Mini S'mores Pies

There are certain foods that are must haves during the summer, and I think s'mores is definitely on that list. But if your weather has been anything like we've been experiencing in the DC metro area, you probably aren't barbecuing. Rain, rain, go away! So instead try these individual s'mores pies.

Graham Cracker Crust

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 dry milk powder
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 stick of butter melted
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

1. Toss the dry ingredients together with your hands until completely mixed. Combine butter and heavy cream then pour over dry ingredients and mix with your hands until the mixture holds together.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees,

3. Coat muffin tin with nonstick spray and press in graham cracker crumbs to make a cup shape.

4. Bake for 5-7 minutes until golden.

5. Run a knife carefully around the edges to loosen and then turn over on to a cooling rack.

Pudding Filling

Ingredients:

• 1 box My T Fine chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups milk

Follow the directions on the box!

Fill the graham cracker cups with pudding and chill to set. Then top with mini marshmallows....here's the fun part: get out your kitchen torch and have at it! Warning: marshmallows are highly flammable so you might have to blow out a small fire.

Truffled Farro Salad

Being the resident foodie at work, people tend to ask me what I'm having for lunch. One day I had a conversation that went a little something like this:

"What are you eating?"

"Farro"

"Pharaoh?"

"No..."

vs

Ingredients

• 1 cup farro
• Handful of arugula
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms (a variety of wild mushrooms would be delish)
• 2 tbs butter
• 1 tbs truffle oil
• 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 bunch asparagus
• dried thyme
• 1 medium onion
• 1/4 cup parmesan chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• handful of walnuts
• salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat oven 350.

Place farro in a pot and fill with cold water until covered by 1-2 inches. After 20 minutes drain the farro.

Add the same amount of water back to the pot and add a dash of salt. Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer, covered, for 25 minutes. If there is any leftover water after cooking you will need to drain.

While the farro is cooking cut asparagus spears on the bias in thirds. Toss with enough olive oil to coat and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake asparagus on a foil lined baking sheet for 15-20 minutes, stirring once or twice until tender.

Slice mushrooms, but not too thinly. Think 4-5 pieces for a larger cremini. Chop the onion.

Heat 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil in a pan on medium and cook the onion for 3 minutes. In a bowl mix your mushrooms with the truffle oil, then add to the pan with the butter. Cook for 5-10 minutes then sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper. Make sure you don't cook the mushrooms for too long. You want them tender but still with body.

Remove from heat and cool in a bowl. Add cooked asparagus.

Place farro into a mixing bowl and add your arugula. When you mix it in, the arugula should wilt. Set aside to cool.

When farro and vegetables reach room temperature, you can combine them.

Add cheese and parsley then mix.

Toast handful walnut halves in your mushroom pan to toast, chop, and top each serving.

Shout out to my hunnie for inventing this one!!