what do you think?

so here is my problem. i am putting together a menu for a cooking class i will be doing. the class is a brunch with a fabulous savory egg dish, a light and yummy salad, and some "good" morning beverages. this is where my road block begins, what should my sweet treat be? i decided to ask my fans and followers "what do you think?" so here is what is running through my mind, be it crazy and confused, it's all I have to work with. so tell me what you think. the choices are: a muffin, perhaps apple-cinnamon snickerdoodles. a breakfast bread, maybe lemon-blueberry love. or a warm and wonderful coffee cake? ok...so you know my problem, what is your solution? post a comment or a suggestion and let me know what you think. if you have a great recipe you like to offer, I always love to try new things. looking forward to hearing what you think and have to say. remember, we all should be living La Dolce Vita! (the sweet life), so this is an important part of the menu!

looking for a diet friendly treat

I would like to dedicate this next post to a friend who has been working hard and missing his cookies. this recipe is for you Ken!

Dieting is hard and sometimes very frustrating. the worst part of it is, feeling deprived of dessert. so to help get over the hump of frustration or as a reward for a really great day of eating and exercise, these cookies are the perfect answer. Low in fat and filled with cocoa powder and semi sweet choc chips, they can curb your sweet tooth and the chocolate is an antioxidant as well. so enjoy guilt free.

Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookie

Yield: 4 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)

3 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate minichips

Preheat oven to 300°.

Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt at high speed of a mixer until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Sift cocoa over egg white mixture; fold in. Fold in minichips.

Cover a baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat. Drop batter by level tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Bake at 300° for 40 minutes or until crisp. Cool on pan on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 22 (12% from fat)

Fat: 0.3g (sat 0.2g,mono 0.1g,poly 0.0g)

Protein: 0.3g

Carbohydrate: 4.7g

Fiber: 0.0g

Cholesterol: 0.0mg

Iron: 0.1mg

Sodium: 16mg

Calcium: 1mg

Rainy Day Tomato Soup

looking for a way to keep warm on a cold rainy day? my rainy day tomato soup warms from the inside out. it's filling enough by itself for dinner, or add a salad or some grilled sausage to stretch your menu a little further.

Rainy Day Tomato Soup

1 Tbsp olive oil
3 oz pancetta, chopped (substitute bacon if you like)
1 small onion, chopped
2-3 cups cubed rustic italian bread
6 cups low sodium chicken broth or stock
1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes in juice (you can use the kind with garlic and basil too)
1/4 cup coarse chopped basil (2 Tbls of dried)
1/2 teas dried oregano
1/4 teas red pepper flakes (crushed)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 marscapone (u can substitute cream cheese)
1/4 sour cream (you can substitute plain yougurt)

heat olive oil in large pot, add pancetta and saute till golden and crispy, remove from pan. add onion to pan and saute. add bread and coat with drippings, saute till crisp and golden. (if needed you may add a little more olive oil to help coat the pan and the bread. add chicken stock, tomatoes, basil , oregano, red pepper to pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to med-low, cover and simmer about 10 mins. taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking.

mix marscapone and sour cream together and use to top your steamy bowl of warm and satisfying soup. For my cheese lovers out there you can top with shaved parm or romano cheese!

I don't know about you, but after just typing this recipe I'm hungry. I think I will make some myself, the weather outside is perfect for it.

winter day hot chocolate!!!

don't you just love rainy days? i know i do. a warm fire, pjs, books, games and best of all a warm and cozy drink that just screams comfort. so how about a steamy. warm mug of hot chocolate. the recipe below is an adult version, but if you want to leave out the liqueur and the brandy the kids can enjoy it with you too.

winter day hot chocolate

3 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup Dutch process unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup coffee-flavored liqueur (kahula, frangelico, amaretto) optional
1 tablespoon dark rum or brandy (optional)
Whipped cream
Grated bittersweet chocolate

In a saucepan, bring the milk and cream to a low boil. Remove from the heat.

