The Guest with the Best (Dessert)

There's nothing like Summer to bring out the picnic-goer and bbq-lover in all of us. Since it's always wise not to arrive empty-handed, bring along one of these sinful desserts to really get the party going:

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars and Key Lime Coconut Bars.

I brought both to a recent cooking club and my health-conscious friends made 'all gone' like they were fat free cookies. Pretty impressive considering it's bikini season. 

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars:

Even if you don't think you like dulce de leche, give these a try. They're delightful and taste more like caramel.  And don't forget the sea salt at the very end. It brings out all the sweet flavors.

Key Lime Coconut Pie Bars:

Just as good and if not better than any key lime pie I've tried in my life. If you don't like coconut, just omit it from the recipe all together.

PC: Bon Appetit 2010, A Feathered Nest

Recipes after the jump:

Dulce de Leche Bars:

Crust:

• Nonstick vegetable oil spray
• 2 1/4 cups finely ground graham crackers (from about 17 whole graham crackers)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

• 3 8-ounce packages Philadelphia-brand cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup purchased dulce de leche*
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Glaze:

• 2/3 cup purchased dulce de leche
• 3 tablespoons (or more) heavy whipping cream
• Fleur de sel**

Preparation

For crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 13 x 9 x 2-inch metal baking pan with nonstick spray. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon in medium bowl. Add melted butter; stir until coated. Transfer crumb mixture to pan. Press evenly onto bottom of pan. Bake until crust is light golden, about 10 minutes. Cool completely on rack.

For filling:
Blend cream cheese and sugar in processor until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl. Add eggs 1 at a time, processing 3 to 5 seconds to blend between additions. Add dulce de leche and vanilla; process until blended, about 10 seconds. Spread batter evenly over cooled crust. Bake until just set in center and edges are puffed and slightly cracked, about 38 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool completely.

For glaze:
Heat dulce de leche and 3 tablespoons cream in microwave-safe bowl in 10-second intervals until melted. Stir to blend, adding more cream by teaspoonfuls if too thick to pour (amount of cream needed will depend on brand of dulce de leche). Pour glaze over cooled cheesecake; spread evenly. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour (glaze will not be firm). DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill.

Cut cheesecake lengthwise into 4 strips, then crosswise into 6 strips, forming 24 bars. Sprinkle bars with fleur de sel.

* A thick, sweet sauce made from caramelized sugar in milk or from sweetened condensed milk; available at some supermarkets and specialty foods stores and at Latin markets.

** A type of sea salt; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

Key Lime Bars:

Crust:

1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs

2 T. sugar

1/2 c. sweetened, flaked coconut

1/3 c. melted butter, melted

Filling:

3 14 oz cans sweetened, condensed milk

1/2 c. sour cream

3/4 c. key lime juice (I used bottled key lime juice from the grocery store)

1 Tbsp. grated lime zest

Topping:

Whipped cream and toasted coconut for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line an 8 x 8 square baking pan with parchment paper, overlapping the paper over the sides to create handles for later.  Mix the crumbs, sugar, coconut, and butter in a bowl and press into the pan; bake for 8-10 minutes.  Remove and cool slightly.

While crust is cooling, make the filling. In a bowl, add the remaining ingredients: sweetened, condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice, and lime zest.  Whisk to combine until smooth and creamy.  Pour on top of crust; bake for 8-10 minutes (my oven took around 14 minutes) until firm to touch but not browned at all.   Cool at room temperature, then chill completely.

Top with whipped cream and toasted coconut*

*to toast the coconut, line a baking sheet with parchment paper; spread a thin layer of sweetened, shredded coconut on top, and bake at 350 degrees for 5-6 minutes until it's lightly golden brown)

Double Whammy

Grilled Shrimp with Vietnamese Vinaigrette

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Grilled Curry Zucchini, Red Bell Pepper, Japanese Eggplant, and Arugula Salad with Yogurt Dressing

After a few weeks of intense travel and heavy eating with my family (shame on me), I decided to lighten things up a bit with a low fat meal that tastes anything but light: Grilled Shrimp with Vietnamese Vinaigrette and Grilled Curry Zucchini, Red Bell Pepper, Japanese Eggplant, and Arugula Salad with Yogurt Dressing. The exotic flavors of the Vietnamese Vinaigrette and Yogurt Dressing are finger-licking good and it's by far one of the best meals I've ever prepared. I paired mine with simple couscous (just flavored with salt and pepper) and let the Vietnamese Vinaigrette do the talking.  (Be sure to add an ample amount to finish off the dish before serving).

Recipes after the jump:

Grilled Shrimp with Vietnamese Vinaigrette
Serves: 8
Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1/2 cup lime juice, plus wedges for serving
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 scallions, thinly sliced
2 large shallots, finely chopped
2 seeded jalapeno chiles, minced
2 tbsp plus 2 tsp soy sauce (recipe calls for fish sauce)
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
4 tsp grapeseed oil
32 extra-large shrimp, (2 lbs), peeled and deveined

1) In a medium bowl, whish together the lime juice, brown sugar, scallions, shallots, jalapenos, soy sauce, garlic and sesame oil.

