S’mores Chocolate Toffee Bark

It has been quite a few years since the hype of matza crack (made famous by Marcy Goldman of BetterBaking.com), but the thrill of the chocolate & toffee covered matza cracker has not been lost on me. I can eat it nonstop (that’s why they call it crack!) In the spirit of summer and Fourth of July celebrations everywhere, I decided to reinvent traditional matza crack into a s’mores version with graham crackers and marshmallows. Would you believe it if I told you that it’s even better than the original?! If there is one dessert recipe that you try from my blog, make it this one, you will not regret it!

Smore’s Chocolate Toffee Bark AKA Graham Crack(er) Bark

15 graham crackers
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine, cut into pieces
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
a pinch of sea salt
1 9 oz. bag good quality chocolate chips
2 cups mini marshmallows

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with graham crackers, making sure to fill in any gaps (you can break the graham crackers into pieces to do this).  In a small pan, melt the butter and brown sugar over low heat, whisking the mixture so that it combines into a caramel . Once it has begun boiling, let it bubble for 3-5 minutes, until thickened. Remove from the heat and add the salt and vanilla. Pour the toffee over the graham crackers and spread it over the crackers with a spatula. Bake for 15 minutes. The toffee will bubble as it bakes but watch carefully to make sure that it doesn’t burn (if it starts burning, reduce the heat to 325 or 300 degrees). Remove the crackers from the oven and pour on the chocolate chips. Let it sit for a few minutes until the chocolate melts, and spread over the caramel. Sprinkle the marshmallows over the chocolate and place under the broiler (set to high) for approximately 3 minutes, until the marshmallows start to brown. Remove the crackers from the oven and with a spatula, press down lightly on the marshmallows so that they melt into the bark a bit.

Place the bark in the fridge or freezer to set for a few hours. Once it has set completely, break into pieces. Place in a container with layers of parchment paper between the pieces to keep them from sticking together. I find that it keeps better in the fridge (especially in the summer), but it will keep for up to 1 week when tightly sealed (I doubt it will last that long though!)

Variation: To make matza or saltine bark, just use matza or saltines instead of the graham crackers. Top with toffee, chocolate and then sprinkle with nuts (sliced almonds, pecans, walnuts or whatever you prefer).

NOTE: I used a disposable cookie sheet, but if you are using a sheet pan, it might be a good idea to line it with foil and/or parchment paper for easier clean up.


Saltine bark made with pecans, another favorite!

1 year ago: grilled chickpea burgers
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Shlishkes (Gnocchi with Toasted Breadcrumbs)

Being of ashkenazi descent, I grew up eating many traditional Hungarian dishes like kraut-pletzlach (noodles and cabbage), holopches (stuffed cabbage), as well as shlishkes (potato dumplings rolled in toasted breadcrumbs). My mother would make shlishkes on occasion, but I hadn’t eaten it in many years. We were reminiscing about it the other day, so I decided to give it a try. The idea of making a pasta-like dough seemed intimidating, but it was actually quite easy. Rolled in toasted breadcrumbs, these soft potato dumplings are sure to please any palate, ashkenazi and sephardi alike! You can also use this recipe to make gnocchi, and mix it with your sauce of choice (marinara or pesto are good options).

When I looked up my family recipe for shlishkes (which I’ve lightly adapted), I found something interesting. After the instructions for preparing the dough, it said, “take challah.” I would never have imagined that I would need to set aside gnocchi dough for hafrashas challah! After doing some research, it seems as though one would not need to “take challah” for dough that uses only 1 1/2 cups of flour (the original recipe used more). If you’re interested, you can read more about it here.

Shlishkes

4 medium russet potatoes
1 egg
1-2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c flour
6 tbsp butter or 1/3 cup olive oil
1 cup plain bread crumbs

Method:

Scrub potatoes to remove dirt and boil until fork tender. Once the potatoes are cool to the touch, peel them. Mash the potatoes very well*, or if you have one, push them through a potato ricer or fine mesh sieve. While the potatoes are still warm, place them into a mixing bowl and add egg, salt and flour. Mix the ingredients and knead with your hands until a soft dough is formed. Add additional flour if necessary. On a floured surface, and with floured hands, roll out a handful of dough into a long strip. Cut the strip into 3/4″ pieces. If desired, roll the dough over (or under) a fork to create ridges. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Working in batches, drop pieces into the water and let them simmer until they float to the top. Remove with a slotted spoon. In a separate pan, melt margarine or heat up oil. Add bread crumbs and stir until browned and toasted. Add gnocchi and toss until coated.

* If you don’t mash the potatoes really well, you’ll be left with large lumps of potatoes in your dough.

