03-04-10
Chai Spiced S’mores
Makes 4 Servings (2 s’mores/serving)
Ingredients:
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon loose chai tea leaves
16 honey graham cracker squares (2 1/2-inch squares)
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows or 16 jumbo marshmallows
Special equipment: 8 metal skewers
Directions:
Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
Put the cream in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the tea leaves, stir, remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes. Return the tea-infused cream to medium heat until just simmering. Pour the cream through a fine mesh strainer set over the bowl of chocolate. Shake the bowl to evenly distribute the cream and let stand 5 minutes to melt the chocolate. Stir until very smooth and let the chocolate cool to room temperature. Discard the tea leaves.
To make the s’mores in the oven, set an oven rack 6 to 8 inches from the broiler and preheat the broiler.
Put 8 graham cracker squares on a baking sheet and spread 1/2 teaspoon of the cooled chocolate over the entire surface of each square. Arrange mini marshmallows on each chocolate covered graham, being sure to cover the cracker completely. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon of the chocolate on each remaining graham crackers and set them aside.
Transfer the pan to the oven and toast the marshmallows under the broiler until deep golden brown, about 30 seconds. (DO NOT leave the oven – keep an eye on the marshmallows – they toast very quickly).
Remove the s’mores from the oven and top with the chocolate covered grahams, chocolate side down. Press lightly to spread the chocolate to the edges. Let the s’mores cool for 1 to 2 minutes before devouring.
To make s’mores the old fashioned way, and you have access to open flame, either a gas stove or fireplace, put 2 jumbo marshmallows on a metal skewer. Spread 1/2 teaspoon chocolate on each of 8 graham squares (this will be the bottom of the s’more). Dollop a teaspoon of chocolate onto the center of the remaining 8 squares and reserve (these are the tops).
Toast the marshmallows over an open flame until brown (or charred), as desired. While holding the skewer, put the toasted marshmallows onto the center of the bottom graham square. Invert a graham cracker top over the marshmallows and press lightly while you simultaneously pull the skewer from the marshmallows to create a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining marshmallows and serve while still warm.
Cook’s Note: Unused chocolate chai sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It can be melted and poured over ice cream or stirred into hot milk for chai-spiced hot chocolate.
03-04-10
Roasted Figs with Fresh Ricotta
Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients:
6 to 8 Mission figs, halved
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 tablespoons honey
Pinch ground cinnamon
Pinch kosher salt
Fresh ricotta or fat free Greek yogurt, for serving
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Put the figs, cut side up, in a baking dish. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat, and whisk in the honey, cinnamon and salt. Drizzle the hot honey butter over the figs and roast in oven until very soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
Divide the fresh ricotta or fat free yogurt among 4 serving dishes and top with the warm figs and sauce. Enjoy!
Cook’s Note: These hot figs are really great over mixed greens or even on a toasted baguette as a crostini!
03-04-10
Granola Bars
As seen on the following webpage: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Playgroup-Granola-Bars/Detail.aspx?ms=1&prop25=33062195&prop26=HealthyBites&prop27=2010-03-03&prop28=Main&prop29=Recipe&me=1
Makes 24 Bars
Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat germ
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup raisins (optional)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well using your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 161 calories; 5.5 g fat; 1.5 g fiber; 25 g carbohydrates
02-24-10
Award Winning Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
As seen on the following webpage: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Award-Winning-Soft-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies/Detail.aspx?ARBMID=2505&ARFMTID=1
Makes 6 dozen
Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be golden brown.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 155 calories; 8 g fat; 1 g fiber; 20 g carbohydrates
02-19-10
Vanilla and Chocolate Delight
As seen on the following webpage: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Vanilla-and-Chocolate-Delight/Detail.aspx?ms=1&prop25=32270024&prop26=DailyDish&prop27=2010-02-19&prop28=CompleteYourMeal&prop29=FullRecipe3&me=1
Makes 18 Servings (1 9×13 inch pan)
Ingredients:
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
3 cups milk
1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 (1.45 ounce) bars milk chocolate with crispy rice, crumbled
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). In a medium mixing bowl, combine pecans, flour, and butter. Press into a 9×13 inch pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool.
In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Fold in half of the whipped topping. Spread on top of cooled crust.
