ambrosia dessert: April 2010

Chocolate Wonders: Kentucky Derby Pie, Make-ahead Chocolate Soufflé

Here's a version of the pie I found over at flickr and it was so beautiful and creative I just had to share it with you! Chocolate pecan derby pie with caramel bourbon sauce, berry-ginger coulis by Greencolander @ flickr

From Denny: With the Kentucky Derby season upon us with the running of the horses the food displays and competitions are also out in full force. Here are a couple of yummy chocolate recipes to get you in the mood for the horse races.

I still have fond memories of when we lived in Atlanta, Georgia, of The Dessert Place bakery. They sure had an awesome version of the famous Kentucky Derby Pie! Did you know the origin of the Kentucky Derby Pie? The recipe can be traced back to a lunch restaurant in Prospect, Kentucky, which is in the Louisville area. This pie was created in 1950 by the restaurant owners of The Melrose Inn, Walter and Leaudra Kern. The family sold the inn in 1960 but retained the copyright to the Derby Pie and to this day the famous recipe is "still under lock and key."

When you Google Kentucky Derby Pie recipe over 104,000 recipes show up in the search with over 221,000 recipes showing up for Derby Pie! There are a lot of admirers and imitators out there.

A Derby Pie can be frozen - after it has thoroughly cooled. This particular recipe is from our local newspaper writer, Camile Cassidy, who received it from a friend.

The second recipe here really caught my eye when I realized a chocolate souffle could actually be made a day ahead and refrigerated! Talk about being able to sit back and enjoy your guests without having to jump up half way through the dinner to pop the souffles into the oven to be in perfect timing when people are ready for dessert! These individual serving souffles can be partially made a day ahead and then you finish baking them when you are ready to serve. We are a big fan of anything special we can make ahead and it still tastes wonderful when you serve it.

This dessert presents beautifully and you might want to consider it for a special celebration like Mothers Day, birthday or other celebration. Placing a scoop of ice cream on top finishes the look, not to mention your tastebuds!

This recipe produces a light and airy souffle with that desired intense chocolate flavor with all love, enjoy! Make sure as soon as you bake them to top with your favorite ice cream immediately to serve. For me it would a French Vanilla ice cream to complement this rich wonderful chocolate flavor.

Derby Pie by stu_spivack @ flickr

Kentucky Derby Pie

From: Camille Cassidy and her friend Dianne Collins.

Serves: Makes 1 (9-inch) pie. Recipe is shared by Camille Cassidy, who said, “My friend Dianne Collins gave this recipe to me. She would make it for me on my birthday. It has become a family favorite.”

Ingredients:

1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust pastry
1 stick butter or margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 cup chopped pecans
1 (6-oz.) pkg. semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Fit pie crust into pie plate.

3. Melt butter in small microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup, but don’t let it get so hot that you “cook” the eggs.

4. Mix sugar and flour in mixing bowl.

5. Beat the eggs in a small bowl and add eggs and melted butter to sugar-flour mixture. Stir to mix well.

6. Stir in chopped pecans, chocolate chips and vanilla.

7. Pour filling into pie crust and bake for about 40-45 minutes.

Camille Cassidy’s testing note: The original recipe said bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour. We like it a little undercooked so that it tastes more like chocolate chip cookie dough.

Photo by NESTLÉ AND FAMILY FEATURES EDITORIAL SYNDICATE

Make-Ahead Chocolate Soufflés

From: Nestlé and Family Features Editorial Syndicate Inc.

Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray
Granulated sugar
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/4 cup baking cocoa
4 large eggs, separated
2 tsps. vanilla extract
1/3 cup sugar
Vanilla ice cream for topping dessert

Directions:

1. Spray eight (6-ounce) ramekins or custard cups with nonstick cooking spray; coat lightly with granulated sugar.

2. Microwave morsels, butter and baking cocoa in large, microwave-safe bowl on High power for 1 minute; stir well. Microwave at additional 10-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Do not overheat.

3. Stir in egg yolks and vanilla extract.

4. Beat egg whites in large mixer bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in 1/3 cup sugar until stiff peaks form.

