Oh My: S’More’s Pie
June 08, 2010
I have been on a S’mores kick lately as you will see in the coming days. I came up with this recipe by accident. I was trying to get rid of some ingredients from another s’mores recipe project I was working on for “Makes and Takes”, a great website for craft ideas, kid’s craft ideas, food and fun, and I ended up with this. When I put the photograph up on twitter and facebook, everyone went nuts. So here it is. It’s not a “light” recipe, but here are some ways to lighten it up and make it a tiny bit healthier. Use a store-bought reduced-fat graham cracker crust. Use dark chocolate morsels instead of semisweet. Otherwise, take small bites and enjoy. Trust me, adults as well as kids will love it! As for the other s’more recipe, I created for Makes and Takes, it’s coming soon.
S'mores Pie
Prep:
10 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Yield:
8 to 10 servings
Ingredients
1 (12-ounce) package semisweet or dark chocolate morsels
1 (9-inch) reduced-fat graham cracker crust
21/2 cups mini marshmallows
1 (9-inch) reduced-fat graham cracker crust
21/2 cups mini marshmallows
Preparation
1. Microwave chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) 1 1/2 minutes, stirring at 30-second intervals until melted. Stir until smooth. Pour chocolate evenly over piecrust. Top evenly with marshmallows.
3. Preheat broiler. Broil 51/2 inches from the heat (with oven door partially opened) 1 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows are roasted. Let cool slightly and serve.
3. Preheat broiler. Broil 51/2 inches from the heat (with oven door partially opened) 1 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows are roasted. Let cool slightly and serve.
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Kid’s “Healthy Baking” Cooking Class at “Studio B” in Alys Beach
April 13, 2010
Over spring break (I can’t believe it has been a month), I had the ultimate pleasure and honor to teach my “Healthy Baking for Kid’s Cooking Class” at Studio B in Alys Beach. It was such a wonderful experience in an incredible venue, Studio B, located at the most beautiful beach in the country, Alys Beach. We had originally planned for 15 kids, but when 24 arrived, we didn’t turn them away. We made all types of wonderful healthy baked (and no bake) treats. I will feature some on the blog this coming week. Below, is a shot of some of my hometown Birmingham friend’s children who attended and some other shots taken from the class by the talented, Colleen Duffley, owner of Studio B.
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Spring Little Cakes: Easter Petis Fours
April 01, 2010
My daughter’s Leigh’s favorite dessert is Petit Fours, and these remind me just like her: sweet, pretty and incredible! I thought for Easter and spring, I would offer this recipe from Land O Lakes butter that I use when I’m short on time. It uses a cake mix which really cuts down on the work. These are light and taste as good as they look.
Petit Fours
Prep:
2 hours
Cook:
20 minutes
Yield:
4 dozen
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
1 (18 1/2-ounce) package white cake mix
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Icing Ingredients
3 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla
3 drops food color
Candy flowers, if desired
Frosting flowers, if desired
1 (18 1/2-ounce) package white cake mix
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Icing Ingredients
3 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla
3 drops food color
Candy flowers, if desired
Frosting flowers, if desired
Preparation
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 (8-inch) square baking pans. Set aside.
2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, adding 1/2 teaspoon almond extract with water. Evenly divide cake batter between prepared pans. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely. Trim edges from cake; cut each cake into 24 (1 1/2 x 1-inch) pieces.
For the icing:
1. Combine sugar, cream of tartar and water in 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil (12 to 14 minutes). Cover; boil 3 minutes. Uncover; continue cooking until candy thermometer reaches (228°F. to 234°F.) or small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms a 2-inch soft thread (15 to 20 minutes). Remove from heat; cool to 110°F. or until bottom of pan is slightly warm to touch (do not stir) (1 hour). Stir in powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon almond extract and food color.
