Flashback and Foodie Friday ...

It's Friday! Busiest time of the week for my blog since I try to participate in both Flashback Friday, hosted by Suzy of Kitchen Bouquet and also Foodie Friday,
hosted by Michael of Designs by Gollum . Check out both of these sites, I have gathered such great recipes from both and the photos are superb!



For Flashback Friday I'm re posting a recipe I made for the Super Bowl Party this year! It was Emeril Lagasse's Barbecued Pulled Pork Sandwiches, the absolute BEST recipe for pulled pork I have come across. If I remember right, I think Kathleen from Cuisine Kathleen gave me the head's up on this recipe. The Wet Mop Basting Sauce and the Barbecue Sauce give a special 'twang' that is so savory and delicious you think someone else had to have made this...certainly not me! I even impressed myself with this dish.... I added a simple cabbage slaw and the Super Bowl Party was a resounding success!






The theme for Foodie Friday was Cinco de Mayo...which I forgot until I was doing this post..since I did not plan ahead I will show you the most flavorful chips we always use with homemade salsa - they are a Aztec blue corn & sesame chips! There are never left over - you eat until they are gone!!






For Foodie Friday I finally, after much procrastination, made crab cakes with remoulade sauce. The most beautiful lump crab meat fell into my hands and I didn't have a choice! The recipe is from Epicurious and can be found HERE. When I made the remoulade, I did not have the anchovy paste, so it was omitted. To me, it did not take away from the flavor of the sauce in any way. It looks like I cooked the cakes a little too long, but they weren't overcooked at all...just happened to get a little dark..lol



Both of these recipes will be in my file for a long time... why mess with success!


A Special Tribute for Mothers Day


Another reminder of the Mothers Day Tribute the weekend of May 8th. Please stop in and post photos and recipes or special heirloom items from your Mother, Grandmother, Mother-in-Law or anyone who is important to you on this day! I have it on good authority that Mr. Linky will be up and running! (Isn't that right Suzy and Kathleen)

Mixed Fruit Pavlova

Something I always wanted to attempt was to make a Pavlova! I have seen numerous videos and recipes ranging from various flavors to difference in sizes.

The recipe I used was for a Mixed Fruit Pavlova found on Epicurious. There is a detailed video and recipe which can be found HERE.

In the Pavlova I made, the fruit used were Mango, Strawberries, Grapes and Blackberries. Pleasantly surprised in the outcome of the meringues, which were chewy on the outside and soft on the inside. Filling the meringue with the pastry cream made the ideal "nest" for the fruit. By topping the fruit with apricot glaze was just the thing to bind all the fruit together, and the raspberry sauce was heavenly!



These will most definitely be on my list for summer desserts... something that is light and doesn't make you feel guilty after devouring every bite!


A Special Tribute for Mothers Day


I am hosting my first ever blog event, a Mothers Day tribute the weekend of May 8th. Please stop in and post photos and recipes or special heirloom items from your Mother and Grandmothers! If all goes well, I will have Mr. Linky up and running!

Espresso Brownies

Time again for "Foodie Friday" hosted by Michael of Designs by Gollum Please stop by her blog and link to all the participants, you'll find some great recipes to try. Also, my good blog friend Suzy, from Kitchen Bouquet started an informal "Flashback Friday" which is also a fantastic place to perhaps catch a recipe you have seen before and forgot to copy it down..here's your chance!

I made these brownies last summer and they are the most decadent brownie I have ever tasted. The flavor from the espresso powder deepens the chocolate aroma and you think you are in heaven! The recipe is adapted from a series of recipes I have found from various blogs...tweak it to your own taste, that's what recipes are for...



This is made in a 8 or 9" square pan, which you may think.."this isn't big enough for my family"... the brownies are so rich, you cut them about half the size of a regualar brownie!

Enjoy, you will not be disappointed!

ESPRESSO BROWNIES
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temp
4 ounces chopped Scharffen Berger unsweetened chocolate
(I put mine through my mini processor)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon Medaglia D'Oro instant espresso coffee
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoon Grand Marnier Liqueur or Cointreau
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tsp orange zest
3/4 cup Ghirardelli Barista Dark Chocolate mini chips, or whatever you have on hand

Preheat oven to 325 degrees, butter a 8-9-inch square baking pan, Set aside.

Combine butter and unsweetened chocolate in a large metal or glass bowl and place over a pan of simmering water (make sure bowl is not touching the water), stirring occasionally, until chocolate is completely melted. Let it cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the sugar, espresso coffee, vanilla, liqueur and eggs.
Sift together flour, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl, then add to the chocolate mixture, and stir until just combined, don't overmix. Fold in the orange zest and mini chocolate chips.

Pour into pan and bake 30 to 35 minutes. A toothpick inserted in center of pan should show just a moist crumb.

Cool completely on a wire rack. Remove from pan and cut to size you wish..

Chocolate Icing:
4 cups sifted Confectioner's Sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons Medaglia D'Oro instant espresso coffee
6 tablespoons milk

Sift sugar into a large bowl. In small saucepan bring butter, cocoa, espresso coffee and milk to a boil. Stir into sugar mixture; blend thoroughly.

Place cut brownies on a rack on top of a baking sheet lined with waxed paper, so you won't have a mess to clean up! Using any type of ladle, pour warm icing over each brownie, letting it drip over the sides. Decorate as desired...I dusted mine with sanding sugar for an extra pizzazz!

A Special Tribute for Mothers Day


Remember, I am hosting a Mothers Day event the weekend of May 8th. Please stop in and post photos and recipes or special heirloom items from your Mother and Grandmothers! If all goes well, I will have Mr. Linky up and running!

Flashback and Foodie Friday ...

I'm beginning to love Fridays, I don't think I have missed a "Foodie Friday" hosted by Michael of Designs by Gollum since she started the event. Please stop by her blog and link to all the participants, you would not believe all the great recipes you will see and gorgeous tablescapes. Also, my good blog friend Suzy, from Kitchen Bouquet started an informal "Flashback Friday" which is also fun to perhaps catch a recipe you have seen before and forgot to copy it down..you get another chance to do so!


Easter just being a few days away I was "asked" to please make the delicious
Strawberry and Mascarpone Filled Cupcakes by Giada De Laurentiis.





I made these in February for Valentine's Day and my two sons both gave them very high praise and were their favorites of all the various treats I made that weekend.
They are a perfect flavor and color for Easter and super easy to make. Click on the picture for a close up of that creamy filling! I sprinkled the tops with a little sanding sugar...



For Easter I may use toothpicks and place a "PEEP" on top of the cupcake for a little decoration! The pink and purple PEEPS would look really cute on these light and scrumptious cupcakes!

Mark your calendar for my "Mothers Day Tribute" on Mothers Day Weekend...I've been going through fav family recipes of my Mom and Grandmothers plus finding some old photos of their graduation and wedding photos! It should be loads of fun and the recipes that are handed down generation after generation you know will be the BEST!!

Wishing all of you a very safe and Blessed Easter weekend...