Mojitos (alcohol free)

Triple-Citrus Mojitos 

Ingredients: 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 1 pkg (.75 oz) fresh mint leaves (about 1 1/4 cups leaves), divided 1 orange 2 lemons, divided 2  limes, divided 5 cups chilled lemon-lime soda

Combine sugar and water in Small Batter Bowl. Tear six mint leaves in half and place into Quick-Stir® Pitcher; set aside. Finely chop remaining leaves with Chef's Knife and place into batter bowl. Zest orange, one of the lemons and one of the limes using Zester/Scorer; add zest to mint mixture. Microwave on HIGH 2-3 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Slice orange, both of the lemons and both of the limes in half crosswise. Reserve half of one lemon and half of one lime for garnish. Juice remaining lemon and lime halves using Citrus Press; add juices to pitcher. Juice orange with Juicer; add juice to pitcher. Pour mint mixture through Strainer into pitcher; discard chopped mint. Add rum, if desired. Carefully add soda to avoid overflow. Slice reserved lemon and lime halves with Ultimate Mandoline fitted with v-shaped blade; place into pitcher. Place lid onto pitcher and plunge gently. Serve over ice. Yield: 8 servings Nutrients per serving: Nutrients per serving (about 1 cup, excluding optional ingredient): Calories 130, Total Fat 0 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Carbohydrate 33 g, Protein 0 g, Sodium 20 mg, Fiber less than 1 g Cook's Tips: To garnish rims of glasses, zest an additional orange using Microplane® Adjustable Grater. Combine zest and 1/2 cup sugar in Prep Bowl. Place a small amount of sugar mixture onto Simple Additions® Appetizer Plate. Rub rim of glass with orange wedge to moisten. Dip rim of glass into sugar mixture. © 2010 The Pampered Chef used under license. www.pamperedchef.com

Chocolate Mint Silk Torte

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray with flour (see Cook's Tip)

1 package (18-21 ounces) traditional or chewy brownie mix

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

3 eggs

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

2 packages (4.67 ounces each) crème de menthe chocolate candies, unwrapped, divided (56 pieces total)

1 container (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray Torte Pans with nonstick cooking spray with flour. Place 8-inch circles of Parchment Paper over centers of pans; set aside. In Stainless (4-qt.) Mixing Bowl, combine brownie mix, oil, water, eggs and peppermint extract; mix well. Immediately divide batter between pans, spreading to edges. Bake 10-12 minutes or until centers feel firm to the touch.

2. Meanwhile, for ganache, combine 12 of the candies and 3/4 cup of the whipped topping in Small Batter Bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30-60 seconds or until melted and smooth, stirring after each 30-second interval; set aside. Remove pans from oven to Stackable Cooling Rack; cool in pans 5 minutes. Invert onto cooling rack and cool completely, about 8 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, for filling, in Easy Read Measuring Cup, combine 36 of the remaining candies and 1 cup of the whipped topping; microwave on HIGH 30-60 seconds or until melted and smooth, stirring after each 30-second interval. In Classic Batter Bowl, whisk cream cheese until well blended; whisk in chocolate mixture until smooth. Fold remaining whipped topping into filling in two additions.

4. Attach open star tip to Easy Accent(R) Decorator; fill with 3/4 cup of the filling and set aside. To assemble torte, transfer one brownie to Simple Additions(R) Round Platter. Using Classic Scraper, spread remaining filling into brownie well. Place top brownie layer well-side up over filling. Spread reserved ganache over brownie 1/2 inch from edge of well. Pipe a decorative border around ganache inside edge of well. For garnish, cut remaining eight candies in half crosswise and arrange around border.

Yield: 16 servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 400, Total Fat 25 g, Saturated Fat 12 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Carbohydrate 39 g, Protein 3 g, Sodium 170 mg, Fiber 0 g

Cook's Tip: It's best to use a nonstick cooking spray containing flour when baking these brownies. In a pinch, brush Torte Pans with melted butter, then sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa powder using the Flour/Sugar Shaker. Tap out excess cocoa powder.



For best results, choose a brownie mix marked "traditional" or "chewy" on the package. Do not use brownie mixes containing chocolate morsels or chunks, as these will cause sticking.

Peppermint Candy Cookies

Ingredients:
Cookie dough:
1 cup soft butter (or margarine)
1/2 C sifted confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 c all purpose flour, sifted
1/2 cup walnuts (or other nuts) finely chopped

Peppermint Fudge Filling
1/2 C crushed peppermint stick candy
1/2 C sifted confectioner’s sugar
2 T cream cheese
1 teaspoon milk
1/2 C sifted confectioner’s sugar
red food coloring

For the cookie dough, cream the butter. Add the 1/2 C sifted confectioner’s sugar and vanilla, creaming well. Blend-in the sifted flour and 1/2 C walnuts. Mix thoroughly. Cover; prepare Peppermint Fudge Filling. For the filling, combine the crushed peppermint stick candy and the 1/2 C sifted confectioner’s sugar. Set aside. Blend the cream cheese with the milk until smooth and creamy. Add another 1/2 C sifted confectioner’s sugar gradually; add the peppermint candy and confectioner’s sugar mixture (already combined), as well as one drop of red food coloring. Mix well.

Now, shape the dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls. Make a deep hole in the center of each and fill with about 1/4th teaspoon of the filler. Reshape and seal. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Do not brown. While warm, roll in remainder of peppermint candy and confectioner’s sugar mixture. Cool; re-roll in candy mixture.

Choco-Mint Fudge

Recipe from Jodi's grandmother - Dorothy Loudon Peto "Gran"
Ingredients:
2 sticks butter or margarine
4 C sugar
Few grains of salt
1 can (1 2/3 C) evaporated milk
2 pkgs (12 oz. total) chocolate chips
1 jar marshmallow cream (7 1/2 oz.)
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 C chopped pecans

Mix sugar, salt, oleo, and evaporated milk in a large sauce pan. Cook and stir over low heat until dissolved. Bring to a boil and cook 7 minutes over medium heat – stirring continuously.

Remove from heat – add chocolate chips, marshmallow, and peppermint. Beat until smooth. Add pecans. Pour into a greased 9x12 pan.

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Notes by Jodi:
Pour into the greased 9x12 pan. Let it sit out in the kitchen by the window where the cold air is coming in even though the window is closed. Let it sit overnight.

Cut into bars or squares depending on how big you want the pieces of fudge.