Homemade Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Eggs

Who doesn't like some reeses and similar creamy or crunchy deliciousness this time of year?  Since  so many of us are cooking and baking more lately, here is an easy one to satisfy your wallet and your tastebuds!  

INGREDIENTS FOR HOMEMADE PB EGGS:

• 16 ounce jar creamy peanut butter (crunchy is allowed)
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, pre-melted

For Outside 'Shell':

• 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 
• 1 -2 tablespoon shortening (butter is fine, full fat though)  add as needed for efficient melting

HOW TO MAKE:

1. In the bowl of your mixer, add peanut butter, powdered sugar and melted butter until the mixture is well combined and looks like dough.  
2. Using about a tablespoon and a half of dough, form into an egg shape and place on a cookie sheet layered with parchment paper.  (You can use also egg molds from ip) 
   
   
   
3. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to allow the eggs to harden before dipping into the chocolate mixture.  
4. While the eggs are hardening in the freezer, melt chocolate and shortening/remaining butter in a small bowl in the microwave. ENSURE you do this in 30 second intervals and stir or it will burn.  You may need to reheat it if it starts to harden. TIP: other option is to just use store bought magic shell!
5. After 15+ minutes, take PB 'eggs' out of the freezer, dip eggs into the melted chocolate covering all sides. TIP: To assist in the dipping process, place a toothpick into one end of the egg.)
6. Place dipped eggs onto cookie sheet with parchment paper.
7. Once all eggs are dipped, place in the freezer for 30+ minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.  If you lost shell on one side, then redip that side and leave it faceup in freezer for 20 mins again.  Optionally add some coarse sea or kosher salt to top of chocolate! 
8. To store, place in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2 months. 

Enjoy - and watch out for rabbits and PB loving family members!  

A SOUPer Secret Is Out!

The greater St. Augustine area has a super supper option

 now available for delivery! 

Photo from ChefDamian.com

Chef Damian Kemper has been warming the bellies of many happy households lately with his homemade soups.  These soups are perfect for lunch, dinner, or your freezer and are made weekly with love in a commercial kitchen using only the freshest and local ingredients available.  The savory soups come in quart sized glass jars with wooden spoons and would make an adorable gift for yourself or others-  hand delivered weekly like the good ole days!

These are not just your grandma's chicken soups either... here are just some of the savory options offered recently with more options being added regularly:

Cream of Wild Mushroom & Leek

Chicken and Vegetable with Orzo

New England Clam Chowder

​Roasted Butternut Squash

​Creamy Corn and Lump Crab Bisque with Sherry

Split Pea and Smoked Turkey

​Creamy Chicken and Rice

Minorcan Clam Chowder

White Turkey Chili

Broccoli and Aged Cheddar

Apple Cider Infused Sweet Potato Bisque

Creamed Carrot and Ginger

Photo from Chef Damian's' facebook page

The rules are simple and the reward is great:

Ordering is easy via Facebook messenger, through submissions to their website, or by email.  Free delivery is offered within St. Augustine city limits and outside of town it is a 2 quart minimum plus a nominal delivery fee - Chef even goes to parts of Jacksonville and delivers himself with a smile!

They offer 1 soup per week delivered to the location of your choosing- so it can be work, your home, or as a surprise gift for someone who needs a yummy smile.  Instantly ready to be heated!  I was so lucky to win a chance to sample soup for 10 weeks from Chef Damian!

Photo from Auggie's Fresh or Frightening Facebook Page

I entered and won a philanthropic contest (just a $5 donation per entry) from the popular foodie group  Auggie's Fresh & Frightening Food Reviews and am receiving 10 quarts of Chef Damian's soups this "winter".  Side note- I have not received any compensation for this post nor was I asked to write this, it was completely my personal choice based on my positive experience.  

Auggie's group is affectionately referred to locally as #FOF and is made up of thousands of locals and visitors sharing experiences, photos, and advice on local restaurants in the area overseen by St. Augustine's 2018 Man of the Year, James Taylor.  James helped setup a donation option to enter some local foodie giveaways that benefits hungry children and also benefits local restaurants to gain some exposure and new customers- thus my learning about this awesome chef and his services.  

THE SAVORY FLAVOR EXPERIENCE!

