Happy 4th of July! These are by far my favorite pops from our “Popsicle Week” adventures. How can you possibly not love anything that looks like a rocket ship?! And they’re green to boot, although I’m quite sure that real aliens probably don’t taste like pistachios. Using these Rocket Pop molds really made me wish that someone sold a popsicle tray Tardis. I think the Doctor would approve of Blueberry Tardis Pops, don’t you?

Pistachio Pudding Pops
Adapted from Krystina Castella’s new book: Pops! Icy Treats for Everyone published by Quirk Books.
Variations of additional Pudding Pops can be found at IcyPops.com

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups milk (Note: Do yourself a favor and use whole milk)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups shelled pistachios
Green food coloring

In a food processor or blender, grind 3/4 cup of the nuts to a paste. (Note: I couldn’t get my pistachios to form a paste without adding a teaspoon or two of water).

In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, and salt.

Add the milk and pistachios and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat as soon as the mixture thickens. (Note: This took approximately 12 minutes for me on a gas stove).

Stir in the butter until melted. Add the vanilla. Let cool in refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Add 3 drops green food coloring and mix with a spoon to combine.

Pour into the pop molds. Insert the sticks. Freeze for at least 8 hours.

Remove from the freezer. Let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before removing the pops from the molds. (Note: Be gentle! I found that running the molds under warm water also helped to neatly loosen them).

Do any of you use Twitter? Because I love it and would like nothing more than to follow you. If you aren’t familiar with the Twitter phenomenon than please check out this fabulous video: Twitter in Plain English.

Engadget is reporting that HGTV and The Food Network will begin simulcasting in HD on March 31. Obviously this is great news for HD snobs like me (and probably you too). I hate that they only show reruns on the current Food Network HD Feed. Not that I don’t enjoy old Dave Lieberman episodes in high definition, but it would be nice if it mimicked the actual channel.

Kotaku has posted an early trailer for the upcoming Iron Chef America game that is being created for the Wii. Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine will be released this summer and will definitely include the voice talents of the “esteemed” chairman. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that Alton Brown will be included in some way as well.

Madeline discovered that Rachael Ray has released her own line of stocks. These cooking staples, cutely called “Stock-in-a-Box,” are available in both chicken and beef flavor.

Ned Batchelder made a rocking Doctor Who cake for his son Max’s 16th birthday. There are marshmallow Daleks and even a brownie K-9. So Ned, my birthday is in June…do I place my order with you now?

Hold the phone! Two of my favorite things, Nigella Lawson and Christmas, are being combined into one. Random House is scheduled to release “Nigella’s Christmas” in October. I think this year’s holiday party will definitely have to be an all Nigella affair.

Risa Green, author of the adorable book Notes from the Underbelly writes about a common problem that I’m sure a lot of moms have on a daily basis. How do you get your kid to eat something besides dessert? Risa apparently read some extremly helpful books and now she’s working on ways to “de-fetishize” sweets with her daughter. It sounds like she’s having good luck so far. Also, if you don’t already, than you should definitely be watching the ABC sitcom version of Notes from the Underbelly. Especially since it stars one of my favorite actresses, Jennifer Westfeldt.

Top 5 Recipes I’m Dying to Try this Week (If food didn’t have calories etc…)
Lauren’s Lasagna Rolls with Three Mushrooms, Four Cheeses and Sage Bechamel at Burghilicious
Allen’s Blond(e) Ambition Cookies at Eating Out Loud
Ashley’s Earl Grey White Chocolate Chunk Muffins at Eat Me Delicious
Rachel’s Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cupcakes with Butterscotch Buttercream Frosting at Rachel’s Bite. Even though CK thinks Mayonnaise baked goods are “gross.”
Amy’s Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Gravy at Nook & Pantry

After work yesterday I went to The Pru to meet Chris and pick up a half priced calendar at Barnes and Noble and some cute Bachelorette party invites from Papyrus for my cousin Amanda’s wedding. Of course an hour later I’d spent much more than I’d intended after hitting the Victoria’s Secret Sale. Then I topped off my shopping splurge by picking up some heavenly smelling Peppermint Soap and a Slow Cooker cookbook at Williams-Sonoma. But what really caught my eye were these vintage inspired football plates and glasses. Too bad I’m partied out. These would be perfect for a Superbowl Soiree. Maybe I’ll feel up to that sort of challenge in a week or two.

