theme: Peanut Butter

Posted on » by Ashley » Theme:

Peanut Butter M&M’S® Truffles

Peanut Butter M&M’S® Truffles
Sally’s Baking Addiction

1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup (185g) creamy peanut butter (not natural style)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup (100g) M&M’S® Baking Bits
16 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  1. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
  2. With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed in a large bowl until creamy – about 2 minutes. Add the peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Beat on high until combined and creamy. Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat on low for 2 minutes until everything is combined. The mixture is supposed to be a little soft, yet crumbly. See photo above for a visual. Using a rubber spatula (or your hands– I find hands work best!), work the M&M’S® into the peanut butter dough.
  3. Begin rolling peanut butter dough into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet. You should have about 32-35 balls total.
  4. Chill peanut butter balls in the refrigerator for 1 hour or until firm. During the last few minutes of the chilling time, begin melting the chocolate. You can melt the chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave. If using the microwave: place the chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. I like to use a liquid measuring cup. Its depth makes it easier for dipping the truffles. Melt in 30 second increments in the microwave, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth. Let the warm chocolate sit for 5 minutes to slightly cool before dipping. Alternatively, you can temper the chocolate. If tempering, do not place or store truffles in the refrigerator.
  5. Remove peanut butter balls from the refrigerator and dip them in the chocolate using a dipping tool. When dipping, you can fully submerge the truffle OR leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like buckeyes. When lifting the truffle out of the chocolate, remember to tap the dipping tool gently on the side of the bowl to allow excess chocolate to drip off.
  6. Place balls back onto the baking sheet after you dip each one. Allow chocolate to completely set in the refrigerator before serving.
  7. Make ahead tip: Layer truffles between sheets of parchment or wax paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Posted on » by Michael » Theme:

Copycat Cheesecake Factory Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp

cheesecake-factory-bang-bang-chicken-and-shrimp-2

Serves: 4
Ingredients
Curry Coconut Sauce

  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp ginger, minced
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ tsp allspice
  • ¼ tsp turmeric
  • 1 can (14 fl oz, or 400 ml) coconut milk
  • 1 medium carrot, julienned
  • 1 small zucchini, julienned
  • ½ cup frozen peas

Peanut Sauce

  • ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce, reduced salt
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp lime juice
  • pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Chicken and Shrimp

  • 1 chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
  • 10 medium shrimp, shelled
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cups cooked rice

Garnish

  • ½ cup flaked coconut, toasted
  • ¼ cup peanuts, chopped
  • 2 green onions, julienned or chopped
  • sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions
Chicken and Shrimp

  1. Heat the 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large skillet. Season chicken pieces and shrimp generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the cornstarch over chicken and shrimp and toss, making sure each piece is fully coated in cornstarch. Add the coated chicken to the skillet and cook for a couple minutes per side, until slightly golden. Remove from skillet and add shrimp. Cook shrimp for a couple minutes until slightly pink and remove from skillet. Set aside.
Peanut Sauce
  1. To make the peanut sauce add all ingredients in a small sauce pan and heat just until the mixture begins to bubble; cover and remove pan from heat.
Coconut Curry
  1. In a medium sauce pan heat the olive oil, sesame oil and crushed red pepper flakes over medium heat. Add chopped onion, garlic and ginger and cook just until onion is translucent. Add spices and water and stir well. Bring to a boil, then add coconut milk and bring the mixture back up to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until sauce thickens. Add julienned carrots and zucchini, then peas. Cook for another 10 minutes or until carrots are tender.
Assemble plates
  1. Divide the rice into 4 plates. Add chicken and shrimp, dividing them equal among the 4 plates. Spoon the coconut curry over chicken and shrimp. Drizzle peanut sauce over the dice. Top with crushed peanuts, sesame seeds if desired, green onions and some of the flaked coconut.