Chocolate Peanut Butter Semifreddo

Evening ya’ll! This was a scary undertaking…semifreddo…YIKES! I was scared at first that I could not pull this off. I was SO wrong. Looks complicated..lots of steps and patience is a must! But it was really not that hard! This was perfect and had the girls and me eating off the cutting board with forks. I had to share the rest with our lucky neighbors, lest we eat it all in one sitting and maybe regret that sweet chocolate cream in the morning… I saw this on The Chew and just had to make it. Instead of peanuts, I used almonds…

Chocolate Peanut Butter Semifreddo- From Carla Hall on The Chew

Ingredients

Peanut Chocolate Ganache Layer
1 cup Peanuts (toasted; salted; roughly chopped) ***I used sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (about 10 ounces)
3/4 cup Heavy Cream (heated)

Semifreddo
10 Egg Yolks
1 cup Granulated Sugar (divided)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste or 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract Pinch of Salt
1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
1/2 cup Creamy Whipped Peanut Butter (warmed; avoid natural varieties)
Reserved Chocolate Ganache

Directions

Spray a 5×11″ loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place two 3″ strips of parchment inside the pan so the ends of the parchment overhang the long sides. Lightly spray again with the non-stick cooking spray.

Add 1 cup Peanuts/Almonds (toasted; salted; roughly chopped) Sprinkle in the chopped Peanuts to mostly cover the bottom of the pan.

1 1/2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (about 10 ounces)melted on a double broiler

3/4 cup Heavy Cream (heated) Begin to melt the Chocolate in a microwave until mostly melted. Pour in the heated Cream and gently stir to finish melting the Chocolate. Stir until completely blended.

Reserve 1/3 cup Ganache. Then, pour the remaining amount into the pan to cover the Peanuts.

10 Egg Yolks

3/4 cup Granulated Sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste or 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Pinch of Salt For Semifreddo: In a metal or tempered glass bowl, whisk together the Egg Yolks, 3/4 cup of the Granulated Sugar, Vanilla Bean Paste and Salt until pale. Place the bowl over a sauce pot with 1″ of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Whisk the Yolks until doubled in volume and an instant read thermometer reads 160°F. Remove the bowl from the heat and place into an ice bath until mostly chilled, stirring occasionally.

1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar In another large bowl, whip the Cream and remaining Sugar until the Cream holds a stiff peak.

chilled Yolk mixture Fold the Cream into the chilled Yolk mixture, making sure not to over mix.

1/2 cup Creamy Whipped Peanut Butter (warmed; avoid natural varieties)
Reserved Chocolate Ganache Pour the Cream mixture over the Ganache layer. Then pour or dollop the warm Peanut Butter and the reserved Ganache over the Cream mixture. Using a metal spatula or Butter knife, swirl the layers together, making sure to avoid hitting the bottom layer of Ganache.

Cover the entire pan with plastic wrap or foil and place into the freezer for at least 8 hours.

When ready to serve, remove the Semifreddo from the freezer. Remove the plastic wrap or foil and use the parchment paper to lift the Semifreddo out of the pan. Place it Peanut side up on a long platter.

Slice and serve immediately. Pour extra Chocolate Ganache over each slice for garnish (optional).

Helpful Tips:
1. A semifreddo is a dessert that means “half-frozen.”
2. Warm the peanut butter in the microwave so it’s easier to stir.
3. Freeze for 6 to 8 hours until solid.

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Spicy Slow Cooked Beef Chili

So today at about 12:30, I started prepping this dinner. I browned the meat, made the sauce, and let it cook until my husband came home at 5. It only needed about 30 more minutes. Everyone was STARVING!!!! No one could wait! Hubby had a hockey game and he had to eat soon. The girls were ready to attack the cabinets for whatever snack food they could find. I could not hold them off. So we went out to Chinese. Sigh… we will eat this tomorrow night. It will cook longer to warm up. It will just get better with age. This is a yummy spicy beef chili, no beans. I will make the girls try a bite. “My tongue is burning!” “Too spicy!” “Can I have more crackers, please?” I already have a backup plan… wagon wheel pasta and alfredo sauce. You should make your kids try everything you make. It is good for their palettes and opens them up to new flavors they may actually like. But they just might not like it; they might not be ready for those flavors yet; that is ok. Keep on trying but make sure they are still well fed. The alternate will be just as tasty. I may even add in a few veggies…

