How to Make Brazilian Brigadeiro Chocolate Truffle

Do you want to WOW your family and guests this Holiday Season? How about treating them with a decadent Brazilian chocolate dessert? 

Brigadeiro (BREE-GA-DEY-RO) is a popular soft chocolate sweet made with condensed milk, powdered chocolate (or cocoa), and butter. It's common at Brazilian parties, from birthdays to Christmas, and even weddings! If you ask Brazilians about brigadeiro, they will tell you how amazing and delicious it is! 

Brigadeiro comes from a presidential candidate in Brazil in the 1940s named Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes. His wife would make this chocolate fudge sweet and serve it at parties as part of a fundraising campaign. The guests loved the treat and started asking for it at events: “Where's the Brigadeiro chocolate sweet? Can we have more of Brigadeiro's chocolate candy?" Since then, brigadeiro became a sensation throughout the whole country! 

I make brigadeiro pretty often in my house and everybody who tries it (husband's family, sons' friends and teachers, co-workers and friends), loves it!

While the brigadeiro recipe is simple and easy, it can be tricky to get the perfect consistency. No worries! My son and I created a how to video with a simple step-by-step guide and a few tips, so you can make a perfect brigadeiro dessert to WOW your guests! 
Here's the video:

This article is part of Nestlé Hispanic Holiday campaign, #JuntosConNestlé, so we're going to use La Lechera condensed milk, which is available at Walmart  stores. 

My son and I had a blast making this video! 😃 The fun part about brigadeiro is that you can get your kids involved in the cooking and decorating process! We hope you enjoy this video, and let us know how your brigadeiro turned out!

Here's the recipe: 

Brigadeiro

Serving: 9-20 (based on size) Total Time: 25min

Prep Time: 5min Cook Time: 15min

Ingredients

• 1 can of Nestlé La Lechera (sweetened condensed milk)

• 6 tbsp of Nestlé Nesquick chocolate powder 

• 2 tbsp of unsalted butter

• chocolate sprinkles

• non-stick pan

• wooden spoon

• mini baking cups

Cooking Instructions

• Set stove on medium heat

• Put 2 tbsp of unsalted butter in a non-stick pan

• Add a whole can of Nestlé La Lechera condensed milk into the pan

• Add 6 tbsp of Nestlé Nesquick chocolate powder chocolate into the pan

• Stir with the wooden spoon for about 15 minutes. Don't leave the pan unattended 

• Brigadeiro is ready when it starts leaving the pan (the video will show this!)

• When your brigadeiro is ready, remove from the stove and stir it for a few seconds

• Take the pot to the freezer for about 5 min

• If the pot is too big, transfer brigadeiro into a container and put it in the freezer

• You want it nice and creamy before you roll it into balls

• To make the balls, spread a little bit of butter on your hands 

• Using a spoon, scoop some brigadeiro, and using your hands roll it into a ball

• Roll the ball in the chocolate sprinkles to cover it completely

• Place finished brigadeiro into a banking cup and roll some more

• Makes between 10 to 20 brigadeiros, depending on the size of mini baking cups

• Enjoy!😋

*Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Nestlé. All opinions are my own.

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"Berry" Your Sweet Cravings With This Simple, Easy Snack!

It's 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and your stomach is growling embarrassingly loud! You're getting so hungry that the last stale donut left on the table in the lounge looks like a million dollar dessert. Or, the cookies in the pantry you swore you wouldn't touch, since they're for your kids' lunch, are now on the endangered species list. Perhaps the ice-cream in the freezer reserved for surprise guests or special occasions, now changes to reserved for your "not-so-welcome" hungry tummy guest.

So, caving to your cravings, you go ahead and eat them! It might taste amazing at first, but 30 minutes later, you notice you're hungry again, tired, and moody. Why? While these sweet snacks might seem like a good idea at first, they lack the satisfying nutrition your body actually needs!

Instead of going for the first empty calorie snack you see in front of you, make plans ahead of time and opt for a healthy snack full of protein, simple carbs, and healthy fats. It will boost your concentration, provide energy, and keep you fuller, longer!

