White Fudge

Apparently, I'm still stuck in Christmas mode. If you had this fudge, you would be too.

Normally, I'm not a white chocolate kind of girl, but this? This is A-MAZ-ING. In fact, last year I sacrificed my arm to a boiling pot of this fudge and it was worth it. I wear that scar like a sugary badge of honor. It is also a tradition. When December rolls around I actually have friends that ask, "Has The Bag Lady made any white fudge yet?" It's better than chocolate fudge. It's a heavenly dance of silky ecstasy across your tongue. It's smooth. It's creamy. It's delicious. It's entirely impossible to adequately describe. It must be EXPERIENCED! So, give it try... or track me down in December when there is a whole container at my desk.

White fudge
3 feet wax paper
Resealable bag: 1 cup sugar
3/4 cup canned butter
2/3 cup evap milk
1 -12 oz pkg white chocolate chips
1 7 oz jar marshmallow creme

Directions:
Unfold wax paper and place on counter. In a large pot over medium heat bring to boil sugar, butter, and milk. Boil for 4 minutes or until candy thermometer reaches 230 degrees. Remove from heat and stir in marshmallow creme and white chocolate chips. Working quickly drop fudge by 1 teaspoon dollops onto waxed paper*. When cool remove and store in air tight container.

*Do NOT get lazy and pour it in a pan. Dolloping is a key aspect of this recipe. Not only does the fudge taste better in disc form, many of my Christmas memories revolve around The Bag Lady and I madly dolloping before the pot of fudge cooled. My dollops were always fat and ugly. Hers were always dainty with a delectably delicious curl. I always ate hers first. :)

Cake Mix Cobbler

You've probably made cake with a cake mix. You may have even tried cake box cookies. But have you ever had cake mix cobbler? Today is your lucky day. It's quick and easy and bag meal friendly (as all of our postings usually are.) Best of all, you only use 3 ingredients.

Fruit cobbler
1 can fruit pie filling
1 yellow cake mix
1/2 cup canned butter, melted + 1 tbl. for buttering pan

Butter 9 x 9 pan. Spoon in fruit pie filling. Top with dry cake mix. Drizzle melted butter evenly over top of cake mix. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

If you're making this for kicks and giggles, remember to save your canned butter for a real emergency and substitute fresh. Since July is National Ice Cream Month, go ahead and top it with a scoop of nice vanilla bean.

Christmas in June

Hello folks!

Ok, it's a little early for Christmas, and I'm definitely still working on my summer tan, but it's NEVER too early to be prepared. AND you'll never be sorry if you're prepared for DESSERT!! So here it is:


Now, you've probably heard some horrible things about fruitcake. Perhaps you're one of those families that re-gifts the same fruitcake every year, because no one wants it. Well, it's time to give fruitcake another chance! This is actually one of The Bag Lady's favorite dessert recipes. You can mix up the fruit and experiment to find your favorite combination, so give it a try. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised. Now then, I'm off to go find a new swim suit. :)

Bag Meal Fruitcake

Wax paper to line bottom of 9 x13 pan
1 quart fruit, puree including the juice. I used apricots
1 -16 oz. container fruit cake mix

Resealable bag:
4 teas soda
2 cup sugar
4 cup flour
1 teas salt
4 teaspoon cinnamon

Resealable bag:
2/3 cup raisins
Resealable bag:
2/3 cup nuts*

Pantry: 1 cup oil

Directions: Grease and flour and line bottom of pan with wax paper. Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 300 and bake until center is done i.e. toothpick comes out clean. Approximately 45 minutes.

*Don't chop nuts before using. They won't last as long.

No-Bake Bag Meal Cookies!

Ok, who doesn't love no-bake cookies? Come on, admit it. I know I do. I think its because they are full of oats, so I feel healthy when I eat them. No-bakes are even popular in China. When I was getting ready for my trip I was told to make sure I brought cocoa powder. Cocoa powder? What for? For no-bake cookies of course! They don't do milk in China, so we had to use a powdered version when we made our experiment. They were pretty good, but using American peanut butter you'll be sure to have tastier results. When you no longer use a spoon, but can roll up your cookies and place them on wax paper with chopsticks, you will have reached the pinnacle of skill!


