Sunday, February 28, 2010

SIMPLE DINNER RECIPES


CHILI COKE ROAST, MASHED POTATOES & GARLIC GREEN BEANS

INGREDIENTS:
1 beef roast, 3-4 lbs.
1 can Coca-Cola
1 package onion soup mix
1 bottle chili sauce

DIRECTIONS:
Place all ingredients in crock-pot and cook for 7-10 hours depending on size of roast.
The meat will flake apart when done. Serve over mashed potatoes.

GARLIC GREEN BEANS

INGREDIENTS:
2 cans regular green beans, drained
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 Tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS:
Heat green beans in saucepan with garlic powder and butter.

HONEY PECAN PORK CHOPS, BAKED SWEET POTATOES & BUTTERED BROCCOLI

INGREDIENTS:
1-1/4 pounds boneless pork loin, pounded thin
½ cup all-purpose flour for coating
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons butter
¼ cup honey
¼ cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:
In a shallow dish, mix together flour, salt and pepper. Dredge pork cutlets in the flour mixture.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chops, and brown both sides. Transfer to a warm plate.
Mix honey and pecans into the pan drippings. Heat through, stirring constantly.
Pour sauce over cutlets. Serve with fresh baked sweet potatoes and buttered broccoli.

BAKED SWEET POTATO

INGREDIENTS:
4 medium sweet potatoes, even in size
vegetable oil
butter

DIRECTIONS:
Scrub sweet potatoes; brush each with vegetable oil. Arrange potatoes on oven rack and bake at 450% for 35 to 45 minutes, until tender. Remove at once and prick with a fork to let steam out. Cut a 1 1/2-inch cross in the center of each potato. Hold each potato with pot holder and press upwards until filling "bursts" up through the cuts.
Top with butter


SALISBURY STEAK, ONION ROASTED POTATOES, CORN ON THE COB

INGREDIENTS:
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed French onion soup
1 ½ pounds ground beef
½ cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup water
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon mustard powder

DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, mix together ⅓ cup condensed French onion soup with ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, salt and black pepper. Shape into 6 oval patties.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown both sides of patties. Pour off excess fat.
In a small bowl, blend flour and remaining soup until smooth. Mix in ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce and mustard powder.
Pour over meat in skillet. Cover, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

ONION ROASTED POTATOES

INGREDIENTS:
1 envelope Lipton onion recipe soup mix
2 lb. all-purpose potatoes, cut into large chunks
⅓ cup olive or vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In large plastic bag, add all ingredients.
Close bag and shake until potatoes are evenly coated.
Empty potatoes into shallow baking or roasting pan; discard bag.
Bake, stirring occasionally, 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown.
Garnish, if desired, with chopped parsley.

Serve Salisbury Steak and potatoes with buttered corn on the cob.
Recipes from Momswhothink


Saturday, February 27, 2010

FISH TACOS~SALMON LOAF~CREAMED PEAS!!


FISH TACOS

This is by far one of the most delicious fish tacos I have ever eaten! It is fairly time-consuming to batter and bread the fish but oh my gosh is it worth it. The fish was soooo crispy and is to die for. If you want a out-of-this-world fish taco recipe this is the one for you!

INGREDIENTS:
1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon tequila
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
12 ounces cod or firm white fish, cut in 1-inch pieces
16 (8-inch) corn tortillas
Canola oil
4 ounces tempura flour
8 ounces prepared tempura batter made with cold water
6 ounces panko bread crumbs
1 cup shredded white cabbage
1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 cup very thinly sliced red onion

DIRECTIONS:
In medium bowl, combine lime juice, tequila, cumin, salt, and pepper; mix thoroughly. Add the fish and toss to coat. Marinate for 10 minutes.
Warm tortillas on grill or pan. Cover with a towel to keep warm.
In a medium Dutch oven, heat the canola oil to 350 degrees F.
Remove fish from marinade, shake off excess, dredge in tempura flour, and dunk in cold tempura mixed batter. Roll in panko bread crumbs, pressing panko onto fish. One by one add fish to oil, making sure to keep the fish pieces separated. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes, or until light golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Mix cabbage, cilantro and onion. Stack 2 tortillas; place 1/8th of fish on top of each, and top with cabbage mixture, Pico de Gallo. Serve immediately.

