Caramel Toffee Squares

Ok, before I start the recipe let me first address something. I have had a few people tell me that they can't comment on my blog. I can't figure out why. I have checked all my settings (to the best of my knowledge), but everything seems like it is correct. So I can't figure it out. Does anyone have an idea?? But I apologize to you guys that it doesn't work. But I do love hearing from you and I wish that I could figure the comment thing out so that you guys could tell me what you have tried and what you think or any questions.

I have a deep love for squares. I mean really, how can you go wrong with a square. They are good for every occasion or no occasion at all (for example the 2 pan of nanaimo bars I made this weekend and then spent the weekend eating them- no occasion, but perfect).

And these squares are to die for. The shortbread layer is just the right consistency and the carmel layer is so chewy.



Crumble press together:

Flour
Sugar
Butter

Press into a 9X9 pan

Bake at 335 degrees for 15 minutes


In a sauce pan combine;

Butter

Brown sugar

corn syrup

can of sweetened condensed milk

Boil for 5 min.
Remove pot from heat and stir caramel until it thickens.

Pour over crust and sprinkle with chocolate chips

Let cool.

For some reason as with everything I make, I put it in the fridge. If you want them a little more 'melty' leave them on the counter. But for a firmer square, store them in the fridge.

CARAMEL TOFFEE SQUARES

Crust

1 1/4 flour

1/4 sugar

1/2 cup butter

Crumble. Press into a 9X9 pan.

Bake 335 degrees for 15 minutes.

Caramel

1/2 butter

1/2 brown sugar

2 tbsp corn syrup

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Combine in sauce pan. Boil for 5 minutes, stiring constantly. Remove from heat, stir slowly until it thickens.

Pour over crust.

Sprinkle with chocolate chips. (you can choose the amount)

Cool

**Note, if you want a thicker chocolate layer. Melt 2/3 cup (or more) chocolate chips and spread over caramel layer.

Fabric Yo-Yo hair clips

I saw these cute Fabric Yo-yo's here. I fell in love. I wanted to make some. I have a big bag of scrap fabric that I am dying to use. So I went to work.

I made my yo-yo's into hair clips. My lil'G is always being mistaken for a boy (I guess pink clothes and a little pig tail on top is not clear enough for some). So I figured I would have her wear a hair clip everyday. Hopefully no one will make that mistake again.

But as the Make-it-Love-it blog shows, you can use them for anything. So many cute things to make with them. Check out this quilt.

Trace a circle on the wrong side of you fabric. I just used cups or bowls from my kitchen.

You can chose what size of yo-yo you want. Just bear in mind that your yo-yo will end up being a little less than half the size that you trace.

Cut out your circles.

With an iron, press a 1/4 around the edge. (This is the part that takes the longest. I always hate pressing things)

Baste stitch around the edge of the circle, the a needle and thread. (according to the tutorial the smaller your stitch the wider the opening on your yo-yo and vice versa.)

Once you have gone all the way around pull on your thread and it will start to gather.

Once you have pulled the thread tight or to where you want it, tie a knot.

So many cute fabrics.

Now you can chose what you want to make with your yo-yo's

I covered my aligator clips and glued my yo-yo to the clip.

You can embellish them. I added a cute little button.

I just think that these clips are so cute. Something different than the bows or flowers.

NOTE***

After I posted this I noticed that my links aren't working. Here they are.

Yo-Yo's http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2009/02/fabric-yo-yos.html

Quilt http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/pdfs/Bloom_Quilt.pdf

Layered Mint Chocolate Brownies

I know that it has been so long since I have posted. I won't bore with you a million excuses why (all of which are totally valid) ,but life has been happening here. But my first post back is a good one, I promise you that.


So many good things happening all at once with these babies. A layer of brownies, then a layer of icing , and then a layer of chocolate. So much goodness wrapped up in one!

I got this recipe from the "Worldwide Ward Cookbook". As soon as I saw it I knew I had to make it. I have made it several times and it is always a fav.




