Grandma's Crunchie Bars Recipe • Like the Real Thing! | Club Foody

 

Grandmas, Nonnas, or Omas 👵 have always been important figures in families. They’re the ones who bring the family together. They are the peacemakers, the matriarchs, the storytellers, and of course, the amazing cooks! My grandma could cook almost anything from scratch, and it was always delicious!
 
Every time we went to visit my grandma in Québec City, I was so excited! I couldn’t wait to see her beautiful, warm smile, and jump into her arms. To me, she was “home”, a place where I felt safe and loved 🥰.
 
Of course, it was only a matter of minutes before she was carrying me to the kitchen and asking me if I was hungry or wanted a treat. It didn’t matter if we had just finished eating before visiting her, she always placed some food 🥧 on the table. “No, thank you” wasn’t something she could understand easily. If our stay was for a few hours, she would ask us at least ten times if we wanted something to eat or wanted to try this or that.
 
Back then, women were making most everything at home 🏡. They didn’t have big grocery stores around the corner, and many of them were living in rural areas, so going to the city was only for necessities. People were pretty much self-sufficient, especially when it came to food.
 
My grandmother was privileged to receive a very good education at a private school. She learned from the “Nuns” there what a young girl from society should learn, and one thing was obviously cooking. Not just because she was my grandma, but wow 🤯 did she ever know how to cook. I wish we had lived closer together so I could have visited her more often and learned even more from her.
 
What I am about to share with you is her “toffee” chocolate bars that I like to call my Grandma’s Crunchie Bars. I put toffee in quotes because that is what she used to call them. Commercially, these are called Crunchie Bars.
 
This treat is not really hard to make but slightly technical. Do you remember in your chemistry class 🧬🧪 how baking soda can react with other ingredients? That’s right! It expands a lot, so you need a big pot! Also, after mixing it, quickly transfer the toffee mixture into molds, as it will start hardening.
 
After 6 hours ⏰, the next step is to dip the hardened toffee pieces into melted chocolate and coat them entirely. You can use a couple forks, a spoon, or simply your fingers… whichever suits you best! When they’re done, transfer them to the fridge for 1 hour before enjoying these Grandma’s Crunchie Bars!
 
After you make these, you won’t believe how close they are to the ones you can buy from the store 🛒. Honestly, I’d rather make my own than buy them because I know what goes into the recipe. I sure don’t need all the extra preservatives. If you want to be the star of your neighborhood during Halloween 🎃, you’ve got to try MY Grandma’s Crunchie Bars…
Bon Appétit!🍽
 
Here are more yummy snack recipes for you to enjoy…😀
– Halloween Buckeyes
– Funnel Cakes
– Grandma’s Peanut Brittle
– Dulce de Leche Turtles
– Energy Berry Bites
– Spicy Holiday Chocolate Bark
– Blood Orange Ice Cream
– Sesame Snaps
– Puffed Wheat Squares
– Bounty Chocolate Bites
and for even more delicious snack recipes 🍭, click on this link… Recipe Category • Snacks

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/grandmas-crunchie-bars/ 😉

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Mushroom Marsala Pork Chops Recipe | Club Foody

 

We love our pork chops. During the summertime, we simply season them with salt and pepper. Then we put them on the barbecue and grill to medium-rare. We enjoy them with potato or pasta salad, fries 🍟, coleslaw, and veggies.
 
Come fall 🍂 and winter, it’s totally different. I like to enhance this protein by making more complex recipes such as Sweet Chili Ginger Pork Chops, French Onion Dijon Pork Chops, Pork Chops with Pineapple BBQ Sauce, Honey Mustard Pork Chops, and many others.
 
Another one that figures on that list 📑 is my Mushroom Marsala Pork Chops! This easy recipe is loaded with flavor! Seared to perfection, a delicious rich and savory mushroom sauce covers the chops. It’s a tasty recipe to make during the colder months.
 
After seasoning 🧂 on one side, the pork chops are dusted with flour. This step has a few purposes. The flour acts as a protective barrier that prevents the protein from drying out during searing on high heat. It creates a nice, crispy crust, and it also helps build a beautiful flavor for our sauce.
 
Like in this Mushroom Marsala Pork Chops or other recipes when I dust with flour, I put a small amount in a fine sieve and tap the side with a spoon 🥄. That way, I don’t contaminate it, plus I use exactly what I need without wasting it. If there are leftovers in the sieve, they go back into my flour container.
 
For the sauce, I use cremini 🍄 but nothing is stopping you from using different kinds. After the mushrooms and pressed garlic are cooked for 5 minutes, Marsala wine goes in. In the video, I use a non-stick pan, but if you’re using stainless, the wine will help deglaze the pan, scraping off any brown bits from the bottom.
 
When the heavy cream and seasonings are added, the mixture is brought to a boil before pouring in the cornstarch slurry. It takes less than 45 seconds ⏳ to thicken the sauce… it’s that fast! I prefer it over flour slurry because it doesn’t need much to thicken, has no raw taste, and it gives a glossy finish.
 
