Inside-Out Chocolate Strawberries from Duncan Hines

This can't be any easier. It makes a great simple, easy. delicious dessert.
The Frosting is from Duncan Hines.

Inside-Out Chocolate Strawberries 

Inside-Out Chocolate Strawberries: make this romantic flavor combo without having to melt chocolate. 1. Hollow strawberries. 2. Fill with Creamy Home-Style Classic Chocolate frosting. Tip: Use an egg carton for easy transport and display.

Pull Apart Bundt Pizza with a Marinara Dipping Sauce

I love it when friends share their favorite recipes and I can post them on the Blog. I grew up in Michigan. If you follow my Blog, you know many of the details of my childhood. We lived on Briggs Street in Drayton Plains. Our neighborhood was full of kids. We all played together and went to school together. This recipe was shared with me by one of my childhood friends, Debby. She lived across the street from me.
I like this recipe and I look forward to making it. I've adapted it.

Pull Apart Bundt Pizza with a Marinara Dipping Sauce

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - Bundt pan with a simple design, sprayed well with a vegetable cooking spray.


2 cans of Pizza Dough, cut into 1/2" slices and cut the slices into four pieces.
2 C shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 C grated Parmesan Cheese
2 TBS dried Italian Seasoning
1/3 C Olive Oil
1 (6 oz.) package of Pepperoni. I use a vegetarian version. (roughly chopped)
A Jar of your favorite Marinara Sauce for Dipping.

Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Mix well with your hands to make sure everything is coated with Oil.
Spread evenly into the pan.
Bake for 35 minutes or until a knife in the center comes out clean. You may need to continue to bake it in 5 minute increments, testing with a knife after each time.

Invert onto a serving platter.
Serve hot .
Place a small bowl of Marinara Sauce in the center of the bread for dipping. You can also serve it in individual serving bowl.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Gruyere Cheese , 3 recipes

I wanted to write a post about Gruyere Cheese. It's one of my favorite cheeses to use in recipes. It's quite versatile and melts well to be incorporated into many recipes.

"Gruyère cheese is generally known as one of the finest cheeses for baking, having a distinctive but not overpowering taste. In Quiche, Gruyère adds savoriness without overshadowing the other ingredients. It is a good melting cheese, particularly suited for Fondues along with Vacherin and Emmental. It is also traditionally used in French Onion Soup, as well as in Croque Monsieur, a classic French toasted Ham and Cheese Sandwich. Gruyère is also used in chicken and veal Cordon Bleu. It is a fine table cheese, and when grated, it is often used with Salads and Pastas. It is used, grated, atop Le Tourin, a type of garlic soup from France which is served on dried bread. White wines, such as Riesling, pair well with Gruyere. Sparkling apple cider and Bock beer are also beverage affinities."


Gruyere Souffle

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - Buttered 2 Quart Souffle Dish

2 Slices of Whole Wheat Bread pulsed in a Food Processor to make Bread Crumbs.
1 C Whole Milk
1 C Grated Gruyere Cheese
1 TBS Butter
A pinch of Salt
A pinch of Pepper
1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
2 Large Egg Yolks
3 Large Egg Whites, beaten until stiff peak.

In a large saucepan on medium heat:
Milk, heat to scald.
Reduce heat to low.

Add:
Bread Crumbs
Cheese
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Cayenne Pepper
Cook until the Cheese melts, stirring often.
Remove from heat.

Whisk in Egg Yolks.
Fold in Egg Whites.
Pour batter into the dish.
Bake for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Gruyere Fondue

1 Clove of Garlic, crushed
1 1/2 C Dry White Wine
1 pound of Gruyere Cheese, cubed
1 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 C Kirsch
French Country Bread, cubed. You can use a Baguette too.

Rub the inside of a saucepan with the Garlic. Discard any remaining pieces.
Add Wine and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium low and stir in the Cheese with a wooden spoon, until melted. 
Do not allow it to boil.
Cook for about 20 minutes, it will begin to thicken.
Add:
Nutmeg
Kirsch
Transfer to a Fondue Pot or Chafing Dish.
Serve by dipping cubed bread into the cheese with Fondue Forks.
Stir frequently while serving.
Add additional wine if it begins to thicken too much.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Gruyere and Chive Popovers

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
1 - Popover Pan

3 C Whole Milk
3 C Flour
1 1/2 tsp Salt
6 Eggs
1 1/4 C shredded Gruyere Cheese, divided.
2 TBS fresh Chives, minced
2 TBS Butter, cubed
Butter for the Popover pan

In a saucepan on medium heat:
Milk
Heat just to a simmer with bubbles forming around the edge.

