shawnysmoonbeam

chocolate soufle

Making the Perfect Souffle

After last week’s post about making flourless chocolate cake, I’ve had a couple requests for a souffle how-to. So here is my list of tips for making the perfect souffle. I could also call this my list of everything I’ve ever done wrong to make a not-perfect souffle. Hopefully my mistakes are your gain.

Don’t be scared that there is a list. If your oven is the right temp (buy an inexpensive oven thermometer if you need to check) and you know what to look for as you go (read through my list once), you can pull off a beautiful souffle with dramatic height that will make everyone at your table think you are a culinary master. Doesn’t that sound worth it? I’ve included my killer chocolate souffle recipe at the end, and I promise, if you try it once or twice you’ll be ready to make it for anyone.

chocolate souffle a la mode

Timing
A good souffle is all about the drama. Make sure everyone is at the table, ready for presentation of the souffle right from the oven, while it is light and airy and heavenly.

You can prep your souffle in advance. As long as your kitchen is not too warm, the souffle can sit at room temp for up to half hour before you bake. You can also prep most souffles a day in advance and leave them in the fridge, just invert a bowl over the top. When you’re ready to bake, put it straight in the oven.

I’m told you can also freeze a souffle dish full of batter, and put the souffle straight from the freezer to the oven. How fun would it be to have a row of ramekin-size souffles in the freezer, waiting to be popped in the oven any day you need a pick me up?

Ingredient and Equipment Prep
No farm fresh eggs. Eggs that are too fresh will not hold air as well as those that have been around for a while.

Eggs need to be at room temperature. Take your eggs out of the fridge at least an hour and up to a day in advance. Eggs are easier to separate when cold, so separate them into bowls first, then cover with plastic wrap so the wrap touches the surface of the egg. Leave the bowls on the counter until you’re ready to cook.

I have a little secret. I almost always add an extra egg white. I’m telling you, I’m all about getting that dramatic height.

Once you’ve buttered your souffle dish and sprinkled it with flour, sugar, or crumbs, put the dish in the fridge while you make the batter.

The bowl you beat your whites in must be clean. The smallest streak of grease will ruin any chance your eggs had of whipping up properly. Use glass or metal, not plastic, which can hold onto grease.

You can add a collar

via www.giverslog.com

Extra Large Scrabble Pieces wall decor

Extra Large Scrabble Pieces

I think I have to do this!!(Shawny)

When I first saw this here I was like, holy crap smokes that is so stinkin' cute!  We love to play scrabble. So I decided to try it myself, but with my family's names of course!  Thanks so much for the cute idea Cassity from Remodelaholic!

I used stripped fir wood, that was 1/2" think. Cut them in to 5" squares, used the handy cricut to cut out my vinyl letters. I put a coat of mod podge over the top to give a little sheen. You'll agree that these are super cute.  Wood -  Free, Vinyl $7.99, Mod Podge already had = a really inexpensive project.
*****Candie*****

via 3krazychics.blogspot.com

This is the young man who......

This is the young man who will follow in his Dads footsteps(sorry for the side picture)

 

This is the young man who will one day lay down his life for you and keep you safe

 

This is a young man who makes his dad very proud (Police fathers get to hand their recruit sons their graduation certificate..its tradition)

This is the young man who will protect and help you This is the young man who will choose to serve his country,state and city.This is the young man who I have given wings to and is now beginning to fly.

This is the young man who not only graduated from police explorers but was the top leader and most academic recruit,he was also the most athletic but they had to spread the awards around. He was the most awarded recruit.
This is the young man who I am proud and honored to have as my son.

Chili in a jar

Chili and Cornbread in a Jar

Remember barbecue in a jar? Last night we tried a variation. We had chili and cornbread in a jar. Yumm.

Cornbread makes me happy.

The whole thing was super simple. I made my homemade chili in advance and scooped it into the jars. Then when dinner time came around I mixed up cornbread batter and spooned it on top.

The only thing left to do was bake the whole shebang until a toothpick came out of the cornbread clean. This would be so simple for entertaining a crowd.