This week's Italian Sausage & Lentil Soup arrived right at the prescheduled time and day and it was ready to go right into the fridge as it had already been chilled down.  I spent the afternoon debating how long I could wait to crack it open for us for dinner.  It didn't take long to decide that after the rain and chilly winds today, that soup needed to be rescued pretty fast.

The soup was chock full of just the right amounts of sweet Italian sausage, tomatoes, celery, carrots, onions, corn, garlic, and zucchini along with a delightful herb blend that was absolutely perfect in ratio and not at all spicy or oily.  I consider myself a bit of a soup connoisseur and happen to be extremely light on my salt instake usually and this did not go overboard like you might find in a can or at some restaurants.  There was plenty for two people and still enough for a bit of lunch tomorrow (if it lasts that long which I doubt).  Everything was sauteed and simmered just right and still had individual exact flavor in each spoonful.  

It was easily the best lentil and sausage soup I have ever had.  

What's next?

Here is a glance at next month's menu- if you order early or go on a regularly scheduled delivery service you will be guaranteed to get your favorite soup before it sells out.  

Chef Damian also offers other services including chef service by the hour, weekly dinner or vacation meals, event catering, cooking classes, and special occasions!  Chef Damian also works with a local tour group that will definitely be a post for another day!   www.thetastingtours.com

Once you try ordering from Chef Damian let him know if you heard about him from my blog and be sure to leave him a good review if you feel the same way so many of us do about his food!  

It is truly mmm mmmm great! 

You can follow me regularly on my blog's facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/asavoryspoonful.

Thanks!  -Cathy

Diner En Blanc - Tres Magnifique

We had another amazing time at the annual Diner En Blanc this year- put on by JAGA Productions! Diner En Blanc is a pop-up dinner set in a secret location with over 1000 invite only attendees that started in Paris and has spread across the world in recent years.

JAGA Productions outdid themselves for the 2nd annual one in Central Florida this past Friday night by hosting the event at the amazing Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.  The beautiful atmosphere was enlightened by all of the white clothed lucky attendees and elegant white decorated tables and the sounds of corks popping and musical performances and the glow of sparklers and happy friends- both new and old.  Click here for: Sparkler Time video! #DEBORL2017

Here is another brief video clip of the traditionally dinner knapkin waving time! Click here: Knapkin time #DEBOrl3017

Check out some of the highlights we got to experience this year... and if you want to be invited next year post a comment and I will select someone to receive an invite.

Look at some of these gorgeous table setups and delectable foods:

The Cannoli cake on top tire of our table

Some of our appetizers

Me at our table

En Blanc, en magnifique

We had a tres magnifique time!

Looking forward already to #DEBOrl2018

Check out more about Diner En Blanc at https://www.facebook.com/DinerEnBlanc.Orlando/

The Journey

Today, unexpectedly went uphill so far it started in my heart and then hit the sky.  It's been a year since I've posted here, only posting occasionally on my Facebook version of my blog page -because, well- life happened- and someone reminded me today that those obstacles-those ARE what make my life, MY life.

Today, THIS happened.

I nonchalantly got the mail... and a delightful surprise card, a package, and 2 simple yet profound red balloons fell out.  

A quote from the heartfelt letter inside the card, "... The enclosed gift jumped out and into my hands with only you in mind.  Tell Robert to buy you a helium tank and an unending supply of red balloons... choose to be happy every single day... we all love you."

At first the wave of tears was what the 2 red balloons reminded me of and how on earth could this sweet friend and former co-worker (who has lived in another state for a few years) even know what it symbolized to me.  And then....then- I opened this original artwork she sent to me because it "spoke to her..."!

I am sure my neighbors could hear me bawling for what seemed like a lifetime.  Of course!  Two balloons can help me fly, seek happiness, find and spread my wings when I feel like I cannot go. Imagine what 99 red balloons can do for me?  For you?  Imagine what sharing some balloons with someone else can do for them?!!  (Imagine if there are penguins involved too....... WOW!)

And then, the symbolism on top of it.  As many of you may know my mother in law and father in law both passed away last fall within 3 months of each other.  We loved them dearly- she truly was the mother I didn't get to have in my 30s when I needed advice or to vent about certain things.  I was lucky to have multiple mothers in my lifetime and still have one very special mother- Robert's mom.   For me, Michele though as my (step) mother-in-law was a confidant a lover of all family no matter what you said or did and a reality checker (in a BIG WAY, which you'd easily know if you knew her).

