A New Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.. Gooey & Yummy

2 Cups of Flour
½ Tsp Baking Soda
½ Tsp Salt
1&½ Stick of Butter
1 Cup Light Soft Brown Sugar
½ Cup White Sugar
1 Tbps Vanilla Extract
1 Egg & 1 Egg Yolk
1 Bag of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Method:

Preheat the oven for 5 minutes at 160 degrees C.Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Sift the Flour, baking soda, and salt together and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, mix the butter, brown sugar, and the white sugar until creamy.
Add the egg, egg yolk and vanilla and blend well.
Add the sifted floor mix until well combined.
With a wooden spoon add and mix in the chocolate chips.
Drop a large spoonful of dough on the cookie sheet leaving 6cm apart between them.
Bakes the cookies for 30 minutes in a convention oven until the edges are slightly golden brown.
Keep the cookies on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. ( I use cold plates to keep them intact and avoid breaking).

Enjoy! 

Cream Cheese Frosting For Cupcakes

This recipe can accompany the Oh So Divine Red Velvet CupCakes!

Ingredients:

1 Cup cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 Cup unsalted butter - half a stick, softened
1/2 tsp essence of Vanilla
11/4 Cups powdered sugar, sifted
Pinch of salt

Method:

-Using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese and the butter to a smooth consistency.
- Lower the speed on the mixer and add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla.
- Turn the mixer on high again, beat the ingredients until light and fluffy.
- Its ready to use at once, cover if using it later.

Oh So Divine Red Velvet CupCakes !

This recipe makes one 1 dozen regular size cupcakes.

Ingredients:
11/4 cups sifted all purpose flour, make sure you sift it prior to measuring

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 bottle red rouge food coloring

4 tbsp unsalted butter, around 1/4 cup

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg at room temperature

1 tsp vanilla essence  

1/2 cup buttermilk (liban), I use activia, at room temperature

1/2 tsp white vinegar

1/2 tsp baking soda

Method:
- Preheat the oven at 180 degrees, line 2 12-cups muffin tins with cupcake paper.
- In a bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set side.
- In a small bowl mix together the food coloring and cocoa powder until smooth with no lumps, set aside.
- Using an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar together for around 3 minutes or until it's light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla, then the cocoa powder & baking soda mix.
- Add in 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture beating it well.
- Add in half of the butter milk to the mixture while beating.
- Beat in another 1/3 of the flour mixture and the second half of the buttermilk.
- Finely beat in the last 1/3 of the flour mixture and beat until everything is well combined.
- In a small bowl, place the vinegar and add the baking soda to it. (it will foam a little bit).
- Add the vinegar mixture to the cake batter and stir it with a spatula to combine it well.
- Using an ice cream scooper, fill 3/4 of the muffin tins with the cupcake batter.
- Place the tins in the oven and bake for 22 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the middle to check if the cupcakes are done.
- Cool the cakes for 10 minutes in the muffin tins, and then cool them for another ten minutes after removing them from the tins and placing them on a wire rack.
- The must be completely cool before frosting them.

Frosting them with Cream Cheese Icing (Recipe)

Raspberry Love Eton Mess .. Made by Moi

This would be perfect for Valentine's ! it's fast and yummy.
Eton mess is a traditional English dessert consisting of a mixture of strawberries, pieces of meringue and cream. I decided to make them using Raspberries instead, simply because I wanted to!  I made this for our Saturday gathering and it was a success.
It's so easy to make; if you follow the recipe well & it's also Delicious! I started out by making the meringues in advance, made the raspberry syrupy mixture, and then I went ahead with assembling the dessert. It's such a treat!

Happy Valentine's Day ... 