Spicy Slow Cooked Beef Chili

1 beef rump roast, browned
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, smashed
4 tablespoons of tomato paste
1 bottle beer- I used Yuengling
2 large cans of tomato sauce
2 small cans of stewed tomatoes
1/2 cup worcestershire sauce
1-2 cups beef broth/water/more beer- depending on the size of your meat- eyeball along the way
heaping spoonful of cumin
heaping spoonful of paprika
heaping spoonful of chili powder
heaping spoonful of cayenne pepper
few shakes of red pepper flakes
salt and pepper- make it rain!
1 tablespoon sugar

Directions

In a large pot, brown your beef
Take out beef and add a bit of oil
Cook your onions down for about 5 minutes
Add your garlic and tomato paste; cook for 3-5 minutes
Add your beer and worcestershire. Stir and reduce for about 5 minutes.
Add all your canned tomatoes and spices
Stir well and add back in your beef. Add your broth or water if needed along the way. This should be thick, but not without a bit of liquid. Check and turn your meat every 30 minutes or so. Add more liquid (water/beef broth/beer) as needed.
Cook on med.low for 5 hours plus… The longer the better.
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Summer Veggie Pasta Salad

Hey food friends! It has been a while since I have posted. I went on a small beach trip with my family, so no cooking or blogging went on. Just lots of coffee, seafood, beach drinks, and tons of memories with my family by the sea. I came back to my garden flourishing with tomatoes, squash, green beans, and even corn! So excited to make this pasta. I used this beautiful squash and cherry tomatoes straight from the garden. 123

Super easy, light, and healthy! All vegetarian; but I would never fault you for adding some fresh grilled shrimp or shredded rotisserie chicken.

Summer Veggie Pasta Salad

Seriously guys. So easy! Saute your veggies in a bit of oil and 2 heads of crushed and sliced garlic on med.low heat; I used my squash, cherry tomatoes, and a handful of sliced mushrooms. You could really add any veggie you like…

Salt and boil water. Cook your pasta al dente. I used 1 cup of rotini, but any kind will work.

Add your pasta in your veggie pan. Add a bit of your starchy cooking water and a bit more olive oil. Stir, add parmesan cheese, and eat! SO GOOD!!! I even had a bit leftover, so I shared with my neighbors who always like to taste test my recipes!

It was a great lunch, but would also be great for a veggie dinner or side dish. Top with grilled shrimp or chicken breast for an added healthy protein.

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Sautéed Kale with Egg and Tomato

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Beautiful kale from the farmer’s market.

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Sautéed in a bit of olive oil with salt, pepper, and a couple of shakes, of red pepper flakes for spice.

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Top with a sunny side up egg and a fresh summer tomato! A delicious healthy vegetarian meal!
I think this would be great with a whole wheat piece of toast or on a bagel.

Baked Lasagna with Bolognese Sauce

Hey guys! Gymnastics tonight, so I made an easy semi-homemade baked lasagna with a pork and beef Bolognese Sauce. So easy and delicious. Here is the simple recipe. Happy eating!

Baked Lasagna with Bolognese Sauce

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
Your favorite jar of plain marinara
red wine- a couple of glugs
a handful of fresh herbs- I used basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, and marjoram
lasagna noodles
cheese… see below

Directions
Preheat oven to 350.
Using a large saucepan, heat oil, saute’ onion and garlic until onion becomes translucent, about 4 minutes. Add your meat and lightly brown while occasionally stirring. Mix in your jar of marinara, wine, and fresh herbs. Simmer over medium heat. Let cook for 15-20 minutes.

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While your sauce cooks, boil a large pot of salted water and cook your lasagna noodles. Spray a oven safe casserole dish. Once pasta is drained and cooled, place alternating layers of your Bolognese Sauce, noodles, and mozzarella cheese. My husband hates ricotta, so I just used all mozzarella. BUT if this was just for me or cooking for a party, which it is sometimes, I would make a combo cheese mixture of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan. About 3/4 cup of each, more if you deem necessary. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until your cheese brown and bubbly on the top.

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