Friday, July 22, 2011

Shorty's Gourmet Treat's

One of my long time favorite shops on etsy is also one of my little Magee's favorite shops as well!

Shorty's Gourmet Treat's

The owner of Shorty's Gourmet Treat's is Elizabeth. She lives in California with her two boys, Pokey (a long haired German Shepherd) and Sunny (a golden/lab mix).

They are the inspiration for all her products stating, "I feel the need to bake with love lots of gourmet, healthy and organic handmade treats for them and for your best friend."

Elizabeth is very convo friendly and would love to create that special order for you and your best friend. She has almost every single type of dog breed cookie cutter at her disposal. So if you're interested in that custom shape, let her know! :)

My four year old boxer has fallen in love with her treats, and I have also turned my in-laws dogs on to these amazing treats as well! Here are Magee's all time favorites!

Napawlitans
These large bone shaped cookie sandwiches are handmade with organic cinnamon and a special yummy yogurt filling and drizzled with carob, which will have your pets begging for more! :)

♥NO Salt
♥NO Corn
♥NO Sugar
♥NO Artificial Colors
♥NO Artificial Flavors
♥NO Byproducts
♥NO Preservatives

These treats come in 5 oz. containers which is approximately 4 HEAVY bone shaped cookie sandwich treats.


Ice Cream Cones
These peanut butter ice cream cones are all natural and made with human grade ORGANIC ingredients.
((If the mood should strike you, you could eat them as snacks, yourself!!))

These treats also include molasses, which is a natural sweetener and is an ingredient dogs love to devour! :)


Lil Cuties
These Lil Cuties are little handmade organic ginger sandwiches made with a special yummy yogurt filling which will have your pets begging for more! :)


Buddy Bones
These buddy bones are all natural and made with human grade ORGANIC ingredients.
((If the mood should strike you, you could eat them as snacks, yourself!!))


Peanut Butter PupCakes
These peanut butter pupcakes are all natural and made with human grade ORGANIC ingredients.
((If the mood should strike you, you could eat them as snacks, yourself!!))

These treats are made with hand ground peanut butter that her mom makes herself! (You can even see some tiny peanut bits in the treats... even more for a dog to love!)

These treats are made with a much more "cupcake-like" consistency! As well as topped with organic hand ground peanuts! :)


These buddy bones are decorated with an assortment of yogurt and carob coating! Super yummy and healthily satisfies a sweet tooth!


These are just a few of my Magee's favorites and their are so many more to choose from, including Natural Botanical Doggie Shampoo! Visit Elizabeth's shop and show her some love, along with your special pup!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/shortysgourmettreats

Recipes from the South

I was going through my family recipes the other day, and I pulled out a few of my all time favorites to share. This collection is some of my favorite southern foods!

Southern Fried Chicken
Ingredients:
2 cup(s) buttermilk
2 tablespoon(s) hot pepper sauce
1 tablespoon(s) salt
2 (3 1/2 pounds each) chickens, each cut into 8 pieces
2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
1 teaspoon(s) ground black pepper
1 teaspoon(s) paprika
5 cup(s) vegetable oil or shortening for frying

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Directions

1.In extra-large (2- to 2 1/2-gallon) zip-tight plastic bag, combine buttermilk, hot pepper sauce, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add chicken pieces, turning to coat. Seal bag, pressing out excess air. Place bag in bowl; refrigerate 2 to 24 hours to marinate, turning bag over once.

2.In pie plate, stir flour, baking powder, pepper, paprika, and remaining 2 teaspoons salt until well mixed. Remove chicken, a few pieces at a time, from buttermilk, shaking off excess. Add chicken to flour mixture, turning to coat well. Place chicken pieces so that they do not touch one another on wire rack, set over waxed paper. Repeat with remaining chicken. Let stand until coating has set, about 15 minutes. Discard buttermilk mixture.

