peppermint bark Popcorn

Our Best Bites 

• 16 cups popped popcorn (see notes) fresh, or about 2 bags microwave popcorn
• 1 pound almond bark
• 1 6-ounce box candy canes crushed (about 1 generous cups, Bob’s brand are best!)
• ¼ teaspoon peppermint oil or 2 teaspoons peppermint extract (see notes)
• ¾ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

Instructions

• Place popcorn in a very large mixing bowl.
• Melt almond bark according to package instructions. When completely melted, add extract or peppermint oil. If using extract, it’s normal for the almond bark to seize (get lumpy) which is okay, just stir very quickly, the more you wait the more it will seize.
• Pour melted almond bark mixture over popcorn and pour crushed candy canes on top. Stir to evenly coat. Pour popcorn out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil and spread out.
• Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over popcorn mixture. Let mixture dry completely until chocolate and almond bark are hardened. You may place in the fridge to speed process along.
• When chocolate is hardened, use your hands to break up popcorn into chunks. Toss in a bowl, a jar, a cute package, or in your mouth!

Notes

• If you’re using microwave popcorn, try to find an unbuttered or “natural” kind because this looks much prettier if the popcorn isn’t bright yellow! Lightly salted is fine, I actually like a little salt in there, but avoid heavy buttered.
• Also, if you can find flavored oils, like you would use for candy making, use them as they will best combine with the almond bark. If using extract, it’s not unusual for it to cause the almond bark to seize, but just stir quickly and pour immediately on popcorn. Once distributed it will be just fine.
• After the coating has hardened completely, transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature. Consume within 7 days for best results.
• This popcorn stays fresh and delicious for days, so feel free to package it up ahead of time if gifting!
• If you can find flavored oils, like you would use for candy making, use them as they will best combine with the almond bark. If using extract, it’s not unusual for it to cause the almond bark to seize, but just stir quickly and pour immediately on popcorn. Once distributed it will be just fine.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 247kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 9mg, Potassium: 60mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 22IU, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 0.4mg

• 16 cups popped popcorn (see notes) fresh, or about 2 bags microwave popcorn
• 1 pound almond bark
• 1 6-ounce box candy canes crushed (about 1 generous cups, Bob’s brand are best!)
• ¼ teaspoon peppermint oil or 2 teaspoons peppermint extract (see notes)
• ¾ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

Instructions

• Place popcorn in a very large mixing bowl.
• Melt almond bark according to package instructions. When completely melted, add extract or peppermint oil. If using extract, it’s normal for the almond bark to seize (get lumpy) which is okay, just stir very quickly, the more you wait the more it will seize.
• Pour melted almond bark mixture over popcorn and pour crushed candy canes on top. Stir to evenly coat. Pour popcorn out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil and spread out.
• Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over popcorn mixture. Let mixture dry completely until chocolate and almond bark are hardened. You may place in the fridge to speed process along.
• When chocolate is hardened, use your hands to break up popcorn into chunks. Toss in a bowl, a jar, a cute package, or in your mouth!

Notes

• If you’re using microwave popcorn, try to find an unbuttered or “natural” kind because this looks much prettier if the popcorn isn’t bright yellow! Lightly salted is fine, I actually like a little salt in there, but avoid heavy buttered.
• Also, if you can find flavored oils, like you would use for candy making, use them as they will best combine with the almond bark. If using extract, it’s not unusual for it to cause the almond bark to seize, but just stir quickly and pour immediately on popcorn. Once distributed it will be just fine.
• After the coating has hardened completely, transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature. Consume within 7 days for best results.
• This popcorn stays fresh and delicious for days, so feel free to package it up ahead of time if gifting!
• If you can find flavored oils, like you would use for candy making, use them as they will best combine with the almond bark. If using extract, it’s not unusual for it to cause the almond bark to seize, but just stir quickly and pour immediately on popcorn. Once distributed it will be just fine.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 247kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 9mg, Potassium: 60mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 22IU, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Overnight Baked French Toast

10/3/21 I made it and it was delicious. Next time double it for our family of 6

Our Best Bites

DBL  SLG

16     8 eggs
4       2 cups half and half (one pint)
2       1 cup milk (whatever kind you have on hand)
3/4c  6 tablespoons brown sugar
3t      1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1t      1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (a little less if using table salt)
2       1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2       1 lb loaf of french bread
softened butter for greasing baking dish (2-3 tablespoons)

Topping
4 tablespoons packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons cold butter

For Serving
melted butter
maple syrup
powdered sugar
berries
whipped cream

Can prepare a couple days before hand.
Crack eggs into large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.  Whisk in half and half and milk.  Add brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and vanilla.  Set aside.

