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- Barbara and Pat together developed these tasty, healthful morsels.
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- Peanut Butter Carob Balls
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- CAROB BALLS: TOPPING:
- 1 jar (20 oz) peanut butter 2 T butter
- 1/2 c honey 3 T honey
- 2 1/2 c graham cracker crumbs 1 carob candy bar, melted,
- 1 T buttermilk or carob chips, melted
- 4 T dry milk powder 2 T flour
- 1 1/2 c cream
- 1 1/2 t vanilla extract
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- To make the carob balls, blend all ingredients together and form into one-inch
- balls. Bake at 350 degrees, 10 minutes or until tops are barely toasted.
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- Meanwhile, melt butter and honey together with carob. Stir in flour. Slowly
- pour in cream, and stir in vanilla. Pour over balls. Chill 1 hour.
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- Makes 36 balls
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- KEY WORDS: cookies, baked goods, kids, bake sale, stores well, make ahead
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- Summer favorite for picnics, potlucks and Fourth of July.
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- Strawberry Pie
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- 2 cups strawberries, crushed 2 1/2 T cornstarch
- 1/3 cup water 1 T butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup 2 baskets whole strawberries
- 1 T fresh lemon juice 1 graham cracker crust, baked
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- In a saucepan, mix crushed strawberries with water, syrup, lemon juice,
- cornstarch and butter. Simmer about 2 minutes or until mixture thickens and
- clears. Cool 15 minutes.
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- Remove stems from berries and arrange them, pointed end up, in baked 9-inch
- graham cracker pie crust. Carefully spoon glaze over berries. Chill. Serve
- with whipped cream if desired.
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- Serves 6.
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- KEY WORDS: dessert, entertain, easy, kids, gift, pie, make ahead, potluck,
- brunch
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- A basic crust for many different fillings.
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- Graham Cracker Crust
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- 2 T honey 1 2/3 c graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 c butter
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- Melt honey and butter together. Mix in graham cracker crumbs. Press mix in an
- even layer over sides and bottom of oiled 9-inch pie pan. Bake at 350 degrees
- for 9-12 minutes. Let cool before filling.
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- Makes 1 pie shell
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- KEY WORDS: easy, baked goods, pie, make ahead, freezes well
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- Just a hint of sophistication.
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- Amaretto Peach Pie
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- 6 c sliced peaches 1/2 tsp arrowroot
- 1 whole wheat double pie crust 1/3 c Amaretto
- 1/8 c honey 3 T flour
- 1/4 c butter 3 T lemon juice
- 1/4 c maple syrup 1/2 tsp nutmeg
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- Place peaches in bottom of 9-inch pie crust. In saucepan, heat together honey,
- butter, and maple syrup until just melted. Stir in arrowroot; mixture will
- thicken. Add Amaretto, flour, lemon juice and nutmeg. Pour liquid over
- peaches. Cover with top pie crust. Seal edges and cut small holes in top
- crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes or until pie is golden brown and
- bubbling at holes.
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- Serves 6
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- KEY WORDS: baked goods, entertain, pie, dessert, make ahead
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- For your coffee break, a tasty coffee cake.
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- Sour Cream Coffee Cake
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- CAKE: TOPPING:
- 1/2 c butter 1/2 c fine graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 c honey 1/2 c nuts
- 1/8 c molasses 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 c maple syrup 1 c whole pecans
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 c white unbleached pastry flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 c sour cream
- 1/4 c cream
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- Cream together butter, honey, molasses, maple syrup, eggs and vanilla. Add the
- flour a little at a time, mixing well. Add baking powder, sour cream and
- cream; blend well. Pour half of batter into oiled 9 x 7-inch baking dish.
- Combine topping ingredients. Sprinkle half the topping over the batter. Spoon
- on rest of batter. Sprinkle remaining topping over top of cake. Bake at 350
- degrees for 30 minutes.
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- Serves 8
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- KEY WORDS: baked goods, brunch, entertain, cake, make ahead
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- Lemon pie to go.
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- Lemon Bars
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- BARS: FROSTING:
- 2 c flour 1/4 c flour
- 1/2 c powdered sugar 2 c sugar
- 1 c butter, softened 2/3 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 c lemon juice
- 4 eggs
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- Mix flour and sugar together. Using a pastry blender or fork, mix in butter
- until well-blended. Press mixture into unoiled 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake at 350
- degrees for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned.
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- Meanwhile, to prepare frosting, beat together flour, sugar, baking powder,
- lemon juice and eggs. Pour this mixture over hot, baked bars. Bake again at
- 350 degrees for 25 minutes. While still hot, dust top with powdered sugar.