TEMPURA BATTER

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2/3 cup ice water

DIRECTIONS:
Sift together the dry ingredients and set aside.
In a medium bowl, beat the egg slightly and mix with the ice water. Add a few drops of food coloring, if desired.
Stir in the dry ingredients. Stir only until mixed; mixture will be slightly lumpy.
Dip fish into the batter and deep fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

PICO DE GALLO

INGREDIENTS
4 Roma tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
1/2 red onion, minced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 lime, juiced
Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:
In a bowl, mix all ingredients, season with salt and pepper and refrigerate for 1 hour for flavors to meld.

TEQUILA LIME AIOLI

INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons premium tequila
1 lime, juiced
8 ounces sour cream
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons minced cilantro leaves
Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:
In small bowl, combine all ingredients and chill for 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Recipe from Guy Fieri

SALMON LOAF

Made this for supper last night and it is the BEST Salmon Loaf I have ever made. We also had roasted root vegetables and of course the Creamed Peas over the top of the Salmon Loaf!

INGREDIENTS:
1 can Red Sockeye Salmon
1 cup Cracker crumbs
1/2 cup Butter melted
2 Eggs beaten
1 Onion small / chopped
1 cup Milk
1 teaspoon dried parsley
Salt & pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Pour off the liquid and pick out bones and skin of salmon (these are perfect for distracting the cat while cooking the rest of the dish). Flake salmon with a fork, add all other ingredients, except for capers, and mix them together. Pour into small well greased casserole and cover with lid. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Serve with creamed peas.

CREAMED PEAS

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
seasoning to taste
1 can peas (drained) or package frozen baby peas

DIRECTIONS:
Melt 2 tablespoons butter over low heat. Add flour. Add and blend over low heat for 3-5 minutes Stir milk in slowly

Cook and stir the sauce with a wire wisk or wooden spoon until thickened and smooth. Season to taste. Stir in peas I use either drained can peas or frozen baby peas, both are good. I also double the recipe, it's according how many will be eating.
Anna's recipe BigOven

Thursday, February 25, 2010

RECIPES FOR LENT


NEW ENGLAND PASTA BAKE

This is like New England Clam Chowder, but baked into a casserole

INGREDIENTS:
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1 yellow onion, cut into medium dice
1 stalk celery, cut into medium dice
2 carrots, cut into medium dice
Salt and ground black pepper
2 boiling potatoes, peeled and cut into medium dice
1 1/2 teaspoons, about 6 sprigs, fresh thyme leaves, minced (1/2 teaspoon dried)
3 cans chopped clams and their juice (6.5 ounces each can, divided
1 pound of pasta shells
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat broiler. Place a large pot of salted water over high heat to boil.
Place a large skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the onion, celery and carrots, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender but not caramelized, 5-6 minutes. Add the potatoes, thyme, juice of the clams and 1/2 cup of water to the skillet and bring the liquids up to a bubble. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender, 8-10 minutes.
While the veggies are simmering, drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook to al dente according to package directions. Just before the pasta is ready, reserve a large mug of starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pan it was cooked in.
While the veggies and pasta are cooking, place a medium saucepot over medium heat with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and cook for 1 minute. Whisk the milk and 1 cup of starchy cooking water into the roux and bring up to a bubble. Add the clams to the sauce, season with salt and pepper, and simmer until thickened, about 1 minute. Reserve warm.

When everything is ready, toss the cooked veggies and prepared sauce with the cooked pasta and transfer to a large casserole dish.

Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and grated cheese over the surface of the casserole and brown under the broiler.

VEGETABLE SLOPPY JOES

Sloppy Joes goes vegetarian with this healthy version of an old childhood fave.

INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 red, green or yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 jalapeƱo chiles, seeded and finely chopped
1 red onion, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
Two cans black beans (15 ounces each) , rinsed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
Salt and pepper
One can diced fire-roasted or crushed tomatoes (15 ounces each)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Juice of 1 lime
4 crusty rolls, split and lightly toasted
2 large dill pickles, chopped
1/3 cup chopped cilantro (a generous handful)

DIRECTIONS:
In a large skillet, heat the oil, one turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper, jalapeƱos, red onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in the black beans, cumin and coriander; season with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Add to the black beans and simmer for a few minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Serve the Sloppy Veg-Head Joe on the rolls. Top with the pickles and cilantro.

