Blueberry Tart with No Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake and Chocolate Glaze

Found this gem saved in my drafts.  I must have forgotten to post! Enjoy!

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Blueberry Tart

Blueberry Tart Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 c. butter
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 large egg

Directions:

1. Combine flour and salt. Set aside
2. Beat cold butter until smooth. Add sugar and beat until creamed. Stir in egg just until combined
3. Add flour mixture to butter and mix together until it forms into a ball
4. Place dough in plastic bag and place in freezer for 15 minutes
5. Roll out dough and place in tart shell. Remove excess dough and shape into tart
6. Pre heat oven to 375
7. Place blueberries with flour, sugar and lime zest in tart
8. bake for about 20 minutes.

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White Chocolate Cheesecake

White Chocolate Cheesecake Ingredients:

• 1 block good white chocolate
• 1 1/2 packages cream cheese
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• Orange zest

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped until fluffy
• 2-3 tbsp powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Place mixing bowl on top of pot with boiling water. Add the white chocolate and cream cheese until the chocolate slowly melts. Stir frequently
2. Add the vanilla and orange zest.
3. While the chocolate is melting, whip the cream until stiff peaks form, about 10 minutes by hand. Add powdered sugar.
4. When chocolate and cream cheese are melted and creamy, add the mixture to the whipped cream. Gently incorporate the two by folding in the ingredients.
5. Cover bowl and place in refrigerator for about an hour, until blueberry tart is baked and chilled.

• 2 tbsp Orange juice
• 1 tbsp Orange liquor
• 1 package gelatin

Directions:

1. Place orange juice and orange liquor in saucepan and heat until it comes to a boil.
2. Turn off heat and add gelatin. Stir until all lumps disappear.
3. Take white chocolate mixture from fridge and whisk in gelatin mixture until fully incorporated.
4. Place white chocolate and gelatin mixture in cooled blueberry tart. Place in fridge.
5. Optional: You can also fold in some fresh blueberries into the white chocolate mixture (about 1/2-1 c.)

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Chocolate Glaze

Chocolate Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips (or bittersweet)
• 1 c. heavy cream
• 1 tbsp orange liquor (optional)

Directions: Place all ingredients in saucepan and heat until hot (without letting it boil). Whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool for 3-5 minutes. Glaze the tart and place in freezer to set for about 1 hour.

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White Chocolate Blueberry Cheesecake Tart with Chocolate Glaze

Foodbuzz 24X24: Primal Party

For the past three months i’ve been eating a primal diet.  Having eliminated all processed foods, grains, and legumes, I am left with whole and nutritious foods.  I am healthy, well nourished, and full of energy! I absolutely love this new way of eating.

A few friends of mine also eat primally.  I thought it would be fun to invite them over for tapas-style dinner and drinks, all of it being primal, of course.  It turns out this day fell on Foodbuzz’s 24X24 event, where 24 food bloggers are chosen to host a food-based event within the same 24 hour period. Foodbuzz chose my proposal, so here I am, happy to be a part of the lucky 24.  The primal menu consisted of the following:

 Carne Asada Bok Choy Wraps

Zucchini and Parmesan Fritters with Tzatziki Sauce

Deconstructed Tuna Roll with Wasabi Aoli

Mini Eggplant Moussakas 

Stuffed Chile Relleno in Spicy Sauce

Chorizo-Stuffed Chicken

Bacon-Wraped Dates stuffed with Honey Cinnamon Goat Cheese

Dark Chocolate Pots De Creme with Coconut Creme

Marscapone Avocado & Lime Partait with Raspberry Puree and Coconut Creme

~ And Lots of Wine! ~

 CARNE ASADA BOK CHOY WRAPS 

Ingredients:

• Small Bok Choy leaves
• Marinated Carne Asada
• Pico de Gallo
• Spicy Salsa
• Sour Cream
• Avocado

ZUCCHINI AND PARMESAN FRITTERS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sized zucchinis, grated and squeezed of excess moisture (I used a cheese cloth)
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Parsley
• Lemon zest
• Egg
• Almond Flour
• Salt
• Pepper
• Tzatziki Sauce

