Christmas Tradition: Chocolate Cherry Brownies

Grandma Wicks

We're only 1 week from Christmas and that means BAKING! So today I'd like to share one of my all-time favorite Christmas indulgences.  This recipe comes straight from my grandmother and it has been served at every Christmas Eve since I can remember.  She is sadly no longer with us, but I have continued the tradition in her stead. These brownies are decadently rich, super satisfying, and incredibly easy!  Perfect for any busy mom.   Please enjoy this fantastic brownie recipe!

Grandma Wicks' Chocolate Cherry Brownies

Ingredients
1 Package Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix (or Fudge Brownie mix)
1 21oz. Can Cherry Pie Filling
1 tsp. Almond Extract
2 Eggs (Beaten)


Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Stir well by hand until combined.  Pour mixture into a 13" x 9" greased pan.  Bake 25-30 minutes or until you can insert a tooth pick and it comes out clean. Set aside.


Frosting
1 cup Sugar
5 Tbs. Butter
1/3 cup milk
1 cup Dark or Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Combine the first 3 ingredients in a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Stir constantly for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips.  Mix until smooth.  Pour over brownies and smooth with a knife.  Allow to cool completely before serving.

Game Night Guide

   Face it, as Gamers, we long for uninterrupted blocks of time dedicated to playing the latest and greatest games. We dream of weekends free from obligations where we can gather and bask in the joy of defeating the Cylons, curing the world of Pandemics, or reaching the paragon tier with our newest heroes. Then life dawns on us and we are back to the work that needs to be done, commitments that have to be kept, and responsibilities that lead us to believe that we will never again have the time we once had to enjoy our hobby. I’m here to tell you that it can be done.
With a little bit of organization, a reality check that life happens and things come up, and someone willing to take on the role of organizer, I promise that you can be back to gaming in no time.

Step 1: Calling All Gamers
 So you want to get a group together for regular game nights. Who do you invite? You know that Steve lives down the street, but his work schedule isn't always consistent, Josh and Amanda both have weekends off but you’re not sure they could get time away from their two kids, John has a new girlfriend, Mike is usually free but lives about 30 minutes away, and Bill and Stacy would love to get together as long as they can be home before 10. Sound familiar? One of the easiest ways to get a group going is to begin with a casual game night invitation. Casual gaming creates an atmosphere where no one feels pressure to attend every time. Begin by sending an invitation, whether via email, Facebook, or an online invitation service such as Evite, suggesting to everyone that you would like to get a regular group together to play games. Have them reply with days, times, and spaces that work for them, as well as any major commitments they may have during the month. As the initiator, it is also polite to offer your own space as the first place to meet, assuming you have the capacity to host.

Step 2: They've Replied, So Now What?
  You have received replies and just about everyone has expressed interest in attending. The trouble is, not everyone’s availability meshes. Don’t panic! This is going to happen and the object is to find at least 2 times that work for a fair share of the group during any given week.  You will not be able to involve everyone every time, but the good news is that you have their schedules and can adjust the game nights to give everyone an opportunity to attend. By planning two gatherings a month you should be able to get just about everyone to attend who wants too and no one feels overloaded, If it works out that you can get together more often, all the better! In all honesty, it is usually better that everyone cannot make it. The best number of people to have for a game night is 4-6 anyway, since most games support this number of players. If you find you have a large group, party games or multiple games going at the same time might be in order. So let’s say, after assessing the days and times your friends have suggested, you discover that the best days would be Wednesdays at 6 and Sundays at 4. Taking into account the wedding Bill and Stacy told you about on the first weekend of the month, you send back the dates for your first two game gatherings.