- Cool and cut.
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- Makes 24 bars
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- KEY WORDS: bake sale, potluck, cookies, baked goods, kids, make ahead
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- Quick and easy.
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- Peach Brulee
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- 2 lb fresh peaches, sliced 3/4 tsp grated lemon peel
- 1 pint sour cream 1 c brown sugar OR
- 1 T sugar 1/2 c honey
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- Arrange peach slices in 9-inch pie plate. Blend together sour cream, sugar and
- lemon peel. Pour over fruit. Sprinkle brown sugar over sour cream, covering
- thoroughly. Broil 3 inches from broiler for 1-4 minutes or until sugar
- bubbles. Serve immediately.
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- Serves 6
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- KEY WORDS: dessert, entertain, easy, sinfully rich, quick
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- Brunch suggestion.
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- Peach Bread
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- 2 c flour 2 T butter, softened
- 3/4 c brown sugar 2 c sliced peaches, drain and reserve syrup
- 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 c reserved syrup
- 1/2 tsp salt 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 c raisins (optional)
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
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- Combine dry ingredients. Add butter, peaches, syrup and eggs. Beat 2-3
- minutes at medium speed. Add raisins if desired. Pour into buttered 5 x 9-
- inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes.
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- Makes 1 loaf
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- KEY WORDS: bread, entertain, kids, baked goods, brunch, stores well, snack,
- make ahead
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- Dessert lover's choice.
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- Half and Half Bars
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- FILLING: CRUST:
- 1 c semisweet chocolate chips 1 1/2 c flour
- 1 pkg (3 oz) cream cheese 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 c condensed milk 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 T cashews, ground 3/4 c sugar
- 1/2 c chopped walnuts 1/2 c butter, softened
- 1/4 tsp almond extract 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
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- Make the filling first. In a saucepan, combine chocolate chips, cream cheese
- and milk. Melt over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in
- nuts and almond extract; blend well. Set aside.
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- In a large bowl, combine all remaining ingredients. Mix well until crumbly.
- Press half the crust mixture into an oiled 7 x 11-inch pan. Spread filling
- over crust. Sprinkle rest of crust mixture over filling. Bake at 350 degrees
- for 20-25 minutes.
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- Makes 18 bars
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- KEY WORDS: entertain, sinfully rich, cookies, bake sale, baked goods, potluck,
- kids
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- Whenever pears are in season, so is this Michele original.
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- Chunky Pear Cake
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- CAKE: FROSTING:
- 1 1/2 c dark brown sugar 1/3 c butter
- 1 1/2 c salad oil 3 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp baking soda 2 1/2 c powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 c flour
- 4 eggs
- 2 lbs pears
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- In a large bowl, blend together sugar, oil, baking powder, baking soda,
- cinnamon, ginger, salt and flour. Beat at medium speed for 5 minutes. Add
- eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Core pears, and cut
- them into half-inch chunks. Stir pear chunks into batter. Pour batter into
- unoiled 9 x 13-inch glass pan. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until done.
- Cool before frosting.
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- For frosting, beat together butter, cream cheese and vanilla until smooth.
- Beat in powdered sugar. Frost the cooled pear cake, and serve when ready.
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- Serves 8
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- KEY WORDS: entertain, cake, baked goods, frosting, dessert, kids
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- Triple good and triple easy.
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- Triple Rich Brownies
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- FIRST LAYER: SECOND LAYER:
- 1 oz unsweetened chocolate 1/4 c butter
- 1/4 c butter 2 c powdered sugar
- 1 egg 3/4 tsp vanilla
- 2/3 c sugar 3 T whipping cream
- 1/4 c flour THIRD LAYER:
- 1 c chopped pecans 1 oz unsweetened chocolate
- 1/4 c butter
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- Combine chocolate and butter by melting over low heat, stirring constantly.
- Beat together egg and sugar. Slowly add to the chocolate mixture, beating
- well. Stir in flour and nuts. Pour into lightly buttered 9-inch square pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees about 20 minutes. Cool.
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- Next, prepare the second layer. Cream together butter, powdered sugar,
- vanilla, and whipping cream. Spread on top of the cooled brownies.
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- Combine the remaining chocolate and butter, and melt over low heat. Pour the
- chocolate butter over the second layer. Chill until top two layers are firm.
- Cut into one-inch squares.