No-Bake Bag Meal Cookies

Wax paper
Resealable bag: 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa, 3 tablespoons powdered milk
Resealable bag: 3 cups quick oats
1/2 cup canned butter
1/2 cup water
Pantry:1 cup peanut butter
Directions: In a medium pot bring to boil sugar, cocoa, powdered milk, butter, and water, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add peanut butter stirring until smooth. Add oats. drop by spoonfuls on to waxed paper.

Chameleon Wacky Cake

Hello, hello!

Today we have a special treat for you. Guest bagger Christy P. Is pleased to share her recipe for Wacky Cake. I added the Chameleon part, because with minor adjustments this cake easily transforms into chocolate, lemon, or chocolate espresso. This time, you can have you cake and eat it too!

Chameleon Wacky Cake
Courtesy of Christy P.

"I didn't make up the name, I promise. This Depression-era cake takes advantage of ingredients that were readily available at the time. I suspect it is enjoying a new era of fame because it is also vegan. That means it is ok for people with dairy and egg sensitivities, too. That's why I bring it to potluck affairs.

After one recent affair, I was asked for the recipe. Nothing special about it, except that it is easy to make, always a hit, friendly to all but the gluten-intolerant, and tasty to boot.

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

* 2/3 cup white sugar

* 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

* 1 teaspoon baking soda

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

* 1 tablespoon white vinegar

* 5 tablespoons vegetable oil

* 1 cup water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a bowl with a whisk.

3. Add liquids and mix. (I used 1 cup of cold brewed coffee with an additional scoop of instant coffee powder last time - I couldn't taste the coffee, so if I did that again I would use more instant coffee powder or use espresso powder which has a stronger taste.) I do not think that this needs frosting. I have dusted with powdered sugar for a special effect.

My other tip for maximum efficiency and reduced chance of cross-contamination -- measure the soda, then salt, and last the cocoa of the dry ingredients (so that you don't contaminate your salt or soda with cocoa powder). Then measure wet ingredients with the measuring spoons - oil, then vanilla, then vinegar.

To make a lemon cake, you take advantage of the acidity of lemon juice and use it in place of the vinegar. Leave out the cocoa powder, and instead use the zest of 1-2 lemons. I tend to use the zest of more lemons than I use the juice, so the extra juice goes into salad dressing or hummus, or frozen in an ice cube tray for later use. Otherwise it’s the same!"

Give this cake a go, I'm sure that after you try it you'll be a "box of fluffy ducks!" (That's Kiwi talk for, "I'm on top of the world!" After all, what is happier that a box full of happy, fluffy, quacking ducklings? (I must warn you that this phrase it a bit outdated, but with our combined efforts, we can bring it back in to fashion.)

Marmite Toast and Buttermilk Rhubarb Squares

Hello my diligent readers! I do apologize for neglecting you for so long. I've been busy traveling the world you see. I realize that as soon as I reveal my location any forgiveness for my lackadaisical posting will be lost, but...I'm in New Zealand!


Don't worry though, there are benefits for you too. I am very pleased to present a New Zealand recipe:

Marmite Toast!

As much bread as you like
olive oil spread
Marmite*/vegemite if you prefer
sharp cheese
sesame seeds

Basically you spread and layer your bread with the ingredients listed above. First goes the olive oil spread, then a THIN, THIN, THIN spread of marmite. Top with some "tasty" cheese (aka "sharp"), a sprinkling of sesame seeds, and bake until it is crisp. Cut into strips and serve!

*Marmite courtesy of Wikipedia is "a sticky, dark brown paste with a distinctive, powerful flavor, which is extremely salty and savory. This distinctive taste is reflected in the British company's marketing slogan: 'Love it or hate it.'" Salty is right! Beware! I heard a Kiwi divulge that one of their favorite games is to offer Americans some "chocolate sauce" and then give them a spoonful of marmite!

