Steve Fries Gnocchi (video)

I'm really busy this week, so instead of posting a recipe, I'm sharing my favorite food video ever. It never fails to amuse me. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I won't describe what actually happens when Steve tries to fry his gnocchi. I'll just say that it's my idea of hilarious and Steve's laugh is so totally infectious that I dare you not to at least smile. If you don't, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but you're dead inside. Sorry. Although zombies are really hot right now, so there's that.

Steve fries gnocchi.

Enjoy!

.

Cherpumple (video)

photo from charlesphoenix.com

I'm taking my first ever vacation from the blog. No, I won't be snorkeling in the Caribbean, but I will be spending a little quality time with some friends at the Jersey shore. Unlike the tv show, there won't be any tawdry hookups or drunken brawls. At best there might be three 6-year-old girls whining over who gets to play with Surf's-Up Barbie (who can blame them, her purple one-piece magically tranforms into a pink bikini in the water).

While I'm away, I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite food videos of all time. This is the cherpumple. For those of you unfamiliar with the cherpumple, it's a three layer cake with pies baked inside each layer (basically the turducken of the dessert world).

I'll break it down for you:

-top layer = cherry pie baked inside white cake

-middle layer = pumpkin pie baked inside yellow cake

-bottom layer = apple pie baked inside spice cake

-frosted with whipped cream cheese frosting

At least that's how the cherpumple's creator, Charles Phoenix, makes it in the video below (now that I look at the photo, the order seems different). No matter, you get the idea. I've never actually made a cherpumple (I've had dreams though).

ENJOY!
(I'll be back with more recipes once I've gotten all the sand out of my shoes.)

Duros

No, there's no such holiday as Seis de Mayo, but yesterday Cinco de Mayo did remind me of a really fun Mexican snack called duros. Duros are made of wheat flour and look like hard, wagon wheel shaped pasta before they're cooked. They're usually deep fried, but can be microwaved (but I tried it and decided they shouldn't be). The reason I say these are fun isn't just because they're delicious and fun to crunch. Most of the real fun comes from watching them quickly puff up about seven times their size (scroll down to see a video of the puffing).

DUROS

canola oil

duros (also called “pasta para duros”)

lime juice

salt
chile powder

1.      Heat oil to 350º - 375º F.  Fry duros until light and puffy (about 5-15 seconds).  Blot on paper towels.

2.      Place duros in a bowl; sprinkle with lime juice, salt and chile powder to taste.

duros in the package
(I can't help but wonder what makes them extra fancy)

You can find these in many Latin markets
(but I bought mine on Amazon.com)

duros (out of the package)

Aside from just wheat flour, duros also contain cornstarch,
salt and baking soda (which helps them expand when cooked)

duros in hot oil

Be careful not to overcrowd the pot. They
expand so much; you won't have room if you do.

fried duros (if your oil is the right temperature, they will puff up very quickly)

 

 The photos can't really capture that magical moment when

the duros puff up, so I felt it was necessary to take a video.

You'll see just how quickly they cook (the entire video is

only 12 seconds long).

Please don't put your duros in the hot oil with your hand (like I did).
Watching the video back I realized just how stupid that was.
I should have used a slotted spoon (or anything without skin really).

limes

duros in bowl, sprinkled with lime juice, salt and chili powder
(don't go too crazy with the lime juice or they'll get soggy)

.

White Hot Chocolate Malted

Being snowed in isn't all bad, it inspired me to come up with a new hot drink that showcases one of my favorite flavors...malt. I've always felt malt was underrated, so I'm trying my best to create a little buzz. Hopefully you'll buy some malted milk powder next time you go grocery shopping and spread the word.

Being snowed in does have its disadvantages too (like I couldn't go out and buy cream to whip). So try to picture this mug topped with beautifully piped whipped cream and sprinkled with crushed candy canes. FYI: when you sprinkle the candy canes on without the whipped cream, they just fall to the bottom (not a good photo op).

WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE MALTED

Yield: 2-3 servings

4 cups milk

3/4 to 1 cup white chocolate chips (I'm sure dark chocolate would taste good too)

3 tablespoons malted milk powder

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

whipped cream (optional)

crushed candy canes (optional)

1.      Combine the milk and white chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Stir until all the white chocolate has melted.

2.      Add the malted milk powder and whisk until completely dissolved.  Whisk in vanilla extract.

3.      Divide into 2 to 3 mugs (depends on the size of your mugs).  Top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes if desired.

my backyard

I think the official total was 19 inches, but it looks like more if you ask me
(that's not a grill, it's a flat table with snow piled on top)

 There was so much snow, my husband Chuck was able
to build a small hill in the backyard for sledding