Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Patriotic Punch Red, White and Blue Drink






 

A drink... We need a Patriotic Punch!!

Patriotic Layered Punch
Blue Ribbon Kitchen, Karri Perry

1 part: Cherry-Cranberry Juice (Red)
1 part: Non-Alcoholic Pina Colada Mix (White)
1 part: Low-Sugar Blue Gatorade (Blue)

The key to this drink is layering different juices of varying sugar content.  The heaviest juice (red layer) or the juice with the most sugar goes in the bottom of the glass.

The middle juice should have sugar content between the highest and the lowest sugar juices. (white layer)

Finally, the last juice (blue layer) should have the least amount of sugar, allowing this juice to remain suspended above the other two layers.

Directions:
Mix ¼ cup of pina colada mix with ¾ cup of cold water.  Set aside.
In a tall glass with ice, add the red juice.
Using a spoon, pour the pina colada mixture onto the spoon and into the glass.  There may be some mixing of the colors…but if the sugar content is correct, the white layer will settle out and rest on top of the red layer.
Lastly, using a spoon to diffuse the pouring, add the blue juice, filling to the top of the glass.
Add fresh strawberries or a red licorice straw for garnish if desired.  Enjoy

How to make the cute glasses:
Using crepe paper and ribbon…
Measure the glass, cut a piece of crepe paper.
Fold in half lengthwise and use scissors to make fringe.
Affix crape paper with double sided tape.
 Fluff the fringe. 
Add a piece of ribbon, tie in a knot or bow… and you are ready for an extra cute celebration!
I used fun-complimentary paper straws-so our decorations wouldn’t impede sips. The fringed decorations would be perfect for napkin rings too. 

Enjoy!











Thursday, June 1, 2023

Chocolate Fudge-Peanut Butter Buckeye Pie










Chocolate Fudge-Peanut Butter Buckeye Pie

Karri Perry-Blue Ribbon Favorites


Crust: 

3 cups crushed chocolate graham crackers (or use Teddy grahams-or chocolate cookies)

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

8 Tablespoons melted butter


Chocolate Fudge Cream Filling Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon unsalted butter

2 Baker’s Chocolate- semi sweet bars (4 ounces each)-chopped

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

***

2/3 cup granulated sugar

3 Tablespoons cornstarch

2 Tablespoons Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup heavy cream

2 cups milk (2% or whole)

3 large egg yolks


Peanut Butter Mousse Filling Ingredients: 

Heavy Whipping Cream- 1 Cup

Sugar 1 TBS

Vanilla 1 tsp

tiny pinch of salt

Cream Cheese 1 brick-softened

Confectioner's Sugar 1 Cup

Peanut Butter 1 Cup

Reese's Cups-optional-original (6) chopped, plus extra for decoration if desired


Whipped Cream Topping:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

3 Tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla


Pie Directions: Crush chocolate graham crackers in food processor until fine.  Add sugar and melted butter to the crushed graham crackers. Mixture should resemble wet sand.  Put the graham mixture into an 10-12 inch deep dish pie plate-or a 9x9 baking dish, use a measuring cup to tamp crust into the sides.  Set crust aside.


Making Chocolate Fudge Cream Filling:


Directions:

In a large bowl, add the chopped chocolate, vanilla and butter.  Set aside.


In a medium saucepan off of the heat, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt and cocoa powder.  Stir in the cream and milk.  Add the egg yolks and stir.


Place the saucepan over medium heat, stir constantly.  The mixture will begin to thicken as it is heated.  Bring to a boil, whisking constantly.  Boil for one minute.


Remove the pan from the heat and immediately pour mixture over the waiting bowl of chocolate, butter and vanilla.


Stir until all of the chocolate has melted and the mixture is glossy and smooth.


Pour chocolate filling into a prepared deep dish pie crust or prepared 9x9 dish.  If necessary smooth the chocolate with an off-set spatula.


Let pie cool for 20 minutes, before chilling in the refrigerator for 2 hours. After two hours, top with peanut butter mousse (recipe follows)


Peanut Butter Mousse:

In a medium bowl, mix together with electric mixer:

1 cup of heavy whipping cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 TBS sugar

tiny pinch of salt

Beat on medium and then high,

 until it's light and airy whipped cream

about 3-4 minutes

set aside.


Mix together with electric mixer: 

1 - 8 ounce brick of softened cream cheese

beat until light and smooth -about 2 minutes

Add: 

1 cup of confectioner's sugar mix until combined.

Add: 

1 cup of creamy peanut butter.

(I used Jiff brand)

Mix in peanut butter until just combined.  


Gently fold in the whipped cream using a rubber spatula

until no streaks of white are visible.


Fold in 6 chopped Reese's cups (if desired) 


Pour the peanut butter mixture over the (now chilled) prepared chocolate fudge cream filling.

Spread the mixture all the way to the edges.

Gently tap the pan on the counter three times

to remove any excess air pockets.


Refrigerate the: Buckeye Chocolate Fudge-Peanut Butter Pie for 4 hours-to overnight before serving for best results.


Before serving, top the pie with sweetened whipped cream.




Decorate with extra peanut butter cups, chopped dry roasted peanuts and a chocolate drizzle.

Tex-Mex Pasta Salad


Farm Market Tex-Mex Pasta Salad | Karri Perry-Blue Ribbon Favorites


4 cups cooked & drained pasta (I used mini bow tie)

2 Tbs red onion chopped

1 Tbs chopped cilantro-(can sub parsley)

Green chopped chilis-small can-(optional)

3-4 cups corn kernels -cooked & cooled

1 cup cherry tomatoes halved

1 avocado-cubed

1/2 cup queso-fresco, crumbled

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 Tbs butter


Dressing:

2 limes-zested and juiced about 3 Tbs of juice, 1-2 tsp zest

1 Tbs red wine vinegar 

2 Tbs olive oil

1 tsp Dijon mustard 

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt



Make pasta, according to package instructions. I used mini bow tie pasta. Any bite-sized pasta in any shape will work. Drain and cool, place in a large mixing bowl.


Cook corn, frozen or fresh. If using fresh, remove kernels from cob. 

Add 1 Tablespoon of butter to cooked corn and coat with 1 teaspoon chili powder. Allow to cool.

Add prepared corn to bowl with the pasta.

To the bowl add chopped red onion, chopped avocado, cilantro, and halved tomatoes. Set aside.


Make the dressing.

Mix together, lime juice and zest from two limes. Add the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt. Stir, and drizzle in olive oil. Stir well to combine.


Pour the dressing over the waiting ingredients. Mix gently, top with crumbled queso-fresco before serving. Can be served immediately or chill pasta salad until ready to serve.