Monday, February 29, 2016

Chocolate Covered Banana Pops

Yum
Chocolate covered bananas topped with nuts or sprinkles is a fun treat any kid or "kid at heart" will love.  

I love getting my kids in the kitchen with me.  They love when they can make something for the blog in their "Kids in the Kitchen" series.  Today we have our Chocolate Covered Bananas Pops and they are so fun and easy to make.  You have to make them -even if you don't have kids in your house! 

We had some fabulous weather this Sunday with temperatures reaching almost 70!  Unfortunately, spring is not ready to be sprung just yet, because we will get back to the 40's before the end of the week.  The kids had to celebrate the warm weather with this chilled banana treat.  You can customize it by adding any toppings over the chocolate coating or you can simply coat the bananas in chocolate and call it a day.

My son wanted peanuts because (like me) he loves peanuts and chocolate together.  My daughter on the other hand loves every thing sweet, sweet, sweet and pretty.  She wanted to put rainbow sprinkles on all her bananas pops.  They sure look festive so I think they all turned out great. 

This is a great recipe to make with your kids and they will have a blast making their chocolate creations. The fact that a banana is the center of the recipe is something I love the most and they don't even think twice about. I call that a win-win.


Chocolate Covered Banana Pops
by Ramona from Kitchen Simmer


Ingredients:
6-8 banana peeled and cut into half
12 oz chocolate chips 
1/4 cup coconut oil
chopped peanuts
sprinkles (of choice)

Special equipment:
Ice cream sticks
Double Boiler or  Heat proof bowl over pot of simmering water

Directions:
Step 1:  Melt Chocolate on stove top (double boiler method) with the coconut oil.  

Step 2: Chop peanuts and gather sprinkles or any desired topping. 

Step 3: Peel and cut bananas in half.  Insert ice cream stick to the cut side of each banana.  Lay on a parchment or wax paper lined baking sheet. 

Step 4:  When chocolate is melted, dunk each cut banana pop into the chocolate and cover completely.  Hold bananas over chocolate and allow excess chocolate to drip back into melted chocolate.

Step 5:  Before laying covered banana down sprinkle each one with your desired toppings and make sure to spin it around to get all the sides.  Then place back on parchment lined baking sheet and put into the freezer.  Leave in freezer for 15-20 minutes until fully chilled and chocolate is set.   Eat and enjoy.







Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Kitchen Simmer formerly known as Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Sloppy Jose (Mexican Style Sloppy Joes)

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A Sloppy Jose is a Sloppy Joe with a Mexican flavored twist.  If you love tacos with all the fixings, then you will love these Sloppy Jose sandwiches.
 

My kids love Sloppy Joe Sandwiches.  I am always trying to reinvent them to keep things fun and exciting for dinner.  I decided to introduce Sloppy Joe's cousin from across the border and make Sloppy Jose.  The Sloppy Jose was a fun Mexican twist for my kids.

I basically made a saucy taco filling and topped it off with lots of shredded cheese, sliced avocados, sour cream and onions.   I decided that since they are Sloppy Joes, I would nix the taco shells and tortillas and opt for a hearty hot dog style bun instead.  You can also put them in a hoagie roll or kaiser roll.  

So if you are trying to give your standard Sloppy Joe a new look and taste, think south of the border and try Sloppy Jose. Ole!



Sloppy Jose (Mexican Style Sloppy Joes)
Recipe by Ramona Kitchen Simmer

Ingredients: 
2lb Lean ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey)
salt and black pepper to taste
1 medium finely onion diced
1 jalapeno pepper finely diced
1 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbs taco seasoning
3 Tbs chili (for chili con carne) powder
2 tsp ground cumin
red chili flakes to taste
1 1/2 cups salsa
1 (8oz) can tomato sauce
1/3 cup water
Juice of half a lime

Garnishes:
shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar)
sour cream
Sliced avocado
Shredded lettuce
diced red onion
Lime wedges 
Sliced scallions

 
 Directions:

Brown beef well.  Then add onion and jalapeno and saute for another few minutes.  Next add ground spices (cumin, chili powder, taco seasoning, garlic, chili flakes, salt and black pepper).  Saute for a minute.  


Then add the tomato sauce, salsa and water.  Cook on medium low for 10-15 minutes.  Taste for salt and seasoning.  Finally add the lime juice for a fresh finish. Serve in a bun with the condiments and garnishes of your choice. 







Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Kitchen Simmer formerly known as Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.