Happy Memorial Day Everyone!

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!I'll be back next week with some delicious recipes! Have fun,and don't forget to remember all of the fallen soldiers and their families who have given so much for all of us!

Children's Personal Yearbooks

   If you enjoy scrapbooking,and you have some time to volunteer in your child's classroom,here is a great idea!Becky Higgins has free downloads available to help you put together yearbooks for your child and his/her classmates.While you may have to put the books together and take photos,the kids get to do the bulk of the work,and it is fun!If you are not feeling that ambitious,try to take the time to make them with your own children.What a great keepsake for you and your kids!You will have great memories of each school year,and your child will take pride in his/her achievements.Check out the details and free downloads at http://www.beckyhiggins.com/ .All of the info is on her blog!

Summer's Coming.......

Check out all of the new ice-cream themed chocolate treats from Godiva!Adorable!Find them at http://www.godiva.com/ !

Produce Bags

   With farmer's markets opening soon,here is a great way to transport your produce back home without winding up with tons of plastic bags.These are available at http://www.crateandbarrel/ . Love these!

Apple Crisp

   Although it is spring,and the weather is supposed to be beautiful this week,it is still chilly!So why not warm up with a delicious apple crisp for dessert tonight?This is an Ina Garten recipe that I have made into individual portions rather than one large crisp.Either way,it will warm your heart and your taste buds!

Filling Ingredients:
5 lbs. of chopped apples(I used Granny Smith,Gala & Macintosh)
zest of one lemon
zest of one orange
2 tbsp. fresh  lemon juice
2 tbsp. fresh orange juice
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg(I like to use fresh,but ground is fine)

Topping:
1-1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. oatmeal
1/2 lb. unsalted butter,cubed and very cold
   

   Combine the apples with all of the above filling ingredients.Mix well to make sure the apples are coated.Pour into a greased 9x14x2 baking dish,or grease individual ramekins and pour some filling into each dish. Sprinkle the topping on each crisp and place onto a baking sheet(to prevent spills in your oven),and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour if making a large crisp, or if making the individual crisps,bake for 30 minutes,until golden and bubbly.Serve warm with ice-cream.

Topping:
   Mix all of the topping ingredients together in the bowl of your mixer until it is crumbly and is about the size of peas.Sprinkle on top of the crisp and bake as directed.

***This is a great dessert to make ahead. Before baking,wrap well with plastic wrap,and freeze until needed.Bake directly from freezer until golden & bubbly.(This may require 10-15 minutes more of cooking time than the original recipe).
***The topping is great for all types of crisps.If you have any leftover,place in a freezer bag,freeze,and keep on hand for when needed.It is delicious on top of a peach, or blueberry crisp.Of course,this may be made ahead and kept frozen for 3 months.

Chocolate Wedding Cookies

    Well,since we are now entering the wedding season,why not make wedding cookies with a twist?These are made with walnuts and cocoa,resulting in a delicious treat!Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee!

Ingredients:
2 sticks of unsalted butter,softened
2/3 c. sugar
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-3/4 c. flour
1/3 c. cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1-1/2 c. finely chopped walnuts
powdered sugar
   In the bowl of your mixer,blend together the butter and sugar.Add the vanilla. Add the salt,cocoa powder and flour.Mix just until combined.
  Roll into balls(about 1 tbsp), and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes.Let cool slightly,then roll in powdered sugar.

Mother's Day Deliveries!

Last year on Father's Day,my son Timmy thought it would be a nice idea to make some homemade popcorn for the dads on our block.Today he said "we really can't forget about the ladies." You know what?He's right! So off to the kitchen we went and made a few batches of Sour Cream Pound Cake batter.A few hours later,we had them baked,wrapped and ready to deliver.He was very proud of himself,and he put a smile on the faces of the ladies on the block.What a kid! Have a very Happy Mother's Day everyone!!!

If You Live in NYC....

If you are lucky enough to live in NYC,you can find these gifts at Jacques Torres' new shop at Rockefeller Center.Unfortunately, they are too fragile to ship,but I just had to share them because they are so stinkin' cute!All chocolate ,of course!For more goodies check out http://www.mrchocolate.com/ 

Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas-Happy Cinco de Mayo!