2. Place wire rack on baking sheet. Place cake pieces cut-side up on wire rack. Carefully spread icing over edges of cake pieces using small spatula or spoon. Spoon about 1 tablespoon over top of each cake and let drizzle over sides. Repeat, coating each piece twice, if needed. (If icing becomes too thick, reheat over low heat until thin consistency and easy to drizzle (2 to 3 minutes)). Scrape icing from baking sheet; reuse, if needed. Garnish each petit four with candy flowers or frosting flowers, if desired.
2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, adding 1/2 teaspoon almond extract with water. Evenly divide cake batter between prepared pans. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely. Trim edges from cake; cut each cake into 24 (1 1/2 x 1-inch) pieces.
For the icing:
1. Combine sugar, cream of tartar and water in 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil (12 to 14 minutes). Cover; boil 3 minutes. Uncover; continue cooking until candy thermometer reaches (228°F. to 234°F.) or small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms a 2-inch soft thread (15 to 20 minutes). Remove from heat; cool to 110°F. or until bottom of pan is slightly warm to touch (do not stir) (1 hour). Stir in powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon almond extract and food color.
2. Place wire rack on baking sheet. Place cake pieces cut-side up on wire rack. Carefully spread icing over edges of cake pieces using small spatula or spoon. Spoon about 1 tablespoon over top of each cake and let drizzle over sides. Repeat, coating each piece twice, if needed. (If icing becomes too thick, reheat over low heat until thin consistency and easy to drizzle (2 to 3 minutes)). Scrape icing from baking sheet; reuse, if needed. Garnish each petit four with candy flowers or frosting flowers, if desired.
3 Responses to “Spring Little Cakes: Easter Petis Fours”
Robin Bloomston says:
April, 06 2010at 11:18 am
I am a Savages petit four junkie! Cant wait to make these, What cake mix brand do you suggest?
Kristi Rimkus says:
April, 02 2010at 09:48 am
How pretty! Perfect for Easter Sunday. How talented you are!
Pat Sinclair says:
April, 02 2010at 04:24 pm
i worked on this recipe when I was a free-lancer in the test kitchens at Land O'Lakes. Mine didn't look nearly as pretty!
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Easter or Summer Entertaining Idea: My Favorite Cupcakes
March 30, 2010
Lots of you have been writing to me asking for awesome Easter dessert ideas so how about these Easter Cupcakes? This recipe comes from “The Pioneer Woman Cooks” cookbook, and it is fabulous. If you’re short on time, I have also included a “cupcake express” recipe to save you time. Either way, I just simply sprinkled mine with spring sprinkles, a perfect look for this time of year.
Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Icing
Prep:
30 minutes
Cook:
22 minutes
Yield:
12 servings
Ingredients
2 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 whole eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cups (plus one tablespoon) milk
FOR THE ICING:
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 whole eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cups (plus one tablespoon) milk
FOR THE ICING:
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. With an electric mixer, mix butter and sugar on high speed until fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl and mix for a few more seconds. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla. Mix to combine. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk in three batches, mixing for a few seconds after each addition.
Scrape sides of bowl, then mix one final time.
4. Fill paper-lined muffin tins 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until poufy but not brown. Cool before icing.
Chocolate Icing:
1. Mix ingredients together in a small/medium saucepan. Melt ingredients over medium low heat, stirring gently. Icing is ready when all ingredients are melted and combined.
2. Spoon warm icing over warm cupcakes, stirring icing to smooth after every third cupcake or so. Allow iced cupcakes to sit at least ten minutes before serving.
Simple express cupcake version: Combine 1 box yellow cake mix, 3 large eggs and 1/3 cup vegetable oil in a large bowl. Heat oven to 375° F. Line a 24-muffin tin with cupcake papers. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil, along with the amount of water called for by the package directions. Beat until well combined. Fill each cup 2/3 full. Place in oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake's center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and place on a wire rack; allow them to cool completely before frosting with store-bought frosting.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. With an electric mixer, mix butter and sugar on high speed until fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl and mix for a few more seconds. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla. Mix to combine. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk in three batches, mixing for a few seconds after each addition.
Scrape sides of bowl, then mix one final time.