In a small mixing bowl:
Flour 
Salt
Sifted together.
Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl:
Eggs
Whisk well.
Slowly add Milk.
Whisk quickly to avoid cooking the eggs.
Add:
Flour
Whisking just until combined.

Add:
1 C of Cheese
Chives
Whisk to combine.

Preheat the Pan for 2 minutes.
Remove and add a bit of Butter to each cup.
Divide the batter evenly among the cups, filling 3/4 full.
Top each with some of the remaining Cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes.

Reduce heat to 300 degrees.
Continue baking for 10 minutes.

Remove and serve warm with Butter and Jam.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Chocolate - Raspberry Mousse Dessert

I think the combination of Chocolate and Raspberry go together well. It may be my favorite flavor combination. Raspberry has always been my fruit and fruit flavor of choice. If I have an option for fruit I always choose Raspberry. I love anything made with Raspberries so this recipe is very appealing to me. It comes from Kraft, and this is my adapted version of the original recipe.

Here's what you'll need:
1 - 8" X 8" baking pan.

10 Oreo Cookies, finely crushed.
2 TBS Butter, melted
1 - (3.9oz.) box of Jello Chocolate Instant Pudding
1 C Cold Whole Milk
1 - 8oz. container of Frozen Cool Whip whipped topping, thawed.
3/4 C your favorite Raspberry Jam + additional for garnish. My favorite is Bonne Maman .

In a small mixing bowl:
Cookie Crumbs
Butter
Mix well to form the crust.
Press evenly in the bottom of the pan.

In a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer:
Pudding Mix
Milk
Beat for 2 minutes, until creamy smooth.
Beat in 1/3 of the Cool Whip into the Pudding.
Spread evenly over the Crust.

In a medium mixing bowl with a rubber spatula:
Jam
Remaining Cool Whip
Mix just to combine well.
Spread evenly over the Pudding layer.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Cut into squares to serve.
Garnish with additional Raspberry Jam.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Sage and Maple Cornbread

I received this recipe from a friend in Michigan. Thank you Gretchen, I always appreciate a shared recipe. I have several recipes for Cornbread and it's a very  popular recipe in Texas. It's traditionally made in Cast Iron and served with Chili. I just made a big pot of Chili today.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
1 - 9" Cast Iron Skillet or an 8" X 8" Casserole dish with 2 TBS of Vegetable Oil and 2 TBS Butter that will be melted in the preheated oven prior to adding the batter.

1 C Flour
1 C Cornmeal
1 TBS Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
2 Eggs, heated
1 C Buttermilk
1/4 C Pure Maple Syrup, the best you can afford. It makes a difference.
4 TBS Butter, melted
3 TBS Dried Sage

In a large mixing bowl:
Flour
Cornmeal
Baking Powder
Salt
Sage
Whisk well and set aside.

In another large mixing bowl:
Eggs
Buttermilk
Maple Syrup
Melted Butter
Whisk well.
Add Dry ingredients to Wet ingredients and stir by hand, just until combined.

Place the skillet or baking dish in the preheated oven with 2 TBS Vegetable Oil and 2 TBS Butter. Heat until the butter is melted.

Carefully pour the batter into the pan.
Bake for 25 - 35 minutes.
The edges should be light brown, crispy and the sides begin to pull away.
A toothpick in the center should come out clean.

Serve with additional butter.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Toasted Coconut Tart from Sweets and Treats

This recipe is adapted from Sweets and Treats. I like Coconut Pies and Tarts, not everyone in our family does. I don't get a chance to make Coconut Deserts often, but I'll make this one for Easter this year. I'll share it with the family if anyone's interested in trying it.

Toasted Coconut Tart

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. It will be reduced to 350 after the Coconut is toasted and the crust is pre baked.
1 - 9" Pie Pan
1- pre made Pie Crust, or......... make a homemade crust like my wife does. She insists on homemade. She grew up on a Mennonite Farm in Kansas so she knows how to make the best Pie Crust. I don't even attempt it.
Pre bake the crust according to package directions, or at 375 degrees for 15 minutes with pie weights or foiled lined with beans. When it's baked, cool on a rack.