Use softened butter to butter bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking dish.  Cut bread into  1 inch chunks and place in dish.  Whisk egg mixture one more time and then pour evenly over bread.  Use a rubber spatula to very gently toss bread, moving bread on bottom to top, and making sure all of the piece on top get dipped in egg mixture.  Spread out evenly, cover dish, and place in fridge overnight.

To make topping, place brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl and stir to combine.  Cut cold butter into very small pieces and add to bowl. Use clean hands to break up butter and combine mixture until crumbly.  Cover and place in fridge until morning.

When ready to bake preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Remove plastic from dish and sprinkle topping evenly over top.  Bake for 40-50 minutes or until top is golden brown.  You can stick a knife or skewer in the casserole to make sure the egg mixture is set on the bottom.  *Note I have left a generous baking time window because it varies on ovens and the size of your bread cubes.  I used to cook this closer to 60 minutes at my old house, but in my new convection ovens it’s done closer to 45.  Keep an eye on it and let me know how long yours takes to bake!

Let cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting into squares.  Drizzle with melted butter and syrup, top with berries, whipped cream and a sprinkle of powdered sugar if desired.

Best Bites Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori, Turmeric rice and Flatbread

IT's from Lauren Hedin's our best bites cook book.

2 c plain/greek yogurt
3 T lemon juice (or a juice from 1 lemon)
1t garlic powder
1 chopped onion
1/2c oil
3 t salt
1/2t black pepper
2T paprika
1T cumin and ginger
1T turmeric
1t red pepper or splash of cayenne
Chicken drumsticks and/or thighs

This can be assembled a few days b4 and let the raw chicken sit in the liquid mixture to marinade.
I did make extra of the sauce and froze it so I could have it for dinner a couple weeks down the road.

Can grill the chicken or bake in oven 350 for 20 min, then slather more marinade on, bake 10 more min slather more marinade, 10 more min bake and spray with oil, increase oven to 450 bake 10 more min until you get some nice charred spots.

Serve with Turmeric Rice

Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup diced onion
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup Jasmine rice
kosher salt

Heat medium-sized pot with lid on stove top.  Add oil and onion and cook until onion is tender, about 3 minutes.  Add turmeric and curry powder and stir to heat and distribute for 15-30 seconds.  Add broth and bring to a boil, add rice.  Reduce heat to a simmer.  Cover pot and cook for 20 minutes, covered the entire time.  Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and add salt to taste before serving.  

Baked Creamy Taquitos

From Our Best Bites

6 oz Cream cheese
1/2c salsa
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic, or garlic powder
3 Tablespoon chopped cilantro
2 Tablespoon sliced green onions
2 C shredded cooked leftover chicken (can use shredded pork or beef)
can add a can of black beans
Corn or flour tortillas

I like to cook chicken with seasonings (season salt and Mrs Dash) on broil in oven or on BBQer, makes it tender.

Mix everything, then chop or shred chicken and add to everything.

Roll up mixture into tortillas.

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray. Roll up tortillas and place seam down on a baking sheet, not touching one another.  Spray lightly with cooking spray, or lightly brush with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt. Bake 15-20 min

I have cooked the rolled up tortillas on the stove top b/c I didn't want to use the oven, pour in a little oil to saute.

I like to freeze them after they are cooked. But, you Can freeze b4 you cook them.

Serves well with Lime cilantro dressing

Can use leftover rice and put in tortilla or on the side as a Spanish rice


GLUTEN FREE Taquitos
corn tortillas
1 c shredded chicken or turkey
2 T butter
1/4 c almond flour or alternative
garlic powder
paprika
Salt and pepper

Heat up chicken/turkey, butter, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper on the stove. Taste it to see if it needs more seasonings. Warm tortillas in a damp napkin in microwave Put 1-2T on a corn tortilla and roll up. Put oil and salt on outside or rolled tortilla. Put on baking sheet baked 15min, turn tortilla around 7min