4. Fill paper-lined muffin tins 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until poufy but not brown. Cool before icing.
Chocolate Icing:
1. Mix ingredients together in a small/medium saucepan. Melt ingredients over medium low heat, stirring gently. Icing is ready when all ingredients are melted and combined.
2. Spoon warm icing over warm cupcakes, stirring icing to smooth after every third cupcake or so. Allow iced cupcakes to sit at least ten minutes before serving.
Simple express cupcake version: Combine 1 box yellow cake mix, 3 large eggs and 1/3 cup vegetable oil in a large bowl. Heat oven to 375° F. Line a 24-muffin tin with cupcake papers. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil, along with the amount of water called for by the package directions. Beat until well combined. Fill each cup 2/3 full. Place in oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake's center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and place on a wire rack; allow them to cool completely before frosting with store-bought frosting.
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Light and Fabulous: Passover Crescent Cookies
March 28, 2010
Every year my sister, Julie, bakes with her college friend, Toby, and they make dozens and dozens of wonderful Passover desserts. I’m in awe when I go see what they have cooked up in the kitchen in just one day. They are always trying new Passover dessert recipes, but some have been passed to them by their other college friend, Elaine. Elaine’s mother, Joan May, told them about this recipe for Crescent Cookies a few years ago. Since then, this recipe has been a staple dessert on Passover in Julie’s and Toby’s homes. Sometimes they dip them in chocolate, but I personally like them with a small dusting of powdered sugar. They are airy, light and so incredibly addictive. They taste nothing like a Passover cookie (no offense to Passover). They are great and only 5 ingredients. Thank you Toby, Julie, Elaine and Joan for letting me share this recipe with my readers.
Passover Crescent Cookies
Prep:
15 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
11/2 cups ground pecans
13/4 cup matzoh cake meal
Confectioners sugar or Semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
11/2 cups ground pecans
13/4 cup matzoh cake meal
Confectioners sugar or Semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Cream butter, sugar and egg until blended. Add nuts and cake meal, mixing well. Shape dough into crescents and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. (Note: These expand so made them smaller than you want.)
3. Bake at 375F for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Dust with powdered sugar or melt chocolate and dip in chocolate.
2. Cream butter, sugar and egg until blended. Add nuts and cake meal, mixing well. Shape dough into crescents and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. (Note: These expand so made them smaller than you want.)
3. Bake at 375F for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Dust with powdered sugar or melt chocolate and dip in chocolate.
3 Responses to “Light and Fabulous: Passover Crescent Cookies”
Alison Lewis says:
March, 29 2010at 07:07 am
yes, that is correct.
Rhonda says:
March, 29 2010at 06:40 am
For Passover, you mean Matzah Cake Meal, correct?
Kristi Rimkus says:
April, 07 2010at 09:09 am
I don't bake often, but these look like something I could handle. I think I agree with you, I would probably prefer them without the chocolate. Thanks for the recipe!
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Flourless Chocolate Torte: Gluten-Free and Wonderful for Passover and Easter
March 25, 2010
I have made this Flourless Chocolate Torte for several years for my wonderful family for Passover. It’s been a treasured recipe that I haven’t shared. When I got a note from my friend, Robin, saying that her son’s birthday falls on Passover this year, I knew I had to give her the recipe. So here it is…..You can substitute bittersweet chocolate for semisweet or mix the two. It is really easy to prepare and only a few ingredients. Just take your time and follow the directions very carefully. I was in a hurry and unhooked my springform pan too soon (trying to make it to my son’s baseball game) and it came out looking like a chocolate souffle as seen above. Still wonderful and sinfully rich.
Flourless Chocolate Torte
Prep:
20 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Yield:
8 to 10 servings
Ingredients
2 (8-ounce) packages semisweet chocolate squares, chopped
1 cup unsalted butter
6 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
Sifted powdered sugar
Whipped Cream (optional)
1 cup unsalted butter
6 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
Sifted powdered sugar
Whipped Cream (optional)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 425F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan; wrap bottom of pan with foil. (This will keep water from seeping in during baking.) Set aside.
