Monthly Archives February 2014

Cheesecake

February 23, 2014 Posted in Birthday, Cake, Dessert

For the Crust:
2 1/4 cups ground graham crackers (about 1 and a half sleeves of graham crackers)
 
2 Tbsp. sugar
 
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
 
10 Tbsp. melted butter
Cheesecake Filling:
3 x 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, room temp
 
1 cup sugar
 
3 eggs
 
1/2 cup Dulce de Leche (Nestle brand, La Lechera, found at Super King’s in 13.4oz...
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Peach & Strawberry Puree

February 23, 2014 Posted in Cake, Dessert

I had some fresh peaches and strawberries and had just made a cheesecake from scratch for my mom’s birthday. At some restaurants they serve a side of raspberry sauce, caramel, or chocolate on the side to drizzle on the cheesecake. I wanted to give her all the options for her special day. She would have any toppings she could ever imagine...
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Avocado Dressing

February 22, 2014 Posted in Sauces & Dressing, Soups & Salads

Delicious on salads, burgers, or sandwiches!
 
Ingredients:
 
1 large avocado = 1 ¼ cup
 
2-3 teaspoons lemon juice
 
½ cup of Greek yogurt or nonfat plain yogurt
 
1-3 teaspoons hot sauce to taste – Cholula
 
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
 
4 garlic cloves = 1 tablespoon minced garlic
 
½ teaspoon kosher salt
 
¼ teaspoon of white pepper or any pepper
 
Directions:
 
In a food processor add...
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Cheesecake Cookies

February 18, 2014 Posted in Cookies, Dessert

With yesterday being President’s Day and having a wonderful 3 day weekend at home, I decided to make the dough for these cookies on Sunday afternoon and bake them for my neighbors on Monday morning. I already had all the ingredients and the wrapping goodies, including the American flag fabric. If you like cheesecake, then you will really enjoy these little bites of cheesecake heaven. 
 
Yields: 5-6 do...
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Cupcake Recipes & Decorating

February 17, 2014 Posted in Birthday, Cupcakes, Dessert, Entertaining

Please take a look at my page for creative cupcake ideas with recipes and decorating techniques. ENJOY!
 
For The BEST Cream Cheese Frosting EVER:
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 cups of confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
1 tsp. of vanilla extract
Optional: Add a ½ teaspoon or full teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa to give your frosting a chocolate beige coloring...
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Opah Fish with Peach-Avocado Salsa

February 7, 2014 Posted in BBQ & Grilling, Dinner, Fish

You can really use this salsa on top of any white fish. Try Halibut, Swordfish, or Red Snapper if you can’t find Opah.
(Serves 2)
Ingredients:
1 lb. Hawaiian Opah or any Opah (2 fillets)
Extra virgin olive oil
Coarse salt or Kosher salt and pepper 
1 Peach, mango or Papaya, pitted, peeled, and diced
1 small tomato, peeled, seeds removed, and diced
1 small tangerine or orange, peel and seeds removed, and...
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Shrimp Stir-Fry Lettuce Wraps

February 5, 2014 Posted in Dinner, Fish

 

Ingredients:
 
6 large 4-Bite Shrimp or Large prawns, cooked or raw
 
Butter Lettuce
 
Radicchio, Italian chicory leaf vegetable, finely chopped
 
1 whole Red Bell Pepper, diced
 
½ cup Cilantro, remove stems
 
1 tablespoon of jalapeno, remove seeds for less spice
 
1 garlic clove, minced
 
1/3 cup green onions, chives, diced
 
½ cup red onion, diced
 
½ cup cremini or shiitake mushro...
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Grilled Cheese Sandwich

February 2, 2014 Posted in Cheese, Fruit, Sandwich, Vegetarian

 

There is a very simple way to make grilled cheese. All you need is bread, butter, cheese, and a pan. Some people like certain breads, cheeses, and add fun things such as mustard or bologna inside their sandwiches. I grabbed lunch at a little bakery called SF Boudin in Costa Mesa, California recently. They had on their menu a grilled cheese with Fig jelly and sliced apples...
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French Onion Soup

February 2, 2014 Posted in Side Dishes, Soups & Salads, Vegetarian

One day I just happened to catch the show, The Chew and they were making French Onion Soup. I had always wanted to make my own so I thought I would start with their recipe as my first attempt. My mom was in town from Ohio and she loves French Onion. We headed to the store to grab some of the ingredients...
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