mmmmmmmmmmmm fudge. I just said that in the Homer Simpson donut voice

Omg!!! Mim, you would be a good life partner! As soon as I saw the title I thought mmmmm..... fudge in my Homer Simpson voice.

My mom used to make peanut butter chocolate fudge. It was my fave. :)
I don't have the recipe. She was an amazing cook. She had two daughters and didn't teach either of us a thing about cooking. I begged her to make a cook book before she died. I guess then it was already too late. She didn't have the strength. Sorry, I didn't mean to be a downer. I guess I miss her....

Understandable. I miss my parents/grandparents especially this time of year. It's weird being an orphan - still not used to it. :)

My dad owned a restaurant for 23 years and my mom was an excellent cook. Neither taught me *anything* about cooking. I was 16 before I ever browned ground beef, even, and my mom mostly just yelled at me that I was doing it wrong and told me I was going to die of food poisoning someday. Heh.

I've worked hard to remedy this with my own kids. I didn't start with the "ooh let's bake cookies" crap - I started them out on the "hard stuff" like risotto. Heheh. Of course I did it for them, so they'd be set in life, but I won't lie - I love reaping the rewards and assigning one of the kids to dinner duty now and then. ;)

My mom is gone too. She couldn't cook though. I grew up on pizza pops and cereal. Hmmm wonder why I struggle with my weight now?
I will definately make sure my kids have some life skills before the age of 16.

Lol! H is a chef, and he acts like Chef Ramsey!!! He complains about doing the cooking, but then when I do cook he comes behind me and redoes things, or tell me I am doing it wrong or make a comment like "hmmm, you're making it in the oven.... Interesting...." till I'm like "what, why can't I make it in the oven.." errr he's so annoying like that.

I am so sorry about your parents. I still have my dad. He's 76 though. Yup, just me, my dad, and my sister. That's all that's left of my family. :( And our kids, they make it all ok. :)

Yup Mim, we know they tried their best, but it should always try to do better. :)

I have THE BEST fudge recipe on the planet from my mom, I will post it here later. I need to make some more today, the first batch is already gone and I have company coming tomorrow, can't have them here without chocolate!

Wow, your dad is 76? My mom died from non-hodgkin's lymphoma at 42 when I was 20 (I am 35 next month). My dad is 57 ...they were so young when they had us - I'm a twin (married for 6 mths - I did the math when I was 12 and figured out she pretty much got preggers on their first date because mom said she knew him 3 mths when getting married)
In another thread, where we got on the disfunctional family topic...I win hands down. But it'll be a story for another day!
Can't wait for the fudge recipe!!
Anyone want my mom's recipe for fried bologna?

Yes! My mommy loved fried bologna. Dad wouldn't touch bologna at all but I eat it when I'm missing Mom.

I'm not sure you'd win on the family thing. I don't necessarily think I'd win, either, but we definitely lived in Dysfunction Junction.

ohhhhhhh Mim,,, I bet I can beat you in disfunction :) here's a tidbit for ya,,, I have 2 sisters younger than my child :0

and enca Im wating on fudge recipe. Does anyone have really good peanut butter fudge recipe?

Dude! I gotta throw my hat in the ring on this one. I lived right next to you at dysfunction junction. It was pretty shitty. I guess I like that though, I married a man who would treat me like I am used to being treated. My mother (yeah, the one I just said I miss) was Boarderline personality disorder. They were 30 and 40 when they had me. That's why my dad is so old.

We should talk parents someday, and abusive cycles repeating. Let's get Christmas over first! Lol...

Yes to surviving the holidays first. But I will say I have 7 half siblings - one who is younger than my youngest kiddo. Biodad bipolar, mom BPD, step-dad and mom alcoholics. I was lucky, though. Lived with my 'rents but was (mostly) raised by my awesome grandparents. Miss the whole crazy lot of them, in spite of everything.

Now - where is that awesome promised fudge recipe??? J. And I held off making any until we had a tried and true!

Sorry ladies and gents, I have been a headless chicken prepping for Christmas stuff, we're celebrating with family today... I promise I didn't forget!

Jane's Famous Fudge (my mom's recipe)

2 packages Ghiardelli choc. chips (one package semisweet, one bittersweet)
1 c. butter (2 sticks, unsalted)
1 jar marshmallow creme (7 oz.)
1 can evaporated milk (13 oz.)
4 1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 tbsp. vanilla extract
optional: 1-2 c. chopped nuts

Have all ingredients ready to go before you start the process; if you stop to open cans or containers or measure things in the middle of it the fudge will not turn out as it should.

1. Melt butter over medium heat in a large, heavy pan.
2. Stir in sugar and evaporated milk. Increase heat to medium-high and stir continuously, monitoring temp. with a candy thermometer (make sure it is not touching the bottom but attached to the side).
3. When mixture reaches a full rolling boil, set timer for 5 minutes and reduce heat to medium. Stir continuously for 5 min. or until mixture is 235 degrees (soft ball stage). The surface will have a sheen to it when it reaches the desired point.
4. Remove from heat, add chocolate chips and stir until well melted. Add vanilla and mix well.
5. Add marshmallow creme one spoonful at a time, blending well after each.
6. Pour immediately into a greased 9x13 pan (I use a pampered chef stoneware bar pan, it's shallower but also works perfectly for this) and cool at least 6 hours before cutting.
7. Store in tightly sealed containers or tins in a cool place but do not refrigerate.