I just got my sample of TCHO chocolate bars in their new flavors, "Fruity" and "Chocolatey". I have the same complaint about the "Fruity" bar as the previous flavors I have tried. It kind of tasted like raisins and I don't like raisins. It also had a rustic, this is being polite, after taste. The texture was really smooth which I like. Out of all the flavors I have tasted, Chocolatey was the best. It was smooth, slightly bitter but just how I like it. I love dark chocolate and this would be a flavor I would buy again. I plan to use the leftover in pumkins scones with chocolate chunks. Yum!!
www.tcho.com
Monday, July 28, 2008
You Bar, Me Bar, I want a youbar.com
I just received my YouBars in the mail. There are 4 different flavors. Today I sampled 2, the www.blakemakes.com and the Great Date with Chocolate. They both had a great flavor. The www.blakemakes.com bar was kind of like an oatmeal cookie or apple pie. It was very crumbly and did not stay in bar form. This was really my only complaint. I don't really like raisins but in this bar they were pretty good. They more reminded me of cherries or cranberries. Of the 2 bars, the great date was my favorite. It tasted just like a brownie but with a little more of a fruity flavor. I love being able to eat a "brownie" and know it is healthy.
At some point, I would like to make/design my own bar. Yum!! www.youbars.com
At some point, I would like to make/design my own bar. Yum!! www.youbars.com
Monday, June 2, 2008
Lime Meringue Pie
I finally made my key lime pie. I did not use the recipe in the previous post but decided to go for a more traditional meringue pie. I doubled the recipe for Meringue. I thought it needed a bit more.
Graham Cracker Crust (allrecipes.com)
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup white sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Lime Meringue Pie (razzledazzlerecipes.com)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups water
3 eggs, separated
1/4 cup Key lime juice (or regular lime juice)
1 drop green food coloring (optional)
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1 (6 ounce) prepared graham cracker crumb crust
Lime slices for garnish (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In medium saucepan, stir together 1 cup sugar and the cornstarch. Stir in water and egg yolks until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils.Reduce heat and cook 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in lime juice and food coloring, if desired, until well-blended. Set aside.In small mixing bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar at high speed until foamy. Add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are glossy and stand in soft peaks. (Rub just a bit of meringue between thumb and forefinger to feel if sugar has dissolved.) Beat in vanilla extract, if desired. Pour hot lime filling into crust. Spread meringue over hot filling, starting with small amounts at edges and sealing to crust all around. Cover pie with remaining meringue, spreading evenly in attractive swirls.Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until peaks are lightly browned. Cool at room temperature. Garnish with lime slices, if desired.
Microwave directions: Prepare graham cracker crust in 8-inch glass pie pan, using your own recipe.In 1-quart liquid microwave-safe measure or bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar and the cornstarch. Stir in water and egg yolks until smooth. Cook on high power, stirring every 2 minutes, about 6 minutes, or until mixture boils. Stir in lime juice and food coloring, if desired, until well-blended. Set aside.Beat egg whites with cream of tartar, sugar and vanilla, if desired, as above. Pour hot lime filling into prepared crust. Spread meringue over hot filling as above. Cook on high power, rotating quarter turn every minute, until tip of knife inserted horizontally into side comes out clean, about 3 to 3 1/2 minutes. Cool at room temperature. Garnish with lime slices, if desired.
Graham Cracker Crust (allrecipes.com)
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup white sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Lime Meringue Pie (razzledazzlerecipes.com)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups water
3 eggs, separated
1/4 cup Key lime juice (or regular lime juice)
1 drop green food coloring (optional)
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1 (6 ounce) prepared graham cracker crumb crust
Lime slices for garnish (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In medium saucepan, stir together 1 cup sugar and the cornstarch. Stir in water and egg yolks until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils.Reduce heat and cook 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in lime juice and food coloring, if desired, until well-blended. Set aside.In small mixing bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar at high speed until foamy. Add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are glossy and stand in soft peaks. (Rub just a bit of meringue between thumb and forefinger to feel if sugar has dissolved.) Beat in vanilla extract, if desired. Pour hot lime filling into crust. Spread meringue over hot filling, starting with small amounts at edges and sealing to crust all around. Cover pie with remaining meringue, spreading evenly in attractive swirls.Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until peaks are lightly browned. Cool at room temperature. Garnish with lime slices, if desired.
