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Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear....
2008-02-22 13:00:00
vincitore!/winner!...Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair, Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't really fuzzy,wuzzy? Or just an unfocused picture! ha ha ha!No - wait.....I am not purposely trying to recite nursery rhymes, nor am I trying to make you squint to focus. But, the rhyme immediately came into my brain when I was in Whole Foods. As I walked toward the check out, I stopped to pick up a lemonade and noticed Arden's Garden Fuzzy Kisses, a round bite of sorts. I looked at the ingredients - Raisins, Almonds, Dates, Walnuts, Coconut, and Distilled Water. That's it! No sugar, -ides, hyrdro-, oxy-, or any other words I can never pronounce. I was stunned. Then, my eyes got wider when I read Whole Foods wanted $4.49 for 5 tiny bites not much bigger than a marble? I think not!Instead, I decided to recreate these babies. I didn't have raisins and was going to add figs. But, I think I had the figs too long and did not like how they looked/felt. Figs were out...maybe next time. My Fuzzy Kisses became no cook, no...
More About: Bear

Penne with Butternut Squash & Sage Pesto
2008-02-21 13:07:00
salutare/healthyIf you have stopped by sometime over the last couple of weeks, you read my mention about my new favorite Vegan Cookbook, Skinny Bitch in the Kitch: Kick-Ass Recipes for Hungry Girls Who Want to Stop Cooking Crap (and Start Looking Hot!) . Originally, I made the sage pesto for the recipe in this post, Penne with Butternut Squash & Sage Pesto . But first, I used the pesto this weekend and put it together a tasty Sage Beef with Feta & Tomatoes.I finally got around to making the penne and was a happy camper. Although I can only chew on one side (yikes), I cooked to pasta and squash long enough to be manageable. No aldente for me during this dinner...straight up mush. Ha!Not only do the flavors married very well in this dish, it is a healthy meal. How about some FYI info for you about sage and butternut squash?Some benefits and usage for sageFrom anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory action to memory enhancer (July 2003 issue of "Pharmacological Biochemical Behavior" conf...

Apples & Thyme meets Tyler's Ultimate Lasagna
2008-02-20 00:49:00
ultimo/ultimate**I apologize in advance for any incoherency here. I am on my way to loopy loopy land after (yet another) 1/2 day dentist appointment today. I went in for a crown repair and came out minus a tooth - having an unexpected (and not so comfy) extraction. I had to finish out my day at work, but came home to crash. I could kiss the makers of Percocet!Lasagna . My mom used to make it look so easy. Naturally, I thought making lasagna would be in my blood. I am Italian. My mom made it often. And, I am Italian!Well - I was wrong. I have tried....and tried. Edible...but U-G-L-Y. I finally resided to the fact I just can't do it. I threw in the towel. Almost handed in my Italian card.Then, I watched my by Tyler this weekend. It was his Ultimate Lasagna episode. I so wanted to throw my hat into the lasagna ring again.The preparation was okay. The meat filling looked like it was a winner, just by itself, which made me hopeful. I (without exactly measuring) quartered the recipe, alth...
More About: Apples

Kat & Barbara's Mango Bread
2008-02-19 00:59:00
inumidito/moist My random trips to Costco are usually for staple items - toilet paper, cling wrap, garbage bags, vanilla, eggs, butter, etc. However, I also love "the back room". There is a small refrigerated room in the back by the meats that holds temperature sensitive vegetables and fruits. This is where I have grabbed an army-sized bag of spinach, beautiful french beans, wonderful mushrooms that are the size of tennis balls, strawberries, and blackberries. They also have sliced mango; slices that are better than any of my tries, as I tend to butcher the delicious fruit.I had some left, was actually nibbling on a piece, while reading Barbara's blog. She made a mango bread from a recipe she received from Kat who shares her adventures in Japan . I decided to jump up and make some. So, I did! You can see the recipe at Barbara's "place" so I am not going to repost it. But, I did make a couple of changes. I halved the recipe, included golden raisins, and used a cup of pistachio nuts...
More About: Mango , Bread