Ingredients for the Meringues: (forming 8 large Meringues or 12 small ones)
2 large egg whites only
1/2 cup granulated sugar

Ingredients for the Raspberry Syrupy Mixture:
4 small packages of raspberries
1&1/2 cups of sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp pineapple juice - I use KDD 

Ingredients for the Cream:
2&1/2 cups cold heavy cream - I use Almarai whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract



Method:
Start out with making the meringues. Preheat your oven at the lowest gas mark setting.
In a mixer, whip the egg whites and some of the sugar and continue whipping until it becomes bubbly.
Gradually add in the remaining sugar while whipping the egg whites until it forms a stiff peak.
To test the stiffness of the cream , hold the bowl upside down, the mixture should remain intact.
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon the meringue mixture on it leaving an inch apart between the meringues.(they don't have to be perfect, we will break & crumble them)
Place the baking tray in the center of the oven and bake for 45 minutes.
After 45 minutes of baking turn the oven off but keep the meringues in for another hour.
Remove the meringues from the oven and leave them to cool completely while you finish up the rest of the dessert.
Once the meringues are cooled, break & crumble them into large pieces.

Now for the Raspberry Syrupy Mixture. In a saucepan pour the 2 packages of raspberries, the sugar, & lemon juice.
Crush the berries lightly with a spoon & bring the mixture to a full boil, once boiled, lower the heat and let it simmer for around 10 minutes, while stirring occasionally so it does not stick.

Once the  hot mixture is syrupy fold in the remaining 2 packages of raspberries and pineapple juice. (But keep a few fresh ones for decorating). refrigerate until it is very cold.

Finely, the making of the cream. In an electric mixture, beat the cream, sugar, and vanilla together until it's firm. Set aside & start assembling.

In glasses of your choice, layer a spoonful of the whipped cream, then top it with the raspberry mixture, and then a few crumbles of the meringues. Repeat this process twice or three times until the glasses are full, then finish it with a dollop of cream and a fresh raspberry on top.


Can be chilled for 1 hour or served immediately.

Enjoy...

Beetroot Cake with Lemon Icing..

Beetroot.. this magical vegetable.. contains high sources of vitamin C, A, & Beta carotene. It's high in minerals such as, calcium, magnesium, potassium and Amino Acids. 
This Antioxidant does wonders for your cholesterol and the health of your skin.. 
So.. enough said.. it's time for our healthy yummy dessert recipe...


Cake Ingredients:
225g Self-raising flour
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Cinnamon
180ml Vegetable oil
225g Brown sugar
3 Eggs, separated - Yolks separated from the whites
1/4 tsp Vanilla extract
150g Raw beetroot, grated
1/2 lemon, juiced
75g Sultanas - Raisins 
75g Hazelnuts, Chopped



Icing Ingredients:
10 tbsp Icing sugar, sifted
1-2 tbsp Boiling water
a few drops of lemon juice
some lemon rind


Method:
- Set the oven on 180c.
- Greece the loaf tin with butter and then cover it lightly with flour to avoid the cake from sticking or line the loaf tin with baking paper.
- Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, & cinnamon.
- In a mixer, beat the oil & sugar together then add the egg yolks one by one while mixing well between each addition ans add the vanilla extract.
- Fold the beetroot into the mixture and add the lemon juice, raisins, and hazelnuts. 
- Fold the dry ingredients into the mixture and mix them well.
- In the mixture, place the egg whites and beat until almost stiff then fold hem into the previous mixture using a metal spoon - do not use a wooden spoon because it won't allow the air to go through.
- Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 50 minutes at least - it could need more than 50 minutes depending on the oven used.
- Half way through cooking the cake, place a foil on top it prevent it from browning too much while the inside is not fully cooked.
- While the cake is in the oven, prepare the icing by mixing the sifted icing sugar, the lemon juice & rind and using enough boiling water to create a sticky shiny icing to smooth it on top of the cake.


Yum!
Enjoy...

Banana Bread Recipe # 2

I have tried a previous recipe of Banana Bread yet with nuts. This recipe is for a plain banana bread. I enjoy it with milk, in the morning, as a snack or dessert. It's delicious any way you eat it!

