Maple Infused Fruit Dip

In addition to the Maple Infused Fruit Dip with Apples (recipe follows), the complete menu included:

Blue Cheese and Bacon Dip  (recipe)

Cheater's Eggnog  (recipe)

Cheater's Homemade Eggnog

In addition to the Cheater's Eggnog  (recipe follows), the complete menu included:

Maple Infused Fruit Dip with Apples  (Recipe)

Blue Cheese and Bacon Dip (Recipe)

Hot Crab Dip (Adapted from Hannah Flanagan’s Irish Pub)

This is probably the most successful as well as the most requested dip I make. Seldom is any left. I especially like to serve this elegant dip during the cooler season of the year. Warm on the inside is just plain better when the cooler winds of winter blow.

As elegant as it is delicious, my Hot Crab Dip (recipe follows) makes a real statement at holiday gatherings, or at anytime I want to impress my guests. Just be sure none of your guests have a shellfish allergy. That is a big oops! No one wants to drag out their Epipen.

Flourless Sun Butter Cookies

My Homemade Sun Butter Recipe ( Click here for the cookie recipe)  ) is just perfect in this recipe, which is the perfect gift to give or to treat you family. Free of all the major allergens, most folks can eat these without worrying. And, just take a gander at the low calorie could—less than 50 calories each. You know what that means? No one has to feel guilty about have two or three, and moms will not feel compelled to ration these delicious cookies.

Refrigerator Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

These little nuggets of goodness are so sweet and yummy, they truly make you feel pampered and naughty. These are absolutely divine with a cup of coffee or as a little side treat to a bowl of ice cream. But, they are so rich, they will take your breath away if you try to scarf them down. If someone cannot eat peanuts, feel free to substitute sun butter or almond butter. To cut the sweetness, you might like to substitute 1/2 or the granulated sugar with brown sugar. No matter how you cut it, these are to die for: I promise.

Cranberry-Nut Tassies

No one will believe that these tassies are gluten free! The best part of making these treats is that the dough is so-o-o much easier to work with than traditional flour. Happy Baking!!!

1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 cup Jackie's Quick Bread Flour Blend  (Recipe)
1 egg
3/4 cup brown sugar firmly packed
1 tablespoon butter (no substitutes), melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1# cup fresh cranberries, finely chopped
3 tablespoons walnuts, finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Place 1/2 cup butter and cream cheese in a small mixing bowl and beat until thoroughly using an electric mixer. Stir in flour mixture. Cover and chill approximately 1 hour or until dough is each to handle.

3. While dough is  chilling, place egg, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of melted butter and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl. Mix to combine thoroughly. Stir in chopped cranberries and walnuts.

4. Remove dough from refrigerator, and working quickly, shape dough into 1-inch balls. Using a tempered tassie tamper, press dough into the bottom and up the the sides of mini muffin cups. Fill each with 1-2 teaspoons of cranberry-nut filling.

5. Place in a preheat oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until filling is firm. Remove tassies from pans and cool completely on cooling racks.

Servings: 36

Recipe Type: Appetizer, Brunch, Cakes, Pastries, and Desserts, Dessert, Gluten Free, Holiday

Author: Dr. Jacquelyn P. Horne
Copyright: 2013

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Vanilla Squared Cupcakes with Extreme Vanilla Frosting

 I adapted and perfected this beautiful recipe out of a necessity to have something to use at “dressy” events, such as showers, teas and such. My Vanilla Squared Cupcakes with Extreme Vanilla Frosting (recipe follows) is oh so delicious. It just screams PARTY!

According to Rick, the icing is, in his words, “to die for”. The deep concentration of vanilla in both the cupcakes and the icing make for a bold taste and is the key to the taste in this gorgeous, super yummy dessert. Even though this recipe is written to make full sized cupcakes, it would also work equally as well as mini cupcakes, a sheet cake or a layer cake by simply adjusting the baking times.

My flour blend produces a somewhat darker batter than I would have preferred. But, it works so well I hesitate to fix what is not broken.

Pomango

This is a very adult recipe. Exotic, gorgeous, delicious, summertime at its best and easy to drink—as in way too easy. Down a few of these babies, and you will be on your derrière in short order.

In the middle of the hot summer, this drink is terrific at pool parties or any outside cookout.