Sage Beef with Feta & Tomatoes
2008-02-16 14:04:00
salvia/sage I bought a bottom-round roast last week. Roasts, regardless of how small, are always too big for just me, so I was thrilled when the the butcher was nice enough to cut in half. After freezing both halves, I unfroze one the other day thinking I would be home early enough to cook dinner. Yeah right. It sooo didn't happen. That meant the defrosted meat had to be cooked or tossed.... immediately.A friend visiting for the weekend had to delay arrival one day, so I figured I would make the beef Friday. I decided to make Sage Beef with Feta & Tomatoes . While preheating the oven to 500 degrees, I seasoned the meat with salt, pepper, and Essence (one of my staple seasonings - if you haven't noticed). Then, I lined a pan with foil, forming foil walls to help with splattering, and roasted the meat. Cooking time? Five minutes for each pound, plus 5 extra minutes at the end. Then, without opening the oven door, I shut off the temperature and the meat rest for two hours.After th...

Tilapacado
2008-02-15 12:57:00
gradito/satisfyingTilapacado? Indulge me a moment...Last year, I made a quickie Tilapia, then used the same sauce/broil idea on a seared salmon a few weeks ago. I believe this has been one of my favorite ways to prepare fish. Having said that, I took the same idea and tried something a little different.When I made chicken fingers for Superbowl Sunday, there was a lot of left over Avocado Dipping Sauce. Slather some on a piece of seasoned Tilapia, broil for 6-8 minutes, and viola! Tilapia + Avocado = Tilapacado! I served the Tilapacado (to myself) on a bed of baby arugula. Yum! This one is a winner, too. This Tilapacado, with avocado & arugula, is my entry for WHB (created by Kalyn, hosted this week by Anna from Morsels and Musings.) **I made an error. I combined to events...WHB & Lydia's Pantry event. Big no no! Sorry ladies. (You know, they say educators are the worst to follow directions! ha ha ha). So, I moved Lydia's Pantry event to here. http://melecotte.blogspot....

Buon San Valentino!/Happy Valentine's Day!
2008-02-14 06:05:00
abito da sera/black tie Buon San Valentino !/Happy Valentine 's Day!Quick post today.....Show me a man in a tux and see me swoon! Show me a strawberry in a tux and hear the angels sing. Sooooo good.I saw chocolate dipped strawberries dressed up in monkey suits last year. They were something I had to try. So, I did! In doing so, I had a ton much fun!This year, two of the guys at work asked for these to give to their wives. Again, (tired or not) fun in the kitchen!Dip WhiteBe careful....avoid big chocolate skirts like this!Dip Milk ChocolateDraw bow-ties and buttons! With that, I will leave you with one of my all-time favorite poems. When I had my 8th graders memorize poems each month, this is the one I gave the boys to memorize for February, telling the I was teaching them how to court properly. Then, I would tell them not to date until they turn 30. ha! How do I love thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.I love thee to the depth an...

Mediterranean Pasta Salad
2008-02-13 12:35:00
I was off campus at a meeting all day yesterday for a Leadership Academy session. We met at a high school on the S. Side. Like the school I work in, the high school has had to work itself from the ominous abyss that is NCLB . One of the speakers we had was the school?s current principal. Only knowing of him, I was so impressed with how together he is, the vision he has, and the passion he exudes as he speaks about how proud he is to be the principal of his school. He was a new, young principal a few years ago when placed at the troubled high school, and its inspiring to see how he has grown and the school along with him. (It didn't hurt to be able to stare at a handsome man for a couple of hours, either! Ha! Ha!)What does this have to do with a food blog? Well, there is a culinary arts program within the school,the Eagle?s Landing (I think it was), and it was that program that provided our group lunch. The students? prepared all the food themselves, with the help of the program c...
More About: Events , Pasta , Salad , Mediterranean

Kitchen of Love: The Round Up
2008-02-12 06:04:00
riunire!/round up! Wow! This was a fun event to host. Honestly, since my blogging has been up and down since starting in my new position, I didn?t know how much of a response I would get. Everyone?s participation and support warms my heart! Thanks to everyone who turned their kitchens into love dens. Twenty-recipes were sent into Kitchen of Love . (and one more on the way soon...)Scroll down, click away, and check out all the possibilities of frisky dinners!~ Warning: Mildly Sexual Content/innuendos in the round up and the links ~First, to be proper, I must begin with our guests from across the Pond ? Gurgaon, IndiaDeeba, of Passionate About Baking...& beyond, made a lovely Rice Noodles with Stir-fried Chicken & Veggies...& a mild chili sauce. The colors catch your eye and make you want to grab a fork, quick!Melbourne, AustraliaCakelaw, from Laws of the Kitchen, tempts us with Oysters Three Ways. I learned that oysters are, ?rich in rare amino acids which boost the level...
More About: Round Up , Round