DECONSTRUCTED TUNA ROLL WITH WASABI AOLI

Ingredients:

• 1 English Cucumber
• Wasabi Aoli (mayo, sour cream, wasabi paste, lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper)
• Roasted Seaweed (Trader Joe’s)
• Pan-Seared Tuna Steak
• Avocado
• Picked Ginger
• Soy Sauce (optional)

MINI EGGPLANT MOUSSAKAS

Ingredients:

• 2 Carrots, finely chopped
• 2 Celery sticks, finely chopped
• 1 small sweet potato, finely chopped
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 2 small eggplants, insides removed (save shells)

Directions: Saute all veggies until soft. Season with salt and pepper.

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small can tomato paste
• Fresh thyme
• Salt + Pepper
• Cinnamon
• 1/3 c. parmesan cheese

Directions: Brown ground beef with spices and herbs.  Add sautéed veggies. Mix Parmesan cheese.

• Melting Cheese

Directions: Fill eggplant with ground beef mixture. Top with melting cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 375 degrees until cheese is melted.

CHILE RELLENO IN SPICY SAUCE

Ingredients:

• Pasilla Chiles, grilled and chard on all sides. Skin & seeds removed.
• Melting cheese (I used Edam)

Directions:  Take skinless and seedless chiles and stuff them with cheese. Secure with toothpick.

• Enchilada Sauce (homemade or store bought)

Directions: In a baking pan, pour some enchilada sauce on the bottom. Place stuffed chile relleno and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.  Bake at 376 until cheese melts.

CHORIZO-STUFFED CHICKEN

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb chorizo, cooked
• 2 chicken breasts, pounded flat and seasoned with salt and pepper
• Serve with spicy enchilada sauce, cooked spinach, and sour cream.

Directions: place about 1/3 c. cooked chorizo down the middle of a flat chicken breast.  Roll the chicken and secure with toothpicks. Sear the chicken on all sides until brown. (Inside will not be cooked).  Pour enchilada sauce in a backing pan and place chicken on top of the sauce. Drench chicken with more sauce. Bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes.

BACON-WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH HONEY CINNAMON GOAT CHEESE

Ingredients: 

• 6 dates, half-sliced and pitted
• Goat cheese with a bit of honey and cinnamon
• 6 slices of bacon

Directions: Fill dates with goat cheese. Brown bacon until almost crisp.  Wrap bacon around dates and secure with toothpick.  Bake in oven at 375 until bacon is crisp to your liking and cheese is warm and gooey.

DARK CHOCOLATE POTS DE CREME WITH COCONUT CREME

Ingredients:

• 7 oz good quality dark chocolate (I used 80%) – chopped into small pieces
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp good vanilla
• 1-2 tsp agave nectar (adjust sweetness to your own liking)
• Pinch of sea salt

Directions: Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.

• 1/2 c. freshly made HOT coffee

Directions: pour hot coffee while blending. Blend until all of chocolate is melted and smooth.

• 1/2 c. cream or coconut cream
• 2 -4 tbsp cream cheese (optional)

Directions: add cream to blender last. Pour in small shot glasses and chill until set, about 3-4 hours. Top with Coconut cream or whipped cream.

MARSCAPONE AVOCADO LIME PARFAIT WITH RASPBERRY PUREE AND COCONUT CREAM

Ingredients:

• 1 small avocado
• 1/3 c. marscapone cheese
• about 1 tsp lime (taste and adjust)
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• Agave nectar, to taste

Directions: whip everything together. Place in small shot glass.

• Pureed raspberries with 1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions: add a spoonful of raspberry puree to shot glass

• Whipped coconut creme

Directions: add whipped coconut creme when ready to serve

Trust me, it taste as good as it looks!

Wild Blackberry & Coconut Butter Cookies

Intrigued? …..

They were utterly and completely delicious. Ina Garten never disappoints.

SO delicious, I sent my dad a box full of them for his B-day.  My mom has complained he refuses to share.

I sent him a total of 27 cookies.  A day and a half in he was down to 19.  My mom was forcefully limited to 3.