2. Melt chocolate and butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Cool mixture slightly.
3. Beat eggs at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating 5 minutes or until volume is increased 4 times. Fold chocolate mixture into egg mixture; pour into prepared pan. Place in a large shallow pan. Add water to depth of 1 inch.
4. Bake at 425F for 25 to 30 minute or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack at least 20 minutes. Remove sides from pan. Cool torte on wire rack. (Cake will fall and become uneven.) Dust with powdered sugar.
For whipped cream, beat whipping cream until foamy; gradually add 1/4 cup powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Serve with torte with strawberries and/or raspberries.
2. Melt chocolate and butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Cool mixture slightly.
3. Beat eggs at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating 5 minutes or until volume is increased 4 times. Fold chocolate mixture into egg mixture; pour into prepared pan. Place in a large shallow pan. Add water to depth of 1 inch.
4. Bake at 425F for 25 to 30 minute or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack at least 20 minutes. Remove sides from pan. Cool torte on wire rack. (Cake will fall and become uneven.) Dust with powdered sugar.
For whipped cream, beat whipping cream until foamy; gradually add 1/4 cup powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Serve with torte with strawberries and/or raspberries.
One Response to “Flourless Chocolate Torte: Gluten-Free and Wonderful for Passover and Easter”
Robin Bloomston says:
March, 30 2010at 11:08 am
If the manna from the sky was this chocolate torte it would have been more than sufficient. It was absolutely delicious and made us very popular. It held a birthday candle well and was devoured. I have sent everyone to yor web page for the recipe. Thank you sooo much for the recipe!
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Kid’s Creations at Valentine Cooking Class: Valentine Cupcakes
February 15, 2010
Wow, what a busy weekend! I don’t think I realized how busy until just now when I sat and thought about it. Between baking dozens and dozens of Valentine cookies (i think 25 dozen?), working on a recipe contest that I’m judging, taking 8 of my daughter’s friends to dinner for her birthday and a Valentine cooking class, need I say more? I also ran a part in the Mercedes Marathon, tested 2 grilling recipes for a grilling project and oh, I forgot more and more laundry from the kids playing out in the snow. One of the highlights of the Kid’s Valentine Cooking class (and my daughter’s party), was when they decorated cupcakes with all types of Valentine Candy. This one was the hit (by my daughter, Leigh). Sorry, I can’t share the recipe for the cupcake. It’s a hidden treasure.
3 Responses to “Kid’s Creations at Valentine Cooking Class: Valentine Cupcakes”
Erica Ribnick says:
February, 21 2010at 02:51 pm
These are super cute. When you make your next cookbook this recipe would be a great addition. I am always looking for a great vanilla cupcake recipe.
Barbara Beery says:
February, 16 2010at 08:47 am
Please take a look at my cupcakes and Pink Princess products for your sales section and or give-aways! http://kidscookingshop.com/barbaras-pink-princess-series
Amy says:
February, 15 2010at 08:17 pm
Loved the V-day party!!!! The kids left with a plate full of treats!!! I am not sure which was the favorite... Seems to be a toss up between the "love passion" punch and the banana bread. Thanks again!!! It was a blast!!!!
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Winter Warm Up: Easy and Low-Fat Hot Chocolate
January 10, 2010
It’s so cold in the deep south, and I can’t wait until it warms up. I have missed running, tennis, and my kids miss playing outdoors. We drink a lot of hot apple cider and hot chocolate around my house lately. This Low-Fat Hot Chocolate recipe is great and really simple to make. Feel free to add cinnamon, coffee or any of your favorite liqueurs such as Baileys or Kahlua.
