Thursday, June 21, 2012

Vanilla Bean Mousse and Fresh Fruit

What a perfect trio of flavor in this luscious dessert abundant with Vanilla and soft spice!

The Mousse was flavored with Vanilla Beans from Uganda.....deeply Vanilla and creamy.

Fresh Peaches marinated in a reduction of Peach Schnapps and kissed with a touch of Vietnamese Cinnamon and Fresh Strawberries infused with vanilla/brandy extract are the crowning jewels on the Mousse.

As if that was not enough......all of this deliciousness is housed in a crispy tortilla bowl that is dusted with sugar and Cinnamon and brings a delightful crunch to the party!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Just Harvested another three pounds of lovely Oyster Mushrooms that were grown on used coffee grounds!
these first three pictures are from the second flush on a block that's already produced around six pounds of these tender delicious Mushrooms.


 The next three pictures are these palm size Oysters and a cluster that were harvested from the first flush.






The next several pictures are various stages of the first flush!








I have not only had fun learning about the growing of Oyster Mushrooms, but also enjoyed the whole process of seeing them grow, then..........best of all..........eating the final product!





Sunday, April 22, 2012

Remember "Magic" Cookie Bar's

Thinking back on some quick treats from years past, "Magic" cookie bars came to mind, so I put together a version of them with what I had in my pantry.

Heat oven to 350

Crust layer
1 sleeve of regular Graham Crackers [crushed]
2 Tbsp soft butter or marg.
2 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp Cinnamon
large pinch ground Mace

 mix crust ingredients together and press into a 9x13 pan

Filling and Topping Layer
1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1 10oz. package of chocolate chips [I used 60% bittersweet]
1 cup Butterscotch chips
2 cups Coconut [the sweet shredded one]
1 cup finely chopped Pecans
1 can sweetened condensed Milk

the peanut butter I put into a freezer bag with the corner cut out and squeezed it out evenly over the crust layer.

Then evenly distributed first the chocolate and butterscotch chips, then the coconut, followed by the pecans.

drizzle the can of sweetened condensed milk over the whole thing.

bake for 14 min

cool!
cut!
enjoy!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Lemon Crumb Cheesecake with Vanilla infused brandied Strawberries


Lemon Crumb Cheesecake with Vanilla Infused Brandy Marinated Strawberries.
 From the Toasted Shortbread Cookie Crust and topping, to the smooth and creamy Lemon Cheesecake filling, then touched off with luscious Vanilla infused Brandy marinated Strawberries! 

Friday, April 13, 2012

My favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie

2 sticks Butter (soft)
2 cups granulated sugar
2 Tbsp Molasses
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract or pulp of 1 vanilla bean
2 cups flour (ap)
1 cup rolled whole oats (grind fine in blender)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 package semi~sweet chocolate chips (12 oz)

Preheat oven to 350

Cream butter, sugar, and molasses until smooth
Add eggs, vanilla and mix again until smooth
Add flour, ground oats, baking soda, baking powder and salt
Mix just enough to combine (do not overmix)
Fold in chocolate chips

Baking time varies to the size you make your cookies the cookies pictured were sized with a household ice cream scoop and baked 6 to a cookie sheet lined with parchment for 12 min.

These cookies have a crisp edge and a tender center which made them one of my all time favorites and my "go to" cookie

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!


Thursday, January 19, 2012

My Thirty Spot: Vodka Spiked Gummy Bears

My Thirty Spot: Vodka Spiked Gummy Bears: Putting this on my "must try" list!

Peanut Butter Cup Silk Pie

Yes........yes it is...........My dear Wife has taken her Rich and Creamy French Silk Pie and added Peanut Butter Cups!
  So once again......I have a new favorite...........until the next Dessert comes along......I love this!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Peachy......like to the third power peach!
My wife has been experimenting with peach desserts as of late.
Today she made a Peach Cobbler Mousse that definitely made the Food Porn Category!
These lovely little dessert's  have a Toasted Cookie crumble as their base, Creamy Peach Mousse in the middle, then topped with Peach's Infused with Peach Liquor and Vanilla bean!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Chocolate love
I slip off your wrapper and my sense of anticipation is already at work.
Before I even disrobe you of your thin foil garment your scent tantalizes with its perfume.
With ease your foil peels away revealing your smooth and glossy self.
A clean and pleasing snap as I break off a piece of you.
Then as you finally pass my lips, you begin to melt instantly in my mouth, exquisite flavors come flooding through overwhelming me with pleasure!
Thank you Chocolate for every bite!


Food of the Gods? I think so.......there is hardly a country in the western world that does not have chocolate as a part of its culinary culture. Americas gooey brownies, choclate covered pancakes from Hungary, a square of Swiss milk chocolate, or a foaming cup of Spanish drinking chocolate its the "experiances" that unite chocolate lovers throughout the world! Food of the Gods indeed!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

FOOD PORN



Food Porn is not gluttony or some deviant use of food (although I know you all have thought of other uses for that Chocolate Syrup or Whip Cream) it to me is the things in food that excite you and make you "feel" the food!
It could be a stunning visual image of Baby Back Ribs on the grill, the smell of that Thanksgiving turkey, or that bite into the center of your favorite filled doughnut...........now that's Food Porn!

This year (2012) I have decided to express more of my love for food by sharing more of my thoughts and passion on the subject and hopefully make more people "feel" their food!