I learned something from the TV!

I am not really a TV person, but my weakness is the Food Network. Lately I have gotten in the habit of watching “The Next Food Network Star” on Monday mornings while I run on the treadmill. It’s the first season I have ever followed it, but I have really been enjoying this show! A couple of weeks ago each of the contestants were challenged to explain a culinary technique to the audience in under a minute. They also had no idea which technique they would be teaching until they were on camera. One man was asked to teach how to peel a pineapple. The first thing he did was show how to remove the “leafy plume” of the pineapple, (aka, the top). He showed how on a ripe pineapple you should be able to just twist the top off easily. Then he went on and on about how you should save this part and use it for a garnish. (he then got docked by the judges for not showing how to peel a pineapple, just how to take the top off)

So yesterday I was helping my Mom prepare food for a baby shower. We were making fruit kabobs, and the daunting task of peeling a pineapple was in front of me. I remembered what I had learned on NFNS, grabbed the top, and sure enough, it twisted right off! SO COOL! Then as we were finishing our kabobs I got the brilliant idea to use the top as a garnish (I never garnish anything, so this was way different for me). I stuck the leafy plume in the middle, and it actually looked nice! We were really impressed with how pretty the tray turned out. It looked like this:

So the fact of the matter is that you CAN learn things from watching TV! Who would have thought? So good job, Aaron! The judges may not have appreciated your demonstration, but I learned something!

I also made a batch of some of my favorite cookies for the baby shower. I first tried them when I was a freshman in college, but I lost the recipe and haven’t been able to find it for years. I recently found it and have been looking for an excuse to make them. They were even better than I remember them being! They look simple on the outside, but they are incredible! They are always a huge hit at parties! Here is the recipe . . . (If you click on the picture you can really see the ooey gooey goodness!)

Rolo Cookies

1 Box chocolate cake mix

2 Eggs

1/3 cup Oil

Around 45 Rolo candies (unwrapped, please :)

Heat oven to 350*. In a bowl, mix cake mix, eggs and oil together. It will look dry, but just keep mixing until everything comes together (it will)! Take a small pinch of your dough and press it completely around a Rolo. Roll it in your hands to make a nice ball shape. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Continue until all the candies are covered or until the dough is gone. Makes between 36-45, depending on how much dough you use. Bake cookies for 10 minutes (don’t overcook). Leave on pan to cool for 5 minutes and move to cooling rack. The finished product will be a pretty chocolate cookie on the outside with melted caramel inside (and the caramel stays melted, even when they are cool!) ENJOY!

Tips:

-Make sure that you cover the entire Rolo. If you don’t, the caramel will melt out of the cookie.

-It takes hardly any dough to cover the Rolo. You want just enough to cover the candy. (Just a bit more than 1/2 Tablespoon)

-Don’t crowd the cookies on the cookie sheet. You don’t want them running into each other when they are baking!

-You can switch the Rolos with many other candies (like York Peppermint Patties or mini Peanut Butter Cups). YUM!