Sweetie Pie

Let's Cook!

I just spent a relaxing evening learning to prepare delicious dishes while sitting comfortably and chatting with other nice ladies.  The Let's Cook Culinary Studio has a perfect set up to watch and learn. 

As you can see, there's a cool TV screen to show what the chef's hands are doing.   They offer lots of different types of classes throughout each month as well as private events.  We were at the 'Wild Women Night".  It was more like a 'Mild Women Night' as it was a small and sedate group, but that was okay with us. 
The menu started with a Thai steak salad, then we had Pad Thai with shrimp and chicken and Mai Thai Coconut Cake for dessert.  I especially enjoyed watching it all being prepared and learning about the ingredients without having to lift a finger.  Even someone who has no interest in cooking (but likes to eat) would enjoy these classes because you can bring a bottle of wine and relax while someone else does all the work. 
 Dessert might have been my favorite part but as you can see, I forgot to take a picture of it.  Here are some of  the ingredients.  It was a pineapple cake with cream cheese, rum, orange and coconut frosting and oh so right.  I will definitely make this recipe at home.

This was a great way to spend some time catching up with a friend and meeting new people.  There are lots of great classes lined up for the fall like wine making, canning, tapas, healthy cooking,  and I saw on the website that there will be a pie making class.  Some of these are demonstrations, and some are hands on.  Whatever you're into;  I'll be back.

Aunt Beverly's Hershey Bar Pie

I remember my first taste of this chocolate pie at my in law's house. We were in the dining room and I tried it because I am willing to give any chocolate dessert a chance, but very few are chocolately enough for me. I don't care for pudding pies or pies with egg custard because they are kind of mushy and the focus is not on the CHOCOLATE.  However when I took a bite of this pie, my taste buds lit up and I thought, "What is this????"

Aunt Beverly, the dessert expert of the family had made it. I wasn't surprised because everything she makes, no matter how simple or suspicious (pimento cheese!) is delicious.  I have wanted the recipe for this pie since that first taste.  I received a lovely packet of neatly typed recipes in the mail from her this week and went straight to the store to buy the ingredients for Hershey Bar Pie.

If you are low carb, diabetic, or not a chocolate lover, beware... this pie is super sweet.  It's made of melted marshmallows and chocolate mixed with whipped cream.  That's it. 

Aunt Beverly's Hershey Bar Pie

16 large marshmallows

6 ounces Hershey Bar candy

1/4 cup milk

1 cup whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 graham cracker crust

Extra whipped cream for serving is optional.

Melt the marshmallows, milk, and candy bars in the top of a double boiler.  If you do not have a fancy double boiler, just put a heat proof bowl on top of a simmering pot of water.  I included a picture of my set up. I use a tall pot to make sure that the water is not touching the bottom of my bowl.  Keep the water barely simmering.  The idea of a double boiler is to melt the chocolate gently so that it doesn't scorch.  If the bowl is sitting in the boiling water, it will get too hot. 

After everything is melted, remove the bowl from heat and let it cool.  Meanwhile you can whip the cream.  If you've never whipped cream before let me assure you that it is very very easy.  Just make sure the cream is very cold, get out your hand mixer and beat it until it's fluffy and a little stiff.  Keep it in the fridge until you're ready to use it. 

Fold the whipped cream into the cooled candy mixture one third at a time.  Pour into graham cracker crust and chill.  Serve with additional whipped cream or alone.  If you are not able to eat dairy, you can substitute non-dairy whipped topping for the cream. 

 

 

Frozen Monkey Sandwiches

August and the dog days of summer are here.  It's too hot to cook, bake, or do much of anything except swim and eat frozen things.  Here's a cold, sweet snack for a hot day.

Frozen Monkey Sandwiches

2 frozen bananas

2 Tablespoons peanut butter

1 cup vanilla yogurt

graham crackers

Use a food processor or powerful blender to puree the frozen bananas with the peanut butter and yogurt.
Line a tray with paper or plastic wrap and lay out graham crackers on it.  Dollop the banana puree on each square and then top with more graham crackers.  Cover the tray and freeze. 


These are both yummy and healthy.  If you are not a dairy eater, you could use chocolate or vanilla soy or almond milk instead of the yogurt.  Any other ideas for cold snacks?  Please share!