Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes

Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes

I've been wanting to make Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes ever since I've heard Cupcake Wars mention the word Chocolate Ganache. Well at first I had no idea what it was so I looked it up on google search. I then saw an episode on Ina Garten on how to make Chocolate Ganache. Ina dipped her cupcakes in the Chocolate Ganache I wanted to make it more like a frosting the only thing is I don't have a electric mixer so I used a whisk. So here is my version ( my ingredients) of Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 400 decrees
Bake 18-20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean in the center
Makes 23 to 24 cupcakes

Cupcakes 

Ingredients 
 1 cup of butter or margarine, softened
 1/2 cup shortening
 1-1/2 cup sugar (organic)
 2 eggs
 2 cups of all-purpose flour (organic)
 3/4 tsp baking soda
 1/2 tsp baking powder
 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
 2/3 cup milk ( I used an extra 1/2 cup of milk since I added Cocoa to the batter)
 1/2 cup Hershey's Dark Cocoa
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a mixing bowl, cream butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cocoa, add to cream mixture, alternately with milk. Stir in Vanilla mix well. Line cups with cupcake liners, I use the foil liners, l I feel they work a lot better then the paper liners. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full using an ice cream scooper. Bake at 400 decrees for 18 to minutes, insert tooth pick near center if it comes out clean the cupcakes are done. Cool ten minutes, remove cups from pan, let cool completely before you starting frosting cup cakes.

Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
8 ounces Chocolate ( I used Hershey's Special Dark mildly sweet chocolate bar 6.8 0z)
1 teaspoon Instant Coffee Crystals
*1/2 teaspoon Pure Orange Extract*

Cook the heavy cream, chocolate (break the chocolate bar into pieces), pure orange extract and coffee in a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm stirring occasionally. once it is ready put in refrigerator until the chocolate mixture has thickened. Once it is thickened you can then decorate your cupcakes however you like.

*Note*
I doubled the frosting recipe except for the Pure Orange Extract since I was going to put the ganache in a tube to decorate the cupcakes.

** Note**  
Peanut Butter Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes
You use the same ingredients for the cupcakes. I omitted the Pure Orange Extract and used 1/4 cup of peanut butter in the ganache.
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Angels, Miracles, And Heavenly Encounters

Angels, Miracles, And Heavenly Encounters - by James Stuart Bell is a book compiled of true stories of supernatural events that took place with everyday people from different walks of lives. As I was reading different stories some brought tears to my eyes, joy and being at the edge of my seat. Looking to God to answer prayers and asking Him to intervene because of demonic strongholds. If you haven't read "Angels, Miracles, And Heavenly Encounters" you really should it is a must read.

Rebecca Adkins
I received a free copy of Angels, Miracles, And Heavenly Encounters  by James Stuart Bell, from Bethany House Publishing so I can review. In no way am I made to give only good reviews.

Roast Beef Tacos

I made tacos yesterday afternoon using roast beef  I made the night before and my own taco seasoning. I also fried up the taco shells using corn tortillas.

Taco Ingredients:
Chuck Roast
6 whole Chile de Arbol (dried chili peppers)
1/2 cup of California Red Chili Powder
1 tsp Sea Salt
1Tbs Cumin (ground)
2 Tbs diced Garlic
1 whole fresh Onion
Lime Juice from 5 fresh limes
Cilantro
Sawnson Beef Broth (the whole carton)

For the filling I used:
Roast Beef
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Cilantro
3 Cheeses Shredded
Avocado
Sour Cream
Fresh Salsa
Lime juice