Ingredients:

2 Ripe bananas
1&1/2 cups flour
5 Tbsp melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt

Method:

1- Preheat the over at 350°.
2- In a mixer, place the sugar, egg & Vanilla. Start mixing.
3- Sprinkle the baking soda & salt over the mixture and mix it in.
4- Finely add the flour. Mix everything well.
5- Pour mixture into a buttered pan and bake for 1 hour.
6- Once done, keep it on a cooling rack, once cool, slice & serve.

Normally this recipe requires baking in a Loaf Pan , but I don't go by traditional methods.. I'm such a rebel, I used a Bundt Cake Pan ..haha :P

Apple Crostata with a Twist

Winter.. winter.. Brrrrrrrr..

Ingredients

For the pastry:
• 2 cup flour
• 4 tablespoons Caster sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks very cold unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons ice water

For the filling:
• 4 Large Green apples
• 1/4 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 tablespoons Icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Method:
1- Starting out with the pastry by placing the flour, sugar, orange zest and salt in the food processor and pulse to combine.
2- Add the butter and mix.
3- Add the 4 tablespoons of water gradually while mixing until combined and the dough starts to form.
4- Remove the dough from the food processor and form into a disk.
5- Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for one hour.
6- Prepare the filling by peeling the apples and cutting into wedges.
7- Toss the wedges with the cinnamon and icing sugar.
8- Once the dough is cool, remove from fridge and flour the rolling pin and the surface to roll the dough into a circle and transfer it into a baking sheet.
9- Place the apples in the middle of the dough away from the edges.
10- Role up and fold the edges to hug the apple mix and enclose the dough to form a circle.
11- In a preheated oven 180 degrees, place the crostata to bake for 35-40 minutes until the crust turns golden and the apples are tender.
12- Once done, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes. Serve with icecream or whipped cream.

My Choc-Caramel Turtle Madness

Cake Batter Ingredients:

2 Cups flour
2 Cups Sugar
3/4 Cup Cocoa
2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
2 Eggs
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Buttermilk (Leban)
1 Cup Oil
1&1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla
1 Cup Boiling Water

Caramel pecan mixture:
1 bag of caramels pieces
1/2 cup evaporated milk (Carnation)
1 cup chopped pecans

Plus:

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips


Method:

- Preheat Oven at 350 degrees.
- Greese & flour a springform baking dish
- Place all the cake batter ingredients in a mixing bowl, mix on medium to high speed and make sure to scrap the bowl occasionally until all ingredients are blended and smooth.
- pour half of the batter into baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the caramel pecan mix by heating the caramels and evaporated milk over medium heat and stir constantly until caramels are melted, then stir in the pecans.
- Pour the caramel mixture over the cake from the oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Pour over the remaining batter and bake for another 28 minutes until the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool the cake for 30 minutes and serve with either ice cream, or more caramel & pecans topping.

Enjoy...

Homemade Sticky Date Pudding

Ingredients:
1 cup dates pitted & peeled
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda ( found in Sultan Center Kuwait)
a pinch of nutmeg (if available)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten


Toffee Sauce Ingredients:
7 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup KDD Cream
1&1/3 cups dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons water


Method:

- Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
- Place the dates in a saucepan with 1 cup of water, vanilla extract, and baking soda. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes. leave to cool.
- Prepare a mini cupcakes baking pan by buttering & flouring it.
- Cream the butter in a mixing bowl, add the date mixture.
- Combine the dry ingredients together: flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and sugar.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter and dates, add the beaten egg and stir gently to combine.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking pan until half full.
- Bake the mini cupcakes for 25 to 30 minutes.

While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the toffee sauce:
- Combine butter, KDD cream, brown sugar and 3 tablespoons water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and set aside keeping the sauce warm.

- Once the mini cupcakes are done, remove from oven, pour sauce on each mini cupcake individually (be generous) and put it back in the oven to bake for 2 more minutes.

- Remove from oven, set to cool then remove from baking dish to serve.

- Can be served with ready made custard, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Enjoy...

