Homemade Kahlua

Ingredients:
1 750 mL bottle vodka
1 1/4 c. dark rum
1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 lb. whole coffee beans
1 vanilla bean

Recipe:
Combine all ingredients in a sealable glass container. Shake hard to mix. Label with the date and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 3 weeks. Shake it several times a week.

After 3 weeks, strain through a fine mesh strainer. Use it like you would any other coffee liqueur.

Note: I thought the coffee flavor was too strong which made this liquor very bitter. If you're making this maybe add more sugar or try it after two weeks to see how it tastes. It may not need a full 3 weeks to infuse all the flavors

Week 1:

Week 2:

Week 3:

White Russian
2 oz. vodka
1 oz. Kahlua
splash of cream or half and half

Cheesy Artichoke Bread

Ingredients:
1/4 c. butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 c. mozzarella cheese
1 c. Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt
1 loaf French bread
salt and pepper to taste

Recipe:
Set oven to broil. Melt the butter in a pan on the stovetop. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add artichokes, cheeses, and yogurt. Stir to combine. Slice the bread lengthwise and spoon mixture onto bread.

Broil 4-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Cut the bread into equal pieces and serve warm. 

Jalapeno Popper Pizza

Ingredients:
I used this dough recipe: Mac and Cheese Pizza
2 oz. cream cheese
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tbsp butter
1 1/2 c. colby-jack shredded cheese
2 jalapenos, sliced
1 shallot, sliced
optional: bacon bits

Recipe:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Heat up the garlic, butter, and cream cheese in the microwave until smooth. Mix and spread cream cheese mixture over dough. Top with cheese, jalapenos, and shallot.

Bake pizza for 10-14 minutes or until cheese starts to brown and bubble.

S'mores Rice Krispies

Do you have left-over s'mores fix'ns from summer camping trips or bon fires? If so, you should make these s'mores rice krispies! They were so tasty, I'm surprised I've never thought of making them before.

Ingredients:
1 pkg marshmallows
1 Hershey's chocolate bar
1/4 c. mini chocolate chips
6 graham crackers
6 c. rice krispies
4 Tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla

Recipe:
Melt butter and marshmallows. Make sure to save a few marshmallows (or a handful of mini marshmallows if you use them) to cut up into chunks.

Mix in rice krispies, and let it cool for a while so when you add the chocolate it doesn't melt too much.

Break the chocolate bar and graham crackers into small pieces. Dump into the rice krispies/marshmallow mixture. Add half of the mini chocolate chips.

Pour into a 9x13 inch pan. Top with remaining chips and left-over marshmallow chunks. Press down into pan and let cool.

Baked Garlic Fries

These are the most amazing baked fries. I whipped up some chive sour cream to dip them in, and they were delish!

Ingredients:
8 garlic cloves, minced
4 Tbsp olive oil
3 potatoes, cut into wedges
4 Tbsp corn starch
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Recipe:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

In a large microwave save dish, warm garlic in oil for 1 minute in the microwave. Transfer 3 Tbsp of the warm oil (leave the garlic) to a cookie sheet or 9x13 in. pan to coat the bottom.

Add the potatoes to the bowl and toss with the warm garlic oil. Cover and microwave for 3 minutes. Toss the potatoes once more and microwave for another minute and a half.

Mix the cornstarch with the spices. Sprinkle over the potatoes and spread them out onto the pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes turning once.