This snack recipe is really simple, quick, and easy to prep! You can store everything in a container, leave in the fridge, and grab when you need it! Plus, did I mention it's absolutely delicious?

It's composed of berries, greek yogurt, nuts, and a drizzle of raw honey. That's it!

Berries will help provide you with some of the quick energy you need, plus they're full of antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and vitamins, such as C, B, and K. Greek yogurt has protein, which is good for your focus. It also has calcium, vitamin B-12, and probiotics, which contributes to a healthy gut.

Almonds contain healthy fats that will satiate your hunger. Besides keeping your tummy happy, almonds have vitamin E, which is great for your skin and helps to regulate hormones!

Raw honey is a natural energy source, antioxidant, and a great substitute for sugar!

What you need:

• 1 cup of 2% fat greek yogurt 
• 1/2 cup of strawberries
• 1/3 cup of blueberries
• 1/4 cup of blackberries
• 12-15 almonds (chopped)
• 1 Tbsp raw honey 

How to prepare:

• Wash your berries (strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries) thoroughly with water
• Remove the strawberry stems and slice the strawberries in half
• Add strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries in a bowl
• Top the berries with greek yogurt 
• Chop the almonds (*tip: place them on a cutting board, take a knife, place the tip of the knife on the board, above the nuts, and slice the almonds in a "paper cutter" motion, from up to down. Keep slicing the almonds until they are all chopped)
• Sprinkle almond pieces on top of the yogurt
• Drizzle honey on top
• Enjoy!😊

Iced Lemon Waffle

Who is hungry for waffles? How about a waffle topped with a bright and citrusy, sweet and zesty lemon glaze? Sounds amazing, right?

This light and fresh lemon glaze recipe is simple, quick, and easy! Your family will love a new twist on waffles and will definitely ask for more!

All you need for the lemon glaze is 1 can of condensed milk, lemon juice from 2 lemons, and lemon zest! That's it! Simple as that! The trick is in the lemon juice. As you add lemon juice to the condensed milk, it will thicken. Continuing to stir, it turns into a beautiful, creamy glaze.

It's unbelievable on top of waffles, pancakes, cakes, and even fruit salads!

Hope you enjoy this recipe! Here's a video on how to make it:

Here's the recipe:

Iced Lemon Waffle

Serving: 3-4 (based on size)  Total Time: 25min

Prep Time: 10min Cook Time: 15min

Ingredients:

Waffles

• 2 cups Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Lemon Glaze

• lemon juice from 2 lemons (drained, without seeds)
• 1 tsp of lemon zest
• 1 can of condensed milk
• 1 lemon to use to garnish

Cooking Instructions:

Lemon Glaze

• *Prepare lemon glaze first, before cooking waffles
• Add 1 can of condensed milk into a bowl
• Add lemon juice slowly into the bowl with condensed milk 
• Stir until it starts to thicken
• Lemon juice will thicken the condensed milk and turn into a glaze
• Add the lemon zest and stir 

Waffles

• Blend all waffle ingredients together in a bowl (pancake mix, water, egg, and oil)
• Grease waffle iron with vegetable oil (*tip: use a cooking brush to brush oil on the waffle iron)
• Preheat waffle iron
• Cook waffles until golden brown
• Set waffles onto a plate
• Drizzle lemon glaze on top of waffles and garnish with lemon (see video to learn how to make an easy lemon garnish)
• *Tip: Squeeze fresh lemon juice from the garnish over the glaze just before eating for an extra pop!
• Eat and enjoy! 😋

No (Wo)man Left Behind: Completing My First Spartan Race Super in Hawaii

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Arriving not long after sunrise, I’m ready to race my first Spartan Super, roughly 8 miles long with 25 obstacles. Looking around the Kualoa Ranch on Oahu, Hawaii, I am in awe at the breathtaking mountain ridges featured in many movies like Jurassic Park and Kong: Skull Island. Joining me are 24 other women in the elite heat, ready to charge into challenges, dirt, pain, and victory. The excitement is palpable as we hear the inspiring pre-race speech: “Look at the Spartans on your right and your left. You will draw strength from them, as they will draw strength from you. You will not let them fail!” These words seem magical! They seal our common purpose to overcome together and bind us into a family of warriors. Yes, we’re competing, but we’re also encouraging and inspiring each other! I experienced this powerful camaraderie when two selfless Spartan women wouldn’t let me fail. 

