Tiramisu - Be Italian

I saw the movie Nine and am inspired to live my life in 2010 being Italian! So on the first day of this new year I made the delicious dessert Tiramisu.

INGREDIENTS (all from Trader Joes)

2 boxes Lady Finger Cookies

3 ounces Espresso Coffee

3 ounces Rum

1 1/2 pounds Mascarpone Cheese (3 containers)

1 1/2 cups of Powdered Sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1/2 72% dark chocolate bar

TO MAKE

Cover the bottom of a pan or serving dish with the lady finger cookies. Brush the cookies with the coffee mixture and soaking only half way.

Mix the mascarpone, vanilla, powdered sugar and rum together with a blender until smooth.

Whip the heavy whipping cream until firm. Fold 1 cup into the cheese mixture and layer atop the cookies. Grate the dark chocolate bar and layer atop the cheese mixture.

Prepare next layer. Remaining Cookies and Cheese. Top with the whipped cream and garnish with the chocolate and whole espresso beans.

SERVE in a martini glass for an elegant look.

Read More

30daysof...Resolutions

Ugh!
It is that time again.  Make a resolution for a happy new you.  

Start out with strong focus and determination to achieve it.  Then bam, life gets in the way and it is another new year again. Last year I set goals to achieve the following 30 resolutions.  As I check them off on the first day of the new year,  I realized I accomplished 85% of them. Not too shabby.  So in 2010, I am going to do it again. 

(the ones with the √ are the resolutions I completed)

√ 1. Finish what you start

√ 2. Organize Your Junk Drawers 

√ 3. Pick a Charity you want to contribute regularly too or Volunteer your time

    4. Develop a morning routine

√ 5. Meet the neighbors

√ 6. Make a new recipe every week

    7. Take a class

√ 8. Start writing / journaling

√ 9. Organize your pictures

   10. Read a book once a month

   11. Walk a mile everyday

√12. Make a living trust for you and your family

√13. Lower Cholesterol - Eat more God food! AND Eat More Fiber

√14. Send Thank you's immediately

√15. Share time with family

   16. Date your spouse

√17. Plan a party

   18. Grow a Garden

   19. Do 40 push ups a day

√20. Run in an event

   21. Give Thanks - Pray before eating

   22. Learn a new word and use it every day

√23. Get your eyes checked

√24. Start a new tradition

√25. Go somewhere new on vacation

√26. Get a makeover

√27. Brand Yourself

√28. Be Spontaneous

   29. Wash your face everynight

   30. Learn a new language

Make your own list. Print it out and use it as a guide to get things done.  You will be a happier person every year!

Read More

Green Sauce Enchiladas - Lasagna Style

At a holiday party I hosted, these Green Sauce Enchiladas I created were the first to be completely devoured.  Make them for yourself and I guarantee, you will receive rave reviews from all the guests.

INGREDIENTS

8 boneless skinless chicken breast

1 container of sour cream

2 cups of jack cheese

1 bunch of cilantro

Remaining ingredients are from the

El Tapatio Markets

1 pack of freshly made flour tortillas 

2 containers of green chili sauce 

1 container of salsa fresca  (or make your own with diced tomatoes, cilantro and onion) and let sit overnight.

TO PREPARE

Boil chicken breast.  When cool, Shred the chicken and add the sour cream, Salsa Fresca, and 1 cup of Jack cheese and 1/2 container of the green chili sauce. Mix well.

Get a 9x12 baking pan and pour a thin layer of the green chili sauce to coat.  Cover the bottom of the pan with the flour toritillas as you would layer a lasagna.  Spread the chicken mixture over the layer, then cover with tortillas.  Cover with remaining chicken and layer again with tortillas (top)  Pour the remaining green chili sauce over entire dish. Cover with the remaining jack cheese.  Back at 400˚ for 35 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling.  Garnish with fresh cilantro and green onions.  

Read More