Rumor has it that there’s an Iron Chef America game in the works for the Wii. Hopefully it will be more fun and challenging than Cooking Mama, which generally holds my interest for all of 5 minutes. Wouldn’t it cool if they actually had Alton Brown in the game? Or even better, what if you could actually play as Mario Batali complete with Crocs? I’d definitely be up for that!

More awesome Doctor Who crafts are popping up all over the place. Boing Boing pointed out some adorable fudge based pastel studded Dalek Cupcakes. It’s pretty tough to take those nasty guys seriously when they’re 80% Marshmallow Fluff and covered in M&M’s. Maybe it’s time for some Torchwood baked goods? Time Lord Tiramisu? Owen’s Osso Buco? I’ll have to think about that.

We have evil “Shovel Men” at our apartment. They are in league with the “Crack of Dawn” commuters. Ever since it started snowing in Boston our apartment complex hired a team of men to keep the walkways, courtyard, and driveways clear. I truly do appreciate their dedication. What I don’t appreciate is that they have a shift at 3:00 AM. In two weeks I’ve been woken up numerous times to the “harmonious” sounds of loud pounding, digging, and salt spreading. Now, if the “Shovel Men” are in hibernation for the evening than without a doubt the “Crack of Dawn” commuters will start scraping their windshields at 6:00 AM. I’m ready to move into our spare room for the winter.

Anyway, I’ve been up since around 3:30 AM and I’m now sick of trying to watch “A Walsh Family Christmas” on YouTube, so I decided to cook something. It had to be brainless and quick; something that didn’t involve any frantic KitchenAid noise. My mom’s Peanut Brittle seemed like the way to go. This crunchy treat is created completely in the microwave and it takes less than 10 minutes to make from start to finish (not including cooling time). You’re going to freak when you try it.

In my sleep deprived state I’m kind of nutty myself (thankfully I’m on vacation) so we’re going to call this dish: Mummy’s Microwave Peanut Brittle. Except when I read “Mummy” I think of that Doctor Who episode where a creepy child wanders around London eerily inquiring to everyone it meets, “Are you my mummy?” See…I told you I was a little off today.

Mix	Microwave
Meanwhile: Butter	Add Vanilla & Butter
Microwave Again	Add Baking Soda
Pour & Swirl	Are You My Mummy’s Brittle?

Mummy’s Microwave Peanut Brittle

1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Light Corn Syrup
1 Cup Peanuts
1/8 Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

In a microwave safe bowl, stir together the sugar, syrup, salt, and peanuts.

Microwave the mixture on High for 5 minutes and 30 seconds. Be careful! The bowl may be very hot. Use pot holders when moving it in and out of the microwave.

Gently stir in the tablepoon of butter and the teaspoon of vanilla.

Microwave again for 30 seconds.

Stir in the teaspoon of baking soda (do not be alarmed, the mixture will thicken and change color) and quickly pour onto a buttered cookie sheet. Tilt the pan to spread. Note: It will not cover the entire sheet.

Cool completely. Break into pieces and share with a friend (maybe The Doctor if he shows up in his Tardis).

I was feeling a little guilty last night after after realizing that I had essentially missed all of the donation opportunities that have been going around my workplace when I remembered that the Menu For Hope is still underway. After scanning the prize list I set my sights on the two night culinary class and dining package being offered from The Essex Inn. You all know how I feel about Vermont, but If you want to “steal” my chance at a free romantic getaway or bid on any number of other really fabulous and exciting prizes, then you should definitely get your credit card in hand and check out the Menu for Hope. Tis the season to give!

On Christmas night, the Doctor Who Christmas Special will air guest starring Kylie Minogue (don’t worry I’ll find some way to watch it) and in celebration I may have to channel some serious Ghosts of Martha Stewart past and whip up these Dalek Cupcakes or a Gingerbread Tardis. Exterminate!

I so wanted to buy this adorable Sushi Play Set for someone, but I don’t have any friends with babies who are quite old enough yet. Next year though every last one of your kids are going to get this. Be prepared. I mean, seriously!? How could you not want to play with something that comes with wasabi?