Actually, there was one more, other thing to do. I had to add a little butter and drizzle on some honey. Mmm.

I’m glad it worked because if it hadn’t we would have been having Rasin Bran for dinner.

Would you like to see what the rest of my family was up to while I was taking pictures of our dinner?

My older two were turning all the dials in Brent’s truck.

And my baby was hanging around a little closer. He wanted some of that cornbread sooo bad.

I’ve never seen a 14-month-old with his will power. Instead of digging in, he stood inches away and tried to look hungry until we finally took one of those forks and had at it. By the way, I think it’s time for his first haircut, what do you think?

And in case you wanted to know, my favorite chili recipe is from Cook’s Illustrated. I also love this white chicken chili recipe. And as for cornbread, I always make the version my friend Dawn made for me when I had baby #2. It’s just basic but I love it.

Dawn’s Cornbread
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted

Mix until combined and bake at 375 F for 20-25 minutes.

via www.giverslog.com

Easter Bonnet Cookies | Hoosier Homemade

Easter Bonnet Cookies

Since I have all boys, I never had the pleasure of buying an Easter Bonnet for a daughter (look out future granddaughter ) But I do remember wearing them as a young girl. These cookies bring back fun memories of special Easter outfits that I wore.

And because I’m all about creating easy treats for you, even though I make them from scratch, they still need to be easy.

I started by baking Almond Sugar Cookies, the same recipe that I borrowed from Bake at 350, and used on the Easter Egg Cupcakes. I used a 3 inch circle cookie cutter. I also baked some mini Vanilla Cupcakes.

I actually bought a can of frosting {gasp} I know…but I learned from my favorite cupcake book, Hello, Cupcake that canned frosting melts better than homemade when you are covering cookies and cupcakes. So, I gave it a try, and it was perfect.

Add a small dab of frosting to the middle of the cookie, cut a small amount of the mini cupcake off, depending on the size your cupcake is and place it on the cookie. Place cookies on cooling rack with a cookie sheet under to catch the frosting when it drips.

Melt frosting in microwave, it only takes about 30 seconds, I added a couple drops of red food color and a couple drops of Almond Extract for extra flavor. Spoon frosting over the cookie, let it drip down over the edges. Place in frig to set. Color extra frosting for decorating, I used yellow and a darker pink, and piped on the flowers, ribbons and dots. I also added a few round Sugar Pearls from Wilton.

Put them in bags, tie them up with a pretty ribbon and they make cute gifts too!

via hoosierhomemade.com

you can mail easter eggs!!

Plastic Eggs are 13 Ounces or Less

There is something I love about bright plastic Easter eggs. I picked up a row of jumbos at the grocery store last weekend.

I got thinking about the fun of discovering eggs during an egg hunt, and thought it might be fun to discover one or two in a mail box.
So I packed a few up with goodies,
stuck on a label and a few stamps,
and am dropping them in a big blue mailbox today. For all the happy mail I’ve sent up to now, I’ve had postage added at the counter. Mostly because I like to walk up and nonchalantly drop a shovel or something else on the counter, like mailing plastic shovels is just something I do. Also because I love the workers at my post office and because I always meet the nicest people in line. But today I’m trying stamps. We’ll see if they go.

If they do, I will be filling a few eggs for grown ups too. Because when else do you get to be surprised by a plastic egg after the age of 12? I’m just needing a few good things to tuck inside? Sudoku? Hmmm. Any ideas?

<<UPDATE >>
It worked!! I ended up having to change postage, here’s what I used:
I mailed 1-ounce eggs using a 98-cent teton stamp + a postcard stamp
I mailed 2-ounce eggs using a 98-cent teton stamp + a forever stamp
You can see US postage rates for first-class mail right here (scroll down to “packages”).

more fun mail from the archives

via www.giverslog.com

How to make Homemade Peeps | Hoosier Homemade

You are here: Home » Baking » Homemade Peeps: Tutorial and Recipe

Homemade Peeps: Tutorial and Recipe

[ 7 ] April 20, 2011 | CupcakeLady

Way back last Fall when I made Homemade Candy Corn, I knew that I would want to try Homemade Peeps. I was surprised at how easy the Candy Corn was, and once again, the Peeps surprised me.

