I have made this so often I know it by heart & don’t measure anymore, but since you’re a noob – I’ll give you the original measurements.  You can add/subtract as you see fit – just don’t try to leave out the dill! It’s the secret ingredient!)

You’ll want to time these with dinner & serve them hot!

This is for a glass 8x8 pan – double for 9x13. (You’ll want to do that for more than 6 people. (OK – in my house 4. Trust me ;) )

1 tube Pillsbury biscuits.

The recipe calls for 1 stick of butter but that is WAY too buttery. I’d say ¾ (5-6 TBS) is more than enough.

Melt butter & pour in pan

Add: 2 TBS chopped(or minced) dried onion

2 TBS chopped dried parsley

2 TBS Parmesan cheese

1 TSP Dill weed

Cut biscuits in 1/3rds and place on top of mixture. Wait 5 minutes and flip over. (I never had this problem in Hawaii but in the winter in MN – the butter gets solid so leave it on your preheating oven to keep it melted.) Cook as per directions on biscuit wrapper. (I’m not at home – I think it’s 425 for 10-12 min)

Voila! Best. Friggen. Biscuits. Ever!

Warning: There will be bloodshed at the last one to soak up all the leftover yummy in the pan!

Enjoy!

June aka: Bug

Recipe Wednesday - Cornish Hen

Cornish Hens are small delights I stock up on when they go on sale.  When a quick special dinner is called for they are on my ‘go to’ list and this recipe adds a little sweet and spicy to the meal.  They can be halved before cooking for quicker finish and before or after baking if you’re serving smaller appetites.  We usually have ours with baked sweet potatoes and broccoli, but go with your side dishes of choice.  As you see in the picture, other sides go well.

Cornish Hens – Apricot/Honey glazed

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 Cornish game hens
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
• 1/4 cup apricot preserves
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon grated onion
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg  

DIRECTIONS

1.     Combine the salt and cayenne. Rub a third of the mixture inside hens. Brush 1 tablespoon butter over hens; sprinkle with remaining seasoning mixture. Place on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

2.     Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the preserves, honey, onion, nutmeg and remaining butter. Cook and stir until preserves are melted. Brush over hens. Bake 35-40 minutes longer or until golden brown and a meat thermometer reads 180 degrees F. Cover and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Monday Musing - Encouragment to Hang In There!

Some days we need all the encouragement and positive input we can get…it’s just the way life is.  We won’t wake up every day to a bowl of cherries free of pits.  I opened an email this morning that dealt on positive reinforcement quotes and thought I’d share a few here.  So take the ones you can build on if your day isn’t the best and work to get back on track. 

Here’s to a great week for all of us, even if it takes work to make it one! 

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Ann Radmacher

"Anyone can give up; it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength." - Unknown

"When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if  you can look up, you can get up." - Les Brown

"When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life." - Jean Shinoda Bolen 

Thank you to Amy Sherman, for having a newsletter today that I needed for encouragement.  Check out her newsletter at http://www.bummedoutboomer.com    Yes, her focus is on the 40+ group, but a lot of what she shares applies to all of us, no matter our age.

Friday Guest - Shaelee Elmore Honors Her Father

Today’s guest spotlight is a little different.  It features an essay written by young girl to honor the father she lost unexpectedly. 

Title: My Definition of a Dad: An Essay by Shaelee Elmore

Author: Shaelee Elmore

Release Date: Dec 2011

Publisher: Dancing With Bear Publishing (DWB Children's Line)

Buy Link: http://www.dwbchildrensline.com/booksforlittlepaws.htm  

Blurb: On October 4, 2011 Shaelee Elmore's father, Tommy, passed away unexpectedly. The shock and grief was overwhelming for the entire family but especially Shaelee, who was "daddy's little girl". When Shae was born, Tommy quit his job in order to be a stay-at-home dad and raise his daughter.  

As an English assignment, the class was asked to write an definition essay. Shaelee wrote hers about her father. So touched by Shaelee's words, her teacher made sure Shae's mom, Melinda, (an author), read the essay. In turn, Melinda sent the essay to her publisher, Dancing With Bear Publishing.  

Because Tommy had passed away at such a young age with no insurance, the family was left in a financial bind. DWB decided to publish Shaelee's essay because it was so touching and because Shaelee is a talented writer and very articulate, and because DWB wanted to help the family as much as possible. 100% of the sales from this book go to Shae's college fund.  

Melinda Elmore's book Journey to Christmas Creek is also a benefit for the family. 100% of the sales for one year goes directly to the Elmore family to help pay final expenses. 

Excerpt:

The love my dad showed me was unconditional love. No matter what, my dad

loved me. I was, and still am, “daddy's girl.” He showed me what true and unconditional

love means. I will never ever forget how he loved me and my family. He was the best dad

anyone could have.

About Shaelee….

Shaelee is a homeschooled 7^th grader, who has been an honor student since she started school. She lives in Arizona with her mother, Melinda, and older brother, Erik, whom she says she treasures and loves dearly, and a cat named, Feather. She loves singing, writing her own music, and designing clothing.

Her family is the most important thing to her. The loss of her father has had a dramatic effect on her, as it has her mother and brother. Shaelee says she was a daddy’s girl, and the two shared a bong like no other. She is happy to have her mother by her side, and says they share everything.

Shaelee loves helping animals and plans to attend college one day. She would like to have a career as a clothing designer.

Recipe Wednesday - Back to Reality! Shiitake Hot & Sour Soup

V-Day is behind us once again and time to focus on healthy eating again, at least for me.  Yep, I fell off the wagon hard a couple of times.  Chocolate is good for you, but…not half the plate of dark truffles sitting in the fridge.  There really was no need to keep testing for firmness by tasting, now was there? 

Sharing a soup recipe a chef guest on Dr. Oz said he eats every day during the winter.  He feels all the good stuff in it helps him avoid colds and flu.  That said he made no promise it works for everyone, only that since he started eating it he hasn’t had a cold.  I decided to give it a try and made a batch last week.  Went by the recipe the first time around, but doctored the leftovers.  Here you have the original version and I’ll share my tweaks at the end. 

Shiitake Hot and Sour Soup

Ingredients

Serves 4

1 tbsp grapeseed oil

1 jalapeño, minced with seeds

1 tbsp minced ginger

1 tbsp minced garlic

2 bunches scallions, green and white parts sliced, 2 tbsp greens reserved

1 lb shiitakes, stems removed and tops 1/4-in sliced

2 1/2 quarts chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth

2 tbsp naturally brewed soy sauce

Juice and zest of 2 lemons

1 block silken tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 cups shredded carrots

Freshly cracked black pepper

Directions

In a stockpot over medium-high heat, add oil and swirl to coat the bottom. Add jalapeño, ginger, garlic and scallions. Sauté until aromatic, about a minute. Add shiitakes and sauté 2 minutes, until softened.

Add stock and soy sauce, bring to a simmer and reduce by 20%, about 5 minutes. Add lemon juice, tofu and carrots and cook gently for 2 more minutes to heat tofu through. Season with black pepper.

Ladle soup into serving bowls and garnish with reserved scallion greens and lemon zest.

MY TWEAKS 

Too much lemon for our tastes so didn’t add the lemon zest to the serving bowls.  Before I reheated the soup I increased the ginger, garlic and soy sauce.  I also added a couple teaspoons of Asian chili sauce that I use in stir-fry.  The tweaked version worked for us and I’m making it again next week.  Not sure it will prevent colds, but its dang tasty after I played with it to fit our likes.