1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 tbsp espresso powder 4 oz cream cheese, softened 8 oz Mascarpone cheese ½ cup powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp cocoa powder wafers or fruit, for dipping In medium bowl, whisk heavy whipping cream and espresso powder until blended. In large bowl, use hand mixer to beat […]
Gingerbread Pecans
Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes Yield: 2 cups (6 servings) 1 large egg white, beaten 2 cups raw pecan halves 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 2 teaspoons gingerbread spice blend 1 pinch salt Preheat oven to 300 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In large […]
Holiday Popcorn Snowmen
Yield: 5 snowmen 1 package (1 lb) large marshmallows 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, plus additional for greasing hands 1 tsp vanilla 10 cups popped popcorn Optional for decorating: Sprinkles, licorice, gum drops, cinnamon candies etc. In large saucepan, melt marshmallows and 1/4 cup butter. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let stand 5 […]
Reindeer Pecan Brownies
Nonstick cooking spray 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted 1 tablespoon pecan or canola oil 1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional) 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 20 raw pecan halves, cut in half 40 […]
Festive Savory Cheese Balls
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese 2 tbsp caraway seeds 1 tsp poppy seeds 2 cloves garlic, minced, divided ¼ cup parsley, chopped 2 tsp thyme leaves, chopped 1 tsp rosemary, chopped ¼ cup dried cranberries, chopped 2 tbsp pecans, chopped crackers (optional) fruit (optional) vegetables (optional) Cut each cream cheese block into three […]
Activism on Instagram
Dear EarthTalk: What are the best Instagram feeds to follow lately if I’m into environmental activism and fighting climate change? — Bill S., New Orleans, LA It’s amazing how dominant Instagram has become in the world of social media. Eco-advocates would be remiss to not make use of it to raise awareness and spur action […]
Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies
Cheesecake Batter: 8 oz low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/2 tsp peppermint extract 2 eggs 1 tbsp all-purpose flour Brownie Batter: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup milk 2 eggs 1 tsp pure vanilla extract […]
Gingerbread Cupcakes with Whipped Vanilla Buttercream
Recipe courtesy of Megan Gundy of “What Megan’s Making” on behalf of Milk Means More Prep time: 10 minutes, Cook time: 25 minutes, Servings: 20 Cupcakes: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups unsalted […]
Invasive Insects
Dear EarthTalk: Where I live in Southeast Michigan, an invasive insect called the Emerald Ash Borer is wreaking havoc on our forests. Are other parts of the country dealing with this pest or others that are killing large numbers of trees? — John D., Sterling Heights, MI In a growing number of U.S. states, […]
Plant Blindness
Dear EarthTalk: What on Earth is “plant blindness?” – Betsy Carlucci. New York, NY Botanists James Wandersee and Elizabeth Schussler coined the term “plant blindness” in 1998 to describe “the inability to see or notice the plants in one’s own environment, leading to the inability to recognize the importance of plants in the biosphere […]