Frozen Mocha Pie

Frozen Mocha Pie


Adapted from CHOW

Serves 8-10

Crust:



•30 chocolate cookie wafers

•4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted and cooled

Filling:



•1 quart coffee ice cream

Ganache Topping:



•4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

•1/2 cup heavy cream

•1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, pulse the cookie wafers until finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse again until the mixture is the consistency of wet sand. If you don't have a food processor, place the cookie wafers in an airtight zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin or mallet; transfer crumbs to a bowl and mix with melted butter.



Pour crumb mixture into a 9-inch spring-form pan and, using a cup or your hands, press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Bake 10 minutes then set on a cooling rack. Let cool completely.



Once crust is cool, place in the freezer for 30 minutes to chill. Take ice cream out of the freezer and place in fridge for 30 minutes to soften.



Meanwhile make the ganache: place chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl; set aside. Place cream in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Pour cream over chocolate and let stand until chocolate has softened, about 5 minutes. Add butter and stir mixture until smooth. Let cool slightly before using.



To assemble, remove coffee ice cream from the fridge and transfer to a large mixing bowl. With a wooden spoon or a spatula, stir the ice cream so that it is spreadable (but not liquid-y). Quickly spread the ice cream into the chilled crust in an even layer. If the ice cream looks melted, place back in freezer until solid before proceeding. Pour the warm ganache over the ice cream and tilt pan to cover evenly. Transfer pie to a flat surface in the freezer and chill for at least 3 hours.



Pie can be stored tightly wrapped in plastic in the freezer for up to 1 week.

Fall To-Do List

Texas Reds Festival Oct. 7-8
Tx Ren Fest
Houston Zoo
East Tx
Galveston Weekend

Mom's Soup Recipes

Tortilla soup

Shredded chicken, (baked with tony cachere's, shredded and all juices reserved and put into pot)
Cans of corn
Cans of Rotel
Cans of Ranch style beans
Corn tortillas
Taco Seasoning

Put all into pot and boil until done. Add corn tortilla strips in last ten minutes.

Beef Soup

Ground beef (boiled)
Ranch dressing dry mix
Ranch style beans
Cans of corn
Taco seasoning
Rotel tomatoes

Put all in pot, simmer.

Chicken and dumplings


Beef vegetable soup

Ground Beef
potatoes, cut up
carrots
corn
one jar of picante sauce
barley

Houston:
zoo, arborteum, nasa, market square/disc green, st arnolds, bayou park, play, galveston, rodeo

San Antonio/Austin:
alamo/riverwalk, missions, zoo/park, la villita, landa park, schlitterbahn, gruene hall, float the river, state capitol, barton springs, congress ave

Dallas:
aquarium, dealey plaza/ 6th floor museum, botanical gardens, pioneer plaza, thanksgiving square, majestic theater, fantasy landing, farmers market, city hall, stockyards

Weekend trips:

austin, galveston, dallas, san antonio

Longer trips:

chicago, nyc, philly, boston, europe, carribean, mexico,

Angel Hair Pasta

This recipe is deliciously light and simple. It works really well paired with a heavier main dish like steak or baked chicken.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons Olive oil

2 cloves Garlic, chopped (or to taste)

3 pounds Tomato, diced

1/2 cup Fresh basil

3 tablespoons Red wine vinegar

1 dash Salt

1 pound Angel hair pasta

Fresh ground black pepper

Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy small skillet over medium low heat. Add garlic and stir for 3 minutes, do not brown. Transfer to large non-aluminum bowl. Mix in tomatoes and liquid, remaining tablespoon of olive oil, basil and vinegar. Add dash of salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Let stand 6 hour or refrigerate overnight. Just before serving, cook angel hair pasta in large amount of boiling water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain well; transfer to large bowl. Add sauce and toss. Pass Parmesan cheese. Serves 6.

Hobbying

So, I was reading the Domestic Goddess's blog post (here) and that got me thinking about what classes I would like to take. I too am finishing a Master's and think I'd like to explore a few subjects with my newfound free time.

Here's the list I have so far:
Shooting, photography, interior decorating, baking/cake decorating, sewing, sign language

I also want to get into local theater again and definetly read for enjoyment. I LOVE reading. Everything about it. I just have trouble finding books that I am really into, but when I do it is one of the greatest simple pleasures around.

The only problem: Where do I find places that offer these classes?

Google definetly helps the research process, but certain topics are going to be tough. I really want to learn to sew. I would love to make my own clothing. Whenever I go shopping, I always have a really good idea of what I want but can never find exactly what I am looking for. I would love to be able to make dresses especially. My mother can make ANYTHING, really any thing without a pattern or drawing it out. She just can sit down and start cutting and sewing and it comes out great. I want to get to that level. If we ever needed a costume, she would just whip it together in no time. She can make great window coverings, pants, crafts, whatever.

She is never the best teacher because she gets distracted, so I would like to learn the basics elsewhere before trying to obtain her as a tutor again.