White Chocolate Mousse Cups
2008-02-11 13:13:00
sforzo creativo/creative effort They say the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Luckily, for us, the foodies of the world, we have a leg up on the competition. Some of us may not be the 5-star chefs we wish we were, but we cook/bake/love making others happy with food.I was practicing this weekend for my Valentine's Day seduction and came up with a simple dessert (keeping in mind the steps Kelly suggest lead to a romantic dinner). White Chocolate Mousse in Chocolate Cups .Every wonder what to do with leftover balloons you never blew up from the kids' birthday parties? Blow them up! Balloons and tempered chocolate...you have the makings of a chocolate bowl!After carefully deflating and peeling away the balloons, I filled the hardened chocolate bowls with the same White Chocolate Mousse I made in July for my independence day parfait. (No, not the actual mousse, silly! I remade the pudding using the idea Sharon gave me some time back. I used Jello White Chocolate Insta...

Edamame Three-Bean Salad
2008-02-11 11:30:00
There's still time!Midnight tonight is the last moment for Kitchen of Love food entries. Send all entries to kitchenoflove2008(at)gmail(dot)com.seme di soia/soybeanI really do try to stay on course and not fall off my self-imposed Cookbook Ban wagon. I really do. But, my trip to Costco the other day for the blackberries resulted in two new family members entering my home. The first, FingerFoods, which is jam-packed with fabulous bite-sized yummies. But the second? Skinny Bitch in the Kitch: Kick-Ass Recipes for Hungry Girls Who Want to Stop Cooking Crap (and Start Looking Hot!) . Who can resist such a temptation? The only thing is...the book is putting me so far out of my comfort zone, its a bit nerve-racking. Tofu, random flours like Chickpea and Kelp (which I can't find), etc. has me shaking in my boots. But, I am miserable with the amount of weight I have gained the last 6 month, so I have got to do something. If Tofu will put me back into my clothes, I am all about it.My lunch...
More About: Bean , Salad

Calling all Entries!
2008-02-09 23:21:00
cucina d'amoreTomorrow is the last day for Kitchen of Love food entries. Deadline is Sunday, midnight. Send all entries to kitchenoflove2008(at)gmail(dot)com.(Thank s to Andrew of Spittoon Extra for making sure this event was/is listed on Is My Blog Burning?)There are a lot of frisky recipes that are being posted around the globe. As I blush at the thought of dinner on Thursday, don't forget to come back for the round up on Tuesday.http://melecotte.blogspot.com/fee ds/posts/default?alt=rss
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WHB with Blackberry Chicken
2008-02-09 19:51:00
petto di pollo/chicken breast I love blackberries! Costco has had an abundance of blackberries since January and I have been taking advantage. 18oz. packages for $4.99! How can anyone resist? I first came across the bargain when I needed blueberries for my mini meringue cups for the big party. But, the day I went to Costco, they didn't have blueberries, but did have huge, plump, and sweet blackberries. I went by last week and made blackberry mini-tarts with one of the packaged I bought. Then, I went savory with Blackberry chicken.So, what about this beautiful lil' fruit that is packed with cancer-preventing antioxidants? According to one site,Blackberry has been used historically by many cultures to treat a variety of conditions. The ancient Romans used blackberry leaves to treat bleeding gums as well as diarrhea. Greeks used blackberry to treat gout and the Chinese used it to treat kidney problems, incontinence and impotence. Ancients even thought that crawling under a blackberry...
More About: Chicken