SALMON CAKES

Enjoy a light meal with these Sensational Salmon Cakes!

INGREDIENTS:
One can salmon (6 ounces), drained
1/2 cup cracker meal or dry breadcrumbs
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh dil, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Mixed greens, for serving
1/4 cup mayonnaise
Juice of 1/2 lemon
5-10 fresh chives, finely chopped
Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, gently mix the salmon and cracker meal. Mix in the egg, bell pepper and dill. If the mixture is too wet, mix in a bit more cracker meal. Form
the mixture into five 2-inch patties.

In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the salmon cakes and cook until golden-brown, 3-4 minutes on each side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Arrange the salmon cakes on a plate with the mixed greens. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and chives; season with salt and pepper. Serve with the salmon cakes.
Recipes from Rachel Ray

Nectar cake recipe full of spices & everything nice

Vintage Recipe Thursday is meant to preserve your own original vintage family recipes, or out-of-print, copyright-free recipes from old cookbooks, magazines, newspapers, and postcards. You're invited! Get the details by clicking to the Vintage Recipe Thursday Homepage. I post recipes from the Household Searchlight Recipe Book, first published in 1931. My 16th printing is from 1943. What will you

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

E-Mail Question: About Trends

I received an e-mail the other day, asking me: What current trends are you following?Well, to be honest I try not to follow trends (which is probably a trend, too). If you notice I don't post a lot of them on here. Even though I love fashion, I try not to listen to, too many "experts" and just buy what I like even if it's not considered what's in.But what I'm currently into are Cocktail Rings.

L'Aroma & Queen Bee Host a New Children's Book Reading Series Event

What: L'Aroma & Queen Bee Introduce a New Children's Book Reading SeriesBring your kids this Saturday (2/27) to our new book reading series at Upstairs @ L'Aroma in West Newton. At the book readings, we will be reading children's books from different regions of the world. Kids will enjoy samples of desserts from the featured region. This week we will be serving the famous Australian dessert

Saturday, February 20, 2010

RED VELVET CONE CAKES~WHITE CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE~CHOCOLATE MAYONNAISE CAKE!



RED VELVET CONE CAKES

INGREDIENTS:
12 flat-bottomed wafer ice cream cones
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 stick unsalted butter , softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup well shaken buttermilk
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring

Cream Cheese Icing:

8 ounces cream cheese , room temperature
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar
Sugar red hearts, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Put 12 flat bottomed ice cream cones into cupcake tins.
Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, using a hand held electric beater, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vegetable oil and beat well, then add the buttermilk, white vinegar, vanilla extract and food coloring. Beat until just combined, then add dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
Divide the batter among the ice cream cones, filling half way. Bake in the center rack of the oven until a tester inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Icing:
In a medium bowl beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract. Add the confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Frost the tops of the cupcakes and sprinkle with sugared red hearts.

Note: If you want to add to the theme more, using an ice cream server, scoop the frosting and put it on top of the cones to mimic a scoop of ice cream.
Recipe:from the Neelys

WHITE CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

If you like white chocolate, and you like strawberry shortcake you will love this. It's the most luscious, rich and creamy strawberry shortcake you'll ever make.A friend told me she loved my recipes, but was diabetic and couldn't eat them...So this one is for her....I never knew eating diabetic, could taste so good!

Leave it overnight in the fridge before cutting into it.It tastes better the next day.