Low-Fat Hot Chocolate
Prep:
5 minutes
Yield:
2 servings
Ingredients
2 cups skim milk
4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
4 teaspoons sugar
4 teaspoons water
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Mini Marshmallows, dark chocolate, cocoa powder (optional)
4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
4 teaspoons sugar
4 teaspoons water
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Mini Marshmallows, dark chocolate, cocoa powder (optional)
Preparation
1. Heat the milk until just simmering. In a mug, combine the cocoa powder, sugar and water and stir to make a paste. Pour the milk into the mug and stir to mix well. Add the vanilla extract and stir. Grate a little dark chocolate on top, if desired.
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Talk of the Town Nashville: Chocolate Chipotle Cookies
December 10, 2009
Yesterday I has the awesome opportunity once again to be on “Talk of the Town Newschannel 5 in Nashville making this recipe for Chocolate Chipotle Cookies. I developed this recipe for Wisconsin Milk and Marketing Board and http://butterisbest.com working on a “regional holiday cookie” recipe project. This recipe represented the Southwest with the chipotle chocolate twist. Everyone at the station went wild over these cookies. They are wonderful for Christmas gifts or for a holiday cookie swap . Here’s the link from the television spot.
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/category.asp?C=85286
Chocolate Chipotle Cookies
Prep:
25 minutes
Cook:
12 minutes
Yield:
3 dozen
Ingredients
8 ounces dark chocolate morsels (11/3 cups)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground chipotle seasoning
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground chipotle seasoning
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 325F.
2. Microwave chocolate on HIGH heat for 45 seconds; stir. Reheat in 15 second intervals, stirring until melted or heat chocolate over a double-boiler, stirring until melted.
3. Combine, flour, cinnamon and chipotle in a medium bowl; Set aside.
4. Beat butter at medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy. Add brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in melted chocolate. Stir in flour mixture until blended. Stir in pecans.
5. Shape dough into 1-inch ball; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten bottom with a glass dipped in sugar.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
2. Microwave chocolate on HIGH heat for 45 seconds; stir. Reheat in 15 second intervals, stirring until melted or heat chocolate over a double-boiler, stirring until melted.
3. Combine, flour, cinnamon and chipotle in a medium bowl; Set aside.
4. Beat butter at medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy. Add brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in melted chocolate. Stir in flour mixture until blended. Stir in pecans.
5. Shape dough into 1-inch ball; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten bottom with a glass dipped in sugar.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
One Response to “Talk of the Town Nashville: Chocolate Chipotle Cookies”
Ginny Hutchinson says:
December, 11 2009at 08:11 am
Do you get the Chipotle seasoning at the regular grocery store or somewhere else?
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Easy Holiday Food Gift: Butterscotch Bar Cookie Mix
November 30, 2009
I love to make homemade food gifts for Christmas and Hanukkah gifts, especially this year when everyone is trying to save money. This 4 ingredient food gift is as simple as can be and very economical. You can get the jars at any local store and even Walmart. Which ever you choose, this recipe is delicious, and everyone loves it. Happy December!
Butterscotch Bar Cookie Mix
Prep:
5 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Yield:
3 dozen
Ingredients
11/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
2 cups (12 ounces) butterscotch morsles
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
2 cups (12 ounces) butterscotch morsles
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Preparation
1. Layer all ingredients in a 1-quart jar in order given; tightly seal. Makes 1 gift jar.
Chocolate Butterscotch Bar Cookies: Combine Chocolate Butterscotch Bar Mix and 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (you can use the low-fat). Press into a greased aluminum foil-lined 9-inch square pan. Bake at 350F for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely and cut into squares.
Chocolate Butterscotch Bar Cookies: Combine Chocolate Butterscotch Bar Mix and 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (you can use the low-fat). Press into a greased aluminum foil-lined 9-inch square pan. Bake at 350F for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely and cut into squares.
One Response to “Easy Holiday Food Gift: Butterscotch Bar Cookie Mix”
Susan Gilpin says:
December, 01 2009at 10:14 am
Alison, love the bar cookie idea. I will use this one!
Also want to use the wasabi-cranberry snack mix you posted a while back...I have misplaced the recipe. Could you please resend it to me. Thanks!
PS I'm doing meatloaf tomorrow night for dinner!