Peach Gelato

Peach Gelato

Ingredients:

7 large ripe peaches, divided
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

Slice the peaches in half and remove the pits.  Coarsely chop the peaches.  Set aside 1 cup of chopped peaches for use later in the gelato mixture.

In a medium covered saucepan, place the chopped peaches, water and sugar.

Cook over medium-heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Puree the peaches and liquid from the saucepan in a food processor until smooth.

Strain the mixture through a colander.  I use a stock-pot underneath the colander to catch the strained mixture.

Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice and extra chopped peaches.

Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours.

Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The gelato will keep in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week.

Remember, gelato is a semi-frozen dessert, so remove your homemade gelato from the freezer 15 to 20 minutes before serving, and thaw.  Stir the gelato before serving, bringing it to the correct temperature and texture.

Serves 6

Macadamia White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Macadamia White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe by Mauna Loa

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 (12 oz) package white chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped macadamia baking pieces

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together the butter and sugars until fluffy.

Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.

Blend in flour, baking soda and salt.

Stir in white chocolate chips and macadamia pieces.

Drop by teaspoons onto ungreased baking pans.  Bake for 10 - 12 minutes.

Approximately 6 dozen cookies

New Orleans French Toast

New Orleans French Toast

New Orleans French toast got its start as a way of using up left-over stale French bread. This weekend meal has three names.  It can be called Pain Perdu, Lost Bread, or New Orleans French toast.  It doesn't matter what you call it, just pick a name, because you'll be asking for this tasty French toast every morning of the week. It's that delicious!

I serve the French toast with real maple syrup, cut-up fresh fruit and whipped dessert topping.

Ingredients:

Loaf French bread
1 cup half-and-half
4 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch of nutmeg
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

Cut the French bread diagonally, about 1 1/4-inch thick slices.

In a large bowl, whisk the half-and-half, eggs, sugar, vanilla and nutmeg together.

In a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, soak the slices of French bread in egg mixture, flip once to thoroughly soak each side.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan and add the vegetable oil.

Once the butter and oil mixture is hot, fry the soaked bread slices on both sides, until golden brown.

Place the French toast slices in the oven @ 200 degrees for at least 30 minutes, or longer.  The key to success is cooking the French toast in the oven.  The longer you leave it in the oven, the better!  I've left the French toast in the oven for 60 minutes before and it was fantastic!

Sprinkle French toast slices with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Serves 4

Espresso Gelato

Espresso Gelato
Recipe by chow.com

Gelato is a semi-frozen dessert, so remove your homemade gelato from the freezer 15 to 20 minutes before serving, and thaw.  I stir the gelato right before serving, bringing it to the correct temperature and giving it a good texture.  

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
6 large egg yolks
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons , plus 1 teaspoon finely ground espresso beans
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder

Directions:

Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl and set aside.

Combine 2 cups of the milk and the cream in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.  Place over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally (so a skin doesn't form), until tiny bubbles start to form around the edges, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks in a medium heatproof bowl until smooth.  Gradually whisk in the sugar until incorporated and the mixture is thick and pale yellow, about two minutes.

Slowly pour the milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously so that the hot mixture doesn't scramble the eggs. Return the custard to the saucepan.

Cook over low heat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until thick enough to coat the spoon.  (When you draw your finger across the spoon, it should make a mark through the mixture, which should not run back in on itself.)  Do not bring to a boil.

Pour the mixture through the fine-mesh strainer and into the prepared bowl and let cool to room temperature, stirring every 5 minutes or so.  (To cool the base quickly, make an ice water bath by filling a large bowl with ice and water and placing bowl the bowl of espresso base in it; stir the base until cool.)

Cover and refrigerate the base until very cold, at least 4 hours or overnight.

Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/2 cup milk and 3 tablespoons of the ground espresso beans in a small saucepan.  Place over medium heat and bring just to a simmer.  Remove from heat and set aside to steep for 20 minutes.  Pour the milk mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid; discard the solids.  Add the instant espresso powder and stir until dissolved. Refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes.

Gently whisk the milk-espresso mixture into the gelato base, then whisk in the remaining 1 teaspoon ground espresso beans.  Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.  Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 3 hours before serving.  The gelato will keep in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week.

Hello Dolly Bars

Hello Dolly Bars
Recipe submitted by Cindy Chandler

These "Hello Dolly Bars" are rich and yummy!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts or pecans)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup dried cherries *optional
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

Preheat oven 325 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.

Press evenly into an 8 x 8-inch baking dish.

Layer the almonds, chocolate chips, coconut and cherries over crumb crust.

Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top.

Bake for 25 minutes.

Cut into bars after refrigerated for 2 to 3 hours.

Kristin's Texas Caviar

Kristin's Texas Caviar

Ingredients:

1 can or bag of frozen white snow corn
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can black eyed peas, drained
1 green pepper, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
3 - 4 tomatoes, chopped
1 small jalapeno, chopped
8 ounce Italian dressing

Tortilla chips

Directions:

Kristin 7/10/13

Mix together.

Often best prepared the night before so it can marinate.

Zesty Horseradish Corn on the Cob

Zesty Horseradish Corn on the Cob
Original Recipe by Land O Lakes - Treasury Of Country Recipes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish

8 fresh ears of corn on the cob, husked

Directions:

Prepare grill of heat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl stir together all ingredients except corn.

Spread about 1 tablespoon butter mixture evenly over each ear of corn.  Wrap tightly in heavy-duty double thickness aluminium foil, sealing well.

Place on grill rack directly over coals or low flame, turning every 5 minutes, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until tender.  If baking, place foil-wrapped corn on jelly roll pan.  Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until heated through.

TIP:  Horseradish butter can be used as a spread for sandwiches or vegetables.