The pork chops are returned to the skillet, including any accumulated juices – this is serious flavor we never leave behind! The mushroom sauce is spooned over, and the chops are cooked until warmed through; I’d say about 2 to 3 minutes ⌚.
 
These Mushroom Marsala Pork Chops are amazing! Rich and savory, this is an elegant recipe you can easily serve on weekends but is casual enough for weeknights. I like serving them with mashed potatoes 🥔 and steamed vegetables for a complete meal!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other incredible pork recipes… 😀
– Polynesian Pork Ribs
– El Diablo Pork Tenderloin
– Pork Chops with Spicy Peach Sauce
– Chinese 5 Spice Spare Ribs
– Pork Loin Chops with Cranberry & Pistachio Chutney
– Asian Sesame Pork Chops
– Holiday Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
– Crown Roast of Pork
– Kansas City-Style Pork Ribs
and for even more pork recipes 🐖, click on this link… Recipe Category • Pork

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/mushroom-marsala-pork-chops/ 😉

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Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Recipe • Tasty Copycat! | Club Foody

 

I can’t say I’m a chocoholic, but I do have my moments. I can go for months without having any, and then suddenly, I eat chocolate a few days in a row. No, it has nothing to do with my “woman cycles” because they’re all over the place. I’m going through menopause and can’t wait for this to be over 🙄 – and so can my husband!
 
Back to the chocolate 🍫…
If I have to choose one, I go for dark because of its health benefits 💚. Besides being a great source of antioxidants, it may reduce heart disease, improve brain function as well as blood pressure, lower LDL (bad cholesterol), and increase HDL (good cholesterol). It can also protect the skin from sun damage. I’m sure there are even more benefits related to dark chocolate.
 
Halloween 🎃 is just around the corner, and like previous years, I enjoy posting recipes for the occasion, such as Grandma’s Crunchie Bars, Bounty Chocolate Bites, Dulce de Leche Turtles Chocolates, and now this one… Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups!
 
David and I like these better than the commercial ones. First, they’re freshly made instead of sitting on the shelves for God knows how long. Second, I know exactly what went in instead of some chemical ingredients 🧬🧪 I have a hard time pronouncing. Lastly, I put a little twist in these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, which makes them taste even better…
 
I use some crunchy peanut butter 🥜 along with the creamy one! Not only does this added ingredient give a lovely texture to the cups, but it also brings a slight crunch to them, making them deliciously more interesting as well as gluten-free. After the peanut butter is measured, to make the task easier when transferring it to the saucepan, use this trick… Measuring Honey, Syrup or Molasses without Sticking
 
There’s another ingredient I add to this recipe, and it’s coconut oil 🥥. It makes the peanut butter mixture creamier and more pourable. I also use powdered sugar. Now, if you want to save a few dollars, you can make your own by clicking on this link… Powdered Sugar ~ Make it, Don’t Buy it!
 
These Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are a great recipe to involve the little ones. They’re fun to make, plus they’re a better version of the ones from the store 🛒. Although it’s a good excuse to make them for Halloween, they’re perfect to enjoy anytime throughout the year…
Bon Appétit!🍽
 
Check out these other delicious snack recipes…😀
– Halloween Buckeyes
– Maple Glazed Walnuts
– Mendiants
– Onion Chip Dip
– Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
– Energy Berry Bites
– Cranberry Cream Cheese Crisp
– Sesame Snaps
– Chocolate Mint Nanaimo Bars
– Chocolate Chip Cookies
and for even more chocolate recipes 🍫, click on this link… Recipe Category • Chocoholic

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/reeses-peanut-butter-cups/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube

 

PUMPKIN SQUARES

 

It’s Halloween!🦇👻🎃
There will be countless “creatures of the night” 👽 wandering in the neighborhood, wearing all kinds of costumes and makeup. To make things even more terrifying, scary decorations will be hung everywhere as a backdrop, with creepy music and sounds playing in the background. Halloween is a very mysterious event!
 
It wouldn’t be a “Trick or Treat” if there weren’t any candies 🍬🍭 and sweets around. I’m sure many of you have already made them or bought some for the little ones. If you forgot about it or are entertaining friends this weekend, here’s a scrumptious recipe… Pumpkin Squares!
 
Amazingly moist and flavorful, these little guys are so scrumptious! This cake is topped with a cream cheese frosting, which is a blank canvas to decorate for the occasion! Besides Halloween, it’s also ideal for other holidays or events such as Thanksgiving or Christmas 🎄!
 
These easy Pumpkin Squares are a lovely dessert to make! This is one of my favorite fall 🍂 baking recipes along with Pumpkin Chai Bread, Pumpkin Cheesecake with Biscoff Crust, Pumpkin Pie, and Pumpkin & Spice Cream Cheese Muffins. With a nice hint of spice, this beloved treat is always a hit!
 
