'Tis the Season for Hot Chocolate

HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

Makes 10 cups of mix

2 (9.6 ounce) boxes powdered milk
1 (1 pound) bag powdered sugar
1 (8 ounce) container unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt

Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
To make a single serving of hot chocolate, place 1/3 cup mix into a mug. Heat 2/3 cup milk or water. Add just enough liquid to the mug to cover the mix and whisk vigorously until smooth. Whisk in remaining liquid.

HOT CHOCOLATE STIRRERS

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Toppings:
Candy canes, crushed
Mini marshmallows
Sprinkles

Heat the heavy whipping cream on stove top, stirring so that it doesn't burn.

Meanwhile, pour the chocolate chips into a microwave safe bow...

Easy Meals

AIR FRYER/SHEET PAN FAJITAS

First, put together the seasoning....

Fajita Seasoning

1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Note: Double or triple this recipe and keep in a jar to have on hand.  

Ingredients:

2-3 chicken breasts (you can use beef but the cooking time may need to be adjusted based on preference) 
1 bell pepper
1 onion 
Olive oil
Slice chicken breasts and peppers/onions.
Drizzle with oil and sprinkle all of the seasoning on top.

For sheet pan, add all to sheet pan and bake for 15-20 minutes at 425 degrees.
For air fryer, place in air fryer for about 15 minutes on 390 degrees.  Preheat air fryer depending on model. 
OR...

Easy Chicken Dinners

Most people don't buy whole chickens. They buy boneless, skinless chicken breasts or maybe wings or drumsticks. However, it is a little cheaper to buy a whole chicken and cut it up and cook it. You can get so many more meals for your money, plus bones for broth.

Here's how to cut up and use the entire chicken.

Chicken Thighs and/or Drumsticks -
Braised Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes
Lidia Bastianich
Serves 4

2 1/2 pounds chicken
salt
1/2 cup olive oil
1 pound red bliss potatoes, preferably no bigger than 2-inches across
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or more
2 medium-small onions, peeled and quartered lengthwise
2 short branches of fresh rosemary with plenty of needles
1 or 2 pickled cherry peppers or pepperoncini

Trim off excess skin and all visible fat from chicken.
Season the chicken on all sides.
Put enough olive oil in the skillet to cover th...

Cookies!!!!

Have you ever wondered why chocolate chip cookies can be chewy, crisp, soft, flat, thick, cakey, greasy, bland, flavorful, moist, or crumbly?

Today, we are going to talk about a lot of different versions of a basic cookie recipe and see what ingredients make the difference.

Loosely based on the blog Handle the Heat and The Kitchn....

Basic Control Recipe

142 grams all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
113 grams room-temperature, unsalted butter
75 grams granulated sugar
75 grams lightly-packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 large egg, room temperature
170 grams chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy, about 2 minutes. Scr...