Roasted Brazilian Nut Bark
2008-02-08 11:41:00
Remember to check out the Kitchen of Love event. Deadline is this Sunday, 2/10. Send all entries to kitchenoflove2008(at)gmail(dot)com.(Thank s to Andrew of Spitoon Extra for making sure this event was/is listed on Is My Blog Burning?)noce del Brasile/Brazil nutI have mentioned before that I love making truffles and bon bons. Well, I am also a fan of making bark. Admittedly, all of them are fairly easy to make, yet still get that "wow" from consumers. The difference from truffle to truffle, bark to bark, comes from the ingredients. The better quality, the bigger "wow".As I was going through my fridge last weekend, purging leftovers, etc, I went into one of my crisper drawers I use for nuts. Open it up and you'll find Tupperware and zip locks of pistachio nuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, cashews, etc. Hiding in the back of the drawer was a bag of unsalted, raw Brazilian nuts, 0.5 oz. Always weary of nuts going rancid, and based on the "packaged" date, I knew I would shou...

Orange Chocolate Tart
2008-02-07 13:11:00
innamoratissimo di qcn/ head over heels in love It's the month of looooove...and hearts....and chocolate. So, for Zorra's event, A Heart for your Valentine , I decided to combine both!This one dessert, a Orange Chocolate Tart , is really a compilation of many. The dough is from the same batch as the Blackberry Tart, which is a chocolate version of the Lemon Meringue Pie dough.The original ganache recipe comes from a Fine Chocolate Tart, a decadent dessert from the pages of Tarts. I made the original recipe in the fall, but tweaked it this time to fit my vision. The filling is ideal for those who are all about chocolate, but it is so very, very rich.Ganache Filling8 oz. semi sweet chocolate2 Tbsp. unsalted butter; softened1 cup heavy cream2 tsps Orange ExtractChop the chocolate and put into a bowl with softened butter. In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a boil, then pour over chocolate/butter. Stir well, add extract, then continue to still until the chocolate is cooled completel...
More About: Events

Blackberry Tart
2008-02-06 12:59:00
torta di mora/blackberry tartHave you joined the mini-pie revolution? No? What are you waiting for? Still new among monthly events, this revolution is bound to stir up some delicious unrest. The sophomore theme? Tart s! Oh?how I enjoy making a good tart. So?it was on!I went simple. Why? Well, I wanted something sweet, but can?t eat 95% of what I bake. So?that?s where my frame of mind started. Thoughts shifted to the crust. I have made several different tarts varying from being perfect for savory fillings to decadent for sweet crusts.I decided to use left over dough from the dessert I made for Zorra?s A Heart for your Valentine. (Will post later this week. ) And, the dough came out of the base recipe used in the Daring Barker's Lemon Meringue Challenge. The original recipe called for 2 cups flour which I reduced to 1 ½ cups and and added ½ cup of cocoa powder. I also tweaked how I baked the crust. It worked well and I was quite pleased.Filling(Scant) 2 cups blackberries2 Tbsp. sugar ...
More About: Blackberry

Its Time to Make the (Italian) Donuts
2008-02-05 12:19:00
ciambellina/donut Helen and Peabody are hosting an event dedicated to doughnuts - Time To Make The Doughnuts. The round up will be on on February 15th, so make sure you send in your entries by February 12th. I am coming to the event with Italian Donuts . Somewhat simliar to Zeppole (depending on what family recipe you use), these are tasty bites of artery clogging goodness. Hee hee. Addictive, really, and the ladies at work quickly brewed a pot of coffee and became gitty.These are very easy to make, but I am not a very good fryer. The first half dozen or so were really practice...and lil' balls of grease. Once the grease became hot enough, we were good to go and the doughnut frying moved along quickly.I used a 1 1/2-inch round cutter which made delicious bite-sized donuts.Italian Donuts AAA recipesMakes 3 dozen donuts (I halved the recipe)2 teaspoons dry active yeast½ cup warm water (about 100 degrees F)¼ cup granulated sugar5 cups pastry flour4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room t...