Microwave directions: Prepare graham cracker crust in 8-inch glass pie pan, using your own recipe.In 1-quart liquid microwave-safe measure or bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar and the cornstarch. Stir in water and egg yolks until smooth. Cook on high power, stirring every 2 minutes, about 6 minutes, or until mixture boils. Stir in lime juice and food coloring, if desired, until well-blended. Set aside.Beat egg whites with cream of tartar, sugar and vanilla, if desired, as above. Pour hot lime filling into prepared crust. Spread meringue over hot filling as above. Cook on high power, rotating quarter turn every minute, until tip of knife inserted horizontally into side comes out clean, about 3 to 3 1/2 minutes. Cool at room temperature. Garnish with lime slices, if desired.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Key Lime Pie
My mom told me yesterday that she really loved key limes. She also said she wanted me to make a key lime pie. We have a tree in the yard that is overflowing right now. Well, today when I was looking at people's blogs, I came across a recipe for key lime pie. Perfect!! I plan to make it in the next couple of days.
What You'll Need:
1 9-inch graham cracker crust (page 235), fully baked and cooled, or a store-bought crust
1 1/3 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
4 large eggs, separated
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh Key (or regular) lime juice (from about 5 regular limes)
1/4 cup of sugar
Getting Ready to Make the Pie:
Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the pie plate on a baking sheet lined with parchment of a silicone mat.
Put the cream and 1 cup of the coconut in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring almost constantly. Continue to cook and stir until the cream is reduced by half and the mixture is slightly thickened. Scrape the coconut cream into a bowl and set it aside while you prepare the lime filling.
Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl beat the egg yolks at high speed until thick and pale. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the condensed milk. Still on low, add half of the lime juice. When it is incorporated, add the reaming juice, again mixing until it is blended. Spread the coconut cream in the bottom of the graham cracker crust, and pour over the lime filling.
Bake the pie for 12 minutes.
Transfer the pie to a cooling rack and cool for 15 minutes, then freeze the pie for at least 1 hour.
To Finish the Pie with Meringue:
Put the 4 egg whites and the sugar in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, whisking all the while, until the whites are hot to the touch. Transfer the whites to a stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, or use a hand mixer in a large bowl, and beat the whites at high speed until they reach room temperature and hold firm peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold the remaining 1/2 cup coconut into the meringue.
Spread the meringue over the top of the pie, and run the pie under the broiler until the top of the meringue is golden brown. (Or, if you've got a blowtorch, you can use it to brown the meringue.) Return the pie to the freezer for another 30 minutes or for up to 3 hours before serving.
What You'll Need:
1 9-inch graham cracker crust (page 235), fully baked and cooled, or a store-bought crust
1 1/3 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
4 large eggs, separated
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh Key (or regular) lime juice (from about 5 regular limes)
1/4 cup of sugar
Getting Ready to Make the Pie:
Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the pie plate on a baking sheet lined with parchment of a silicone mat.
Put the cream and 1 cup of the coconut in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring almost constantly. Continue to cook and stir until the cream is reduced by half and the mixture is slightly thickened. Scrape the coconut cream into a bowl and set it aside while you prepare the lime filling.
Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl beat the egg yolks at high speed until thick and pale. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the condensed milk. Still on low, add half of the lime juice. When it is incorporated, add the reaming juice, again mixing until it is blended. Spread the coconut cream in the bottom of the graham cracker crust, and pour over the lime filling.
Bake the pie for 12 minutes.
Transfer the pie to a cooling rack and cool for 15 minutes, then freeze the pie for at least 1 hour.
To Finish the Pie with Meringue:
Put the 4 egg whites and the sugar in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, whisking all the while, until the whites are hot to the touch. Transfer the whites to a stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, or use a hand mixer in a large bowl, and beat the whites at high speed until they reach room temperature and hold firm peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold the remaining 1/2 cup coconut into the meringue.
Spread the meringue over the top of the pie, and run the pie under the broiler until the top of the meringue is golden brown. (Or, if you've got a blowtorch, you can use it to brown the meringue.) Return the pie to the freezer for another 30 minutes or for up to 3 hours before serving.
Key Lime Cookie Bars
What You'll Need:
1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 stick of butter, softened
2 eggs1 cup of key lime juice
1 cup coconut
1 cup of organic cane sugar
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
3 1/2 cup of unbleached all purpose flour
2 cups of milk chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375 F.
In the bowl of a mixer dump the sweetened condensed milk, butter and eggs on medium speed until well blended. Next add Key Lime juice and mix until incorporated. Add coconut and stir in on low speed until well mixed. Add sugar and mix until blended. Next add sea salt, baking powder and baking soda and stir into the wet mixture. Slowly add flour at low speed and mix until just incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips.
Spray a 13 X 9 inch pan with non-stick spray and spread the batter out in the dish. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and done through. Remove from oven and let cool in the dish. Cut into squares and serve.