I saw a recipe for tacos on a website. I liked how she used her own taco seasoning so I wanted to make my own version of it. On both sides of the Roast I used a knife to make little slits. In a bowl I added the California Red Chili Powder, salt and chopped garlic with the garlic juice. I then mixed the ingredients together and used a spoon to rub the mixture on both sides of the roast, put it in the slow cooker and added the dried chili peppers and one whole fresh onion. I slowed cooked the roast for about 5 1/2 hrs without any liquid. I wanted the rub I on put on the roast to cook in before I added any broth to the roast. I then took the roast out of the slow cooker set it on a cutting board, and added Sawnson Beef Broth, lime juice and Cumin to the slow cooker. I shredded the roast, squeeze lime juice on the roast, sprinkled some cumin on the roast and slowed cooked the roast again for about 30 minutes. Right before the roast is ready I chopped up some lettuce, tomatoes and cilantro, put them aside. While I waited I snacked on Tostitos with a hint of lime, and sour cream as a dip, oh so very good. I then made the taco shells. I placed paper towels on a glass baking dish so the oil will drain from the taco shells onto the paper towels. Once you are done making the shells you can start filling the shells. You can add whatever toppings you like. I added Avocado and Sour Cream and Fresh Salsa. This time I wanted something different so I squeezed more time juice on top of my fresh salsa and oh my, it was so, so good.

* Note*  on the seasonings you can add more or little depending on your taste. I usually do it by site if it looks like it needs more of something I'll add it. You can also use flour tortillas or instead of hard taco shells you can make soft tacos by warming up the corn tortillas. You can also used whatever filling you like for you taco, I also like making pork tacos and chicken tacos. Enjoy!!!

The Wedding Dress

The Wedding Dress - by Rachel Hauck

Rachel Hauck's novel "The Wedding Dress" was truly fabulous. At first I thought this novel was like the movie The Wedding Dress that was on the Hallmark channel a few times, to my surprise it wasn't it was completely different. It only took me a day to read it because I just had to read more and more of it.

The story is about a wedding dress and the 4 women who wore it. Charlotte sales wedding dresses at her shop that she owns in Birmingham Alabama. She is engaged to be married in two months and not sure if she wants to get married. She goes up to the mountain to talk to God and try to get her head together. She ends up at an estate sale which she didn't plan on going and purchases a very old ugly trunk that she didn't plan on buying. She doesn't even know why she did. In trunk there happened to be a very exquisite wedding dress that was one hundred years old and it seemed at first that it was never worn because it was never altered. As Charlotte wondered about her wedding she also wondered who did this wedding dress belong to and why did it come to her. I loved how Rachel Hauck's went into detail regarding the history of the dress, the lives of the 4 women, the men they loved and who loved them. How one woman fought for the rights of others no matter what it could cost her. How she had the courage to stand up for what she believed in. I loved the couple who had been married for Seventy two years, they were still so in loved and could finished each others sentences. They were too precious.The only thing that I didn't particularly care for was, how one of the women that was engaged to be married was unsure of her love for her finance. Yet she allowed him to kiss her in a way where he could of almost had his way with her. It was just a little much for my taste. Other than that I really love the book.

Rebecca Adkins
 I received a free copy of The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauk, from Thomas Nelson so I can review. In no way am I made to give only good reviews.

My Stubborn Heart

My Stubborn Heart- by Becky Wade

Becky Wade out did herself with My Stubborn Heart. I was so engrossed in Becky Wade's Romance novel that it only took me a day to read it. I had to find out what was going to take place next. I visualized that I was there as one of the friends getting to see it all unfold.

Kate who is in her 30's has dated several men and still hasn't met Mr. Right. She is still waiting for that special one guy who she has been praying for since the 4th grade. She is starting to wonder if she will ever met him or if she did meet him, she just didn't notice. Kate lives in Dallas Texas, who is a children's social worker at her job. Kate was starting to feel restless with her job and the men she had been dating for a while now. She was thrilled when her grandmother invited her to go with her on a trip to Redbud, Pennsylvania.

