Thursday, May 2, 2013

A to Z Dilemma

question markNow I have a problem,  I have just come across a perfect subject for A for the A to Z blogfest, but it’s all over. Do I write it anyway, or do I save it for next year. I’ll have to do some thinking.

I really enjoyed A to Z this year although I was very busy. I had A2Z-2013-BADGE-001written all my blogs in advance except for W which I suddenly realised I hadn’t written about two days before it was due. The thing which is hard going is visiting everyone who visits you in the first place, then because I was a minion this year (Spunky’s Soldier) I had to visit my selected blogs on a regular basis, then finally I had to visit other blogs on the list. When I tell you we started with over 1900 of them you can understand this was a bit of a job to accomplish, obviously I didn’t manage to visit as many people as I would have liked, but I did visit a lot and thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and reading their blogs. Not only that I am thrilled at how my ‘Followers’ number has gone up by leaps and bounds and I am so thankful to everyone who decided to add their name. This was even more fun to me than last year and so I am looking forward to next year already.

It being May I am beginning to tear my hair out because fresh Asparagus2asparagus isn’t available yet. Last year there was too much sun and very little rain, this year it is quite the opposite and we have had lots of precipitation in one form or another, but not too much of the bright, shiny stuff. I guess we have been spoiled in recent years, Barrie’s farm always said Mother’s Day to Father’s Day and in fact they have been opening for asparagus sales a lot early and then extending sales til July 1 or Canada Day. The farm was offering 1 lb of asparagus to anyone who guessed what day they would start selling this year, I said April 28, guess I was way out. One friend of mine couldn't care less about the asparagus but she goes nuts over corn on the cob; mind you, she lives in farm country so easy for her to get really fresh corn. Sadly Matt doesn’t really eat it, so I only buy a couple of cobs at a time when I get the chance.

I was so pleased yesterday, I ordered 3 polo shirts – been trying to Polo shirtfind some for a while; they were on special and as a new customer I got a $25 discount so I ended up with the three shirts for $20. Now that is a very good price. I tried one on and they were just the teensiest bit snug, but as I am gradually losing weight, I figure they will be fine. I have had some other polo shirts which I have been wearing for years but which are beginning to show signs of how much they have been worn. This was the colour of one I ordered, papaya, but actually when it arrived, it was a whole heap brighter and much to my surprise, it really suited me. Who knew?

OK, I have gone chocolate crazy this week. The recipe calls for Cool Whip, personally I would use whipped cream stiffened with a little cornstarch. So much better than something synthetic but it is, as usual, your choice. Would you believe I have another chocolate recipe tomorrow. Apologies to Father Dragon.

CHOCOLATE LASAGNA


INGREDIENTS
 
1 package regular Oreo cookies (Not Double Stuff) – about 36 cookiesChocolate Lasagna
...... 6 Tablespoon butter, melted
1- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons cold milk
1- 12 ounce tub Cool Whip, divided
2 – 3.9 ounce packages Chocolate Instant Pudding.
3 1/4 cups cold milk
1 and 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
1. Begin by crushing 36 Oreo cookies. I used my food processor for this, but you could also place them in a large ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. When the Oreos have turned into fine crumbs, you are done.
2. Transfer the Oreo crumbs to a large bowl. Stir in 6 tablespoons melted butter and use a fork to incorporate the butter into the cookie crumbs. When the butter is distributed, transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you work on the additional layers.
3. Mix the cream cheese with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add in 2 Tablespoons of milk, and sugar, and mix well. Stir in 1 and 1/4 cups Cool Whip. Spread this mixture over the crust.
4. In a bowl, combine chocolate instant pudding with 3 and 1/4 cups cold milk. Whisk for several minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. Use a spatula to spread the mixture over the previous cream cheese layer. Allow the dessert to rest for about 5 minutes so that the pudding can firm up further.
5. Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips evenly over the top. Place in the freezer for 1 hour, or the refrigerator for 4 hours before serving.

Have a great day
Jo_thumb[2]

33 comments:

  1. First chocolate coffer now chocolate lasagna. I'll accept the first but will have to think about the latter.

    And by all means write that post now. By the time next year rolls around you will have new ideas to use.

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    1. Well I love chocolate and couldn't keep doing C is for chocolate last month.

      I think you are right, I will do my post now.

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  2. Not that the chocolate lasagna doesn;t look delicious. I just need to keep these pounds off. I think I gained three pounds just looking at the image.

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    1. You and me both, but I would have a small taste of this and build it into what I was eating that day. Did you know, you really can increase your weight by just looking at food? I read it somewhere. I now wear dark glasses at dinner, LOL.

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  3. If you found the perfect A to Z topic, I'd save it for next year.
    I was so busy keeping up with my blogger buddies, comments, and maintaining my section of the list that I didn't get to visit many people either.

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    1. There you are, Stephen says use it now, you say save it, doesn't help me the pair of you.

