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Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

November 25, 2012 By + 40 Comments

“PROMISE YOURSELF TO WAKE UP EVERY MORNING WITH A THANKFUL HEART, AS THOUGH EACH DAY WAS THANKSGIVING DAY.”  kiggundu wilson

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie | From My Sweet Heart

My apologies to my baking buddies, from the yet un-named, but little baking group that could, for being late in publishing this post.  This month, we decided to make life a bit easy for ourselves around this hectic time, and simply post a favorite side dish or baked good that typically graces our Thanksgiving tables.  I have to give GREAT credit to all those who blog dinner recipes!  I had two ideas to share.  One was of a sweet potato casserole.  But I have to tell you….trying to get that onto my Thanksgiving dinner table while everyone is sitting around starving, and then saying….“wait….I have to snap a picture first!”…..was a bit tricky.  So to avoid a massive food fight, I opted for dessert instead.  (We baking bloggers definitely have it easier!).  I decided that when everyone fell into their food comas, I would photograph this pie.  Suspiciously, though, there was already a slice cut from it!!!  But I couldn’t be upset.  I’m a big advocate of  ‘eat dessert first’!  And it was THAT good.  I couldn’t decide between making a pumpkin cheesecake or a pumpkin pie.  So I combined both into this luscious pumpkin cheesecake pie!  A perfect ending to a lovely day. . . . . [Read more...]

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Ginger Chili Caramel Cookies

October 28, 2012 By + 38 Comments

Pass the Plate.  Share the Love.  Cook for the Cure.

Ginger Chili Caramel Cookies | From My Sweet Heart

The thing I’ve loved most about blogging, aside from the wonderful friendships I’ve made, is the opportunity to bake for a greater good.  I was recently invited by Sandra at Sweet Sensations to take part in a very special event.  Sharon & Denise of  Be Betsy, were inspired by Kitchenaid’s Cook for the Cure® to join the fight against breast cancer.  They purchased a plate specially designed by Jacques Pepin.  The plate is filled with cookies and literally passed from blogger to blogger.  Each time the plate reaches a new destination, Kitchenaid donates $5 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.  I am so proud and honored to be a part of this campaign.

I received these beautiful dipped chocolate sandwich cookies from Sandra at Sweet Sensations.

 

They were amazing!  I literally polished off 2 of them before it struck me that I need to photograph them first!  Many of you who visit here already know Sandra.  I am in awe of her!  She is a working mother who takes such good care of her family, while writing a beautiful blog full of wonderful recipes and fabulous ideas on how to host the perfect party and create a gorgeous tablescape.  (All while nursing a torn tendon!)  When you read about her, you will learn that she is a woman of great strength and courage.  And I wonder if she knows what a great source of inspiration she is to me?!  I am so happy to know her and I appreciate so much that she included me in this awesome event!

So. . . . . from Michigan to Maryland.  Where are the cookies traveling to next??? . . . . . [Read more...]

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Black Bean Tart with Chili Crust

September 23, 2012 By + 44 Comments

“MY GARDEN IS MY MOST BEAUTIFUL MASTERPIECE.”  Claude Monet

Black Bean Tart with Chili Crust | From My Sweet Heart

I love creating vegetarian meals.  They sure do make the most colorful masterpieces!  When I moved to my home 18 years ago, I was excited to have several areas of my yard that I could devote to gardening.  Unfortunately now, so many trees on the perimeter of my property have grown so much, that my yard is now too shady for a proper garden.  And I’ve resorted to planting a few peppers and cucumbers.  My deck is the home of my many pots of herbs and my Meyer lemon tree!  Fortunately, I have a wonderful farm market nearby.  And with the exception of the black beans, all of the ingredients for this tart came from local sources.

Not only is this black bean tart vivid in color, but it is bright and bold in flavor as well. A light black bean puree, sweet corn and red bell peppers, spicy jalapenos, mild scallions and the kick of cilantro are bound by melted Monterey Jack cheese. All of this nestled on top of a flaky crust made fabulous by the warm spices of chili powder, cumin and paprika!  And to top it all off. . . . . [Read more...]