11.3 ounces Jumex Mango Nectar (1 can)
12 ounces Orange Juice
1/2 cup sugar
4 ounces peach schnapps
3 ounces light rum
12 ice cubes

1. Place mango nectar, orange juice, sugar, peach schnapps, and rum in blender. Add ice cubes. Blend until well mixed and smooth.

2. Serve in 4 to 6 oz glass

Yield: 12 servings

Cooking Times
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Author: Dr. Jacquelyn P. Horne
Copyright: 2013

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Extreme Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Frosting

Gluten free baking, the hardest part of mastering a gluten free diet, has been a struggle, but I am making steady progress. With Rick’s encouragement, I am beginning to tackle more and more complex dishes. This fun recipe is Extreme Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Frosting (recipe follows). This one is too strong with chocolate for my taste buds, but the frosting is so absolutely yummy. Rick and I almost got into a little fuss over who would get to lick the bowl and the beaters. If someone should happen to be allergic to peanuts, simply substitute a butter cream frosting.

Devilled Eggs Stuffed with Smoked Salmon

With farmer grandparents, eggs were always plentiful, so we naturally had them often in one form or another. My mother often made very traditional stuffed eggs that she flavored with Durkee Sauce to entice me to eat mine.

Later as a vocational home economics teacher, I had to practice what I preached which meant that I had to eat what I was teaching including eggs during the unit called “The Incredible Edible Egg”, a familiar slogan developed by the American Egg Board who also was kind enough to provided us with a kit chocked full of good information.

No one food has it all, including eggs, but eggs are naturally gluten free which is a good thing for Celiacs and those with non-celiac gluten intolerance. The bad news is eggs—when looking at both yolks and whites—are high in saturated fats and cholesterol. The good news is that they are a very good source of riboflavorin, vitamin B12 and phosphorus, protein and selenium.

Any you know what? If you eat only the egg white, you are eating a food that has no cholesterol and no saturated fat, making my Devilled Eggs Stuffed with Smoked Salmon (recipe follows) a wonderful choice for those who are gluten free. Because this recipe only uses the white of the egg, this recipe Actually, this dish is kind to folks with have to multiple food allergies such those who need to avoid corn, soy, and nuts of all kinds. To be honest, this one is so yummy you will want to find all kinds of ways to incorporate these babies into everyday meals.

One Recipe Four Ways: Crab Stuffed Devilled Eggs, Avocados, Tomatoes or an Appetizer Dip

I just love versatile recipes--you know the type.  You have one basic recipe that can easily be adapted into three distinctive dishes.

For Easter 2013, one of the dishes I prepared was "Crab Stuffed Devilled Eggs". I had a lot of filling left, so I placed the extra filling in a small bowl in the middle surrounded by gluten free crackers. And, that got me to thinking. I could simply serve this stuffing as a an appetizer dip. The stuffing would also make a delicious luncheon or bunch dish by stuffing avocado halves or into tomato halves.

Okay, let's look at how to use this one basic recipe:

• Crab Stuffed Devilled Eggs
• Crab Stuffed Avocados
• Crab Stuffed Tomatoes
• Crab Dip 

Midori Sparkle

A drink as yummy as it is pretty.

We used this as our greeting wine for our Easter dinner. I thought it fit beautifully with my theme of Purple and Green: The Colors of Spring.

Chocolate and Cranberry,Pear and Walnut Conserves Mascarpone Squares

I converted the recipe for this bar dessert from a regular one with perfect results. The Schar Ladyfingers worked beautifully--thanks Schar. Like all gluten free baking, the crust is better if allowed to sit 10 to 15 minutes prior to popping it into the oven. 

This is a terrific recipe for a large group of people which is exactly why I am planning to serve this as one of the dessert choices for Easter. If you don't have time to make my conserve recipe, pick a jam of choice. The results will still be terrific, I promise.

Chocolate Pudding Topped with Pink Whipped Topping and a Chocolate Heart

Nothing says Valentine's Day like a chocolate dessert topped with a heart.

While this is not a stellar dish when it comes to nutrition, it does stand out in the crowd when it comes to pretty. Although it looks as though it takes a long time to make, it really doesn't. While the pudding is chilling, you can make the hearts and keep them in the freezer until show time. 

This dessert can be changed up for St. Patrick's Day by simply using green food coloring and a shamrock instead of a heart. So many possibilities! 