  Here is a tasty way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.Choose your favorite veggies(and a little chicken if desired), and make a delicious,easy meal!This is one of those recipes where you use what you love to eat,and how much you would like to eat.
Ingredients:
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
1 medium red onion
 3 green onions
1-2 avocados,sliced(optional)
2-3 ripe plum tomatoes,sliced(optional)
cooked chicken(optional)
salt & pepper
olive oil
cheddar cheese
4-6 flour tortillas

    Cut peppers and red onion into 2 inch chunks.Place in a baking dish,and drizzle with olive oil.Season with salt and pepper.Roast at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes,until tender.When done,remove from the oven and cool slightly.(This may be done 1 day ahead).
   Place a tortilla on your work surface.Cover half of the tortilla with some roasted vegetables,sliced green onion,tomato slices and avocado slices.Fold in half and grill on a stove top grill or on an outdoor grill.Let cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.Cut into wedges and serve with salsa,guacamole,or eat as is!Enjoy!
  

Project Life Giveaway!

Becky Higgins is giving 3 people some scrapbooking goodies!Her Bundle of Basics kit can help you organize your family pics and catch up on your scrapbooking!Either like her facebook page to find out more details,or check out her blog at http://www.beckyhiggins.com/ . You'll be glad you did!

Zucchini Tart

What a perfect dish to serve on Mother's Day or any other day!It is the perfect dish to make at the end of the summer when you have an abundance of squash from your garden.I have made my own dough for the crust,but as always,feel free to use a store-bought crust.Just delicious...enough said.

Crust Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter cubes,very cold
1 tsp. salt
2-1/2 c. flour
1/4 -1/2 c. ice-cold water
   In a food processor,mix together the salt and flour.Add the butter and process until it resembles coarse meal. Slowly add the water until the dough comes together.Divide the dough in two,and wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.Roll out one crust on a lightly floured surface and fit into your tart pan(or shallow pie plate).Freeze the other crust for later use.Prick the crust with a fork,and freeze for 30 minutes.Cover with foil and fill with either dried beans or pie weights.Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.Remove the beans and foil ,and bake for another 10 minutes.Set aside while making the filling.

Filling Ingredients:
2 yellow squash
2 zucchini
2 leeks(chopped and cleaned)
salt & pepper(about 1/2 tsp. of each)
1/2 -3/4 c. gruyere cheese,grated
1/4 c. cream
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
   Slice the zucchini & squash into thin slices.In a saute pan,melt 2 tbsp. butter and add the leeks,zucchini & squash.Cook until golden,but do not let it get mushy.Pour the mixture into the tart crust and spread out evenly.
  In a bowl,combine the egg,yolk and salt & pepper.Pour over the mixture.Sprinkle with the gruyere.Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes until set.If not brown and golden on top,remove the foil and bake another 4-5 minutes.Let cool slightly,slice and serve.

*** This crust can be made ahead and kept refrigerated for 2 days or frozen for 3 months.
*** A mandoline is a great slicing tool that helps you get very thin slices for vegetable dishes.Just be careful!It is super sharp!
***Leeks are grown in sand,so make sure you rinse your leeks well.I like to chop them,then place them in a bowl filled with water,swish them around to release any grit...then rinse once more.

Mother's Day Muffins

   Here is a recipe for a delicious muffin that makes a great addition to your special Mother's Day breakfast in bed,or brunch.It is easy to make,healthy and not overly sweet.Any mom would enjoy  a basket of these!The pretty cupcake liners are available at http://www.fancyflours.com/ !
Ingredients:
1/2 stick melted butter
2/3 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. plain or vanilla yogurt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 c. flour
   In the bowl of your mixer,blend together the butter,eggs,yogurt,sugar ,and vanilla.Add the salt,cinnamon,baking soda,baking powder and flour.Mix until the batter is just combined.
   Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.Spoon batter into each liner ,almost to the top.Place in a 375 degree oven for 5 minutes.After 5 minutes,slide out the cupcake tin and add the crumb topping.Slide pan back into the oven,and bake for an additional 15 minutes.Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Crumb topping:
1/3 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. chopped walnuts
2 tbsp. butter,melted
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
   Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.Place on top of the muffin batter and bake.

Ice-Cream Anyone?

I am a very big ice-cream fan. To me,ice-cream is a treat that should be enjoyed all year long,not just during the warm weather.Of course,this is the time of year when it is the dessert of choice,and how happy was I when I spotted all of this?Sur  la Table is now offering a special pan to make cookies in for ice-cream sandwiches,along with the cookie mix ,and the cups to serve ice-cream as well.This certainly put a smile on my face this morning-such fun!All of the products in the picture above are available at http://www.surlatable.com/ .
Let's face it,after the weather we have had this year,we could all use a little ice-cream and a lot of summer!