5. Stir one-fourth of the beaten egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture to lighten. Fold in remaining egg white mixture gently but thoroughly. Spoon into ramekins, filling 3/4 full. Cover individually with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove plastic wrap from soufflés. Place soufflés on baking sheet. Bake on center oven rack for 18 to 20 minutes or until puffed and center still moves slightly. Top with scoop of ice cream. Serve immediately.

Note: To bake immediately, reduce baking time by a couple of minutes.

*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

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Those Funny Mothers Day Quotes and Trivia

From Denny: Check out the sampling from one of many funny posts just in time to enjoy for Mothers Day! From the latest Mothers Day cartoons to funny facts about Mothers Day traditions around the world to funny quotes from mothers and about mothering to laugh out loud "how you know you are a mother when..."

See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Check this out on the way to facts about Mothers Day:

So when do they think the first celebrations of a Mother's Day were honored? As with so many traditions it goes back to ancient Greece where that culture celebrated the Mother of the Gods, Rhea. Their version of the perfect mother received gifts of cakes made with the sweetest honey, lovely flowers and drinks at dawn. Sounds pretty good to me. Make my drink a Margarita on the rocks with Silver Patron Tequila - though I'm not so sure alcoholic drinks were on that Mother's Day menu. :)

Well, we all know you can't talk "ancient" without bringing up the ancient Egyptians into the conversation. They honored the glorious goddess Isis because she was celebrated as the Mother of the Pharaohs - and we all know it's good PR to talk good about the government when getting your head cut off is at stake.

Speaking of an ancient culture, the Chinese are rather sentimental about how they celebrate motherhood. The tradition with them is that their family name often begins with the character for the word "mother." It's the way they like to honor their ancestral mothers who brought their line into this world.

You Know You Are Really A Mom When...

* You want to take out a contract on the kid who broke your child's favorite toy and made them cry.

* You consider finger paint to be a controlled substance.

* You mastered the art of placing food on a plate without anything touching.

* Your child insists that you read "Once upon a Potty" out loud in the lobby of the doctor's office and you do it.

My Mother Taught Me...

To Value A Job Well Done: If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.

Time Travel: If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!

Logic: Because I said so, that's why.

*** Make sure to pay a visit to The Mother Post for the full post and all the funny links from several other Mothers Day posts to enjoy:

Funny Mothers Day Quotes and Trivia - Cheeky Quote Day 28 Apr 2010

*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

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Traditional Sandwiches Updated: California Tuna Melt, Egg Salad

Open face version of the popular tuna melt by zrail @ flickr

From Denny: Sandwiches from canned tuna or boiled eggs are inexpensive ways to feed a family - or yourself on a diet! :) No one said they could not taste wonderful. At our house we don't use dill but rather sweet basil herb as it goes wonderfully with both tuna or eggs.

I also include a dash of ground yellow turmeric root as it has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is often the leading cause of diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Inflammation also comes from eating wheat flour products - and sugar - and we have way too much of these items on our grocery shelves and in the American diet. Why not include a little prevention in as many dishes as you can, especially when it's difficult to completely avoid these products since we seem to be swimming in them? Turmeric is an ingredient prominent in curry powder mixtures.

We also use sweet pickles diced up as opposed to dill. Tuna and eggs both have a sharp, even musky quality to them and something to sweeten them like sweet pickles, mayonnaise and even a hint of ground cloves does wonders for the flavor. If you have any fresh coriander or regular parsley include that too as parsley is a whiz at balancing all the flavors in any dish.

If you really want to kick up the flavor add some garlic powder to tuna or egg dishes along with some Cajun seasoning and extra paprika. You will get loads of flavor, beautiful color for otherwise bland sandwich fillings and tons of compliments as these spicy flavors hit their mouths! I've made converts of people, especially men, who usually pass on these traditional sandwiches because they taste too fishy or bland. Also, you can use half extra virgin olive oil and half mayonnaise if you like for another interesting flavoring.