Matt a famous soccer player. lost his wife to brain cancer/ He has shut the door to everyone including family and friends along with his soccer career. Matt has no social life doesn't want one, he just wants to be left alone, he works renovating old houses, eats frozen food at home, goes to the gym, and stays home. Kate sees her gran talking to a very looking young man who gran hired to renovate her house and who happens to be Matt. She keep starring at him, she and studying him. She couldn't  believe how very good looking he is and wonders is he the guy shes been waiting for. Matt was all business a usual and didn't seem to notice her at all except to say hi when gran introduced her granddaughter to him. When Matt showed up the next day to pain Kate was already dress to him paint. Matt was not to thrilled about that he liked doing things himself without any help. He certainly didn't need Kate getting in his way. However, she was his client and Kate wasn't taking no for an answer. Kate kept wanting to talk, Matt tried ignoring her, all he wanted to do was his job and get out. Matt did soften up a little to Kate after a few days, he did leave out a few minor details about his life. Kate and her gran still didn't have a clue who Matt really was until one of grands friends came over and told them. Matt even started coming over for dinner and letting gran teach him how to cook. He even played poker with Kate and grans friends on Friday nights after dinner. Matt and Kate seemed to be getting closer where Matt was hoping that Kate would not have to go back to Dallas; that she cared enough about him to stay in Redbud. Kate was asking God one day if He wanted her and Matt to get closer and she heard God say no. Kate didn't know what to think about what she heard. She had these feelings for Matt and was hoping he was actually the one she had been praying for. When Matt saw Kate he asked if she would stay or if she couldn't he would move to Dallas to be near her. Kate said no that he needed to start playing soccer again, that deep down she knew that he still loved the game. Matt couldn't believe this was happening. After he lost his wife he never thought he could feel this way again. He didn't want to lose Kate and wasn't sure how to keep that from happening.
 I am really looking forward to reading more of Becky Wades novels.

Rebecca Adkins
I received a free copy of My Stubborn Heart by Rebecca Wade, from Bethany House so I can review. In no way am I made to give only good reviews. 

Red Nylon Headband/Black & White Polka Dots Sheer Ribbon

http://beccascrochetcorner.artfire.com

Red headband I dyed with a natural food color. It comes with a black sheer bow/white Polka dots. Attached to the bow is a red polka dot flower with a white button. The bow and flower are both attached to the headband. The ends of the ribbon are heated sealed to prevent fraying. Check out my website for more details.

Visions Of The Coming Days

Visions Of The Comings Days - by R. Loren Sandford

I Found Visions Of The Coming Days very intriguing so very much so that I had a hard time putting it down; to do other things around the house or even go to sleep. It takes me longer to do a review because I have to get my thoughts together, my grandchildren are out of school, hey its Summer!

R. Loren Sandford is a Pastor of a small church who is able to bring his life experiences to the table. God has given R. Loren visions of the days to come and how we are to prepare ourselves before disaster strikes and it will. We need to prepare not only ourselves (get our act together) but also for the people out there who don't know the Lord and even people who do but have not yet fully let go of the things of the world. There will be many more churches closing because of fallen Ministers. There will be more immoral things happening, the economy will continue to collapse even though it may seem like it is getting better here in 2012 and 2013. However, that is only for a short period of time and there will be a short supply of food. There will be Light House Churches out there, which there are Light House Churches already. These churches will be able to help the people who need something more just Signs and Wonders; which there is nothing wrong with Signs and Wonders and healing. They will need the love of the Father which they will receive by knowing Jesus; they can only receive this from the people who are prepared for to help them. He talks about the Samson Generation which are the baby boomers, and the younger generation will be able to run with it and a lot quicker than the Samson Generation. However, the Samson Generation still has a chance and we can work together with the younger generation. If every single Christian person who prays would pray for our current President we would see things change for the better. Instead of talking about the President we should be praying, God commands us to pray for those in office. We are not to worry about the Muslims who are here in the United States. It doesn't mean we are to close our eyes to the things that are going on, we are to pray for them. We have more of a chance to witness to them in our home turf than we do in their own country. We can even invite them places and just show them the love of Jesus, let them see Jesus in us. A lot of the things that R. Loren Sandford talks about and has seen is right on with what the bible says. The only thing I am not so sure about is what he says about the mark of the beast, what it really means and what is not going to happen. I'll just have to wait and see. I am so blessed to have read Visions Of The Coming Days it has opened my eyes, I see things differently.
Rebecca Adkins
I received a free copy of Visions Of The Coming Days- by R. Loren Sandford, from Bethany House so I can review. In no way am I made to give only good reviews.