It’s pretty straightforward to make and takes just half an hour ⏰ to bake. I use a very good quality brand of pumpkin purée along with my Pumpkin Pie Spice. There’s also oil that goes in, which provides beautiful moisture and softness.
 
When the batter is done, simply pour it into a prepared 9×13-inch sheet cake pan that has been lined with greased parchment paper, large enough to have overhang on both sides – it’s easier to unmold when it has completely cooled off 😉. Here’s the link to see how I do it… Parchment Paper Rounds for Cakes
 
As I mentioned, it takes about 30 minutes to bake 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳 or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few crumbs. Not all ovens are the same, so if the top starts getting darker, loosely tent with a piece of foil.
 
After the cake is at room temperature, I top it with my Cream Cheese Frosting. This is the ideal coating when it comes to decorating many baked goods 👩‍🎨! For the size of this cake, you’ll only need half of the frosting recipe. From there, have fun with it! Use my Sanding Sugar, which is another great one to have on hand!
 
This is the perfect treat for the pumpkin lovers out there! These delicious Pumpkin Squares are incredibly easy to make with scrumptious results! Young and old will all love them! Satisfy your sweet tooth 🦷 with this delectable fall recipe!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other scruptious recipes… 😀
– Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
– Maple Walnut Cake
– Dulce de Leche Turtles
– Chocolate Beet Cake
– Orange Flan
– Chocolate Cupcakes with Raspberry Frosting
– Canadian Butter Tarts with Maple Syrup
– Bounty Chocolate Bites
– Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
– Coconut Cream Pie
and for even more dessert recipes 🍰🍩, click on this link… Recipe Category • Dessert

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/pumpkin-squares 😉

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Duck Ragù with Pappardelle Recipe • Deliziosa! | Club Foody

 

Pasta dishes are one of my weaknesses 😵. With a wide range of flavors, there are so many ways to prepare them. When it comes to sauces… there’s a vast choice to choose from. I think of Vodka, Alfredo, Marinara, Pomodoro, Arrabiata, and the list goes on.
 
Add some meat 🐂 to it and you get yourself a nice Bolognese, Meat Lasagna, Shrimp Fra Diavolo, Tortellini Boscaiola, Baked Ziti, Turkey Tetrazzini, Ricotta Spinach & Sausage Pasta, Spaghetti alla Carbonara, and more including this one… Duck Ragù with Pappardelle!
 
Called Ragù d’anatra, this is a classic Italian dish that I tweaked to my own version. Honestly, this recipe is fabulous! Simmered slowly for more than a couple hours ⏰, this gorgeous sauce is loaded with bold flavor!
 
From start to finish, this recipe takes slightly over 2 hours to make. This is the kind of dish you want to make on a cold winter day ⛄. With beautiful aromas floating in the air, this robust sauce is perfect to serve on large, thicker pasta such as pappardelle to handle its weight.
 
The beauty of this Duck Ragù with Pappardelle is you can use leftover cooked duck 🦆. That’s the reason why it takes less than 3 hours versus my Lamb Ragù which goes for 5 hours. If your duck is not cooked, sauté the meat in the duck fat until brown.
 
When it comes to liquid, I use red wine 🍷… not white, chicken broth but duck broth is much better and also milk. MILK? Yes, milk helps to tenderize the meat especially when it’s pre-cooked and has been sitting for a couple days in the fridge.
 
Here’s a disturbing story that really ticked me off…
I was talking with one of my girlfriends over the phone 📞 while I was filming and she heard me saying milk. She asked – “coconut milk, right? I was stunned! “Why in the world would you add coconut milk?”, I asked. Her response was that she got a duck ragù recipe on the internet where they were using coconut milk.
 
People!! C’mon, now! This is an Italian dish so give me an intelligent explanation on why to use coconut milk 🥥🥛 in this dish? Coconut milk is from tropical regions and it’s not a part of authentic Italian cuisine. If you want to be a food blogger, do your research instead of throwing non-sense ingredients in the pot. If you want to look “cool”, mention that is an “Italian-inspired” dish… geez 🤨!
 
As the sauce cooks for a long period of time, the flavor from the herbs and spices evaporate with the heat 🔥 so it’s always good to readjust the seasonings. After 2 hours simmering, I like adding just ½ teaspoon each of dried oregano leaves, chopped dried rosemary and dried basil leaves just to give a little lift.
 
This Duck Ragù with Pappardelle is bold, rich and hearty! As the flavors intensify while simmering slowly 🍲, this comforting dish is insanely tasty! While the temperature outside is dropping, make this incredible recipe using your leftover meat… you’ll be so impressed!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other delicious pasta recipes… 😀
– Pastitsio
– Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
– Gnudi aka Malfatti
– Lasagna Roll Ups
– Zucchini Pork Penne
– Smoky Mac & Cheese Beef
– Cacio e Pepe
– Fettuccine alle Vongole – Clam Fettuccine
– Meat Manicotti
and for even more Italian recipes 🍝, click on this link… Recipe Category • Italian Cuisine

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/duck-ragu-with-pappardelle/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube