Peppermint Oreo Mudslide

I absolutely love hosting get togethers. I am not always the biggest fan of all the prepwork that proceeds said gatherings, but the actual event: sign me up. I never tire of coming up with different recipes to serve and more often than not, I usually like to create different cocktails or put a spin on an old favorite.

I love peppermint all year round so this is not just a holiday drink in my book, but the ingredients are more readily found this time of year. and if we're being honest with each other here...how can you possibly go wrong with oreos? Exactly my answer...you can't!

I first tried my hand at this a few years ago and I tweaked a few things this time to make it as close to perfect as I could. Or ok, next week I will be humble...not today. It is perfect. Would I lie to you? Don't answer that.

Ingredients

1 cup peppermint ice cream

1/2 cup crushed oreos

2 oz kahlua

2 oz baileys

1 1/2 oz vodka(I used whipped cream flavored)

1/2 cup ice

crushed peppermint pieces (optional)

Place all ingredients in blender and blend till desired consistency reached. if you want to rim your glass, I usually pour a little milk on a plate and dip lip of glass in it. on a separate plate, pour crushed peppermint pieces. Dip glass pieces.

I may have already enjoyed a few too many of these this year. I do not feel even a little bit bad about it either! 

Homemade Peppermint Patties

This may end up being one of my favorite recipes to date. and even better, it was so simple. I am not sure about you, but I always feel like real peppermint patties can be overtly strong. And, as much as I adore peppermint, I have to be in a particular mood to enjoy them. and they usually need to be frozen. As must any chocolate I am gonna enjoy. I mean, have you had the pleasure of enjoying a frozen twix? Life altering goodness. and to this day, the only milk chocolate treat I enjoy! but moving on...

When I was in Target prepping for my little cookie madness gathering, I spied this huge bag of peppermint marshmallows. I already had a bag of miniature peppermintallows in my cart. All ready to head on home with me and take my hot cocoa to the level of what some people refer to as  (pinky raised as they drink, I'm sure;) "drinking chocolate"...but when I saw these giant ones, I took a pause and knew that they were destined for even greater purposes. Ergo, back the smaller bag went. 

and funny how great minds think alike...because Kraft had my idea already on the bag. Way to one up my inferred genius, Kraft. Rude. But I digress...

Dark chocolate turned these into a work of art. and you can use any kind you want, but I will stand firm that quality chocolate makes a quality product. So for not that much more, I used ghiradelli.  and then my Christmas cheer lollipop sticks took them to another level. But I will let you be the judge;)

Ingredients

12 large marshmallows

1 cup melting chips 

crushed peppermint pieces(optional)

Melt the chocolate. You can use a microwave or double broiler. All I can say is WATCH YOUR CHOCOLATE. a few seconds is the differential between perfection and scorched chocolate. and once it is burned, there is no going back!

Using a skewer, give the marshmallows a thorough dunking. Like a teenage boy throwing his crush in the pool. We are talking full immersion here. Then, before you take out, lightly tap the skewer on the edge to rid excess chocolate. 

Place on wax paper. This is when you would add the peppermint if you wanted. Let harden before slowly peeling off. You can package these in cute cellophane and give them as a sweet gift. or you can eat almost all of them yourself and beg your husband to hide them from you. and then, when you must have one, demand he give up his hiding spot, no matter the threats you leveled if he did such earlier in the night. 

If you can't find these peppermint marshmallows, regular giant ones will do. Just add a little mint extract to the chocolate, before you melt it so not to seize. and I mean a tiny drop. and then sprinkle the peppermint on top for added flavor. 

Enjoy!

Holiday Looks and gatherings...and a new addition!

I am having the best 2013 so far. and at 10:13 am it got even better as my first niece has arrived  We leave for Boston tomorrow and I cannot cannot cannot wait to see my favorite new fatty! I am so anxious to meet her that the thought of 22' weather isn't even daunting to me right now;) She was rather small for a Baldassari though...only 9 lbs 4 oz. Some of you probably think I am being sarcastic. haha I am not. My husband was born and promptly fit into 12 month clothing. then his brother was born and lets just say...you people who had 12 pounders got off easy;) This explains why Wiki is 6'5 and his brother is 6'7.

Anyways...you best believe there will be a smorgasbord of pics coming at you next week, but for now I will  show some of my "attire" over the past week and a half. We went to Virginia for five days and we attended 4 parties. overload. Then we came home and went to a bowl party to watch ASU/Navy. One of my besties attended ASU and I told her that by rooting for ASU she was un-Americana ) haha between this we have been working basketball games at Duke and then we hosted a small NYE gathering. And tomorrow we leave for Beantown for 5 days. I. am. tired. but loving these experiences  except ones that involve me cleaning my kitchen afterwards. That part is the antithesis of awesome. 

First up was an outfit I wore to a party w/some of our couple friends, we gorged ourselves snacked, had some beverages, played dirty santa and then got competitive in a few games of Jacks. Greatest  Game. EVER. and the ladies lost. I am still bitter not over it. but I digress...

 The next outfit was very simple but one of my absolute favorites. I found this t shirt at Target and fell in love. I never and I mean...NEVER wear a tshirt...but I loved this one and I am gonna say I rocked it;) It just put me in a good mood.

and this last one was for Christmas lunch at my grandparents where there were 36 of us! My family is huge. and I love it! And so much good food to be had and then that night my mom, sissy in law and I headed out to to the movies to watch Les Miserables. It was fantastic. 

and every outfit was well under $50 minus the boots in the last picture. they were however marked down from $400 to $67 last year. and it took everything in me to spend that much;)

The trip passed so quick but we treasured every moment. I will have pictures of all the get togethers tomorrow that are a little more fun and of everyone I love the most.

and before I forget. I have the most amazing hubs. I still am elated over my gift!!! He got me culinary classes at the ICE of New York. I am going next month and I am on cloud nine! Cannot wait! What all did y'all get?!

and I meant it...hands down, best game in the world!

linking up today with
the Pleated Poppy
Because Shanna Said So
wardrobe wednesday