The little puffs of delicate marshmallow, Peeps, can be found around Easter time. But now…we can have them anytime during the year. And with this relatively easy recipe, I’m thinking a special S’More Buffet is in the making.

One of biggest tricks to this recipe is having all your supplies and ingredients ready ahead of time. Once the marshmallow mixture is ready, you will need to move quickly with it.

Homemade Peeps Supplies:

1. Colored sugar – to make the sugar super fine, place in food processor and pulse a few seconds
2. Water, Sugar, Gelatin, Decorator bag, Giant round tip, #10 tip and a thermometer

You will also need wax paper and a small plate. Tear pieces of wax paper into squares.

Homemade Peeps Recipe:

• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 1/3 cups cold water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water

1. Pour 1/3 cup cold water into large mixing bowl, sprinkle gelatin over and let set while the sugar is cooking {at least 5 minutes}
2. Add sugar and 1/4 cup water to a heavy saucepan, bring to boil stirring. Add the thermometer. This is where all of the candy makers out there are having a fit, because I did not use a candy thermometer. I do not own one, but it’s probably a good idea to use one. The meat thermometer I used, worked fine though. Boil until thermometer reaches 238 degrees. Remove from heat and pour over gelatin.
3. Beat on medium high speed for about 8-10 minutes. This picture is after 5 minutes of beating.
4. Continue beating until soft peaks form, this is after about 8 minutes.

This is how you want it to lo

via hoosierhomemade.com

Super Easy Easter Nests

Super Easy Easter Nests 

I love making these nests for Easter.  Everyone looks forward to them and they are so easy to make!

2 cups Mini Marshmallows
1/4 cup Butter
4 cups of Chow Mein Noodles
Jelly Beans, M&M's or Robin's Eggs to fill

--This recipe makes about 12 nests.  If you want to make more, buy two bags of Chow Mein Noodles.  You'll have plenty of Marshmallows with one bag.


In 2 quart saucepan, melt the butter and marshmallows.  Stir until smooth.  Take off of heat and immediately add chow mein noodles.  Stir until coated with marshmallow/butter mixture. 

Use a very clean 12 count cupcake pan.  Rub butter in all cups.

 Put butter on your hands.  Spoon the coated chow mein noodles in each cup, then use your hands to form it into  little nests. 

Put the cupcake pan in freezer for an hour or so (or even overnight).  To pop each nest out, I usually use a butter knife to gently pry it out.   I use parchment paper or wax paper between the plate and the nests so they don't stick.   Fill with candy and enjoy!

Sometimes I find the candies on the plate and the nests have all been eaten!  They are delicious.   

Tha

via ouradventuresinhomeimprovement.blogspot.com

Paisley Passions: Peeps Wreath

Ready to see my April wreath???

Hanging with my Peeps ;)

I started out by buying 3 boxes of Peeps.  I let them sit on the tray for a few days to get hard.  Then at the Dollar Store, I found the three wreaths.  The total cost for this wreath was under $5.  LOVE THAT!!!

I don't know why, but I found this a bit disturbing. . .I could actually add hot glue to the back of the hard Peeps, and it didn't melt them.  The whole time I was thinking, "And I actually eat these?  They don't even melt with HOT glue!  How does my body digest them?"  :)

VOILA!  My finished Peeps wreath!

via paisleypassions.blogspot.com

Ms Not So Perfect...: Easter Egg Bouquet

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Easter Egg Bouquet

 In an attempt to 'Easter up' the house a bit (and use up some of the many plastic eggs Trouble has accumulated) I made an Easter egg bouquet using stuff I already had around the house.

 What you need:

• plastic eggs (with the little holes)
• wooden skewers
• ribbon to make a bow
• vase

What you do:

Do you see the little holes in the egg?

Push the pointed end of a skewer through a hole.

Repeat skewering eggs.

Start arranging the eggs in a vase.

via www.ms-notsoperfect.com