I also sent some chocolate-covered Alfajores (dulcet de leche filled cookies). Same buttery cookie – different filling – all out of this world.

Ingredients: 

• 3 sticks (1.5 cups) unsalted good-quality butter, softened (since I am very impatient, I placed my cold butter in a mixing bowl, cut it up in small chunks, and placed it in the oven at 180 degrees for about 5 minutes.  Just don’t let it melt– you want it soft.)
• 3.5 cups flour
• 1 tbsp real vanilla extract
• 1 c. sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Filling
• 2 eggs
• Coconut

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Mix butter and sugar until creamy with a whisk. Add vanilla.
3. In second bowl, mix flour and salt.
4. Add butter mixture to flour.  Mix together with your hand (or with a fancy mixture if you have one)
5. Roll into a disk, cover with parchment paper and freeze for 15 mins.
6. Roll into little balls
7. Dip in egg mixture
8. Roll in coconut
9. Indent middle of cookie with finger
10. Fill with favorite jam
11. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
12. Bake for 11-17 minutes, depending on thickness.  Coconut should be brown.
13. Enjoy!

Northwest Fish & Chips

The crispiest beer-battered fish you will ever taste. Simple, yet amazing! Use fresh pacific cod and good-quality beer. Pair with a slightly spicy tartar sauce and oven-baked rosemary fries tossed in a tangy dressing. Wash it down with your favorite pint.  Go ahead, give it a try.  You will not be disappointed.

BEER BATTERED COD 

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb cod fish, cajun seasoning, salt, pepper
• Batter: 1 1/2 c. flour, 1 can beer, cajun seasoning, lemon zest
• 1/2 c. flour
• 2 c. Canola oil for frying

Directions:

1. Pat fish dry
2. rub fish with cajun seasoning, salt and pepper
3. Make batter (mix ingredients together)
4. Place 1/2 c. flour on plate
5. Cover fish with four, then drench in beer batter
6. Fry in hot oil about 5 minutes total, until golden brown
7. Place cooked fish on cooling rack (if you don’t have one, place oven rack on top of sink).  This is important! It will help keep the fish crisp without getting soggy!

Tartar Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/4 c. mayo
• 1/4 c. sour cream
• 1 pickled jalapeno, chopped
• 1 tbsp thinly chopped shallot (or garlic, or both)
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1 tsp vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions: Mix all together

OVEN-BAKED ROSEMARY FRIES

Ingredients: 

• Frozen steak fries
• olive oil
• dijon mustard
• rosemary
• salt
• pepper
• parmesan cheese (or romano or mozzarella)

Directions: 

1. Bake fries according to directions. (Place on single layer so they get crispy)
2. In a bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients
3. When fries are done, place fries in bowl and toss to coat

I’m Back!

Dear blog.  You may think I have deserted you, and I would not blame you if you did.  I left without an explanation, without a glimmer of hope that I would return.  But I am back – for good. I promise I will never leave you ever again. Will you take me back?

In my attempts to win you back,  here is a little sneaksy of what I have been up to. Regrettably, some of my favorite dishes I have made I did not take pictures of.  But fear not, I will make them again and will start posting soon.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY & ALMOND CAKE

For the cake I used Julia Child’s Chocolate Almond Cake.  I was very disappointed with the cake. It was dry and tasteless. But, the cherry filling made with red wine and oranges was fantastic, as well as the chocolate frosting.

HERB AND CHERRY TOMATO TART

Orgasm in your mouth! Buttery dough covered with mustard, parmesan, and herbs topped with sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes – topped with mozzarella and basil. Make this before tomato season ends!

PESTO TORTELLINI 

Simple yet amazing.

BEEF BOURGUIGNON

First attempt at beef bourguignon. It was absolutely fantastic! The brandy with the bacon and red wine make the most delicious sauce to cover the perfectly tender beef.

GNOCCHI CAPRESE PASTA

Pan fried gnocchi with a bit of garlic, tossed with lemon pasta, cherry tomatoes with a bit of white wine and olive oil. Finish off with little mozzarella balls and fresh basil, and balsamic vinegar. The perfect summer pasta.