3.Meanwhile, preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Line two 15 1/2-inch by 10 1/2-inch jelly-roll pans or large cookie sheets with paper towels. Divide oil between two 12-inch skillets, preferably electric (there should be about 1/2 inch oil in each skillet), and heat over medium heat until temperature reaches 360 degrees F on deep-fry thermometer.

4.To each skillet, add 4 chicken pieces, skin side down, being careful to avoid crowding. Cover skillets and cook until chicken is light golden brown on bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn pieces and cook, covered (reducing heat to medium-low if necessary to maintain a temperature of 300 degrees F), 8 to 10 minutes longer for white meat, 13 to 15 minutes longer for dark meat, turning pieces every 4 or 5 minutes, until well browned on all sides and juices run clear when thickest part is pierced with tip of knife. Using tongs, transfer chicken pieces to lined jelly-roll pans to drain; keep warm in oven. Repeat with remaining chicken. Makes 8 main-dish servings.


Southern Pecan Pie
Ingredients:
1 (refrigerated ) pie crust , half a 15-oz. package, softened as directed
1 3/4 cup(s) pecan halves
3/4 cup(s) (dark) corn syrup
1/2 cup(s) (packed) dark brown sugar
4 tablespoon(s) (unsalted) butter, melted
1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
3 large eggs

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Directions

1.Preheat oven to 425ºF. Line a 9-inch glass pie plate with the pie-crust dough. Fold overhang under and pinch to form a decorative edge.

2.Line the pie shell with foil, fill with dried beans or uncooked rice and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil with beans or rice and return to oven until golden, 5 to 10 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack.

3.Reduce oven temperature to 350ºF. Coarsely chop 1 cup pecans; reserve remaining pecan halves.

4.In large bowl, with wire whisk, mix corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla and eggs until blended. Stir in chopped pecans and pecan halves.

5.Pour filling into crust. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until edges of filling are set (center will jiggle slightly). Cool completely on wire rack. Garnish with whipped cream before serving, if you like.


Southern Style Onion Rings
Ingredients:
3 large Vidalia onions, cut into 1/4-inch slices, and separated into rings
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1 quart oil for deep frying

Directions

1.Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper; set aside. Line 2 additional baking sheets or 1 tray with paper towels; set aside.

2.Place 1 1/2 cups of flour in a shallow bowl. Pour the milk into a second shallow bowl. In a third bowl, stir together the cornmeal, 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, and black pepper.

3.Dip the onion rings first into the plain flour, then into the milk, and last into the cornmeal mixture. Place the breaded rings on the wax paper-lined baking sheets.

4.Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat, or deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).

5.Fry the onion rings a few at a time in the hot oil so they are not crowded, until golden brown. Drain on paper towel-lined baking sheets, and serve immediately.


Southern Butter Rolls

Ingredients
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

1.Mix together flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Mix in shortening. Mix in water.

2.Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead by hand for 20 minutes. Cover dough with oil. Place dough in a bowl, cover, and proof for 1 hour.

3.Form rolls, and place on a greased baking tray. Proof for 45 minutes.

4.Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 12 to 14 minutes.


Southern Praline Pecan Cake
Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package butter pecan cake mix
1 (16 ounce) container coconut pecan frosting
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9 or 10 inch Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray.

2.Combine the cake mix with the frosting, eggs, oil, water and 1/2 of the pecan pieces. Mix until combined.

3.Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 of pecans in the prepared Bundt pan then pour in the cake batter.

4.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Layered Cheesecake



CHOCOLATE CRUMB CRUST (recipe follows)
3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
4 eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips, divided
1/2 teaspoon shortening(do not use butter, margarine, spread or oil)

Directions
1 Prepare CHOCOLATE CRUMB CRUST. Heat oven to 350° F.

2 Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in eggs, heavy cream, vanilla and salt, beating until well blended; set aside.

3 Set aside 2 tablespoons chocolate chips. Place remaining chips in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1-1/2 minutes; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolate is melted when stirred.