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Cranberry Cherry Ribbons

December 13, 2011 By + 31 Comments

“A GUEST NEVER FORGETS THE HOST WHO HAD TREATED HIM KINDLY.”  Homer

Cranberry Cherry Ribbon Cookies | From My Sweet Heart

I never bake (or eat!) so many cookies as I do around Christmas time!  And every season I always try something new.  So I was thrilled when Jen at The Three Little Piglets invited me to do a guest post for her Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies series!  Jen’s been featuring great tips on baking, wrapping and cookie making, along with some fabulous giveaways!  I really feel honored to be in such great company with Jen and her other guests as they present some awesome cookie recipes.  Please head on over to The Three Little Piglets to wish Jen a Merry Christmas, and to get the recipe………… [Read more...]

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Pumpkin Pecan Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

November 19, 2011 By + 31 Comments

“I WOULD RATHER SIT ON A PUMPKIN AND HAVE IT ALL TO MYSELF, THAN BE CROWDED ON A VELVET CUSHION.”  Henry David Thoreau

Pumpkin Pecan Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting | From My Sweet Heart

I often walk this fine line of trying to be creative or walking off of the deep end!  And what I’ve learned is that sometimes you just have to leave well enough alone.  Keep things simple and let the ingredients speak for themselves.  And for me, this applies most of all to baking cupcakes.  Maybe I’ve been watching Cupcake Wars too much!  And if you’ve ever seen that show….they combine some funky flavors in one cupcake! But you will find this pumpkin cupcake recipe to be pretty straightforward.  What works well with pumpkin?  For me, it was the warming spices of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice combined with the cool tang of cream cheese, the toasty crunch of pecans and the sweetness of a drizzle of maple syrup.  If these speak to you then……. [Read more...]

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Autumn Fruit Chutney

November 10, 2011 By + 30 Comments

“THY BOUNTY SHINES IN AUTUMN UNCONFINED AND SPREADS A COMMON FEAST FOR ALL THAT LIVE.”  James Thomson

Autumn Fruit Chutney | From My Sweet Heart

There is a different kind of simplicity that I search for in the fall.  While in spring and summer, I am content to eat some strawberries off the vine, or a fresh peach flavorful all on it’s own; in autumn I look for more comfort.  For a blending and melding of fruits and flavors.  And warmth!  And this union of fruits and spices does not need to be complex.   Crisp apples, pears and cranberries melt together with the warmth of cinnamon and brown sugar and curry.  This chutney takes little time and effort to make, but seems to simmer for the longest hour of my life!  And I could almost be content with the lovely scent which begins to waft through my kitchen.  This fall fruit chutney was created to…… [Read more...]

Filed Under: Apples, Fruity & Fun, Pears, Savory Sweet Tagged With: , , ,

Orange Nutmeg Popovers

November 5, 2011 By + 26 Comments

“MY UNCLE ORDERED POPOVERS FROM THE RESTAURANT’S BILL OF FARE.  AND, WHEN THEY WERE SERVED, HE REGARDED THEM WITH A PENETRATING STARE.  AND THEN HE SPOKE GREAT WORDS OF WISDOM AS HE SAT THERE ON THAT CHAIR:  TO EAT THESE THINGS, SAID MY UNCLE, YOU MUST EXERCISE GREAT CARE.  YOU MAY SWALLOW DOWN WHAT’S SOLID BUT YOU MUST SPIT OUT THE AIR! ”  Dr. Seuss

Orange Nutmeg Popovers | From My Sweet Heart

The thing which makes popovers so easy to create is that it only requires 5 basic ingredients and they are all combined in a blender!  I haven’t  popovers in some time.  I recall a restaurant chain when I lived in Boston, called The Proud Popover.  While my memory about this is vague, I do remember that the popover was the canvas for a host of fillings from savory to sweet.  And it’s what you add to your 5 basic elements that determines this.  Today, I chose to add orange zest, freshly grated nutmeg and freshly cracked black pepper!  There is such a subtle hint of sweetness and rather a warmth and heat which permeates each sumptuous bite of this oddly formed, egg-like bread!  I served these orange nutmeg popovers with….. [Read more...]

