Azoresgal~Life on an Island

Well here we are again, just a few weeks away from Christmas! Now I know it comes every year, but gosh it just seems like a year goes by faster and faster as I get older. If you are anything like me I am sure you are already making lists, and checking them twice trying to get things done! This month everything  seems to happen all at once, parties, school activites, church activities it's seems never ending. More often than not you will be asked to bring something, or perhaps you want to take a gift for a teacher, or a "secret santa"! Well look no further, these super delicious treats require only 3 ingredients and  about 10 minutes  of your time from start to finish! That's it, when you are finished, you can pour yourself a cocktail for all your hard work! All you need is a bag of Rolo candy, a bag of mini pretzel twists, and a bag of pecan halves. Preheat your oven to  200 C/400F degrees.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper....

Can you believe Christmas is just four days away? My goodness I have lost track of how many  trips I have made to the grocery store already. I have also chosen to ignore the fact that I have a ton of gifts to wrap, and crossing my fingers my mailman brings one last missing gift on Monday. In the meantime, instead of entering panic mode, I opted to go into the kitchen and make some homemade Baileys. That's right folks, I made Irish cream, because you all know tis' the season to drink and be merry!  Super easy to make, once you have all the ingredients, it's is as easy as throwing everything into a blender. Then just whirl everything up, and ta-dah you are done! Keep it all for yourself, or make same for sharing, as gifts. Just make it, I promise you will love it! INGREDIENTS 1 cup/250ml heavy cream  ( I used a 200 ml box) 1 can sweetened condensed milk 400 ml (1⅔ cup) Irish whiskey  (I used Jameson) 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup 2 teaspoon vanilla extra...

Tis' the season for peppermint bark!  It’s super easy to make, 3 ingredients, and a little bit of time. Layers of smooth, white chocolate and dark chocolate  topped with  crunchy minty candy cane pieces.  Perfect for gift giving, packed into little cello bags, or tins. I think because it's homemade, just makes it extra special. 16 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil 16 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped + 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 1 (6-ounce package) candy canes, or peppermints unwrapped and crushed 1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper; set aside. 2. Place the dark chocolate and oil in a medium heatproof bowl and set it over a small saucepan of barely simmering water over low heat. Melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally, until completely smooth. Using an offset spatula, spread the melted chocolate in an even layer on the prepared cookie sheet. The melted chocolate should cover an area ...

Biscotti are crispy, and crunchy cookies that just beg to be dunked into coffee.  Biscotti are a traditional Italian biscuit, the word itself means “twice-baked”, this double baking process helps keep the biscotti fresh for a very long time. Not that they last a very long time around here ! The vanilla bean used here really makes a difference, even though they are expensive. I of course cannot leave anything alone, and dipped them in chocolate, necessary no ...worth it yes ! 1   vanilla bean, split, or 2 teaspoons vanilla 3   cups all-purpose flour 1   tablespoon baking powder 1/4  teaspoon salt 3   eggs 3/4  cup sugar 1/2  cup butter, melted and cooled directions 1.  Scrape seeds from vanilla bean, if using; set aside. 2. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat eggs with an electric mixer on high speed for 1 minute. Gradually beat in sugar, beating on hig...

These are such a luxurious treat, made with three simple ingredients ! Dried figs, chocolate and sea salt, are a match made in heaven. Making this a wonderful combination for your taste buds. The contrast between salty and sweet is amazing. They are so elegant looking, and would make such a lovely gift. So impressive and yet so easy, I really hope you give them a try. 100g chocolate (70% dark was used here) 12 dried figs 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt (Maldon is what I used) Break or cut the chocolate bar into pieces and melt over a water bath.  Gently mold each fig back into its natural shape if it's been tightly packaged. Holding by the stem, dip each fig in melted chocolate and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt while the chocolate is still liquid. recipe source

As I wrote that, I can hardly believe it ! This school year just flew by, even the kids noticed that. I am so looking forward to just hanging out with my babies. It was a busy school year, and we are all tired and ready to relax ! I cannot wrap my brain around the fact that, next year, we will have a 9th grader, a 6th grader, and a 3rd grader ! It was only yesterday they were in preschool ! This year as thank you gifts, for the teachers, bus driver and helpers, I baked mini lemon poppyseed loaves , using this recipe. It was also requested (by Simon) that I bake cupcakes, and of course I obliged ! I am one happy momma, let the summer begin !

Do yourself a favor, make these ! They are delish, and terribly addictive.This easy Cracker Toffee recipe usescrackers and a few common ingredients to make a very  good candy that’s sweet, salty, crunchy, and chocolatey. Who could ask foranything more ??!!  You can make it more gourmet by adding chopped nuts or dried fruit to the top, or adding swirls of white or milk chocolate. You just have to really watch them while they are in the oven..they burn quickly ( I speak from experience ). They make such a lovely gift in a tin or box. Of course you always have the option of not sharing  just making them for your holiday table. I so hope you give these a try ! 1 cup butter (NOT margarine) 1 cup brown sugar 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips ( I melt 2 chocolate tablets in the microwave) 40 saltine crackers (about) chopped almonds (optional) Heat oven to 200C / 400F. Line 12x17 cookie sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray . Layer the saltine cracker...

This sauce is so yummy, and so quick to prepare. You can serve it over, ice cream, brownies, cake, coffee, you can even eat it out of the jar by the spoonful ( don't laugh........ trust me..... you will want to  ;) don't be like me.....use a bigger pot ;) Salted Butter Caramel Sauce Ingredients: 1/2 cup SALTED butter (no substitutions) 1 cup brown sugar (dark or light) 200 ml/ 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract In a small saucepan melt butter. Add the brown sugar; whisk until combined and thickened (about 2 minutes). Whisk in the whipping cream, until thoroughly blended (3 more minutes). Mix in vanilla until combined (this sauce will thicken up  when cool/ refrigerated) Keep in fridge, lasts 2 weeks ( it will disappear before this ) xo,Diana