Rum Balls

The best excuse for mixing alcohol with chocolate.

 My gorgeous friend, Angelica, arranged a Mexican themed party bus to celebrate her quarter century! We all met at my house before hand for tapas and drinks. I decided to make rum balls to take on the bus. Easy to eat, and less potential for spillage than trying to take actual mixed drinks. There's something wonderfully American kitsch about rum balls. Maybe it's that they show up at graduation, 4th of July, Superbowl, Christmas and other such parties. Or it could be that their central ingredient is vanilla wafers? Regardless,  I love rum balls and plan on making new variations of these for many more fun events to come. 

Rum Balls

Ingredients:
1 12ounce package of vanilla wafers, crushed
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup rum
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/8 cup powdered sugar, for dusting


Directions:
1. Turn on some feel good, dance party music and make yourself a mixed drink.
2. In a bowl combine the crushed vanilla wafers, chopped nuts, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, and cocoa.
3. Mix in the rum and corn syrup
4. Shape dough into one inch balls and roll in confectioners sugar. (I find that it is easier to chill the dough for an hour or two before shaping into balls)
5. Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days to let the flavor develop (aka increasing potency)

 Here's the beautiful birthday diva, Angelica in blue!

Mango Date Banana Yogurt Smoothie

Smoothies are hard to mess up. Delicious, refreshing, colorful, and each one takes on a completely unique, desired texture and taste. This combination I'm particularly proud of, while it is really think and better had with a spoon - it's delicious and nutritious....(sounds like a Margarine add!)

Mango Data Banana Yogurt Smoothie


Ingredients:
Frozen mango chunks
Dates, pitted
Banana - very ripe
Plain yogurt, Fage is best

Directions:
I think you know what to do here ;)