Peanut Butter Topping...

I hadn't heard of this before, peanut butter sauce for ice cream......had not even heard of purchasing a peanut butter sauce....I saw it done and knew I had to make this...my picky daughter loved it and my granddaughter who doesn't even like peanut butter wanted seconds...so I would definitely say it was a huge hit! this would be a great addition for the holidays...tastes like the inside of the peanut butter cup...so good!

Peanut Butter Topping...

300ml can of sweetened condensed milk (10 oz)
3/4 cup unsweetened/natural peanut butter
3/4 cup whipping cream or heavy cream
1/3 cup butter
1/4 tsp

1. Combine the condensed milk, peanut butter, whipping cream, and butter in a pot over medium heat.

2. Stir until the ingredients melt together then stir in 1/4 tsp salt.

3. Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer and remove from heat. Let cool to slightly warmer than room temperature before using. You can store the topping in a jar or container in the fridge for up to a week. To heat it up just pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until it is the consistency you desire.

Top ice cream, bananas, hot chocolate, pie, cake, milkshakes, puddings, and empty spoons with the sauce for extra peanut buttery goodness.

the cast of characters! so few ingredients (I used the peanut butter with nuts)

 Put every thing in the pan...heat over medium...whisk every now and then...remember to get into the corners...the peanut butter likes to hang out there...

when finished take off heat and let cool in the pan...

store in a jar in the fridge, if there is any left.....

and Enjoy!!!!

Cheers to Happy  !!

Asian style Beef and Green Beans

This is a very easy marinade to make...it will make less expensive meat very tender and flavorful...It would be great on chicken and then BBQ outdoors.....I made a stir fry and used the marinade then put it over rice noodles... this recipe and procedure will work with any vegetables..

Asian Style Marinade

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup of finely chopped shallots

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated

4 finely chopped cloves of garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes

mix all together and marinate beef pork or chicken....

cast of characters!

measure all in bowl and mix thoroughly....

slice up your meat very thinly...

mix in bowl with the sauce and  marinate at least 1 hour...you can put all in a zip lock bag and marinate up to 4 hours....

heat 1 tablespoon oil until very hot...

add green beans and saute until tender crisp....

remove to a bowl....

add carrots and mushrooms to the pan and saute just until softlike....maybe 2 minutes..

also add to the bowl....

add the beef and marinade to the pan and cook on heat approximately 5 minutes, or till done....

add vegetables back in....

mix 1/2 cup of beef broth with 1 tablespoon cornstarch....add to pan...

stir until the sauce is slightly thickened....and serve...

I served mine over rice vermicelli noodles....but this would also be great on rice....Enjoy!

Cheers to Happy  !!

Guinness Hungarian Beef Goulash...

Many years ago there was a bakery in my hometown that made Goulash...When I grew up at my house we called goulash a macaroni noodle dish with tomato sauce and hamburger....The town bakery called Goulash a spicy, flavorful beef stew....the most wonderful stew you have ever eaten...we did not have much money at that time in our lives but we would sometimes splurge on a bowl of Goulash and a big piece of Black Forest Cake...This recipe is very reminiscent of the wonderful goulash from the favorite bakery....you could absolutely add any other vegetable and red peppers to this dish...red chili pepper flakes would 'kick it up a notch'....make it your own!

Slow cooker Guinness Beer Hungarian Beef Goulash

1 pound beef chuck roast trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
8 tablespoon paprika
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 onions chopped
6 cloves garlic
1 cup of red wine
1 Guinness beer
3 cups of beef broth
1/2 cups all purpose flour

