Watermelon Limeade

It is blazing hot in the deep south right now! The first week of June has brought us temperatures above 100 degrees. It is hard to believe, but sure does make me grateful for air-conditioning!

One way that I have chosen to fight the heat is with this yummy summer drink. Watermelon is in season and is a favorite treat of my family. So why not make it into a cold drink? To make this drink, follow this link!

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bliss!

I recently found this recipe for Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies over at A Wise Woman. Since I am a lover of all things chocolate and all things peanut butter, I thought this combination looked too good to pass up!

Part 1:

Make the brownie layer. Preheat oven to 350. Butter bottom and sides of pan.

1 c. butter

2 c. sugar

3 eggs

3 t. vanilla

2/3 c. cocoa powder

1 c. all purpose flour

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. baking powder

Melt butter, then remove from heat and add sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Next, add cocoa, baking powder and salt. Add flour and stir until just combined. Pour into prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on a cooling rack.

Part 2:

While the brownies are cooling, make the peanut butter filling.

1/2 c. butter softened

1/2 c. creamy peanut butter

2 c. powdered sugar

2-3 t. milk

In a mixer, combine the filling ingredients and beat until smooth. Add more milk if needed to make it spreadable. Spread in an even layer over the cooled brownies. Place in refrigerator until filling is set (about 30 min).

Part 3:

While the filling is setting, make the ganache topping:

1/4 c. creamy peanut butter

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 c. butter

2 T. heavy whipping cream

Combine ingredients in a double boiler or in the microwave. Melt together and combine. Pour the ganache over the top of the chilled filling and spread gently. Return to refrigerator until set.

Grandmother Eddy's Arkansas Cornbread

2 eggs

2 c. buttermilk

1 t. baking soda

2 c. cornmeal

1 t. salt

Heat oven to 450.

Generously oil round skillet. Heat skillet in oven while preparing batter.

Beat eggs then beat in rest of ingredients until smooth. Pour batter into hot skillet until almost full.

Bake 20-25 minutes or just until set.

Serve piping hot with butter.

Grandma Justice's Turkey Stock

turkey neck, gizzard, heart and feet

2 stalks celery with leaves

1 med. onion, quartered

1 carrot, sliced in several pieces

1 t. salt

1 bay leaf

a few peppercorns

5 c. cold water

Add all ingredients to large stock pot. Simmer for 1-4 hours. Strain.

Grandma Justice's Turkey Stuffing

3/4-1 1/4 c. turkey stock

2 c. crusty corn bread

3 c. whole wheat bread

2 eggs slightly beaten

3/4 c. melted butter

1/2 t. each: thyme, sage, sweet marjoram

1 t. salt

1 unpeeled apple, diced

1/4 c. finely minced onion

1/4 c. minced celery with leaves

Crumble corn bread and wheat bread into pieces (leaving crusts on bread). Let dry slightly in oven (turn on heat, but don't toast bread).

Beat eggs until foamy and stir in melted butter and seasonings.

Combine breads, apple, onion, and celery.

Add eggs and seasonings and stir well.

Add stock slowly and test carefully until stuffing is right consistency.

(TEST= pick up dressing and press it between your hands gently. Put it on a plate. If it holds together but barely separates as you lift with a fork, there is enough moisture. This is the texture it will have when baked.)

Cover with foil and bake at 350. Be careful not to over bake.

Eggnog Punch

• 1 quart peppermint ice cream, softened
• 4 cups eggnog, chilled
• 2 cups ginger ale, chilled

Pour eggnog in a punch bowl, add ice cream. Use a potato masher to blend ice cream with eggnog. Add ginger ale. Serve.

Fudge Pie

1 c. chocolate chips

2 sticks butter or margarine

1 t. vanilla

4 eggs

2 c. sugar

1 t. salt

Melt the chocolate chips and butter in the microwave. Add sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt. Stir. Pour into 2 regular (not deep dish) frozen pie crusts.

Bake at 350 in the oven for 30-35 minutes. Allow to set and cool.

Enjoy luscious chocolate goodness!