Substance of Living

There are times that we just don't feel like messing with the stove to make homemade hot cocoa but still want something hot and tasty.  Today's hot chocolate solves that problem and more. Pour milk (dairy or any non-dairy) into a microwavable cup, heat for about 1 1/2 minutes on high, open your favorite hot chocolate package, pour in cup, stir, and now add a 1/2 to 1 full shot of your favorite peppermint liqueur. You're done and the sensational sipping begins within two minutes! When you're hosting a gathering on a cold evening, try setting up a hot chocolate bar with instant as well as homemade.  Have hot milk, hot water, sprinkles, marshmallows, whipped cream, and of course alcoholic and non-alcoholic flavorings to add. Notes: We used non-dairy milk and of our favorites are almond milk or coconut milk.  Soy and rice would also be nice. We like dark chocolate and have found Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate to have a rich flavor. There are other varieti...

Personal Size Gluten-Free Berry Brownie in a Bowl You've probably heard of cakes in a cup or seen some photos flying around the internet or have received a recipe in your email.  In fact, it took until the other night that I actually made one of these chocolatey delights. Couldn't find the email with the recipe so I went in search of a recipe that was quick, easy, and hopefully yummy.  Well, there were so many!  Where was I to begin?  OK, one thing was that I didn't want to make an entire cake so anything that required the usual cake staples had to be eliminated or modified. On hand were some mixed berries and Neufchatel cheese that I wanted to try and incorporate. Here is what I came up with after looking at so many different recipes out there.  I don't even remember all that I looked at; but here are a few Jessicakes , Clay Designs by Glee , and Squirrel Momma . Personal Size GF Berry Brownie in a Bowl with a glass of wine Ingredient...

The WINNER of the post Semi-Homemade Tres Leche Cake Recipe and A Giveaway! is:  Noreen Noreen, I've sent you an email. Now onto today's originally scheduled post: Homemade Nut Butter Do you like all natural nut butter - such as peanut butter, almond butter, pistachio butter?  Bet you don't care for the price, though. You can buy any nut you prefer or use up all your leftover nuts from the holidays or your last party. Averie from Averie Cooks shows us how easy it is for us to make our own nut butter at a fraction of the cost. Since Averie shares the actual recipe, It would really be best if you visited her site.  She also provides a printable version of the recipe. I did make a couple changes to Averie's recipe that you'll see in the Findings section of this post.  Mixed Nuts Getting started. If you like crunchy nut butter, you might want to take some out at this point to add back in later. Perfect for a pie crust or ba...

Day Menu Item Shopping Sunday Pumpkin Panna Cotta Unflavored Gelatin Heavy Cream Pureed Pumpkin Monday Pumpkin Roll Powdered Sugar Ground Cloves Eggs Pumpkin Puree Cream Cheese Vanilla Extract Tuesday Pumpkin Dump Cake Pumpkin Puree Evaporated Milk Pumpkin Pie Spice Yellow Cake Mix Pecans Ice Cream Wednesday Pumpkin Banana Creamy Dreamy Dessert Heavy Cream Half and Half Vanilla Extract Pumpkin Puree Light Brown Sugar Ground Ginger Ground Nutmeg Brandy Bananas Orange Juice Orange Zest Unflavored Gelatin Thursday Pumpkin Cheesecake Ginger Snaps Cream Cheese Pumpkin Puree Ground Nutmeg Pumpkin Pie Spice Candied Ginger Vanilla Extract Semisweet Chocolate Heavy Whipping Cream Bourbon Carmel Sauce Friday Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Heavy Cream Pumpkin Pie Spice Kosher Salt Dark Brown Sugar Vanilla Extract Rum Pumpkin Puree  Saturday Creamy Pumpkin Mousse - Dairy and Sugar Free Unflavored Gelatin Pumpkin Puree Agave Syrup G...