In case that doesn't suit your tastes, you'll be relieved to know that while the Bag-ette is off trotting the globe, The Bag Lady diligently remains in "The Bag Meal Test Kitchen." Thus, we are pleased to present the real reason you came to the blog today, I know and accept this fact. Marmite is not for everyone...you could probably use it in a bag meal though...



Buttermilk Rhubarb Squares
Topping:
Resealable bag:
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar (Mix in baggy with other ingredients or you will get a hard rock of sugar)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped almonds (For longer storage life do not chop until ready to use)
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons melted canned butter

Batter:
1 cup bottled water
2 tablespoons powdered eggs
2 cups flour
1/4 cup powdered buttermilk
1/2 cup oil (Tip: Did you know that cubes of shortening will last in bag meals up to 6 months after opening? Keep this in mind for your tortilla recipes)
2 cups canned stewed rhubarb (sweetened to taste and cooked in a pan then canned)

Directions: Add melted butter to topping ingredients and set aside. Grease and flour 9 x 13 pan. Mix all batter ingredients in a large bowl. Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle topping over batter. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until center is done using tooth pick test. Serve warm or cold. It is fabulous with vanilla ice cream.

Isn't everything fabulous with ice cream? Well, maybe not marmite...

Bag Meal Lemon Bars

Winter got you down? Tired of swirling clouds of snow flurries and torrents of rain when it should be spring? Yeah, so are we. However, The Bag Lady is a problem solver. Nothing says spring like the playful dance of lemon zinging across your palette. Close your eyes and bite into these babies--the burst of lemon goodness will usher in the sweet assurance of the coming spring. Indeed, there is a light at the end of that wintery tunnel.

Bag Meal Lemon Bars

1- 15 oz. can of lemon pie filling
2 pkg graham crackers
3/4 cup canned butter, melted
Optional resealable bag:2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions: Break crackers into crumbs. Add melted butter and press firmly into 9 x9 pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cool. When crust is cool top with 1- 15 oz. can of lemon pie filling. Refrigerate for 4 hours. Cut into squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Death by Chocolate Brownies

Yes, I skipped a weekly post. I know. BUT there was a good reason. You see, we often think of disasters as earthquakes, floods, and week long power outages. However, this past week there was a crisis. Truly. And guess what? Bag meals saved the day. You see, it was the first week of law school finals. That qualifies as dangerous to one's health, happiness, and well being. How did bag meals save the day? 3 words: Mexican. Chicken. Soup. (page 24 in the book) It was warm. It was zesty. It only took 20 minutes of precious study time to make. It lasted longer and was more nourishing than a hot pocket and there was enough that the study group got be comforted, nourished, and sustained in the face of impending doom too. Make it in your next crisis. Make it the next time you're crunched for time. Make it for yourself, or your neighbor that just had a baby. You'll be glad you did.

Speaking of stress and impending doom: what spells comfort better than BROWNIES?!?!? Nothing, that's what. If I was banished to a desert island and could only take one baked good with me. It would be brownies. I love them. Periodically I ponder other desserts, but brownies always come out on top. (Sometimes on my birthday, I have brownies instead of cake.) There is nothing more blissful than the chewy chocolate explosion of freshly-baked-warm-brownie-goodness on your tongue. A warm, fudgey base, hugging chips of perfectly melted silky chocolate, dissipates any trace of stress or anxiety that you may harbor. (Yes, I have eaten a whole pan of brownies this past week of finals, why do you ask?) SO of course, it is only natural that the world needs a recipe for bag meal brownies.


These brownies fall into the fudgey camp, which is the only true brownie. If you're in the cakey brownie camp, its time you converted. Fudgey is the more excellent way. You don't have time for homemade brownies? Well, these puppies aren't going to take much longer than a box: dump, stir, pour, bake. See, it's the same steps. You can even repeat if you're feeling extra hungry. Go whip some up. Don't you want the power of brownies in the palm of your hand during the next disaster?

