Foodie Friday - Cheesecake Mousse with Pecan Brittle Baskets

This was our Valentines Dessert this year.  It was SO amazing.  I had lost the recipe and hadn't made it in years.  Thank you to Tara for lighting a fire under me to find it!  DECADENT!!!

CHEESECAKE MOUSSE WITH PECAN BRITTLE BASKETS

Cheesecake Mousse

1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided

4 oz. cream cheese, cut into 1 inch squares

3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided

1/3 cup sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

In a small pan, heat together 1/2 cup of cream, cream cheese, and 1/2 cup sugar over medium heat.  Stir frequently until the cream cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.

Put into a bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.

In your mixer, beat the 1 cup cream with the sour cream, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and vanilla until medium peaks form.  Fold the two mixtures together, 1/3 at a time.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Pecan Brittle Baskets

2 sticks (1 cup) butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup corn syrup

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup pecans, toasted

3/4 cups flour

1/4 tsp. salt

-In food processor, grind the pecans.  Combine salt and flour.  Set aside.

-In a saucepan, melt together the butter, sugar and corn syrup.  Bring the mixture to a boil.  Add the pecans and the flour/salt mixture.  Remove from heat.  Add the vanilla.

-Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.  Using a small cookie scoop, drop the batter onto the cookie sheets (2 scoops per baking sheet).  Give the cookies plenty of room to expand during baking.

-Bake the cookies in a preheated 275 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.

-While still warm, but not hot, lift the cookie up and turn it over a custard cup, forming fluted edge.  -Let cookies firm up for about a minute and then turn them out to cool completely.

-Serve on chocolate drizzled plate with Cheesecake Mousse and fresh raspberries. 

Valentine's Day 2012

Tonight I made a yummy dinner for Valentine's Day.  I made Tara's recipe for Blackberry Glazed Pork chops along with Parmesan Roasted Asparagus, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and rolls.  Of course, we had sparkling cider.   The topper was dessert.  I made Cheesecake Mousse in Pecan Brittle Baskets.  I'll post that recipe on Friday.

Foodie Friday - Granola

I made my favorite granola for a brunch with friends this week.  It’s a Mom Casper recipe.  LOVE  it with berries and vanilla yogurt or with a little milk for breakfast.  YUM!

SEVEN WIVES INN GRANOLA

((aka Mom Casper’s Granola)

)

MIX TOGETHER IN A LARGE BOWL:

8 cups oatmeal (old fashioned oats)

1 ½ cups packed brown sugar

1 ½ cups wheat germ (8 oz)

8 oz. coconut (wide, unsweetened)

8 oz. sliced almonds

8 oz. cashews

3 oz. sunflower seeds

COMBINE IN SAUCEPAN – BRING TO BOIL:

½ cup water

½ cup vegetable oil

½ cup honey

½ cup peanut butter

2 tsp. vanilla

Pour honey mixture over dry mixture – combine thoroughly.  Spread mixture on 2 large cookie sheets.  Bake about 2 hours @ 200 degrees (until coconut becomes brown around the edges.  Add 1 cup raisins if desired (yuck) after baking.  Makes about 5 lbs. granola.  Recipe can be cut in half.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday - Loving my Shellac Nails!

GratiTuesday - Tupperware Comeback!

Years ago I got rid of all my Tupperware.  The kids were grown up and I was SO done with anything plastic and unbreakable!  Whenever I was invited to a Tupperware Party, I would tell the hostess that I was "plum tuppered out."  Flash forward to 2012.....who knew that Tupperware had evolved???  I have a friend who loves to gift me with Tupperware (her daughter-in-law sells it, so she's got the skinny on the hottest items).  Recently she gave me this Microwave Pasta Maker.  I was a little leery, but gave it a shot tonight.  WOW!  I can't tell you how much I love this!  I don't think I'll EVER make pasta in a pan again.  You measure, cook, drain, serve and store leftover pasta in the same container.  Perfect pasta!  One small warning.....the price of Tupperware has gone through the ceiling.  I was shocked!  This one, however, is worth every penny!  Thank you Fran!

Memory Monday - Happy Birthday Ty!

Twenty years ago today, Tyler celebrated his 8th birthday.  Seems like yesterday!  What a cute boy who has become such a handsome man!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest son a mom could ask for!

Love you!

Snapshot Sunday - Leaving on a Jet Plane

Kurt took off again this morning for Honolulu.  No, it's not as wonderful as it sounds.  This is his second trip to Hawaii in the last couple of months.  There's no fun involved.  He does stay in a nice hotel with penguins and flamingos wandering around the grounds, but other than that, it's all work and no play.  Retirement is looking better all the time!