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Showing posts with label walnuts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label walnuts. Show all posts

Rum CARAMEL mousse WALNUT frozen pie


Rum caramel mousse filling is supported by a light, no-bake cereal crust.
Luscious butter Rum caramel sauce cascades while crowned by roasted walnuts.



Throughout my childhood, I so looked forward to Summer for the obvious reasons.
As an adult, not much has changed except for the appreciation that comes with...
 the feeling of self-imposed and well deserved freedom to let go of the reins a little.

I've been aiming for somewhat lazy days going forward.  


During Hubby's morning strolls, his mobile camera captured these dedications to me…thank you sweety.







Like the butterfly, I feel lighter and less stressed somehow.
The usual burdens of responsibility and self-imposed judgement…
somewhat feel less important -- or at least, I've been convincing myself that it is so.


During Hubby's morning strolls, his mobile camera captured these dedications to me…thank you sweety.





What also lightens up are what I call decadent frozen delights without the heavier guilt.
This pie is truly special in that it impresses beyond its flavour profile.
It actually is so much less caloric than you would imagine.
Evaporated milk was used to its fullest potential to deliver a foolproof, successful delight.



I made the Rum caramel sauce ahead of time and therefore…
only needed to compose the rest of the pie much later. 

If you would like to speed up the process, use a quality, store-bought caramel sauce.
A high end dark Rum added to it will go a long way to succeeding the finishing touch.
I promise, no matter what, this will enter that frozen pie repertoire you keep aiming for ;o)

Rum Butter Caramel Mousse Walnut  
frozen pie

serves 8

PRINTER version
INGREDIENTS:
(American measures)

Rum Butter Caramel sauce: (made ahead of time)
. 1/4 cup unsalted butter
. 1 cup dark Brown sugar, loose pack
. 3/4 cup evaporated 2% milk, room temperature
. 1/8 tsp. sea salt
. 2 Tbsps. dark Rum
PIE CRUST:
. 1-1/4 cups Cornflake (or cookie) crumbs
. 2 Tbsps. unsalted butter, melted
. 1 Tbsp. Caramel sauce
CARAMEL MOUSSE FILLING:
. 1-1/4 cups evaporated 2% milk 
. 3 xLarge eggs, separated
. 2 Tbsps. granulated sugar
. 1/2 cup Caramel sauce
. 1 Tbsp. dark Rum
Garnish:
. 1/2 cup lightly roasted Walnuts
. the remaining caramel sauce


PREPARATION:

Rum Butter Caramel Sauce: (made ahead of time)
1. In a small-medium saucepan, melt the butter on MEDIUM heat.  Add in the brown sugar.  Then, with a small whisk, stir constantly for about 2 minutes until all is well dissolved. 
2. Slowly add in and whisk the evaporated milk into the sugar mix.  Raise the heat to MEDIUM-HIGH and bring to a boil for about 4 minutes, while whisking. 
3. Remove the pot from the heat and add in the salt and Rum.  Let it cool about 30 minutes while stirring once and a while.  Pour into a medium glass jar and cool before adding it into the refrigerator.  When needed, take out 15 minutes beforehand.
....
. NOTE: ahead of time: partially freeze the evaporated milk into a stainless steel bowl and covered for about 2 hours.
Prepare a lightly oiled 9 inch deep pie plate.  Set aside.

. CRUST:
4. In a medium bowl, toss and mix together the cereal crumbs, melted butter as well as the caramel sauce.  Transfer the mix onto the lightly oiled pie plate.  With the aid of a spatula or spoon, spread and pat down the mix onto the plate’s bottom and slightly up the sides.  Set aside.
. FILLING:
5. Remove the evaporated milk from the freezer and with an electric mixer, whip until it has doubled in volume.  Set this whipped milk back into the freezer.
6. Clean the beaters and dry them carefully. Then, separate the eggs by placing the whites into a medium bowl and the yolks in a tiny bowl.
7. Beat the egg whites until soft peaks.  Continue beating while adding in the sugar and stiffer peaks have been achieved.   Afterwards, beat in the egg yolks on LOW speed.  Then, beat in the caramel sauce and Rum.
8. Take out the whipped milk and with a spatula fold it into the egg mix until there are minimal streaks showing.
9. Pour the combined mix into the prepared crust.  Then, place it into the freezer without covering for about 1 hour.  Afterwards, once the pie has somewhat solidified, cover it with plastic wrap.  The pie can be ready in as little as 3 hours time.  Suggestion: transfer the pie to the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before cutting your serving pieces.
10. Garnish with walnuts coated in the remaining caramel sauce in addition to more caramel drizzled over the whole pie or each individual piece.