My Strawberry CheeseCake w/ Strawberry Glaze

This is one of the oldest recipes I make, I have started making this cheese cake since 1992. Long time ago... it never lost it's flavor, always a classic!

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

a small box of McVitie's Digestive

half a stick of butter, melted

For the Cheesecake filling:

800 g philadelphia cream cheese (4 boxes)

3/4 cup sugar

5 teaspoons cornstarch

3 eggs

1 egg yolk

1&1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Glaze:

1 Strawberry Jello (prepared as instructed)

2 tablespoons Cornstarch

Method:

- Crush the digestive cookies and stir them together with the melted butter until well combined.

- Press the crumbs mixture evenly at the bottom of a springform pan. set aside.

- In a bowl combine the cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and the cornstarch. Beat them with an electric mixer until all combined and smooth.

- Add the eggs and egg yolk one at a time, beating after each addition. Add in the vanilla extract.

- Pour the mixture on top of the crust in the springform pan and spread evenly.

- Bake at 350 degrees f (170 c) for 15 minutes, then lower the temperature to 225 degrees f (100 c) and bake for one hour and 10 minutes.

- Remove the cake from the oven, chill it for a few hours or over night without removing it from the pan.

- Once chilled completely, prepare the stawberries, cut them in half and layer them on the cake.

- Prepare the glaze by making the jello and adding the cornstarch, then let it cool. Once cool pour it on top. Chill the cake in the fridge until the glaze is completely cool.

- take the cake out of the pan and serve.

Enjoy...

My Happy Carrot Cake Cupcakes.

Just last night I baked those lovely and heavenly tasting cupcakes, everyone raved about them and the process of making them was so easy.
The ingredients below make around 1 dozen cupcakes, so double the ingredients if you want more !!

Ingredients:

3 or 4 large carrots, peeled and grated finely
1/2 cup ground walnuts - or chopped to small pieces & toasted
2 medium size eggs
1/4 Leban or buttermilk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
1/2 teaspoon baking soda ( found in sultan center - Arm & Hammer is the one I use)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
zest of one orange
1&1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoons ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

& for the frosting:  

1/2 stick butter (unsalted)
1 cup cream cheese (Philadelphia)
3/4 cup powdered sugar

Method:

- You start off by preheating the oven at 180C.
- In a bowl, place the carrots, eggs, leban (buttermilk), sugar, oil, orange zest & vanilla and whisk well.
- Then seperetly, in a different bowl whisk your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda & powder, salt, ground cardamom & cinnamon.
- mix both the dry ingredients & the carrot mixture together gently to incorporate.
- add the toasted walnuts, folding them in gently.
- Using cupcake pan (regular size) and paper baking cups, scoop 3/4 of the mixture into each paper cup.
- Bake for 28 minutes at 180C.
- While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the frosting by combining 1/2 stick of butter, 1 cup of cream cheese (Philadelphia cream cheese) and 3/4 cup powdered sugar beat until well combined. set aside.
- Remove cupcakes from oven when done. Allowing them to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Take them out of the pan and on to a wire rack.
- When fully cooled, spread the cupcakes with the frosting

Enjoy...

Vanilla Custard ~ Diet

Serves 2

Ingredients:

2 cups low-fat or fat-free milk
1 piece vanilla bean, split lengthwise (you can use vanilla essence)
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 large egg


Method:

- Pour milk into heavy medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring to simmer.

- Whisk sugar and cornstarch in medium bowl until no lumps remain. Add egg; whisk until well blended.

- Gradually whisk hot milk mixture into egg mixture. Return to same saucepan; whisk over medium heat until sauce thickens and boils, about 5 minutes.

- Pour into another medium bowl. Chill until cold, stirring occasionally, about 4 hours.

- Before serving, remove vanilla bean and whisk to loosen.)


Tip:

You Can make this 2 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.

