DECADENT CHOCOLATE DESSERT SALAMI

Welcome to Foodie Friday my friends!

Today I'm sharing a "sweet" recipe that would make a great holiday gift and be fantastic served at a party.

Since I've joined INSTAGRAM one of my favorites to follow is GIADAWEEKLY. You guessed it--Giada De Laurentiis.

Giada recently had a posting for Chocolate Dessert Salami. At first I thought, ewww.......that sounds a bit strange. My thoughts went to salami and chocolate.....really?? But then I read the recipe. So before you judge my choice today, here's a peek at the final product....

Do I have your attention now? You'll be amazed at how easy this is to make.

CHOCOLATE DESSERT SALAMI
Serves 6-8

1/2 cup (2 1/2 ounces) slivered almonds toasted
1/2 cup (2 1/2 ounces) chopped walnuts, toasted
2 (5-inch long) plain biscotti, coarsely crushed
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces,
at room temperature
1 (12 ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips, such as 
Ghirardelli
1/4 cup brewed coffee, at room temperature
1 teaspoon orange zest (about 1/2 medium orange)
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

Preheat the oven to 350F. Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Arrange
the almonds, walnuts, and crushed biscotti in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until the nuts are lightly toasted. Cool completely before
using.

Place the butter and chocolate in a medium bowl and place over a pan of barely 
simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth,
about 6 minutes. Stir in the coffee until smooth. Add the almonds, walnuts, biscotti
and orange zest and stir until combined. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1-2 hrs. 
until firm but moldable.

Divide the mixture in half. Place half of the mixture in the center of an 18-inch-long
piece of plastic wrap. Using a spatula, mold the mixture into a log, about 7 inches
long and 2 inches wide. Roll up the log in the plastic and twist the ends together
to seal. Roll on a work surface a few times to make the log evenly round. Repeat 
with the remaining chocolate mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Place the confectioners' sugar on a dinner plate. Remove the plastic wrap and roll
each log in the sugar until coated. Using a pastry brush, brush away the excess
sugar. Allow the logs to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Using a sharp 
serrated knife, slice into 1/2 inch-thick slices and serve.

COOKS NOTE:  The salami can be frozen for up to 1 month.  Defrost at room 
temperature for 25 minutes before slicing.

*****http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chocolate-dessert-salami-recipe.html

Now wasn't that easy? And look at the lovely presentation. Who wouldn't want to sample this delectable delight?

Whatever your plans are for the weekend I hope that you are able to stop and enjoy the season unfolding around you. It is the best time of the year!

Kathleen

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Countdown to Christmas--Week #4 DIY---Christmas Ornaments

I can't believe this is Week #4 of my Countdown to Christmas DIY projects. This week I am featuring some Martha Stewart Adhesive Stencils that we used to decorate clear ornaments. Along with the purchase of the stencils, I also bought several colors of stencil paint, and small spouncers for paint application. Tiny items like jingle bells, gingerbread men, and snowflakes were added for a little added interest to the inside of each ornament. A pretty red ribbon, tied in a bow was added with a loop at the top for hanging on the tree.

The photo below features a "Merry Christmas" ornament that my 18 year old niece created during our evening crafting. She did a lovely job laying out the stencil and applying the paint with a spouncer. She also crafted two other ornaments, one for herself and a matching one for her boyfriend for a Christmas gift.  She monogrammed one side with each of their initials and then stenciled a Christmas design on the other side. They turned out so beautiful. I am sure he will love her very special gift from the heart!

This is such a fun and easy craft for children and adults gathered around the family table. It is an inexpensive gift that may be personalized for that special someone on your Christmas gift list or just make one for your own tree.

Happy painting!


ENJOY!
K

Countdown to Christmas--Week #3 DIY---Holiday Gifts

I love giving unexpected gifts at Christmas time. There are so many people that make our lives easier through the year we try to remember most of them with some token that lets them know how much we appreciate what they do for us. For instance, we have a new mailman this year who has been awesome, our trash and recycle people I feel are forgotten. They pick up our trash at 6:30 a.m. whether it is raining or snowing, they are here. Our little neighbor girl, is just a life saver when it comes to watering our plants while we are away on vacation. Our priests who are some of the
busiest, kindest men. And the list goes on.

This year Santa's helper stopped by to help me with my gift making. Our youngest daughter was in town and she loves Christmas anything! We decided to make a delicious recipe from Martha Stewart for the Hot Cocoa Mix.  http://www.marthastewart.com/353001/homemade-hot-chocolate  and to make up our own concoction for beautiful little Candy Cane Marshmallows for dipping.

The homemade hot chocolate mix yields 5 3/4 cups of cocoa. We were able to find some adorable small lidded jars for the cocoa and cute mugs in the Dollar General. I should be able to make about 6 gifts from this mix.

For the marshmallows we melted 1 bar of Ghirardelli's dark chocolate, crushed up some candy canes, stuck the end of the candy cane in a marshmallow and then dipped them in the chocolate. We cooled them on parchment paper. So easy!

I also thought a nice Chai tea mix would be delightful for winter days and nights, and maybe a bit more mature for some of the people on our gift list. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chai-tea-mix/

Whatever you decide to do for those on your list.....whether you prefer to buy a little something, make it yourself or write a simple note of "thanks" on a beautiful card. The idea of showing your appreciation to those people that make our lives a little easier during the year is a wonderful act of kindness.........that comes from the heart!

I hope you have enjoyed this quick and easy idea for those on your list. Happy gifting!

ENJOY!
K