As so many of you, I can't believe how fast Summertime moments are fleeing.  
I will practice what I preach and keep the appreciation momentum going.

I will take in precious Summer breezes as well as the rain storms…
all great moments to contemplate life.

Flavourful wishes,
Foodessa

Comments ... ??? ... or suggestions ... write me :o)
Claudia at:  foodessa [at] gmail [dot] com

Go HERE for more SWEET creations.





Please take note on how I bake and cook...
Here’s a 101 of sorts to make sure that there are no disappointments when trying my creations.  
Also...just so you know...feel free to increase the salt and sweet factor since I'm not high on either of them ;o)

. Use DRY cup measurements for...you guessed it...all DRY ingredients.
Anything DRY gets measured by spooning the overfilled ingredient (never shake the cup) and then level off with a flat edged tool.  Exception...Brown sugar should be packed in and leveled.
. Use LIQUID cup measurements for...all LIQUIDS that cannot be leveled like for example butter, yogurt...etc.  Measure the liquids at eye level to avoid overdoing what the recipe truly needs.
OVENS are unfortunately not created equal.  Mine is so old that it has reached many degrees off it's norm.  It's really worth investing a few dollars to test yours with an appropriate oven thermometer.  You'd be surprised how many ovens I've heard about not being where they should have been.  Before you lose any more ingredients and much time preparing a new recipe...run to the store...you'll thank me later.

ORANGE spice SUNSHINE sister MUFFIN


Start the year off right by receiving the offering of a complete, juicy orange.
Not discounting the benefits of spices, chocolate, walnuts and oatmeal of course.



Some new terms have come to my attention while researching the benefits of the orange.

The peel or zest is actually labelled as the 'Flavedo'.
Sounds logical enough since the peel is where all the intense flavours…
from the essential oils and vitamin C are concentrated.

The inner white pith which supports the oils and is rich in pectin is called the 'Albedo'.

The juicy pulp segments are delicately embraced with…
'Vesicles' which in turn are tightly hugged by a membrane.

Now, that almost sounded exquisitely romantic.
Still there? 
Humour me and get with my program…
especially since the holidays have brought on so many guilty pleasures. 



Aren't you pleased that I can bring you into my little fantasy whereby…
an orange can not only be healthy but bring romance to your table? 
Try it and let me know how it works for you.
If nothing else…the new vocabulary alone will impress.
If not…at least there will be delicious muffins to share.




Moist, aromatic, flavourful and dare I say, a much healthier version of the 'Sunshine muffin'.
ALL done in the food processor.
These tweaked muffins are mildly sweet…
however, add more sugar if you can handle it.

ORANGE spice Sunshine Sister muffins

Makes 12 muffins



INGREDIENTS:
(American measures)

WET mix:
. 1 medium, navel orange
. 1/2 cup granulated sugar (mildly sweet results)
. 2 xLarge eggs
. 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
. 1/2 cup Orange juice*
. 2 tsps. pure Vanilla extract
. 2 tsps. Apple cider vinegar
DRY mix:
. 1 cup All-Purpose flour
. 1 cup Oatmeal flour (ground from rolled oats)
. 1 tsp. Baking powder
. 1/2 tsp. Baking soda
. 1/4 tsp. sea salt
. 1/2 tsp. ground Cardamom spice
. 1/2 tsp. ground Anise seed
. 1/2 tsp. ground Cinnamon spice
Add-ins:
. 1/2 cup raw Walnuts
. 1/4 cup semi-sweet Chocolate chips
. 1/4 cup dried fruit of choice (optional)

* Or use 3 Tbsps. orange concentrate filled with water to make a complete 1/2 cup volume.



