Mint Oreo Truffles

Mint Oreo Truffles are my go-to dessert. It’s also a go-to dessert for all my friends, meaning when I bring these over they go straight for the container and don’t back away until every single truffle has been consumed. Although it looks complicated, it is a relatively easy recipe that requires only 3 ingredients. I’ve made these many times and have tried using regular Oreos, milk chocolate and white chocolate but found the combination of mint Oreos and semi-sweet chocolate to be the best!

Mint Oreo Truffles
1 package of Mint Creme Oreos
1 package of creme cheese
2 cups of bittersweet chocolate chips

1. Grind the Oreos into a powder. Food processor works best for this step.
2. Mix in the cream cheese. Mix well until you can’t see white anymore.
3. Roll the “dough” into small balls, place on a paper lined cookie sheet and refrigerate or freeze for about an hour.
4. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave.
5. Dip the balls into the chocolate and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Homemade Home Fries

On weekdays, I like to sleep in as late as possible. That doesn't usually leave me much time to get ready for work and make breakfast. Weekday breakfasts for me usually consist of bagels, cereal or toast. On the weekends, however, I like big breakfasts. Eggs, toast, sausage, home fries...the whole nine yards. I used to buy frozen hash browns, but then decided it couldn't be that hard to make my own. It wasn't. I expedite the process by microwaving the potatoes first, before I brown them in a skillet with some garlic and onions. This is one of the few times I've actually made up  my own recipe and I really like the result and hope that you do too!

Homemade Home Fries
1 medium Russet or Golden potato, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 clove of garlic, minced
1/4 onion, thinly sliced
1 tbs vegetable oil
salt & pepper to tast
1 tbsp parsley to garnish (optional)

1. Spread the potato slices on a microwavable plate and microwave for about 3 minutes.
2. Heat the oil in a pan over medium high heat.
3. Add garlic and onions to the pan and saute for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add the potatoes to the pan and mix with the garlic and onions.
5. Season potatoes with salt and pepper, then cook until nicely browned.

I live alone so this is a one to one and half serving recipe. Feel free to adjust as needed.

Summer Sangria

Nothing says summer like a glass of delicious sangria. I don't even like wine but I also don't consider sangria to be wine. It's more like a delicious, chilled, summery drink with a wine base. Yes, we'll just go with that description. I also like to combine my sangria with board games and periodically hold a Sangria & Sangria Night at my apartment. Last Sunday, was one of those nights. I made both red and wine sangria and my friends finished off both. I don't have a specific type of wine I use, I just go with whatever I pull out of my wine rack. However, if you're using a really sweet wine such as Muscat, I would suggest cutting out the sugar.

Summer Sangria
1 (750 milliliter) bottle of  red or white wine
1/4 cup brandy
1/4 cup white sugar
1 lime sliced
1 lemon sliced
1 orange sliced
1 apple chopped into small cubes
1 can of ginger ale

1. Combine all the ingredients, except for ginger ale, and chill, preferably overnight.
2. Stir in ginger ale prior to serving.