Death by Chocolate Brownies

2/3 cup canned butter, melted
3/4 cup bottled water

Resealable bag:
3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 teas. baking soda
2 tablespoons powdered eggs
1 1/3 cup flour
1/4 teas salt
2 cup sugar
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions: Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add water and melted butter. Add chocolate chips. Bake in greased 13 x 9 pan for 30 minutes at 350.

Chocolate Snack Cake

Sometimes, the best things in life are accidents. Like the fact that Ivory soap floats (someone fell asleep and it got overmixed, causing extra air bubbles), or Coca-cola (Wasn't it supposed to be some sort of tonic?) A pleasant accident--that is what happened with today's recipe. Sometimes you're going for one thing and something completely unexpected and wonderful happens instead. Give this snack cake a try, it's positively angelic. See, it even looks like it's floating!

Chocolate Snack Cake

Recipe:
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup canned butter, melted

Resealable bag:
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons powdered eggs
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Grease 9 x9 pan. Mix all ingredients together. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Cheap Bags and Healthy Truffles

Greetings! I know, 2 posts in 2 weeks. It's ok, you can be impressed. :)

First on the docket, we have a hot tip for purchasing bags. Staples is currently selling a box of 250 bags for $44.99. That works out to a mere $0.18 a bag! Wowza! As an added bonus, the bags are a very pleasant mint green color. They used to paint hospitals green you know. It soothed the patients. If you're not into soothing greens, it appears you also have the option of "electric blue." Join up with some friends and order several boxes to get free shipping. Check it out.... here.

We'd like to thank Christy for her excellent contribution of healthy truffles! Who doesn't like truffles after all?

"Take a dry fruit that is fairly moist (like a store-bought prune) and roll or dust with unsweetened cocoa powder. Healthy truffle! Kick it up by adding a little cayenne to the cocoa if you dare.

One can make a more complicated version that is a mixture of dried fruit that has been food-processed into something paste-like and then rolled into balls and dusted with cocoa. But the first way is really simple and good."

It's quick, it's easy, it's delicious! Give it a try. In fact, I'd probably fill a whole minty green bag full of them. Everybody loves a truffle! Come to think of it...I like prunes too. (Shhh, don't tell.)

Aloha Cookies

Aloooha Baggers! Does the winter season have you down? Are you pining away for azure waters and white sand beaches? Well, we here at The Bag Meal Test Kitchen firmly believe that it is best to eat your way through your travels! Besides, if you can't travel, you can always eat, so it works out both ways! ;)

You have probably noticed that there is a lack of dessert bag meals in the book. There are several reasons for this, one being that those publisher folks have these crazy things called "page limits," another being that The Bag Lady lives by The WoW Diet (click here for more info) and so she doesn't do many desserts. But we are thinking of you and are willing to take one for the team, so The Bag Lady has put on her dessert hat and developed some new yummies for your food storage needs. Besides, if you're in the middle of a disaster, what spells comfort like a warm cookie pulled fresh from a solar oven?

These cookies are a burst of tropical fusion on your tongue! Bite into one and you'll be transported to the azure waters and white beaches of your favorite island. (To enhance the experience hold an EMPTY glass up to your ear and you'll hear the ocean.) The buttery cookie hugs mounds of sweet flaky coconut and smooth white chocolate chunks. The delectable crunch of macadamia nuts rounds off the texture play nicely. So bake up a batch, hold a glass to your ear, close your eyes, and chase those winter blues away! (Yes, we at The Bag Meal Test kitchen are easily entertained.)


Aloha Bag Meal Cookies
1 yellow cake mix
1/2 cup canned butter, melted*
1/3 cup bottled water
Resealable bag: 3 tablespoons powdered whole egg**
Resealable bag:1/2 cup flaked coconut, 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine cake mix and powdered egg. Stir in water and melted butter. Add remaining ingredients. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 12-14 minutes or until edges are slightly golden. Allow to cool for a few minutes on baking sheet before moving to cooling rack.