1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 stick of butter, softened
2 eggs1 cup of key lime juice
1 cup coconut
1 cup of organic cane sugar
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
3 1/2 cup of unbleached all purpose flour
2 cups of milk chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375 F.
In the bowl of a mixer dump the sweetened condensed milk, butter and eggs on medium speed until well blended. Next add Key Lime juice and mix until incorporated. Add coconut and stir in on low speed until well mixed. Add sugar and mix until blended. Next add sea salt, baking powder and baking soda and stir into the wet mixture. Slowly add flour at low speed and mix until just incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips.
Spray a 13 X 9 inch pan with non-stick spray and spread the batter out in the dish. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and done through. Remove from oven and let cool in the dish. Cut into squares and serve.
Chicken Breasts with Mediterranean Stuffing
Chicken Breasts with Mediterranean Stuffing
Adapted from Cara's Cravings
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, chopped
5 ounces baby spinach, or regular spinach, stemmed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 4 medium)
4 ounces soft goat cheese or mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
2 tablespoons black olive tapenade, available in specialty food stores
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup dry white wine
In a medium microwavable bowl, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, garlic and the spinach and season with salt and pepper. Cook on high for 5 minutes or until the spinach has wilted completely and excess liquid has evaporated. Remove the spinach to a small plate and set aside to cool slightly.
Using a small, sharp knife, cut one chicken breast almost in half horizontally so it opens like a book - the breast meat should still be held together on one long side. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces. Season the outside of each breast with salt and pepper and open the chicken breasts up on the cutting board.In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes until well blended. Using your hands, squeeze the excess moisture out of the sauteed spinach. Chop it and spread a quarter of it on one half of each chicken breast. Spread equal amounts of the cheese mixture over the spinach. Then, using a small spoon, spread some of the tapenade on the empty side of each chicken breast. Close the tapenade side of the chicken breast over the cheese, and press gently to adhere.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining olive oil and about 1 teaspoon of butter. When the butter has melted, gently place each chicken breast in the pan. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the breast, or until chicken is golden and cooked through and the cheese has melted. (Lift up the pocket flap to check to see if the chicken is thoroughly cooked; there should be no signs of pinkness.)
Remove the chicken to a serving plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.Raise the heat to high. Add the wine to the skillet. Let the wine cook off for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the pan with a spatula or a wooden spoon. Add the remaining tablespoon butter to the pan, stir until the butter melts, and then pour the sauce over chicken.
Serve the chicken whole or sliced.
Adapted from Cara's Cravings
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, chopped
5 ounces baby spinach, or regular spinach, stemmed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 4 medium)
4 ounces soft goat cheese or mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
2 tablespoons black olive tapenade, available in specialty food stores
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup dry white wine
In a medium microwavable bowl, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, garlic and the spinach and season with salt and pepper. Cook on high for 5 minutes or until the spinach has wilted completely and excess liquid has evaporated. Remove the spinach to a small plate and set aside to cool slightly.
Using a small, sharp knife, cut one chicken breast almost in half horizontally so it opens like a book - the breast meat should still be held together on one long side. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces. Season the outside of each breast with salt and pepper and open the chicken breasts up on the cutting board.In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes until well blended. Using your hands, squeeze the excess moisture out of the sauteed spinach. Chop it and spread a quarter of it on one half of each chicken breast. Spread equal amounts of the cheese mixture over the spinach. Then, using a small spoon, spread some of the tapenade on the empty side of each chicken breast. Close the tapenade side of the chicken breast over the cheese, and press gently to adhere.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining olive oil and about 1 teaspoon of butter. When the butter has melted, gently place each chicken breast in the pan. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the breast, or until chicken is golden and cooked through and the cheese has melted. (Lift up the pocket flap to check to see if the chicken is thoroughly cooked; there should be no signs of pinkness.)
Remove the chicken to a serving plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.Raise the heat to high. Add the wine to the skillet. Let the wine cook off for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the pan with a spatula or a wooden spoon. Add the remaining tablespoon butter to the pan, stir until the butter melts, and then pour the sauce over chicken.
Serve the chicken whole or sliced.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Amano Artisan Chocolate
I just received a free sample of Amano Artisan Chocolate. 3 bars of chocolate, free, Ocumare Grand Cru Dark Chocolate, Madagascar Premium Dark Chocolate and Cuyagua Premium Dark Chocolate!! I was really needing something sweet the day it came. My mom, FI and I all tried a piece of each bar. I usually love dark chocolate but I really did not like this brand. It had a really good taste at the beginning, bitter/sweet but then the aftertaste tasted like raisins. I hate raisins!! Don't get me wrong, I ate it and will eat it till it is gone but I will not buy it again. The Cuyagua was the best of them all, it did not really have the aftertaste.
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