Category: OKK MEMES & PRIOR CONTRIBUTORS

Welcome to another edition of “What Did You Bake Today” where we share recipes for anything made in the oven…but especially baked goods.

Cream Puffs have long been a favorite dessert among my gang. The empty shells can be made ahead and frozen. The custard filling can be made a day or two in advance. Put them together right before serving, as they will get soggy.

Begin by making a Choux pastry for the Puffs:
1 cup water
1 stick butter
1 cup flour
4 eggs
Combine the water and butter in a saucepan.
Heat until mixture boils.
Add flour and stir vigourously until it forms a ball (about a minute). Remove from heat and transfer to another bowl. Let sit 5 minutes to cool slightly. Add eggs one at a time.
Drop by spoonsful onto an ungreased cookie sheet. This normally makes 8 large puffs, but I made them smaller to accomodate children.Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown and dry: for 45 minutes if big, 30 minutes if smaller.

Custard Filling:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup flour
1 can evaporated milk + enough milk to make 2 cups
2 beaten eggs
2 tsp vanilla
In a microwave safe bowl (I usually use my 8 cup batter bowl, unless it is packed for a move), combine sugar, salt and flour. Add milk and microwave a minute at a time until thick, stirring between each minute. Beat eggs in a small bowl. When milk mixture is thickened, stir a little bit into the eggs to temper them (this warms the eggs and prevents them from cooking prematurely. Scrambled eggs have no part in this custard!). Add the eggs into the custard and microwave a few more times for a minute at a time until nice and thick. Add the vanilla. Cool before filling the cream puffs.

Easy Ganache:
1 12 oz package chocolate chips
3/4 cup cream (or use evaporated milk)
powdered sugar (optional)
Melt chips with cream in the microwave for a minute. Stir. Microwave for another minute, stir. Keep repeating until mixture is creamy and smooth. If you want it a little thicker, add a little powdered sugar. Top cream puffs with ganache. If you have leftovers, it’s great on brownies!

My dad and my maternal grandmother LOVED this easy banana ice cream recipe. Of course it is full of potassium, and since bananas are so sweet on their own, most people don’t need to add any sugar, plus you don’t need heavy cream — you can even use lowfat milk — so it’s healthy and great even if you are trying to watch your figure.

This banana ice cream is particularly delicious with a chocolate sauce, and would go so well with the brownie recipe submitted last week by Martha at The Daily Grind.

For those of you who might not already know, or as a reminder, the second annual ice cream roundup is this Friday at Joy of Desserts. You are all invited to participate. There were lots of great recipes last year, so don’t miss out. (Stop by Joy Of Desserts to enter my latest giveaway, too!)

Banana Ice Cream Recipe
2 large, ripe bananas
juice of 1 lemon
2 cups thin cream or milk
sugar to taste
a few drops banana extract (optional)

Peel bananas and mash them, combining the juice of 1 lemon. Add sugar, if desired. Add cream or milk and blend thoroughly. You can use a fork, or blender/processor for increased smoothness. Freeze according to your ice cream maker manufacturer’s directions.

Banbury Tarts:

3 sticks of butter (I highly recommend not substituting)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 cups flour
jam of your choice (we like strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry)

Cream butter and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla. Add the flour and mix until just incorporated (if you beat to death, it will be tough). Form the dough into little balls and indent the tops with your thumb. Spoon jam into indentations. Bake 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool before eating, as jam will be really hot when it comes out of the oven.

Welcome to The Krazy Kitchen’s first weekly Save Room for Dessert!

I was brainstorming for a catchy name, and I’m so glad Tamy of 3 Sides of Crazy came up with a real winner.

I always save room for dessert because it’s my little secret for not gaining too much weight! Yes, you read that right!

Medical and scientific research proves that:

• Not depriving ourselves keeps us from both overeating other foods and binging on the “forbidden” foods later;
• Learned responses help us stop eating after dessert or wanting bigger helpings if we don’t eat dessert;
• Sugars found in desserts actually send satiated messages to the brain, literally telling us that we are full;
• Desserts trigger cheery thoughts and memories of comfort for most people, which helps in preventing depression and from just moping around, promoting a more active lifestyle.

That’s why I’m such a big advocate for eating dessert — always in moderation — as part of a balanced diet and appropriately active lifestyle. It all works together so that we can eat our cake and stay fit too.

This week I have two recipes for you. They are perfect served together and for celebrating July’s National Ice Cream Month and National Berry Month. I offer you Iced Peach with Regal Raspberry Sauce.

It is a variation on the classic Peach Melba, created by French Chef Auguste Escoffier in the 1890s at the Savoy Hotel in London to honor opera soprano Dame Nellie Melba. The classic Peche Melba is made with vanilla ice cream, fresh peaches and a raspberry sauce.

Peach Ice
1 medium can (28-29 oz.) or 2 small cans (15 oz.) peaches in heavy syrup (reserve syrup)
1 cup of the reserved peach syrup
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light-colored, light-flavored honey
1 cup peach schnapps or peach brandy
juice of 1 lemon

Combine reserved peach syrup, sugar and honey in a saucepan, and bring to a slow boil while stirring. Sugar should dissolve completely, but not caramelize. Add alcohol and simmer for a few minutes and let cool.

Puree peaches in blender with lemon juice. Add syrup mixture and blend well.

Pour into a freezer-safe pan and freeze.

To serve, scoop peach ice into wide-rimmed glasses and nap with Regal Raspberry Sauce (below).

Optional Decorations:

• Top with a few fresh raspberries or peach slices and a sprig of mint
• Top with edible pansy (available at farmer’s markets or organic grocery stores)

Regal Raspberry Sauce
1 small basket of fresh raspberries (or frozen, about 2 cups)
1/4 cup raspberry or red currant preserves
1/2 cup Chambord liqueur (raspberry)
1-2 Tablespoons diluted cornstarch (only if needed — usually if too thin when using frozen berries)

Combine all ingredients, except cornstarch, in a saucepan, and cook over medium-low heat while stirring. Do not bring to a boil.

Continue to simmer while stirring until thickened. If sauce is too thin, add diluted corn starch to the sauce, and stir.

Optional: Strain sauce to remove raspberry seeds.

Let cool and serve with peach ice.

Can also be served:

• Over vanilla ice cream
• Over peach pie
• With fresh fruits
• With chocolate cake