M&M's Chocolate Cake ~ Book

Serves 16


Ingredients:

4 ounces semisweet or sweet chocolate, broken into pieces
2 tablespoons butter
1 bag mini marshmallows
6 cups crispy rice cereal
1 cup salted dry-roasted peanuts (optional)
1 cup M&M's Mini Bits


Method:

1. Spray a Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, heat chocolate and butter in microwave oven on High 1 minute, stirring once during heating. Remove from microwave; stir chocolate mixture until melted and smooth. Add marshmallows to mixture. Heat in microwave on High 1 minute longer; stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth.

3. Add cereal, peanuts (optional), and M&M's to chocolate mixture. Stir until all ingredients are coated and mixture is well combined.

4. Transfer cereal mixture to prepared pan, pressing mixture down with fingertips. Let stand at least 1 hour to set chocolate.

5. To unmold, with knife or metal spatula, loosen cake from side of pan; invert onto serving plate. Cut into slices to serve. Store in covered container at room temperature up to 3 days.


Enjoy...

Caramel Cheesecake II

This is another recipe for Caramel Cheesecake that I came across a while ago and decided to try out. It's a little bit harder than the previous one I posted.. and might I add..yummier !

try it out..


Serves 10 to 12

Ingredients:

Gingersnap crust

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1&1/2 cups ground gingersnap cookies
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons golden brown sugar

Cheesecake

4 packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup golden brown sugar
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted
5 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramel topping

1&1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup heavy whipping cream



Method:

For gingersnap crust

- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spray bottom of 9-inch springform pan with 2&1/2-inch-high sides with nonstick spray.
- Stir ground cookies, butter, and sugar in medium bowl until moist clumps form.
- Press cookie mixture firmly onto bottom of prepared pan. Wrap outside of pan with 3 layers of heavy-duty foil.
- Bake crust until firm and beginning to darken, about 14 minutes. Cool crust. Maintain oven temperature.

For cheesecake

- Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until smooth. Beat in butter, then eggs, 1 at a time, until just blended. Beat in vanilla.
- Pour batter over crust in pan. Place springform pan in large roasting pan. Add enough hot water to come halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake cake uncovered until filling is puffed around edges and moves slightly in center when pan is gently shaken, about 1 hour 10 minutes.
- Remove pan from water; remove foil. Place hot cheesecake uncovered in refrigerator overnight.

For caramel topping

- Stir sugar, water, and lemon juice in large saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
- Increase heat; boil without stirring until mixture turns deep amber, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides with wet pastry brush, about 9 minutes.
- Add cream (mixture will bubble). Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until reduced to 1&1/4 cups, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
- Chill until thickened but still pourable, about 15 minutes.

Spoon caramel over top of cake just to edges (do not allow caramel to drip down sides). Chill at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours.

Run knife around pan sides to loosen cake; release pan sides.


Enjoy...

Cream-Filled Chocolate Cake

Serves 16

Ingredients:

Filling:
1/4 cup sugar
1 package cream cheese, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cake:
2 cups flour
1&1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 large eggs
1&1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze:
2 ounces white chocolate
2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips


Method:

- Heat oven to 350°F.

- Combine all filling ingredients in small mixer bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth; set aside.

- Combine all cake ingredients in large mixer bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until all ingredients are moistened. Beat at high speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth.

- Pour 3 cups batter into greased and floured 12-cup bundt pan. Spoon filling over batter without touching sides of pan; cover with remaining batter.

- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 30 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely.

- Melt white chocolate and 1 teaspoon shortening in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted (1 to 2 minutes). Drizzle over cooled cake. Let stand until firm.

- Repeat with remaining shortening and chocolate chips. Store refrigerated.

Yumm...

Items needed:

Cheese Pancakes with Strawberry Syrup ~ NL

Ingredients:

2 cups strawberries, chopped into quarters
1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 to 1 teaspoon sugar
3 eggs, yolks and whites separated
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup cottage cheese
1/3 cup flour


Method:

- Put the strawberries into a bowl and sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and sugar.Stir before covering with plastic wrap and leaving to steep while you make the pancakes.