In a large bowl, combine milk, chocolate pudding mix, and vanilla pudding mix. Beat until thick. Pour over cream cheese layer. Top with remaining whipped topping, and sprinkle with crushed chocolate bars.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 308 calories; 18 g fat; 0.5 g fiber; 32.5 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Mini Strawberry Mascarpone Tarts
Makes 12 mini tarts
Ingredients:
8 ounces frozen pizza dough, thawed
1/2 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
8 large strawberries, hulled and finely diced
4 ounces mascarpone cheese, whipped
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
In a small bowl add 1/2 cup of sugar and the salt. Stir to combine and pour about half of it evenly onto a work surface. With your hands, press the dough into the sugar and roll out into a flat disk, about 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 of the sugar evenly over the top of the dough and press it a few times to adhere. With a rolling pin, roll the dough into a thickness of about 1/8-inch, turning and flipping as you roll to incorporate the sugar into the dough and to keep it from sticking to the surface. With a 3-inch round cutter, cut out 12 dough rounds and arrange them on the lined baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake until crisp and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool the crisp rounds completely on the pan.
Meanwhile, pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer until thick and syrupy, about 4 minutes; it should still swirl in the pan. If too thick, simply add about a teaspoon of balsamic, stir, and remove from the heat.
Put the strawberries in a small bowl and sprinkle them with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let them stand until juicy, 5 to 10 minutes. To assemble the tarts, spread about 2 teaspoons mascarpone on each crisp dough round with a spoon or small offset spatula. Using a spoon to drain any excess liquid, put about 1 tablespoon of diced strawberries on the top of each tart. Drizzle a little balsamic syrup over the tarts and serve immediately.
Cook’s Note: The sugared dough scraps can be tossed with cinnamon and baked in the 400 degree F oven until browned and crisp as a treat for the little ones. Leftover strawberries or balsamic syrup are delicious over ice cream!
02-15-10
Chocolate-Chip Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Cherries
Makes 4 dozen
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups dried tart cherries (6 ounces)
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Position 1 rack in bottom third and 1 rack in top third of oven; preheat to 375°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Blend first 4 ingredients in processor 30 seconds. Add eggs; process to blend. Add next 4 ingredients. Using on/off turns, process until oats are coarsely chopped and mixture is blended. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in cherries and chocolate chips.
Spoon batter by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart (cookies will spread). Bake until tops of cookies are golden brown, rotating baking sheets after 7 minutes, about 14 minutes total. Transfer cookies to rack; let cool. Repeat with remaining batter.NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 120 calories; 6 g fat; 1.5 g fiber; 15.5 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Creme Caramel Bread Pudding
Makes 8 Servings
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups (packed) dark brown sugar
4 1/2 cups 1/2-inch cubes crustless egg bread (such as challah or brioche)
7 large eggs
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 pinches of salt
Directions:
Spread brown sugar evenly in bottom of 8×8x2-inch glass baking dish (or other 9- to 10-cup dish). Sprinkle bread cubes evenly over. Combine eggs, cream, milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt in large bowl; whisk to blend well. Pour custard through sieve over bread in dish. Let pudding stand 30 minutes, occasionally pressing on bread to submerge.
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Place baking dish in roasting pan. Pour enough lukewarm water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of baking dish. Bake pudding until set, brown on top, and small knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Let cool in water 20 minutes.
Spoon bread pudding into dessert bowls and serve warm.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 496 calories; 29 g fat; 0.5 g fiber; 50 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Ghosts in a Graveyard
Makes 18 Servings, 1/2 cup each
Directions:
BEAT pudding mixes and milk in large bowl with whisk 2 min. Let stand 5 min. Stir in 3 cups COOL WHIP and half the cookie crumbs. Spread into 13×9-inch dish; sprinkle with remaining crumbs.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour. Meanwhile, decorate creme sandwich cookies with decorating gel to resemble tombstones.
INSERT decorated cookies into top of dessert just before serving. Add candies. Drop large spoonfuls of remaining COOL WHIP onto dessert to resemble ghosts.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 190 calories; 7 g fat; 1 g fiber; 30 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Graveyard Crunch
Makes 18 Servings, 1/2 cup each
Ingredients:
Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 300°F. Place syrup, butter and cinnamon in large microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 min.; stir until butter is completely melted. Add cereal and peanuts; mix lightly. Spread into lightly greased 15×10x1-inch baking pan.
BAKE 30 min., stirring after 15 min. Cool completely. Break into pieces; place in large bowl.
ADD marshmallows and candies; mix lightly. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 220 calories; 8 g fat; 2 g fiber; 33 g carbohydrate