Step 3: Games Anyone?
  The dates have been set, and you are well on your way to your first game night. Your next challenge, what to play? If you have a large collection of your own, send out a list to the group and get some feedback. Let the others chime in with favorites of their own and thoughts on what they enjoy. Not everyone is going to like the same type of game, and getting this clear and in the open from the start will help the group enjoy their time together far more than if someone ends up forced to play games they don’t like. Like any group situation, there needs to be compromise and you can often get past these battles by being proactive. Let’s say Mike is dying to try Keyflower and suggests it to the group. The others don’t know much about it, but Josh and Amanda have seen the game displayed in their friendly neighborhood game store and believe that it will take far too long for them to play. There are a few things they need to consider. First, time. Some games take hours to play and can take far longer the first time through. Second, complexity. Many of the others involved in this particular group have only really played more accessible board games like Apples to Apples and Carcassonne. While they are interested in learning more complex games, this one might be a little too complex for a first get-together. Third, appeal. Keyflower is a game that has a certain feel to it and might not be for everyone. Most people will give games the benefit of the doubt, but if someone has strong feelings against a suggested game, it would be wise to find another time to play with those who are interested. It’s not worth making the whole group miserable just because you want to play a certain game. And the same goes for suffering though a game if you know you can not be happy playing it. The point is to have fun, and if you are not, then you are missing the point of games entirely.
So, after a few more emails back and forth, the group decides on playing Carcassonne and the suggestion of King of New York, a game you just picked up. Keyflower has been put on hold, but it appears that there is a fair share of people interested in trying the game, and a time will be worked out for a future game night. Remember that as the host, you should familiarize yourself with the games you are planning on playing (especially new ones) and be ready to teach it to the group. If you have to spend time reading the rules before you play you will lose out on precious gaming time and possibly not get to all you had hoped to accomplish.

Step 4: Remember the Snacks
  The game night is fast approaching and you just realized you forgot something, Food! This is one area that some people tend to overlook. You will most likely be gaming for several hours and snacks, if not a meal, will be welcomed and appreciated. Food can sometimes be tricky, as it needs to be easy to eat while playing (no grease on the cards please!), able to feed a decent number of people, and relatively easy to prepare. As the host you should provide the basics for the meal, but there is nothing wrong with asking others to provide drinks and snacks. Since the host is providing the space, the dishes, and the time to get the group assembled, it is only polite for the guests to bring something to share. Over the next couple weeks, I will be providing you with some great gamer tested recipes for you to try at your next game night.  Here's a quick recipe to get you started.

Barbarian "Chick"en Barbecue Chili

Ingredients:
1 large Vidallia Onion
1 tsp. Mminced Garlic
1 lb. Ground Chicken
2 cups Chicken Broth
2 28 oz. Cans Stewed Tomatoes
1 cup Water
2 tbs. Dark Brown Sugar
2 tbs. Cider Vinegar
1 tbs. Honey Mustard
1 tbs. Worcestershire Sauce
1 tbs. Molasses
1/2 tsp. Salt
2 15 oz. Cans Kidney Beans (rinsed and drained)

Brown chicken in a large pot. Add onions and garlic and saute until onions begin to look transparent. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 1 hour. (You can also place it all in the crock pot, set it for 6 hours on low and it will be ready when your guests arrive!) Serves 8.

Revamping Your Family Game Night

The days are getting shorter and the air is getting cooler.  Now is the perfect time to start thinking about revamping your family game night!

Why have a family game night?
 

Game nights are the perfect opportunity to reconnect as a family and create fun memories.  In the whirlwind of life, sports, play dates, school, and work can make families feel like strangers.  Many families strive to have dinner together in an effort to stay connected, but why not extend that time to include a game?  When you play games, you are creating experiences.  There's nothing better than spending quality face-to-face time together and games provide the perfect atmosphere to get better acquainted with one another.

Games provide a great platform for adults to illustrate some great life skills, too.  Team work, sharing, and winning/losing with grace are just a few of those skills.  Not only are your children learning from you, but they are also practicing math and reading without even knowing it.  Games provide a great way to reinforce all those new skills they are learning at school.

Each game offers its own unique FUN.  Some games offer opportunities to giggle and share humorous stories, while others provide nail biting adventures where everyone must cooperate to succeed.  With a creative plan, you too can start a family game night tradition that can last for generations. Whatever mood your family is in, there are great choices to fill them all!  The following is a list of some of our families favorite games to help you start building your own game library. 

Games, Short and Sweet! (great for those evenings when time is, well, Short!)