California Tuna Melt

From: California Olive Industry

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 (12-oz.) can tuna packed in water
1 cup sliced ripe olives, divided
1/3 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped roasted red bell peppers
1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tbls. lemon juice
1 tbl. chopped fresh dill
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
Cayenne pepper, to taste
8 slices light rye bread, toasted
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine tuna, 1/2 cup ripe olives, celery, red bell peppers, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill and salt. Season to taste with a dash of cayenne.

2. Place four slices of toast on a clean surface. Spread approximately 3/4 cup of tuna salad on each.

3. Top with 2 to 3 slices of avocado, 2 tablespoons ripe olives and 2 tablespoons Monterey Jack cheese.

4. Place under a preheated broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from broiler and top with remaining slices of toast.

Creative version of egg salad wrapped in pastrami by FotoosVanRobin @ flickr

Old-Fashioned Egg Salad Sandwiches

From: California Olive Industry

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

8 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
2/3 cup ripe olives, wedged
1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
1/3 cup sliced green onions
1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tbls. chopped chives
2 tsps. chopped fresh tarragon
1-1/2 tsps. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
8 slices pumpernickel bread, lightly toasted
Iceberg lettuce
1 tomato, sliced 1/4-inch thick
Half a red onion, thinly sliced

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, ripe olives, pickles, green onions, mayonnaise, chives, tarragon, dry mustard, salt and pepper. Place four slices of toast on a clean surface.

2. Spread egg salad on top of each. Top with lettuce leaves, sliced tomato and slice of red onion. Cover with remaining toast slices.

*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

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Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Cup Cake

My curiosity was piqued by this recipe. Cake in the crock pot? Really? I have to see how this works. We all love chocolate with peanut butter and the picture of this cake on A Year of Slow Cooking looks ooey, gooey and yummy! I already have all the ingredients on hand. I'm definitely giving this recipe a try this week.....

Ingredients (recipe by Stephanie O'Dea)

1 cup all-purpose flour (Stephanie used Pamela's Baking Mix)

1 cup sugar (divided. this is important, don't just start dumping, read on!)

1 teaspoon baking powder (even though Pamela's has baking powder in it, she used this amount)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (unless you're a rebel. then use chunky)

1/2 cup milk (I used fat free cow's. to keep it light. HA!)

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup boiling water

The Directions

Use a 4-quart slow cooker coated well with cooking spray. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder and salt.

In the microwave, melt peanut butter for about 30 seconds, and then add to the mix along with milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir really well to combine. Spread this mixture into the bottom of your slow cooker.

In a separate bowl, mix together cocoa powder, the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1 cup boiling water (be careful!) Pour this evenly over the peanut butter batter in your cooker.

Cover and cook on high for 2-4 hours, or until the top has set and an inserted toothpick (into the cake---underneath the cake is molten chocolate) comes out clean. Let the cake sit uncovered in an unplugged crock pot for about 20 minutes, then serve warm in dessert bowls.

You can see that we are serious peanut butter eaters. We buy 6 pound cans of it! I used good ol' all-purpose flour. If you choose to use Pamela's Baking Mix, this recipe is gluten-free. I like that the ingredients are all things I keep in my cupboard. I could make this anytime without making a special trip to the grocery store.

If you use a 4 qt. slow cooker follow the directions and just spread the mixture inside. I used a larger 6 qt. slow cooker. So, I followed the suggestion from the blog to put a casserole dish at the bottom and load the ingredients inside the dish. Here's the peanut butter mixture, first.

Then, I poured the chocolate on top. The hardest part of this recipe is waiting 2-4 hours.

Don't worry, it's not burnt on top. That's just some of the chocolate sauce that didn't sink to the bottom of the pan and cooked on top of the cake. It cooked for about 3 hours and I let it set for 20 minutes before I served it.

The Results...
Ooey, gooey, chocolatey, peanut butter goodness! It was nice and moist and not overly sweet. I thought it had a nice balanced flavor of peanut butter and chocolate. It's neat how the chocolate sinks to the bottom. We enjoyed this for dessert, but wished we had some ice cream to go with it. Cold ice cream would be delicious with this warm dessert. If you have a peanut butter and chocolate craving this cake can satisfy it.

