A Kiss On The Lips: Chocolate Ketchup

Hershey, Pennsylvania....Have you ever been there?

Hershey is one place that's on my bucket list. I even have a friend that lives near there, right Myron?

He asked me one day, "So, you've never seen the Hershey Kiss lights?"

And I don't live that far away. Ohio and Pennsylvania are neighbors.....

According to research, chocolate ketchup is served in most restaurants in Hershey.

Well of course, chocolate was born there, and ketchup close by in Pittsburgh.

So naturally they should come together. Right?

The Chocolate Atlas did an interview on the Chef at Hershey Lodge, Bill Justus. He even supplies some of his recipes.

This recipe is linked to Mandy's Recipe Box. Make sure you take a look at all her wonderful recipes and ideas.

If this was magically delicious on fries, can you imagine what it would be like on ribs?

Or wings?

Or pork chops?

Or a dipping sauce for chicken strips?

I have a package of ribs in my freezer that is going to be introduced to this magical sauce....

All you have to do is measure equal parts of Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Syrup and your favorite ketchup.

You have to use Special Dark syrup though. It won't taste the same with milk chocolate.

This recipe is linked to:

Foodie Friends Friday

Vegetarian Mamma ~ Gluten Free Fridays

"An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips."

Proverbs 24:26

Dark chocolate and ketchup, a true friendship, just like a kiss on the lips. A kiss on the lips was a sign of true friendship. Some people think that they should bend the truth to avoid hurting a friend. But one who gives an honest answer is a true friend. To be trusted with the truth even at the risk of offense is what this proverb is saying. Proverbs 24:26 represents a gesture of high honor.

Did Someone Say Genius? Home-made Chili Seasoning

For years I have been wanting to make (yes, I said for years) white chicken chili.

It has been raining for days, and temperatures just won't rise above 55.

Are.... you.... serious....? Almost the end of May and the temp is 55....

I headed to my kitchen with the attempt to make white chicken chili....

I found out quickly that I didn't have any chili seasoning packets.

As I stood in the middle of my kitchen and did a slow-motion ballerina twirl, while covering my eyes with my hands (are you picturing this?), it dawned on me that I have a whole spice rack full of spices.

I am going to try to make my own.

Did the attempt pan-out? It sure did....

This is what I did:

Chili Seasoning Mix

1 TBS paprika

2 1/2 tsp. seasoning salt

1 tsp. garlic salt

1 tsp. ground cayenne pepper

3/4 tsp. white pepper

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. ground thyme

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. poultry seasoning

Mix them all together and you get chili seasoning mix. Goodbye BROOKS, CHILI-O, or any others that you use.

"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance."

Proverbs 1:5

This chili seasoning has a lot in common with the book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs deals with everyday life. Proverbs gives practical suggestions for effective living. The book is not just a collection of homey sayings; it contains deep spiritual insights drawn from experience. A proverb is a short, wise, easy-to-learn saying that calls a person to action. Just like this chili seasoning did (you can make your own). Maybe I should call it proverb chili seasoning....

The book of Proverbs doesn't argue about basic spiritual and moral beliefs; it assumes we already hold them. The main focus is God, His character, works, and blessings, and it tells how we can live in close relationship to Him.

I Finally Did It: Lemon Cupcakes filled with Cream Cheese and Pie Filling

I finally did it!! It has taken me two weeks to make these cupcakes. The recipe has been laying in my kitchen waiting for my undivided attention.

And this recipe is linked to Sweets for a Saturday. There are a lot of great recipes over there. Make sure you stop by.

Every time I tried to make these cupcakes, I would get distracted by this mutt....

He looks so comfy, snoozing all day, not a care in the world (except for his food and treats), I just want to curl up beside him and be comfy too.

The dog wins every time. But not today!! I forced myself to ignore him.

I found the recipe for lemon cupcakes at Annie's Eats. I added the rest.

I added cream cheese and blueberry pie filling to the center.

After the cupcakes cooled, I frosted one with butter cream frosting. I found out quickly that it did not match the light lemony flavor of the cake. I then topped one with whipped cream.

The whipped cream is a perfect match.

I ate part of one (What? Did you actually think I could go without eating one, two, four, ten?) so you can see the inside.

Blueberries and lemon.....not one thing better!

Lemon Cupcakes filled with Cream Cheese and Blueberry Pie Filling

For the cupcakes

3/4 c. plus 2 TBS, all-purpose flour

3/4 c. cake flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

8 TBS unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 c. plus 2 TBS sugar

zest of 1 lemon

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 TBS lemon juice (juice of one lemon)

1/2 c. plus 3 TBS milk, at room temperature

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder, and salt; whisk together and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter, sugar and lemon zest. Beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and lemon juice. With the mixer on low speed, mix in half of the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Blend in the milk. Mix in the rest of the dry ingredients, beating just until incorporated.

Pour cake batter into a serving bowl and wash the mixing bowl.

For the cream cheese and pie filling:

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature

1 egg

2 TBS sugar

splash of vanilla extract

Blueberry pie filling

Place cream cheese, egg, sugar, and splash of vanilla in the mixing bowl and mix until well blended.

Place a small amount of cake batter into each cupcake liner. Add a small amount of cream cheese mixture, and a small amount of blueberry pie filling. Fill the rest of the way with more cake batter (I filled mine almost to the top of the paper liners).

Bake for 23-27 minutes. Let the cakes cool in pan for about five minutes before removing them to a wire rack.

When the cakes are completely cool, top with whipped cream, or topping of your choice.

"But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, "Let us go and sacrifice to our God." Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies."

Exodus 5:8-9

The unhappy result is more work, harder work, and more weight. When we spend a lot of time complaining, making excuses, and putting off till tomorrow, we feel like our work load is too impossible to accomplish. Sometimes hardship (discipline) comes from obeying God. We sometimes need to force ourselves to get jobs done. Are you following God but still suffering - or suffering even worse than before? If your life is miserable, or you feel like you have too much on your plate, don't assume you have fallen out of God's favor. You may be suffering for doing good in an evil world. Sometimes we push ourselves to get things done, and then sometimes we use "I always have tomorrow". But it would probably be in our best interest to do what we can today. Use our time wisely, and not let our burdens build up, causing ourselves a miserable feeling.