Our Family Blog and Chocolate Pudding on the Go

 Darla and I have decided that we need a family blog to share recipes. This is a family of great cooks! We need a way to share that connection.  We're hoping that everyone in our family will add to this interactive blog. Add your recipes and tell us any stories that might be connected with them. Did Grandmama make this? Was this something you had at a church fellowship meal? Is this your kid's favorite snack? Let us know! If all you want to do is post the recipe, that's fine too, although we may be asking you about it. Let's have fun with this and see where we go with it. Photos are great, by the way. We love seeing them. 

There are a LOT of memories connected with this photo. We were living in Raleigh and Darla came with part of her little family to visit. This was taken the day my grandson was born, prematurely, on the opposite coast. Munchkin # 1 was staying with me while her new little brother was entering the world. This photo is of her cousin digging into the chocolate pudding we had just made. This recipe is fast, easy, and makes a hot chocolate pudding. Jason, Brad, and Drew - you grew up on this. We added lots of almond extract and a dollop of Cool Whip to top it off.  The recipe below has been formulated to be put in 4 Zip-Loc bags and kept on the shelf until you want a serving of hot pudding. It takes less than 2 minutes and all you add is water and flavoring and Cool Whip!)

                          Hot Chocolate Pudding to Go
In each of 4 Zip-Loc bags, put 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup instant non-fat dry milk, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (the non-sweetened type for baking), and a dash of salt.  Set aside until you need a chocolate fix!
When you're ready for some hot pudding, just dump the contents of one bag in a microwave safe pan or other container (large enough for a little expansion) and add 3/4 cup water. Stir it well and microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. (My microwave is newer and more powerful than the older ones. If your microwave is old, you may need to go a little longer.) Take it out and stir it well. I add in about 1/2 tablespoon of butter and some almond extract, but you don't have to do this. You can also put a dollop of Cool Whip or whipped cream on top.
Enjoy!        Linda