Tomorrow is World Nutella Day!
2008-02-04 06:05:00
torta al formaggio/cheesecakeTuesday is World Nutella Day!Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso are hosting another year of delicious tributes to the chocolaty hazelnut heaven. World Nutella Day crept up on me this year. But, I managed to get something in?.at the very last minute. Last year, I participated with my version of Baci (the Italian candy) and Nutella Biscotti. Other recipes I made with Nutella over the past twelve months have included Raspberry Nutella Pockets, Nutella Cookies, Mascarpone Cheesecake with Almond Crust, and a Yule Log.So, what now? After pondering the possibilities over a Nutella Choco-S?more,I decided on a Nutella Cheesecake. Very easy, this cheesecake?and tasty. I made a 10 inch, a 6-inch, and a 4-inch?nibbling on the little one to check the taste (and promptly fell into a deep snooze thereafter?ahhh! I hate what chocolate does to me!)Nutella Cheesecakec/o Recipegoldmine.comCrust: 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs (I used ...
More About: Events , Tomorrow , Tomo

Chicken Fingers with Avocado Dipping Sauce
2008-02-03 07:26:00
Pollo/Chicken Who are you vying for today? The Patriots or the Giants? Well?.whichever team with whom you?re stepping in as Armchair Quarterback, I am sure the parties will be hopping and the food tasty. (Click here for an Armchair Quarterback quiz)Who am I cheering for? That?s a tricky question to answer. I grew up in NY and MA. I am faced with quite the conundrum, Especially since (in all reality) I don?t keep up with football. I only ?dated? the players in college (blush). So, how do I figure out the answer? Well, since my time in MA was longer than my time in NY, and since the only pro football game I have ever attended was between the Patriots and Miami, I will have to say?.?Go Pats!?.And, in the spirit of game day, I am participating with Chicken Fingers for the Gameday Gourmet Event. What will you participate with? The deadline is February 8th. Or, head over to I?m Hungry for the round up thereafter. Chicken Fingers with Avocado Dipping Sauce 6-8 chicken fingers2 cups Panko bre...

Grilled Cheese with Fig Jam, Fontina, and Arugula
2008-02-03 00:52:00
auspicabile/desirableI have been on a bit of a grilled cheese kick lately. There was the Kicked Up Grilled Cheese and the Mozzarella and Arugula Pesto Panini, both totally deeeeelish! Then, while I was in my dentist office (my home away from home) reading the new Gourmet, I saw another sandwich that was a must try - along with other dishes. In fact, there were so many fabulous recipes I saw inside this month's edition, I think I may have drooled a little...without being novicane induced! Some months just hit the nail on the head! After arriving home from running errands this afternoon, I decided to try the Grilled Cheese with Fig Jam, Fontina, and Arugula. The verdict? Well...lets just say I was kind of happy I was alone when I ate it, while I found out what a great dish it is for Kitchen of Love. Ha! Why you ask? Figs and Arugula - both considered aphrodisiacs! Grilled Cheese with Fig Jam, Fontina, and Arugulaadapted from Gourmet February 20082 ( ½-inch-thick) center slices Italia...

A Trip to Blueberry Valley Anyone?
2008-02-01 22:53:00
I admit...I loved Strawberry Shortcake when I was a wee one. I really, really did! Not talking much about my admiration for my redheaded twin - the doll version - you can imagine my excitement when I read Anita's post that mentioned Strawberry Shortcake , along with the many comments of fellow Shortcake admirers. Its fun knowing there are many of us older fans. I even remember how upset I was when I lost my Blueberry Muffin Doll key chain when it released iself somehow from my bookbag. My long lost Blueberry Muffin Doll is what came to mind when I made my mini blueberry pie. The grocery store had blueberries for a fairly decent price, which prompted the need to purchase them. Packaged in 1/2 pints, the size was a perfect fit for ramekins. In the fridge, I had a few dough rounds I didn't use, but had wrapped and saved from the Daring Baker's Lemon Meringue Challenge. Why not put the two together? So, that's what I did!I lined one ramekin with the dough. Then, in a small mixing bo...
More About: Trip , Valley

Soup and Sandwich Dinner
2008-01-31 13:07:00
Mmmmm?comfort food. I think casserole, I think frittata, I think pasta/rice, I think soup, I think sandwich. Monday night?s grilled cheese sparked a hankering for sandwiches. That yearning was fueled even further by the chill in the air. You know, that chill that waves on a need for soup.The two cravings, coupled with a crappy day at work I won?t get into on this blog, became a much needed comfort dinner - perfect for Meeta?s event, Monthly Mingle - Comfort Foods. Soup and sandwich = curl up, turn the phone off, and chill out.For the sandwich, I made a Mozzarella and Arugula Pesto Panini.First, I made an arugula pesto/paste by blending (in the food processor) about 3 ounces baby arugula, about ¼ cup rated parmesan, about ½ cup chopped walnuts, salt/pepper, and oil. I added the oil until it came together, less than I would put in a full blown pesto.I spread the pesto on one side of two pieces of bread (that I also lightly buttered its ?pan? side).On one of the pieces, I layered a dic...
More About: Dinner , Sandwich