PREPARATION:

. Pre-heat the oven to 375F.   
. Position the rack in the center of the oven.
. Prepare a muffin pan with paper liners.  
Note: oil spray will be used only right before spooning in the batter.



1. Except for the add-ins, place the DRY ingredients into a medium bowl.  Set aside.
2. Scrub and wash the orange very well.  Cut it into 8 wedges and remove the thick center membrane.  Place them into a large food processor.   Add the eggs and sugar.   Pulse a few times at first and then continue whirling for about 30 seconds on HIGH speed.
3. Lower the speed and pour the combined oil, orange juice, vanilla and vinegar through the feeding tube.  Raise the speed again and keep whirling for about one more minute until the mix is fluffy.  Stop the processor.
4. Add in the prepared DRY ingredient mix.  Once again, pulse a few times before whirling a few more seconds just until combined. 
5. Now, the add-ins can be incorporated with not more than 3 pulses.
6. Spray a tiny spot of oil into every paper liner.  Spoon in the batter to fill the lined cavities evenly (almost full).  Optional: garnish with a few flakes of rolled oats.
7. BAKE them for 20 minutes in a dark muffin pan or 22 minutes in a lighter pan.
NOTE:  When you take them out, do NOT wait longer than 5 minutes to extract them out of their cavities and onto a rack.  Yes, they will still be hot, but not unmanageable.  This will stop the muffin from over baking and will keep the liners from sticking too much to the muffin.   When ready to peel the cupcake paper liners, be patiently gentle. 







The 'Sunshine muffin' developed by the 'Best of Bridge' group has come through many ovens and lips…however, putting my particular spin on it proved to be successful after tweaking it several times.  Therefore, ready to start the year off on the right muffin?  Join me and bring happiness to you and your loved ones.

May this newest year bring you all the health, peace and joy that you deserve.

Flavourful wishes,
Foodessa

Comments ... ??? ... or suggestions ... write me :o)
Claudia at:  foodessa [at] gmail [dot] com

Go HERE for more SWEET creations.




Please take note on how I bake and cook...
Here’s a 101 of sorts to make sure that there are no disappointments when trying my creations.  
Also...just so you know...feel free to increase the salt and sweet factor since I'm not high on either of them ;o)

. Use DRY cup measurements for...you guessed it...all DRY ingredients.
Anything DRY gets measured by spooning the overfilled ingredient (never shake the cup) and then level off with a flat edged tool.  Exception...Brown sugar should be packed in and leveled.
. Use LIQUID cup measurements for...all LIQUIDS that cannot be leveled like for example butter, yogurt...etc.  Measure the liquids at eye level to avoid overdoing what the recipe truly needs.
OVENS are unfortunately not created equal.  Mine is so old that it has reached many degrees off it's norm.  It's really worth investing a few dollars to test yours with an appropriate oven thermometer.  You'd be surprised how many ovens I've heard about not being where they should have been.  Before you lose any more ingredients and much time preparing a new recipe...run to the store...you'll thank me later.

KALE sun-dried Tomato Walnut PESTO and Kale chips


Any delicate green or herb does well in a Pesto twist.  
However, KALE, sun-dried tomato and walnuts kick into gear for a refined punch.




I'd like to honour Celtic wanderers who discovered KALE...
a descendant of the wild cabbage.

Parc de la Nature, Laval, Québec

It has been expressed that kale leaves are like...
" Cleansing pads that scrape toxins away from your body. "


This lovely textured green brims with vitamins A, C and K.
It's also boasts its competing minerals of calcium, magnesium and potassium as well.

First off, I need to fess up to the fact that kale had remained for the longest time a leafy green I stayed away from.  So, you may ask, after having made this...gluten-free Tortilla Veggie Ricotta QUICHE...how did I turn around and become a huge fan?  Well, you may say that my love of crispy chips did the trick ;o)  
Actually, the real reason I ventured off to other competitive greens was because I was using kale all wrong...all along!  It would have helped if I knew not to eat the stems.  Yes, I did.
Parc de la Nature, Laval, Québec

The very first time I had used kale was in an Asian dish.  It turned out awful. Actually, top 10 worst dishes I ever admit to have made.   I was completely oblivious to the fact that the stem and its thick outreaching ribs should not be consumed.   I just couldn't get past the gnarly chewiness of these non-edibles.  They had seriously deterred my palate from enjoying the best part....the leaf only!   What a shame it would have been for me to bypass this amazing, nutritional leafy green.

