Easy Whipped Cream-Style Frosting

This is kind of an odd little recipe that my friend Chelsea sent me out of curiosity to try.  It's odd because it has a very unexpected ingredient - flour.  At the end of the day, this makes a very nice whipped cream-style frosting.  The blogger who originally posted it (tastykitchen.com) called it the best frosting she'd ever had.  I wouldn't go that far, but I really enjoyed this chocolate and vanilla combo, and I don't usually enjoy a chocolate cake with white frosting.  Try it out for yourself - I welcome any comments or feedback that you might have!  It is certainly a nice departure from my usual icing "go-to's".

EASY WHIPPED CREAM-STYLE FROSTING

Recipe Notes

Credit to tastykitchen.com for this interesting (and tasty) recipe.

Ingredients

• 5 tbsp. flour
• 1 c. milk (I used 2%)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 c. butter (use the real thing, for sure)
• 1 c. granulated sugar (definitely don't use powdered sugar here by mistake!)

Instructions

1.  Bake your favorite chocolate cake per instructions and allow to cool.

2.  In a small saucepan, whisk flour and milk, stirring constantly until thickened.  Author's note: you will want the consistency to be roughly as thick as a brownie mix.

3.  Let flour/milk mixture cool to room temperature, then stir in vanilla.

4.  Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 

5.  Add milk mixture and beat it 'til the sun don't shine.  Beat the icing until it resembles whipped cream.

6.  Spread on a cooled chocolate cake or cupcakes and enjoy!

Italian Sausage Hoagies

I was skeptical of these, but Corey really liked them.  He described them as "like a Subway Italian Meatball Sub....only better and lighter".

ITALIAN SAUSAGE HOAGIES

Recipe Notes

Corey suggested using provolone cheese in place of mozzarella cheese as well.  Serve with Kettle chips and a salad.

Nutritional Information (per serving - serves 4)

309 calories - 7 g. fat - 20.7 g. protein - 28.5 g. carbohydrates - 2.5 g. fiber

Ingredients

• Four 2-oz. hoagie rolls, halved
• 9 oz. sweet Italian turkey sausage, cut into 1 in. thick pieces
• 1/2 c. chopped onion
• 1 tsp. minced fresh garlic (I used bottled)
• 1 c. marinara sauce
• 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 c. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1.  Preheat broiler to high.  Arrange hoagie rolls on a baking sheet and broil until toasted.  Set aside.

2.  Heat a large skillet over medium high, spray with Pam.  Add sausage to pan and cook until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

3.  Add onion and garlic, cook until softened.

4.  Add marinara, bell pepper, and black pepper.  Bring to a boil.

5.  Reduce heat and simmer for six minutes or until bell pepper is crisp-tender.

6.  Arrange 3/4 c. sausage mixture over bottom half of each roll.  Sprinkel with ~2 tbsp. cheese per sandwich.

7.  Broil two minutes or until cheese melts.  Top with other halves of hoagie rolls.