Photo Skills

Easy Peppermint Bark

Do you know how much self discipline it takes to photograph the process of making peppermint bark.

  I think I deserve an award.

This recipe is insanely easy!

It has four ingredients

As in one-two-three-four.

Peppermint Bark was founded when Santa was camping out somewhere near the North Pole and decided he wanted to build a fire.  He found a near by tree and cut some of it's branches later realizing that the bark was made out of chocolate and peppermint!  And that is how peppermint bark came about.

Promise.

Pinky Promise!

Now, let us discuss logistics.

 

12 Ounces of White Chocolate, Divided

6 oz of Semi-Sweet Chocolate 

1/2 teaspoon Peppermint Extract, Divided

  3 candy canes CRUSHED

So I got lucky last Christmas and received a double-boiler - which makes the whole chocolate melting extravaganza SO much easier.  So if you're one of those people who's afraid of scorching chocolate in the microwave... Invest in a double boiler.  That's all I will say regrading this subject because I am no longer a microwave chef.  Those days are over for me.  I've moved on to bigger and better things.

So Basically, 

You'll need to line a baking sheet with parchment paper and have that set aside for now.  Next, 

melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, (I add a little bit of vegetable oil to the chocolate to make it shiny and smooth) stir vigorously until smooth.

  No one likes lumpy chocolate, Or lumpy Mash potatoes, or Lumpy Cake.  Lumpy is not attractive in the food world people.

Add half of the peppermint extract to this layer. 

Poor the melted chocolate unto the lined baking sheet and spread it out evenly with a spatula, Slide it into the fridge and let it harden- should take about 15-20 minutes.   

Next, we melt the semi-sweet chocolate.  Just like last time, Add some oil so it's nice and shiny.  Add peppermint extract.  Pour it on top of the white chocolate, spread with a spatula and slam it in the fridge.

Slam as in gently push it into the refrigerator.

You wouldn't want to hurt your fridge!

Or your soon-to-be peppermint bark for that matter. 

Let this layer harden for about 20 minutes.

This would be a good time to unwrap your candy canes, place them in a ziploc bag, and SLAM them on the floor.  Or, you could be a little more sane and slowly take a rolling pin and roll over the candy canes but admit it... that's just not as fun! 

 

Now for our most exciting layer yet!

 

Melt the rest of the white chocolate (You should be an expert by now!).  No need to add any peppermint extract to this layer.  Poor it on top of the other two layers, take your crushed Peppermint and sprinkle it over the remaining layer! 

And it should turn out like this!  Or better!

 I apologize for my photography.  I'm a hopeless iPhone photographer-blogger-chocoholic-wannabe.

 Now this last time you pop it in the fridge it might take a little longer then normal.  Just give it some time and poke it to see if it's set and hardened. 

After waiting ETERNITY (or so it seemed to me)  

You can finally take out your peppermint bark and break it into pieces.  No need to be precise. 

No need to wait till all of the pieces are broken up to eat it either. 

No need to have to share this creation of yours with others.

BUT IF YOU MUST. 

These are great party favors, little trinkets for co-workers, snacks when you're feeling like you need a little bit of chocolate (or a lottabit of chocolate), or a last minute present for one of your long-lost aunts that came to visit without any notice... 

(Can I get an Amen). 

Peppermint Bark is basically a life saver. 

Amen. 

Lots and Lots and Lots of Love!

Jade Day

(Your favorite wanna-be-iPhone photographer-chocoholic-blogger)

Three Cheese Pizza with Tomatoes and Basil

      ...That smell of melted cheese with juicy red tomatoes sinking in to the crispy crust topped with fresh basil from the garden...

Who doesn't feel extra cool when they make their own pizza dough?  I know I do!  This pizza becomes extra elegant when made on the grill.  The different cheeses gives an abundance amount of flavor-chewy mozzarella, flavorful parmigiano, and creamy feta.  Tomatoes and Basil give it a refreshing splash! 

Let's Get started!

 

Pizza Dough:

Ingredients 

3 1/2 cups of All Purpose Flour

2 teaspoons of Salt

1 teaspoon of Sugar

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 1/3 Warm water, 110 degrees

1 envelope of yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

Instructions

1. Add the yeast to warm water and set aside for 3 mintues.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with dough attachment (If you don't have one that's okay!  I've done it by mixing it really well with my hands.)

3. Mix everything till well combined.  If mixing with hands gently knead a bit

4. Oil two bowls and set aside.  Dive dough in half and roll into a ball.  Place each ball of dough in oiled bowl, seam side down.  Brush tops of dough with olive oil.  Cover with plastic and set in a warm place.  I put mine in my non-heated oven.  

5. Let rise for two hours. 

6. After two hours take dough out and punch and put to use!

For the Pizza....

Ingredients 

Pizza dough- Recipe shown above

3 cups of Mozzarella

1/4 cup of parmesan 

1/8 cup of Feta

1 jar of pizza sauce-Hopefully coming up with my own recipe soon!

