Cook: Peanut Butter Cups (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Gluten-Free)

For years, I've had a hankerin' for some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups like when I was a kid! Sadly, I can't have them. They contain cow milk products. But I found a recipe online that's supposed to imitate the taste and I tried it out this weekend.

I made a few changes to the original recipe. First, I decreased the amount of peanut butter filling (the original recipe called for too much and we "had to" chow down on the extra because it wouldn't fit in the containers). I used semi-sweet dairy-free chocolate instead of milk chocolate. Finally, I didn't follow the instructions to add extra salt to the peanut butter (there's already salt in the all-natural peanut butter that we bought).

According to the Assessor, my recipe is a good match with the original in terms of taste. The chocolate was a bit harder than Reece's chocolate, but that's probably because it's not milk-chocolate. I might try to make my own goat milk chocolate some time and see if that doesn't help.

Before using my recipe, you might read the original because he gave a good explanation for why you should use high quality chocolate and peanut butter to make the recipe work.

Dairy-Free Peanut Butter Cups

Theses are the brands I used.

Ingredients (as adjusted from the original)

• 12 paper muffin cups
• 1 12 oz package of milk-free chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
• 1/2 cup reduced fat all-natural smooth peanut butter
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1) Cut the top half off of the paper muffin cups.

2) Heat up all the chocolate for 2 minutes at 50% power in a glass, microwave-safe bowl. Then take a teaspoon full and drop into each paper cup. Spread the chocolate up the sides of the cup.

3) Put in freezer or fridge until hardened.

4) Mix powdered sugar and peanut butter.

5) When the chocolate hardens, heat the bowl of peanut butter for 30 seconds to 1 minute in the microwave and place even amounts into each cup. Make sure to pat the peanut butter down so that the second chocolate layer will cover the top.

6) Let your helpers lick the peanut butter bowl while the half-finished cups are cooling in the fridge.

7) Once the peanut butter has cooled, spread the remaining chocolate over the top. If the bowl of chocolate has cooled and is stiff again, you can reheat it on 50% power in increments of 30 seconds.

8) Decorate your helpers with the muffin tops while the peanut butter cups are hardening in the fridge.

9) Enjoy!

It's so tasty! 

Also, check out the new pages I have tabbed at the top of my blog. I've got a Spotify account and a GoodReads account so you can keep up with the crazy stuff I've been listening to and reading about.

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Think: Tragic Events

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My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

-Psalm 73:26

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

-Isaiah 41:10

Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. 

-Psalm 82:3-4

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but have courage--I have conquered the world. 

-John 16:33

The waves of death surrounded me; the floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death itself stared me in the face. But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I called to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears. 

-2 Samuel 22:5-7

Below's Garth Brooks and "The Dance." His performance was meant for a different memorial service, but I think it fits recent events.

Watch and Read: Lizzie Bennet Diaries and Other Prides and Prejudices

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I watched the entire series of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries last week on YouTube (you can see it from start to finish at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6690D980D8A65D08). It was awesome! But it also got me to thinking how timeless Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice story truly is and just how many versions I've seen recreated for the small and big screen. So here's a recap of my favorites in preparation for the future Pride and Prejudice and Zombies movie that's in production (which may or may not come to fruition). I've listed the movies/series in the order in which I first saw them. Maybe your favorites are different?

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1) Pride and Prejudice (1995) with Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth and Colin Firth as Darcy

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This 300-minute TV miniseries of Elizabeth and Darcy's love story is, in my opinion, the best ever depiction of the book in it's original setting (1800 England). From Jennifer's 100 playful and witty tete-a-tete's with all her friends and family to Colin's 3 million awkward and haughty facial expressions make me want to re-read the original every time (in a good way, because I'm so excited). The music is catchy (watch yourselves or you'll be humming the theme song as you brush your teeth). Also, the last scene between Lady Catherine de Bourg and Elizabeth Bennet had me serial-wacking couch pillows and hooting with exaltation.

2) You've Got Mail (1998) with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks and The Shop Around the Corner (1940) with Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart

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I've lumped these two together because You've Got Mail is a modern remake of The Shop Around the Corner. You can read for yourself about how these movies draw from the original P&P, but suffice it to say they're both awesome movies that take P&P into the 1900s. Both movies reduce the number of characters and scene changes quite a bit to get at the heart of the whole Elizabeth and Darcy saga, which makes for much easier-to-digest movie-sized packages.

3) Bridget Jones's Diaries (2001) with Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth (again!!!!)

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This movie (and the original Bridget Jones's Diaries book) makes no excuse for it's blatant draw from the P&P novel. According to the author, she even hired Colin Firth because she liked his 1995 Darcy portrayal so much! I must say that this is the most risque version over the tale, and why wouldn't it be with the indomitable British actor Hugh Grant.

4) Pride and Prejudice (2005) with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen

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If you have to watch a shorter period-version of story, I'd go with this movie staring Keira and Matthew. Although Mrs. Bennet (Elizabeth's mother) is not nearly as annoying and meddling as she should be, I think it's an excellent try. With over 28 main characters to develop, I think any film maker would find it hard to condense the story into 1 hour and 27 minutes.

5) Pride and Prejudice (1980) with Sabina Franklyn and David Rintoul

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I have to say that this version is my least favorite. There's very little background music, long lengthy conversations taken verbatim from the book, and a Darcy that I might mistaken for a robot if I were to meet him on the street. The chemistry between almost all of the characters is zilch, and it seems like Sabinia kept forgetting that she was playing the witty, playful, sarcastic Elizabeth and instead seemed to play the all too sweet and sensitive Jane instead. This is not a version I would recommend.

