Hi folks. I am so sorry I have been so M.I.A. lately. I wish it was some exotic excuse like I ran off with Timpothy Oliphant or something like that. Sadly the truth is I've been sick. And busy. Too busy for a sick person. Too sick for a busy person. Apparently delirious as well as I'm not even making sense to my dang self at this point. Anyhoo as my sis says, I am on the mend so I'll be soon stalking all you other bloggers as per usual I'm sure.
So this fudge is part of Mom's Crazy Cooking's monthly fun-fest. I joined them again in the Crazy Cooking Challenge. Our challenge this month was to find a fudge from another blog and make it. I knew I wanted to do chocolate. I knew I wanted to do pistachio. And of course pistachio to me has to come accompanied by dried cherries. It's a given at this point. I know you're all rolling your eyes. Kim and her dang pistachios. Her dang cherries. But I showed restraint people. I did not, I repeat, I did not throw coconut in it. I wanted to, but I held back. So see, I can be restrained. Just ask the people at the hospital, they'll tell ya.
I wandered about the Internet highway cruising around looking at fudge, at pistachio fudge, at everything fudge. There was a dark chocolate one from Nigella that kept popping up. I am not a fan of dark chocolate though so that was out and wiped half the fudge off the list. I scrolled around, looked at a bunch and all of a sudden I happened on a fellow blogger who I adore. There it was...pistachio fudge. Not just any pistachio fudge but one from "Simply Reem". I had found my fudge and I had found it from a blogger who I love. It's like the stars aligned for me. So this is me making Reem's fudge and telling you all you should go check this lady out. She is super sweet and an amazing cook. You will thank me I promise you.
The only thing I changed was adding dried cherries. The rest of the recipe I followed the way Reem did it. I don't follow recipes often so this is a real testament to her. It turned out wonderfully. I had a minor snafu of a wet bottom, (the recipe, not me, ew!) but that was totally my fault. I soaked the cherries in water for a bit before adding them and I should not have. I also wet my parchment which I do often but probably should not for fudge. So I think the wet bottom issue (ew!) was my fault and had nothing to do with the recipe.
Okay so without further ado, or talk of weird things, here you go.
Ingredients
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate
- ½ cup pistachios shelled and chopped
- ½ cup dried cherries
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 can 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Shell and chop your nuts. Set aside.
- Line an 8 inch pan with parchment paper.
- Combine your chocolate, sweetened condensed milk and butter in a heat proof glass bowl and place over top of a saucepan with simmering water on the stove. I found keeping the stove at a medium-low setting worked for me.
- Stir frequently until your chocolate melts.
- Keep stirring until it is smooth. It will also feel thick.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and add your pistachios and dried cherries, and also your vanilla. Mix well.
- Now pour the mixture into the pan and smooth it out.
- Let it cool to room temperature.
- Now stick it in the fridge for a couple of hours.
- Once it is set you can remove it and cut into squares.
- Serve with a smile.
Yup, flipping awesome. Think it might not last till Christmas. Thanks to Tina at Mom's Crazy Cooking for hosting the Crazy Cooking Challenge. For anyone interested in joining please feel free to get ahold of her. It's a fun group and I always enjoy participating. Also I hope you stop by Simply Reem and check out her blog.
Toodles and smoochies.xx
Tina
I want some of this fudgey goodness-pistachio and cherry are a yummy combo! I know that there is a thick piece in that group that has my name on it, so watch which pieces you eat! Have a great day Kim!
CONCON
I'm glad you're on the mend! This fudge looks DELISH! I made it once and it turned out grainy so I just depend on my sister to make it every year and I snatch it up. I may have to try this recipe, tho. 🙂
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Aww.. I hope you get well soon! I've been under the weather myself lately. Blah!
Bet those delicious fudge would make up for all those unwell days 🙂
Tina (PinayInTexas)
Wow, all the entries look good...but I must say that for me, your Pistacherrio Fudge is the most stunning!!!
Hope you're feeling a lot better...
Dara
Kim - you are speaking my language! Fudge, pistachios and cherries? Hellz Yeah. Great recipe.
Corina
I love pistachios and cherries - great choice!
ButterYum
I can't pronounce it, but I want to eat it!! Love the flavors. I hope you'll stop by and see my CCC post for Bailey's Irish Cream and Pistachio Fudge.
🙂
ButterYum
http://butteryum.blogspot.com/2011/12/baileys-irish-cream-and-pistachio-fudge.html
Curry and Comfort
I still remember the first time I ever tasted fudge at my best friend's house during Christmas vacation... I was in high school. Yes, I was a late bloomer when it came to indulging in this delicious treat. I have been a fudge fanatic ever since. I love the combo you have here with pistachio and cherry. Perfect! Glad to year you're on the mend. 🙂
movita beaucoup
I, too, am sick. And I think what you're telling me is: eat fudge. It will heal you.
So, I will eat fudge.
Chels
Wow- I like that flavor combo too! Looks beautiful and I bet it tasted even better!
Magic of Spice
I adore Reem 🙂 The fudge looks fantastic! Too funny about the coconut 🙂
Glad you are starting to feel better 🙂
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
My husband would absolutely LOVE this!! He is obsessed with pistachio's! What a great fudge recipe. Thanks!
Rebecca from Chow and Chatter
great fudge and hope your all better now
Simply Life
mmm...I love this idea for fudge! looks delicious!
Cucina49
I'm not a huge fudge fan, but you could definitely sell me on fudge with cherries and pistachios!
Kiri W.
Holy moley, that looks like absolutely to die for rich, creamy fudge. Plus I've already harped on about how much I love pistachios, so you get extra points!
anne
My all-time fave combo ! Give me some please ! ;D
janet@fromcupcakestocaviar
Oooo, I make fudge every year for Christmas and this look delish, twin! Now if I could just figure out how the heck to pronounce it 😛
Lo-mo
I am in love with this cherry/nutty/fudgey goodness!!!! I may even have some of the ingredients on hand....
Ann
YAY! Fudge! Kim this looks absolutely amazing and what a great combination to use! I don't often indulge in fudge, but I just love the stuff...this is beautiful! (and your pictures are FAB!)