My unusual mind change was the day I snacked on kale chips.  



Since then...I've been constantly making my own versions. 
Therefore, chips saved the day.  
Kale was once more in my good graces...
embraced by my need to snack without too much guilt.

Here's my quick version for making these crispy sweet and savoury KALE CHIPS.
Voila, a guiltless kale crisp snack was born.   
They are incredibly addictive...
even Hubby was fighting me for them. 


Parc de la Nature, Laval, Québec


***
Here's a light alternative to traditional fried chips
Crunchy, healthy snacking on Kale chips...I call them my: 
Smart KALE chip snack


INGREDIENTS:

. 1 bunch [8 cups / 200g] of Kale, washed and dried
. sprinkle of sea salt
. pinch of granulated garlic powder
. sprinkle of organic sugar
. generous drizzle of grape seed oil


PREPARATION:
. Pre-heat oven to 350F/180C/Gas4.  Position oven rack in the center of the oven.  Prepare two parchment lined baking sheets.
1. Clean * and spin off water from the kale leaves.
2. In a large bowl, place the cut kale pieces and add the salt, garlic powder, sugar and a generous drizzle of oil.  Hand toss until the kale leaves are well coated.
3. Arrange the kale in single layers and bake one sheet at the time for about 8-10 minutes or until the edges become a dark green and lightly shriveled.




***

Here's another great way to enjoy Kale...
in a pesto sauce of course ;o)




KALE sun-dried Tomato Walnut PESTO 
yields ... 2 x [2 cups (250ml)] jars



INGREDIENTS:

. 1 large bunch of Kale (about 8 cups)
. 10 sun-dried tomato slices
. 1/2 cup (80g) raw walnuts
. 1/2 tsp. (2.5ml) sea salt
. 1/4 cup (20g) Parmigiano Reggiano (optional)
. 1 small roasted garlic clove (optional)
. 1/2 cup (125ml) e.v.Olive oil
. 1/2 cup (125ml) grape seed oil


PREPARATION:
1. Clean* and spin off water from the kale leaves.
2. Place all ingredients in a high power blender and pulse a few times at first.  Finish by blitzing until a smooth consistency is achieved.
3. Immediately pour into glass jars.  Store in the refrigerator.
4. Either use the pesto sauce in the next few days or freeze the jar without worry of breakage.  If doing the latter, remember to thaw it in the refrigerator the night before use.

* cleaning tip for kale:  Only the leaf part is truly edible.  Just tear the leafy part off its ribs and stem.  Use the stems for a possible homemade vegetable stock.  Washing:  Fill up a clean sink or basin with cold water...1/4 cup (50ml) white vinegar and a generous sprinkle of salt.   This will insure that pesticides disappear from the leaf crevices.  Keep pushing and swirling those leaves in this water cleanser.   Remove the leaves and re-fill sink or basin and rinse.  Strain and if possible, it's best to put them through the salad spinner.




Kale supports your cardiovascular system, digestive tract as well as...
a gives you a fair amount of Omega-3 as it fights inflammation with its flavanoids.





The next time you see that bouquet of kale...
grab it and come join me in transforming this green into some easy and tasty recipes.

Or...at the very least...
use it to furnish a skimpy bouquet of flowers you received ;o)


Have yourselves a wonderful week everyone.

Flavourful wishes,
Foodessa

Comments ... ??? ... or suggestions ... write me :o)
Claudia at:  foodessa [at] gmail [dot] com



Go HERE for more SAVOURY creations.







