{secret indulgence} -drive by dipper

Hi, my name is ann, and I am a drive by dipper. "hi ann.".

Ok - yesterday I posted hot fudge ... as it sits on my stove I wish I could count how many times my kids and myself have indulged in the "drive by dip". I admit it ... I am a drive by dipper. I am sure there is a meeting, a support group that I could join. I mean it is right there ... and it's hot fudge really how can I resist. Pretzels, a cookie, banana, nuts and yes a spoon and occasionally (a finger.) An addiction of sorts. Hope you have some drive by dipping going on in your house!

cheers.

{secret indulgence} - cocoa & hot buttered toast

I grew up in Oklahoma. Not really cold weather country but it has its months where the wind blows and the skies are gray. On the one or two times it actually did snow, we were completely unprepared in the clothing department. We would wear socks for mittens, doubled sweats over jeans and pile layers and layers of shirts and sweaters on for warmth. We would spend hours on hours ... scraping the snow into snowmen, making snow ice cream, erecting snow forts and throwing snowballs at cars... and running!!! It was a blast! We would arrive home half frostbitten, wet and near tears we had played so hard. Mom always made it better. As we stripped down to our underwear she would wrap us in warm towels and make us cocoa and hot buttered toast. I still love that combination today. Warm, filling just plain old good. Those were fun, fun days!

cocoa by ann west

1/4 cup droste cocoa from holland (search this one out it is worth it - actually our local store have started to carry it too! if not use your fav.)

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

Mix into a paste while heating

add:

3 1/2 - 4 cups milk

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

pinch of nutmeg

serve with marshmallows and hot buttered toast. smiles!

{secret indulgence} - the first taste

Ice cream is one of my favorite treats. But I have to admit my secret indulgence now..... The best ice cream, the ultimate single spoonful, is the first scoop you can get after you arrive home from the store. It is a habit I can't break. Every (I really mean every) time I go to the store and return home, as soon as I can I pop the top off the ice cream tub and sink my spoon into the soft and creamy ice cream - I do it. The ice cream is the perfect consistency. Its funny ... even when I have tried to recreate the act... you know letting the ice cream sit out on the counter after it has been in my freezer. Its not the same.

Just the other day I let my youngest son in on the deal. I think the others kids had play dates and he had to go to the store with me. When we came home and I brought out two spoons and we indulged. He loved it and totally agreed with me. He was so excited the next time a gallon came home from the store. He looked at me and said, "Mom should I get the spoons?"

by all means... YES!

recipe:

ice cream just home from the store

spoon

someone to share your secret with

perfect!

{secret indulgence} - chocolate malt

really who can't love a dog that is turned upside down just because they like it. Or maybe it is for extra attention. That feeling of all the weight of your body going the opposite way. I think dogs have it on us. What has my attention is a chocolate malt. Oh yeah... it is right up there with a good piece of homemade pie. I must say after years and many a malt I think I have it down. Some day I hope to have one of those fancy malt blenders with the stainless cup but until then my blender does just fine. This is one of my ultimate secret indulgences... enjoy!

chocolate malt by ann west

vanilla ice cream - 3 scoops

milk

chocolate syrup

powdered malt mix - 2 tbls

vanilla syrup - (like the kind they use for your vanilla latte)

top with whipped cream and a cherry if you are feeling fancy

Blend it all together. For me ... the consistency should be thick enough to use a spoon. No great secret recipe here just delicious!

{secret indulgence} - meatloaf sandwich

ok - it is one of many! My main list of secret indulgences might go something like this: a bath during the day, popcorn with real butter, going to a movie alone, sitting outside with a glass of wine, reading in bed until wee hours, fresh flowers. But I have an entire list of secret indulgences that have to do with food. This is one. First, I am going to start you with the recipe for the meatloaf - a classic, a basic a go to recipe for sure. Which is good ... don't get me wrong - I love a good loaf. But I really love a meatloaf sandwich the day after. So don't miss the addendum at the end of the post. Meatloaf sandwich - I can't believe I am telling you this - what next?

Meatloaf by ann west

2 lbs ground beef or buffalo

1/2 cup catsup

2 eggs

1/2 cup water

2 good tbls worchestire sauce

garlic powder (or fresh minced)

dash of hot sauce (or 2 or 3)

bread crumbs (or Panko or omit all-together)

salt and pepper

steak seasoning

Preheat over to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl place your meat and all spices. Mix eggs in a bowl to the side. I think meatloaf should be handled as little as possible. So I put all the ingredients in a bowl and fold them in gently. Like dough if you handle it too much it turns out tough or like mush. We all remember our schools version of loaf - not so good. Once you have them mixed in shape into a loaf and place in a shallow roasting pan. I like to sprinkle the steak seasoning on top - my kids like catsup with hot sauce on top too. Bake in the oven for 45 min or until done.

**Now for the sandwich.

The basics: soft bread, catsup, mayonnaise. I also like to add a slice of red onion or a pickle. Yum. Ok this maybe a recipe for just me but I love it!

what is your secret indulgence?

enjoy!