Monday, September 28, 2009

Creme Puffs in Venice


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Nothing like a timely visit to an old friend, and pictures that may just challenge your ability to keep your drool in your mouth...

*Click here:*

http://www.creampuffsinvenice.ca/

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

A delicious herb salad recipe


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*A delicious must see and read herb salad recipe, click here:*

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/herb-salad-recipe.html]

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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Lazy Day Peanut Noodle Salad


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My favorite site for fast, healthy recipes, click here:

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/lazy-day-peanut-noodle-salad-recipe.html

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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Oven-Steamed Salmon With Lentils and Sundried Tomatoes

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Salmon is so delicious and nutritious, with lentils it's a popular French bistro favorite, and sundried tomatoes offer a delicious twist!

Click here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/health/nutrition/28recipehealth.html?em

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

*The Art of Cupcakes...*

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I have just recently discovered the blooming Art of Cupcakes, and I am blown away! The possibilities for deliciousness and decorative art are endless... It's amazing & fun!

Some call it "Cupcakeology"... Anyway, for those who enjoy Sweet sights and Decorative Food Arts, here are two post links from *Cupcakes take the Cake* today...

Both Are Especially Recommended!

These are almost too cute and perfect to believe someone came up with, click here:

http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2009/01/slumber-party-cuppers.html

This post includes exquisite, decorated owl cupcakes and some amazing unique crafts:



http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2009/01/gorgeous-eco-vegan-cupcakes-and-some.html

(You have to look at the post above to see an apple sweater - a work of art - a fitted, crocheted sweater for an apple, with a button closure - Yes for those of you who are curious or like crafts at all, it is a should-see.)

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Friday, January 2, 2009

Aphrodisiac Ginger Custard with Poached Cherries Recipe

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Delicious, whether as aphrodisiac or not!!

Click here to see the recipe:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/ginger-custard-with-poached-cherries.html
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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Coffee Cake Recipes

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Warm, fresh Christmas coffee cake is a wonderful tradition on Christmas mornings or the mornings thereafter...

Here are some recipes (if you want you can read the comments & reviews for extra tips):

(This first one has cranberries, but you can substitute with other berries, like frozen strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries...)

Moist, Delicious Christmas Coffee Cake:

http://chefmom.com/recipebox/recipes/158.htm

Cinnamon Surprise Coffee Cake:

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=40784

Award-winning Blueberry Coffee Cake:

http://southernfood.about.com/od/blueberrycakerecipes/r/bl30322d.htm

Apple Streusel Coffee Cake:

http://southernfood.about.com/od/coffeecakerecipes/r/bl40313w.htm

Orange Coffee Cake:

http://southernfood.about.com/od/coffeecakerecipes/r/bl40102c.htm

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Monday, December 22, 2008

Favorite Family Holiday Recipes and Stories

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For a collection of favorite family recipes and stories about them, click here:

http://food.aol.com/festive-family-feasts/family-recipes?icid=200100397x1215933853x1200997188

I recommend these two recipes (their stories are on the main page).

Called the Yummiest Cookies on Earth - these are a most delicious old world star-shaped Finnish cookie recipe:

http://recipe.aol.com/recipe/kaisa-dutton-s-joulutortut/85061

For the All I Want are grandma's delicious Italian ricotta cookies:

http://recipe.aol.com/recipe/grandma-s-ricotta-cookies/85052

And if you're feeling extra cookie adventurous, here is the link for Martha Stewart's current favorite Christmas cookies -- photo gallery and recipes -- you know they're good!

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/holiday-cookies?lnc=38ee5422352ee010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=top7pop_food_christmas-recipes

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Saturday, December 6, 2008

World's Best Ginger Cookies

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I loooove ginger cookies!!!!! I found these two World's Best recipes, to have an unofficial contest of sorts. (You win both ways because you get to eat some of the World's Best ginger cookies... :)

You can try them and decide if you think they're indeed the World's Best, and leave your comments if you like! And remember, you can always add more ginger. I usually do!

Ginger is revered, and considered a natural medicine by many cultures in the Far East, a remedy for tummy aches, it is also warming and increases circulation, as well as being considered an aphrodisiac.

Enjoy ~ !!

For the recipes click here:

1.http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/WORLD-S-BEST-GINGER-COOKIES-1232411

2.http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Grandmas-Gingersnap-Cookies/Detail.aspx

(This recipe has been in the family since 1899 - they are also supposed to be some of the World's All-time best!)

For more ginger health info:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Ginger-Health:-Goodness-of-Ginger-Herb&id=106605

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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Delicious Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup

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MMMmmmm... With Ginger...

*Another cozy, delicious recipe*

Click here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/health/nutrition/20recipehealth.html?_r=1&em

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Friday, October 24, 2008

Cozy Recipe: Warm Potato Salad With Goat Cheese

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I found this delicious, healthy recipe in the New York Times.

Click here (Includes picture):

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/health/nutrition/23recipehealth.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin

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Monday, October 13, 2008

An Exceptionally Delicious Sounding Menu

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Take the can-you-keep-your-mouth-from-watering challenge (if you read slowly):

I too, would like to eat this one day...

MENU FOR THE OFFICIAL DINNER
IN HONOR OF HIS EXCELLENCY
SILVIO BERLUSCONI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC

Delicata Squash Soup with Citron
Maine Lobster Fondue
Artichoke and Reggiano Cheese Ravioli
Ponzi Chardonnay “Reserve” 2005
Crispy Eggplant and Swiss Chard
Robert Mondavi Cabernet “Reserve” 2005
“Santa Maria”
Chocolate Napoleon
Iron Horse “Russian River CuvĂ©e” 2003

MMMmmmm.....

