SOFT COOKED EGGS (a 1 banana difficulty level)

I don't think I ever had Soft-Cooked eggs growing up.  In the recent Cook's Illustrated they had a story titled "Foolproof Soft-Cooked Eggs."  That caused my Monkey ears to perk up because I'm a bit of a fool and if these were "Foolproof" then it might be worth a whirl.

The CI recipe calls for the eggs to be cooked precisely for 6 1/2 minutes.  I guess I like my eggs cooked to "Medium-Soft" because I've found that an even 7 works best for me...besides, my oven timer only uses minute increments!

Today, 'This monkey' will show you how to cook "Monkey-Proof Medium-Soft Cooked Eggs."

Let's get started!

WHAT YOU NEED:
1-6 Large Eggs
Kosher Salt (to taste)
Freshly Ground Black Pepper (to taste)

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Tongs or Slotted Spoon
Medium Sauce Pan
Small Bowl

WHAT YOU DO:
1.  Over Medium High heat, bring 1/2 inch of water to a boil in the Sauce Pan.
2.  Carefully add the Eggs into the Boiling water.  (sorry for the "steamy" photos...)

**If an eggs happens to crack, then remove it immediately.  Otherwise your water will bubble up and boil over during the cooking.  Depending on how much egg entered your water, you may need to start over.**

3.  Cover the sauce pan & boil eggs for 7 minutes.
4.  Remove eggs from boiling water with tongs & place in the small bowl.
5.  Run under cold water for about 30-40 seconds.

6.  Crack the less pointy end & Peel.
7.  Season to taste with Salt & Pepper.
8.  Serve & Enjoy!

Like I said, I'm kind of new to Soft Cooked Eggs.  To me, they make a nice little snack or side to breakfast.  I've tried them with some Spinach Salads, but I wasn't a big fan of them being warm.  Maybe they'd work better if they were cooled a bit.  I've also included them with some rice & cous-cous dishes where they've worked pretty well.

Enjoy & until next time...

Your favorite neighbor-web monkey!

HOT COCOA from scratch (a 1 banana difficulty level)

  

It is slowly starting to get at least a little bit colder here in Texas.  So I guess it is Hot Cocoa weather, maybe at night...

 

Here is a super quick and easy Hot Cocoa recipe that is from scratch.  I will share a story of warning first however. 

 

In this recipe, you need heated milk.  I've been using a mason jar (topless) to heat the milk in the microwave on the 1 cup beverage setting.  At a point in the recipe you put the lid on the jar and shake vigorously for a brief time.  I've wondered if a broken jar may occur since, as I learned in Mrs. Phillips science class, liquids expand when heated.

 

So, I decided to try a plastic container with a plastic lid.  I put the lid on and had just started a vigorous shake when I demonstrated another principle I learned in Mrs. Phillips science class, ENTROPY!!  The hot milk caused a poor fit and I had about a 360 deg spray of milk around the walls and appliances in my kitchen!

 

Take it from 'this monkey' use a mason type canning jar! 

 

Let's get started

 

WHAT YOU NEED :

1 T of Cocoa Mix

1 T of Sugar

8 oz of Whole Milk (you can use 1%, 2% or skim, but I say indulge with the Whole Milk!)

Salt (a small sprinkle to allow the Cocoa flavor to shine, but it is optional)

 

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED :

Spoon

Mug

A glass Microwaveable Container

 

WHAT YOU DO :

 

 

1.  Heat the Milk.  This can be on the stove top or in the Microwave.  I just use the "Beverage" setting on my Microwave, it runs for about 90 seconds.

 

2.  Pour 4 oz of the Hot Milk in your mug & stir in the Cocoa, Sugar, & Salt until they dissolve.

 

3.  Securely fasten the Lid onto your GLASS jar & shake VIGOROUSLY for about 10 seconds.

 

4.  Pour the Frothy Milk on top of your Cocoa for a nice Winter treat!

 

If you are using your Microwave to heat the milk, be sure to err on the short side when heating the milk because it can get quite hot. 

 

I STRONGLY recommend using a Mason type canning jar since they are designed to withstand a certain amount of heat and pressure.  HOWEVER, THEY STILL CAN BREAK!!  I'm using an old spagetti jar that helpfully has the measurements on the side. 

 

My plastic container experiment had just a snap on lid.  Perhaps a screw type lid on a plastic jar (ie: PB jar) may work better.  I would do a practice run with water since water is a heckuva lot easier to clean up than Hot Cocoa!  Just be CAREFUL!

 

Until next time,

your favorite neighbor-web Monkey & sous-chef "Lola"



S'MORE HEATH RICE KRISPIE TREATS (a 2 banana difficulty level)

We were recently up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for my birthday weekend.  We knew we were going to roast marshmallows to make S'mores, but we always end up with a lot of leftover marshmallows.  So why not forgo the traditional birthday cake and make Rice Krispie Treats...Monkey-style!  Thus was born: "S'more Heath Rice Krispie Treats!"

As the name states, Rice Krispie Treats are a TREAT!  Although the Basic RKT is solid, adding some creativity can be wonderful.

So today, this 'birthday monkey' will show you how to make "S'more Heath RKT's!"  Let's get snap, crackle, & poppin'!

WHAT YOU NEED:
1/4 c Butter
10 oz package of Marshmallows (jumbo or  miniature)
5 c Rice Krispie Cereal
8 oz Heath Toffee Bits
4-6 Hershey Chocolate Bars (regular size)
14 oz Box of Graham Crackers

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Large Sauce Pan
Spoon
13x9" pan (microwave safe)
Wax Paper or Rubber Spatula

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Melt Butter over Low Heat

2. Line bottom of pan with a Layer of Graham Crackers, a Layer of Chocolate, and HALF of the Heath Toffee Bits.

We didn't have a 13x9" pan.  This was the best we had.

We rationed some of the Hershey Bars for our yet to be made S'mores.  Ideally you would have a layer of Chocolate.

3. Add Marshmallows. Stir until Melted and smoothly Blended. Continue cooking AND stirring for 2 more minutes.

(4.  Microwave Graham Cracker/Chocolate Layer on LOW (50%) for 20-40 seconds until the Chocolate is Softened.)

5. Add remainder of Heath Toffee Bits followed by Rice Krispies into the melted Marshmallows until well coated.

 6. Transfer the Rice Krispie Mixture to your Pan and use the Wax Paper or a Buttered Spatula to evenly Spread the Rice Krispie Mixture over the Softened Chocolate.

We used the Wax Paper, but that was a bit messy.  Next time I'm trying the Buttered Spatula

 7. When Cooled, cut into at least 2x2" squares and Enjoy!

RKT's are fun and easy to make.  It's fun to experiment a bit and make Gourmet RKT's!

Until next time,
your favorite neighbor web monkey!