BTW, If you like using a slow cooker, check out A Year of Slow Cooking. There are lots of slow cooker recipes that look interesting. It will be summertime soon and I love slow cookers in the summertime, no need to turn on the oven.

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Easy Moist Chocolate Mayo Cake From Bon Appetit

From Denny: Have you ever made a chocolate cake without butter but with mayonnaise as the substitute for oil? It's surprisingly good too while it creates an extra moist mouth-watering chocolate treat! Bon Appetit was on The Today Show this week touting their latest cookbook.

Well, it gets better. I've made this kind of chocolate cake - once out of desperation - only to find it was a great idea to substitute mayo for butter. I was about to pass on the video and recipe until I saw the cool update Bon Appetit came up with to create one awesome presentation: a chocolate collar to wrap around the cake.

Here's the new cookbook and already discounted at Amazon:

Ready for Dessert: My Best Recipes by David Lebovitz

Review from Bon Appetit: Trained as a baker in France and Belgium, Lebovitz spent 12 years in the pastry department at Chez Panisse (his strongest baking influence was Lindsey Shere, founding pastry chef of the restaurant). He has authored three cookbooks including Room for Dessert and The Perfect Scoop. The Paris-based baker also writes an award-winning blog, davidlebovitz.com, where he shares recipes, cooking tips, and his picks for culinary experiences in La Ville-Lumiere.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Here's the demo on how easy it is to dress up a holiday cake or use this chocolate collar band on this cake:

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

From: Bon Appetit magazine

10 to 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

Cake:

• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (do not exceed 61 percent cacao), chopped
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 13/4 cups boiling water
• 23/4 cups all purpose flour
• 11/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
• 1 1/3 cups mayonnaise (do not use reduced- fat or fat-free)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:

• 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate (do not exceed 61% cacao), chopped
• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (measured, then sifted)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Special equipment:

• Three 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides

DIRECTIONS

* Mayonnaise replaces the oil that is typically used in chocolate cakes. It makes this cake — which would make the ideal birthday cake — incredibly moist and tender.

Cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour three 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Combine chocolate and cocoa powder in medium metal bowl. Add 1 3/4 cups boiling water and whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.

Sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder into another medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat both sugars and mayonnaise in large bowl until well blended, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until well blended after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture in 4 additions alternately with chocolate mixture in 3 additions, beating until blended after each addition and occasionally scraping down sides of bowl. Divide batter among prepared cake pans (about 21/3 cups for each).

Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, 30 to 32 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on rack 20 minutes. Run small knife around sides of cakes to loosen. Invert cakes onto racks and cool completely.

Frosting:

Place chopped chocolate in medium metal bowl; set bowl over saucepan of simmering water and stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water; let chocolate cool until lukewarm, stirring occasionally.

Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and beat until well blended, about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Add melted chocolate and beat until well blended and smooth, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl.

Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 3/4 cup frosting over top of cake layer to edges. Top with second cake layer; spread 3/4 cup frosting over. Top with third cake layer. Spread remaining frosting decoratively over top and sides of cake. Cut cake into wedges and serve.

Do ahead: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and let stand at room temperature.

Here's the new cookbook and already discounted at Amazon:

Ready for Dessert: My Best Recipes by David Lebovitz

*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

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For Grandpa... English Carrot Pudding

As I have mentioned before, I am thoroughly enjoying the whole food-blogging business. Even though it took a big push from my sister for me to start it, I'm incredibly glad I did. Since starting this blog back in January, I've joined a few food-blog-challenge groups, and I was excited to see I had been accepted into the Daring Bakers group on the Daring Kitchen. I waited anxiously all last

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Roundup of Late Nite Funnies: Colbert Lampoons Arizona Immigration Law

From Denny: Here's a fun sampling of the laugh out loud funnies going on over at The Social Poets on Mondays where I round up the late night jokes, political cartoons and funny videos lampooning something, someone and somewhere. It's a great way to get through the work week with a silly grin on your face. Maybe your boss will actually think you are enjoying your lame job - or looking at eight hours of porn on company time just like the weirdos over at the SEC. "Our government at work..." :)