Whisk the cocoa and vanilla into the milk. Add the sugar and simmer over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved.

Add the coffee liqueur and rum and stir well.

Remove from the heat and pour into 4 mugs. Top with a spoonful of whipped cream and grated chocolate. Serve.

so light the fire, grab your favorite book and enjoy.

Game Day Snacks!!!

are you ready for some football? how about a yummy snack to go with the game and a couple of cold ones?

Shrimp Ceviche Cocktail

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbls of fresh lime juice
1 generous lb unpeeled smallish shrimp
1/2 med white onion, chopped
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup ketchup
1-2 Tbls of vinegary mexican hot sauce (ex: tabasco)
2 Tbls olive oil
1 cup diced peeled cucumber
1 ripe avocado peeled and chopped
salt & pepper as needed
lime slices for garnish
tostada shells, or tortilla chips for serving

toss shrimp with some olive oil, salt and pepper and either grill, saute or broil for about 2-3 minutes, till shrimp curls up and turns pink, remove from heat. cool and chop.

in a small strainer, rinse and drain the onion under cold water, then shake off the excess liquid. in med bowl add shrimp,onion, cilantro,lime juice, ketchup, hot sauce, olive oil, cucumber and avocado. mix ingred together and taste. add salt and pepper to taste. allow about 15 minutes in refrigerator to let flavors marinate.

serve in clear bowl with chips. for added flair or sit down dinner, serve in individual sundae or martini glasses with a dallop of sour cream, lime wedge and chips as garnish!

turn on the game, grab a drink and enjoy!!

Whatever you do today, enjoy the weather, family, friends and good food!

Healthy Snacking in the New Year!

with the new year, comes the new resolutions. exercise, eat better, save money. well with a couple of planned snacks you can eat better and save a little money, as for the exercise your on your own there. although I will tell you by taking the stairs instead of elevators and escalators, parking further from the store when running your errands and taking walks with your kids, animals or the solitude of just you, you can be living a little healthier and happier without a lot of work and extra plans or commitments.
so on with the fun stuff.....
something sweet and healthy (and quick for that matter)
Creamy Fruit Dip
2 ozs of reduced fat cream cheese (room temp)
1 Tbsp of strawberry jelly (or any favorite flavor)
mix together and dip away! see I told you it was easy!
we dip pretzels, apples, pita chips and even spread it on our favorite crackers, toast and bagels.

ok... so you want something salty with a little crunch, how about this...

Zippy Popcorn
8 cups popped popcorn (make sure you remove any unpopped kernels.)
2 Tbsps of butter or margerine
1 teas of chili powder
1/8 teas of garlic powder
2 Tbsps of grated parmesan cheese
put the butter in saucepan on burner and heat just until butter is melted, remove from heat.
(for my microwave people.. place in microwave-safe-bowl: cover with waxed paper and heat at 5-10 second increments until butter is melted and remove)
stir in chili and garlic powder and drizzle over popcorn and toss to coat. sprinkle with parmesan cheese and toss again.
munch away! see anyone can do it!

the dip can be stored in refrigerator for up to a week. store the popcorn in airtight container for up to 3 days. great for work, after school or just because, without the guilt!

enjoy.... as I say " La Dolce Vita" everyone should live the Sweet Life!!!

Sweets for your Sweetheart

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. I don't know about you, but sometimes that standard old box of chocolates won't do. I find myself looking for something that fits the person, not necessarily the holiday. So this Valentine's why not customize a gift or treat just for them. Maybe they would enjoy chocolate, or maybe Lemon Lust cupcakes. How about a cooking class or a quiet dinner for two at home where all the work is done for you. Don't forget your favorite sweetheart. Whether it's your mom, child, sister, brother or that special someone. There is something for everyone! Order your treats now! Choose from candy, cupcakes or cookies. Or even a gift certificate for a cooking class or dinner for two!
email me @ gina@alwaysgourmetpcs.com.