Tag: s’mores

“Portuguese Style” S’Mores (Bolacha Maria S’mores)

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So, I have decided to have a little fun with today’s blog entry.  It’s summer,  which means it’s fire pit and camping season here in New England.  So I decided to think a bit outside the box and merge the Portuguese and American cultures together in a fun and simple way… The Portuguese being the Bolacha Maria cookie… The American being the time-tested camp fire favorite, the s’more.

Now unlike my earlier s’more posting (Peep S’Mores) this post will involve real fire and bona-fide marshmallow roasting technique.  You will need to get ahold of three ingredients… regular size marshmallows… none of  those crazy giant marshmallow, no colors or crazy flavors… just plain ole marshmallows.  You will also need a package of Bolacha Maria cookies and a Hershey’s bar.

Let’s get started!

I like to use two marshmallows for my s’mores, no matter if they are American style with graham crackers or Portuguese style with a Bolacha Maria Cookie.

Now the trick here is not to place your marshmellos directly on the fire... you want to gently toast your marshmellos over the coals.

Now the trick here is not to place your marshmallow directly on the fire… you want to gently toast your marshmallow over the coals.

Constantly rotate your marshmallow over those coals and you will get a well toasted marshmallow perfect for building your s’more!

Place your Bolocha Maria cookie down on a plate.

Place your Bolacha Maria cookie down on a plate.

Unwrap a chocolate bar, cut in half.

Place the chocolate bar half on top of the cookie.

Add your toasted marshmallow on top of your chocolate bar.

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Recipe for “Portuguese Style’ S’Mores:

(serves 1)

2 Bolacha Maria Cookies

2 marshmallow, Toasted

1/2 regular size chocolate bar

Directions:

Toast marshmallow slowly over hot coals.  Then start stacking as follows: One Maria cookie, one piece of chocolate and then the marshmallows and top it off with the Maria cookie.  Enjoy!

***The Portuguese American Mom is in no way suggesting that this is a traditional Portuguese recipe… this is entirely the an adaptaion of a classic American treat by The Portuguese American Mom

Peep S’mores

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This year we are adding a new tradition to our usual Easter fun… Peep s’mores!  As a Portuguese American mom, sweetbread is the good ole standby tradition (a post for another time) and then of course there is coloring and decorating Easter eggs, but I like to shake things up! I’m crazy like that!

Recently I’ve been seeing people having lots of fun dipping their Peeps in chocolate… I have even seen them packaged this way from the company.  I, however, am taking this a step further. Every year at Christmas I make s’mores on a stick as little treats to give out and they are a BIG hit (check back around Christmas time for that fun project).  Soooo… I thought elevating the chocolate dipped Peep to a new level was just the ticket.

I have a one and a two year old and this project is perfect for them to help with.  It’s cheap, its colorful, fun and their little hands do great with the soft tactile nature of a Peep.  But, I think this is fun at any age!

Here’s what you’ll need:

peeps

Peeps… any color… you can even do this with Peep bunnies if you are really feeling like jumping out of that box!

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Peeps, chocolate chips, graham crackers and sprinkles

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Crush your crackers with your fingers.

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Place your chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Start out with a minute, mix and then do 15 second intervals until it is mostly melted. Don’t add anything extra to the chocolate. (If you don’t have a microwave or if you prefer, this step can be done with a double boiler)

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Mix until smooth.

Mix until smooth.

3 ingredients

This is what you should have now… along with whichever Peeps you decide on.

Now, give your Peep a little bath... dip him about half way in.

Now, give your Peep a little bath… dip him about half way in.

Now, into the crackers he goes!

Now, into the crackers he goes!

Now, get him over to a piece of wax paper. I like to like a cookie tray so that it is easily moved into the fridge if need be.

Now, get him over to a piece of wax paper. I like to line a cookie tray so that it is easily moved into the fridge if need be.  tip: place cookie sheet in the fridge beforehand to speed up cooling time… if you didn’t do this, you can just pop the whole tray in the fridge for 5-10 mins and you’re good.

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sprinkles

And onto a wax sheet or some parchment as seen here for some sprinkles and set up.

Now dress him up with some sprinkles and let him cool.

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…and repeat

Now you have these little guys! Enjoy!

Now you have these little guys! Enjoy!

Peep s’mores recipe:

20 Peeps

8 graham cracker squares

1/2 package of chocolate chips (I use semi-sweet)

colorful sprinkles

You will also need a microwave safe bowl and some wax paper or parchment.

Directions:

Get all your ingredients prepped before you begin because once the chocolate is melted, you will want to work fairly quickly.  So, be sure to lay out some wax paper on a cookie sheet, set aside.  Crush the graham crackers with your fingers, set aside. Separate the Peeps; I do this by cutting them with a knife so they stay neat, if you don’t care about that, they can just be pulled apart. Then, place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for one minute, then in 15 second increments until melted, stirring throughout the process.

Now dip a peep into the chocolate, about half way in.  Then directly dip into the graham crackers.  Place onto a the cookie sheet and sprinkle.  Let cool.  Cooling may mean placing the tray into the fridge for 5-10 mins.

Once cooled, they can be packaged for Easter gift giving or just gobble them up!  If you are keeping them, they will keep for up to a week or two in an airtight container… do not store in the fridge, but in a cool dry place.

Have fun!