This is the perfect example..... you see, when Michele was ill with leukemia last year in her final month in all practicality she was making jokes and also trying to make plans for all of us for the future.  She was adamant with a smile on her face....."The only way I'd agree to a funeral is a celebration of life, first of all here take this- I have a coupon (and SERIOUSLY she pulled out a Banfield Coupon for a discount off of cremation services!)...(insert shock and awe for all of us 'kids' who were sitting there at that moment!). Apparently the Banfield Veterinarian hospital shares the same name with the Banfield Funeral Home in their suburb.... yet another hilarity).  THEN, she said, "...And the ONLY way you are going to have a celebration of MY life is if you get those red blow up crazy waving flying balloon guys that gets your attention outside of a car dealership!"  Well.......... 

Needless to say, not only did we use her coupon but...... she got her RED balloon guy!  

Actual red balloon guy outside of Michele Billoni's celebration of life October 2016

And so, as I dry my tears and focus on the blessings I have like my remaining family, my friends and loved ones and people like my friend Sandy who go out of their way to think about others, pray for others, support them through and during and AFTER the tough times..... giving that extra time or sending that extra card or gift or call, including a penguin in it on top of everything.... it gives me renewed faith and belief that happier times are to come.  They may not always be with the same old friends, same old best friends even, same old company, same ole family members even.... but during the times I am down and out,

I will learn to LOVE the skies that I am under.

Thank you Sandy for reminding me that the sky is not the limit, the door is never closed, the day is never done and those gone are not forever.  There are always the red balloons, the red cardinals, the butterflies, the dimes, the breeze that lets you know that you aren't alone and you can always find a way to fly.  I do believe I can.  Thank you!

Cathy 2016

Develop Your Own Compass, And Trust It.

Not to be morbid, but a new month also means one less month on earth.  Just as a new years means the ending of someone's life sooner than later....

Recently, a friend and I sat down and chatted about life and meaning behind things.

We’ve both been alive for 40-something years. The first decade was somewhat a blur, but also our foundation and the fundamental character-building years. The second decade—our roaring twenties—we made impulsive decisions, fought for love, fought for career, saved some money, spent a lot more than we made.  My brothers and I lost our mom to breast cancer and it was a huge eye opening and difficult time accepting and then telling her it was okay to let go.  Then one day we woke up and we were 30.

Now, in our thirties, we had (some) clarity and, finally were investing a little in retirement funds, built a house or two, moved, possibly changed careers or started a new business and found structure. Some of my siblings had children, others did not by choice or chance and we all were making the best of our situations come heck or high water and sometimes amid both.

And suddenly we were in our forties and when  the heck did that happen??  According to my calculations and family history, we are about halfway through our lives. If we count on our good gene pool, and a little luck, lots of healthy eating and exercise, we are still about halfway through the most active years of our life.

I told my friend what I wanted to do during this next decade of my life, and he responded without hesitancy:

Do it.

But, I said.

Do it.

I sat and stared. The list of all my responsibilities came to mind (many job/travel/family commitments, schedules to follow, meals to cook, places to be)—all of which did not seem as important as the fact that, no matter what, I have to live my life, so how do I want it all to look? Feel? Be experienced?

He turned to me and said, we get one chance to walk this planet.

This. Is. It.

Today, I feel empowered to make all the changes I want to make in order to live my most vibrant life. Tomorrow, I may be scared (actually, I’m sure I will be scared). Either way, those dreams and desires are beckoning. They are calling. They are waiting to be lived.

In the spirit of the new month, new quarter of the year, new beginnings, many new moons, know your vibrancy.

Know that you are given one chance to really experience life in this unique body, in this unique form.

You are given one chance to roam with these phenomenal legs and tremendous eyes and unique voice.

In another decade, you might not have the ability to do what you love. You may not be able to write furiously or teach yoga with agility; you may not be able to travel with ease or make love with fervor. You might not have the love of your life by your side through a purposeful separation or through a terrible loss.  I cannot imagine life alone but we must imagine ourselves living with fervor while we CAN.

