Down Home Kitchen

If I don’t have graham crackers in the house to make a pie crust for my cheese cake, I’ll use Vanilla wafers instead.

40 vanilla wafers, finely crushed

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. butter or margarine, melted

Blend ingredients together and press mix firmly against bottom and sides of  9 in. pie plate.  If desired, bake for 8 min. at 375*, cool.

No matter how closed my eyes are in the mornings, I manage to make my way to the kitchen and put on that first pot of coffee, before anything else. Oh, well I do put on some form of clothing before going in there, but coffee is my foremost subject when I wake up. Got to have that first cup of coffee to open my eyes properly. Once I get that first taste, then it’s as if I’m ready for the day. Just as long as it’s sitting close by for a sip ever few minutes.

This is something that you can do with your children and have fun while doing it……….

1(18oz) jar Peanut butter

1(14.5oz) box Ritz Crackers(use 48)

12 oz. chocolate-flavored almond bark

Chopped nuts

white chocolate chips(melted) to decorate

Spread peanut butter on 24 crackers.  Top with remaining 24 crackers , making 24 sandwiches.  Melt almond bark in double boiler on low heat. Dip sandwiches into chocolate and place on wax paper to cool.  While still warm, sprinkle on nuts and drizzle with melted white chocolate to decorate.

Now, if you don’t have a bunch of fun doing this as a family, then I don’t know what to tell you……..

1 c milk
1/2 c heavy cream

1 ripe banana

pinch cinnamon

pinch salt

3 ozs. semi sweet chocolate finely chopped

3 ozs. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

1/2 c marshmallow spread

In blender, combing milk, cream, banana, cinnamon and salt, till smooth.  Pour into saucepan and set on med. heat.  Warm, whisking constantly till it beings to simmer, add chocolates’ and marshmallow spread, whisk till melted & smooth .  Ladle into espresso cups and top with dollop of chip cream.     
This is outstanding on a cold night or early cold morning. It’s so thick and creamy that you’ll be tempted to eat it with a spoon…….don’t like banana, then leave it out and add another 1/4 c heavy cream. Leftovers refrigerated, will have become a mousse, the next morning.