6) Lost in Austen (2008) with Jemima Rooper and Elliot Cowan

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So this, the latest BBC version, is quite a stretch. The likelihood that someone in today's world is going to step through a wall in their bathroom into the world of Elizabeth and Darcy is rather small. Also, the scene where Darcy is asked to dunk himself in the pond is quite silly. But overall, the main character, Amanda, does an awesome job and makes this a really cute, rom-com story (you can watch for free but not captioned at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz-9gmfXjTI).

7) Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2013) with Ashley Clements and Daniel Vincent Gordh

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And this brings me to the last of the P&P-related film I've seen. This series was created in conjunction with Hank Green (one of the Vlog Brothers). What a unique way to re-tell the story from a vlogger's point of view! Don't get freaked out about amateur vlogers portraying beloved characters; these people are trained actors. Although I would have liked more episodes with Darcy, I think that maybe the suspense of not seeing him makes the episodes with him that much more exciting and epic. Also, the episode where Lizzie explains her parents and the episode when Bing Lee visits a sick Jane Bennet are "totes adorbs." Plus they're relatively successful at closed captioning the series. In the words and actions of Lydia Bennet, "Whaaaaaattt" [high five].

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Not really...:) So which one's your favorite?

Cook: Herb Time!

It's spring time and our herb garden is getting bigger! Specifically our rosemary bush is out of control and we need to do some trimming. A few people have asked me what we do with our herbs, so below are few options.

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1. Use 'em Fresh

Directions: Wash with warm water and add to current meal. Duh! :)

Note: We grab fresh rosemary quite often to spice up omelets and other family meals. Just remember to use a little more fresh rosemary (or other herb) than if you were using the dried version.

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2. Refrigerate 'em

Directions: cut sprigs, wash them in warm water, place cut ends in a cup of water (like flowers), and bag the top (sandwich bag will do)

Note: I haven't tried this method, but I hear it works really well. Your herbs should last around a week to two weeks this way. 

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3. Freeze 'em

Directions: Wash in warm water, pluck leaves from stems, and bag tightly in the freezer.

Note: I've used a similar process with ginger and orange/lime zest. Just don't forget to label your bags!

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4. Dry 'em

Directions: Wash in warm water, pat down dry, tie in bunches with string, and hang upside down for 4 weeks.

Note: I love drying herbs because it makes the house smell wonderful! The only draw back is the time it takes to dry the herbs and it's a little time consuming to remove the leaves if you've got big bundles. Be sure to store your dried herbs in a cool dry place (an old spice container or jar will do the trick!

Cook: Superhero Cooking Oils Series, Sunflower Oil

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Before you go all Wolverine on your alternative-ingredient cake or main dish because it's just not working for ya, check out my upcoming blogs. This is the beginning of a series of entries where I provide you with a few tips on all the oils that I use and when I use them. They're not all the same! I will exclude any oils made from cow milk and olives because of my food intolerances.

To make my tips a bit more memorable, I've decided imagine if they were a character in the X-Men franchise (X-Men are awesome). Then I describe similarities between the oils and their characters. That way it sticks in my head too!

My first "study in oil" is about Sunflower oil, and it couldn't come at a better time because they just released the trailer for the upcoming "The Wolverine" movie (this ain't no April Fools, fool!). Enjoy!

Sunflower Seed Oil as Wolverine

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Although they always show Woverine as he eats and drinks anything and everything, I choose to believe that Wolverine's ripped bod maintains a 50-mile radius away from all unhealthy foods. Otherwise, why should I work out? Anyways, sunflower oil is made up of mainly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, both of which are great for reducing cholesterol. Monounsaturated fats, specifically, are great for reducing bad cholesterol (LDL) and increasing good cholesterol (HDL). Sunflower oil makes Wolverine healthy!

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Sunflower oil is rich in Omega 6, Vitamins A, D, and E, which is great! But don't loose your memory like Wolverine after the Weapon X surgeries (or after his bullet to the brain like in X-Men Origins: Wolverine)! The American diet has a bit too much Omega 6 (which could lead to post-menopausal breast cancer). Wolverine would like all women to keep their brea...I mean health, so "all things in moderation," right? So remember how much Omega 6 you're eating.

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Just like how Wolverine's adamantium-plated skeleton was manufactured and installed outside the US (and he was born outside the US), the largest producers of sunflower seed oil are in the Ukraine and Russia. They're like cousins! Except for Wolverine got his upgrade in Canada and not Europe.... This oil also likes to be stored stored in cool temperatures away from sunlight to help retain freshness (so as not to go rancid or cranky like Wolverine). A cranky Wolverine is a bad wolverine.

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Wolverine can get shot in the head, dropped from high places, and irradiated. He just keeps coming back. Sunflower seed oil has this ruggedness too! For example, you can use this oil to run diesel engines and deep fry your chicken (although, not literally the same oil is used in both places)! This is all due to the fact that sunflower oil has a high smoke point (440-450 degrees). What a deal!

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But deep down, Wolverine is a softy and has a good at heart. He's in love with Jean Grey, he's bud's with most of the X-Men (Cyclops, not so much), and he chills with Psy evidently (below). Sunflower's light taste and appearance (clear or yellow-amber in color) makes it an excellent oil for any occasion. Also, this oil can help keep foods fresher for longer periods of time and it's fairly inexpensive.

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Never accept changes to your sunflower seed oil (or your Wolverine). Unrefined oil is preferred for it's health benefits even though the smoke point goes up the more manufacturers refine (like say for chips).

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And finally, Wolverine is kind of a party animal (stealing bikes, boxing, making off with your girlfriends), somewhat like sunflower oil. It's versatile and fun! I like to use sunflower oil in frying, baking, and I've made salad dressing with it.

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For more information about sunflower oil, check out Wikipedia, this Web site, or this Web site like I did.