Meatballs and Mixers

I finally used my mixer today.  I didn't really take many good pictures so I apologize.  I just wanted to document this occasion.  I realize you can do meatballs by hand but why when I have an excuse to use my mixer!?

I already had taken off the attachment. Oops

Yummy recipe from Julie.  Made them and froze them for dinners.

Again, slacking on photography!

In case you need a good meatball recipe:

In stead of frying Julie (and I) bake them in the oven 350 for 20 minutes.  It is perfect!

Hot and Hot - Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

Hot and Hot Fish Club's Molten Chocolate Laval Cake

Alright folks, I was lazy again.  There is no way to copy and paste the recipe from what I found online, so I took another picture.  This whole cookbook looks fabulous and highly recommended by Lance and Julie.  I want it myself.  I've STILL never been to Hot and Hot.  That is ridiculous.  After this recipe, I want to go.

Best part about these ingredients, they are likely in your panty.  And also great, the batter can be kept chilled and covered in the frig up to a week ahead of time!

Melt the chocolate and the butter in a double boiler.

You will need at least a half dozen.  3 eggs and 3 yolks.

This is when a mixer comes in handy (STILL HAVENT USED MINE).  You want to beat the sugar and eggs until they have doubled in size and are light yellow.

While that was happening we buttered and sugared the ramekins.    You will want to be sure not to skip this step.  You will invert the cakes and want them to fall out effortlessly.

I had to take this picture.  72 ox bag.  The Smiths don't play around.

Stir the two batters together.  By now you have taken the chocolate mixer off the stove and let cool a bit.

We tried all size ramekins.  I suggest these are too small.  We found it was a science to figure out the right size and the right temperature/length of time to cook the cakes.  These were too small.

We certainly didn't mind sampling in the meantime.

These were the larger ramekins and our favorite!

I tried Lance's magic trick to keep the Henry happy. :)

The final result.  Before Sugar.  We filled the ramekins half full and baked at 400 degrees and suggest 13.5 minutes in a convection oven.  I tell you, it is an exact science.  Practice ahead of time.

How beautiful!?

These would be wonderful to make ahead of time for a party because they can be prepared ahead of time and, if the timing is perfected, are simple.  I think this is a recipe we will certainly try again!

The magic trick worked.  This guy was out like a light and took a second to wake!  He is certainly used to the noise of us screaming and the mixer.  :)

Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream - Wendy's Frosty Style!

Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream - Wendy's Frosty

Do you like Wendy's frosties? If you do, you will want this recipe. This is a proven recipe Mom has made for MANY Scarbrough family reunions (including this weekend). It is extra enjoyable when it is hot outside (so make it this weekend).

I've been meaning to post this recipe for some time now. I took these pictures over Memorial Day and ended up making ice cream again the Friday before the 4th weekend for work.  It was "jeans day" so I suggested ice cream.  It was a good excuse for a work party...

The recipe:

-2 cans sweetened condensed milk (I use one regular and one fat free.)
-1 qt chocolate milk (I normally use Publix 1% because it comes in pint size...but not shown in pic)
-12 oz coolwhip (I use light.)
-1/4 c. chocolate syrup
-Rock salt
-ICE (you will need all the ice in your frig and possibly more...i always buy a bag)

Simply mix all ingredients in the container...

Rock salt is important.  The more you use, the quicker it will freeze.

The after product...

White Plume break room mini celebration...

P.S.  This shows you don't need a fancy ice cream maker.  I love mine (thanks Mom...or Easter Bunny...or Santa).  You can get one similar here.

Julia Child's Spinach Souffle

Julia - I do not think your books are suited for me.  This is why I waited until I was with Catherine to attempt a recipe. 

I think we succeeded!  Evidence...

I think I will stick to the basics for now, though.  Below are our steps along the way:

Spinach and scallions...

Making the sauce...

Separating the eggs...

Swiss cheese...the more the merrier...

Adding yolks to the sauce...

Egg whites...the main ingredient....

Mixing it all before we...

Slowly folded in egg whites...

More egg whites...

Lining the pan with cheese and butter...Catherine noted to butter in the upwards direction to encourage it to rise...

Catherine also showed me another trick.  By scraping the edge of the pan with your finger, it will rise upward more than outward.

Impatiently waiting...30 minutes FINALLY.  Yes, we got to eat at 10.  It was a long day and a late start!

Example of patiently waiting...

And the result!

Catherine just came back from France a couple weeks ago so this was perfect.  We thought about macaroons but for some reason they scare me.  I think I will eventually get over it...

Happy 4th from the ATL - this and that

Happy 4th from the ATL.  I finally made it to the outlets....and broke my first item in a store. Welcome to the Williams Sonoma outlet, Shelley.  Hopefully they will allow me back and hopefully Catherine will go back with me.  (It was a cake plate and I about died.)  I did leave there with a few items to make it up to them.

I have been wanting some of this vanilla since cooking with Lance and Julie.  I finally got some!  (Note: They get the paste and not the extract so they can get the vanilla specs.)

This is a cake tester.  How did I not know about this?  And how have I gone so long without one?  Catherine uses one and swears by it.  I figured with the amount of cakes I bake...

(cookies in the background to come in a later post...)

I have this next item in Catherine's bread machine as I type.  A woman who is a HUGE Williams Sonoma fan swears by their bread mixes.  She stopped us in the isle and gave us an "all-you-need-to-know-about-the-outlet" speech.  (Did I look overwhelmed?)

All you do is add a little oil and water to the bread mix.  Homemade bread in a few hours.  And it was only a few dollars (on super sale).  To me, worth a try.

More posts/recipe documentations to follow.  I am getting behind.  But wanted to say...

HAPPY 4th!