Hot Cocoa Recipe N Hot Cocoa Bar DIY

homemade hot cocoa recipe

what you’ll need

makes 12-14 servings

• 3 cups dry milk powder
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ cup chocolate syrup
• ½ cup powdered nondairy creamer
• ½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips, melted
• 7 cups water

let’s do it

• sift dry milk powder, powdered sugar, cocoa powder and salt together in a medium bowl
• add powdered nondairy creamer
• pour 3 ½ cups water and vanilla extract into large cast-iron pot (or heavy bottomed stock pot)
• slowly add dry ingredients to water, whisking constantly
• pour in chocolate syrup and melted chocolate
• add remaining water to pot and whisk until all ingredients are well blended
• place on stove top and cook on low heat for about an hour; stir well and serve

hot chocolate bar setup

1. let’s get started

• use a cast iron pot to make your hot chocolate and keep it warm
• a cast iron pot will look gorgeous on display or can be kept on the stovetop to keep warm
• your favorite hot cocoa recipe
• hot chocolate recipe

• 2. marshmallows!

• dip marshmallows halfway in white (or dark chocolate for a decadent addition)
• sprinkle with crushed peppermint while still warm
• put in a bowl once cooled

3. topping your tasty treat

• candies and small cookies  (M&M’s, Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Rolled Wafers)
• whipped cream and caramel sauce
• shaved white, milk chocolate and dark chocolate
• Kahlua, amaretto and other liquors–kids aren't the only ones who can have fun!

4. sinful stirrers

• melt chocolate then pour into fine-tip squeeze bottle
• fill spoons with chocolate (keep level by propping the spoon handle until the chocolate has hardened)
• sprinkle with edible glitter or small candies for extra flair

5. something to sip

• create interest with your hot chocolate bar by using unique bowls and glasses

6. elevate your presentation

• set up display of varying heights by using cake stands and serving trays
• group toppings together, cups or bowls together, etc. to make serving easy

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Self-Serve Chili Bar Ideas

set up a self-serve chili bar

how to set up a self-serve chili bar

what you’ll need

• chili 
• toppings (diced tomatoes, red onions and avocados, shredded cheese, chopped parsley leaves, tortilla strips, spices, etc.)
• serving bowls and serving ware
• bowls

let’s do it

• cook your favorite chili
• prepare a variety of colorful, flavorful toppings
• arrange toppings in bowls (for fun, we used washed, clean soup cans with the labels removed and a food-safe liner added)
• set out serving bowls and utensils for your guests near the food-serving station
• set out non-perishable toppings (keep any perishable ingredients refrigerated until right before your guests arrive)
• put chili in enamel cast-iron pot to help keep it hot (you can also use a crockpot or electric plate warmer)
• set it on the table right before you are ready to eat

Chunky Guacamole

chunky guacamole recipe

makes 8 servings

what you’ll need

• 4 avocados
• ½ small red onion, grated
• 1 small tomato, diced
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried cilantro
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• juice of 1 lime
• salt, to taste
• grater or microplane

let’s do it

• remove avocados from shells; save shells
• mash 3 avocados in bowl with back of fork
• dice 1 avocado and add to other avocado mixture
• add rest of ingredients and mix well
• serve in avocado skins

Dessert Tacos Recipe

dessert tacos recipe

what you’ll need

makes 12 servings

taco shell

• 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 ½ egg whites
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups sifted cake flour
• mixer
• plastic wrap
• parchment paper
• baking sheet
• spatula
• 6″ ring mold
• foil
• small rolling pin

taco filling

• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• green food coloring
• yellow food coloring
• 1 container mini brownies, crumbled
• ½ cup strawberries, diced
• vanilla yogurt
• plastic bags

let’s do it

• beat butter and sugar on medium speed until smooth
• add egg whites and vanilla slowly until blended
• reduce to low speed and mix in cake flour until smooth
• cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate
• preheat oven to 350 degrees
• line baking sheet with parchment paper
• spread batter evenly onto baking sheet using spatula and ring mold
• bake 6-9 minutes
• remove and immediately place cookies over foil-lined rolling pin to mold shells and cool
• divide coconut evenly into two plastic bags
• add 1 drop green food coloring to one bag
• add 1 drop yellow food coloring to the other
• seal and shake bags until coconut shreds are covered and resemble lettuce and cheese
• fill shells with brownie crumbles, green coconut, yellow coconut and strawberries
• serve with side of yogurt or dollop on top

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Jalapeño Pineapple Salsa

image in back is salsa

Jalapeño Pineapple Salsa

• 1 ½ cups pineapple, diced
• ¼ cup red bell pepper, diced
• ¼ cup green bell pepper, diced
• ½ cup red onion, diced
• ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon jalapeño pepper, minced
• ¼ teaspoon lime zest
• Salt, to taste

Pulled Pork Tacos Recipe

pulled pork tacos recipe

What You’ll Need

Makes 6 servings

Pulled Pork Taco

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2-3 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Corn tortillas
• Crockpot
• Forks

Jalapeño Pineapple Salsa

• 1 ½ cups pineapple, diced
• ¼ cup red bell pepper, diced
• ¼ cup green bell pepper, diced
• ½ cup red onion, diced
• ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon jalapeño pepper, minced
• ¼ teaspoon lime zest
• Salt, to taste

Let’s Do It

• Mix salt, garlic, cumin, oregano, coriander, cinnamon and brown sugar together
• Rub mixture on pork roast
• Place bay leaf in bottom of crockpot and place pork on top
• Pour chicken broth around pork
• Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork shreds easily with fork
• Be sure to turn over pork roast after 4 hours
• Meanwhile, create salsa by combining all ingredients in bowl
• Refrigerate salsa to allow flavors to marinate before serving
• Remove pork roast from crockpot and shred with two forks
• Use broth as needed to moisten pulled pork
• Top tortillas with pulled pork and salsa and serve
  

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cheerios sheep treats

What You’ll Need

Makes approximately 6 sheep

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 1/3 cups mini marshmallows (plus additional for assembly)
• 2 cups either multi-grain and chocolate Cheerios (depending on desired sheep’s color)
• White or dark chocolate chips
• Pretzel sticks
• White and dark chocolate coated almonds (or Whoppers if you don’t like nuts)
• Toothpicks

Let’s Do It

Sheep’s body:

• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter; add marshmallows and stir until melted
• Remove from heat and add 2 cups of Cheerios, mix together
• Spoon out heaping tablespoon of mixture and use lightly greased hands to mold into egg-like shape
• For legs, melt white or dark chocolate chips to use as glue; break pretzel sticks to ¾” lengths and attach to sheep’s body

Sheep’s head:

• Apply small amount of melted chocolate and press into end of body
• For ears, cut mini marshmallows into small pieces and use melted chocolate to glue them on top of head
• For eyes, dip toothpick into melted chocolate and add two dots to face

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