Sunday, February 12, 2012

Berries with Champagne Cream

Remember the anticipation of Valentine's Day parties in elementary school?  I loved taking a cardboard tissue box and turning it into a beautifully decorated box soon to be filled with fun cards from my classmates!  What I wouldn't give to see some of those cards now!



Happy Valentine's Day!


Berries with Champagne Cream (from Taste of Home)

  • Ingredients

    • 8 egg yolks
    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 1 cup Champagne
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
    • 1 pint fresh raspberries
    • 1 pint fresh strawberries
     Directions



    • In a heavy saucepan, beat egg yolks and sugar with a portable mixer until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually beat in Champagne. Place the saucepan over low heat. With a portable mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating over low heat until mixture reaches 160°, about 5-6 minutes.
    • Cool quickly by placing pan in a bowl of ice water; stir for 2 minutes. Press plastic wrap onto surface of custard. Refrigerate until chilled.

    • Fold in whipped cream. Spoon three-quarters of the Champagne cream into stemmed glasses. Top with berries. Spoon remaining Champagne cream over berries. Yield: 6 servings.






    Wednesday, February 8, 2012

    My 11

    Hi everyone!  I was tagged by Beth at Kitchen Minions to take part in this question list. It is a fun way to get to know other bloggers and to do something a little different from the same old routine.

    Ok so let's get to it! It has RULES and everything! I also need to TAG a few peeps...so make sure you scroll down to see if you are "IT".

    The rules: 
    1. Post these rules.
    2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
    3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
    4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
    5. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them.
    6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.
    So here we go ....

    Lisa's Random 11:

    1. I'm the oldest of 4 kids, I have two sisters and a brother.  We all have a goofy sense of humor, nothing sophisticated about any of us.
    2. I cringe whenever I am the center of attention.
    3. I'm a Food Network addict.
    4.  My first memory was my dad taking me and my sister to the hospital to see my new baby brother.
    5.  I had surgery and physical therapy on my knuckle - the old "cheese grater kitchen wound story".  Everyone has one don't they?  No?
    6.  In second grade, I decided I was going to be an artist when I grew up.
    7.  I have parachuted off the wing of an airplane!
    8.  I believe in angels.
    9.  Lavendar is my favorite color.
    10.  I've lost count of how many times I've seen Aerosmith live in concert.
    11.  I have had "Red Solo Cup" stuck in my head since new year's eve...please help!  How do you get rid of a song that your brain won't let go of?


    My answers to Beth's questions:
    1. What do you drink in the morning? Coffee? Tea? Smoothie? Something else? Chocolate milk
    2. What do you listen to in the car? Talk Radio, Comedy 24/7
    3. Beach or Mountains? Mountains
    4. What is your funniest high school/college memory? Picture of graduation class standing outside of school.  We thought we were cool.
    5. What was the last book that you read? Plate to Pixel - Helene DuJardin
    6. What’s your favorite comfort food Shepherd's Pie
    7. Why did you start your blog? Inspiration from other bloggers (uhmmm..."Namely Marly") at a  food photography workshop given by Helene DuJardin
    8. What magazines do you read regularly? Food Network, Everyday Food, Cuisine at Home (you get the picture)
    9. What is your favorite type of wall decoration? Earth tones - landscapes and floral
    10. What’s your favorite color? Lavendar
    11.What do you like most about where you live? You get all four seasons in the Midwest.

    My Tagees:

    1. Johnna at 52 Sweets
    2. Ali at Give Me Some Oven
    3.Audrey at Muffys123
    4. Marly at Namely Marly
    5. Bev at BevCooks
    6. Melissa at MelliBakes
    7. Jenny at JDs Journey
    8. Alison at This Homemade Life
    9. Kathy at Plugged in to Cooking
    10. Roxanne at Plugged in to Cooking
    11. Turns out I only know a total of 11 bloggers and I can't send this back to Beth. :)

     

    Questions for the tagees:

    1. What is your favorite movie of all time?
    2. What is your "go to" herb you use to cook with?
    3. Is there a method to your madness when writing posts for your blog?
    4. What is your first vivid memory as a child?
    5. Have you ever written or plan to write a book (cookbook)?
    6. I don't really have a bucket list, do you?  If so, what is at the top?
    7. Do you have a most requested signature dish that you make?
    8. Where are you in birth order? (first born, middle child, baby of the fam, only child)
    9. Do you have any old handwritten recipes handed down to you?  If so, what recipe comes to mind?
    10. What is the biggest or most special event that you have hosted?
    11. What was your inspiration to start a blog?

    Sunday, February 5, 2012

    Crab Cup Appetizers

    I made these little nummies for tomorrow, Super Bowl Sunday so we'll have something to snack on while watching the commercials.  The advertisement that I am most looking forward to is the Honda spot with Matthew Broderick as Ferris Bueller.  I never get tired of watching that movie...it seriously never gets old for me (I don't think Matthew does either). " Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." 

    Chukachuka...mmm...boubow...

    Crab Cup Appetizers

    Ingredients

    3 T. mayonnaise
    1/4 cup softened cream cheese (or feta cheese)
    1/4 cup red bell pepper (chopped)
    1/4 cup carrot (shredded)
    2 T. green onions (chopped)
    1 1/2 - 2 cups cleaned lump crab (fresh or canned), diced
    1 t. Creole (or Cajun) seasoning
    1 t. garlic powder
    2 T. grated parmesan cheese
    1 t. Tabasco sauce
    salt and pepper to taste
    2-3 boxes of pre-made phyllo cups

    In medium bowl, combine mayo, cream cheese, pepper, carrot, and onions.  Fold in crab meat.  Season with Creole seasoning, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, hot sauce, salt and pepper. (This can be made ahead of time, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate when ready to bake).  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Fill cups with crab mixture.  Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve warm.

    Yield: 30 cups