One Year

So we're having a gathering of family this Sunday to celebrate Charles. Because it will be his first birthday. So this is the menu we're planning.

Slower Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
rolls
Potato Salad
Cucumber Salad
chips
soda
some sort of jello-fruity dish
Eclair Dessert

I'm responsible for the sandwiches, cucumber salad, and dessert. So here are a few of the recipes.

Slower Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
3 lb round or shoulder roast
8 oz jar of pepperoncini with juice - no stems
3 cloves garlic
2 t oregano
1 can beef broth
1 can beer (optional)
S&P to taste

Place in slow cooker on low until done. I don't remember how long it takes and the recipe doesn't specify, so I'll try to come back and let you know. I'm going to check it at 5 hours. Shred beef and serve on (sweet italian) rolls with provlone cheese.

Eclair Dessert
my grandma's recipe
2 pkgs graham crackers
2 pkgs instant french vanilla pudding
8 oz cool whip
frosting:
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
2 T butter
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
4 T milk

Mix pudding with 3 cups of milk and beat. Add cool whip. Line a 9x13 pan with whole graham crackers. Pour 1/2 pudding mixture over crackers. Add another layer of crackers. Add remaining pudding mixture. Top off with a final layer of crackers.
Melt butter and chocolate together. Add sugar and milk, beat until smooth. Spread on top layer of crackers.
Keep refrigerated after preparation until serving, at least about 2 hours.

Creme de Menthe Bars

Alllllrighty, story time!

When I was at Purdue, the dining hall of the dorm that I lived in (Windsor, for all you Boilermakers) would make brownies with creme de menthe frosting. They only made them maybe 2-3 times a month, but when they did, I would eat like 4 of them and then my roomie and I would sneak more out to devour later. Later being as long as we could possibly hold off. It was a well known fact on my floor that I was addicted to these. Not the brownie so much as the amazing creme de menthe frosting!! I love green mint. I even had floormates bring me brownies before I made it down to the dining hall to know that they were there!

Well this past weekend a friend had made creme de menthe bars and it was like being back in the dining hall again so I just had to have the recipe. I made it last night NOT EVEN THINKING about the fact that TODAY is ASH WEDNESDAY!!!!! ARRRGGGG. No snacking, small meals etc. So, what's a girl to do? I brought it to my office and all my minions are going to eat it for me...Of course, I did taste it...a few times last night pre midnight hour. It consists of one layer is graham cracker/chocolate, then a layer of creme de menthe frosting, then a layer of chocolate. It is delicious, but a tad too rich for me. I don't care too much for the graham cracker part. I think next time I would just make brownies or chocolate cupcakes or chocolate cake with the frosting. Now that I have an understanding of how to make it with the creme de menthe, the world is my oyster...or mint?

One point to note: the recipe doesn't say to grease the pan, but believe me there is enough butter in this thing, so I would recommend putting al ayer of wax paper down beforehand.


Creme de Menthe Bars
1 1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup cocoa
3 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 beaten egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup creme de menthe
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

1. In saucepan combine 1/2 cup butter and cocoa. Stir until well blended. Remove from heat. Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar, egg and vanilla. Stir in graham cracker crumbs. Mix well and press into a 13x9 in pan.

2. Melt another 1/2 cup butter. In a small bowl combine melted butter and creme de menthe. At low speed, beat in remaining 3 cups powdered sugar until smooth. Spread over chocolate. Chill 1 hour.

3. In small sauce pan combine 1/4 cup butter and chocolate chips. Stir over low heat until melted. Pour over mint and chill.

Let warm to room temp before cutting.