Mix;
Butter
Cocoa
Sugar



Add;
Eggs, one at a time

Beating well after each one




Stir in
Flour




Pour into a greased 9X13 pan.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. (Make sure that the center is done)

Let cool completely

Mix;

Butter

Powdered sugar

Add;

Milk, add only enough to make a smooth consistency.

Add,

Mint Extract

Green Food Coloring

(You can change the color and the flavoring that you use depending on what you want)

I have actually contemplated doubling this layer, just because it is so good. But I haven't yet.

Spread over brownie layer.

Refrigerate until firm

Melt,

Chocolate Chips

Butter

Stir.

Pour over frosted brownie, spreading to cover.

Refrigerate until topping is set

Oh look at that layer of icing.

Layered Mint Chocolate Brownies

Brownie:

1 cup butter, melted

2/3 cup cocoa powder

2 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 1/2 cup flour

Mix butter, cocoa, and sugar; add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one. Stir in flour. Spread into a greased 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Let cool completely.

Mint Frosting:

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1-3 tbsp milk

1/2 tsp mint extract

green food coloring

Mix butter and powdered sugar. Add only enough milk to make a smooth consistency. Add mint extract and enough food coloring to make a light green color. The frosting will be thick. Spread over brownie layer. Refrigerate until firm.

Chocolate Topping:

1 1/2 chocolate chips

1/2 cup butter

Melt chips and butter in micorwave to 2-3 minutes. Stir well to combine. Pour over frosted layer and spread to cover completely. Refrigerate until topping is set and hardened.

Let brownies sit at room tempurature for 10 mionutes before cutting. Cut with a sharp knife.

Sweet Pumpkin Doughnuts

Ok, How cute are these mini-doughnuts. I know, right!! Well not only are they cute but they are good for you!




I got these new pans and I was really wanting to try the recipe that came with them, but I am trying to eat a little better (and by that I mean cut out junk). So I wanted something a little healthier to make with these pans. I got this cookbook and found a recipe for these little doughnuts and I knew I had to make them ASAP. (PS, I really like this cookbook)

Sweet Pumpkin Doughnuts is not the actual name from the cook book; they just called them 'Doughnuts' which is a little vague. I call them Sweet Pumpkin Doughnuts and it describes them perfectly.

Don't worry, if you don't have a mini doughnut pan you can just use a mini-muffin pan. Or get yourself a doughnut pan because any muffin recipe that you make you can turn into a mini doughnut. Fun Fun Fun. I found mine here.



In a bowl beat together;

Sugar
Pumpkin puree
Sweet Potato puree



Add;

Milk
Egg whites
Margarine
Vanilla



Add;

Flour
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Spice



Pour your batter into plastic/pastry bag and cut the tip off one side (not if you are using pastry bag)
Squeese the batter into the pan. (Look at me in action!!)



Be sure to coat your pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Bake at 350 degrees until tops are lightly browned, 20-25 minutes

Turn onto cooling rack.

Dust them with confectioners' sugar.

They are good. They were gone within a few hours at my house. Both my kids and my hubby liked them. I made it with whole wheat flour, I think that regular white flour would give it a completely different taste.

I will be making these again forsure.

Sweet Pumpkin Doughnuts

1/2 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar (I used 1/4cup brown sugar Splenda and 1/4 cup regular brown sugar)

1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree (I froze the rest for another time)

1/2 cup sweet potato puree (I had some in my freezer left over from this)

1/2 cup skim milk

1 large egg white

1tbsp trans-fat-free soft rub margarine

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup all purpose flour, or whole-wheat pastry flour

1tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin spice

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat doughnut or muffin with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, pumpkin, and sweet potato purees. Add the milk, egg white, margarine, and vanilla. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spice. Mix until completely incorporated

Pour the batter into a large plastic storage bag (ziplock freezer bag) or use a pastry bag). The the bottom tip of one side of the bag. Squeeze the batter into the mold. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until tops are lightly browned or a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Turn the doughnuts onto a wire rack.

Let them cool completely. When cool dust with confectioners sugar.

Makes about 2 dozen mini-doughnuts.

Fire Roasted Tomato Chicken Tortilla Soup

It is a long name for soup, but it was so good. Like really good!! I know I always say that, but I always mean it.

