Thursday, March 24, 2011

Lemon Grass-Pistachio Semi Freddo with Mango Caramel Sauce

Dessert Wars has challenged us like never before!!
Check out these instructions:

Since St. Patty's day is in March we thought it would be fun if we celebrated the color green! And not just anything green but foods that are naturally green!

Traditional
Green Apples
Green Grapes
Limes
Pistachios
Honey Dew
Kiwi
Green Pears
Mint
Pandan
Green Chile Peppers

Non-Traditional
Avocado
Green Tea
Cucumber
Green Chilies
Wasabi
Basil or other green herbs
Soy Beans (you may use tofu)
Vegetables like Spinach, Peas
Lemon Grass
Green Cheese

The challenge is to make a dessert that involves two green ingredients. You must use at least one ingredient from each column. This challenge is meant to change the way you think about desserts and take you way out of your comfort zone.


Since we haven't worked a whole lot with most of the
ingredients from the list, we tried to pick ingredients that
wouldn't be too bizarre!
After throwing a few ideas around, the two ingredients we
decided on were lemon grass and pistachio.

Once the lemon grass hunt was over we got to work!
Lemon grass is sold in stalks... remove outer layer.
We only used the white part of the stalk and chop her up!


In a food processor or plastic bag, add lemon cookies and
pistachios. Pulse or smash until roughly chopped.


Start the molasses by dissolving sugar into lemon juice
over medium heat. Once dissolved, add lemon grass
and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, whip the cream and confectioners'
sugar until soft peaks form.

Once the molasses is done, strain to remove any chunks of lemon grass.

Add molasses to the cream mixture and stir by hand two times
to fold in gently.

Prepare your ramekins!

Layer the cookie and pistachio mixture on the bottom of the ramekin....

Add a layer of cream....

Add another layer of cookies and pistachios......

End with another layer of they creamy mixture!
Place in to the freezer for 45 minutes to an hour.

In our research for this recipe, we found that mangoes
were often paired with lemon grass.
Hence...Mango Caramel Sauce!

Finely chop 2 mangoes....

In a medium sauce pan, add sugar and water...

Add mangoes. Cook until sugar is dissolved and
caramel reaches a dark amber stage.
Add butter and salt and swirl to combine.
Remove from heat.

Remove freddo from the freezer and let sit for a couple of minutes.
Run a butter knife around the edge if necessary.

Invert ramekin onto plate.

Drizzle with Mango Caramel Sauce.
Enjoy!!


Monday, March 21, 2011

Monte Cristo Remix

Quite a awhile ago-well about a year ago actually- my hubby had this crazy idea of using angel food cake to make his favorite sandwich-the Monte Cristo.
So we set out to make his idea into a reality:)
This recipe I have for you today is a change-up from the original posted here.
Wow the pictures in that post are really dark!!

This time we found angel food loaves-way easier to make into sandwiches!

here is the change-up:
oven roasted turkey, prosciutto, and Havarti

make layers with a bit of mayo and mustard then add meat, cheese another piece of cake and more meat and cheese-top with last piece of cake

use long toothpicks and slice in half

dip in egg batter

place on hot griddle and fry on all sides
sliding the skewer from the top all the way through to grill top slice.

Give this one a try soon-soooo delish:)

Enjoy!!



Wednesday, March 16, 2011

~Pasty~

This is a classic recipe.
I like to put Pasty on the menu on cold, rainy days:)
Everyone should have this one for those times when you want something
that reminds you of your youth!
Not that my youth was that long ago!!
heh hee;)
Let's get right to it-
Recipe rundown:
frozen hashbrowns
shredded carrots
chopped onion
turnip-if you want;)
ground beef
cream soup
salt, pepper, garlic salt
pie crust

brown hamburger
quick tip* boil carrots just to soften

lay in bottom crust

top beef with shredded hashbrowns

season and top with cream soup

mix thoroughly

lay top crust over

pinch crust together

bake at 375 degrees for about an hour

Yummy!
Can't beat a quick and wholesome meal like this one:)

Enjoy!!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Peanut Butter Cookie Candy Bars


These bars are a "Prize-Winning Recipe 2008" from the Betty Crocker
website and let me tell you...
they definitely taste prize winning too!!
Look at the layers... yummy PB, nougat, caramel with nuts
and topped with chocolate! Yummm!

Another thing I love about this recipe is even though you have all
the layers, they are relatively easy to throw together!!
Mix a peanut butter cookie mix together with oil, water and egg.

Press mixture into the bottom of a sprayed pan.
Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, start you next layer....
corn syrup, butter, peanut butter, water vanilla and start!
The ingredient list alone makes my mouth
water (I am a hug PB fan!! :)!!

Creamy and smooth!

Add powdered sugar...

and you have your nougat layer!

Layer the "nougat" on top of the cooled cookie base.

On to the caramel layer....
melt caramels and water over low heat.
Stir in peanuts.

Layer it up!

Melt your chocolate chips...

Ready to Enjoy!!!

Eat one quickly... lol!! They will disappear fast!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Italian Chicken Sandwiches on Foccacia

Here is a sandwich that is so deliciously fresh tasting!
A big starred MUST TRY!!!
This recipe has been staring me in the face for months-
every time I opened the fridge door...

'cuz it's on the back of the Kraft Mayo with Olive Oil jar;)
I revised it a little though...you know me can't just follow a recipe!
This would be a really quick throw together one if you follow it as written on the back-
but I decided to make my own focaccia bread, recipe for that soon to follow:)
~
Instead of buying pre-grilled chicken-I seasoned and grilled fresh.
Be sure to pound it pretty thin.

I used my panini maker:)

Split open a piece of focaccia bread and spread a little mayo on

Have you ever roasted your own peppers??
YUM!!!
SOOO so good!

slice up chicken, onions, and roasted pepper

So for the recipe rundown:

focaccia bread
mayo
grilled chicken breast strips
provolone cheese
roasted yellow pepper
baby spinach
red onion

Make this sandwich sooner rather than later;)
Enjoy!!!


Monday, March 7, 2011

Sausage Stuffed Meatballs

Ok-this recipe is a little gem to keep tucked right in the front of your recipe file;)
These are perfect to serve by them selves or piled on top of a mound of spaghetti.
So yummy and oozy with cheese-totally delish!!
Just change up the sauce and you have a completely different meal:)

Recipe rundown:

1 lb. chicken sausage
red onion
Italian parsley
salt
pepper
mozzarella balls

So first mix first 5 ingredients together and form into balls

Like above

then top each ball with a mozzarella

press down cheese

cover completely with meat

place meatballs in heated dutch oven or heavy pan

brown on all sides

like so:)
Reduce heat, add sauce and simmer until cooked through-about 7 to 10 mins.
Serve atop spaghetti

Enjoy!!



**WINNER, WINNER!!**

Update regrettably we never got a response from Lexi
so we had to pick a new winner and that person is Cassie of Mama Makes It Best!!
We have a winner!!
Thanks to all of you who entered and especially for letting us know what recipes you have
tried or are going to try:)
Our winner is #13 Lexi!!!!
Congrats Lexi-shoot me an email with your addy and we'll get your gift in the mail:)
You have 24 hours to claim your prize:)
Our first year was awesome-so here's to another year of yummy posting!!
Thanks again!

A sneak peek at tomorrows post-

Stay tuned!!