Almost everyday the same though goes through my head: People actually read my blog. And some say they even like it. And then some even compliment my pictures.

It blows me away!

I started this blog just to keep track of my recipes and occasionally take a really crappy picture of something I made. Eventually my crappy pictures annoyed me, a lot! So my husband got me a dslr camera for my birthday last fall, maybe the best gift ever. It opened a whole can of worms and possibilities for my blog. It also gave me a new hobby: learning food photography. Good night there is a lot to learn! I always assumed photography, of any kind, was just a random chance that someone happened to take a good picture. And the photographers who used tri-pods were the really ‘lucky’ ones. Oh how dumb I am. Don’t worry, if there are any photographers reading this, you have earned my respect (just in case you felt like you needed it :) ). It is an art, I get that now. It requires a great amount of skill, practice, and patience. Oh boy have you earned my respect!

Through my blogging I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of super cool food peeps! I have also had the opportunity to try out new products because companies have contacted me and asked if I would like to receive FREE samples of their products and then write about if I like it or not. FREE is all you need to say and I am down!

Oikos Greek Yogurt contacted me and sent me some free coupons for their yogurt. Quick fact: Greek yogurt has almost double the protein per serving and even less calories (assuming you get plain instead of a flavor).

I sort of eat yogurt A LOT, every single day! And especially greek yogurt, it’s so thick and rich and creamy, even the non fat kind. I had not had Oikos until now, and I was impressed. It was richer in flavor then other non-fat greek yogurts I have tried, it almost reminded me of the flavor of goat’s milk, which I love! It was more tart but not quite as thick as some of the other brands. I don’t think that is a bad thing, it was just my observation. Sure, I could just eat this yogurt every morning with my fruit, OR, I can make frozen yogurt with it. Done, fro yo wins!

So, with that, I give you my Caramel Macchiato Frozen Yogurt.

What makes this a macciato? I don’t know, I just wanted to call it that. I guess it has similar flavors; coffee, vanilla and caramel. It is the smoothest, creamiest frozen yogurt I have made yet. The only thing I would do differently next time: use instant coffee instead of coffee grounds. I have instant coffee in the house, but it’s leaded. And I usually eat dessert at night and caffeinated coffee before bed, ya, bad idea. I had decaf coffee grounds, so they just got thrown in. Or just leave out the coffee and have dulce de leche frozen yogurt. Either way, this stuff is stinken GOOD!

Caramel Macchiato Frozen Yogurt
2 cups (1-16 ounce container) Oikos Greek Yogurt
3/4 cup dulce de leche (recipe below)
1/2 tbsp coffee grounds
1 tsp vanilla extract

Puree all ingredients in a food processor.

Pour in a bowl and chill for at least an hour.

Churn in ice cream maker according to directions. Serve and enjoy.

Crockpot Dulce de Leche
2 cans sweetened condensed milk (I even did 1 can of the fat free version and it worked too!)
lots of water

Supplies
crockpot
tin foil

Put a piece on tinfoil on the bottom of the crockpot.
*This will prevent a rust ring from forming where the cans touch the crockpot bowl.

Remove the paper wrapping on the cans and place them in the crockpot. Fill the crokcpot with water, fill the water up enough so the cans are completely submerged and at least 1 inch above the cans.
*If the cans don’t stay covered in water I have heard they can explode.

Cook on low for 9 hours (I turn it on before I go to bed and take them out in the morning). Allow the cans to cool for a few hours before you open them.

When you open them, smile with delight. You did it, the easiest dulce de leche, EVER!!!!