Because We All Need A Little Chocolate ... or Fudge...

We were in the mood for chocolate and peanut butter last night.

Sometimes these cravings just have to be dealt with in the fastest and easiest way possible...























Quick and Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

**Warning, "Health Food" this is NOT!!

3/4 cup vegan margarine -- (We use Willow Run for this, definitely works the best)

1 cup peanut butter --(If you're using "natural" peanutbutter, this works best with as little oil as possible stirred into it. Great recipe for that dry crumbly stuff in the bottom of the jar. I use whatever peanut butter we have around...)

2 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar (or "powdered" or "icing" sugar. Yes, it's possible to find non-bone-char -vegan-confectioners sugar)

1 cup chocolate chips (vegan)

1/2 cup chopped peanuts (optional)

Instructions:

Lightly grease a 9x9 inch baking dish.
In a saucepan over low heat, melt margarine.
Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until smooth.
Stir in confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, until well blended.
Stir in chocolate chips and nuts if you want. Pat into prepared pan.
Chill until firm. Cut into squares.

Yes, it's that easy. Enjoy.

Happy New Year

Yes, I'm a week late, but you know I love showing off family and friends at least as much as food; so here's some fun pix from the New Year's Party.

(and a great recipe. I won't leave you hanging without recipes!!).
























My middle "Sprout" blew off her friends' invitation and opted to hang with the less cool adults tonight. (Probably afraid to miss out on family gossip!) It's OK, we had more fun anyway!

This is, of course, three of my lovely sisters, and me.
























I thought the steam from the hot cider added a neat effect to this picture, though maybe it looks like smoke...which it wasn't.

And I assure you, she's drinking cranberry juice, which I suppose, doesn't sound too believeable either.















Just a few of the party goodies - vegan except the cheese plate.
Don't know if you can see them, but we had vegan:

- Chex Party Mix
-Olive Tofu Pecan Dip
- Best Vegan Ranch (can even be made RAW!)
- Gingerbread and Lemon Bundt Mini-Cakes
-Stuffed Mushrooms
-Vegan Fudge (SOOO good!! from "Shmooed Food")
- Black-Bean-Corn Salsa (recipe below)


Easiest Black-Bean-Corn-Salsa-Salad:

1 can, 14 ounces, black beans, rinsed and drained
1/1/2 cups frozen corn kernels (I like tiny white corn here)
1 small red or orange bell pepper, chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1/2 a bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped fine
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons hot sauce, just eyeball the amount
1 lime, juiced
2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
Salt and pepper
Combine all ingredients. Let stand at least 15 minutes for corn to fully defrost and flavors to combine, toss and serve. The corn will also place a quick-chill on this as it
defrosts -- no need to refrigerate!

Happy New Year


And hopefully no one will try sticking a cold beverage bottle on your neck.

Stop smirking!
It's cold!