Munchies Monday

Today was a special day at work.  Nicole, who worked for us during the summer, stopped in for a minute to say hi since she’s home from school for the Christmas break.  She even brought us some Oreo and cream cheese balls.  They were super scrumptious.  We added them to our table full of munchies (I brought in all the left over treats from the goodie bags we took to the neighbors).  It was so good to see Nicole again and I hope she’ll come back to work for us in the summer.

We wanted to have a little party in the office before everyone took off for the holiday.  Also, we wanted to have a going away party for Michelle, but she ended up getting sick today.  And sorry, Michelle, but we partied anyways.  Bill brought in his chicken (on the right) and it’s like the Alice Spring’s chicken at Outback but even better.  It was absolutely succulent and sinfully good.  We also had green been casserole (on the left) and mashed potatoes and rolls and drinks.

After eating our lunch and letting it digest for a while, it was time for dessert.  Alison brought in some fantastic and fabulous flan.  Kristin brought in some White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Pie.  I can’t even begin to describe how heavenly this pie was.  It was like eating a sweet and light and fluffy cloud that just melted in your mouth.  She was kind enough to share the recipe, which I have posted below.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Pie

Ganache:
3/4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c heavy whipping cream

Filling:
6 1/2 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/3 c sugar
1/3 c heavy whipping cream
plus 3/4 c heavy whipping cream (whipped)
6 1/2 1 oz squares white baking chocolate (melted)
2/3 c roasted and chopped macadamia nuts

Garnish:
1 1/2 c heavy whipping cream
1/4 c powdered sugar
1 or 2 oz chopped macadamia nuts

For the ganache: place cream and chocolate chips in a glass blow over a pan of boiling water (or use a double boiler).  Melt over medium heat.  Cool and set aside.

For the filling: beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Scrape bowl w/ spatula and mix in 1/3 c cream.  Add melted white chocolate and nuts and mix until incorporated.  Fold in the 3/4 c whipped cream.  Spread into pie shell and freeze.

To finish: warm ganache in microwave for 10 seconds.  Pour over frozen pie.  Beat cream and powdered sugar until it forms stiff peaks.  Place in a piping bag and pipe entire top of pie.  Sprinkle w/ chopped nuts and shave a little bitter sweet chocolate over the top.  DEVOUR!

It was a nice and relaxing day and we all stuffed 0urselves full w/ all of the incredible food.  I wanted to thank all the ladies in the office for all the awesome and hard work they’ve done this year.  I put together these little gift baskets.  I got the felt baskets at Target and then I had them each choose a lotion from Bath & Body Works, a chocolate truffle from Utah Truffles, and a glass pendant tile that I had made.  I love giving gifts and letting people know how much I appreciate them.  I really am so lucky to work at such a great place w/ such great people.  We all get along really well and all do our jobs well.  It makes life so much easier and enjoyable when you like the people you work with.