Tag: gingersnaps

An “Adults Only” Treat

boozeballsDespite what advertisers and children want us all to believe, Christmas isn’t just about making the kids happy… I believe that those who do all of the shopping, decorating, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, and prepping deserve to enjoy the holidays too, so I prepare a little something just for adult indulgence 😉

My co-workers, hairdresser, friends and family all wait for me to bring out the “special” plate of treats they know is intended just for them.  Their fancy name is Dark Chocolate Whisky Truffles but, to all who have tasted, they are simply referred to as Booze Balls!

Lisa’s Booze Balls

Combine ½ Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder and ½ Cup Powdered Sugar in a large Ziplock bag and set aside.

Melt 1 stick of Butter together with 1 bag (10 oz) Dark Chocolate Chips (I prefer Ghirardelli 60% Cacao) over low heat. When smooth remove from heat.

Crush enough Gingersnaps to make 1 Cup of crumbs and add to the melted chocolate and then add 3-4 Tablespoons of whatever Whisky you like – I have used Jack Daniels, Oban, Makers Mark, and Maker’s 46 (my personal favorite) and all were good.

Move the mixture to a bowl (preferably stainless steel), cover with foil and put in the refrigerator to cool for 45 minutes. If you are in a huge hurry – put in the freezer for about 25 minutes.

Line the biggest pan that will fit on a freezer shelf with waxed paper (I use a tart pan or 8 x 8 Pyrex)

Scoop out rounded spoonsful of the mixture and roughly ball then put in the lined pan

Freeze for an hour or so then roll the balls in your hands and drop the balls into the Ziplock bag of cocoa powder and powdered sugar mixture.

Shake off the excess and put the coated balls in a covered container and keep in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature for the best flavor. Will keep for weeks in the refrigerator if your guests don’t lick the plate clean 😉

Are you on Facebook?  You might be interested in the things I may not devote an entire blog post to:  recipes, food facts, nutritional information, photos and other things that make my mouth water. I may not write a blog post every day, but there are daily updates to my This Girl Loves To Eat community at: https://www.facebook.com/ThisGirlLovesHerFood

Advertisement

Time to Break Out the Fat Pants!

champagneWe are officially one week away from the start of “Holiday Season.”

Thanksgiving kicks off 5-6 weeks of excess in all things food and drink related:  Happy Hours, Office Parties, Open Houses, Secular Celebrations, End of Year and New Year’s Day blowouts that inevitably result in most people’s pants feeling a bit too snug.

I wouldn’t want to keep anyone, least of all myself, from indulging to the limits of their pants (and beyond), so it’s officially also the kickoff for all of the recipes for the rich, gooey, fattening, but oh so yummy foods I’ll be serving at celebrations from now through the end of the year.

Since Thanksgiving is the first holiday where I’ll be hosting a crowd, I’ll start with the side dish I prepare instead of the candied yams of my youth.

oldschoolcandiedyamsYou know the ones  am talking about:  A can or two of yam chunks mixed with an orange juice, brown sugar type concoction, chunks of butter, chopped pecans, and piled high with mini-marshmallows then baked until they are bubbly and the marshmallows are a delightful shade of brown.

I’m certainly not knocking this old school family treat, but I like the opportunity the availability of fresh ingredients gives me to keep the flavor while cutting some of the fat and calories.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Gingersnap Streusel

  • 6 Large Sweet Potatoes (or Yams)
  • 1/2 Cup Firmly Packed Light Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Butter (Melted)
  • 1/2 Cup Half & Half or Heavy Cream
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 to 2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (to taste)

Streusel

  • 2 TBLS All Purpose Flour
  • 1/4 Cup Cold Butter, Cut into Pieces
  • 32 Coarsely Crushed Gingersnap Cookies (Not too fine)
  • Additional 1/4 Cup Butter (Melted)

sweet-potatoes-oh-1677905-lPeel sweet potatoes, cut into slices and cook in boiling water to cover over medium heat 25 – 30 minutes or until fork tender. Drain and put into large bowl then mash (leave some chunks).

Combine mashed sweet potato, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and next 5 ingredients in a mixing bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer. Spoon into a greased 2 1/2-quart or 13″ x 9″ baking dish.

To make the streusel:  Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and flour. Cut in 1/4 cup cold butter with a pastry blender (or two forks at opposite directions) until crumbly. Stir in crushed gingersnaps. Sprinkle streusel over sweet potatoes. Drizzle the additional ¼ cup butter over the top of the streusel. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25 – 30 minutes or until streusel is lightly browned.

Make Ahead: Prepare sweet potato filling, and spoon into a greased 2 1/2-quart microwave-safe dish. Cover and chill overnight. Microwave on HIGH 10 minutes or until hot. Prepare streusel, and sprinkle over filling. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20 minutes or until streusel is lightly browned.

My family  become such big fans of this recipe that I get asked, even on non-holidays, to bring it to dinner.  🙂   Tomorrow, Let’s talk turkey!

Are you on Facebook?  You might be interested in the things I may not devote an entire blog post to:  recipes, food facts, nutritional information, photos and other things that make my mouth water. If so, visit my This Girl Loves To Eat community at:  https://www.facebook.com/ThisGirlLovesHerFood