A Life's Pursuit: Fabulous Friday Fixin's! More Cheese Please.

Friday, January 04, 2008

Fabulous Friday Fixin's! More Cheese Please.








Incredible Cream Cheese Danish Rolls/Buns

This recipe builds on an already familiar cheese danish recipe from before which was already near perfect. This spin on an old favorite will cure any need for cinnabuns. Rich in protein, its a nice almost healthy indulgence.

Ingredients
2 pkgs crescent rolls
16 ounces cream cheese (2 8-ounce pkgs softened)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
2 shakes of cinnamon
2 shakes of nutmeg
1/3 cup of confectioners sugar
2 tbs of butter
1 egg yolk
1 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts etc

Directions: Combine nuts, butter, cinnamon and nutmeg in saucepan bringing to a quick boil. Stir over medium heat and fold in confectioners sugar and remove from heat. Set aside and let the nuts absorb the spices as they cool. You may also pour out onto a nonstick cookie sheet for quicker cooling.

Mix together, cream cheese, sugar, yolk, lemon juice and vanilla. Beat til creamy smooth. Roll out 1 cresent roll onto lightly floured parchment paper. Smooth a layer of cream cheese mixture over that cresent roll layer. Spoon nut mixture over cheese. Add second layer of cresent roll on top and repeat the process. Think lasagne-ish.


Now start at a short end and begin rolling the layered combination into a nice log. Add any remaining cream cheese mixture in the folds as you roll. By the end you have a nice log. Chill for an hour or freeze in zip lock bag to keep it firm. Slice inch-thick rings from the end and place on buttered cookie sheet and bake 10 mins at 350 degrees or until they look slightly browned. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar or cinnamon and serve warm with a smile. If your reallywant to go all the way; instead of confections sugar on top, use marbled cheese for a color explosion.


This is one of the easiest and most memorable treats you will ever serve. It even lets you have some for later; just pull from the freezer, slice and bake.






*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

RECIPE: TORTELLINI & APPLE SALAD

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons concentrated apple juice (frozen)
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons firmly packed brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
Dash pepper
1 package refrigerated cheese tortellini (9 ounce)
2 cups chopped apples
2 cups shredded salad greens
1 cup of mandarin orange slices or strawberries
1/2 cup thin sliced celery
1/4 cup sliced green onions
2 tablespoons pine nuts

DIRECTIONS: Combine apple juice concentrate, corn syrup, vinegar, sugar, garlic salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate. Cook the cheese tortellini according to package directions. Drain and cool thoroughly. In large mixing bowl combine tortellini and remaining ingredients. Toss gently with apple juice dressing and serve immediately.





No comments: