Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Holiday Appetizers - Cheese Puffs




Thanks to the Pioneer Woman www.thepioneerwoman.com - this appetizer struck a chord from my youth.

I vividly remember a New Years Eve party my parents threw in the late 70s where we made these cheese puffs. We frosted bread with this cheesy mixture, and my sister and I ate more than our fair share!

Finally found, this recipe will be part of my impromptu New Years gathering - either before Ice Skating or after...

Thanks, Ree!

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Difficulty: Easy Servings: 8
Ingredients
  • 1 loaf Crusty French Bread, Cut Into 1-inch Cubes
  • ½ sticks Butter
  • 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 1 whole Shallot, Minced
  • 1-½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 8 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, Sliced
  • 1-½ cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
  • Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
  • 2 whole Egg Whites, Beaten
Preparation Instructions

Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots and saute for 1 minute. Add Dijon and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low.

Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Add grated cheddar and stir until melted. Turn off heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Fold in egg whites.

Dunk bread cubes in cheese, coating thoroughly. Place on a nonstick baking mat or sheet of waxed paper and freeze for 20 minutes, uncovered. Remove frozen chunks from tray and place into a Ziploc bag. Store in the freezer.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place frozen cheese puffs on a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper, and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Candy Treats - Caramel Nut Truffles

Just saw this one this morning - of course, it's far from "Wendy Safe" - sorry, Wen! But, perhaps there's something that you can figure out to non-emulsifier it up...

We need:

  1. Caramel Hershey Kisses
  2. 1/2 cup cream
  3. Crushed nuts
  4. Pam Spray
Unwrap bowl full of caramel hershey kisses
Pour over enough cream to cover
Microwave 15 seconds
Stir
Cool in refrigerator for 4 hrs

Spray hands with Pam
Ball up a palm full of chocolate
Press another kiss in the center
Roll in nuts

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!