tingling tastebuds for over 75 years.

"Life is like a twinkie, we all want the fluffy golden outside but it's the cream filling that really matters." Tom Brady

Until just a few days ago, Wednesday to be exact, my 13 (and a half) year old son had never tasted a Twinkie. I didn't know this. I just assumed the kid had had a Twinkie at some point in his life. Not so. Evidently he liked his first Twinkie. Good to know. So, he asked me if we have anymore. Uh, no, of course not I ate them (duh). Being the nice mom I am I went and bought him a box (yep, a whole box) of Twinkies. I will not eat a single one. I promise.

My question is - Am I a good mom because I kept my kid away from Twinkies for over 13 years or I am a bad mom because I kept him away from Twinkies for over 13 years? Hmmmmm.....


By the way...He has had donettes quite a number of times. We are big on the chocolate covered ones. AND did you know that you can go to the Hostess site and there are recipes for using their oh-so-nutritious products? The Mini No Bake Twinkie Cheesecakes look interesting.

Edited: ok. I just went and looked at some more recipes and the penguin party for the Sno Balls is ADORABLE (as is the wizard and the ornament...)! And I want to try the Ding Dong dessert sandwich.

cute food.

See this girl? She rocks. I send her emails with links to recipes that say "make me this" and what does she do? She MAKES me stuff! I love her (well...for more reasons than just that, but making me food is awesome). So for "girl day" I sent Lorinda a recipe for Candy Corn Pudding Parfaits. Since she didn't want to transport parfait cups (what? I don't understand...haha) she made it as a layered treat. Yummy no matter what.Have you tried the Candy Corn Kisses or the Pumpkin Spice Kisses? Uh...YUM! Especially the Pumpkin Spice!

If you don't want to follow the link above (you should it has lots of yummy treats) here is the recipe:

Candy Corn Pudding Parfaits

Ingredients

• 9 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Candy Corn Flavored Candies
• 1 package (6-serving size) vanilla cook and serve pudding and pie filling mix
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 cup frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
• Additional whipped topping and candies for garnish(optional)

Directions

1. Remove wrappers from candies. Stir together pudding mix and milk in medium saucepan.

2. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat. Set aside 1/2 cup pudding; place plastic wrap on surface and refrigerate. Evenly divide 1 cup pudding among 4 to 6 clear parfait glasses. Cover loosely, refrigerate while preparing next step.

3. Add 9 candies to remaining pudding in pan. Stir until candies are melted and mixture is uniform orange color; cool slightly (about 10 minutes). Evenly layer orange pudding onto vanilla pudding in serving dishes.

4. Stir 1/2 cup whipped topping into cooled vanilla pudding. Evenly layer onto orange layer in serving dishes. Cover; refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with additional whipped topping and candy piece, if desired. 4 to 6 servings.

rhubarb custard pie

Rhubarb Custard Pie recipe (via my fabulous mother-in-law Lee!)

3/4 cup of sugar
3 tablespoons flour (slightly rounded)
1/4 cup butter (melted - like liquid, not just soft)
2 eggs (beaten)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
pinch of salt
unbaked bottom pie shell
Rhubarb
*cinnamon/nutmeg/raw sugar to sprinkle on top (optional - we put on the last 25 minutes of baking or so)

Stir flour into sugar
moisten with milk (a tablespoon or so)
add butter, eggs, vanilla, salt & remainder of milk
*stir until thick and custard-y...

Pour mixture into unbaked pie shell. Add rhubarb on top. (The recipe calls for 1 cup, but we tend to add MORE - 2 cups or so or until the filling is up to the bottom lip of the crust).

Bake 20 minutes at 375.
Bake 25 minutes at 300. It is finished when knife is pulled out clean and it should jiggle a little. You may need to bake it for a few more (up to 15) minutes if the custard is too far from set - you be the judge!).

EAT. Eat warm. Eat cold. Eat with ice cream. It is delicious!