HOMEMADE NUTELLA - CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT SPREAD

This recipes looked too good to pass up. I haven't had a chance to try it yet.


From the LA TIMES comes this slightly tweaked recipe for Nutella.
The original recipe calls for Hazelnut oil. This is pricey and hard to find. If you have it on hand by all mean use it in place of the other oils suggested. Also suggested in the original article was Scharffen Burger Chocolate. If it's not in your pantry or budget, Hershey's European Dark Cocoa will work great.
Toasting the nuts really brings out their flavor, but if you prefer to skip this step it is ok. I suggest you do toast and remember to watch so you don't burn your hazelnuts.
Years ago I use to purchase a peanut-chocolate spread. You can use peanuts (regular roast, not dry roasted) in place of the hazelnuts. Purchasing roasted peanuts will save you a little time by not having to roast. Use you're favorite nut to personalize to your taste.

Hazelnut-chocolate spread (homemade Nutella)
February 11, 2009
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: Makes about 1 1/2 cups

2 cups raw hazelnuts
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons light olive or canola oil

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Spread the hazelnuts evenly over a cookie sheet and roast until they darken and become aromatic, about 10 minutes. Transfer the hazelnuts to a damp towel and rub to remove the skins.

2. In a food processor, grind the hazelnuts to a smooth butter, scraping the sides as needed so they process evenly, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the cocoa, sugar, vanilla, salt and oil to the food processor and continue to process until well blended, about 1 minute. The finished spread should have the consistency of creamy peanut butter; if it is too dry, process in a little extra hazelnut oil until the desired consistency is achieved. Remove to a container, cover and refrigerate until needed. Allow the spread to come to room temperature before using, as it thickens considerably when refrigerated. It will keep for at least a week.


Each tablespoon: 109 calories; 2 grams protein; 8 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 9 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 cholesterol; 13 mg. sodium.

BONEFISH GRILL® CITRUS HERB VINAIGRETTE

A bottle of salad dressing can cost around $4.00. Try making this fresh at home, it will cost a lot less.

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Bonefish Grill® Citrus Herb Vinaigrette

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2/3 Cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 Cup light brown sugar

3 Tablespoons water

2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

4 Teaspoons minced garlic

1 Tablespoon Grey Poupon Dijon mustard

2 Teaspoons orange juice

2 Teaspoons lemon juice

2 Teaspoons minced fresh parsley

1/2 Teaspoon dried basil

1/4 Teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 Teaspoon grated orange peel
1/4 Teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/4 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 Teaspoon salt

1/8 Teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients except for the oil in a glass or stainless steel bowl. Whisk well. Allow mixture to rest for 15 minutes. Slowly whisk in oil, pouring it in a steady stream and whisking continuously to make an emulsion.

Cover and chill for 1 hour before serving.

Makes 1-1/4 cups.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

I have a house full of guests for the holiday weekend

so I am going to cheat a little on this post.

For your 4th of July menu I am posting a couple of links to my other blog for a few ideas for burgers and lemonade.

Some great Burger recipes

Some Lemonade ideas

(some lemonade recipes with and without alcohol)

Have a safe and wonderful July 4th.

PEPPERMINT SUGAR SCRUB

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

This is great for softening skin on elbows, feet and knees.

Be sure you do not apply this to any sensitive skin.

1 cup sugar

5-10 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

1/2 cup of Sweet Almond Oil

Mix together all ingredients and scrub freshly washed feet elbows and knees to smooth and soften.

CHERRY LEMON COOLER

Try serving this tasty drink from Northwest Cherry Board, at your next barbecue or picnic for a nice change from sugar laden soda.

If you use fresh lemons you will need 8-10 lemons for 1 cup of lemon juice.

Cherry Lemon Cooler
Yield:4 servings

3 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 cup Northwest fresh sweet cherries, halved and pitted
1 cup fresh lemon juice, refrigerated
Crushed ice
1 bottle (1 liter) club soda or seltzer
Northwest fresh sweet cherries with stems

Garnish

4 long stems fresh mint-optional

Combine water and sugar in small saucepan; add halved cherries. Bring mixture to boil; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Strain syrup into container with tight fitting lid; discard cherries. Refrigerate syrup until cold.

Fill a tall 12 to 16-ounce glass with ice. Pour 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/3 cup syrup over ice and top with club soda. Garnish with cherries and mint. Makes 4 servings.

Tip: Leftover syrup may be stored, refrigerated, up to one week.

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving: 140 Cal., 0 g pro., 0 g fat, 37 g carb., 0 mg chol., 1 g fiber, 28 mg sodium.

HOMEMADE MICROWAVE POPCORN AND POPCORN SEASONINGS

Microwave popcorn is easy and convenient but there have been some health concerns lately, including "Popcorn Workers Lung". With the convenience comes a price tag. You can make your own microwave popcorn for pennies vs the high cost of microwave popcorn found out your local retailer. It can cost between 1.99 to $3.99 a box.

With homemade you choose the ingredients, no worries about microwave popcorns artery-clogging hydrogenated oils. Use heirloom varieties, gourmet or organic popcorn if you prefer. You can sprinkle lightly with salt or add your favorite flavoring. Have fun and enjoy a snack healthy. I have listed some suggestions for different seasonings following the popcorn directions.