After our battle cry, “Aroo! Aroo! Aroo!” we take off running. The two top racers, Rea Kolbl and Alyssa Hawley, take off like they’re being chased by velociraptors. I splash into the creek, alternating between jogging and swimming. Rounding the creek-bend, I see the two top elite women for the last time. Wow, they’re fast! I learned later they beat the top elite men’s time! I dash out of the creek and see the 7ft wall. When I reach the wall, I grab the top, do a muscle-up, and swing my legs over. I’m feeling great and think, “Wow, I’m still in the lead group!” Little did I know that my euphoria was about to suffer a Kong-sized hammer fist! 

I arrive at the Atlas Carry. Rookie mistake #1: I grab the first Atlas stone I see; not realizing it’s the men’s. “Dang! This is heavy!” I carry it halfway to the flag before I see a woman carrying a lighter one. I quickly turn to look back and twist my ankle! “Crap!” I double back and switch stones, return to the flag, do my 5 burpees on just one leg, and complete the obstacle. I feel less pain now, so I pick up the pace again. I reach the Bucket Brigade, a grueling obstacle!Rookie mistake #2: I don’t notice the holes at 2/3 and completely fill the bucket instead. I’m focused on carrying this overfull bucket up the hill. It’s killing my back while returning downhill, but I still manage to stick my tongue out while passing the photographer. He laughs.

Halfway through, my ankle is sore, but I keep running. I make the 8ft wall, fail the spear throw (30 burpees penalty), and succeed on the Hercules Hoist. Then, just when I settle into a good running pace, I roll the same ankle again! The pain is excruciating! Almost in tears, I try to stand but fail, so I’m forced to sit. Two athletes, Stacie and Elizabeth, see me in distress. Learning I have a sprained ankle, Elizabeth extends her hand saying, “Put your arm around my shoulders; I’ll help you walk.” I tell them I don’t want to ruin their race. “Nah, I need a break,” Elizabeth says. “I did the Beast yesterday and could use some rest.” These two awesome women didn’t have to pause their races to help me. Elizabeth walks with me until I tell her to go on. They’d let the volunteers know I need help. That’s the meaning of not letting your fellow racers fail. Forever respect and thanks!

My ankle hurts like hell; I drag my foot like a zombie. I stop at the Twister and ask for medics. The volunteer radios them and offers me a chair and water. While I wait, other racers go by, and some cheer me up. The nurse wraps my ankle. She asks if I’m going to continue. I say yes, but in my head, “I will crawl, if I have to! I will finish!”

Six obstacles remain. I’m resolute about getting my trifecta goal. I feel confident with my ankle wrapped. Too confident. As I speed up to finish strong, guess what, I roll my ankle yet again! AHHH! I sit down on a log and cry. Not sure if that’s more from pain or frustration. Another volunteer hurries over to check on me. “How much farther?” I ask. He replies, “Just a few more obstacles, and you’re done!” Olympus is the next obstacle; I have to keep my feet against the wall, ignore the pain and alternate between holds and holes. I ring the bell! Done! Climb over the Bridge, four more! Grit and grip strength to beat the Multi-Rig and Rope Climb! Digging deep to conquer the Inverted Wall, and finally, the Fire Jump with a perfect “zombie lurch” finish! With a hefty clank, the Super trifecta piece and medal feel amazing together around my neck. As I’m leaving, there’s Elizabeth, and I hug her! I hope to see her and Stacie at future races. Next race, I’ll emulate their example: I won’t let my fellow racers fail, and no woman left behind!