Valentine Cornmeal Cookies

Love is in the air with the day made for love just around the corner. What do you mean you have no idea of what I am talking? None other than Valentines Day! I perfected this little sweet treat for those of you who are gluten free or have a friend or family member who is. These cookies have the same festive feeling as those gluten laden cookies that are so common in grocery store bakery departments this time of the year, only with more texture and flavor.

Frozen Walnut, Cranberry and English Toffee Tart

When slammed for a quick dessert for us gluten free-ers, having one in the freezer already made is super handy! This one is so yummy, and all you have to do is to slice it. Be sure to give it a few minutes to thaw slightly so that it will slice. A dollop of whipping cream would make a terrific finishing touch.

Mocha Panna Cotta Topped with Coffee Liqueur Laced Topping and Raspberry Syrup

Beautiful desserts do not have to be time consuming or complicated. I developed based on inspiration from my first attempt at making Panna Cotta recipe (Click for recipe). Although the Panna Cotta is not sweet at all, the topping adds all the flavor and sweetness you need for this fab dessert.

Southern Pecan Tassies

Tassies of all types are synonymous with holidays in the south. I typically have from one to four different types for all my parties, teas, etc. What I like about tassies is that they can be prepared and frozen for up to two months ahead of time.  I know that these are not stellar for nutrition, but are super starts for a terrific sweet finger food.

Crust:

1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened

1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1 cup Jackie's Quick Bread Flour Blend(Click for link to recipe)

1. Place 1/2 cup butter and cream cheese in a small mixing bowl and beat until thoroughly using an electric mixer. Stir in flour mixture. Cover and chill approximately 1 hour or until dough is each to handle.

2. Roll dough into approximately 1-inch balls; place one in each well of two 12-cup mini-muffin tins.

Filling:

2/3 can corn syrup

2 Tablespoons butter (no substitutes), melted

1 pinch salt

2 medium eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup pecans, finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In large mixing bowl, mix corn syrup, butter, salt, eggs, sugar, vanilla and pecans. Spoon into dough lined muffin tins. Place in preheated oven; bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and completely set in the center.

3. Allow to cool slightly before running a thin spatula around the rim of each tassie. Remove from muffin tin cups and place on cooling rack until completely cool. Place in airtight container at room temperature until ready to serve, up to three days.

Servings: 48

Oven Temperature: 300°F

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Inactive Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Dietary Analysis:

·                     Items highlighted in yellow should be taken into careful consideration when looking at total food intake for the day.

·                     Items highlighted in green are indicate a low value when considering total food intake for the day.

Percent daily values based on the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.

Amount Per Serving

Calories 78.78

Calories From Fat (65%) 51.23

% Daily Value

Total Fat 5.89g 9%

Saturated Fat 2.65g 13%

Cholesterol 18.49mg 6%

Sodium 27.97mg 1%

Potassium 19.85mg <1 o:p="o:p">

Total Carbohydrates 6.37g 2%

Fiber 0.25g 1%

Sugar 3.63g

Protein 0.77g 2%

Fiber 0.25g 1%

Copper 0.03mg 2%

Energy 329.62

Glucose 0.01g

Iron 0.11mg <1 o:p="o:p">

Lactose 0.16g

Lysine 0.05g

Magnesium 3.52mg <1 o:p="o:p">

Manganese 0.1mg 5%

Net Carbohydrates 6.12g

Phosphorus 15.76mg 2%

Riboflavin 0.02mg 1%

Selenium 0.84mcg 1%

Thiamin 0.02mg 1%

Vitamin A 149.96IU 3%

Vitamin B12 0.03mcg <1 o:p="o:p">

Vitamin B6 0.01mg <1 o:p="o:p">

Vitamin C 0.02mg <1 o:p="o:p">

Vitamin D 4.49IU 1%

Vitamin E 0.13mg 1%

Vitamin K 0.43mcg <1 o:p="o:p">

Zinc 0.17mg 1%

Author: Dr. Jacquelyn P. Horne

Copyright: 2011

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Intimate Christmas Get Together

Sometimes small groups assembling for a few goodies and libations over light, lively banter is just plain fun. In addition to our annual Christmas Gathering, we invited just a handful or friends over for an evening of light conversation over a few nibbles. This is my menu!

Christmas Settings for 12 in 2012

What a fab Christmas dinner for 2012! All terrific meals begin with great table scapes. With two dining tables located only a few feet apart separated by an opening created by an eight-foot wide, 10-feet tall pocket doors, designing two complimentary table settings is easy and allows for ease of conversation.