*Remember you want to save your canned butter for a real emergency, so if you're making these at home, substitute fresh butter.

**If you want to use fresh egg, only put in 2 fresh eggs and decrease the water by 2 tablespoons.

Squash It!

Hello readers old and new! We're glad you're here. It's that time of the year, the brief space between the end of fall and the dawning of winter. There's been a few flurries in the air and hearts are full of thanks, which means...it time to SQUASH IT! So, for all of you wondering about the delicious and versatile gourd, here you have it: The Bag Lady on Squash.

Where can I purchase canned butternut squash for the butternut soup found on page 77 of It's in the Bag?

Bag Lady: I buy mine at Target.

What are your general thoughts on squash? Is it a food close to your heart?

Bag Lady: Squash to me is the perfect fresh food storage food because it will last from fall to spring if properly stored. There are also many different varieties and many ways to prepare it. We usually plant butternut, spaghetti, and acorn squash. We experimented with several other varieties and decided to save the seeds from the following store bought varieties: sweet meat, butter cup, sweet dumpling, stripetti, and swan white acorn.

What if I have limited garden space and don't want squash vines everywhere?

Bag Lady: This year we tried growing our squash up a trellis of sorts. We tied the vines onto the fencing using yarn scraps. To our surprise the squash grew all season without falling off of the vines. We did not even support them with slings etc. They just hung there and ripened.

When do I pick my squash?

Bag Lady: I was taught that you pick your winter squash just before the first frost. There has been some confusion as to the timing. I believe this stems from my recommendation of picking concord grapes after the first frost to ensure maximum sweetness. Just remember squash is before and concord grapes are after the first frost. If you are still confused, send in a picture and I will tell you if you have a squash or a grape. Ha, Ha!

How should I store my squash?

Bag Lady: Once you have your lovely squash harvested simply place them in a cool place i.e. root cellar. Remember to keep them off of the cement. We store ours in our unfinished basement where the temperature hovers around 40-60 degrees year round. I just lay wood boards on the cement floor and place the squash on the boards. Some people recommend hanging the squash in netting. I haven't found the need to do so.

Can I can squash?

Bag Lady: I have never canned squash because it's low acidity level lends itself to food borne illnesses such as botulism. I have frozen my winter squash and it becomes watery, so I use it for soups and sauces or pies.

The endless varieties of squash are so overwhelming! How do I find a variety I want to grow?

Bag Lady: If you find new varieties of squash in the store that you would like to try growing, simply scrape out the seeds and allow them to dry for two- four weeks on a paper plate. After they are dry, place the seeds in a cool dark place and they will be ready for next year's planting. You should never need to buy squash seeds again.

So, I've got a bunch of squash...now what?

Bag Lady: Try my delicious Butternut Squash Cheesecake!

Butternut Squash Cheesecake

1 1/2 cups gingersnap crumbs
1/3 cup chopped nuts of choice
1/3 cup melted butter
2- 8 oz. pkg cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup butternut squash puree
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup ground nutmeg

In a bowl, combine crumbs, nuts and butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. In another bowl combine cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Remove 1 cup of the batter. Add remaining sugar, squash, and spices to remaining batter, mix well. Alternately layer squash and cream cheese batters in baked crust. Cut through the batters with a knife several times for a marbled effect. Bake at 350 for 55 minutes. Cool before removing pan collar. Serve chilled.

There you have it friends, the ins and outs, the ups and downs, the seeds and strings of squash! If you have any other questions (or are still trying to decide if you have a squash or a grape) send us a comment or email. You know we'll respond. Good luck with all your Thanksgiving preparations. If you're one of those that hates pumpkin pie (like myself) maybe you should give squash cheesecake a try!