So today, I encourage you to do it.

Do it all with no regrets.

Do it all without asking for permission.

“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.”
~ Rumi

My Comforting Shepherd's Pie Means "I Love You"

It has been a long hiatus for me and I thank you for your patience.... lots of traveling so the good news is I have lots to blog about coming up this spring!  Adventures everywhere from Paris to London to Dublin to Vegas to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the northeast and even a glamping adventure on a dude ranch!!  Think of all the yumminess and great places I have to share!

During my time traveling away from my blog, I have shared quite a few tips and fellow bloggers great recipes and ideas on my face book page over the last few months and I hope you will check them out at www.facebook.com/asavoryspoonful

In the meantime, I have a special treat in honor of the heartfelt love that is shared during this month of February and chilly days and lots of savory spoonfuls of deliciousness!

This week I made the most amazing Shepherd's Pie for my husband (if I do say so myself) and a few extra for the freezer. Wow -you have truly got to make this ASAP -it really can be simplified or as complex as you would like!

You can use ground turkey and lamb like I did or any variation of meats- the key is in the farmer's market rainbow carrots and a great stout beer!  In the recipe I provide to you below I tweaked a little from the original and also added two splashes of  worcestershire sauce and halved the original suggested full bouillon cube and a couple splashes of a good red wine to further deepen the flavor.

The original called for instant mashed potatoes but why not take the extra few minutes and slowly boil your own.  I was a bit surprised to see that the mashed potato mixture called for an egg yolk but boy did that make a nice difference in richness of these beauties!  I went with some chives and maybe a tad or two more cheddar handfuls than in the original recipe.

You can use one long casserole dish or baking pan but I opted to split it up for several meals easily frozen and easily broken down for just one person if needed.

Of course it is all about the layers of meaty juicy saucy veggie filled goodness, followed by those potatoes but nothing in the world beats a whopping layer of cheddar falling off the ramekins and overflowing from your pan with a splash of paprika.

The layers are a thing of beauty - this can go right into your freezer since it is completely cooked through or right into your oven and in 30 minutes you will have your family devouring it!

I think I may have to save one of these for my dad with heating instructions- I have a hunch he will adore it!

I may even have a few friends and neighbors knocking on my door -if you could just smell the incredible aroma in my home.

So, in this month of sharing love to your significant other and friends- consider sharing a love pie right from the heart!

Recipe (ingredient list is below):

Start with bowl of mashed Yukon potatoes. Add sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chives, egg yolk, teaspoon of salt, and teaspoon of black pepper and stir until smooth. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat.

Add lamb and/or ground turkey and cook until browned. Pour off any excess grease, and season with salt and pepper. Add tomatoes with liquid and any preferred vegetable medley (it can even be frozen) and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.

While that is cooking, in a small saucepan heat beer and add beef bouillon (consider using only half- the salt just isn't worth that flavor). Bring up to a simmer and add cornstarch mixture. Then add that to lamb mixture and simmer until thickened.

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour in lamb mixture. Spoon mashed potatoes over and make sure the potatoes cover all meat mixture. Top with 1 cup cheese and sprinkle paprika over the casserole. Pre-heat oven to 350'F.

Cook covered with foil until hot. If the the ingredients are still hot when it goes in the oven, bake 25-30 minutes. If the casserole ingredients are cold, bake for about 45 minutes.

Uncover and place under broiler until cheese is bubbly and golden, about 2 minutes, optional chive or parsley garnish.

-My recipe was adapted from Al Roker at http://www.today.com/recipes/al-roker-s-cheddar-crusted-shepherd-s-pie-t69586

Ingredients

• • 5 cups mashed, boiled Yukon potatoes (shortcut: You could use instant potatoes)
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 3 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 egg yolk
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 1 1/2 pound ground lamb
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes with juice (16-ounce can)
  • 1 small bag of frozen vegetable medley (carrot, peas, onion, corn) or cut up fresh carrots, celery, etc.
  • 1 bottle of good stout beer
  • 1 cube beef bouillon (try using only a half)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with a enough cold water to make a paste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chives

Enjoy and let me know what your secret is to a great valentine's homemade comfort food!
xoxo, Cathy
cathy@asavoryspoonful.com