Heavenly Hellish Hot Chocolate

OK, so last week I was back in Gainesville ALL WEEK.  Best week ever, maybe. Top five for sure! On one chilly night, we made hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps. SO GOOD. So tonight, I'm wishing I was in Gainesville, celebrating a birthday with many friends.

I remembered we had some rum from Pina Coladas we made a few weeks ago, and we have had rum and hot chocolate on occasion, so I thought that would have to suffice in the place of peppermint schnapps.  Much to my surprise/pleasure, I had forgotten about Kahlua that I bought.  Am I an evil genius? I wouldn't say.... well, yes I would!

... and yes, that is peppermint extract I happen to have from the peppermint bark I made recently (will add that in another post, hopefully soon)

So, true to form, I didn't measure anything...

BUT I put about 2 spoonfuls of the Nesquik in the mug and added a few drops of peppermint extract (a little goes a LONG way) Then I filled the mug almost to where the brown starts (in picture) with hot water.  I added the hot water before the rum and Kahlua so that I could make sure the cocoa powder was dissolved completely in the water.  Then I topped it off with some rum and Kahlua, probably about even parts.

Like I said... Evil Genius.  This is so good! It's just like our peppermint schnapps hot cocoa, but with Kahlua!!

Perfect for Christmas time. Also, I have many items to post here, and I'm going to try my darndest (what, google chrome, not a word?! pfff) to keep up.

So in the mean time, try to stay warm, unless you live in SW Florida, in which case turn the A/C on.

And last but not least, a VERY warm Happy Birthday to a very good, semi-new, but one of the best friends I have, Lindsey Myers! Wish I was there to celebrate with you!

Spinach Quiche

This week, we lost an Alpha Rho Chi brother, and a great person.  Jade Guzzo passed away with only 20 years behind her, and so much life left in her.  Many of us could learn from the way Jade lived, almost always full of energy and smiling, and looking to make others smile as well.  She will be truly missed by our fraternity, UF's School of Architecture, and the world as a whole.  We have lost a beautiful person, inside and out.  Rest in Peace, Jade.

I know that everyone has their own vices when it comes to dealing with tragedy and loss.  For me, cooking and baking help me to cope and to get out of my head for a while.  (much healthier choice than smoking or drinking, depending on what is on the menu. haha)

So on Monday evening, after hearing the news, crying a bit, and staring at a blank wall for a while, I decided I needed to do something with my hands to keep me busy.  I had also noticed that our spinach was beginning to look a little droopy, so into the kitchen I went. 

I used this recipe from cooks.com for the crust of the quiche, rather than going out to the store and buying one.  But I chose another recipe for the actual quiche.   There is the link, but I did change quite a bit, so here is what I did...

PIE SHELL:

1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c. shortening
4 tbsp. cold water

Stir together flour and salt. Cut in shortening until pieces are the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon water over part of mixture; gently toss with fork. Continue until all is moistened.

Form dough into ball. On lightly floured surface, flatten dough. Roll from center to edge, forming circle about 12 inches. Place into pie plate. Flute edge. Line pastry with foil and bake at 450°F for 5 minutes.

Remove foil and continue baking until golden brown (approximately 5 minutes).

QUICHE:

4 oz. chopped fresh spinach, rinsed well
1 1/2 c. shredded Sharp White Cheddar cheese (that's just what I had on hand)
1/2 c. cottage cheese
1 1/4 tsp. dried minced onion
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
4 eggs
1/2 c. skim milk (the recipe called for evaporated milk, but we      didn't have any. I was afraid this might be a deal breaker for the whole thing, but luckily it still turned out great)
1 crust (from other recipe.)

Blend cheeses, onion, oil and seasonings until smooth. Add eggs, milk, and spinach. Pour into prebaked pie crust shell. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Serves 6 slices.

The picture was taken with my phone, and is therefore not very clear.

For not having all of the spices that were in the recipe, I must say the result was wonderful! This was my first time attempting quiche, and I enjoyed it very much.  I plan to take more flavor risks with the next attempt, and improve the prettiness of the crust.

A big thing that I have learned as I have started baking and sewing more, is that many projects are not as complicated as they look, and are doable, even if you do not consider yourself to be a 'creative' person.  Especially with baking, it is about following directions, until you really know what you are doing.  Cooking is more of a creative process. 

Another Blog?!

It seems to me that very few people find something that they are truly passionate about in their life. So for me to have found two things that I could happily focus on for the rest of my life is huge! Especially at the age of 22. 

For the longest time, I didn't see the point of blogging.  It seemed crazy that people had enough to talk about that they thought other people should read and would even care about.  However, in my free time since graduating, I cannot count the number of times I have referenced a blog for sustainability topics, sewing patterns, craft ideas, and more often than anything, recipes. 

You may have seen the blog that I started in January about sustainability and environmental education (loveisgreen.blogspot.com).  My passion for sustainability and the environment satisfies my desire for constant education and knowledge, and my ability to make a difference in this wonderful world we live in.  However, I do have a creative side, and therein lies my other major passion, and the purpose of this blog.  This passion is almost undefinable.  I could say that I like to create things, but that doesn't really tell you anything, although it is the truth. 

I am extremely goal-oriented.  I love to see a final product.  I have always loved to watch construction projects, because it amazes me how such incredible structures can be created using so many parts and pieces.  So from baking to sewing to woodwork, I love not only the process of creating things with my hands, but it is so gratifying to hold up a finished product, knowing that you made it from little pieces of fabric, or a ball of yarn, or flour and eggs.

SO... I plan to use this blog to share my projects.  I will try to include some templates and recipes and process pictures, but it might take me a little time to get the craft blogging process down.

I hope that I can create and share something for everybody, and please feel free to share projects that you have done, or that are just interesting/fun looking. :)

A few notes:

Because of my holiday, gift crafting, I will probably only have recipes to share until I can post images of gifts. 

Also, if you are wondering about "Crafting and Cooking with KMD" KMD is my initials, but is it also the initials of my partner in crafting, cooking and crime, Kaley Dunlap.  There is a good chance that projects and products will have her influence, so that's why KMD instead of Katie.