4 Gradually blend 1-1/2 cups cheesecake batter into melted chocolate. Spread 2 cups chocolate mixture in prepared crust.

5 Blend additional 2 cups plain cheesecake batter into remaining chocolate mixture; spread 2 cups of this mixture over first layer in springform pan. Stir remaining cheesecake batter into remaining chocolate mixture; spread over second layer.

6 Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from oven to wire rack. With knife, immediately loosen cake from side of pan. Cool to room temperature.

7 Place reserved chocolate chips and shortening in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolate is melted and smooth when stirred. Drizzle over top of cheesecake. Cover; refrigerate several hours until cold. Cover; refrigerate leftover cheesecake. 10 to 12 servings.

CHOCOLATE CRUMB CRUST: Stir together 1-1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (about 45 wafers, crushed), 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa; stir in 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter or margarine. Press mixture onto bottom and 1-1/2 inches up sides of 9-inch springform pan.

Heavenly Chocolate Cream Pie


Ingredients
One 9-inch pie shell
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 egg yolks
3 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips, divided Sweetened whipped cream or whipped topping (optional)

Directions
1 Bake pie shell; cool. Stir together sugar, cornstarch and salt in 2 quart saucepan. Combine egg yolks and milk in container with pouring spout. Gradually blend milk mixture into sugar mixture.


2 Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Add 1-3/4 cups chocolate chips; stir until chips are melted and mixture is well blended. Pour into prepared pie shell; press plastic wrap onto filling. Cool. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled and firm. Garnish with whipped cream and remaining chocolate chips, if desired. 6 to 8 servings.

Now that you have gained several pounds drooling over the above recipe, you can enjoy my ZERO calorie version!


Everyone LOVES Chocolate! This Heavingly Extremely Scented chocolate pie is made from muslin and batting. It is baked with a special primitive recipe in the pie pan you will receive your pie in.

Available in your choice of Single Whipped Dollop, mulitple dollops or in Smore's with graham crackers, hershey chocolate embeds, and large marshmallows! Heavily scented in chocolate you will be sure to make the tummy's rumble!

Hershey's Candle Tarts


One thing I LOVE is Hershey's Chocolate! One of my signature chocolate additions and add-on's for my candles are wax chocolate hershey bars. If you are a lover of Hershey's Chocolate or Chocolate in general, than you will love these candle tarts! I can make them in many styles: white, milk, dark, with nuts and without! (All wax of course!)

Perfect for the chocolate lover! Packaged in a bakery bag tied with ribbon, you will receive (4) four chocolate bars in your choice of White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, or Dark Chocolate. Just break off a piece or two, place in your candle tart burner, and enjoy!

Chocolate bar tarts can be scented in any of my chocolate scents:
Creamy Milk Chocolate
Dark Chocolate
Dark Chocolate and Amber
White Chocolate
White Chocolate Truffle
German Chocolate
Truffle
York Patty
Chocolate Fudge
Hot Fudge Brownie
Chocolate Covered Cherry
Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Better than Sex
Chocolate Milk
Chocolate Biscotti
Chocolate Almond
Chocoalte Pecan
Chocolate Turtle

Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake


Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
"PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING (recipe follows)

Directions

1 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2 Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3 Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING. 10 to 12 servings. VARIATIONS: ONE-PAN CAKE: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. THREE LAYER CAKE: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost. BUNDT CAKE: Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost. CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes. "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine 2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa 3 cups powdered sugar 1/3 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

Monday, July 18, 2011

My Other Child.........


So many often here me speak about my 4-legged daughter "Magee", she is such a Mama's girl! They say your children pick up your habits, and I swear my dog does to! Magee is a soon to be 4 year old boxer and is such a cuddle bug. She usually thinks she is a lap dog and curls up with me on the sofa. Last night I was so into my candle making that Magee was tierd of laying at my feet. I turned around and she was just Oooh so cute on the sofa. The funniest part of it all, is I often sleep with lots of pillows. Well, apparently Magee enjoys the pillows too! She knocked the pillows over creating her little bed. Anyways, I thought was way to precious and just wanted to share!!