Lemon Sour Cream Pie

The Bag Lady has been baking up a storm this week. Sunday was her dad's b-day, so we all made the journey for a surprise party. It was fun, this surprise actually worked, he jumped about a foot in the air! The Bag Lady's papa is a master baker, well known throughout the baking industry, so when we were asked to bring dessert it was no small task. Ironically enough, Grampy doesn't eat sweets, but he does enjoy tart flavors.

This pie is delectable. The sour cream makes it smooth and creamy without being heavy. It's a custardy delight with a satin finish. The lemon gives a refreshing zing, perfect for a spring or summer gathering. In fact, it was so good, that Grampy had TWO slices. Now that's saying something.

Lemon Sour Cream Pie

One pre-baked pie crust
1 cup granulated sugar
3 Tbl corn starch
1 cup milk
3 egg yolks
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 cup sour cream

In a medium sauce pan mix sugar and corn starch. Add milk and stir until smooth. Add egg yolks and whisk over medium heat, bringing to a slow boil. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add butter and lemon. Cool to room temperature. When cool stir in sour cream. Pour custard into baked pie shell and refrigerate for 6-8 hours.

Chocolate Decadence

The Bag-ette successfully commandeered the kitchen with some delectable results. Behold, "THE FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE!" Indeed.


My obsession with chocolate torte developed in the past few months. There is a quaint little Mexican restaurant that we like to frequent. The Bag Lady is rather partial to the fish tacos, whereas I'm more committed to the pork ones. The tacos are particularly lovely because they are not made with those nasty, crunchy, processed, corn things. Homemade flour tortillas are lightly crisped to retain their shape when filled with all manner of good things, yet the shell stays slightly chewy. It brings a new definition to the word "taco." Forgive me, I digress, this post is about dessert. The flourless chocolate torte is to die for. It is a creamy, decadent, rich, positively sinful concoction. It caresses the tongue as it gently melts into silkiness, inducing a cocoa coma which can only be cured by another bite.

I had been pondering a reproduction for some time but had not yet attempted the feat. Then it happened! To my utmost joy and wonder I was looking through a magazine and the heavens opened! I heard an angelic chorus! There it was, a base recipe for me to begin my experiments. Here is what I came up with. Although I am still a dedicated fan of my restaurant's version, this was highly satisfactory.

Flourless Chocolate Torte

8 eggs cold
1 pound Semisweet Chocolate
1 Cup butter

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees, coat springform pan with nonstick cooking spray (or in my case more butter--it tastes better). Wrap pan's bottom and side with foil to prevent water bath from seeping into pan. Boil a pot of water.

2. Beat eggs with hand mixer on high, until they have doubled in volume.

3. Combine chocolate and butter and heat until melted. Fold eggs into chocolate mixture in 3 additions until fully mixed.

4. Pour mixture into springform pan. Place pan in a large roasting pan in oven. Pour boiling water into roasting pan to come half way up side of springform pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 40-47 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. DO NOT OVERBAKE!!! You will end up with a dry, crumbly, disgusting mess.

5. Remove cake to a wire rack and cool completely. Garnish as desired. Chill leftovers.

*Ok, I made a few modifications. I used a little over a pound of chocolate. Since I like a very dark chocolate torte, I used a mixture of Guittard semi sweet chips and baking chocolate. It was lovely. Also, if you don't want to mess with wrapping your pan in foil (which I didn't) simply place your springform pan in another pan. Then place that pan into the roasting pan and pour the water into the roasting pan. The pan in the middle will protect the torte from water seepage, while still allowing the necessary steam action to take place. The magazine suggested garnishing with powdered sugar, I thought that was pansy and went for caramel and crushed oreos. My Mexican restaurant uses chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and strawberries. Beautiful.


This is an absolutely perfect dessert for a birthday, Valentines Day, or any day that has a name which ends in the letter "Y". I think I will be trying a white chocolate version with a tangy raspberry sauce next. It would seem that Momma isn't the only mad culinary scientist.