Sweet Onions And Grits Surprise Food

SWEET GRIT TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Cook grits according to box directions (using milk as the liquid and adding butter, sugar and salt.) Refrigerate until firm and cut into desired shape.
• In a saute pan melt butter until it turns slightly brown, add fruit and saute for 2 minutes. Add syrup and allow to reduce about 2 minutes until it thickens slightly. Pour over arranged grits. Garnish with powdered sugar and mint.

WHITE CHILI SURPRISE

Steps:

• If using dry beans, pick over the beans and rinse them. Cover beans with water by at least 3 inches and soak the beans for 24 hours. Change the water 1 time about 12 hours after the soaking process starts.
• Remove fat and tendons from the chicken and place the chicken breast in a container that can be covered. Zest 1 of the limes and sprinkle the lime zest over the chicken breast. Using a lemon reamer, juice all 3 limes and pour the juice over the chicken breast. Pour the tequila over the chicken and add 1 teaspoon cumin and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Sprinkle red pepper flakes over the chicken and marinate for 3 hours.
• Heat olive oil in stock pot and add onion and saute for about 10 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic, green chilis, cumin, cayene pepper, and cloves and saute for 10 minutes.
• Add beans and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the beans are tender, about 2 hours. (If using canned beans, complete step 5 below and then add the cooked chicken and reduce simmering time.)
• Heat grill after the chili has simmered for about 2 hours. Grill the chicken breast for 5 minutes and pour remaining marinade over the chicken breast on the grill. Turn the chicken breast and grill the second side for 4 minutes. Remove the chicken breast from the grill and cut into small cubes.
• Add the cubed chicken and 1 cup of cheese to the chili and stir until the cheese melts.
• Ladle into bowls and serve with remaining cheese, chopped green onions, and sour cream. Salt to taste.

CHRIS' CRANBERRY SURPRISE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and ground cinnamon. In large bowl, combine the butter, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar with a hand mixer. Beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the beaten eggs and the pomegranate juice and mix until well incorporated. Add the flour mixture in batches and beat on medium for 2 minutes, scraping the bottom and sides. With a rubber spatula, fold in the oats, coconut, and cranberries and mix well. With an ice cream scoop, form the dough into balls and place onto 2 parchment lined cookie sheet at least 1-inch apart. Bake for 14 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

ALIEN COOKIE SURPRISE

Steps:

• For the vanilla sugar cookies: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and granulated sugar until light, fluffy and blended. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined. Adjust the mixer to low speed; mix in the flour, 1 cup at a time, until well incorporated, and then the salt. Remove the dough from the mixer, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll out 1/8-inch thick on a lightly floured work surface with a lightly floured rolling pin. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Use an oval cookie cutter to cut out 24 cookies, placing 12 of the cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Top each of the cookies on the baking sheet with 1/2 teaspoon of the chocolate chips, then top each with a second oval-shaped piece of cookie dough, pressing the edges to seal. Bake until the cookies are beginning to brown around the edges, 8 to 12 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• For the cinnamon-cream cheese-bourbon jelly: Meanwhile, place the gelatin powder in a small bowl and stir in the water until the gelatin is dissolved. Let sit for 5 minutes, then add the bourbon and mix until combined.
• Place the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Mix well with a hand-held blender.
• Add the cream cheese and mix until the mixture has a nice and creamy consistency. Add the gelatin mixture and mix until well combined.
• Pour into an 8-inch square pan and refrigerate until the jelly is set and completely firm to the touch, about 1 hour. With the oval cutter, cut out 12 pieces of the jelly and place on top of the sugar cookies.
• For the rosemary bonbons: Fill a pastry bag with the melted dark chocolate disc. Pipe the chocolate into the shell chocolate mold; tap the mold to remove any air bubbles. Flip the mold over, tap out any excess chocolate, and then scrape the top of the mold to remove any excess chocolate. Refrigerate the mold until the chocolate is hard, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the granulated sugar and glucose syrup in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the sugar dissolves and turns into a light caramel. Add the heavy cream and rosemary and cook until the caramel comes to a boil; remove from the heat and let the mixture cool. Strain the caramel through a fine-mesh sieve, add the melted milk chocolate and butter, and blend with a hand-held blender. Spoon the caramel mixture into a pastry bag and fill the remainder of the cavities on the chocolate mold. Place the mold in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, then top off with another layer of dark chocolate. Let sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, then release the chocolates from the mold.
• For the royal icing: Mix together the meringue powder and water in a bowl. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Adjust the consistency with more water as needed. Divide the icing between 2 bowls. Add the green food coloring to 1 bowl and the black to the other; mix well. Fill 2 pastry bags with the icings.
• Decorate the bonbons with alien expressions and use the icing to adhere one bonbon to the top of each cookie. Let set before serving, 15 minutes.