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Pumpkin Bourbon Cheesecake covered with Leaves of Chocolate

October 29, 2011 By + 35 Comments

“I CELEBRATE MYSELF, AND SING MYSELF.  AND WHAT I ASSUME, YOU SHALL ASSUME.  FOR EVERY ATOM BELONGING TO ME AS GOOD BELONGS TO YOU.”  Walt Whitman

Pumpkin Bourbon Cheesecake with Chocolate Leaves | From My Sweet Heart

HaPpY BiRtHdAy To Me!!!

I LOVE my birthday!  It always feels like such a special day to me, because even though I know that I’m not the only one in the world celebrating a birthday today, I TREAT myself as if I am the only one celebrating a birthday today!  Every year I make myself a different kind of cake.  I have yet to make anything pumpkin this season, so I thought today would be a fitting day for some pumpkin cheesecake!  I added a splash (or two!) of bourbon, cuz I am in celebration mode after all!  And I used a pecan shortbread crust.  But my favorite thing about this cake are the chocolate and white chocolate leaves!  Actually, it was the hike in the woods to pick the leaves that I enjoyed the most!   This upcoming year, I am going to take the time to find something special in every day.  And celebrate more for no reason at all!!!  There are so many good things in life to embrace……this cake is just one of them!  This year for my birthday, I treated myself to ……… [Read more...]

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Tequila Mockingbird

October 22, 2011 By + 21 Comments

Tequilla Mockingbird | From My Sweet Heart

  • 3 oz apple cider
  • 1 oz white tequila ( I used Cazadores Reposado)
  • 1 oz creme de cassis
  • 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice

Fill a shaker 2/3 full with ice.  Add the apple cider, tequila, creme de cassis, and lemon juice.  Shake well.  Place 4-6 ice cubes in an old fashioned size glass and strain the drink over the top.  Garnish with fresh apple slices if desired.

As you come to know me, you will find out that I am a HUGE classic literature buff!  Actually, buff may be too kind and nerd like may be more appropriate!  I have read To Kill a Mockingbird 4 times.  Once as a teenager, and once as an adult; and then once each when my boys read this novel in high school.  It has always been one of my all time favorites!  So when I saw the name of this drink…..it naturally caught my eye!  I wanted a sweet fall drink, but was not quite in the mood for the warm ciders and mulled wines just yet.  I stumbled upon this cocktail recipe and at first glance of the ingredients I thought…..how in the world do these work together in the same drink?  And the answer is BRILLIANTLY!!!  This is my absolute new favorite fall drink!  The tequila does something to mellow out the sweetness of the cider.  The cassis deepens the color of the drink. (Look at the color of the pitcher of cider in the background compared to what’s in the glass!)  And the lemon juice adds a bright freshness to it all!  This is extremely refreshing and not overly sweet.  I’ll definitely be drinking this until cider season is over!

So as I was on my deck taking pictures…..look who crashed the photo shoot…..LITERALLY!

This poor little guy tried to enter my family room via a closed window!  He fell to the deck, stunned, and I feared that he was injured.  One of his legs looked a little puffier than the other.  And he just sat there for the longest time…breathing kind of fast….and unable or unwilling to fly.  I was on my belly right in front of him taking this picture.  He didn’t look hurt…but he wouldn’t move!  So I went inside and got online and got the numbers for the animal rescue in my area.  I debated for a minute.  I thought, what if he could never fly again.  Maybe I could keep him and take care of him.  So I named him Bandit (look at the area around his eyes).  But then I realized, that I had no way of assessing whether he was truly injured or not.  So just as I began to dial the phone….he turned, got his puffy leg back into position…and flew away!  I hope I see Bandit again one day.  But I don’t think I will.  He’s so much better off in his own world than mine.

So enjoy this drink while listening to a clip from THE DIXIE CHICKS.  And one of my favorite songs on so many levels LET HIM FLY.  Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Filed Under: Cocktails, Sweet Happy Hour Tagged With: , ,