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- Makes 36 squares
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- KEY WORDS: entertain, cookies, sinfully rich, baked goods, bake sale, easy,
- kids, potluck, make ahead
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- With origins in the coffee houses of the Middle East, this special drink is
- sure to please.
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- Alexander Espresso
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- 1 c cold water 2 t brandy
- 2 T ground espresso coffee 2 T whipping cream, chilled
- 1/2 cinnamon stick (6-inch long sticks) grated semisweet chocolate or
- 4 t creme de cacao chocolate curls
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- Make espresso with water and coffee. Break cinnamon stick into small pieces
- and add to hot espresso. Allow to cool slightly.
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- Add creme de cacao and brandy, and stir gently. Pour into demitasse cups.
- Whip the cream, and float a dollop on top of each cup. Garnish with grated
- chocolate or chocolate curls.
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- Multiply proportions by six and it's perfect for a party.
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- Serves 2
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- KEY WORDS: sinfully rich, beverage, entertain
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- Peanut butter and chocolate, a winning combination.
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- Sweet 'n' Peanutty Chocolate Balls
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- 3 c powdered sugar, sifted 3/4 c peanut butter
- 1 1/2 c graham cracker crumbs 1 1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 c pecans finely chopped 4 T butter
- 3/4 c butter 1 T milk
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- Combine powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs and pecans; stir until uniform in
- color. In a saucepan, melt butter and peanut butter together. Pour over sugar
- mix, and stir until just moistened. Form into one-inch balls.
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- In a separate saucepan, combine chocolate chips, butter and milk. Melt
- together over low heat, stirring just enough to blend. Coat balls with
- chocolate by dipping into chocolate mixture one at a time. Place on waxed
- paper, and chill before serving.
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- Makes 60 balls
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- KEY WORDS: candy, holiday, entertain, kids, make ahead, stores well
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- Strawberry bliss a la francaise.
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- La Culinaire
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- 1 basket fresh strawberries with stems
- 2 ounces Grand Marnier
- 2 squares white or bittersweet chocolate
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- Inject strawberries with Grand Marnier, using flavorizer. Inject gently until
- each berry will hold no more liquid. Melt chocolate in top of a double boiler.
- Holding the injected berries by their stems, dip them one at a time into the
- chocolate. Turn them stem side down onto a piece of wax paper that covers a
- plate. When finished dipping berries, place plate in refrigerator and chill
- one hour before serving.
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- Serves 6
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- KEY WORDS: sinfully rich, entertain, dessert
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- They'll ask for seconds.
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- Blueberry Pie
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- 1 can (13.5 oz) sweetened condensed milk 1 c water
- 2 T maple syrup 1 carton (8 oz) sour cream
- 1/3 c lemon juice 1 basket blueberries
- 2 T unflavored gelatin 1 graham cracker crust, baked
- 1/4 c hot water
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- Beat together condensed milk, maple syrup and lemon juice. In a separate bowl,
- dissolve the gelatin in hot water. When dissolved, add the rest of the water.
- Pour into milk mixture. Beat in sour cream. Crush one third of the berries
- and beat into mixture. Carefully fold in remaining berries and pour into a
- baked 9-inch graham cracker crust. Chill two hours before serving.
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- Serves 6
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- KEY WORDS: easy, entertain, pie, dessert, make ahead
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- A basic European dessert popular across the continent.
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- Summer Fruit Compote
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- 1/2 c maple syrup 2 naval oranges, peeled and sectioned
- 2 c water 1 grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
- 1 1/2 lb plums, halved and pitted 1/2 lb green seedless grapes
- 1 basket boysenberries 1/3 c wine (plum is good)
- 1 basket raspberries fresh mint leaves
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- In a saucepan, bring maple syrup and water to a boil; simmer for two minutes.
- Reduce heat to low simmer and poach plums (submerge them in the hot water) for
- one-half minute. Transfer plums with a slotted spoon to the serving bowl.
- Poach boysenberries and raspberries for fifteen seconds, and then transfer them
- to the serving bowl. Poach orange and grapefruit sections one minute, and
- remove them to the serving dish. Poach grapes for fifteen seconds, and
- transfer them to the serving dish. Stir wine into the syrup and simmer two
- minutes. Let wine syrup cool; spoon over fruit. Sprinkle compote with fresh
- mint leaves. Ladle into individual bowls. May be served alone, or with ice
- cream or yogurt.
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- Serves 6
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- KEY WORDS: easy, brunch, entertain, salad, dessert, English tea, outdoor
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- Coffee lovers will love this.
