Marshmallow Fondant

Last year for the kids birthdays I experimented with Fondant... for those of you that know me you know I do cakes... well I had messed with Fondant in foods class in high school but didn't like it and well for character cakes I don't see the need in it.... but I wanted a smooth bottom cake and I started searching... The marshmallow fondant is tastier and to me turns out better than regular fondant... I let Em use cookie cutters with what was left for a few days... I have been asked for the recipe several times so here it is... Instead of typing it out I am just copying and pasting from the following website..... http://whatscookingamerica.net/PegW/Fondant.htm

I used the flavored marshmallows that are also colored... it turned out a tanish color... I guess if you wanted a specific color of the marshmallows you could separate them.. lol... i know you can color it once it's all mixed up and even flavor it.

16 ounces white mini-marshmallows (use a good quality brand)

2 to 5 tablespoons water

2 pounds icing sugar (please use C&H Cane Powdered Sugar for the best results)

1/2 cup Crisco shortening (you will be digging into it so place in a very easily accessed bowl)

Melt marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave or double boiler: Put the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, open microwave and stir, back in microwave for 30 seconds more, open microwave and stir again, and continue doing this until melted. It usually takes about 2 1/2 minutes total. Place 3/4 of the powdered sugar on the top of the melted marshmallow mix.

Now grease your hands GENEROUSLY (palms, backs, and in between fingers), then heavily grease the counter you will be using and dump the bowl of marshmallow/sugar mixture in the middle. (By the way, this recipe is also good for your hands. When I’m done, they are baby soft.)

Start kneading like you would bread dough. You will immediately see why you have greased your hands. If you have children in the room they will either laugh at you or look at you with a questioning expression. You might even hear a muttered, “What are you doing?”

Keep kneading, this stuff is sticky at this stage! Add the rest of the powdered sugar and knead some more. Re-grease your hands and counter when the fondant starts sticking. If the mix is tearing easily, it is to dry, so add water (about 1/2 tablespoon at a time and then knead it in). It usually takes me about 8 minutes to get a firm smooth elastic ball so that it will stretch without tearing when you apply it to the cake.

It is best if you can let it sit, double wrapped, overnight (but you can use it right away if there are no tiny bits of dry powdered sugar). If you do see them, you will need to knead and maybe add a few more drops of water.

Prepare the fondant icing for storing by coating it with a good layer of Crisco shortening, wrap in a plastic-type wrap product and then put it in a re-sealable or Ziploc bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible.

MM Fondant icing will hold very well in the refrigerator for weeks. If I know that I have a cake to decorate, I usually make two (2) batches on a free night during the week so it is ready when I need it. Take advantage of the fact that this fondant icing can be prepared well in advance.

cheesy potato soup

1 quart chicken broth
1 cup water
4 large potatoes peeled and diced
1/4 cup diced celery
1 lb velveeta cheese
chives
bacon bits

1. Mix broth, water, potatotes and celery in a pot
2. Cook until potatoes are tender
3. Mash the potatoes just a little, leaving it lumpy
4. Add cheese and heat until melted, do not boil
5. Top with chives and bacon bits

* can add more cheese if wanted*

I love this soup and make it a lot! I have no clue where the recipe came from but it is quick and really yummy!

lasagne

I made Lasagne before heading to work today... mmm... a good meal because it lasts for 2-3 meals in this house.. I know what Im having for lunch tomorrow!

2lbs Hamburger meat
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground basil
1 can tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
1 box lasagne noodles
1 pint of cottage cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 egg
salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon parsley
mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Cook noodles until tender with 1 teaspoon salt and then drain when done
3. Cook hamburger meat until brown
4. Mix together the garlic, basil, tomato paste, tomato sauce and hamburger meat and simmer on low for about 30 minutes
5. Mix together the remaining ingredients in a bowl
6. Layer noodles on bottom of dish, add meat mixture, then cottage cheese mixture, noodles again, cheese mixture and top with meat mixture
7. Top it off with mozzarella cheese and bake for 45 minutes

** I add a bit of italian seasoning to the tomato mixture, I also use 2 cans-3 cans of sauce and 1-2 cans of paste... It depends on how saucy you want it. I like mine with a bit more sauce. I also add in not just the powdered parmesan cheese but a bit of the fresh shredded. I also put mozz cheese in between the layers on top of the noodles and some on top of the mixture before the noodles, this tends to let it hold when you cut it!

Fajitas

So we chose to have Fajitas for dinner tonight...
Fajitas for us are filling and rather quick... the Rice took the longest to cook out of everything but we have enough to make more for lunch tomorrow!

Beef stir fry meat (or cut up flank steak)(i get 2 lbs)
fajita seasoning (the taco bell brand tastes better)(1pkg)
shredded mexican mix cheese
1 can mexicorn
1 can refried beans
sour cream
spanish rice
shredded lettuce
salsa
large tortilla shells

1. Cook the meat until no longer pink and drain
2. Mix the seasoning in with meat with amt of water listed on pkg
3. Prepare rice according to box
4. Heat up the corn and beans
5. Warm up your tortilla shells and add what you want on the shell!

Banana Nut Bread

My supervisor brought in this yummy banana nut bread the other day that her mom made... she got the recipe from bettycrocker.com and I wanted to share as I am sure this is going to replace my other banana nut bread recipes!

1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup chopped nuts if desired

1. Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven
2. Heat ove to 350 degrees
3. Grease bottoms only of 2 loaf pans
4. Mix sugar and butter in large bowl
5. Stir in eggs until well blended
6. Add bananas, buttermilk and vanilla and beat until smooth
7. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt just until moistened
8. Stir in nuts
9. Pour into pans
10. Bake about an hour or until toothpick inserted comes out clean
11. Cool for 10 minutes
12. Loosen sides of loaves from pans and remove onto a cooling rack and let cool completely

Hamburger & Tater Tot Casserole

Since yesterday I went grocery shopping I have a HUGE list of recipes for all the stuff we bought... our fridge is full, cabinet is full and freezers are stocked....

Tonight I want to make

Hamburger & Tater Tot Casserole

2lbs ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion (or use 2 TBLS minced onion or onion powder)
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1 can cream of mushroom soup (a small can works fine)
1 can cream of celery soup (again a small can works fine)
1/2 cup water
tater tots
shredded cheddar cheese

1.Fry hamburger meat with the onion and pepper until brown and then drain
2. Place meat into a baking dish
3. Top the meat with the tater tots
4. Mix the soups together with the water and pour over the tater tots
5. Top the mixture with cheese
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until cheese is bubbly

Whats for dinner???

Just a way to share the recipes I am using and enjoy making for my family... feel free to share your recipes!