Please take note on how I bake and cook...
Here’s a 101 of sorts to make sure that there are no disappointments when trying my creations.  
Also...just so you know...feel free to increase the salt and sweet factor since I'm not high on either of them ;o)

. Use DRY cup measurements for...you guessed it...all DRY ingredients.
Anything DRY gets measured by spooning the overfilled ingredient (never shake the cup) and then level off with a flat edged tool.  Exception...Brown sugar should be packed in and leveled.
. Use LIQUID cup measurements for...all LIQUIDS that cannot be leveled like for example butter, yogurt...etc.  Measure the liquids at eye level to avoid overdoing what the recipe truly needs.
OVENS are unfortunately not created equal.  Mine is so old that it has reached many degrees off it's norm.  It's really worth investing a few dollars to test yours with an appropriate oven thermometer.  You'd be surprised how many ovens I've heard about not being where they should have been.  Before you lose any more ingredients and much time preparing a new recipe...run to the store...you'll thank me later. 


Other related posts:

2 Herbs roasted Nuts Tomato PESTO

Fresh Herbs and toasted Nut essences whirled into...
a blissful roasted Tomato PESTO special.





Some of you may
have made PESTO sauce authentically with the...
pestle and mortar?
Well, kudos to you...because it's sooo not my style to 'pestare'.
In other words the verb which gave the ultimate name to PESTO. Many of us have also taken the essence of what the classic Pesto consists of and slowly modified the original 'Pesto Genovese' to suit our practical and mostly culinary tastes.













With all the fragrant herbs...
I certainly have given my personal whirl on this recipe a multitude of times.


 
 

 
 





Now, for those that never heard of or ever had PESTO...here is a summary:
The Ligurian region within Northern Italy originated this aromatic sauce concoction consisting of: basil, nut, garlic, cheese and oil.
 
The basil plant had slowly found a perfect growing environment in the Ligurian area as well as in the Provence region of France. Initially, this plant was growing wild in the North African fields to be later grown in India for domestic uses and then finally carried over to Europe.
 
Originally, the 'Genovese' from Italy made this 'Pesto' with a blend of basil, garlic, pine nuts, hard salty cheese such as Parmeggiano all blended with olive oil.
 
The French made a similar pesto named 'Pistou'...which, although similar...was different by excluding the pine nuts and using a little parsley instead of basil. I do appreciate Pistou, however, due to the lack of nuts...pasta doesn't latch onto this sauce as well!
 
There exists a plethora of Italian regional pestos including one with sun-dried tomatoes from the 'Sicilian' region and also one incorporating roasted red peppers in the 'Calabrese' region.
 
Other nationalities as well have adapted this type of sauce to their regional cuisines by changing the varieties of herbs, nuts and cheeses used.
  
I am no different...I just couldn't leave well enough alone...
I needed to make a Pesto my way. 
Well, in truth, we don't always have bunches of fresh basil at hand do we?
 


Speaking of a fresh bouquet of basil...
my Mother-in-law features prominently...
into my Pesto making experiments.


 
 




Usually...
I would describe 
my Mom-in-law 
as excessively generous.
   




 




 
 
 


However...
when it comes to her
basil herb patch...
not so much.  
Every summer, I go through this mini begging session with her.
 
 








 





Since, I no longer have my house garden plot...
I've been feeling so deprived at my new transitional apartment rental. 
Poor little me...sacrifices had to be made when we decided to downsize ;o)
 
 





  




I've had to rely heavily on her kind sharing of her precious basil leaves.
I did actually contemplate mooching some off the communal garden...where no one has used one basil leaf yet!

 
 






 



However...I quickly let go of that sneaky idea.
I was afraid to get caught and tarnish my squeaky clean reputation.
After all...Mom did teach me right from wrong ;o)











My Mom-in-law and I have a special song and dance we go through every time.
I ask her for basil...she asks me
"how much do you need"?
This loosely translates to...{don't forget that I still haven't made the yearly tomato preserves yet.}


 





Late August is when her precious basil unites with her tomatoes...
afterwards...she eases up on her tight stash.
The only problem with that is the basil leaves turn harsher in texture and in taste.


This year, I wizened up...
I decided to be bolder about my needs.



 Therefore, I've gone bigger in the asking department.
Well, at least have enough basil for a few pesto jars made per picking.
Slowly but surely I get what I reasonably need to get me through the winter months.