1/4 C Cold Water
1 1/2 C flaked Coconut, toasted on a sheet pan at 375 degrees for 6 minutes.
1 C granulated Sugar
1 TBS Flour
1/4 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
3 Eggs
1 C Half and Half
4 TBS (1/2 stick) Butter, melted
1 tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 C Cool Whip, or you can make Homemade Whipped Cream. I always prefer to make it homemade!

In a medium bowl:
Sugar
Flour
Baking Powder
Salt
Whisk well and set aside.

In a large bowl:
Eggs
Half and Half
Vanilla
Whisk well.
Add the Sugar mixture to this bowl.
Fold in the Toasted Coconut.

Place the Pie on a Sheet Pan and pour in the filling.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
Remove to a rack and cool completely.
Refrigerate until chilled and serve cold.
Serve each slice with a dollop of Whipped Cream.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Crustless Quiche Recipes

I like Quiche, any type of Quiche. If it's crustless, I think that it's healthier. Maybe it is and maybe it isn't, but it makes me feel less guilty when I eat it.

Here are a few of my favorite choices for Crustless Quiche.

Vegetable

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
1 - 9" Deep Dish Pie Pan, sprayed with a Vegetable Cooking Spray.

1 TBS Olive Oil
1 small Yellow Onion, diced
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
1/2 C diced Red Bell Pepper
1/2 C diced Green Bell Pepper
1/2 C diced Zucchini
6 florets of Broccoli
1/4 C diced Sun Dried Tomatoes
2 large Eggs
5 large Egg Whites
2 TBS whole Milk
1 tsp dried Oregano
1/2 tsp Pepper
Salt to taste
1/4 C + 1 TBS Grated Parmesan Cheese

In a large skillet on media low heat:
Heat Oil.
Add:
Onion
Garlic
Sautee for 5 minutes.

Add:
Red Bell Pepper
Green Bell Pepper
Zucchini
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Sautee an additional 3 - 5 minutes.

In a mixing bowl:
Eggs
Egg Whites
Milk
Oregano
Pepper
Salt
1/4 C Parmesan Cheese
Whisk well.

Pour Vegetables into the Pie Pan.
Pour Egg mixture evenly into the pan.

Loosely cover the dish with foil.
Bake for 10 minutes.
Reduce heat to 350 degrees.
Continue baking for 20 - 25 minutes.
During the last few minutes of baking, remove the foil, sprinkle with remaining Parmesan Cheese.
Return to finish baking.
A knife in the center should come out clean when it's done.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Asparagus:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 9" Pie Pan, sprayed with a vegetable cooking spray.

2 C diced fresh Asparagus
6 Egg Whites
2 Whole Large Eggs
1/3 C diced Onion
1/2 C grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 C Diced Roma Tomatoes
1/4 tsp Pepper
Salt to taste
Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Pour into the Pie Pan.
Bake for 45 minutes.
The center will be set and a knife will come out clean when finished baking.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Spinach:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 9" Pie Pan sprayed with a vegetable cooking spray.

1 TBS Vegetable Oil
1 C diced Onion
1 - 10 oz. package of frozen chopped Spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dried.
5 large Eggs, beaten
3 C shredded Muenster Cheese
1/4 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Pepper

In a skillet on medium heat:
Heat Oil
Add:
Onion
Sautee for 3 - 5 minutes.
Add:
Spinach and sautee just until some of the excess liquid has evaporated.

In a large mixing bowl:
Eggs
Cheese
Salt
Pepper
Whisk well.

Add:
Spinach mixture and mix well to combine.
Pour into the Pie Pan.
Bake for 30 minutes.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Broccoli:
Crustless Broccoli Cheddar Quiche from Martha Stewart.

• Butter 1 - 9" Pie Pan.
• Salt
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen Broccoli florets
• 6 large Eggs
• 1/2 C Half-and-Half
• Pepper
• 1/8 tsp Nutmeg
• 3/4 C shredded Cheddar Cheese 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add Broccoli; cook 1 minute. Drain well; transfer to a cutting board, blot dry with paper towels. Chop coarsely.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Eggs, Half-and-Half, 1/2 tsp Salt, 1/4 tsp Pepper, and Nutmeg. Stir in Broccoli and Cheese.
3. Pour into Pie Pan and Bake until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.                                                                                                                                                                    

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!