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Chilled Blueberry Soup with Honey Lemon Mascarpone

July 4, 2011 By 16 Comments

“I’M SICK OF SOUP OF THE DAY. IT’S TIME WE MADE A DECISION.  I WANT TO KNOW WHAT SOUP FROM NOW ON IS.”  Mitch Hedberg

 

Well I know what soup I’m having from now on!  I may not know the flavor, but I  can tell you it’s going to be chilled!  This is really a lightly sweet, summer dessert soup.  Just a few small ladles in a shallow bowl or dish is perfect.  I topped this with a savory honey and lemon mascarpone cheese and adorned it with a couple of toasted cream cheese pound cake croutons.  Okay….I won’t lie.  I had this for lunch after I took the picture!  Well someone had to eat it!!!  And it was delicious!!!  Now don’t get me wrong.  I love ……… [Read more...]

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Berry Basil Ice Cream

June 15, 2011 By 14 Comments

B is for BASIL

 

Well this is the second post in my series “My Spice Rack from A-Z”.  This month, I had to choose a spice beginning with the letter B.  Not sure what is in your spice rack that would fit the bill.  But I had bay leaves and basil!  While I cook enough times with both spices, I’ve never created a dessert with either.  Inspired by a poem by Keats, I chose basil!

I searched online a bit, and most recipes matched basil with lemon, and usually in a panna cotta.  I decided to keep it simple and basic and I made some ice cream.  I made it a bit differently than I usually do.  And I wonder if those of you who make ice cream can tell me the difference………. [Read more...]

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Irish Cream Mousse Bites

June 14, 2011 By 10 Comments

“WRITER’S BLOCK IS A FANCY TERM MADE UP BY WHINERS SO THEY CAN HAVE AN EXCUSE TO DRINK ALCOHOL.”  Steve Martin

 Today, I had the day off.  And I love having a quiet day, all to myself, in my kitchen.  I always imagine it as an opportunity to make something more challenging than usual.  But today, I had a “writer’s block” of sorts.  I have a million cookbooks, a bazillion magazine articles clipped out, and access to a gazillion recipes online.

Maybe I was just overstimulated….because I couldn’t decide what to make!  Isn’t that crazy?  So yes….I gravitated to alcohol….Bailey’s to be exact!  And I am glad I did.  These are such a sweet little treat and easy because……. [Read more...]

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Sophisticated S’Mores

May 30, 2011 By 18 Comments

“I THINK EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE A BLOWTORCH.”  Julia Child

 HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!

This is an exciting day for 2 reasons.  The first is that my son, Jeff, left this morning as part of a group of meteorologists, who will be storm chasing in the midwest.  I am not sure where he will be over the next couple of weeks yet, but I pray that he will stay safe while having the experience of a lifetime.  The second is that I got to use my new kitchen blowtorch!  Very cool.  And much easier than trying to put something under the broiler while watching it carefully!

THESE S’MORES ARE YUMMLY!!!  You really do get all your favorite, familiar flavors from a S’more…the buttery graham cracker crust, a very decadent, creamy, chocolate center, and a light, sweet, marshmallowy top.  It’s just a little more sophisticated.   Oh, and let me tell you about the booze…… [Read more...]

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Iced Berries in Warm White Chocolate Cream

May 25, 2011 By 7 Comments

“SIMPLICITY IS THE ULTIMATE SOPHISTICATION.”  Leonardo DaVinci

Sometimes the simple pleasures are the best.  And there are some things in their natural form that just can’t be improved upon.  Like biting into a peach on a hot summer day and feeling the juice trickle down your chin onto your favorite white tee shirt!

Well sometimes in the middle of the week, you need a pick me up.  A dessert which feels a little more special than a bowl of berries, but which doesn’t take a lot of time.  This treat is sublime!  From the joyous clink of the berries, like ice cubes, into the glass….to the sweet rich cream which bathes and warms them back to their soft, sweet state.

I hope you will try this.  The possibilities for variation are many!  Switch up your chocolate, or berries, or add spice or liqueur.  Just kick back, relax and enjoy!

And the recipe along with a picture of my favorite flower…..follows…… [Read more...]

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Tres Leches Cake (with Rum Fruit Topping)

May 4, 2011 By 18 Comments

“THE HISTORY OF EVERY COUNTRY BEGINS IN THE HEART OF A MAN OR A WOMAN.”  Willa Cather

 

Cinco de Mayo marks the defeat of French forces by Mexico in the Battle of Puebla which took place on May 5, 1862.  It is celebrated because not only did Mexico take back their own nation on that day, but their victory influenced the outcome of the United States Civil War.  For many, Cinco de Mayo has come to mean margaritas and Mexican food.  For me, it is an opportunity to make one of my most favorite desserts.  Tres Leches Cake! When I first tasted this cake… [Read more...]

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Chocolate Risotto

May 1, 2011 By 14 Comments

“PUT EAT MORE CHOCOLATE AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST OF THINGS TO DO TODAY.  THAT WAY, AT LEAST YOU’LL GET ONE THING DONE.”  Author Unknown

 I have never attempted any type of risotto before.  But today, I awoke, literally with this recipe on my mind!  I have enjoyed writing this blog so much thus far.  I’ve enjoyed celebrating my son’s birthday, and paying homage to those who have helped me.  And I’ve been trying to put a variety of recipes up just to start to fill my categories.  But this week it’s Cinco de Mayo and then Mother’s Day.  And it appeared that this recipe was going to sit on the back burner once again.  I’ve been wanting to share it with everyone for some time.  And so today, it just seemed like  ‘it’s now or never’! [Read more...]

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Cherry Cheesecake with Chocolate Almond Crust

April 18, 2011 By 4 Comments

“LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES, DON’T TAKE IT SERIOUS, IT’S MYSTERIOUS.  LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES, SO LIVE AND LAUGH AND LAUGH AT LOVE, LOVE A LAUGH, LAUGH AND LOVE.”  Bob Fosse

So I am keeping with the very cherry weekend theme.  CHEESECAKE!!!  It is actually the favorite dessert of Lena, the woman who designed the really pretty template for this blog.  She told me that she likes traditional cherry cheesecake.  But I decided to try and jazz it up a bit.  I decided to use a chocolate almond crust.  And while the recipe called for cherry juice in the body of the cheesecake, I decided to try and swirl it in.  I was a bit reserved with the swirling process this time and the swirl remained mostly on the top of the cake.  But not bad for my first try!  And more importantly, I wanted to give a wink and a nod in gratitude to Lena. [Read more...]

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Creme Brulee

April 6, 2011 By 6 Comments

“THE ONLY GIFT IS A PORTION OF THYSELF.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

This recipe post is in honor of my son.  It’s Jeff’s 22nd birthday today!  You know, as my boys were growing up, I’d always make them themed birthday parties with the corresponding themed cakes or cupcakes.  But as he grew older, I came to realize that Jeff really isn’t so crazy for cake.  Not even on his birthday!  And as he matured, so did his palate.  And his sweet tooth prefers strawberry crepes with chocolate hazelnut sauce, flan and creme brulee.  Thank goodness, because [Read more...]

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