Dirt Cake

While I am well aware that this is not a mind-blowing idea; bear with me I am a Mom. A while back I volunteered to make a snack for Cammy's class since they were covering the letter "D". I thought over and over as to what to make since there are limited foods beginning with letter D. I figured either donuts or dirt cake would fit the bill nicely. After asking her teacher if she thought this was too messy and getting an okay, I went with dirt cakes. I figured the kids would have the most fun with this.

I was not wrong. I did not take a lot of time making these since I know kids are happy with nearly anything. Simply chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, and gummy worms. I found little clear plastic cups at the grocery store which I figured would be perfect since kids like having their own individual-"I don't have to share" servings. Upon assembling them, I underestimated the amount of gummy worms and they looked pretty bare on their own.

Mind you, this was late at night and I was not thinking incredibly clearly and could not run out to the store. I combed over my pantry to see what I could throw together and the pickings were slim. So, I made sugar cookies and threw in an ungodly amount of red food coloring(parents that like to keep things natural, if you are reading this, sorry!) and made lady bug cookies. I know, I know you are asking "why not just frost them red?" I was out of confectioners sugar. Not one of my crowning moments. After making the dough, I thought of a zillion ways I probably could have done these better and with less coloring. But they were delicious and the kids loved them, so why not?

Honey Walnut Prawns

I was first introduced to Honey Walnut Shrimp in Guam and immediately fell in love with the dish. Definitely not for the faint of heart; I could tell this was loaded with tons of ingredients I would regret eating. I was hesitant to even try to figure out how to make the dish.

However, one year and a move later; I found myself with a craving for it and of course I can not find it at any of the very-Americanized Chinese restaurants here. And, I am pretty sure this is not authentic Chinese. Either way it is tasty stuff and my instinct of not really wanting to know what was in it? It was correct.

I scoured this internet and came across this recipe. It eased my conscience a little since the shrimp was not deep fried, but still it's a once on a while treat only. I promise it is one you will not regret.