Kicked Up Grilled Cheese
2008-01-30 13:39:00
panino con formaggio alla griglia/grilled cheese sandwichI love grilled cheese! I love it so that, although I am not a fast food fan, I must admit Steak and Shake has a killer grilled cheese sandwich on their kids meal menu. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches also make me miss the times I cooked in a dive bar years back when I used to make myself grilled cheese and tomato or grilled cheese and roasted red pepper sandwiches all the time. Its an easy 'wich to cook on a big flat grill. Unfortunately, I am not as good with cooking them in a smaller skillet/pan. Not good with its cook time in my kitchen, I tend to ruin/char the bread. Even this sandwich turned out a little dark, but I think the key (edible) difference this time was the kind of bread I used - thicker and hardier than sandwich bread. My admiration for grilled cheese was fueled this week when I flipped through one of my new cookbooks, Make It Super Simple with G. Garvin.(I have Turn Up the Heat with G. Garvin already, so I was exci...
More About: Gruyere

Kitchen of Love
2008-01-29 12:38:00
cucina d'amore/kitchen of love As February quickly draws near, so does Valentine?s Day. While commercialism causes the adverse effect for many, Valentine?s Day remains a day for love, etching a small moment for adornment and thoughtfulness into our busy lives. And so, I have decided to host an event that celebrates Valentine?s Day and many food aphrodisiacs that offer endless possibilities to this affectionate day.How to participate:Make an appetizer, dinner dish, or side item that includes at least one food considered an aphrodisiac. An abbreviated list can be found on this post. You can also fine tons of links by completing a Google search.(No desserts please. If you have a dessert, consider making into a heart and participate in Zorra?s wonderful event, A Heart for your Valentine.)Post about your creation between now and Sunday, February 10, 2008. If possible, include pictures with your post. The round up will be completed by February 12, 2008.No blog? No prob! Just email me you...
More About: Love , Kitchen

Daring Bakers Challenge #15: Lemon Meringue
2008-01-28 12:40:00
torta di limone/lemon pieI was excited and nervous all at the same time when I read that challenge this month was Lemon Meringue Pie. Even though I always loved my mom?s pie, I have never made one of my own. And, I am not too impressive when it comes to prebaked anything. I see prebake, visions of crispiness shoot across my brain! Even when I keep an eye on the shells in the oven, watch the clock carefully, there is always a second where great goes ugly. I would love to say this DB challenge was different ? but, I cannot. My Free-Style Lemon Tartlets came out cute! The pie? Yeah, not so much. Oh well! Crispy or not, like all DB Challenge s?.it was fun!Don't forget to to check out the other Bakers to see how their pies turned out. I am sure they all blow mine away! :) I can't wait to look.Lemon Meringue Pie(from "Wanda's Pie in the Sky" by Wanda Beaver)Makes one 10-inch (25 cm) pie For the Crust:¾ cup (180 mL) cold butter; cut into ½-inch (1.2 cm) pieces2 cups (475 mL) all-purpose ...

Love is in the air....
2008-01-27 16:56:00
canción de amor/love songStarting to think about Valentine 's Day? I have since I actually may have a cute boy to go out with that day (duck - the sky may about to fall in). So, I have been thinking of Valentine sweets. And, if you're planning on participating in Zorra's A Heart for your Valentine event, the day for lover's has been on your mind, too!Last week, I tried out raspberry bon bons that were pretty yummy! Yesterday, I busted out the maraschino cherries and made Chocolate Buttercream Cherry Candies. I made these candies last year before Mele Cotte began. They have ended up to be some of the goodies that are talked about the most. I was going to make them for the party but (for me, anyway) they are a little too time consuming. In reality, they're probably not any different than other yummies, but there is something I am doing that is making these lil' guys harder than they need to be; and I think its with juice that doesn't completely drain and the filling getting all ...
More About: Love

