Valentine's Day Marshmallow Pops

As someone who always has the best intentions of baking yummy treats for all the holidays a la Betty Crocker and then fails miserably at following through with that plan, I wanted to whip up something quick and fun for Valentine's Day this year that I would actually make.  I love the idea of cake pops because they're so darn cute and already individually portioned, which is great for sharing them at work or school.  But let's be real, making them can be an all day affair and ain't nobody got time for that.  Unless you do, and then kudos to you.  If you're short on time but still want to satisfy your sweet tooth, then marshmallow pops are the perfect compromise.  Plus, you practically get to jump right into the fun part - the decorating!

To make these fun and easy treats, you'll need:

Jumbo marshmallows (I used the HUGE ones but I think a size smaller would be fine too)

White chocolate candy coating

Paper straws or lollipop sticks (mine are from the Target Dollar Spot)

Sprinkles for decorating

Food coloring (optional)

To prep your marshmallows for decorating, cut a small slit into the bottom of the marshmallow and insert the straw.  This will help it hold and prevent squishy marshmallows.  Lay them out on a flat tray or plate (I just used a plastic cutting board) and pop them in the freezer for about 15 minutes.

While the marshmallows are in the freezer, melt your chocolate coating according to the package instructions.  I used two different bowls so that I could color one batch pink and keep one white, but you can do whatever combination you'd like!  Also, lay out your sprinkles in bowls so they'll be ready for decorating. 

From here you can pretty much take creative control and decorate your marshmallow pops however you want.  Just be sure to move quickly so that the chocolate doesn't harden in the bowl and the marshmallows don't thaw out too much.  Having them nice and cold is key so that the coating will set quickly and keep the sprinkles in place.  Even still, it doesn't hurt to pop the final product in the freezer for a couple of seconds until they are really set. 

I had a one-woman assembly line going, taking a couple marshmallow pops out of the freezer at a time and putting them back in the freezer after they were decorated.  Keep going until they're all done.  I found it best to roll the marshmallows in the chocolate and let the excess drip off the end, then dust the sprinkles all around until you achieve your desired look.  It really is that easy! 

A Simple Summer Salad - Meatless Taco Salad

There's a lot of alliteration going on in that title ... ahh high school days and learning about different figures of speech.  Anyway!  On Thursdays I usually make my grocery list since I like to knock out my shopping over the weekend, and I was thinking about what I wanted for dinners next week.  I had my mason jar taco salads for lunch this week, but I still had that craving for a good salad.  Then I remembered this amazing concoction that my Grandma usually has for us when we visit.  And aren't meals made by Grandma about a million times better than what we make ourselves?  It's a meatless taco salad which is perfect for hot summers like we are having now, since it requires no cooking whatsoever.  Plus, it's a little different than your typical taco salad, which is a plus (not that I would

ever

get burnt out on Mexican food). 

You will need:

• One head of iceberg lettuce, shredded
• A few medium tomatoes, diced
• Medium red onion, diced
• One can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• One bag of shredded cheese
• One bag of Fritos
• Catalina dressing

 Here's the hard part - combine the lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and kidney beans in a large bowl and mix together.  I don't really measure each ingredient, I just eyeball it.  Then, when you're ready to

eat

devour this salad, add the Fritos and dressing for each serving individually.  Also, make sure the lettuce and beans are good and dry before you assemble the salad and it will store well in a sealed container (this is also why I add the chips and dressing per serving).

Ironically enough, my aunt called my Grandma today too to get this recipe, so you know it's gotta be good.  If you try this out, let me know how you like it!

xoxo,

Amanda

A Lovely Layered Dessert - Brownie Mocha Trifle

The beginning of May means one thing here in Louisville - Derby.  To celebrate, we had a potluck style cookout last week at my office where everyone was asked to bring a side dish or dessert.  Before I even had a chance to think of what I could bring, the decision was made for me by my co-workers.  Everyone was requesting that I make the Brownie Mocha Trifle that I had brought the year before.  Easy enough.  Even though Derby is now over, I thought it would be great to share this easy recipe with you since there will be many more opportunities for cookouts and potlucks in the coming months.

To start, you will need to gather the following ingredients:

• 1 package fudge brownie mix (8-inch square pan size) and the associated ingredients (eggs, oil, water, etc)
• 1 3/4 cups cold milk
• 2 packages (3.5 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1/4 cup cold brewed coffee
• 2 cups whipped topping
• 2 Heath Bars, crushed

Prepare your brownie mix and bake according to the package instructions.  Since they need to cool afterward before being layered, I actually did this the day before I fully put the dessert together.  That way, I wouldn't have to be up all night waiting for it to cool.  You can easily cover the pan with plastic wrap and store it in the microwave for a day - just don't forget it's in there, especially if you have a metal pan.  That would be bad.  If you are a night owl and staying up late won't bother you, you can absolutely do this all in one day.

Once they are cool, or the day you are ready to assemble, cut the brownies into 1-inch squares.  Then, in a large mixing bowl combine the milk and pudding mixes until thickened.  Next, stir in the coffee and fold in the whipped topping.

Now you're ready to start layering!  In a trifle bowl or large glass bowl, layer the brownies and pudding mixture, one after the other.  In my bowl, I was able to get about 3 layers each.  Top with the crushed Heath Bar and you are all set.  It's that simple!

After our cookout the bowl was practically licked clean, so I think it's safe to say it was a hit.  What are some of your favorite desserts for summer cookouts?

xoxo,

Amanda