INGREDIENTS:
6 Walmart Sugar Free Dessert Shells (mini sponge cakes)
3/4 cup (One-6 oz container) Vanilla Dannon Fit & Light Yogurt
1/3 cup Carnation Nonfat Dry Milk Powder (Make sure to use the Carnation)
1/2 cup Splenda Granular
1 (8-ounce) package Philadephia fat-free cream cheese
3/4 cup Cool Whip Free
1 (4-serving) package JELL-O sugar-free instant white chocolate pudding mix
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 quart fresh strawberries, hauled and sliced
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa

DIRECTIONS:
Cut sponge cakes in half. Evenly arrange bottom halves in an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Set aside. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt and dry milk powder. Gently stir in 1/4 cup Splenda and Cool Whip Free. Set aside. In a large bowl, stir cream cheese with a spoon until soft. Fold in 1/4 cup Splenda and 1 cup yogurt mixture. In a medium bowl, combine dry pudding mix and cold water. Mix well using a wire whisk. Add pudding mixture to cream cheese mixture. Mix gently to combine. Arrange half of the sliced strawberries on top of cake halves. Spread half of cream cheese mixture over top. Repeat layers, spread remaining yogurt mixture over top. Evenly sprinkle top with cocoa. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Cut into 6 servings.
Recipe from SparksRecipes

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 197.6
Total Fat: 2.7 g
Cholesterol: 43.3 mg
Sodium: 642.2 mg
Total Carbs: 34.4 g
Dietary Fiber: 6.7 g
Protein: 11.1 g

CHOCOLATE MAYONNAISE CAKE

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
3 eggs
1-2/3 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
1-1/3 cups water

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and lightly flour two 9-inch round cake pans*; set aside.
In medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and baking powder; set aside.
In large bowl, with electric mixer at high speed, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise at low speed until blended. Alternately beat in flour mixture with water, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Pour into prepared pans.

Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. On wire racks, cool 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely. Frost, if desired, or sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

*Or, prepare cake mix as above in 13 x 9-inch baking pan and bake 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Recipe from Hellmann's








Thursday, February 18, 2010

Chocolate Chiffon Pie Recipe

Vintage Recipe Thursday is meant to preserve your own original vintage family recipes, or out-of-print, copyright-free recipes from old cookbooks, magazines, newspapers, and postcards. You're invited! Get the details by clicking to the Vintage Recipe Thursday Homepage. I post recipes from the Household Searchlight Recipe Book, first published in 1931. My 16th printing is from 1943. What will you

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

5 win Corked by Kathryn Borel

Congratulations to the 5 winners ofCorkedby Kathryn BorelCarla of CaliforniaCaroline at Attractive Home Design for LessAstrid at I Have Two Feet and Ten ToesJoanne at Eats Well With OthersTallanya @bolonnyBe sure to e-mail me your addresses so that Hachette Book Group can send you your copy of Corked. You're going to love it! :-)More Joy of Desserts posts about Corked:Alsace, Burgundy, Cotes du

Monday, February 15, 2010

Exhibit: Heart and Soul: Art from Coretta Scott King Award Books

How was your Valentine's weekend? It was a nice relaxing weekend for me. I did go to see Valentine's Day. I thought it was really cute and funny. Did anyone else see it? I really liked it.----------- S&F ---------------Bryan Collier, 2005. Illustration from Rosa. Written by Nikki Giovanni. Published by Henry Holt and Company.What: The Hearts and Souls of musicians and poets, great eats of Bravery

Friday, February 12, 2010

Alsace, Burgundy, Cotes du Rhone, Languedoc -- Featured in Corked; Enter this GIVEAWAY

Wine country in Alsace, France (Flickr/valdaqua)I haven't posted about France or French desserts in a while, but I know that many of my regular readers love it when I do, and so do the search engine visitors, so this post is for all of you. I want to make sure you don't miss out on my giveaway, because it's a book about traveling in France and discovering its wine country (dessert wines! or

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Spa Find: Two Stress Reducing Massage Treatments for the Girl on the Go

Stressed out, two affordable massage treatments from The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House (mohonk.com) will help you relax and ease the tension. The treatments are: Stress-Buster Back Therapy and Heavenly Head and Shoulders. These treatments will have you wondering how you ever felt so stressed all without blowing your budget (got to love that).Where:1000 Mountain Rest RoadNew Paltz, NY 12561To book

2 Clutter Free Tips That Work for Me

Despite almost getting stuck in the snow twice this morning I'm still in a good mood. I've been trying to keep one of my resolutions of decluttering and it feels good not to have a lot stuff taking up space. Two of the things I'm doing to try to stay organized and clutter free are:* I've cut back on buying a lot of magazines (which tend to pile up on my table anyway). I only buy the issues I

