Chocolate Chia Pudding

Have you been intrigued by the chia seed hype everywhere? I was curious, especially after I actually looked up the nutritional benefits for myself. With a whopping 11 grams of fiber & 5 grams of protein per serving, I figured it was time to give it a try. Costco had the Nature's Intent brand, 2 pounds for $9.99, a great deal for organic chia seeds! Since everything is better with chocolate, I figured I'd start with a chocolate chia pudding. My trial recipe: 1 1/4 cup coconut milk 1/4 cup chia seeds 4 teaspoons cocoa powder mix the cocoa & chia seeds, add the milk and stir until no large lumps. Refrigerate 30 minutes, check consistency as you may want to ask more liquid, depending on consistency desired. Cover and refrigerate overnight. I decided to stir in 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar afer tasting. This was so simple, no cook and a nice healthy snack to have in the fridge. Definitely a keeper.

Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka

The best thing since sliced bread ever!!! I tried this Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka with Country Time Lemonade...so smooth I just love it. To be honest I initially thought it would be either too sweet or too tea-y; I am a definite bit of a drink snob.
But....I have tried it 50/50 with Country Time > perfect. I have tried it as a martini > perfect. I have tried it on the rocks > refreshing. I have tried it straight chilled > potently pleasing.
Mixed drinks recipe to follow....just run to your local liquor store & get your own bottle to try it out.

Skittles Vodka in 7 steps!!!

Ok this just looked like so much fun!! I haven't done it yet but I definitely intend to in the very near future. Infusing vodka with Skittles is a current popular trend and gives wonderful spring colors....I can just see this chilled up in my favorite martini glass!

http://mixthatdrink.com/skittles-vodka-tutorial/

The Best 3 Layer Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

I love red velvet cake! I have been testing different recipes and Paula's wins (with some modifications)! Paula does it again! Just in time for Valentine's!http://recipes.pauladeen.com/index.php/recipes/view/grandmother_pauls_red_velvet_cake/

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon salt 2 1/2 cup cake flour 1/2 lb (2 sticks) butter 2 ounce red food coloring 2 tablespoon cocoa 2 cup sugar 2 eggs 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon vinegar
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs; add sugar. Mix cocoa and food coloring. Add butter and egg mixture; mix well. Sift together flour and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Blend in vanilla. In a small bowl, combine soda and vinegar and add to mixture. Pour into three 8-inch round greased and floured pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until tests done.

Icing: 1 16-ounce box of confectioner’s sugar 1 stick butter, softened 1 cup melted marshmallows 1 cup shredded coconut 1 cup chopped pecans 1 8-ounce package of cream cheese
Blend cream cheese and butter. Add marshmallows and sugar and blend. Fold in coconut and nuts. Spread between layers and on top and sides of cooled cake.

This cake is moist, tender, delish, AND RED! It's a delightful addition to my recipe collection. Just wash all the dishes right away to avoid everything in your kitchen having a red smear....LOL

P.S. I did not add coconut to the frosting.

The Best Brownie Recipe EVER!

This is Paula Deen's recipe and it is simply THE best brownie recipe I have ever made and I have made quite a few. It is so simple and taste completely homemade. No one will ever suspect you did not slave for hours melting chocolate and mixing...Just add Hershey's Symphony Toffee Bars to your run of the mill box brownie mix. Everyone absolutely loves it!!! I have never added 3 bars like the recipe suggests, just 1 or 2 is more than enough & I chop up mine instead. And make sure you don't over bake. Lining your pan with parchment paper really helps with removal. If you cut them up into triangles(first squares, then diagonally), everyone will think you are a gifted baker ;)

http://recipes.pauladeen.com/index.php/recipes/view/toffee_brownies/

Orange Slice Jello Shots

Don't just make run-of-the-mill jello shots! Impress your friends
with these orange slices shots from The Surreal Gourmet of The Food Network. They are so simple & only take 3 ingredients.

Orange Slice Jello Shots Yield: 12

Ingredients:
Orange Slice Jello Shots
2 x oranges
1 pkg orange-flavored Jello
1/2 cup Vodka

Directions:
Slice oranges in half. Using a spoon, scoop out all the flesh and divider pith.
In a medium bowl, add Jello and 1/2 cup boiling water. When Jello has dissolved, add vodka. Pour liquid Jello into orange halves. Refrigerate for approximately 4 hours, or until firm. To serve, slice each half into 3 wedges.

AND REMEMBER, YOU ARE SERVING SOLID BOOZE! ENJOY!

http://www.foodtv.ca/recipes/recipedetails.aspx?dishid=6412

Chill out with a Blood Orange Martini

For a fabulous martini to chill with make a Blood Orange Martini...

1. Take a shaker, fill 1/2 way with ice.



2. Add : 2 1/2 oz Charbay Blood Orange Flavored Vodka http://www.charbay.com/category.aspx?categoryID=639 , 1 oz organic Blood Orange Juice, 1 oz Caravella Limoncello & 1/2 oz simple syrup.



3. Shake it like a Polaroid picture.



4. Strain into your martini glass.



5. Enjoy!