T's Homemade Hot Chocolate

Thomas has been perfecting his perfect cup of hot cocoa all winter long.  He's been happy with this recipe, so I decided to write it down so we'll remember it for next year.  It has a smooth, chocolaty taste. 

3 T sugar
1 T dark cocoa
3 T cocoa
dash salt
1/3-1/2 cup hot water
3 cups milk

Stir sugar, dark cocoa, cocoa, salt and water constantly in a saucepan over medium high heat (5).  Make sure all the cocoa balls dissolve.  When it begins to boil, turn down the heat to medium low (3).  Continue to stir for two minutes.  Add three cups of milk, constantly stirring until heated (but don't boil!) to your desire.

Candy Corn Milkshake

Here is my attempt at making a milkshake that is supposed to look like a candy corn:

What you need to try it yourself:
Blender, vanilla ice cream, ice cubes, milk, mango puree and raspberry puree

In a blender add 4 cups of crushed ice cubes, 4 scoops of ice cream, and 1 cup of milk and liquefy until it becomes a smooth consistency, pouring in more milk as needed.  Scoop out spoonfuls into chilled glasses. Pound the glass to even off the ice cream. Add 1/2 cup of mango puree into blender and blend until combined.  Scoop the yellow ice cream into the glasses.  Pound the glass against the counter to make the second layer even. Add 1/4 cup of raspberry puree (hopefully reaching an orange color) until combined.  Scoop the orange ice cream into the glasses, topping them off. 

*Recipe adapted by George Duran

Good ol' new green bean casserole

Taking the standard green bean casserole + changing it a little = Thomas' favorite!  This recipe is adapted from Classy Green Bean Casserole found on www.allrecipes.com.  Here are the changes: 1. I used fresh green beans, 2. I used 1/2 cup of non fat plain yogurt instead of sour cream, and 3.  I used breadcrumbs instead of French onions.

I made it a heartier, one dish meal by adding chicken

Ingredients

1 pound of green beans (or 3 cans)
1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Diced chicken or turkey (optional)
1 tsp (approx) garlic salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Lots of Italian seasoning and Parsley
1 T melted butter
1/2 cup of crushed crackers or breadcrumbs

Directions
Wash and cook green beans.  In an 8x8 pan (or 2 quart dish), mix cream of mushroom soup and yogurt.  Stir in green beans, salt and pepper and seasonings until incorporated.  Make your own breadcrumbs or smash crackers, adding the melted butter.  Top casserole with (slightly) buttery bread topping.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Are you curious about my drink?
Rooibus Raspberry Soda
Basically combine 2 cups Rooibus tea, stir in a little sugar or honey (we just stocked up on some more in Germany, so we're good to go!) with 2 cups raspberry juice; however, I used grape juice and 2 cups sparkling water.  Chill.