Macaroon Bavarian recipe with maraschino cherries

Vintage Recipe Thursday is meant to preserve your own original vintage family recipes, or out-of-print, copyright-free recipes from old cookbooks, magazines, newspapers, and postcards. You're invited! Get the details by clicking to the Vintage Recipe Thursday Homepage. I post recipes from the Household Searchlight Recipe Book, first published in 1931. My 16th printing is from 1943. What will you

Monday, February 8, 2010

Work Chic: Crinkled Belted Skirt

Tall Crinkled Belted Skirt $69.50 Banana RepublicI really love this skirt, it's casual sophistication. To wear it, think effortless French glamour, just pair it with a simple top such as a black v-neck short sleeve top (paired with a long black cardigan) or with a black fitted short or long sleeve turtleneck. Don't over do the accessories, wear with either a necklace or a bracelet with your watch

Movie Bowl Not Super Bowl Party

Hi, I hope everyone had a great weekend.Who watched the Superbowl? Well.........I didn't. My friends and I decided to have a Movie Bowl instead. I'm not sure who came up with the idea but we all just decided we'd would rather watch a few movies, eat good food (including lots of desserts) and have fun. So, we put the movies in four categories: Best Fashion, Inspirational, Best Vampires and Epic

Friday, February 5, 2010

12 Yummy Valentine's Treats

Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to indulge in yummy rich non-calorie counting treats. Single or Coupled? Why not treat yourself.The Berry Factory 1/2 Dozen Love Berries$29.99 berryfactory.comGodiva Token of Affection Gift Set$25.00 godiva.comRose Petal Truffles$36.00 Dean & DeLuca (deandeluca.com)handmade dark chocolate truffles filled with dark chocolate rose water ganache, topped

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Arise Magazine Headlines Top African Designers at New York Fashion Week

New York, NY, February 3, 2010 — Leading global African-themed style and cultural magazine ARISE selected top African designers: Black Coffee, Loin Cloth and Ashes, and Deola Sagoe to showcase Fall/Winter 2010 designs during the publication’s AFRICAN COLLECTIVE PART III Mercedes Benz Fashion Week runway presentation.On Saturday, February 13th at 8 p.m., show producer Jan Malan will transform

SELF Magazine with Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba, who will be in the upcoming movie Valentine's Day, is on the cover of the February issue of SELF magazine. In it she talks about what she does to de-stress (playing with her daughter, Honor), the cause she cares about (education), what she loves about Ashton Kutcher (his sense of humor) and much more.I always liked Jessica Alba because she never seemed to be in the middle of the

Christian Audigier to Unveil New Clothing Line the same guy at Project Las Vegas

Designer Christian Audigier Reinvents Basics with Simple, Fresh, Washes and BodiesLOS ANGELES, Feb. 3 -- Designer Christian Audigier creates easy-to-wear staples with the launch of his new apparel brand, the same guy™. The contemporary line offers classic pieces ranging from solids to one-of-a-kind washes and treatments. The same guy™ will debut at Project Las Vegas, February 16-18th, and at

New twist for vintage cream puff recipe has heart

Vintage Recipe Thursday is meant to preserve your own original vintage family recipes, or out-of-print, copyright-free recipes from old cookbooks, magazines, newspapers, and postcards. You're invited! Get the details by clicking to the Vintage Recipe Thursday Homepage. I post recipes from the Household Searchlight Recipe Book, first published in 1931. My 16th printing is from 1943. What will you

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

BANANA CAKE~CHOCOLATE COOKIE CHEESECAKE~CHOCOLATE CHERRY PIE!!


CHOCOLATE CHERRY PIE

You may want to make two of these easy ice cream pies-one to serve and the other to store in the freezer for company.

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup dried cherries
2 cups boiling water
3-1/2 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1 chocolate crumb crust (9 inches)
Hot fudge ice cream topping and maraschino cherries, optional
DIRECTIONS:
Place dried cherries in a small bowl; cover with boiling water. Let stand for 5 minutes; drain.
In a large bowl, combine the ice cream, chocolate chips and cherries. Spread into crust. Cover and freeze until firm.
Slice; drizzle each piece with fudge topping and garnish with a maraschino cherry if desired.

