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Garlicky Shrimp & White Bean Pizza

July 27, 2012 By + 54 Comments

“THERE’S NO BETTER FEELING IN THE WORLD THAN A WARM PIZZA BOX ON YOUR LAP.”  Kevin James

Garlicky Shrimp & white Bean Pizza | From My Sweet Heart

I remember that feeling!  Picking up a pizza in my childhood in New England.  Especially on a cold night.  Being responsible for balancing that box so perfectly on my knees.  Careful not to shift too much so that the cheese wouldn’t ooze off to one side or another.  Making sure there was no pressure on the top of the box so that the cheese would not be sticking to the lid when I opened it.  The torture of the smell of bread dough and sweet Italian spice the whole ride home!

While I still enjoy a simple, classic, ‘extra’ cheese pizza; nowadays I find myself searching for more.  And the pizzas I love the most tend to have no tomato sauce in them at all!  Well I joined a new baking group.  Claire, from Simply Sweet Justice leads this group of creative and talented bakers who accepted a more savory challenge this month.  PIZZA!  Mine is made with lightly marinated shrimp on top of a garlicky white bean puree and topped with crunchy home made bread crumbs and fresh herbs!  I guarantee you.  You won’t miss the box . . . . . [Read more...]

Filed Under: Pizza, Savory Baking Tagged With: ,

Lemon Ladyfinger Semifreddo

July 25, 2012 By + 57 Comments

I’m taking the Blue Ribbon Challenge!

Lemon Ladyfinger Semifreddo | From My Sweet Heart

Well this is my first month participating in the Blue Ribbon Challenge!  This wonderful group is created and hosted by Anna from Crunchy Creamy Sweet.  Once a month, Anna chooses a delectable food theme.  We simply make it in any way we desire, post about it, and link up! The next day, we vote!  And the winner earns the coveted Blue Ribbon Badge!  Anna is such a sweetheart and this is such great fun!   So I encourage everyone to come and join in!  Follow the links for more information!

This month, the theme was semifreddo!  I have only attempted this once before when I made a Pistachio, Vanilla & Strawberry Semifreddo.  And though I think they turned out well, I must admit, I think ice cream is easier to make.  I don’t own an electric hand mixer…..so my arms got a work out with my whisk!  The result, however, is nothing short of sublime!  Lemony, light and luscious!  And this time, I added a hidden treat . . . . . [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blue Ribbon Challenge, Frozen Treats Tagged With: , , , , ,

Plum & Coconut Spoon Bread

July 19, 2012 By + 42 Comments

Plum & Coconut Spoon Bread

 Has everyone been enjoying their sweet summer corn?  The corn here in Maryland has been a little hit and miss this year.  Actually, I’ve had some ears that have been down right wonky!  So for this month’s Improv Cooking Challenge, I am opting to bake with cornmeal!  Kristen, from The Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker has challenged us to use corn and butter as the key ingredients in our recipes.  And I’ve decided to put a slightly exotic spin on the traditional spoon bread by adding . . . . . [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kitchen Improv, Savory Sweet Tagged With: , , ,

Peach Raspberry Cake

July 15, 2012 By + 44 Comments

“ONE DOES A WHOLE PAINTING FOR ONE PEACH AND PEOPLE THINK JUST THE OPPOSITE – THAT PARTICULAR PEACH IS BUT A DETAIL.”  Pablo Picasso

Peach Raspberry Cake | From My Sweet Heart

I absolutely LOVE the simplicity of flavors in this peach raspberry cake.  Both fruits can be equal partners in the taste.  Or you can make one fruit shine and the other fruit a detail.  I love baking with seasonal fruit. When they are at their peak, then there’s not much you need to do to add sweetness.  This cake is simple, moist, and subtly sweet with just the hint of lemon.  And the fruit is most definitely the flavor in this cake.  I chose to let the peaches shine a little more.  Here are some things you can do to make your favorite fruit the star . . . . . [Read more...]

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Cosmopolitan Cocktail Bars

July 12, 2012 By + 28 Comments

“IN THE SWEETNESS OF FRIENDSHIP LET THERE BE LAUGHTER, AND SHARING OF PLEASURES.”  Kahlil Gibran

Cosmopolitan Cocktail Bars | From My Sweet Heart

I was once told that online friendships are not real.  Yet if that is so, why do I feel like I would give my last crumb of bread to so many amazing people that I’ve (never) met over the past year?  There are so many people from across the country (and out of the country!) that I can only hope I will have the pleasure of meeting in person one day.  Anna is one of those people.  She is incredibly kind, caring and sweet.  She makes the most amazing baked goods, takes the most beautiful photos and has one of the best blogs out there.  She makes blogging fun with her Chocolate Chip Cookie Mondays and her Blue Ribbon Challenges.  I especially love her 2 ingredient Chocolate Mousse, Buttermilk Blueberry Buckle, and Snickerdoodle Cupcakes with Brown Butter Icing!  And she is genuine, sincere and REAL!  And guess what?  I’m going over to her place today, and bringing these Cosmopolitan Cocktail Bars that I made for her!

So come with me to visit Anna at Crunchy, Creamy, Sweet.  You will see instantly why I adore her!  And you can find  the recipe for these luscious bars that are flavored with . . . . . [Read more...]

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Parmesan Tuiles with Heirloom Tomatoes

July 7, 2012 By + 38 Comments

“APPETIZERS ARE THE LITTLE THINGS YOU KEEP EATING UNTIL YOU LOSE YOUR APPETITE.”  Joe Moore

Parmesan Tuilles with Heirloom Tomatoes | From My Sweet Heart

Come share in the tomato love at the Tomato Love Recipe Exchange, hosted by Gimme Some Oven & Bake Your Day, sponsored this week by KitchenAid.  Also visit Recipe for Change to learn more about how to support tomato farmers.

Well, temperatures here in the nation’s capital have been oppressive; reaching 102° today!!!  And I am feeling it!  I don’t know about you, but when it’s this hot; by the end of the day I feel so fatigued, the only thing I want for dinner is a bowl of cereal with ice cold milk!  And when I do eat a ‘meal’, it’s more like an appetizer.  So today, these parmesan tuiles were more than enough!  Light and crunchy, cheesy and salty; and perfectly topped with sweet, chilled tomatoes.

These are quick and easy to throw together and take great advantage of my beautiful, summer tomatoes!  I tried 2 different recipes for the tuiles.  And there was a clear winner for me . . . . . [Read more...]

Filed Under: Savory Baking Tagged With: ,