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!

GRILLED SWEET POTATO MEDALLIONS (a 2 banana difficulty level)

Recently I have been grilling Red Potatoes and actually thought I had blogged in the recipe, but it appears that I have not.  This was my 2nd attempt at grilling Sweet Potatoes.  My first go 'round I followed the same technique that was working well with the Red Potatoes.  Evidently Sweet Potatoes grill faster because I ended up with blackened sweet potatoes which is no good for anyone!

A tweak here & a tweak there on the 2nd round made for a great batch of great tasting "Grilled Sweet Potato Medallions."  I opted for Sweet potatoes that were very large in circumference because I wanted to use them on a sandwich.  You could also slice them lengthwise or on a diagonal depending on the size of the Potato and what you wanted to use them for.

Today 'this monkey' will show you how to grill up some "Sweet Potato Medallions!"

WHAT YOU NEED:
2-3 Large Sweet Potatoes - in about 1/2" slices
3-4 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2-3 t of Sugar (I prefer Sugar in the Raw since the granules are larger)
Kosher Salt to taste

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Large cookie sheet
Chef's Knife
Grill & Grill utensils

WHAT YOU DO:
**Be sure to Clean, Oil & Pre Heat your Grill.  I usually make sure the grill is clean, then I cut & prep the potatoes.  I'll then fire up the grill and let it pre-heat on high for 5 minutes before I reduce the grill heat & add the potatoes.**

1.  Rinse/Scrub & dry the sweet potatoes.

2.  Slice the Sweet Potatoes about 1/2" thick

3.  Coat the bottom of the Cookie Sheet with 2 T of Olive Oil & Sprinkle the Cookie Sheet with Sugar.  Place the sliced Sweet Potatoes on the Sheet, then Drizzle the tops of the Potatoes with Olive Oil & Sprinkle with Sugar.

4.  In your Pre Heated Grill, reduce Grill heat to LOW & place the Potato Medallions on the grill for 4-5 minutes.

5.  Flip the Medallions & Grill for another 3-4 minutes on Low.  Pay attention to any hotspots your grill may have to avoid blackened medallions!


6.  Remove from Grill

Grilled Portabello & Sweet Potato Medallion Sandwich with Avocado & Onion

Grilled Portabello & Sweet Potato Medallion Sandwich with Hummus

7.  Make your sandwich!

Sandwich & Salad deal:  Spinach Salad with Pine Nuts & Peppers

8.  Make your meal!


I added a little bit of sugar prior to grilling because that helps with the grill marks.  You can skip the sugar if you wish.  I will also cut the finished product in bite size pieces and toss in with rice, quinoa etc.  As for sandwiches, they are great hot or cold!

Until next time,
your favorite neighbor web Monkey!