CHOCOLATE COOKIE CHEESECAKE

This is great for parties because it is popular with all ages and can be made in advance.

INGREDIENTS:
1-1/2 cups cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs (about 16 cookies)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs, lightly beaten
20 chocolate cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, coarsely chopped
DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, combine cookie crumbs and butter. Press onto the bottom of greased 9-in. springform pan. Refrigerate while preparing filling.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in chocolate and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Fold in half of chopped cookies. Pour over crust. Sprinkle with remaining cookies. Place pan on a baking sheet.
Bake at 325° for 50-60 minutes or until center is almost set and top appears dull. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
Recipes from Taste of Home.

BANANA CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

This is one of, the best banana cake I have ever tasted!
Make sure you freeze the cake!!

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups bananas, mashed, ripe
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 1/8 cups sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cups icing sugar
Garnish
chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 275°.
Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan.
In a small bowl, mix mashed banana with the lemon juice; set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla.
Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk.
Stir in banana mixture.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for one hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Remove from oven and place directly into the freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very moist.
For the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Add icing sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high speed until frosting is smooth.
Spread on cooled cake.
Sprinkle chopped walnuts over top of the frosting, if desired
Recipe from Recipe Zaar.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

VALENTINE DAY DESSERTS RECIPES!!



PINEAPPLE BREEZE TORTE

Features lady fingers, a creamy filling and a crushed pineapple topping.

INGREDIENTS:
1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese
1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed
3 packages (3 ounces each) ladyfingers, split

TOPPING:
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, undrained

DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheeses, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Arrange ladyfingers on the bottom and around the edge of an ungreased 9-in. springform pan. Spread bottom layer evenly with half of cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining ladyfingers (ladyfingers may overlap); spread with remaining filling. Cover and refrigerate.
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in pineapple. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Cool to room temperature; gently spread over torte. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set. Remove sides of pan.

RASPBERRY CREAM TORTE

It's truly delicious—but there's not too much guilt with the indulgence

INGREDIENTS:
1 package (16 ounces) angel food cake mix
1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
3/4 cup (6 ounces) raspberry yogurt
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 pint fresh raspberries

DIRECTIONS:
Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Immediately invert pan onto a wire rack; cool completely, about 1 hour.

In a large bowl, gently combine the whipped topping, yogurt and confectioners' sugar until blended. Run a knife around side of cake and remove from pan.

Split cake into thirds horizontally. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup yogurt mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining topping mixture. Garnish with raspberries. Refrigerate leftovers

RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

This eye-catching cheesecake showcases red raspberries and heavenly dark chocolate.

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs (about 38 wafers)
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted

FILLING:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
3/4 cup cold water
2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 packages (two 8 ounces, one 3 ounce) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
Fresh raspberries and mint, optional

DIRECTIONS:
Combine the wafer crumbs, sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan; set aside.
In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Heat over low heat, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved; cool slightly.

In a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; set aside. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar; stir in cooled gelatin. Transfer half of the mixture to another bowl.

To one bowl, fold in melted chocolate and half of the whipped cream. Pour over prepared crust. To the other bowl, carefully fold in the remaining whipped cream, then the raspberries. Pour over chocolate layer. Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.

Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Remove sides of pan before slicing. Garnish with berries and mint if desired. Refrigerate leftovers
Recipes from Taste of Home.

Disappointed with Vanity Fair's Class of 2010

I'm very disappointed with the lack of diversity with Vanity Fair's Class of 2010. Did they have a hard time finding talented young actresses. Here are few they could of included: Freida Pinto, Jurnee Smollett, Yifei Liu, Jessica Szohr, Gabourey Sidibe, Kristin Kreuk, and Zoe Kravitz. It's sad that so many of these young actresses are often over looked because they don't fit the so-called "

Monday, February 1, 2010

Latest Obsession: Fitness Clothes

To keep myself motivated I like to update my workout clothes. I tend to favor bold colors for the tops with either black pants or shorts. Even if I'm just walking my dog, doing yoga or working out I feel energized and ready to workout.Sports Bras/Tops:aerie by American Eagle f.i.t. Padded Sports Bra $24.50 American EagleContrast Racerback Bra $20.00 Gap.comSeamless Anjali Cami $54.00