Homemade ice cream

March 12, 2008 | Posted by Lorena as Recipe, Sweets at 3:27 pm | Comments »

Here’s something you can do with your kids — that you can make in a bag! No ice cream maker required, just sugar, milk, vanilla, rock salt, ice cubes and a Ziploc bag. Get the instructions and some tips from other parents here.

10 Tips to Better Cookies

January 15, 2008 | Posted by Lorena as Dessert Recipes, Sweets at 11:30 am | (3) Comments »

1. Cover cookie sheets with aluminum foil to get perfectly browned cookies.
2. Use a spoon to shape drop cookies: the more consistent size means they’ll bake more evenly.
3. Chill dough thoroughly if you are rolling out cookies.
4. Monitor the baking time.
5. Remove your cookies from the oven when they still look a little underdone in their centers. They will finish cooking on the cookie sheets.
6. Use the correct fat for your cookies. Don’t substitute shortening for butter!
7. Rotate your cookies halfway through the baking time. The back of the oven gets hotter, faster. If you are cooking more than one sheet of cookies at a time, make sure you switch top and bottom sheets halfway through baking time also.
8. Always use large eggs. This is the standard size egg used for developing cookie recipes.
9. Measure all of your ingredients carefully.
10. Don’t use heaping cups of flour or sugar. Level the surface with a knife.

Chocolate Fondue

November 7, 2007 | Posted by Lorena as Chocolate, Dessert Recipes, Holiday Fun, Recipe, Sweets, Uncategorized at 9:45 am | Comments »

fondue

You can have your cake — and your chocolate too. A simple fondue recipe to impress guests, or cap a romantic dinner.

Ingredients

12 ounces good quality semi-sweet chocolate
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
3 tablespoons Grand Marnier or Amaretto liqueur (optional)
Bite sized pieces of fruit or cake

What’s next

Combine the chocolate and heavy cream in a medium heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Stirring constantly, cook for about two minutes, or until melted and smooth. Add the vanilla and liqueur. Serve with the fruit and cake.

Healthy Halloween treats?

October 29, 2007 | Posted by Lorena as Gift Ideas, Sweets, Tid Bits & News at 9:49 am | (1) Comment »

halloween candy
No, we’re not suggesting that you give out carrots to the trick-or-treaters. But if you’d rather not contribute to the nationwide sugar rush, you can distribute delicious (and nutritious!) Halloween treats:

fruit boxes (they need a drink anyway)
dark chocolate (contains antioxidants!)
raisins (zero fat, and the perfect energy snack)
mixed nuts
popcorn (great for the Halloween movie festival)

You won’t be the most popular woman in the neighborhood, but at least your conscience (or your calorie counters) are clear.

Happy Valentine’s Day Frozen Strawberry Dessert

February 14, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Sweets, Tid Bits & News at 8:00 am | (2) Comments »

Good morning & happy Valentine’s Day to you! Let’s see… what am I wishing for you this fine day? Oh yes, I know. I wish you good fortune, love’s fulfillment, too many kisses & loads of sweets.

Valentine’s Day for me is a time to celebrate the one you love & lift them up high. It’s also my sister’s birthday today, so a nice shout going out to her on her special day! What does this day mean to you? How are you going to celebrate the day, or is it too scandalous to reveal?

Any way that you spend Valentine’s Day, it’s a must to have sweet treats around. This fabulous Frozen Strawberry Dessert recipe is just the thing to surprise the one you love this year. Go on, they’ll love it & you for it. Enjoy the day & this delicious recipe!

Ingredients for Baked Crust:

1/2 cup flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup butter, melted

Ingredients for Strawberry Filling:

1 egg white
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup fresh strawberries, washed, trimmed and sliced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped
Garnish suggestions: strawberry fan garnish, roses, mint sprig

What’s Next:

Go ahead & preheat your oven 350 F or 175 C.

In a small bowl mix together crust ingredients and spread thinly on a baking sheet to bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and place the baked crust mixture in a spring form pan evenly distributing the baked crumbs; set aside to cool. Note: This can be made the day before and covered at room temperature.

With an electric mixer beat the egg white in a large bowl until frothy, gradually add white sugar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Add the sliced strawberries and lemon juice beating on high speed 7 to 10 minutes or until the strawberry dessert is light and fluffy; fold in the whipped cream in 3 additions and spread the strawberry dessert mixture over the cooled crust. Cover and freeze at least 4 hours or overnight.

When ready to serve cut into wedges or rounds, garnish with a baked crumbs, a sprig of mint and a strawberry fan garnish or a strawberry flower garnish and serve the strawberry dessert – frozen strawberry dessert.

A great wine with this dessert is a Pinot Grigio.

Eat well & Laugh often!

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