      I managed to visit a lot more people this year than last, I only came in at the last minute last year so I wasn't prepared like I was this year. Also being a minion helped, got to see a lot of blogs that way, especially as my blogs kept changing as some of the names were deleted. It was fun. Have made a few good friends too.

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  4. :P Okay, I forgive you because you included asparagus up there and I do like those very much, hahaha. Then again, what could one expect from a blog that has chocolate in the title. But you're so lovely I'm willing to stomach the chocolate scent here just to read you. :D

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    1. Now, Al, dragons are wise, but they're also sneaky. You're supposed to graciously accept any and all chocolate and then when the hostess isn't watching, surreptitiously slip it to me. That way everyone is happy--especially me! :-)

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    2. Well if we're talking boxes of chocolates or something, you can hand lots to me as well, can't let Jeff hog them all.

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    3. Hahahaha, no doubt you're a couple of good supporting friends!

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    4. When it comes to chocolates we certainly are.

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  5. Thank you Al. There is one more chocolate one to come I'm afraid. However, I am glad you like asparagus because I go nuts about it once the season starts which, hopefully should happen any day, hubby always tells people at this time of year I paint my fingers green and start chewing on them, LOL. Its late this yea, as I said, because we haven't had any sun to speak of but once it's ready I will be over there once a week without fail and making asparagus soup for all I'm worth plus everything else I like to make with it.

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    1. I am new to them actually. It was a vegetarian doctor that gave me the recipe on how I could cook them to give variety to my rather boring diet. Then I discovered how tasty they can be. I think I might paint my claws green and eat them too, hahahaha. That's a good joke from your husband.

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    2. I must admit the real ones do taste better than my fingers. Any day now, they should be ready for picking.

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  6. I'm saving A for Asparagus for next year - I love it! The chocolate lasagna looks seriously decadent...
    A month of Blog...

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    1. I'm not sure whether I am going to save it or not. Got two lots of advice after all. Will put my thinking cap on.

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  7. I so appreciate that you forgo Cool Whip too:)
    I've never tried to use Whipped Cream that way, I will next time for sure. Chocolate Lasagna sounds wonderful.

    I have about 12 topics for the A-Z Challenge next year. I think I'm going to start writing them out, slowly as the year goes by and see what I come up with. Have you decided what you're going to do?

    I love the colour of that shirt, so cheery!

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    1. Maybe that's the way to go Laeli.

      Here again you can use Devon cream.

      The shirt is much brighter in fact, it looks great.

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  8. Don't care for asparagus, but oh my gosh, keep me away from the chocolate lasagna. I'd eat it and not care I'm allergic.

    Scrumptious!

    I enjoy the A to Z too, and you're right it was getting to everyone else that was difficult.

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    1. How can anyone not care for asparagus Yolanda, yes I know people do. Hubby isn't all that fanatical, probably has it two or three times in the season, I have it every day if I can manage it.

      Allergic, what a tragedy.

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  9. I bet that lasagne is really rich.

    I didn't get to many either. The list will be up at the A to Z Blog until next year though, and we are also revealing next week a "Road Trip" for this summer to go visit more.

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    1. I think so. I didn't do the road trip last year, might try for it this year though.

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  10. Jo, pay no attention to that dragon behind the curtain. I'll gladly accept every chocolate recipe you wish to dish. :-)

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    1. OK Jeff, but tomorrow won't be chocolate I'm afraid although it is still a dessert.

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    2. For your information, I'm not hiding behind the curtain. I'm just appreciating the quality of the fabric and the good taste in decoration. :P

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  11. Write that A post now, and you'll be all set for next year! Thanks to all the soldiers, minions, ambassadors, team mates, ninja minions, etc. for all your hard work. Round of applause everyone please!
    Thanks Jo for reading all my posts and for your thoughtful comments. Nice to meet another immigrant and hear some of your take on the subject! With all your comments, you have an excellent chance of winning that gift card...
    Tina @ Life is Good
    Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
    @TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge

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    1. Thanks for dropping by Tina, and for the nice things you said. We immigrants have to stick together LOL



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  12. If the topic would be the theme for the entire month, I say hold off. You'll get a big jump on writing your related posts for next year.

    I saw that lasagna recipe recently. Probably a day's worth of calories in one serving. But...unfortunately...I still want to try it.

    Barbara
    A to Z and Beyond (blogger shout-out!)
    The Daille-y News.

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    1. I don't really go with a theme Barbara so it really wouldn't make much difference that wey.

      I am sure there would be a day's worth, or more, in that lasagna.

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  13. What a great post! I enjoyed meeting you, Jo!
    jean xox

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  14. Hi Jo - save the idea - I am so pleased I've settled on mine - I did that last year too .. made this year's subject easy to get up and running.

    Love your recipes and ideas .. and I hope the bowling place gets sorted .. as I was leaving South Africa they closed our squash club and sports facility - the biggest in South Africa .. so we had to go elsewhere ... It was the Chamber of Mines' property and they were evaluating big business ..

    Cheers Hilary

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    1. Amazing the pro and con responses I have had

      That's what's killed our place too, big business.

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