Dry the beef with paper towels and then season with 1 tablespoon of paprika and salt and pepper.  heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a 12 inch skillet over medium high heat until just smoking. Brown half of the beef about 10 minutes, then add to the slow cooker. Return the skillet to medium high heat and repeat with 2 more tsp oil and remaining beef. 
Add the remaining 2 tsp oil to the empty skillet and heat over medium heat until the oil is shimmering. Add the onions, and remaining paprika, tomato paste and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook until vegetables are softened about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 15 seconds. Stir in the wine and scrape up any bits and browned pieces and cook until reduced by half ...add to the crock pot...add everything to the crock pot...add the whole potatoes, carrots and beer and beef broth...give a big stir and cook on high for 7 hours...or 9-10 hours on medium...
After 7 hours take out the potatoes and cut in half...add 1/2 cup beef broth and 1/2 cup of flour (can use gluten free all-purpose flour) and stir into the sauce in the crock pot....add the potatoes back in and cook for approximately 30 more minutes...taste and adjust any seasoning...
 

vegetables ready!

beef browned and ready to go...

put in crock and add beer....

add onion wine mixture (house smells heavenly) and beef broth....

add vegetables...

give a good stir...put on the lid and go rake leaves!

7 long hours later....cut reds in half....add the flour and beef broth mixture...give a great stir...put the lid back on cook another 30 minutes (just enough time to set the table and make a salad)...

It is seasoned perfectly and ready to go!

This is the best comfort food money can buy! Large chunks of beef, great gravy, carrots and potatoes....Heaven!!!

Cheers to Happy !!

Sunday Fishing in the Fall....

My sister Mary took a bunch of our nephews and great nephews fishing today...they had a great time catching their limit! 10 fish each...take a look!

I have a new hobby. Fishing.  Go figure in my 63rd year an adventure would begin.
I have been fishing with a dear friend, I had forgotten the zen of standing out on the shore of a lake with my fishing pole, no cell phone, no worries.  We all need a little break now and then, who knew it would be fishing.

It is truly a blessing to be a member of our great extended family.  Jody my nephew lives next door, next door to him is my sister and her family.  On the other side of me is my older sister Candy,  well that was getting off of the subject wasn't it?  Ok so back to the reason for this blog.  Jody and I have been going fishing too.

That being said we decided we needed to take Jaegar and Brendan, my great nephews.  (Trina's grandson's)

 

Jaegar

 Brendan

We rounded up the usual suspects, packed peanut butter sandwiches, snickers candy bars, a can of corn (bait)lots of tackle, rubber boots, poles, buckets for our great catch. (we are optimistic fisherpeople).

Friends, family, jumped in the cars and away we went.

We arrived at the lake, (Alder) in the foothills of Mount Rainier. Grabbed our gear, donned our boots and we were ready.  I had my dear buddies marvelous fishing pole....  oh yes you already know what is coming.  It was really slick and muddy and ROCKY....  as you can see in the picture above.  When I fell I landed on the fishing pole and broke it.  Sure I hurt myself but I was more upset about that broken pole. I decided then and there that I would probably not fish today or any other day for that matter.  

Jody's good friend and his son when along with us and Trevon one of the heroes of the day had an extra pole along with him and lent it to me.  It was so kind of him especially after he had seen me fall on one pole already.  I used his pole and caught the first fish and then limited first.  It was a good thing because after that I got to take pictures, lots of picture.  They appear below. 

Jake joins the "I caught a fish" club.. Note Trevon and Tim's catch back there to your right.

Brendan, Jody,  and Jaegar.




Tim and Trevon



Trevon taking another fish off the hook.



Jody,  he is the best guy.




 

Bringing in another one,






Jaegar



Oh boy another fish to clean...



Mike and Matt getting serious .





Jake




Hadyn and Emily future fisher woman.





Beautiful blue skies today.



At the end of the day.  We all caught our limit of ten fish each.  We had a wonderful time, It sounds so ordinary doesn't it.  What I want to say is that it is extra-ordinary.  We not only enjoyed our day, we made memories that will stay with us for a long time.  One of the highlights of my life is spending time with my dear family and friends.  We all walk the trail together and smile.

CHEERS TO HAPPY !!!!

ALL YA ALL!!!