Dried Young Coconut

This delicious snack was introduced to me by one of my fellow Zumba instructors. We were on our way to a training, and I needed to stop at Costco. We ran in to get the few things I needed, but she got really excited when she saw a big crate of young coconut. I was wondering what all the fuss was about, and she informed me that it was delicious, and that you had to buy it quick because it would run out. She let me taste it, and I was hooked. Now, every time I'm at Costco and see these bags, I have to buy one.

I love the rich, semisweet taste of the coconut. Also, this yummy snack is PACKED with fiber. One serving gives you a whole 14 grams. AND, even though they taste like candy, there's only 1 gram of sugar. Yeah, you heard that right. I bet you're headed to Costco right now (if not, you should be)...

Apples & Peanut Butter

Okay, I don't know about you... but I am a snacking fiend. I think it's because I love eating... all the time. I've had my share of potato chips, candy, baked goods, etc. - but we all know what that kind of snacking leads to. In my quest for a variety of delicious, healthy snacks, I've decided to start a new series called "Zero Guilt Snacks." Along with my regular recipes, I'll post about healthy snack ideas every Monday.

The first is one of my favorite snacks of all time: apples and peanut butter. To make this snack especially healthy, I use natural peanut butter. I prefer Smart Balance (either creamy or chunky - both are delicious).  When I'm feeling especially crazy, I'll even add a tiny bit of stevia to sweeten the peanut butter a little bit. Or a few chocolate chips, to get that "chocolate-covered apple" taste. Just make sure you don't go too crazy on the peanut butter... I usually have to measure it out to make sure I don't eat too much (it's just so yummy).

Easy Peasy Peach Cobbler

Growing up, whenever my mom would ask us what we wanted for dessert, the answer was always, always, peach cobbler. We didn't waste time on no apple crisp or brownies. I was pretty sure my mom put crack in it, until I started making it myself. There's no crack... but this stuff is pretty dang good. And it's easy. Oh yeah, and did I mention delicious?

I made it this time with fresh peaches, and it was delicious! I swear,
though, the canned peaches are just as delicious. Probably all that
sugary syrup. Or nostalgia...

You should probably buy a ridiculously huge vat
of baking powder, because you're going to want to
be making this recipe a LOT.

Easy Peasy Peach Cobbler

1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 large cans peaches (or 6-8 fresh peaches)

Mix sugar, flour, salt, and baking powder together in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Add melted butter to mixture. Drain fruit and pour in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. If you use fresh peaches, sweeten them with sugar before adding to the pan. Pour batter over the top of peaches (it's okay if they're not all covered).
Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

Tres Leches

Okay, it's time for the greatest blog post of all time.


It's tres leches time.

I have received rave reviews many a time for this recipe (thanks, Martha Stewart... not that she gave me a rave review... but she gave me the recipe). I had one guy tell me,

"The only thing I don't like about tres leches is that it ruins all other cake for me."

So... consider yourself warned.

Here's what you will need:
1 stick butter, melted and cooled
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. coarse salt
5 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream


fruit for the top (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches... or all of the above)

And... don't forget... the tres leches:


1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (first leche)
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk (second leche)
1 cup whole milk (third leche, baby)


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Then, whisk the dry ingredients together in a pan--the flour, baking powder, and salt.


I'd like to just take a moment to highlight some of our key players here; ingredients that really take this cake to the next level. #1--there's the PURE vanilla extract. Let's just say... I'm pretty sure pure anything is always better than imitation.


#2-COARSE salt... I'd just like to point out that it says perfect for GOURMET baking. That's right.


Last, my favorite cooking spray. It actually has flour IN it--so you get the whole floured pan effect, without the work.


In a separate bowl, beat the eggs & 3/4 cup sugar till they are pale and thick--about 4 minutes at high speed (thank heavens for my Kitchen Aid)

Add the vanilla and beat to mix. Then, gradually add the dry mixture until thoroughly combined (put your mixer on low). Last, fold the butter in with a rubber spatula.


Make sure you grease the pan first, then pour the mixture into a rectangular cake pan. Put in the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes (I used a metal pan... it may take a bit longer if you use a glass pan). Keep an eye on it, and take it out when the top is golden brown and a toothpick placed in the middle comes out clean.

Now, to get the leches ready. Mix together the evaporated, sweetened condensed, and whole milk in a bowl.


Then take a toothpick, fork, or other sharp object and poke holes all over the top of the cake (yes, you can do this while it is still warm).


Pour the milk mixture over the top, making sure to cover the cake evenly. Let the cake sit for about an hour (or longer... if it's longer, I would stick it in the fridge).


Last, mix the heavy whipping cream and 1/4 cup of the sugar to medium peaks (it should look like it does above).

Spread it all over the cake, and then top with fruit. Or, you can serve the fruit separately and let people put however much on it they want (that's how I like to do it).


Then, die and go to heaven. Seriously. You won't regret it.

Mother's Day Strawberries

So, I took on a pretty big project this Mother's Day.. and decided to sell chocolate covered strawberries for Mother's Day.


It was a pretty crazy week... My favorite was Thursday night, when my kitchen was full of strawberries.


It looked like a candy shop!!


I also branded the boxes with my blog title... handwritten. Every one. I liked how they turned out.


It was a lot of work... but it was really fun. We'll have to see what adventure I'll take on next...

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Can you think of anything more appropriate for Valentine's Day than chocolate and strawberries together in a tastebud-titillating delectable medley of scrumptiousness? Didn't think so.



I've tried chocolate-covered strawberries before... but they haven't turned out this well.

Here's the recipe:

1 bag semisweet chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli... I think using quality chocolate helps a lot)
1/2 bag white chocolate chips
2 lbs. really really beautifully red and plump strawberries, washed and DRIED well (also a trick to making these work)

Fill one saucepan up with 1-2 inches of water, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once the water is simmering, turn off the heat and place a metal bowl filled with the semisweet chocolate chips into the water. Stir the chocolate until it is all the way melted and completely smooth. Dip the strawberries in the chocolate, turning a little to let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl, and place on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper. After you have dipped all the strawberries in the dark chocolate, melt the white chocolate chips the same way you did the semisweet ones. Use a toothpick, or something else straight (I used a chopstick...) to drizzle the white chocolate over the strawberries. Gorgeous!

Caramel Apple Pizza

So, today was my VERY LAST FINAL EVER!!! And it wasn't even really a final exam... we just went and ate delicious food at my professor's house. It was pretty much the best final. Anyway, I brought this delicious apple pizza that was a big hit. I can't take complete credit for the recipe, as I got the idea from a girl in my student development class. It's pretty amazing though, so I must share.



Ingredients:
Sugar cookie dough (you can make it yourself, or I used the pre-made kind. It was delicious)
1 package (8-oz.) cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 large granny smith apples
Sprite
Cinnamon
Caramel topping

1. Roll out the sugar cookie dough into a crust on a round, ungreased, baking pan. Bake according to directions (it may need to bake a little longer because it is like one giant cookie... mine cooked for about 15 minutes). Take out of oven and do not add anything to it until it is completely cooled.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, peanut butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until thoroughly mixed. Spread this "pizza sauce" onto the sugar cookie crust.


3. Slice the apples into thin slices, and place them in a bowl filled with Sprite in order to prevent browning. Take the apples out and let them dry on a plate covered with paper towels.

4. Arrange the apple slices on top of the "pizza sauce." Sprinkle cinnamon and pour caramel topping over the top. Wait until serving to slice (because it's so stinkin' pretty you won't want to ruin it before you present it!).