2 medium tomatoes

1/4 cup of sun dried tomatoes 

1/2 cup of basil- 6-8 large leafs

2 garlic cloves, minced

Cornmeal (optional)

Instructions 

1. Preheat oven to 400°

2. Roll out pizza dough into one big circle or two small circles.  For thin pizza: 1/2 inch.  Thick pizza: 1-1 1/2 inch.

3. Sprinkle corn meal on baking sheet and place pizza crust on sheet.

4. Bake for 8-10 minutes- Keep oven on when done baking crust.

5. Pour pizza sauce over crust

6..Add the three cheeses.

 7. Add tomatoes, basil, and garlic over top.

8. Bake for 7-10 minutes, Or until crust is a bit browned

9. Cut into slices and serve!

Add whatever toppings you like to my pizza dough!  Serve with Starbucks Black Tea Lemonade and my Grandma's famous raspberry pudding!

I hope your day is just peachy!

Love,

 ~Jade Day~

Don't forget to pin this recipe!

Grandma's Famous Vanilla Pudding With Raspberries

To say this is my Dad's favorite dessert-is defiantly an understatement. 

I made this dessert for Father's day, and made about six cups of it...Dad ate FOUR out of the six cups of pudding.  So trust me, it's wonderful.  By adding the raspberries when the pudding is still a bit warm gives the pudding a vibrant swirl color to it! 

~Famous Vanilla Pudding~

2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups whole milk
4 large egg yolks, 72 g
2 TB unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup fresh raspberries (optional)

In a medium sauce pan (non-stick recommended), combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt.

Add milk slowly until cornstarch is dissolves completely.

Whisk in egg yokes.

Place saucepan over Medium Heat and whisk constantly.  Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and let pudding cook for one minute.

 (Continue whisking, mixture should start to thicken)

Turn heat off and add butter and vanilla.

If adding raspberries, add now. 

I highly recommend adding the raspberries or any kind of fruit you like!

With Love,

Jade Day

~

The Healthiest-Easiest-Fastest-Yummiest- 2 Ingredient Cookies EVER!

I wasn't kidding when I came up with that title.  These cookies are the Healthiest-Easiest-Fastest-Yummiest (Not to mention pretty cheap, gluten-free, and vegan!) Cookies Ever!

So I'm kind of on this whole healthy-need to get in fit kind of kick right now.

I've started to Run.... Jog-ish-walk-ish.  

It's official I hate running. 

But what I DO like, it's picking out work out clothes and making yummy yet healthy food.

And that's why we've gathered here today - to introduce to you my ahh-mazing cookies!

2 Ingredient Cookies 

1 banana 

1 cup of oatmeal 

Raisins (optional) 

Peel banana and mush in a bowl with your hands, this parts messy and gooey but so fun! 

And oat meal and mix thoroughly with your hands. 

If adding raisins, add now. 

Line baking sheet with parchment paper or greased baking sheet.  Roll cookies into 1 in balls then press flat.  As shown in picture below. 

Bake at 350° degrees for 15-18 minutes. 

And you're done!  Eat away!  

Chef Tips:
Substitute raisins for: Dried Cranberries, Coconut, chocolate etc.... 

Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest for other great recipes and ideas!  Pin this recipe below!
Lot's of Love!
~Jade Day~

Hot Chocolate | With a Little Flare

What a lovely Winter we are having this Spring...

So even though it's OFFICIALLY Spring... it feels like Winter!  Maybe even colder then winter, at least down here in Florida it feels like it!

And what does one have when they dislike coffee and don't really feel like having tea but would greatly appreciate a hot substance of some sort?

Hot Chocolate!

Hot Chocolate

With a little Jade Flare to it 

8 teaspoons of Corn Starch

 1/2 cup of Cocoa Powder

3/4 cup of Sugar

1/2 cup of Water

4 cups of Milk

1/4 cup of Chocolate chips

Dash of Cinnamon

Bit of Salt

Pinch of Red Pepper

Mix Corn starch, Cocoa Powder and Sugar in Small pot.

Add water and whisk

Add milk to chocolate mixture.

Add chocolate chips until melted.

Add the dashes of Cinnamon, Salt and Red Pepper.
(Trust me, the cinnamon and red pepper add the perfect warmness!)

Whisk until desired thickness, but don't stir for to long!  It'll start thickening into pudding, I would know from experience....

Doesn't it look yummy?  And don't you love my little violin cup my Grandma got me?  


With Lots of Love,
Jade Day 

DIY: Glitter Jar & Modge Podge

What girl doesn't like glitter?  It's shinny and comes in all sorts of colors and makes me ooohh 'n ahh every time I see something with shinny glitter.  But who.... would have thought I could make my own little glitter jar?

You need Three Things:

1. Mason Jar (any size)

2. Glitter (Color of your choice)

3. Modge Podge (Recipe Below)

• Coat the Jar with Modge Podge 
• Coat with Glitter
• Spray with Sealer or Modge podge
• Done! 

I was searching around for Modge Podge and when I found it, I was greatly surprised by how expensive it was.  But, I wouldn't leave you guys hanging like that....

DIY: Modge Podge

Equal part white craft glue and water!

Now, you're done!

Lots of Love,

Jade