My popcorn cost $2.29 for 20 oz. of Jolly Time Organic. The pack of paper bags cost $1.69 for 50. Cost is approximately .30 per bag.

Some people recommend using staples to close the bag, this could cause the bag to burn when the metal staples become hot, so do not use staples.

Do not leave popcorn in microwave unattended! Adult supervision is recommended if a child attempts this recipe.

HOMEMADE MICROWAVE POPCORN

1/4 cup popping corn
Popcorn Salt (you can use regular salt, but the fine popcorn salt is best)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 brown paper lunch bag

Add popcorn to bag and add desired amount of salt.

Fold top of bag over to close and shake gently.

Add olive oil, fold bag and shake.

Fold the top of bag over again and make a 1/2" flap.

Crease this sharply and fold over one more time.

A sharp crease will kelp keep the popcorn in the bag when cooking.

Place the closed bag on its side (the large side) in the microwave. Pop the corn until there are 3-5 seconds between pops.Remove from microwas and open bag to cool. Add butter, and or other flavorings, fold top of bag and shake.

Some Seasoning Suggestions

Any cheese you can "shake". American, Parmesan, etc.

Taco seasoning (the powdered kind in the packages).

Chili Cheese & Garlic
1/2 Teaspoon salt
2 Teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 Teaspoon paprika
1/2 Teaspoon chili powder
1/4 Teaspoon garlic powder

Garlic and Onion

1/4 teaspoon Garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon onion salt

or try a sprinkling little sugar after popping. The salty sweet flavor combination is interesting and a good change of taste.

HOMEMADE CLOROX ANYWHERE SPRAY

If you purchase or have the 750ml trigger spray bottles you can make approximately 3 cups of this pricey product that you'll make yourself for only pennies.

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BE SURE TO LABLE THE CONTENTS OF YOUR SPRAY BOTTLE CLEARLY!!!

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Homemade Clorox Anywhere Spray

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750 ml/24 ounces trigger spray bottle

2 teaspoons bleach

24 ounces water

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Mix bleach and water in bottle.
Shake to mix.

This recipe would make approx 3 cups

MCDONALD'S ICED COFFEES-VANILLA,CHOCOLATE, CARAMEL HAZELNUT

MCDONALD'S® ICED COFFEE

McDonald's flavored iced coffees include Vanilla, Chocolate, Caramel, and Hazelnut. Use your favorite favor. If you are going to purchase flavored syrups I suggest using Monin Natural Flavored Syrups. They have loads of flavors including those listed above, use your favorite.
If you have an espresso machine use 2 shots of espresso.

This first version is closest to the way they make these drinks at McDonalds

For a 24 ounce iced coffee
Brew coffee and refrigerate to cool.
Fill cup with ice.
Add 1 ounce flavored syrup of choice to ice.
Add 1/4 cup light cream.
Fill with cold coffee to top of cup.

The Following two versions are geared more towards the home kitchen. You can use what you have on hand. If you don't have any flavored syrups on hand there is also a recipe for a vanilla syrup you can make at home.



If you use the flavored syrup DO NOT add the sugar, unless you like your drink very sweet. If you prefer using vanilla flavored syrup but don't have any on hand, I have included a recipe for a vanilla syrup.



Like McDonald's Vanilla Iced Coffee (method 1)

1 cup heavy cream or half and half
4 to 5 teaspoons good quality Instant Coffee Granules
3 teaspoons granulated sugar* (if using vanilla extract)
2 Tablespoons Natural Vanilla Syrup*
or
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (don't use imitation vanilla)
Ice cubes

Combine cream, coffee granules and sugar (if not using flavored syrup) in 2-cup glass measure. Microwave on high power for 1 minute; stir to dissolve sugar. Add vanilla syrup or extract. Pour over ice cubes.


* If using a flavored syrup do not add sugar, unless you like your iced coffee very sweet.

Like McDonald's Vanilla Iced Coffee (method 2)

1/4 Cup double-strength coffee
sugar to taste (up to 1/4 cup)
1 Cup cold water
2 Tablespoon Natural Vanilla Syrup
or
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4-1/3 Cup heavy cream or half and half.

If adding sugar, stir sugar with hot coffee until dissolved. Add water and remaining ingredients and refrigerate until cool. Fill glass 2/3 full of ice. Pour vanilla coffee over ice.

1 serving


Vanilla Syrup

2 Cups water
1-1/2 Cups granulated sugar
2 Teaspoons vanilla extract - please do not use imitation vanilla

Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add vanilla extract. Remove from heat and cool. Store in a covered container.

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Stir some homemade granola into yogurt, sprinkle on ice cream, eat as is for a snack or pour milk over granola in a bowl for a healthy, tasty breakfast cereal.
Despite all the ingredients in this recipe you will still be saving big time over the cost of breakfast cereals, which is costing $4-$5 a box.
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Homemade Granola
4 cups rolled oats
2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
1/2 cup cashews
1/2 cup light olive oil
2/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon-optional
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup dried cranberries or raisins
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Toss the oats, coconut,almonds and cinnamon (if using)together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 45 minutes.
Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add cherries, cranberries, and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

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With any coupon, make sure it is honored by your location.

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This coupon is only thru March

Jamba Juice Oatmeal For A Buck