Showing posts with label Dessert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dessert. Show all posts

7.12.2012

Crepes: Strawberry Banana with Cream Filling

Pin It We finally made crepes!  After having them in France a few months ago, we have been meaning to try them.  I was pretty intimidated.  Pancakes have always been my thing.  But, crepes? 
Good news is I only completely botched the first two.  The trick is to spread the batter all over the pan immediately and only flip when the crepe moves very loosely in the pan.
Once I got the method down, I barely had to pay attention.  A little buttery and a little crispy, these crepes were light and tasty.  Perfect savory or sweet.
I went the sweet route.  The best part was the creamy filling, but we will definitely be going the savory route in the near future.  I am thinking asparagus.  Thoughts?
Top with a little powdered sugar to fulfill your sweet tooth cravings. 


Crepes with Cream Filling

Crepes
adapted from Better Homes & Garden New Cook Book Bridal Edition
Makes 10 crepes

2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 milk (I used almond milk)
1/2 c all purpose flour
1/2 c whole wheat flour - (If you want to skip the whole wheat, use 1 c of All purpose)
1 T cooking oil
1/4 t salt
2 T butter (for greasing the pan)

Mix together wet ingredient.  Slowly stir in sifted flour until mixed.  Heat a lightly greased 6 inch skillet.  Pour in 1/4 c batter.  Spread throughout pan by turning to the sides.  Brown.  Flip when the crepe moves loosely and flips easily.   Grease again and repeat with remaining batter.

Cream Filling

1/2 c cream cheese
1/2 c Greek Yogurt
2 T powdered sugar
1 t lemon zest

Combine and mix.  Fill 1-2 spoonfuls per crepe.  Put in fruit filling of choice.  Top with fruit and powdered sugar.

Bon Appétit!!



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3.11.2012

Tiramisu

Pin It *Dessert Post One.  I don't generally make desserts, which is why when my friend came over for dinner she brought the usual delicious Belgian chocolates and was quite surprised to find the tiramisu in the fridge.  Belgian chocolates are delicious.  Seriously, the best.  So, I normally think, why make dessert when I live in the country that has the most decadent chocolate in the world?  If you are not so lucky, to live in such a country... this tiramisu is delish and comes highly recommended to serve for dessert.  We learned this recipe in our cooking class in Florence, so it is the way the real Italians do tiramisu.
*I made this post before Nutella Cupcakes... but those were so good this had to wait.. but this is good, too!!!!  

Serve in a martini glass to make it über fancy (and get some use out of the martini glasses that have been sitting on your shelf since you started watching Sex and the City).  **Beware, by the time you complete this recipe, one of both of your arms will have fallen off.

Start by brewing two cups of strong coffee.  Next separate the egg whites and yolks into two medium size bowls.  Mix the sugar with the egg yolks until smooth.
 Add the marscapone to the egg yolk mixture.  Mix until even and set aside.

Begin whisking the egg white until into a foam like substance.  This is when your arm might fall off unless you are a real macho man. (my whisk broke trying to mash potatoes with it... note to self: get a potato masher)  Whisk until foam like substance is stiff enough it will stay in the bowl while tipping it upside down. If you have some guts, lift it over your head to make sure it doesn't move (this is a good test to know whether or not you have the right consistency).






Gently fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture with a wooden spoon until uniform.  If you are not familiar with folding, click on the link above in order to avoid disaster (trust me I speak from experience- the last time I used a folding technique, before knowing at all what folding was, I stirred and stirred and ended up with a completely separated lumpy liquid mixture). Chill for a half hour.
Chop or shave the dark and white chocolate, then set up your station to start dishing out the goodness.

Start layering a spoonful of the mouse like mixture into the glasses.  Break lady finger in half and dip in coffee.  Layer in.  Sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa powder.  Continue for two-three layers until mixture is used up and top with the chocolate shavings.  Chill for 2 hours before serving.



Tiramisu
Serves 5

Ingredients:
2 cups freshly brewed coffee
2 fresh* eggs room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
500 grams marscapone cheese
10-15 lady finger cookies
shaved or chopped white and dark chocolate
unsweetened cocoa to sprinkle

*note: Use only fresh eggs purchased that day, as this recipe contains raw egg.  See more about the risk factors here:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/egg" target="_blank">
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/RawEggs.htm" target="_blank">.
Please exercise caution when preparing dishes with raw eggs and use them right away (do NOT save for leftovers).

