Chocolate Budino With Espresso Cream

 

Budino is an Italian pudding. It is rich and chocolatey, thick and smooth. Topped with an espresso whipped cream for a decadent dessert.

Chocolate Budino With Espresso Cream

Ingredients:

Chocolate Budino

• 6 ounces dark chocolate chips
• 2 ounces milk chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 6 egg yolks
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Espresso Cream

• 1 1/2 teaspoons espresso powder
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup cold heavy cream

Directions:

Chocolate Budino

1. Place both chocolate chips and butter into a large heatproof bowl. Place a mesh sieve over the bowl and set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks, brown sugar, cocoa powder, heavy cream and milk. 
3. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Pour the mixture into the mesh sieve into the bowl with the chocolate. Allow to sit for a few minutes and soften the chocolate.
5. Pour the vanilla into the bowl and stir until all of the chocolate is melted and well mixed.
6. Divide the mixture into 4 jars. Cover the jars and refrigerate until chilled and set, about 3 hours.

Directions:

Espresso Cream

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the espresso powder and powdered sugar.
2. Pour in the 1/4 cup of heavy cream and whisk until smooth. Pour in the remaining heavy cream.
3. Using an electric mixture, beat the mixture until stiff peaks form.
4. Top the chilled budino with some whipped cream.

Enjoy!!!

*Adapted from With Spice.

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Chicken Club Pasta Salad

I am not the biggest fan of the traditional macaroni salad, but I love a good pasta salad. It makes a great summer time lunch. I make a big batch and we have lunch for a good portion of the week. 

Pasta salads can be hit or miss with my kids. It all depends on what is in the salad and the dressing. This salad turned out so yummy and was a bit hit. I am so glad I doubled the recipe, because it did not last long in house. 

Chicken Club Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 12 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 cups cooked and cubed chicken breasts
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 cup ranch dressing

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, bacon, chicken, tomatoes and cheese.
3. Add in the ranch dressing and stir until well coated.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 538
Total Fat		32.5g
Saturated Fat		10g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat		0.4g
Cholesterol		108.9mg
Sodium		910.2mg
Total Carbohydrates		33.6g
Dietary Fiber		0.3g
Sugars		2.7g
Protein		26.3g
Calcium		17.2%
Iron		4.6%
Potassium		233.3mg
Vitamin A		4.4%
Vitamin C		8.3%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Craving Home Cooked.

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Make Again Monday: Chipotle Barbecue Chicken Sandwich

 

Sweet smokey and a tad spicy barbecue chicken is topped with sweet pineapple. The sandwich would be good on its own without the pineapple, but I love how the sweet pineapple complements the barbecue sauce.

To see the recipe and original post click here.

Enjoy!!!

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Frozen Black Forest Coffee

 

It has been a while since I made a frozen coffee drink, and I am so glad I did. The last few years I have been making cold brew coffee during the warm months. This drink was delicious, so delicious that I made it again the following day. 

Frozen Black Forest Coffee

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cold brew coffee
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup frozen tart cherries
• 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• 1 cup frozen coffee ice cubes

Directions:

1. In a blender, add in the coffee, milk, cherries, chocolate and ice. Blend until well mixed.
2. For a more decadent drink, top with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup and a thawed frozen cherries.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 218
Total Fat		1.5g
Saturated Fat		0.8g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0g
Monounsaturated Fat		0g
Cholesterol		5mg
Sodium		100mg
Total Carbohydrates		48g
Dietary Fiber		2.5g
Sugars		44g
Protein		6.4g
Calcium		13.5%
Iron		3%
Potassium		202mg
Vitamin A		6%
Vitamin C		4%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Three Olives Branch.

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Jalapeño Chicken Salad

 

This salad might not look like much and that is due to the fact that my kids wanted to try it. However, they did not want the red onion, celery and red pepper in it. So for them I left it out. Next time, I will definitely make my own batch so I can enjoy this delicious salad with a bit of crunch. The pickled jalapeños definitely add a very nice spicy kick to the salad, that I loved. But not everyone likes things as spicy as I do so you can reduce the amount to 1/4 cup for a less spicy kick.

Jalapeño Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1/2 red pepper, seeded and diced
• 1/3 cup pickled jalapeños, finely diced
• black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a large bowl stir together the mayonnaise and lime juice.
2. Add in the chicken, celery, onion, red pepper, jalapeños. Stir until well mixed.
3. Season with black pepper.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 253
Total Fat		13.1g
Saturated Fat		2.2g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		5.9g
Monounsaturated Fat		4.1g
Cholesterol		93.7mg
Sodium		821.3mg
Total Carbohydrates		5.7g
Dietary Fiber		0.8g
Sugars		1.5g
Protein		28.8g
Calcium		0.7%
Iron		0.6%
Potassium		381.9mg
Vitamin A		1.6%
Vitamin C		39%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Tempting Thyme.

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Make Again Monday: Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

 

This cauliflower is delicious and spicy. I could literally eat the entire pan of cauliflower. In fact between my oldest and me we did eat almost the entire pan. 

To see the recipe and original post click here.

Enjoy!!!

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Happy Fourth of July

 

Happy Fourth of July!!!

My fourth plans will be very typical, two parades, a picnic, hopefully a few delicious craft beers and of course fireworks by the lake.

Enjoy your day!!!

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