• Blink by Mattel
• Eleminis by Smiley Pop
• Dweebies by Gamewright
• Super Circles by Out of the Box
• Feed the Kitty by Gamewright
• Zombie Dice by Steve Jackson Games
• Bears! by Fireside Games
• Martian Dice by Tasty Minstrel Games

Team Work Challenges (these are great for families with multiple ages since everyone is working together and information is shared - Cooperation anyone?)

• Forbidden Island by Gamewright Games
• Castle Panic by Fireside Games
• Cranium by Hasbro

Games to Get the Wiggles Out: (especially effective during those weekends when the sun is not shining and it is too wet to play...)

• Ring-o Flamingo by Gamewright Games
• Boochie by Gamewright Games
• Reverse Charades by Gryphon Games
• Step to it by Gamewright Games
• Space Race by Gamewright Games

Brain Busting Games (for those who like puzzles and strategy)

• Got 'Em by Calliope Games
• Pirate vs Pirate (or Ninja vs Ninja) by Out of the Box
• Word on the Street by Out of the Box
• Gobblet by Blue Orange Games
• Qwirkle by Mindware

 

• Tsuro by Calliope Games
• Carcassonne by Rio Grande Games
• Hey That's My Fish! by Fantasy Flight Games
• Survive: Escape from Atlantis by 
• Stronghold Games

Games On the Silly Side (when everyone just needs a laugh)

• Befuzzled by Fun Q Games
• Shake n Take by Out of the Box
• Faux-Cabulary by Out of the Box
• Who Would Win by Gamewright Games
• Joe Name It by Gamewright  Games
• Anomia by Anomia Press
• Crappy Birthday by North Star Games
• Say Anything Family by North Star Games

Just Plain Fun! (Pirates, Monsters, the Wild West and more...great themes for the whole family)

• Abandon Ship by AEG
• King of Tokyo by Iello
• Jamaica by Asmodee
• Dice Town by Asmodee

These are only a small sampling of the wide variety of games you can find today.  Pick one up, try it out, and see all the great laughs and memories you can build with your family!

Oh and one more thing...
There's no denying that great games pair well with tasty treats.  The following are some great "Game Friendly" recipes to make your family game night even more special.

Pizza is always a big hit at our house.  In an effort to try to contain the mess I make pizza rolls. Even though they take a little bit of time, they are delicious, self contained, and freeze very well.


Pizza Rolls

• 4  cups shredded pizza cheese blend or mozzarella

• 8  ounces mini pepperoni

• 1  medium green bell pepper, finely chopped

• 1  medium onion, finely chopped

• Two 14-ounce jars pizza sauce

• 32  egg roll wrappers

• Vegetable oil for frying  

1. Combine cheese, pepperoni, bell pepper, onion, and pizza sauce in a large bowl; mix well. 
2. Arrange the egg roll wrappers on a work surface 
3. Spoon 1/4 cup of the mixture in the center of each egg roll wrapper. Fold the bottom edge toward the center over the filling. Moisten the top edge with a small amount of water and fold over, sealing tightly.
4. Heat 1 inch of oil to 375 degrees F in an electric skillet. Fry the rolls in batches until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

Another easy to grab favorite of ours is pigs in a blanket.  They are super simple and can be made with mini dogs, sausage or regular hotdogs for variety.

Pigs in a Blanket

• 1 package pre-cooked  breakfast sausage, hotdogs, or mini hotdogs
• 1 package refrigerated crescent rolls
• Honey mustard, Ketchup, or Maple Syrup for dipping

1. unwrap crescent rolls and preheat oven to package directions
2. cut each crescent dough section  in half.  (cut in quarters if making the minis)
3. place a link on the wide side of the crescent dough and roll
4. bake until golden brown (about 6 minutes)

If you are looking for a quick and healthier option, try making fruit kabobs.  The kids will have a blast helping you put them together and you can whip up a little yogurt or chocolate dip to make it extra special! 

Simple Yogurt Fruit Dip

• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (8 ounce) container of your favorite flavored yogurt 

 1. In a medium bowl, blend the whipped topping and yogurt. Chill in the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.  



So decide on a night, put it on the calendar, and have fun playing!