Directions: 
Start by brewing two cups strong coffee.  Separate the egg whites and yolks into two medium sized bowls.  Stir the sugar into the yolks until smooth.  Add the marscapone cheese and stir until uniform.  Set aside.  Begin whisking the egg whites until into a stiff foam like texture.  This will take some time.  Gently fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture with a wooden spoon.  Chill in fridge for half hour. 


Layer in a spoonful of mouse like mixture into serving dish.  Break lady finger cookie in half and soak in coffee.  Layer cookie into serving bowl.  Sprinkle with a dash of unsweetened cocoa powder. Repeat until mixture has been used up.  Top with chocolate shavings.  Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.  Bon Appetit!



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3.06.2012

Nutella Cheesecake Cupcakes with Pretzel Crust

Pin It If I could swim in a sea of Nutella..... well, that would be amahzing*.  I just recently tried Nutella (after being in Europe for OVER a year!).  I was missing out... and those of you who have yet to do so, do it.  Immediately.  Our new favorite snack is pretzels dipped in Nutella.  To. Die. For.  Which is what inspired this post, Nutella Cheesecake Cupcakes with Pretzel Crust.  Lucky for me, it was buy one get one half off at the store yesterday.  I should have bought more (it's the part of me that is my mom... stock up on a good deal, she brings it to a whole other level).  Taste Tester thought buying two jars was crazy (he is the crazy one for even thinking that). 

*yes, I am obsessed with Happy Endings and Penny is my fave... Oh! and she said she was "tie tie" in the Valentine's Day episode... she must have got that phrase from me. 

 While 1650 grams of Nutella should tied me over for a while, I think I will go back tomorrow for two more jars of the creamy, chocolaty yumminess (I will need it, especially after making this recipe).

Start by preheating the oven to 325 F (16 3C).  Crush the pretzels and mix with butter and brown sugar.  Use a food processor if you have one.  I went to town with my mortar and pestle and it worked just fine.













                                  Layer cupcake liners with the pretzel crust.  Smoosh it down with a pestle (or the bottom of a cup or glass). 
 
Cream together the cream cheese and sugar.  Add eggs and flour.  Beat on medium until texture is smooth and even.
 Spoon in 1/2 of the cheesecake filling.  Smooth out with a butter knife or back of a spoon.
 Add the Nutella to the rest of the cheesecake filling.  Then top over the first layer.
Bake 20-25 minutes, until set.  Cool on rack and chill.
No need to say more, okay I will anyway......... decadent creamy cheesy chocolaty hazelnutty crunchy nutella-y goodness. 


Nutella Cheesecake Cupcakes with Pretzel Crust

Ingredients:

Crust:
1 1/2 cup pretzels 
2 Tbs unsalted butter softened
1 Tbs brown sugar

Filling:
16 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 organic eggs at room temperature
2 Tbs flour
1/3 cup Nutella


Topping:
Extra Nutella
Chopped Hazelnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 F (163 C).  Crush pretzels using a food processor or mortar and pestle (anything will do, just crush those bad boys).  Add the brown sugar and butter.  Blend until uniform.  Layer a cupcake tin with 12 cupcake liners.  Spoon a spoonful of the crust in each liner.  Smoosh down with a small glass (or pestle).   

Put the cream cheese and sugar in a small mixing bowl.  Mix together until smooth.  Add the eggs and flour.  Beat until mixture in uniform.  Spoon 1/2 of the cheesecake mixture over the crust.  Smooth the top with the bottom of a spoon or butter knife.  Add the Nutella to the remaining cheesecake filling.  Layer over the first cheesecake layer.  Smooth the top.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, until set.  Cool on a wire rack and chill.

Frost with a layer of Nutella (You get the picture, I like Nutella).  Top with chopped Hazelnuts and serve. 

Melt in your mouth goodness.  Bon Appetit!!  


 Officially adding a Nutelleria to the Euro Bucket List...Maybe a visit on World Nutella Day 2013 is in order??
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