Welcome
I am constantly amazed at how animated and talkative people get when you mention food. The mere aroma of certain foods can evoke memories that transport us back to a special place and time. Food can bridge the gap between all ages, races and ethnicities.
Let's face it, the only thing that should ever come between people is a table and some serving bowls.
Each and every day people touch our lives in ways that sometimes go unnoticed until long after they are gone. They imprint upon us a snapshot of emotion that projects a momentary image that presents itself as memory. These memories sneak up on us at different times and show themselves as a smile, a tear or just a reflective glance back to a special time and place.
Today I bask in the glow of someone dear who imprinted upon me a future rich with memories. Her body left this earth nine years ago but her spirit lingers in the smiles and tears of those she touched while here.
On this day I do not mourn the loss of one so dear, instead I celebrate the spirit that is alive and well and flourishes in every beating heart that loved her.
One of Mimi's absolute favorite things to munch were any kind of nut drenched in chocolate, especially almonds. So in honor of her birthday we are skipping the cake just as she would have and are heading straight for the chocolate covered almonds!
Happy Birthday Mimi!
Chocolate Almond Clusters
1 lb. almonds, toasted (use any nut you prefer, cashews are wonderful)!
1 lb. good milk or dark chocolate
Melt chocolate in double boiler, add almonds and drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let set until hard.
photo/OhNuts/flickr
I cannot think of a better way to spend an evening than by getting together with some of your favorite women friends for an all girls night. Nothing but great food, endless conversation and dessert of course! A million different topics, laughter and giggling so loud it could raise the roof…….until dessert is placed on the table. In an instant all goes quiet, then it starts; “ooooooh, aaaaah, oh my God is this good” then for one brief moment your kitchen sounds more like the bedroom on a really good night. Nothing quiets a woman like a very rich, very creamy, very sticky, very decadent dessert…. I know because I did not utter a word until I scraped the last little bit of sticky goodness off the plate almost taking the designs with it!.
My dear friend Christine planted the idea in my head about coming up with a dessert using one of our favorite treats, “
Schutts Homemade Fry Cakes”. Schutts is an apple and cider mill located in Webster NY. It is a family tradition for many Rochestarians. It’s a charming little place wafting with the aromas of fall; cinnamon, clove, apples and lets not forget the smell of fry cakes sizzling away in the hot oil”! They make their fry cakes fresh daily they are sooooo good to eat warm with a glass of their fresh pressed cider or how about one of their infamous apple freezes (a must try)!
Anyhow, Christine and I played around with several ideas for recipes using their fry cakes and ultimately agreed on this one. Please give it a try, you will not be disappointed, if not from this area use your own favorite local ingredients.
Caramel Apple Fry Cake Sundaes
Amounts will vary depending on number of people you are serving.
Ingredients Needed:
Fry cakes (use your favorites) we decided on the sugar cinnamon fry cakes for this recipe.
Apple pie filling (homemade or canned works just fine)
Vanilla Ice Cream or whatever flavor you prefer
Caramel Sauce (jarred or homemade)
Candied Walnuts
Just lightly warm apple pie filling, place fry cake on a plate, spoon a little apple pie filling on top add a scoop of ice cream. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with nuts and just repeat the process depending on how many you are serving!
To candy the walnuts place 1 cup of walnuts, 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar in a fry pan set to medium. Watch closely and stir often so it does not burn takes about 15 minutes but just eyeball it you will be able to tell when all nuts look like they are encased in crunchy candy.
What would a holiday be without some good things to nosh on while making merry. This one is quick, easy as well as delicious and addictive. Just don’t forget to save room for dinner!
Nuts Italian Style
4 cups of nuts (any)
2 Tablespoons of butter
2 Tablespoons of soy sauce
1 envelope Good Seasons mild Italian
Sauté nuts in butter for 2 minutes. Stir in soy sauce. Remove pan form heat and stir in salad dressing mix. Place nuts in single layer to cool.
Each and every day people touch our lives in ways that sometimes go unnoticed until long after they are gone. They imprint upon us a snapshot of emotion that projects a momentary image that presents itself as memory. These memories sneak up on us at different times and show themselves as a smile, a tear or just a reflective glance back to a special time and place.
