NATIONAL S'MORES DAY: MAKE INDOOR S'MORES, S'MORES POPS, S'MORES BAR AND MORE!

Martie Duncan August 10, 2014

August 10th is National S'mores Day... and in celebration of that summertime treat, here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy them and you won't even need to build a fire for some of these versions!

Create a S'mores Bar for a party, wedding, or simple backyard fun... — Create a S'mores Bar for a party, wedding, or simple backyard fun...

INDOOR S'MORES

Why wait for a campfire or fire for that matter to make up a batch of S'mores? I have perfected Indoor S'mores and I could not wait to share them with you! Perfect for a party or even just a night in front of the tv, make some of these up for the best-ever comfort food treat. They don't go soggy so you can make them for a picnic or take them to a party as long as you keep them in a cool spot. Make some up and let me know what you think!

INGREDIENTS

1 box of Graham crackers

1 bag of mini-marshmallows

Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut spread

Fill up sheet pans with Graham crackers. Spread each with a thin layer of Nutella. Put 6-7 mini marshmallows on top of each. Put under the broiler for about 2 minutes. Watch to make sure they get golden brown. Take them out and let them cool slightly. Make sandwiches by pressing two together. Eat right that moment or let them cool completely and wrap each with plastic wrap. Keep cool until serving time but do not chill them in the fridge or the cracker will get soggy.

S'MORES POPSICLES

Fudgey-Choco Pops recipe below*

20 mini-marshmallows

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

Small plastic or paper cups

Popsicle sticks

In the bottom of a plastic cup, put a small amount of the graham cracker crumbs, about 1 teaspoon for each cup. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of the chocolate mixture and 4 marshmallows, top with another teaspoon of the chocolate and use a spoon to press the chocolate into the marshmallows. Tap the cup on the counter to make a dense layer. Continue layers as necessary to fill the cup, leaving 1/4" at the top. Allow to set up for at least 30 minutes and add a popsicle stick to each cup. Allow to freeze for at least 4 hours.

These S'mores Popsicles are very simple to make and taste just like their namesake!

FUDGEY CHOCO POPS

1 cup water

2.5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped ( you can sub cocoa- just add 1 tablespoon butter if you do)

1/3 cup sugar

pinch salt

1/3 cup milk (use whole or 2%)

1 T. heavy cream (or you can use half and half)

1/2 t. vanilla

1/8 t. instant coffee (or you can use leftover strong coffee)

Put the chopped chocolate, sugar, and salt in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in the water, a little at a time as the chocolate melts and the sugar dissolves. Once the chocolate has completely melted, remove from heat. Whisk in the coffee, vanilla, milk, and cream. Chill and cool completely.

And if you want to build a campfire, offer your guests lots of options with my S'MORES BAR!

Simple and delicious... make a S'mores bar for your next get-together so guests can create their own special dessert!

BLAST FROM THE PAST: ROOT BEER FLOAT MARTINI

Martie Duncan August 4, 2014

In honor of National Root Beer Float Day, let's celebrate with an old school favorite with a grown-up twist.

Do you have fond memories of ice cream floats? I do. When I was a kid, my Dad and I used to sneak off to the Frosty Mug Root Beer shop for a icy root beer float. These would be put down in front of me in a frozen mug with big shards of ice falling off of it and I'd have to tippy-toe to reach the straw. Ohhh, those were so good on a screaming hot summer day. I've never forgotten that- or my love of floats.

I recently had a root beer float martini at Chef Richard Blais' Flip Burger restaurant in Birmingham and it was excellent- although a bit pricey for just a couple of ounces. I guess you pay for all of the pyrotechnics and technology you get with it--- it arrives at the table smoking like a house on fire. Well, I can't make mine smoke.... but my home version of this is simple and sweet. Try it and go back to the ice cream counter of your youth- but this time, with a kick!

Now, there are lots of ways to make an adult version of the root beer float. Some require expensive liqueurs like Galliano and you can also get root beer liqueur or root beer vodka (I like the Three Olives brand Root Beer Vodka) but unless you want to make a bunch of these, I'd just use vanilla vodka. While not technically a martini, I wanted to call it one so there was no confusion about it; this isn't for the kids or for anyone counting calories but it is sooooo creamy, frosty delicious!

ROOT BEER FLOAT MARTINI

Ingredients

1 ounce vanilla vodka

1 ounce Kahlua

4 ounces root beer, chilled

1/2 ounce heavy cream

1-2 scoops ice cream- depending on your glass

Make sure the root beer is very cold. Submerge in ice bath if not. Dip your glass in water and put it in the freezer for a few minutes to chill. Take out the ice cream to soften a bit. Dip your ice cream scoop in warm water to get the perfect scoop.

Put a scoop of ice cream in the glass. The size of the scoop is up to you. Put the vodka, Kahlua, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well until very cold. Pour over ice cream. Top up with root beer. Serve with a bendy straw.

MARTIE'S PARTY TIP: For a party, I will pre-scoop all of the ice cream I need and put the scoops in the freezer on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper. That way I can serve all of my guests at the same time. I do the same thing when I'm serving ice cream for a kid's party. There's nothing worse than being the last kid to get ice cream....

RECIPE: STRAWBERRY BUTTERMILK NO-COOK ICE CREAM

Martie Duncan June 16, 2014

Growing up, making homemade ice cream in the summer with fresh fruit was one of our weekend traditions. I love making homemade ice cream for a little get-together but I don't always have the time to make and chill the custard. This is one of my very favorite ways to make homemade ice cream in a hurry since you don’t have to cook the custard. Fresh and delicious!

You can make ice cream without cooking a custard with this Strawberry Buttermilk no-cook recipe.

STRAWBERRY BUTTERMILK ICE CREAM (NO COOK ICE CREAM)

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Cook Time: no cook but 10-15 minutes to spin the ice cream

INGREDIENTS

2 quarts fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

2 pinches kosher salt

3 cups buttermilk

3 cups heavy cream

¼ teaspoon fresh lime juice

INSTRUCTIONS

Wash and hull the strawberries. Slice and put them in a bowl. Sprinkle the sugar and salt over the berries and let them sit until juicy, about 1 hour. Reserve ½ cup berries and set aside. Pour in buttermilk and cream. Add a ¼ teaspoon fresh lime juice. Use an immersion blender to puree. Add the reserved berries. Freeze according to the directions on your ice cream maker.