David Letterman's Top Ten Goldman Sachs Excuses

10. Huh?

9. You're saying 'fraud' like it's a bad thing

8. Planned on using money to buy everyone in America delicious KFC Double Down sandwich

7. Distraught over George Lopez's move to midnight

6. We were framed by evil menswear company Goldman Slacks

5. Since when are financial institutions not allowed to screw their customers?

4. Hey sport, how much to make these questions go away?

3. America needed a villain both Republicans and Democrats can hate

2. Everyone we ripped off got an 'I Got Cheated By Goldman Sachs' tote bag

1. Uhh, it's Obama's fault?

*** Colbert pokes jabs at the state of Arizona for passing controversial bold new immigration bill which basically legalizes the harassment of Latinos. Colbert thinks the new strategy is one to irritate and frustrate the Latino community to the point they will get fed up and leave on their own.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

The Word - No Problemo

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Fox News

*** For the full post full of late night jokes from all the guys, please visit:

Colbert Lampoons Immigration and Pot Smokers - Roundup of Late Nite Comedy 26 Apr 2010

*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

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Posts Roundup This Week at Dennys Blogs 25 Apr 2010

From Denny: Reading is such a pleasure because we can learn new information or take a mental trip into someone else's world to see what they discover. These days I seem to be on the writing end rather than the reading end. Maybe that's what happens after you spend so much time reading: you start writing! :)

I love to poke around and see what I find and then share it on my blogs. Here are some of the latest posts and also many of the most popular ones from my many eclectic interests, enjoy! And hey! - if you cook anything wonderful from these recipe posts, send a sample dish my way - and let me know how you have altered the recipes to your tastes. We love trying new foods at our house!

The Social Poets:

Whats Happening in America This Week - Political Cartoons 24 Apr 2010

Prez Clinton Versus Violent Wingnuts and Blowhard Limbaugh

Hey, Tea Party, Give Up Your Socialism Social Security Checks - Roundup of Late Night Comedy 19 Apr 2010

Pollen Storms poem - Libations Friday 9 April 2010

Top 15 Bestsellers of What America is Reading: 15 Apr 2010

The Smallest Earth Day Poem

Release Your Dreams & Spring into Life - poem

Funny Allergy Quotes - Cheeky Quote Day 7 Apr 2010

Funny Tax Quotes - Cheeky Quote Day 14 Apr 2010

Posts Roundup This Week at Dennys Blogs - 18 Apr 2010

Dennys Global Politics:

Greedy Opportunistic Wall Street: Political Cartoons, Opinion Post

Icelands 2nd Volcano, Haiti Food Stops, Wayward Nukes Seized, Freaky Unschooling, Earth Day - News Headlines 21 Apr 2010

Prez Clinton Versus Violent Wingnuts and Blowhard Limbaugh

Poison Politics Meet Domestic Terrorists, Volcano Axes Economies, Wall Street War, Octupus Thief - News Headlines 20 Apr 2010

Prez Clinton Interviews, Slamming Wall Street, Tea Party Spat With Fox, Volcano Effect - News Headlines 19 Apr 2010

Beautiful Quotes:

How Is Your Relationship With Your Inspiration Muse?

What Spiritual Tests Develop Good Character And Our Talents? - with over 12,700 views the first day that sure was a happy surprise. Thank You!

Your Dreams: 5 Common Characteristics

Does Your Life Feel Like a Disaster?

3 Quotes About Facing Tough Times

Uplifting Soul Quote: What is Your Power in the World?

Spiritual Energy: Can Simple Words Add to Our Quality of Life?

Humor Blogs:

Greedy Opportunistic Wall Street: Political Cartoons, Opinion Post

Ridiculous Outrageous Extra Airline Fees: Political Cartoons

Political Cartoons: Iceland Volcano Wrecks World Economy

College Grads Chances of Finding Jobs: Political Cartoons

Funny Earth Day Cartoons

Take the Test: Whats Your Sex IQ?