Mint Cake Minis
2008-01-26 16:37:00
menta/mintMint Cake MinisLast year, I made ice cream muffins. Yup! You read correctly - ice cream muffins. A colleague, Debbie, told our team about Ice Cream Muffins at one of our meetings and we were all intrigued. How complicated are they? Would you believe me if I told you the muffins involve only 2 ingredients? Mix 1 pint of your favorite ice cream (that has been completely melted by leaving it out) and 1 cup of self rising flour. Pour into greased or lined cupcake pans and bake for 20 minutes at 375° F. Voila! Muffins.After trying the recipe with two of Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavors last time, I went with just the mint this time. Baking mini-muffins, I topped them with a mint ganache and Junior Mints. The ladies at work loved them!Let me know how they are if you try them!http://melecotte.blogspot.com/feeds/ posts/default?alt=rss

A Frugal Feast: Chicken Casserole
2008-01-25 12:40:00
casseruola/casseroleI made a fantastic ?plan ahead? crab casserole for Annette?s post-party brunch a couple of weeks ago. That particular casserole is not cheap if you use real lump meat crab like I did. However, playing with ingredients was not only fun and creative, but less expensive. My new version turned out considerably cheaper and just as satisfying.Chicken Casserole Dinner for 2Total Cost $6.98 10 ounces uncooked spiral pasta - I used mini penne ($0.99)1 ½ cups shredded Mozzarella ($.89)1 cup (scant) onions/green pepper/tomato mix, diced ($2.40/trio pack)1 oz. can fresh mushrooms ($0.59)1 garlic clove, minced2 Tbsp. olive oil¼ lb. Chicken, deli sliced, diced ($1.12)½ cup sour cream ($0.99)2 teaspoons salt1 ½ teaspoon Italian SeasoningCook pasta according to package directions. In a bowl, mix together the chicken, sour cream, salt and basil. While the pasta is cooking, sauté mushrooms* and garlic in olive oil, then add the veggie trio until crisp-tender. Remove from the heat. ...
More About: Feast , Frugal

Nutty Pear Compote
2008-01-24 06:01:00
pera/pearNutty Pear CompoteI have a tendency to focus on an ingredient for a while after the ingredient and I have had a successful interaction. That ingredient was gelatin this week. I did such an injustice to my November attempt with gelatin, but was quite stoked when my tomato terrine worked out. I had to keep it rollin?! So, I decided to try doin? something with the canned pears that were sitting in the cabinet. It was time to eat them, use them, or get rid of them before the expiration. So, tried going the terrine route and ended up with a jelly thing. The ingredients make it a candidate for Julia and Scott?s In the Bag. It couples well with goat cheese and is lovely with an added balsamic glaze.Pear Compote2 28-oz cans sliced pears (in water)1 cup sugar1 cup water1 Tbsp. lemon juice2 packs gelatin powder½ cup of nuts, chopped or whole ? your preferencePuree the pears & lemon in a food processor. Transfer into a bowl, add the gelatin and mix to incorporate. Set aside.In a s...

Star light, Star Bright...
2008-01-23 06:09:00
Please bring forth an Almond Delight. My heart smiled when you kissed my lips. What a sweet surprise.~author unknownammaliare!/delight!I had a blast making the Marzipan Truffles for Annette's party. Because of the fun, I knew I wanted to keep working with marzipan and trying new things. I mean, people make such fabulous treats with the very pliable marzipan dough, why can't I? So, I decided to make a single batch this time and see what I could drum up this go around. Off to the cabinet.Scanning...scanning....Darn...all out of nutella,Ugh...no more Solo,hmm, the jar of Fluff? Woa! Too much pressure hit the bridge of my nose at that thought.... Candy filling? Okay! What's hanging out? Peanut butter? With almond marzipan? Naaaa. Whipped Chocolate? Sure, but I worked with that combo before. Raspberry? mmmmm! Coconut? Coconut? Coconut and Almond? What! Why not make an Almond Joy look-alike? Look out Hersheys...There's a new confectioner in town...Thoughts of Almond Joys arrived in pe...
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