Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Tofu Molten Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe Created by Season One MasterChef Junior Winner


Good Food



If you'll be baking for one or more chocolate lovers this Valentine's Day, you're going to want to keep this award-winning dessert in mind. House Foods recently partnered with Alexander Weiss the kid who won Season One of Fox's hit cooking competition series for children, “MasterChef Junior.” This February 14th, whip up Alexander’s Tofu Molten Lava Cake, which incorporates House Foods Tofu, to satisfy any sweet tooth.



Recipe

Tofu Molten Chocolate Lava Cake
Created by Alexander Weiss, Season One MasterChef Junior Winner

Yields 5 Servings 


Ingredients
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  • Extra butter for molds
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder for molds
  • 1 heaping cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
  • 1/2 pkg House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Medium Firm, pressed dry
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp all purpose flour
  • Sifted powdered sugar
  • Whipped cream, ice cream, or fresh fruit for optional garnish



Directions


1. Preheat over to 450 F, positioning rack in center of oven

2. Lightly butter your ramekins and line with cocoa powder. Tap out excess cocoa powder and set prepared baking dishes aside.


3. Fill medium pot with about 2 inches water and place over medium heat, bringing to simmer. Place heatproof bowl over the simmering water making sure bottom of bowl doesn't touch water. Add chocolate and butter to melt, stirring often with spatula. Set aside to cool.


4. Blend together the tofu, egg yolks, and sugar in a blender until smooth, making sure to scrape down the sides of the blender a couple times. 


5. Fold the tofu mixture into the chocolate and butter mixture. Add in the flour and salt, and fold until combined well. 


6. Divide evenly into ramekins, filling them about ¾ of the way to the top. Arrange on a baking tray and place in oven. 


7. Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the cakes are browned on the sides and top, and the center is still a bit wobbly, but not raw. The cakes should be runny in the center, and set on the outside. 


8. Immediately turn out onto your plate and sift over some powdered sugar over the top. Garnish with toppings of your choice. Alternately, you may leave the cakes unmolded and serve in the ramekins with caution, as they will be hot. 



FTC Disclosure: Recipe and photo provided by House Foods America. I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

5 Secrets to Get Kids Brushing Teeth Well

Health


Tooth Decay, Most Common Chronic Kids Disease


According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, which is exactly why February was deemed Children’s Dental Health Awareness Month.



MommyBlogExpert.com


This post contains affiliate links

While many parents are aware that proper and frequent brushing is one of the most important steps in protecting their tot’s pearly whites, getting kids into the bathroom to brush – without kicking and screaming – is often still a challenge.





5 Tips to Get Children Brushing Better & More Often


1.  Pick the perfect toothbrush. Take your little one shopping to select a special toothbrush. Favorite animated characters, spinning heads and flashing lights are just some of the enticing possibilities that may pique their interest. Letting them choose will boost their “big kid” confidence and make them more vested in brushing.


2.  Offer toothpaste that tastes like a treat. Appeal to small senses with a healthy toothpaste that tastes extra special. But beware bells and whistles created with harmful chemicals, such as artificial colors and sweeteners, which may entice but can also come with serious health concerns.


3.   Bring fun into the bathroom. Brushing should be taken seriously, but it doesn’t have to be serious. Encourage kids to make big, circular brush strokes like train wheels; pretend they need to clean their “big dinosaur teeth”; or watch a fun video while they brush. When brushing is playful, there’s less pressure.


4.  Find a kid-friendly dentist. Make first trips to the dentist fun by choosing a provider who caters to children with music, puppets, toys and more. If the experience is positive, they’ll be more prone to want to impress the dentist (and possibly get a special treat) with their good at-home brushing habits.


5.  Set a good example. Show your kids that brushing is an easy, everyday routine by modeling frequent and scheduled brushings, such as right after breakfast, before bed or following a sweet treat. It can even be a family affair! When little ones see brushing as a simple daily habit instead of a chore, there will be less protest.




DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Christian Louboutin Shoes Giveaway Spa Week Heart Over Heels Sweepstakes


Sweepstakes


If you love those coveted high heel pumps with the iconic red soles as much as I do, keep reading. That's because you have the chance to WIN a pair of those beauties and other prizes style conscious women appreciate if you enter Spa Week's third annual Heart Over Heels giveaway. And the best part is you and I will be doing our part to help stomp out heart disease in style because a donation is being made for each entry.


Heart Over Heels
Giveaway

Open to US & Canada residents



What could be more important than joining with the American Heart Association to raise awareness for heart disease? It's the number one killer of both men and women so there's no better way to kick that deatly illness off the planet than in killer heels, right?

Now through 3/8/15 you can win one of these two great prizes 
  • Pair of Christian Louboutin pumps of winner's choice ARV $700 or less
  • Beauty giftbasket from NCLA, Smashbox, Rituals & Red Door ARV $350

FTC Disclosure:  I disclose that I have entered this sweepstakes and am sharing the opportunity to win with like-minded shoe loving MommyBlogExpert readers. No payment or other compensation was exchanged in connection with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.