1 year ago: salad nicoise and other shalos seudos ideas

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Picture Perfect Teacher’s Gift


When it comes to the end of the year, every teacher deserves a little token of appreciation to show them just how much we value what they have done for our children. To me, that token isn’t so much about what you give, but more about how you give it.  I think it’s important to take the time to write a nice card (perhaps attach a photo) and give a gift that is more thoughtful than elaborate. Making your gift a personal one can also help you cut down on spending. When you need to purchase gifts for quite a few teachers, assistants, therapists as well as bus drivers and monitors, creativity is key. If you are not the creative type, you can search pinterest for some inspiration, or give a gift card with a handwritten note.

This year, after driving myself kinda crazy, I finally came up with this “picture perfect theme”. I included a set of photo albums and a picture frame, and designed this camera thank you card to top it off. I don’t love my handwriting so I typed up a message thanking the teachers for a picture perfect year.

Last year, I found some super cute ice cream sets, which was so fitting for a pre-summer gift. I printed out thank you notes with pictures of my daughters and glued it to the top of each box, wrapping each one in ribbon. The teachers loved them!

A few years ago, when my daughter was in playgroup, I purchased target gift cards for her teachers and therapist. I included these handwritten poems (which I had time to come up with because she was my only one back then!), as well as photos with each one.

For the teacher:

I want to thank you for everything this year,
for all your attention and tender loving care.
The Parsha and Yomim Tovim I learned so well,
each week at the shabbos table i’d tell.
All of the songs and stories of the week,
then mommy would give me a kiss on my cheek.
Thank you for sitting with me when i ate,
it’s due to your prodding that i put on weight.
You also helped me to eat with utensils,
and color with crayons, pens and pencils.
I know all my diapers were really not pretty,
I wish I’d been trained, it’s really a pity!
All of your dress ups and all of your toys,
were such fun to play with the girls and the boys.
To drink from a cup, this year i did learn,
too bad next year I can’t return.
For I’ll miss you and all of my friends a lot,
it’s time for headstart for this 3 year old tot!
This gift card is just a token to say,
I appreciate the efforts you made every day.
So use it to purchase whatever you wish,
a mop or a top or a pretty new dish.
In this economy we can all use,
a gift card to buy whatever we choose!

For the therapist:

Thank you for everything you’ve done for me this year,
from walking to running to sitting straight in my chair.
I  know some days were hard and I didnt cooperate,
the fact that you pushed me, I really appreciate.
It’s because of your efforts that I’ve mastered the stairs,
now my mommy can shed a few less tears.
Worrying about my progress each day,
she’s happy to see that I’m jumping ok.
I  know I still have a long way to go,
but from where I started, I really did grow.
This token is just a little something to say,
I appreciate the efforts you made every day.
So use it to purchase whatever you wish,
a  mop or a top or a pretty new dish.
In this economy we can all use,
a gift card to buy whatever we choose!

I hope that these ideas have inspired you to create something personal for your children’s teachers. They truly deserve it!

 

What you’ll need:

photo-related gift such as album or picture frame
wrapping paper (that complements the colors of your card)
1 sheet 8.5 x 11 black  cardstock
1 sheet 8.5 x 11 white cardstock
metallic sharpie
scissors
glue or double sided tape
card template
thank you template

How to:

Wrap your gift with wrapping paper. Print the card template onto the black cardstock and the thank you template onto the white cardstock. Cut the black cardstock along the dotted lines, you will have 2 cards, 2 outer lenses, and 2 camera buttons. Cut out the inner lenses and flashes from the white cardstock (you’ll have enough for 6 cards so cut out as much as you need). Fold down the sides of the cards so that the ends meet at the center (see picture). Glue or tape the flash to the upper right corner. Glue or tape the camera button behind the card in the upper left corner. Glue the inner lens onto the outer lens and then glue or tape the top half of the lens onto the center of the card. Place a piece of scrap paper between the fold of the card (so that the marker doesn’t leak through) and using a metallic sharpie, outline the lens so that you have a silver ring around it. Discard the scrap paper. You can hand-write a note inside the card or type one up and attach it. Make sure to include the words “PICTURE PERFECT” in line with the theme. If you’d like, you can add a small piece of double sided tape to the bottom of the camera lens so that it keeps the card closed.

If you do not have a printer, you can still make these cards by hand. Just measure with a ruler and cut with a scissor (or you can eyeball it).  The cards should be 4 1/4″ wide by 7 1/4″ high. The lens rings should be roughly 1 7/8″ and 2 3/8″ wide.

