Twinkie Pie

Twinkie Pie

Twinkie Pie

 

Dateline 2012 ……the death of the Twinkie……wha…wha….wha……..

How could we go on without the golden sponge cake with the creamy filling! I mean twinkles are almost as American as apple pie and baseball. They have been the snack in many a sack lunch…… forever!

Well, at least since they were invented in Muscatine, Iowa on April 6, 1930. Originally, they were banana crime filled, but a ration on bananas during WWII had the company switching to vanilla creme. The change was so popular, that other than for occasional special promotions, it was never switched back.

But, as we all changed to a healthier lifestyle…….well some of us….lol, the Hostess company fell on hard times, and filed bankruptcy, ending all the snack cakes and treats we have come to love. But wait…….some really smart folks brought back the Twinkie……..hallelujah!!!!

Now this enables me to copy-cat a recipe from Pinterest ……….Twinkie Pie!!!!!
You find anything and everything on Pinterest. In my searching I saw this recipe and knew I had to try it……..Very Culinary is where I copied the Twinkie Pie from……very glad I ran across it. It was super easy to make, and if you have kids it would be fun for them to help and all kids like Twinkies.

Twinkie Pie 1

I was pretty sure Tim thought I was crazy when I said I had to try this Twinkie Pie. But, I think he is glad I did. It was our dessert last night…….topped with a dollop of cool whip………and it will be dessert again tonight………what time is it?????

Twinkie Pie Collage

 

Beet, Cucumber, Sweet Onion Salad with Dijon-Honey Dressing


Beet, Cucumber, Sweet Onion Salad with Dijon-Honey Dressing

Beet Cucumber Onion Salad

When I first started to expand my culinary skills, the internet was not readily available……..truly shows my age…………but, cable TV and the start of the Food Network ,along with food magazines got my creative cook on.

Now, I love magazines and love to cook……match made in heaven. I got subscriptions to Gourmet, Bon Appetit, and Cooking Light. Later it was Food and Wine, Fine Cooking, and the list went on. Not to mention all the little cookbooks at the checkout counter. I had stacks and stacks of them. I would pour over them trying to find just the right recipe.

The Beet Cucumber Sweet Onion recipe came from Bon Appétit, the July 2002 edition. Later, I saw it again on one of my favorite recipe search websites, Epicurious, the hours I have spent on this web site……….oh my!!!

Beet Cucumber Onion Salad 1

About the beets…….as a child…….never, never never, would I eat them. As an adult, whole different story. I totally love them. And, because I love them I grow them every year in my garden. They are easy to grow……just be sure to thin them so they have room to spread out. Cooking them is a breeze…….roast them!

All you need to do is wash them, clip off the tops leaving about and inch or so, leave the tap root on , place them on a foil lined cookie sheet ,sprinkle a little water on them, cover with foil and bake in a 400* oven until tender. Let them cool slightly, and the skins peel right off. At that point you can use them in the Beet, Cucumber, Sweet Onion Salad with Dijon Honey Dressing or your favorite beet recipe. You can also freeze them. They freeze beautifully.

The hardest part of this recipe is roasting the beets, which isn’t hard at all. The rest is easy peasy………just slice and arrange. Whisk together the dressing and you are all set. This can be done in advance and is easy to take with you…….it’s still summer picnic and family reunion time. Who doesn’t want an easy take along……that bonus……. is really pretty………….Beet, Cucumber, Sweet Onion Salad with Dijon Honey Dressing!

Beet Cucumber Onion Salad Collage

 

Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Salted Caramel Ice Cream

What can you say about ice cream that hasn’t already been said………Salted Caramel Ice Cream!

Ice cream always conjures up memories of childhood. We all had that place in our hometown where everyone went for ice cream cones or sundaes. It was a huge treat! 

As adults though, we sometimes crave something more than chocolate or vanilla. Tim and I happen to love salted caramel. It started with Haagen Dazs gelato. The Salted Caramel flavor is to die for………my mission to recreate………. Salted Caramel Ice Cream is very close! It is not for those who are watching their weight, cholesterol, or fat intake, but if you want a sweet and salty ice cream treat this is right up your alley.

It is super easy to make, with just a few ingredients………one of which is Kraft Caramel Bits……..little caramel bits, that you do not have to unwrap or cut up……best idea ever Kraft!!!!

Salted Caramel Ice Cream 1

I made this using an ice cream maker………do yourself a favor and get one! They are very reasonably priced and you can make fresh ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or frozen yogurt anytime you want, in any flavor you want. Even if you only use it a few times a year it is well worth it.

 So, get to your favorite store, buy an ice cream maker and make our Salted Caramel Ice Cream!

Salted Caramel Ice Cream Collage