SALMON TACO SALAD

Perfectly cooked Northwest wild-caught salmon. Oven-baked tortilla bowl filled with southwest salad with a creamy cilantro dressing.

Alfajores – Cajeta Shortbread Cookies

May I present you with the most irresistible crumbly buttery cookie filled with gooey cajeta (dulce de leche).  Pair with a cup of coffee for a mid-afternoon snack.  Ahh, perfection!

Ingredients:

• 3 sticks (1.5 cups) unsalted good-quality butter, softened (since I am very impatient, I placed my cold butter in a mixing bowl, cut it up in small chunks, and placed it in the oven at 180 degrees for about 5 minutes.  Just don’t let it melt– you want it soft.)
• 3.5 cups flour
• 1 tbsp real vanilla extract
• 1 c. sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Cajeta or dulce de leche

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Mix butter and sugar until creamy with a whisk. Add vanilla.
3. In second bowl, mix flour and salt.
4. Add butter mixture to flour.  Mix together with your hand (or with a fancy mixture if you have one)
5. Roll into a log and cover with plastic wrap/parchment paper. Place in freezer for 30 mins.
6. Cut log in thin circles. Place in cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake for 11-15 minutes, depending on thickness.  Cookies should barely be brown on the outside, white in the middle.
8. Let cookies cook completely.  Place a teaspoon of cajeta in middle and top with another cookie.  Dust with powdered sugar.
9. Try not to drool during the process.
10. Enjoy!

Bourbon Cajeta

Cajeta, better known as “Dulce de Leche” in South America and Spain, is a rich caramel sauce and a staple in every Latin American home.  It is the Nutella of Europe and the peanut butter of the United States. We eat it for breakfast with a piece of toast and coffee, we use it as fillings in cookies and cakes, or, it is simply eaten by the spoonful.

It’s incredible how food or smells can bring back certain memories you would otherwise not recall.  Like my mom’s arroz con leche or avena.  The smell of the simmering sweet milk and cinnamon takes me back to our small home in Mexico.  I can see my mom standing over the stove stirring while I attentively watched every step impatiently waiting for my warm bowl.  Or Pozole, which instantly takes me to my grandmother’s ranch where she would ritually kill and feather a chicken while I hid in horror and proceeded to pretend my delicious chicken soup was vegetarian. The cajeta, however, reminds me of my grandpa.  Every time he came to visit us in Guadalajara he brought my mom and I a jar of homemade cajeta.  And as long as we had that jar, our mornings always started just a little bit sweeter.

I know they now sell “dulce de leche” in grocery stores, but it doesn’t come close to the real thing.  Although making it is time consuming, it is sooo worth it.  So grab a good book, make yourself a cup of coffee, and be prepared to stir (off and on) the entire afternoon.

I you don’t have the time, however, here is a little trick – and no, it does not consist of boiling a can of condensed  for 4 hours risking an explosion with cajeta all over you ceiling and walls (yes, I have seen it happen).  What you do is place the contents of a can of condensed milk into a baking dish and place it into a nice water bath.  Bake in the oven at 425 for about an hour until it is a nice caramel color.  You’re welcome.

Ingredients:

• 4 c. Goats Milk
• 4 c. Whole Milk
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 2 small cans media crema (table cream), or 1 c. heavy cream
• 3 c. Sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp  salt
• 1/3 c. bourbon
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Place milk, cream and sugar on med heat in BIG saucepan (to prevent it from spilling over). Stir occasionally.
2. When it starts to boil, add baking soda and salt, stir.
3. Turn the heat down to low and stir every 30 mins or so.
4. Cook until you get a deep caramel color. (Mine took about 4 hours on super low.  If you cook on med heat it should take about 1.5-2 hours).
5. When the color is where you want it, add the bourbon and vanilla.
6. Let cook for an extra 15 minutes. Take off heat.
7. The cajeta will thicken as it cools.  Transfer the Cajeta into a jar let cool completely. Place in refrigerator.

