Tortellini Love (Santa Fe Chicken Tortellini)

School is almost over.  In 15 more days, I will have successfully completed the requirements (I hope) to graduate this program, sit for the NCLEX and become a Registered Nurse.  We are soooooo close.  I can feel it.  I can taste it.  I can see it.  Over the past few weeks, my classmates and I have been stumbling around, exhausted, overworked and stressed to the max.  Now, this is changing a little.  We smile a little bit more.  We look at each other with the fondness that you feel for people with whom you realize your time is short.  Our time is short, both with each other and in our busy days. 

Because of this, I've been trying to cook things that are easy and self-contained.  I'm a fan of the casserole.  The one pot meal.  The one bowl brownies.  If it can be scooped onto my plate and eaten together, I'm a fan.  Who wants to fuss with side dishes?  

Love and Cupcakes (Vanilla Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting)

My wonderful, sweet, supportive, smart, funny, awesome husband's birthday is tomorrow.  When asked what he wanted me to make for his special day, he answered, "Cupcakes.  And macaroni and cheese.  And blueberry muffins."  

With fun sprinkles!!

Life by Chocolate (Truffles)

Today, I'm officially renaming Valentine's Day "Life by Chocolate" Day.  I think this name better captures the essence of what modern V-Day is all about - loading our loved ones up with sugar.  Honestly, I'm all for it.

 

Hubby and I don't go all out for Valentine's Day, since we just had Halloween, Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, New Years, and his birthday (in two weeks).  We kind of look at is as a good time to reexamine how we share our love for each other over the entire year.  

And as an excuse to drink wine and go out to dinner.

These little bite-sized Life by Chocolate Truffles go really well with wine.

Or milk.

So whip up a batch and go drink some with the one you love.  Even if that's yourself.  I won't tell.  :o)

Life by Chocolate Truffles

12 Oreo cookies, crushed

8 oz white chocolate

2/3 cup heavy cream

8 oz dark chocolate

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened ever so slightly

Over a double boiler or in the microwave, heat 1/3 cup of the cream to just before boiling.  Chop the white chocolate and stir into the hot cream.  Stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted, set aside to cool.  Mix together (a hand mixer works best) the crushed Oreos and cream cheese until combined.  Stir in the cooled white chocolate mixture, being care not to overmix but making sure that the ingredients are combined completely.  Shape into 1 inch balls; refrigerate on a piece of wax paper for 20-30 minutes, until firm.  Heat the remaining 1/3 cup of cream.  Chop the dark chocolate and pour the cream over top.  Stir until combined, allow to sit for 5 minutes, until cool.  Dip the truffle balls into the chocolate and allow to sit 20-30 minutes, until set.  Enjoy!