American Geek Mom's Recipe Box #2

Like many Americans, I love pizza.  If it didn't love my midsection quite so much, I could probably eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  OK, maybe not that often, but you get the idea.  In my opinion, pizza is the perfect food because it is so versatile.  You can create dozens of flavor combinations and it is all neatly packaged on a crisp bed of crust.  Whether you are a vegetarian, meat lover, or anything in between, pizza is an easy meal to prepare for any gathering.  Of course, there are the classics: Pepperoni and Cheese, Peppers and Mushrooms, Ham and Pineapple, but why not get creative?  Here is my gourmet take on a classic pizza and game night.

Barbequed Eggplant, Red Onion, Kielbasa, and Goat Cheese Pizza
(For a Vegetarian Version simply omit the Kielbasa)

You will need:
1/2 small eggplant (cut into rounds and quartered)
1/2 small red onion (sliced into thin rings)
1 cup kielbasa (halved and sliced)
4 oz. goat cheese (crumbled)
1/2 cup mozarella (shredded)
1/2 cup your favorite barbeque sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbs. butter
1 ready made pizza dough or try my handmade dough (see below)

Saute eggplant, red onion, and kielbasa with butter and brown sugar over medium heat until it begins to caramelize.  Remove from heat and drain.  Preheat oven to 425 F.  Stretch crust into a 14-16" round and place on a pizza sheet or stone.  Add barbeque sauce and spread evenly over crust.  Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.  Spread the caramelized mixture evenly over the crust and sprinkle with goat cheese.  Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.  Let cool and serve. 

"Hand-made" Bread Machine Pizza Crust
1 cup water  
1 tablespoon olive oil  
3/4 teaspoon salt 
2 cups bread flour  
2 teaspoons sugar  
1 teaspoon quick-acting active dry yeast (for bread machines) 
2 teaspoons pizza seasoning (basil, oregano & parsley)

cornmeal for dusting

Add all ingredients except cornmeal to bread machine and set on "dough."  After the cycle is completed, lightly coat dough ball with flour and roll or stretch to desired size.  You can sprinkle some cornmeal onto the pizza stone to prevent sticking.  Add toppings as above.

This is by far one of my favorite flavor combinations.  It's sweet, melts in your mouth, and unique.  Give it a try during your next family game night and let me know how it turns out!

American Geek Mom's Recipe Box #1

As a fan of all things culinary, I have been collecting and creating recipes for as long as I can remember.  My love for food began with my mother and grandmother.  I can recall many occasions in the kitchen, cracking eggs, mixing batter, and of course licking the bowl! Yes, I am a Food Geek!

We all need to eat.  So in an attempt to make meal times a little more tasty and fun, I present you with American Geek Mom's Recipes .  Every now and then I will share a new recipe; everything from quick and easy family dinners to geeky themed comestibles. These are my personal recipes, all tested by me, my family and my friends.  I invite you to try them, and if you feel so inclined, leave your constructive feedback in the comments.  Think of this as my family sharing the recipes in our recipe box with you.  Thanks for tasting and I hope you enjoy!

It's camping season.  So my first recipe is perfect for the great outdoors.  

Campfire Potatoes:

You will need:

• 2 strips thick cut bacon (chopped)
• 1 medium vidalia onion (chopped)
• 3 large potatoes (thinly sliced into rounds)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• Salt + Pepper to taste

Brown bacon in a large non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat.  Add onions and garlic.  Cook until onions begin to caramelize.  Add potatoes and reduce heat (You can add a little olive oil if needed).  Continue cooking until potatoes are crisp and brown.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  This is a fabulous breakfast for a cool morning in the woods. Simple and delicious!

An Unexpected Journey

This will be the title of the first of two Hobbit movies produced and directed by Peter Jackson.  New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures and MGM have announced the titles and dates of the two-film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved classic The Hobbit.  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again will arrive on screen a year apart.  An Unexpected Journey will premier on December 14, 2012 and There and Back Again will release on December 13, 2013.  Mark your calendars.  These are going to be good.

These films take place 60 years prior to Jackson's adaptation of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  The Hobbit follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, a gentle hobbit who is reluctant to get involved with a group of 13 dwarves.  The dwarves' goal is to return to their ancestral home in the Lonely Mountains and reclaim a stolen fortune from the dragon Smaug.  He is ultimately convinced to join the quest because he believes it to be a noble mission.  Through this quest for good, Bilbo learns that courage, honesty, and imagination count far more than physical power.