The best part about this soup is that it was made in the slow cooker. The past two nights I have made dinner in the slow cooker and it has been so nice. I still have to do prep work, but I can do it earlier in the day when my kids are in better moods and can play by themselves instead of hanging at my feet crying at 5pm when I am try to get dinner going. Slow cooker meant that at 5pm when they are wanting my attention, I could give it to them. It was lovely!

I was in Cranbrook this weekend and saw this cooking magazine at my friends place (Hi Jen) and copied a few recipes out of it, but then just ended up going to buy it anyways. I have a deep love of magazines and of cookbooks, so when I see a cooking magazine, it is like the best of both worlds, I can't turn it down. This current magazine is the Pillsbury Slow Cooker. It has some really good recipes in it.



In slow cooker combine;

chicken thighs
chicken broth
corn
fire roasted tomatoes (you can use regular diced tomatoes if you don't have fire-roasted)
black beans
red pepper
onion
chilli powder
cumin
salt
cayenne pepper


add in 6 corn tortillas, that have been cut into 1/2 inch strips

Cook on low for 5-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Until chicken is cooked.



Once cooked, remove chicken and shred with 2 forks.

Return it slow cooker

Stir in cilantro

In a frying pan heat oil then fry strips of 3 remaining tortillas until crispy.

Serve soup with avocado and strips and lime wedges (I didn't have limes-but I'm sure it would be good)

1lb bonelss skinless chicken thighs

1 carton (900ml) chicken broth

2 cups frozen whole kernel corn

1 can (14.5oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (15oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

1 red pepper, chopped

1 medium onion

9 corn tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch wide strips

1 tbsp chilli powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2tbsp olive oil

lime wedges, if desired

chopped avocado, if desired

In 3-4 quart slow cooker, combine chicken, broth, corn, tomatoes, black beans, red pepper, onion, 6 of the corn tortillas, chilli powder, cumin, salt, and cayenne. Cover, cook on low for 5-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours or until chicken is cooked.

Removed chicken and shred with 2 forks. Return to slow cooker. Stir is cilantro.

Heat oil in frying pan. Cook strips from remaining 3 tortilla in oil over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp and light golden brown. Top individual servings of soup with tortilla strips, lime wedges and avocado.

1 serving= 1 1/4 cups - 350 calories, 11g fat, 22g protien, 9g fiber

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

With all this cold Weather I decided that we needed to have some soup to warm us up. The recipe is from my sister-in-law. She served it to us over Christmas and I HAD to get the recipe right away. I don't usually go back for seconds at meal time, but this I did.

To me, this is a dressed up version of chicken soup. The rice is a nice change from classic noodles in chicken soup and the creamy consistancy makes it so yummy.



In a large pot add,

3- 14oz cans of Chicken broth
1 small onion, chopped
2-3 carrots, sliced
3-4 ribs celery, sliced
1tsp salt
1tsp pepper

Cook until tender.

In another pot cook,

1- 180g pkg of Uncle Bens long grain and wild rice mix

Cook according to pkg directions omitting butter.



In a medium sauce pan,

melt 1/3 cup butter

Then add,

1/3 cup flour

Stir until a smooth paste is formed




Slowly add,

2 cups milk

Stiring constantly until sauce is thickened.

Add white sauce to broth and vegatables until smooth

Add,

Prepared rice

2 chicken breasts cook and cubed

Cook soup until hot, do not boil.

I served it with some homemade buns. So good.

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

1 – 180g Uncle Ben’s long grain and wild rice mix

3 – 14oz cans chicken broth
1 sm onion
2-3 carrots, sliced
3-4 ribs of celery, sliced

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1/3 cup butter

1/3 cup flour

2 c. milk

1-2 chicken breasts (cook and cubed)

In a large soup pot or saucepan, cook onions, carrots and celery in chicken broth until tender. In a medium saucepan melt butter and add flour, stirring until smooth paste is formed. Slowly add milk, stirring constantly until sauce is thickened. Add white sauce to broth and vegetables, stirring until smooth.
Cook rice according to packaged directions (do not add butter).
Add chicken and rice. Cook until soup is hot, but not boiling.

Serves 4-6