Basic Truffle Recipe

Image by ♥ he@rt ♥ via Flickr

If you have more time than money this valentine’s day, you can make your own truffles. They are surprisingly easy. OK, messy too, but consider that the average good truffle costs about $2 per piece…

In Dubai, luxury truffles go for $270 per piece.

You can add a little luxury to your life for a lot less! 

Basic Truffle Recipe

½ Cup unsalted butter

2 1/3 C confectioner’s sugar

½ C cocoa

1/4 cup heavy or whipping cream

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Centers: pecan, walnuts, whole almonds or after-dinner mints

Coatings: coconut, crushed nuts, confectioners sugar

Makes about 3 dozen truffles

Cream butter in large mixer bowl.

Combine 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar and the cocoa;

add alternately with cream and vanilla to butter. Blend well.

Chill until firm.

Shape small amount of mixture around desired center; roll into 1 inch balls.

Drop into desired coating and turn until well covered.

Chill until firm.

Take truffles out about 30 minutes before serving.

Rebel With a Fork members can enjoy luxurious eating any day. Imagine eating with class and getting thin and healthy by accident! Make sure to check out the special Valventines Dinner ideas.

Fun Food for Cinco de Mayo

Image by The Doctr via Flickr

Cinco de Mayo is a great day for food! Maybe they can’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Mexico City, and many of the Cinco de Mayo festivities have been cancelled – but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a little fesitivity.

Mexican food is fresh, fast, and fun.

Take a tortilla and fill it will marinated steak, or chicken, and shredded cheese, and shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes, and you have the basics. If you don’t have time to marinate, no problem - sprinkle Fajita seasoning on your meat before cooking.

Add your choice of refried beans, salsa, guacamole, onions, black olives, or peppers and create your own masterpiece.

Serve cut up fresh pineapple, canteloupe, honey dew, or watermelon and you have a fun easy feast.

Simple, fun, and healthy.

And everyone can create their own masterpiece. My daughter likes grilled chicken, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and ranch dressing. I like the chicken with beans, cheese, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.

What will you create tonight?

I’ll have a Margerita please!

Get Carole’s Secret Recipe Stash >>>

Easy Jambalaya

Image via Wikipedia

OK, this one takes a little longer (10 or 15 minutes longer) than most of the stuff I make, but I love Jambalaya, don’t you? And any leftovers are great for lunch. Serve with a salad and some cornbread and you’ll feel like you’re on vacation.

4 chicken breasts (halves) cut into bite sized pieces
3 links smoked sausage cut into bite sized pieces
1 tablespoon oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup diced green peppers
1 cup diced red peppers
1 large onion, diced
3 1/4 cups chicken broth
1 -14 oz. can petite diced tomatoes with juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, or 1 teaspoon dried
1 1/2 cups rice
1 teaspoon ground thyme
1 teaspoon cajun spice mix
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
dash tabasco sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt

Real recipe has 1/2 package frozen okra, but I don’t like okra so I don’t put it in. You should if you like it.

In a large dutch oven, brown chicken and sausage in oil until browned. Add onion, peppers and garlic and stir until onion is transparanet.

Add remaining ingredients.

Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 20-25 minutes.

Something different for a change!

Passover Treats

Image via Wikipedia

I grew up in a Jewish community. My poor friends. The Jewish ones were fasting or eating Matza. The Catholic ones were giving up meat on Fridays – and something else to signify some sort of sacrifice.

But there was one thing I loved about Passover. The Chocolate Macaroons.

I went today to look for a recipe – and the first one I found didn’t have coconut. I found that weird. Growing up macaroon was synonomous with coconut.

Here’s the recipe for what I know to be Chocolate Macaroons (with coconut)

Here’s the recipe for Chocolate Macaroons (no coconut)

Either way – they’re drop dead simple, and soooo good!

Chocolate – Peanut Butter & Marshmallows

Image via Wikipedia

OK, OK,  here’s a faster - easier recipe -

Marshmallow Puffs

36 large marshmallows

1-1/2 C semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 C chunky peanut butter

2 T Butter

(Makes 3 dozen)

Line a 9-in. square pan with foil and butter the foil.

Arrange marshmallows in pan.

In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter.

Pour over the marshmallows.

Chill completely.

Cut between marshmallows

Better? Good! Enjoy

Recipe taken from YourFavoriteChocolateRecipes.com