PDA

View Full Version : Desserts



Tara
July 3rd, 2007, 07:48 PM
SUMMER TRIFLE

This is a variation of a classic English dessert, Trifle, which is actually a dessert made up of left over cake, and served during Christmas time, but this one is adapted to summertime by using orange pound cake and, peaches and raspberries. the great thing about trifle is that you can use your imagination and get creative. It's a great dessert for dinner parties as it makes an great presentation in a trifle bowl.

1 Orange Pound cake unglazed
1 cup raspberry jam
2 boxes chilled red fresh raspberries
Large can cold sliced peaches (discard syrup)
Orange Cream (see recipe below)
1/2 pint cold heavy cream
2 tablespoons of sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Make the Trifle:

Cut the pound cake into nine 3/4-inch slices and spread with raspberry jam. Set aside.

Place a layer of cake, jam side up, in the bottom of a 2 1/2 to 3 - quart glass Trifle serving bowl, cutting the pieces to fit. Top with a layer of raspberries, peaches, and orange cream. Repeat the layers of cake, raspberries, peaches, and orange cream, ending with a third layer of cake jam side down, and raspberries.

Make the whip cream:

Whip the cream in a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. When it start to thicken, add the sugar and vanilla and continue to whip until it forms stiff peaks. Decorate the trifle with the whipped cream.

Orange Cream:

1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon grated orange zest (1 orange)
5 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature
1/2 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons sifted cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon Grand Marnier Liqueur
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Combine the milk and orange zest in a medium stainless-steel saucepan over medium heat, and bring almost to a boil. Remove from the heat.

Beat the egg yolks and sugar on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until pale and thick, about five minutes. With the mixer at low speed, sprinkle on the cornstarch. Beat on medium-low speed until combined, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the hot mil mixture into the egg mixture. Pour the mixture back into the pan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, 5 to 7 minutes. This is a custard so you have to pay very close attention. If it overcooks, it will quickly thicken and become orange scrambled eggs!

Immediately pour the mixture through a fine sieve into a large bowl. Stir in the vanilla, Grand Marnier, butter, and heavy cream. Place plastic wrap directly on the custard, and refrigerate until cold.

Tara
September 20th, 2008, 02:09 PM
Holidays are a great time for kids to "cook" something special with their Moms and Dads. Here's a recipe for coconut cupcakes that kids will love!

Coconut Cupcakes --------------------------------------------------------------------
You will need:

12-Cup Muffin Pan

Icing Spatula

Vanilla

Cooling Rack

Invite some friends over and make these yummy cupcakes together!

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room
temperature

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs, at room temperature

1/2 cup plain (unflavored) yogurt

1/2 cup sweetened, shredded coconut

For the vanilla frosting:

12 Tbs. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room
temperature

3 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons heavy cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt


2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut


Directions

Before you start
Be sure an adult is nearby to help.

Preheat an oven to 375°F. Line a 12-well muffin pan with paper liners.

Mix the batter
In a bowl, using a wooden spoon, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the butter, sugar and vanilla on medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each one is added. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the bowl with a spatula.

Add half of the flour mixture and beat on low speed just until blended. Add the yogurt and beat until smooth. Add the rest of the flour mixture and the coconut and beat just until blended. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the bowl with the spatula.

Fill the cups
Using 2 large spoons, one to scoop and one to push, fill each lined cup mostly full with batter.

Bake and cool the cupcakes
Put the pan in the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 25 minutes.

Using oven mitts, remove the pan from the oven and set on a cooling rack for 20 minutes. Tip the cupcakes out of the pan onto the rack and let cool completely.

Frost and decorate the cupcakes
In a bowl, using the electric mixer, beat together the butter, confectioners' sugar, cream, vanilla and salt on low speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.

Pour the 2 cups coconut into a shallow bowl.

Using an icing spatula, frost the top of each cupcake, mounding the icing in the center. Holding the bottom of each cupcake, roll the frosted top in the coconut. Makes 12 cupcakes.

Sonia
November 19th, 2008, 10:53 AM
here's a dieter's version of Pumkin pie from the South Beach Diet book. It's pretty good!

Pumpkin Pie


Description
Nothing completes Thanksgiving like pumpkin pie. Redolent with spices, this warm, creamy treat is enhanced with a delightfully crispy, light crust that tastes deceivingly buttery, though no butter is used. Whipped topping and chocolate shavings make a gorgeous and irresistible garnish, if desired.

Tip : Pie filling can be made up to 1 day in advance and refrigerated in a covered container until needed. Whisk well before filling pie shell.

Makes 8 servings

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time:1 hour

Ingredients
6 (9"x14") sheets whole-wheat phyllo dough, thawed
1/3 cup granular sugar substitute
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 large egg whites
1 large egg yolk
1 (12-ounce) can 2% evaporated milk
2 tablespoons sugar-free maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Light or fat-free whipped topping (optional)
Bittersweet chocolate for shavings (optional)

Instructions
Position rack in middle of oven and heat oven to 350°F. Stack phyllo sheets on plastic wrap or wax paper; cover with a barely damp towel to prevent sheets from drying out.

Lightly coat a 9" pie plate with cooking spray. Lay 1 phyllo sheet in the pie plate. Coat sheet with cooking spray, making sure to spray edges. Repeat with remaining sheets, rotating each slightly in the pan to form a circle. Fold and crimp edges.

Place a piece of parchment or wax paper on top of crust. Weigh crust down with pie weights or dried beans and bake until edges are lightly golden, about 10 minutes. While crust is baking, combine sugar substitute, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer at medium speed, beat pumpkin puree, egg whites, and egg yolk until well blended. Slowly add milk, maple syrup, and vanilla, beating until blended. Add spice mixture and blend well.

Remove crust from oven, and remove pie weights. Pour filling into crust and bake until tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 45–50 minutes. Remove pie from oven and cool at room temperature to set. Just before serving, top each slice of pie with 1–2 tablespoons whipped topping and chocolate shavings, if desired.

Nutritional information
130 calories
2.5 total fat (1 g sat)
19 g carbohydrate
7 g protein
2 g fiber
300 mg sodium