Reese's Frozen Mousse Pie

I wanted to make frozen chocolate mousse pie.

My son wanted frozen peanut butter mousse cake.

Solution: Frozen Reese's Pie!

A half recipe of Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cake

Either with that crust or a graham cracker crust (8 graham crackers, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup margarine - bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes)

Then beat another 4 ounces of pareve whip and when stiff, beat in 1/2 cup peanut butter - use to top the chocolate mousse and decorate with chocolate curls or shaved chocolate.

Trying Something New - Follow Up

I made the Teriyaki Short Ribs last night - followed the recipe through the first cooking, except left out the lemongrass -

The little taste I took was amazing!!! I refrigerated the unstrained sauce and ribs separately, and the beef fat is now solid on top of the sauce, so I'll be able to easily lift it off, reduce, strain and enhance the sauce and have an incredible dish!

Worth it!!!!

Shabbat Shalom

Deb

Trying Something New

Sometimes, life gets in the way of living and obligations take precedence over desires. That's what's been going on with me lately. I've been embroiled in day to day life, keeping the balls juggling in the air, trying very hard not to let too many drop. The only way I could manage all the extra balls that have been thrown my way lately is find one or two to drop- and one big one that I had to drop was entertaining. The past few Shabbatot have been quiet and guest free, which keeps me from my favorite pastime of hostessing, but is good in that affords me extra time to get everything else done. It also allows me to play with new recipes.

Last night I look in the freezer for a little inspiration, and found a package of flanken short ribs I picked up last month at Costco (by the way, kudos to them for the extensive, reasonably priced kosher meats!). In an attempt to satisfy the tastebuds of all who will be eating Friday night, I searched for a recipe with an asian flair - tonight I will make this recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/asian-style-braised-short-ribs-recipe/index.html

and this week's menu will be:

Friday Night Dinner

Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup

Asian Style Braised Short Ribs

Rotisserie Chicken - (my new mini oven has a rotisserie - I've been meaning to test it)

Rice Pilaf

Corn Kugel

Stir Fried Vegetables

Hamentashen (it's close enough!)

Chocolate Puff Pastry Rugelach

Shabbat Lunch

Leftovers from Friday night

Chulent

Cold Cut Sandwiches

Asian Cole Slaw

Shabbat shalom to all -

Menus for a Snowy Shabbat

Excellent news! There's a major storm predicted for the New York area for this Shabbat! As much as kids prefer a snowstorm in the middle of the week, I prefer a Shabbat storm. Reason 1: my commute to work is only a half mile, so I'm expected to show up no matter what the weather. Reason 2: If the storm is so bad that my office is closed and I'm stuck at home, my hyperactive nature kicks into "project" mode - and I try to get through a ton of items from my ever expanding to do list. But, if Shabbat brings a snowstorm (preferably starting just as my Friday night guests return home), it makes my nice, warm house feel like a cocoon, and my inner-nag is quieted by snowy Shabbat peace.

Having just finished chairing my son's school's fundraising dinner, being about to start baking 1000 hamentashen for the shul (besides all the baking for my personal mishloach manot), and co-chairing the shul's fundraising dinner right before pesach, I had already been looking forward to a quiet, peaceful Shabbat - the only invited guests were those that fell into the "more like family than friends" category. Add that to the snow, two novels from the library, someone to snuggle with, and I'm in heaven!

Now, to plan menus that match the weather and mood, take into account that I still need to lose my vacation weight gain yet still make everyone else happy....

Friday Night Dinner

Deb's Challah

Chicken Soup with Matzoh Balls

Ruth's Brisket

Honey Lemon Roasted Chicken with Roasted Root Vegetables

Cranberry Kugel

Popcorn Cauliflower

Braised Red Cabbage

Tossed Salad

Shabbat Lunch

Warm chicken and brisket sandwiches

Chulent

Israeli Salad

Desserts:

Lemon Bars, Oatmeal Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies (already in the freezer)

Desserts will be the beginning of "clear it out before pesach" - I have several batches of cookies and a bundt cake in the freezer.

I can't wait to wake up Shabbat morning to the snow softly falling, the chulent hot and bubbling, the newspapers and books calling, and naps for all!

Shabbat Shalom!

Deb