FYI...my Mom-in-law never made Pesto...
not interested in making it...and probably never will.
Now...you tell me...
who am I to tell her what she's missing out on?!?







What else do I do differently?
I use the wonderful
 sweet roasted caramelized garlic
...as opposed to
raw garlic cloves.










I also rarely add the cheese up front.
I usually enjoy adding it freshly grated on the designated meal...
which gives me leeway in different strong cheese selections.
 







The following latest Pesto creation has been enhanced with the addition of roasted Roma tomatoes sweetening the pot of parsley and basil leaves.











2 Herbs roasted Nuts Tomato PESTO
yields 4 small glass jars ...about 4 cups (500ml)


PRINT recipe from HERE

(American / Metric measures)

. 2 cups (40g) Basil leaves (loosely packed)
. 2 cups (40g) flat Parsley leaves (loosely packed)
. 2 roasted Roma tomatoes * (8-10 slices)
. 3/4 cup (125g) pre-roasted nuts ** 
combo of three: Almonds, Hazelnuts, Walnuts
. 1/4 cup (45g) sunflower kernals (seeds)
. 2 Tbsps. (30ml) roasted garlic ***
. 2 cups (500ml) extra virgin olive oil
. pinch of sea salt
...
. 1/4 cup (45g) any type of hard salty cheese
(optional and not in this recipe)

* TOMATO...roasting: refer here for easy instructions on roasting tomatoes.
** NUTS...roasting: Pre-heat oven at 350F/180C/Gas4.  Roast the Walnuts for about 8 minutes...Hazelnuts for 12 minutes...Almonds 14 minutes.  The skins of hazelnuts can be rubbed off partially with the aid of a dry tea towel...however, this is not a necessary step.
*** GARLIC...roasting: refer here for easy instructions on roasting garlic.



PREPARATION:
1. Place everything [except for a reserved 1 cup (250ml) of the oil]...
into a strong blender or small food processor.


2. Prepare herb leaves by carefully washing and spin-drying...or...towel drying them well.
3. Pulsate the ingredients at first and then continue with a strong blitz.
4. Add the rest of the oil and blend until creamy smooth.
5. Pour into individual small glass mason jars.
6. These jars will do very well in the freezer for up to one year.
In the refrigerator...it will keep one week.
Just make sure that there's enough oil covering the surface.


PESTO can be used on a variety of dishes:
Salads, appetizers like dips and spreads...meat and fish dishes...on steamed and grilled vegetables dishes...especially potatoes, soups and pasta dishes of all kinds.
 





When using PESTO sauce on any selected dish...
I highly suggest adding the salty cheese at that time.  
I've found that it makes all the difference in how versatile your PESTO can be.
 
 







I really hope you get to make this very fragrant and delicious sauce topping or spread.
 
Do you have a favourite way to prepare your...
personalized PESTO or do you stick with the classic recipe?

Flavourful wishes,
Foodessa


Comments or suggestions ... write me :o)
Claudia at: foodessa [at] gmail [dot] com



Go HERE for more SAVOURY creations.




Please take note on how I bake and cook...
Here’s a 101 of sorts to make sure that there are no disappointments when trying my creations.  
Also...just so you know...feel free to increase the salt and sweet factor since I'm not high on either of them ;o)

. Use DRY cup measurements for...you guessed it...all DRY ingredients.
Anything DRY gets measured by spooning the overfilled ingredient (never shake the cup) and then level off with a flat edged tool.  Exception...Brown sugar should be packed in and leveled.
. Use LIQUID cup measurements for...all LIQUIDS that cannot be leveled like for example butter, yogurt...etc.  Measure the liquids at eye level to avoid overdoing what the recipe truly needs.
OVENS are unfortunately not created equal.  Mine is so old that it has reached many degrees off it's norm.  It's really worth investing a few dollars to test yours with an appropriate oven thermometer.  You'd be surprised how many ovens I've heard about not being where they should have been.  Before you lose any more ingredients and much time preparing a new recipe...run to the store...you'll thank me later. 


The following RECIPES...may ALSO be of INTEREST:
. PARSLEY sun-dried TOMATO PESTO on PASTA
. ROMESCO SAUCE goes ITALIAN my way