Brownie Trifle

We are going to my sister-in-law's for dinner tonight.  She recently moved into a new house, and it's then first time we are seeing it.  The kids are super excited about playing with their cousins, and I am excited about not having to cook dinner!

I am bringing dessert to the dinner party.  I was going through my head trying to figure out what to make. I knew anything chocolate is always popular.  So I decided to make a trifle. 

Trifle is so easy to make and always a hit.  It's basically assembly and layering.  I chose to make the individual components for each layer, but you can totally buy them.  Here's how it went together:

ingredients

1 batch of brownies, 9x13
4 c. prepared chocolate mousse or pudding
24 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
4 c. prepared whipped cream

The night before prepare mousse or pudding according to package directions or favorite recipe. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly onto mixture and allow to chill overnight or at least four hours.

Prepare your favorite brownie recipe.  Here's my fudgy brownie recipe.  Allow to cool and slice into small squares.

Prepare your whipped cream or use store bought whipped topping from the freezer section, but allow it to thaw. Fold in half of the crushed sandwich cookies.

In a glass serving bowl, put a layer of brownies (about half the pan) along the side and on the bottom.

Next build your layers.

Spoon in 2 cups of mousse or pudding, followed by 2 cups of whipped cream.

Next, layer of brownies.

Repeat the mousse and whipped cream.

Finally, spoon the remainder of the crushed cookies on the very top.

Allow to firm up in the fridge for a few hours.

Serve with a really big spoon!  Enjoy :)

Chicken Chili

It is so cold this morning. My toes felt frozen just from the short time at the bus stop.  It's days like these that makes me want to hunker down, read a book, and enjoy a hot bowl of something.  Today's something is chicken chili.

ingredients

2 lbs. ground chicken breast
1 small white onion
29 oz. can tomato sauce
14.5 oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes
14.5 oz. can stewed tomatoes
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. Ancho Chili
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
pinch of sugar
salt & pepper to taste

In a large stock pot, brown ground chicken in a tablespoon of oil. Really allow the meat to cook and get browned, about 10 minutes.  Add the spices and allow to coat and cook on the ground chicken for 3 to 4 minutes.

Add tomato sauce, diced, and stewed tomatoes.  Allow to simmer on low for 20 minutes.  Finally add the chili beans and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. 

Freezes well for about 3 to 4 months.

Pineapple & Cream Smoothie

OK, it's 2015. Everyone is on a new year, new you campaign.  I admit, I have fallen susceptible to those campaigns in the past too.  I do try to actively live a healthy lifestyle, and sometimes have set backs as we all do.  I just release the guilty feelings and move on to healthier choices.

In the spirit of things of a new year, let's get healthy, I will share a smoothie recipe.  It's simple, delicious, light and refreshing.  It makes a great breakfast, dessert, or snack.  It is also another way for me to get in some yogurt, which I really really don't like. 

My recipes for smoothies don't include protein powder or other supplements.  However, if you already incorporate those items into your diet, feel free to add it to the smoothie.

recipe (three 8 oz. servings)

3 c. frozen pineapple chunks
2 1/4 c. almond milk, (you can use skim milk too)
1/2 c. plain yogurt
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Simply combine all the ingredients in a blender, and puree until smooth.  If the mixture is thick you can add a bit more milk.  Serve immediately.