Coming soon....

Monkey bread! And possibly others.  Leave me a comment on any desserts you would like to have the recipe for.

Pit Bull Pickup

Every Friday Pitty Love Rescue, the pit bull rescue group that I volunteer for, holds an adoption event at the Petco in Greece, NY.  This weekend I have the lovely privilege of picking up two of our foster pups.  The first is Cinnamon. Just look at those eyes!

 Cinnamon is about one year old, and has been with us for a good portion of her life.  She is (believe it or not) a pit bull/ chihuahua mix)! She's the perfect medium between these two breeds.  Only about twenty five pounds, and with the cutest stumpy legs, she loves to cuddle with her foster mom and her foster brother Declan.  She's good with other dogs, cats, and children and would love to have a family to call her own.

The other little bundle of joy that I get to transport this Friday is Declan! This poor baby was sick with Parvo for a while but is feeling great now.  

 At 4 months old, he's only 15 pounds so far, but we don't think he'll get over 60 pounds tops when he's full grown. This beautiful boy is great with other dogs, cats, and even small children. Just look at those markings! I'm surprised we've had him as long as we have.

Information about Cinnamon

Information about Declan

Toffee Nuts, a.k.a. "NYC Street Nuts"

If you've never had the opportunity to try the nuts that the street vendors of NYC sell you are severely missing out on a wonderful taste experience.  If you have tried them, you're probably hopelessly addicted like the rest of my family and finish the tiny bag they come in within ten minutes of purchasing them from the questionable man at the street cart.  These nuts are deceptively easy and only consist of three ingredients and take less than fifteen minutes to make.  They also make a perfect gift for the holidays, or throughout the year for a generous hostess.  

Here's my first food tutorial.  Feedback is greatly appreciated.  

Good luck!

Pour two cups of your nut of choice (or a mix) into a large skillet.

Add one cup sugar.

Then add 1/3 cup water.

Stir the mixture at a medium temperature.  If it's bubbling, you're doing it right.  

Keep stirring until it really starts to bubble.

Keep heating and stirring until it the sugar resembles wet sand, almost gritty.

Turn down the heat and keep stirring until they look how you would like them too.  The longer they remain in the pan, the glassier looking the finished product will be. Once the nuts look how you would like them to, add the seasoning.  Cinnamon and other such seasonings can burn quickly, so add them only at the end and watch for smoke.  If it does start to smoke, just remove the pan from the heat and keep stirring.

Remove from heat and pour on a baking sheet to cool.

Here are two different versions of how your nuts could turn out.

Ingredients:

2 cups raw nuts

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

cinnamon or other seasoning (optional)

1.  Pour nuts, sugar and water in a large skillet.

2.  Cook at a medium temperature, stirring frequently. 

3.  When the sugar mixture becomes gritty and resembles 

wet sand, continue stirring but turn down the heat a bit.

4.  Continue stirring until the desired texture is achieved.

5.  Add optional seasoning. If the nuts begin to smoke, remove

from heat and stir vigorously.

6.  Remove from heat and spread on a cookie sheet.