A Great Wine!

If you like red wine, try The Dreaming Tree, Crush.  Crush is a California blend that is a great value under $20. It's a collaberation of Dave Matthews (from DMB) and Steve Reeder. I know at least one person out there who likes Dave Matthews Band and good wine!

Apple-Cranberry Sauce

This is amazingly easy. Though I haven't tried it yet, I bet it cans well.

Apple-Cranberry Sauce

1 pound cranberries, fresh or frozen

1 cup apple cider

1/3 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

In a saucepan, combine the cranberries, cider and sugars. Simmer until the cranberries begin to burst and the sauce thickens, 12 to 15 minutes.

Tips: 

-          This is SO easy to make and so good, I can’t imagine buying it in a can again after I discovered this.

-          I use dark brown sugar but I tend to always do that when brown sugar is called for.

-          I use fresh berries when available. 

Chocolate Berry Bars

My friends Linda and Gina asked for this recipe today so I wanted to post it. Another great recipe from my neighbor Kim. Sorry for the blurry picture. I'd take another but they are being consumed at a party at this very moment! Enjoy.

Chocolate Berry Bars

2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs

½ cup butter (one stick)

1 cup plain granola cereal

1 ¾ cup (10 oz pkg) 53% cocoa dark chocolate chunks (separated)

1 cup dried cranberries, blueberries or cherries

1 cup sliced almonds, toasted

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)

Preheat oven to 350°.

Melt butter and stir into cracker crumbs. Stir well and press into ungreased 9”X13” pan.

Layer granola, 1 ¼ cup of the chocolate chunks, dried fruit and almonds over graham cracker crust. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over almonds.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until brown and bubbly around the edge. Cool completely on wire rack.

Microwave remaining ½ cup chocolate in small, heavy duty plastic storage bag on high for 30-45 seconds; knead until smooth. Cut a tiny corner from bag and squeeze to drizzle over top of pan.

Refrigerate overnight if possible. Cut into bars.

 

Tips:  - Any dark chocolate will do and chips work fine if you can’t find the chunks.

            - To toast the almonds I put them in a pan with a little oil on the cooktop and cook until barely brown.

Dog Ice Cream

My dogs are fans of Frosty Paws brand of dog ice cream but this is much cheaper with none of the chemicals or preservatives.  The yogurt is very low in lactose so they have NO problems eating it. Our panel of experts below, gave the dish a "paws up".

Dog Ice Cream

32 oz. Plain Yogurt

1 banana

2 TBS peanut butter

2 TBS honey.

Mix all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth, then pour in ice cube trays or small paper cups (or even a kong toy). You can make it in an automatic ice cream maker if you wish.