Crazy Limbaugh Blames Iceland Volcano on Obama

Outrageous Tea Party Tax Signs and the Perverted Fools That Carry Them

Food Blogs:

Cooking 4 Men, Teaching Men to Cook 2

Gorgeous Whiskey Chocolate Brownies

2 Crowd Pleasing Easy Casseroles: Mexican Lasagna, Turkey Tetrazzini

Awesome Cajun Barbecued Shrimp — New Orleans Style

Yummy Homemade Coconut Cream Pie

Awesome Sauces 4 Louisiana Seafood

New Orleans Recipes: Crawfish Etouffee, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, Jambalaya, Sazerac Cocktail

Kid Friendly Recipes: Chocolate Quesadillas, Very Best Fudge

Spring Into Grill Season: Mouthwatering Steaks

Chef Rocco Dispiritos Cheap Yet Healthy Comfort Food

Forget the Birds: Awesome Recipes 4 Stale Bread

Flourless Passover Chocolate Cake

Kid Chefs Offer Tasty Recipes 4 Sandwiches Adults Will Like

The Soul Calendar - science:

Political Cartoons: Iceland Volcano Wrecks World Economy

Icelands Volcanic Ash: Hurting Us And Our Planet?

What Do All the Recent Global Earthquakes Mean?

Come to Iceland: Experience Living With a Volcano in Your Back Yard

Moon Water: Order Up Your Cocktail Today

New Astronomy Photos: Cosmic Rosebud, Winds of Change Black Hole, Orion Nebula

Visual Insights - photos:

Happy Birthday to Our Humanitarian Friend Peter

Dennys Photo Gallery: How to Know Its Spring

Funny Odd Couples: Cats and Their Weirdo Friends

Dennys Photo Gallery: Spectacular Sunrises

Dennys Photo Gallery: Beautiful Blues in Our World

Photography, Beautiful Metaphor for Life: 17 Boats

Only White Theme: 26 Photos

Photo History: 1st Lady Gowns, Michelle Obama Donates Hers

*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

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Hazelnut Coffee Cake

I am finally getting back into my food-blogging groove after two weeks of "life" has gotten in the way. It feels so good to be back, checking in with all my new blog buddies around the globe - an incredible collection of kind, funny, food-focused people like me. These are the people I am looking forward to meeting in person and getting to know better when I head to London in early June for my

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My Pistachio Obsession

These past two weeks have been pretty busy - I've gone three whole days without even being on the computer for god's sake! I do have a good excuse though - I've been either baking for or celebrating 5 of the 13 April birthdays in our combined families, or the anniversary of when hubby and I began dating 17 years ago. Then there's my day job... April is fast becoming a blur to me. And as you

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Whats Happening in America This Week - Political Cartoons 24 Apr 2010

From Denny: In the interest of getting these pages to load faster for you I thought I'd try something different. You know about the traveling dinner concept? That's where you go to one person's house for the opening cocktail or appetizer, then travel on to another house for a salad, then somewhere else for the entree and finally the dessert.

Well, since I have such a love of the satire from clever political cartoonists lampooning our society, current culture and politics the weekly posts have gotten far too long. Fun but long. So, I thought I'd treat you to a traveling post among my various blogs to enjoy the flavors at each "house."

In this "house" post weapons seem to be the main theme: Iran working on becoming a nuclear state, concealed weapons carried by college students on campus and coffee drinkers into Starbucks coffee shops. It's no big surprise that NASA and the Air Force are preparing to weaponize space. More weapons loose on deck are the "nuclear option" of the Republican filibuster, the financial sledgehammer from Wall Street bankers and - leading up to celebration of Earth Day - planet Earth setting off the Icelandic volcano to scream its message of "Enough already with the fossil fuels, people!" Yeah, that Iceland volcano sure got the attention of the airline industry. It cost $200 million per day worldwide, wrecking a weak economy in Europe and America.

Check out what the cartoonists had to say about this week's news...

Where Obama, the Tea Party, Nukes and NASA intersect: