Churros with Chocolate by Claire Robinson

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, plus more for dredging
Pinch kosher salt
1 cup self-rising flour
2 eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
Peanut oil, for frying
6 ounces specialty flavored chocolate, chopped

Directions

Special equipment: Piping bag fitted with a large star decorating tip

Make the dough by heating water, sugar and salt in saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously for 1 minute on the heat to dry the mixture out. Remove from heat and transfer the dough to a stand mixer bowl; mix on low speed until there is no longer steam escaping from the dough. With the mixer running on medium, add the eggs, 1 at a time, incorporating completely until a shiny, smooth texture forms before adding the next egg, and then the egg yolk. Scrape down the mixer bowl with a rubber spatula between each addition. Transfer the dough to the piping bag.

Pour oil into a large heavy bottomed pot to a depth of 4 inches; heat over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F

To fry the churros, carefully squeeze the dough from the piping bag directly over the oil in 3 to 4-inch lengths, cutting the dough at the tip with a butter knife and gently dropping them into the oil. Turn frequently with a Chinese strainer or tongs until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Work in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan and allowing the oil to reheat to 375 degrees F between each batch. Drain the churros on a paper towels and then toss in sugar to coat while still warm.

Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Arrange the curros on a serving platter and serve the chocolate sauce alongside. Enjoy!

Cook's Note: Self-rising flour makes the churros a bit lighter and fluffier, but all-purpose flour works just fine. Pick your favorite flavored chocolate; I love the flavor of orange and chocolate or even bacon chocolate with these churros!

Mudslide Milkshake by Claire Robinson

Ingredients

1/2 cup Irish cream liqueur (recommended: Bailey's)
1/4 cup chocolate vodka
1 pint best quality coffee ice cream
1 banana, sliced and frozen
2 tablespoons natural cocoa powder, plus more for sprinkling as garnish

Directions

Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend on high until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour into glasses and sprinkle with cocoa powder. Drink up baby!!!

Cook's Note: Chocolate flavored vodka is now being produced by many fine vodka companies. If you can't find it in your liquor store, try butterscotch schnapps. It's less of a mudslide, but every bit as tasty!

And because you cannot enjoy this alone, get a buddy to be bad with.

Southern Eggs En Cocotte by Claire Robinson

Ingredients

6 ounces hot maple flavored pork sausage, (remove skin from sausages you just need the meat)
3 cups water
1 cup half-and-half
Kosher salt
1 cup stone-ground grits or course polenta
Freshly cracked black pepper
4 ounces grated Gruyere
4 farm fresh eggs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Cook the sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through. Remove the sausage to a paper towel to drain. Use the rendered sausage fat to grease 4 large individual ramekins, (gratin dishes or individual cast iron pots work too) and arrange them on a rimmed sheet tray.

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, bring the water and half-and-half to a boil and season with salt, to taste. Rapidly whisk in the grits. Continue whisking while returning to a boil, about 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until thick and creamy, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes. Season with pepper and more salt, if needed.

Divide the cooked grits between the prepared baking dishes and top each with cooked sausage and grated cheese. Make a divot with the back of a spoon into the cheese and sausage topped grits. Crack the eggs, 1 at a time, into a small bowl and top the ramekins with the eggs. Bake until the egg whites are almost, but not fully set, about 10 to 15 minutes. For more well-done eggs, bake until the whites are set.

Vanilla Bean Coconut Yogurt Smoothie by Claire Robinson

Ingredients

1/2 water
1/2 cup honey
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2 cups Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon torn fresh mint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
Coconut water, frozen in ice cube tray (approximately 1/2 tray)

Directions

Combine the water, honey and vanilla bean pod in a small saucepan over low heat. Simmer for 7 to 9 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the vanilla to infuse into the honey. Remove the vanilla pod and allow the mixture to cool completely, about 10 to 15 minutes.

In a blender, combine some of the vanilla honey with the yogurt, mint and 1/2 tray of frozen coconut water cubes, or more for desired consistency. Puree until smooth, then pour into glasses and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. Serve immediately.

Brown Butter Banana Muffins by Claire Robinson

Ingredients

4 ripe bananas
1/3 cup raw agave syrup or honey
1 stick unsalted butter
1 large egg
1 3/4 cups self-rising flour

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper muffin liners.

Peel the bananas and add to a large bowl. Add the agave syrup and mash the bananas with a fork until very liquefied but still a little lumpy.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the milk solids have turned a nutty golden brown.

To the brown butter, add about 1 cup of the mashed banana mixture and whisk to combine. Cook for a few more minutes until a darker golden color is achieved. Add to the remaining mashed banana mixture and whisk to combine, then whisk in the egg. Fold in the flour, in 2 batches, with a rubber spatula, until just combined; do not over mix. With an ice cream scoop, evenly divide the batter among the muffin tin cups.

Bake in the center of the oven until golden brown and the tops spring back when pressed, about 25 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer the muffins to a rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.