In the film, you can expect to see many of your favorite characters from the trilogy.  They return to the screen alongside a great new face.  Martin Freeman, Watson from the BBC series Sherlock, takes on the central role of Bilbo Baggins.  Also returning to their roles from The Lord of the Rings movies are: Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey; Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; and Andy Serkis as Gollum.  A star-studded cast to be sure.

Now I know it seems like ages from now until we get to see these amazing films.  And most of us have been anticipating this film since its first whispers of production, but fear not.  In the months leading up to The Hobbit's release, I have a few suggestions to pass the time.  For those of you who wish to see The Trilogy in theaters again, it is being released in a 3 night event in select theaters.  "The Academy Award®-winning trilogy will be featured in an exclusive series of three in-theater events including The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring™ on June 14, 2011; The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers™ on June 21, 2011; and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King™ on June 28, 2011. Each event will begin at 7:00 p.m. local time."

If you live in the Boston area here is a list of local theaters that will be participating.
AMC Boston Common 19 with IMAX,  BOSTON MA 02111
AMC AMC Liberty Tree Mall 20 with IMAX,  DANVERS MA 01923
NAM Legacy Place,  DEDHAM MA 02026
NAM Patriot Place,  FOXBORO MA 02035
AMC AMC Framingham 15,  FRAMINGHAM MA 01701
NAM Lowell Showcase Cinemas,  LOWELL MA 01851
REG Solomon Pond Mall 15,  MARLBOROUGH MA 01752
AMC AMC Methuen 20 with IMAX,  METHUEN MA 01844
Check out Fathom Events for more info and for theaters in your area.

If Games are your thing, then boy are you in luck!  Fantasy Flight has a slew of great Lord of the Rings titles.  Whether you are looking for an epic battle, cooperative experience, or a light family game, they have it all.  One of my all-time favorites is the Lord of the Rings Board Game by Reiner Knizia.  In this game you must work your way through four boards, cooperating to overcome challenges and prevent the Ringbearer from being corrupted.

A new favorite of mine is The Lord of the Rings LCG (Living Card Game).  This is a cooperative card game that allows players to customize their characters.  There are four distinct spheres of influence that offer different benefits to the party.  Through cooperation, players overcome the obstacles drawn from the encounter deck on their quest for victory.  This unique game has countless combinations of settings and enemies, and players can build their party from 16 different characters. 

If you are looking for something lighter and appropriately themed, let me suggest The Hobbit Board Game also by Reiner Knizia. This great family game allows players to take on the roles of the dwarves, aiding Bilbo in his monumental quest to defy the odds and become a legend.

If a more epic battle is what you seek, then let me suggest War of the Ring or Middle Earth Quest.  Both of these immerse players in the world of Middle Earth where they must struggle to survive in a land full of chaos. Which side will be victorious?

Any of these games would be fitting for any game night.  And might I suggest a basket of Lembas Bread to share at the gaming table?  Happy Gaming!

American Geek Mom's Lembas Bread:

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups of flour                                         1 tablespoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt                                       8 tablespoons of cold butter (1 stick)
1/3 cup of brown sugar                                  1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon maple syrup/honey                    2/3 cup of milk/heavy cream (or more, if necessary)
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
2) Mix the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl.
3) Add the butter and mix with a fork or a pastry cutter until the
mixture resembles fine granules.
4) Add the sugar and cinnamon, and mix them thoroughly into the mixture.
5) Add the milk/cream, honey and vanilla and stir them in with a fork
until a nice, thick dough forms.
6) Roll the dough out about 1/2 in thickness.
7) Cut out 3-inch squares and transfer the dough to a cookie sheet.
8) Criss-cross (DO NOT cut all the way) each square from
corner-to-corner with a knife.
9) Bake for about 12 minutes or more (depending on the thickness of
the bread) until it is set and lightly golden.
10) Wrap in a Mallorn Leaf or store in a sealed container.

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.  Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort." -J.R.R. Tolkien