- Mix the egg yolks with the sugar, beating well. Add the vanilla, cottage cheese, and flour. Then, in another bowl, whisk the whites until frothy with a hand whisk and fold into the cottage cheese mixture.

- Heat a nonstick skillet and dollop the batter onto it. Make pancakes of about 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Each pancake will take a minute or so to firm up underneath, then you should flip it and cook the other side, and remove to a warmed plate when ready.

- Turn the strawberries in the ruby syrup they've made and squish some pieces with a fork at the same time. Serve with the hot pancakes.


Enjoy...

Tiramisu ~ WS Style

Ingredients:

6 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1 pound Mascarpone Cheese, softened (found in Sultan Center)
2 cups heavy cream, chilled
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons espresso, plus 2 to 3 cups brewed 5 egg whites
40-50 lady fingers
cocoa powder


Method:

- In a mixing bowl set over a pan of simmering water, beat the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture is pale yellow and thick (4 to 5 minutes).

-Transfer the mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer.

- Add the mascarpone cheese and beat until smooth and creamy (2 to 3 minutes).

- In a chilled large mixing bowl, beat the cream to stiff peaks.
Add the water, vanilla and the 2 tablespoons of espresso and beat until smooth.

- In a clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks.With a rubber spatula, gently fold the mascarpone mixture into the cream until blended and smooth.

- Add about 1 cup of the beaten egg whites and fold gently until blended.

- Add the remaining egg whites and fold gently until the mixture is smooth and blended.

- One at a time, submerge each ladyfinger into the remaining espresso, then it on the bottom of a 6-quart glass or ceramic baking or serving dish (about 2 inches deep). Continue to form a complete layer.

- Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the soaked ladyfingers until evenly covered.

- Arrange another layer of soaked ladyfingers over the mascarpone cream, then spread the remaining mascarpone cream evenly over the top.

- Dust the Tiramisù with cocoa powder to create a rich, dark topping.
Refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to 1 day before serving.


Enjoy...

Fondue your Valentine..

sharing is caring.. they say...


Serves 6


Ingredients:

1 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1&1/4 cups spring water
1&1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup plus 5 tablespoons heavy cream
5 ounces premium semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
Pound cake and fruit (bananas, apples, and strawberries), cut into bite sized pieces


Method:

- Sift the cocoa into mixing bowl and set aside. Place the water, sugar, and corn syrup into a pot and bring to boil. Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes until sugar solution has reduced by about 30%.

- Pour the cocoa powder into the solution and blend with a whisk until smooth. Return the chocolate mixture to the stove and continue cooking over medium heat. Add heavy cream, bring to boil and allow to simmer for five minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in chopped chocolate. Pour into fondue pot and keep warm.

Enjoy...

Items used:

Chocolate Strudel

Ingredients:

1/4 lbs. butter - melted, clarified
4 sheets filo dough
1/3 cup ground almonds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoon sugar
8oz. semi-sweet chocolate - coarsely chopped
3/4 cup almonds - toasted, slivered


Method:

- Preheat oven to 375°F. Melt and clarify butter. Set aside. Have filo sheets unrolled and covered with a damp cloth.

- Mix ground almonds, cinnamon and sugar together. In another small bowl, combine chopped chocolate and toasted almonds.

- Lay out one sheet of filo. Brush generously with melted butter. Sprinkle on some of the ground almond mixture. Lay another filo sheet on top. Brush with butter and proceed as with the first sheet.

- Once on top layer, brush again with butter. Place chocolate/almond mixture on the lower third of the stacked filo sheets. Lift the pastry gently over the chocolate to cover it. Fold in the left and right edges of the filo about 2 inches towards the center.

- Roll from the bottom in jellyroll fashion. Place seam side down on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 35-40 minutes until lightly browned.

- Let cool before slicing. Use a serrated knife. Dust with icing sugar before serving, if desired. Cool thoroughly.

Enjoy...