Buffalo Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

I know, I come up with pretty weird recipes, but most of them work–(at least the ones I choose to post)–I promise!! =)

I recently had an idea that I can turn many classic dishes into a noodles dish. I told Mark about my idea and, as I suspected, he didn’t think it sounded too good.  So I made his favorite meal, Buffalo Chicken, into pasta.  Guess who loved it? After finishing off his plate he immediately turned to me and said “sorry I doubted you, it was amazing!”.  Now I am wondering if he does this on purpose to get me to cook something he wants…I think I underestimate him sometimes.

Buffalo Fettuccine Alfredo Ingredients:

• Cooked Fettuccine, al dente
• Your favorite alfredo recipe
• + blue cheese
• + buffalo (“Frank’s Red Hot”) sauce
• + red pepper flakes
• + artichoke hearts

Buffalo Chicken Ingredients:

• Buttermilk + paprika or cayenne
• Flour + salt & pepper + paprika
• Panko bread crumbs

Directions: Combine chicken strips in buttermilk, then in flour mixture, again in buttermilk, and finally in the panko bread crumbs.  Fry until golden. Make sure it is completely cooked through.

 

Red Lentils & Red Wine Soup

I love lentils.  I could seriously eat them for every meal.  Problem is Mark is not too fond of them.  But I think I have solved the problem!  This was my first time using red lentils. These are much smaller than green lentils, and I found they weren’t as overpowering.  Because of their miniature size, they are not front-and-center.  The soup really looked more like a vegetable soup, which doesn’t really help me much since Mark does not really like soup either.  I was prepared for Mark’s picky self to refuse to eat dinner, but to my surprise he ate his entire bowl, and then asked for another!  He did note, however, that these would be even better with spicy portuguese sausage.  And I agree. Even though I don’t eat meat, I think the addition of sausage would be fantastic in this soup.

What makes this lentil soup special is the addition red wine, balsamic vinegar, and yams. The balsamic and yams give the soup a slight sweetness to it, while the red pepper flakes gives it heat (the spicy sausage would also serve this purpose). Best lentil soup I have made thus far.

Lentil Soup Ingredients:

• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, grated
• 4 celery stocks, diced
• 3-4 carrots, diced
• 1 sweet potato or yam, diced
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1 package spinach, thawed
• 1 1/2 c. red lentils (or 1 c. green lentils)….red lentils are smaller than the green ones
• 4 c. water
• 3 c. chicken or veg. stock
• 1 c. red wine
• 1/2 c. balsamic vinegar
• Seasoning: salt, pepper, oregano, italian seasoning, cumin, red pepper flakes
• Topping: plain yogurt (or sour cream), parmesan cheese
• (optional) spicy italian or portuguese sausage

Directions: Saute veggies for about 10 minutes in light olive oil.  Add lentils and crushed tomatoes.  Add liquid and spices. Cover and cook on med heat for about 1 hour. Serve with plain yogurt (or sour cream) and parmesan cheese.

Spanakopita (Spinach & Feta Pie)

This dish has two of my favorite ingredients: spinach and feta!  I can never get enough. Super easy to make, just make sure you fully thaw the phyllo sheets (for about 2 hours!). I was not patient enough, coincidentally, many of my phyllo sheets tore. But no big deal, I used the leftover torn sheets to make yummy baklava!

Spanakopita Ingredients: (Bake at 350 for 30 minutes)

• 1 red onion, chopped
• 3 clove garlic, grated
• 2 packages frozen spinach, thawed and moisture free
• 1/2 package cream cheese
• 1 4 oz package feta cheese
• Salt + Pepper
• Red pepper flakes
• 8 Phyllo pastry sheets, thawed
• Olive oil (to brush on pastry sheets)

Directions:

1. Saute onion in pan. Add garlic and spinach (without the excess water). Place in bowl and add cream cheese and feta. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
2. In a greased pie pan, place 1 sheet of oiled phyllo dough. Over lap with 3 more oiled sheets for a total of 4. Place spinach filling inside and top with 4 more oiled phyllo sheets. Tuck the edges in and cut into desired servings. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.