NOTE: As pictured, I cut the lenses using my cuttlebug machine with the nestabilities die cuts. You can cut it by hand, I just like the perfect finish that comes from using a die cutting machine.

1 year ago: tuna salad with a twist

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Kid-Friendly Dirty Rice

First off, let me start by saying that I am posting this as per the facebook vote! I asked my fan page if they prefer a one dish meal, protein, vegetarian dish, muffin, drink or craft and the majority voted for the one dish meal, so here you have it!

Now, onto the recipe. Let me tell you how this happened. I went shopping to my local supermarket and picked up a package of chicken for dinner. Then I got home and opened said package. It wreaked. I’m talking seriously stinky chicken. I quickly called the store, who aptly credited my account and I dumped the chicken in the garbage. It was 4:30 PM, my kids were hungry and I had nothing. So I did what any desperate mother would do: I rummaged through my freezer and found 4 lonely hot dogs in a bag. Then, I scoured the pantry and the fridge and put all my ingredients out on the counter. I twiddled my thumbs while I thought of how I could turn rice, hot dogs and peppers into a satisfying dish with minimal time and effort. And then this happened. This delicious, stick-to-your-ribs kind of dish that is so easy to make, so budget-friendly, and easily customizable! Feel free to load this up with other veggies, beans, or any type of protein. You can also use chicken or turkey hot dogs for a healthier option.

After I fed my kids, I could not resist topping off my plate with a poached egg. The silky egg yolk coated my rice with a creamy layer of heaven and the scallions gave it the perfect bite. Don’t be intimidated, poached eggs are fairly simple and take just a little practice. View my tutorial here.

And by the way, in case you were wondering, dirty rice is a traditional Cajun dish made from white rice cooked with small pieces of chicken liver or giblets, which give it a dark (“dirty”) color and a mild but distinctive flavor (thanks Wikipedia! I couldn’t have said it better myself!). I simplified the traditional recipe by using seasoned salt and hot dogs, making it kid-friendly and super easy!

 

Kid-Friendly Dirty Rice

4 hot dogs or sausages, sliced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
1 tbsp seasoned salt (I prefer Lawry’s)
2 cups rice
4 cups chicken broth

For adults: poached egg and scallions, optional (see my instructions for poaching eggs here)

Method:

Saute hot dogs for a few minutes until it is lightly browned and it has rendered some of its fat. Add onions and peppers and continue to saute until onions are translucent. Add salt and stir to combine. Add rice and saute for a minute or two. Add chicken broth, cover and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

1 year ago: quick easy & tasty chicken

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MyShtub Guest Post – DIY Teacher’s Gift

I’m so excited to have Sheva from over at MyShtub, guest posting on my blog. With her magnificent photography and fun spirit, Sheva takes you on a journey of life’s trials and triumphs. She is an amazing mom of 3, a talented crafter and an avid do-it-yourselfer. At the forefront of her blog is her adorable daughter Rozie, who just happens to have down syndrome. Her real life photography helps to break the stereotypes of down syndrome, and you can’t help but just fall in love with her rosy little Rozie :)

Hi this is Sheva from MyShtub and I’m so excited to be guest posting here on Busy in Brooklyn. Since the school year is coming to an end, most of us are scrambling to find that perfect gift to say thank you to your child’s teacher. In my son’s school we usually do a group gift from all the parents, but I was a Morah for years, and know how hard they work, so I like to give a little something special just from us. Since I usually don’t want to spend a ton, especially if I contributed to the class gift, I came up with something perfect for most budgets.

What you need to create this summer fun strawberry-lemonade fizz gift package

1. Plastic drink dispenser (I got this one at Target for $5)
2. One bottle of sparkling water
3. One container of strawberry lemonade mix ( Country Time brand was OU)
4. Twine or ribbon
5. Wooden spoon
6. Scrap fabric

The first thing I did was choose a color theme. I’m currently obsessed with the aqua salmon color combo and decided to go with it. I made all my labels first and printed them on cardstock *. I also covered the bottle lid with a scrap piece of fabric and tied it with twine. Next, I poured Strawberry-Lemonade mix into a cellophane goody bag, rolled the top down, and stapled a label to hold the bag shut. Lastly, I made a recipe card with a small thank you note.

Strawberry –Lemonade Recipe:

Mix the fizzy water with the powder mix in the canister. Add fresh lemon and strawberry slices. Enjoy!

Once the items are all ready I put them inside the canister with a couple of lemons. I tied it up with twine, the recipe card, and wooden spoon. Voila! A perfect thank you gift for under $10!

*I designed my labels in Photoshop but they can easily be done with scrapbook paper and hand written labels.

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