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- Coffee Chiffon Dessert
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- 2 T unflavored gelatin 1 c whipping cream
- 1 c coffee liqueur 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 c hot strong coffee 1 creme de menthe pie crust OR
- 1/2 c pure maple syrup 1 graham cracker crust
- 2 tsp lemon juice
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- In large mixing bowl, soften gelatin in coffee liqueur. Add hot coffee, maple
- syrup, and lemon juice. Stir until gelatin is totally dissolved. Chill the
- coffee mixture until almost firm, then beat until totally free of lumps. In a
- separate bowl, whip the cream and vanilla together, until the cream forms soft
- peaks. Fold cream into coffee mixture. Spoon into 9-inch pie crust. Chill at
- least 2 hours before serving.
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- Serves 8
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- KEY WORDS: easy, entertain, sinfully rich, pie, dessert, make ahead, holiday
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- A variation on the graham cracker crust.
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- Creme de Menthe Pie Crust
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- 1 2/3 c graham cracker crumbs 3 T maple syrup
- 3/4 c pecans, crushed 1/3 c creme de menthe
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- Combine graham cracker crumbs with crushed pecans. Stir in maple syrup and
- creme de menthe. Press into a lightly oiled 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 350
- degrees 10-12 minutes; do not overbake.
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- Makes 1 pie shell
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- KEY WORDS: easy, baked goods, pie, make ahead
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- For your next luncheon.
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- Cream Cheese Whities
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- FILLING: 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 T butter 2 T cream
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese 2 c white unbleached flour
- 2 tsp maple syrup 1/2 tsp baking powder
- BATTER: 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 c maple syrup 1/2 c nuts
- 3 eggs 1/4 tsp almond extract
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- For the filling, combine butter and cream cheese with maple syrup; set aside.
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- In a separate bowl, blend together maple syrup, eggs, vanilla, and cream. Add
- flour in three additions, mixing well after each addition. Add baking powder
- and baking soda. Stir in nuts and almond extract.
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- Pour half the batter into an oiled 8-inch square baking dish. Carefully spread
- cream cheese filling on top. Spoon remaining batter over the top. Bake at 350
- degrees for 30 minutes. Top will be golden brown, perhaps with some "whitie"
- peeking through. Serve warm.
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- Serves 4
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- KEY WORDS: baked goods, cake, brunch, entertain, dessert
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- Even better than drinking it straight.
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- Coffee Liqueur Mousse
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- 4 eggs, separated 1/4 c coffee liqueur
- 1/4 c maple syrup 1/8 c cognac
- 1 c water 1 c whipping cream
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- In a blender or with electric beater, blend together egg yolks, maple syrup and
- water. Transfer to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add
- coffee liqueur and cognac. Chill. Beat cream and egg whites until soft peaks
- form. Carefully fold into chilled liqueur mixture. Spoon into demitasse
- glasses, and chill 2 hours.
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- Serves 6
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- KEY WORDS: easy, entertain, sinfully rich, dessert, holiday
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- Ole!
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- Mexican Coffee Liqueur Cookies
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- 1/2 c butter 2 c white unbleached flour
- 1/2 c cream 1 tsp baking soda
- 2/3 c maple syrup 1/2 c oats
- 1/2 c Kahlua or other coffee liqueur 1/2 c nuts
- 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 c mint carob chips
- 1 egg
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- Cream together butter, cream, maple syrup, coffee liqueur and vanilla. Stir in
- egg. Add flour in three additions, making sure each addition is thoroughly
- mixed. Add baking soda and oats. By hand, stir in nuts and mint chips. Drop
- by teaspoonfuls on an unoiled cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees 10-12 minutes.
- Cookies will be golden brown.
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- Makes 48 cookies
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- KEY WORDS: easy, bake sale, baked goods, brunch, entertain, potluck, cookies
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- The answer to a peach lover's dream.
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- Peach Kuchen
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- 1 lb fresh peaches or pears, sliced 1/2 c maple syrup
- 2 T lemon juice 1 1/2 t baking powder
- 1/3 c butter, melted 1 egg
- 1/2 c cream 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 c flour 1/8 tsp nutmeg
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- Slice peaches or pears and dip in lemon juice. Combine melted butter and
- cream. Blend in flour, maple syrup and baking powder. Beat in egg and
- vanilla. Transfer batter to a very lightly oiled, 9-inch round pie plate.
- Place peaches on top. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake at 350 degrees for 30
- minutes. Batter will rise to slightly cover peaches. Serve warm.
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- Serves 6
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- KEY WORDS: easy, brunch, entertain, cake, dessert, make ahead
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