Take me to your leader...'s dinner table... :p

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Saturday, August 30, 2008

Orange Cardamom Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting

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In Sweden, cardamom is a favorite spice that is widely used in pastries and sweets. Here is a cupcake recipe that is delicious year-round. Top with your favorite vanilla icing.... MMMmmm... And Enjoy!

*Orange Cardamom Cupcakes
with Vanilla Frosting*

33 2 1/2-inch-wide by 1 1/2-inch-high paper cupcake molds
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
4 1/2 cups cake flour
3 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
9 large eggs
1 1/2 tablespoons grated orange peel
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons orange-flower water*
2 1/4 cups (4 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3 3/4 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk

*A flavoring extract sold at liquor stores and in the liquor section or specialty foods section of some supermarkets.

*Preparation*

Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F. Lightly spray insides of 33 paper molds with nonstick spray; and place in cupcake tins or on a cookie sheet. Sift flour, ground cardamom, baking powder, and salt into large bowl. Whisk eggs, orange peel, vanilla, and orange-flower water in bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat butter in another large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until well blended. Beat in egg mixture in 3 additions. Beat in dry ingredients in 4 additions alternately with buttermilk, scraping bowl occasionally. Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each paper mold. Bake cupcakes until puffed and tester inserted into center comes out clean, reversing sheets after 12 minutes, about 25 minutes total (cupcakes may not brown on top). Transfer cupcakes to racks; cool completely.

Frost orange cupcakes with your favorite vanilla frosting.

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Saturday, August 16, 2008

Organic Raspberry Ice Cream

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This is a "shout-out" for Organic Raspberry Ice Cream.
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The ice cream itself inspired such a "shout-out."

It was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo goooooooooooooooood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you can eat organic ice cream, I can't recommend it more highly. It's so pure and delicious.

*Enjoy ~ !!!!*


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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

*Cherries and Creme*

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*Cherries and Cream*
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In Sweden and much of Europe, they have a popular tradition of eating strawberries in a bowl of cream in the summertime. I love this tradition, as there is something so delicious about the combination of the sweet, luscious fruit and cream - I love to eat berries and other fruit with cream (see Strawberry Creme Deluxe recipe below too). Here in the states it is popular to eat strawberry shortcake for dessert, which is good as well, but not as dreamily creamy!

Another favorite is cherries and cream ~ and here it's cherry season. So I highly recommend the combination to anyone who would like to try... so delicious! (For those of you interested in lower fat versions you can always use vanilla yogurt or your favorite non-dairy substitute.)

Enjoy ~ !

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Monday, August 11, 2008

*Melt in Your Mouth Blueberry Muffins*

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*Melt in your Mouth Blueberry Muffins*
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1 stick of butter at room temperature
1 cup of sugar (or sweetener of choice)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups blueberries
1/2 cup milk
Topping:
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl, beat in eggs, then vanilla, baking powder, and salt. Mash 1/2 cup of the blueberries, and mix in; then slowly fold in half of your flour, and half of the milk. Continue to gently fold in the remaining flour, milk, and blueberries. Best not to overmix ~! Grease twelve muffin cups with butter or oil of choice, fill with muffin batter. Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle on top of each muffin cup. Bake in center of oven 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool 20 minutes before removing from cups. Enjoy ~!

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Friday, August 8, 2008

Fresh, Delicious Fruit Salad With Mint

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*Fresh, Delicious Fruit Salad With Mint*
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2 pints strawberries
6 kiwi fruits
2 medium cantaloupes
2 ripe honeydews
1 handful fresh mint leaves
1 cup orange juice (fresh squeezed if possible!)
1/2 cup lemon juice (see above!)
6 tablespoons/or to taste, sweetener of choice (optional)

1. Wash, and clean the strawberries
2. Peel the kiwis and slice thin
3. Use a melon-baller to cut melon balls from cantaloupe and honeydew
4. Mix all the fruit together
5. Chop the mint leaves up very fine and sprinkle in with the fruit
6. Mix orange and lemon juice with sweetener and pour in over all
7. Toss salad gently
8. Garnish with fresh mint leaves
9. Serve chilled or at room temperature
10. Enjoy ~



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Thursday, August 7, 2008

Strawberry Creme Deluxe

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It's a good time to celebrate strawberry season, and berries are one of the best sources of antioxidants. Here is a creamy, delicious, indulgent treat, but lower calorie versions can be made with low or non-fat vanilla or plain, regular or soy yogurt.

*Strawberry Creme Deluxe*
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12 ounces fresh or frozen strawberries
2 cups fresh sour cream
3 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine strawberries, sour cream, honey, and vanilla in a blender or food processor; blend until creamy. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and mint sprigs or chocolate shavings.

Enjoy ~ !

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Saturday, August 2, 2008

Amazing Asiago Cheese and Summer Squash Blossoming Frittata

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*Amazing Asiago Cheese and Summer Squash Blossoming Frittata*
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2 green onions ~ finely chopped
3 or 4 squash blossoms ( * = per person)
1 - 2 baby summer squash (*) thinly sliced
2 - 4 eggs (*) beaten with a little milk (salt and/or pepper to taste - you can also experiment with other herbs and spices: thyme, cayenne pepper, paprika, etc.)
Asiago cheese to taste (a delicious sweet, creamy Italian cheese)
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Saute a little butter until soft in a good frittata-omelette capable frying pan.
Add squash blossoms briefly to saute (less than a minute); remove from pan.
Pour egg mixture into pan, evenly sprinkle in green onions, squash, and blossoms. Heat slowly until almost set: sprinkle with Asiago cheese and place under your broiler until lightly browned and puffed. Carefully remove from pan and serve... Enjoy ~ !
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