2) Preheat the grill to high. (I used a grill pan).  Transfer 1/2 cup of vinaigrette to a large bowl; whisk in grapeseed oil.  Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.  Grill the shrimp, flipping halfway through, until just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.

3) Transfer the shrimp to a platter; drizzle with some of the remaining vinaigrette.  Serve with lime wedges.

Make ahead: Mix the vinaigrette the night before and keep it refrigerated.  All you need to do later is whisk in the grapeseed oil and add the shrimp before grilling.

Grilled Curry Zucchini, Red Bell Pepper, and Arugula Salad with Yogurt Dressing:
Serves: 8

Ingredients:
1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt (I used fat free)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1 1/2 tsp lime zest plus 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3 tsp white whine vinegar (I used red wine because it's all I had)
2 tbsp EVOO
4 tsp curry powder
2 lbs zucchini (4 medium), cut into 1" thick slices, quartered
2 red bell peppers, quartered lengthwise and seeded
2 cups arugula or baby green salad
Sky's addition: 1 small Japanese eggplant, sliced into 1" pieces and quartered

1) In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, cilantro, red onion, lime zest, lime juice, and vinegar.  Season with salt.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

2) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  In a large bowl, whisk together the EVOO and curry powder.  Add the vegetables and toss to coat.  Season with salt and toss again. Roast the vegetables for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through until just cooked through and tender. Transfer vegetables to a large baking sheet to let cool completely.

3) Once cool, toss with arugula and enough dressing to lightly coat.  Season with salt.  Transfer to a salad platter and serve immediately with remaining dressing on the side.

Recipes and images: Rachelraymag.com

Sunday Funday

Last Sunday my husband and I had three families over for a relaxing and enjoyable Sunday night dinner.  With Italian fare that was adult and kid-friendly and a group of well-behaved toddlers, the night went off with a hitch ending with a toddler dance party to Mumford & Son's and Skillet Almond Shortbread. (It's quite the combo I have to say).  I can't think of a more perfect (or adorable) way to end the weekend.

Here's what I served:

Kale Caesar Salad

I used green kale and a mixture of two store-bought Caesar dressings.  One that is creamy and the other that is more of a vinaigrette

Brussel Sprout, Caramelized Onion, and Pancetta Pizza:

Be sure to use store-bought pizza dough (like Whole Foods whole wheat version) and don't forget the lemon juice and hot chili oil at the end that really makes this pizza one-of-a-kind.

Sicialian Meatballs

The most wonderful meatballs I've ever had with a special surprise on the inside-pine nuts and currants

Chile Shrimp with Butter Beans, Capers, and Couscous
Hot and spicy yet lemony and buttery-the perfect combo for my health-conscious friends

Roasted Broccoli and Summer Squash
This simple and tasty side dish always does the trick

Skillet Almond Shortbread Cake
The most addictive cake I've ever had. I made it 4x this week for various reasons.

PC: Kale Caesar Salad: Tastingtable, Food & Wine for picture 2, 3, 5, picture 4: Simply Recipes, 6: Food Network

Skillet Almond Shortbread

It's recipes like these that make my chocolate allergy a walk in the park. Trisha Yearwood's Skillet Almond Shortbread is moist, flavorful, and has the perfect buttery shortbread flavor that's finished off with crunchy toasted almonds.  It will forever hold a special place in my heart and freezer. 

If you have a nut allergy, omit the nuts entirely, it's just as delicious.

Recipe after the jump:

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray

1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon almond extract ****(I use vanilla extract)

1/2 cup sliced almonds with skins

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with aluminum foil and spray the foil with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, stir 1 1/2 cups of the sugar into the melted butter. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Sift the flour and salt onto the batter. Add the flavoring and stir well. Pour the batter into the skillet. Top with sliced almonds and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake until slightly brown on top, about 35 minutes. Cool the shortbread in the skillet. When cool, use the foil to lift the shortbread from the skillet; remove the foil before serving.

PC: Food Network

Recipe adapted from Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen by Trisha Yearwood

Greek Quinoa Salad

With a strong taste for feta, I concocted this awesome Greek Quinoa Salad that is perfect as a healthy snack or side. Pair it with a grilled chicken breast and call it spa day. 

Recipe after the jump:

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups water

Salad:
1 red pepper, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 cup diced english cucumber
1 cup sliced black olives
feta for sprinkling

Whisk together the dressing:

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1 clove garlic, smashed and finely chopped to a paste

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Bring the quinoa, salt, and water to a boil.  Once it's boiling, cover and simmer for fifteen minutes.  In the meantime prepare the salad and dressing (separately from one another).  When the quinoa is done, remove it from the heat, fluff with a fork, and add to a separate bowl.  Allow to cool.  Once cool, add the salad ingredients and toss with the dressing.  Sprinkle with feta and enjoy!

PC: kaaltv.com
Dressing recipe: Bobby Flay

Chile Shrimp

Chile Shrimp with Butter Beans and Lemony Couscous

There's nothing I love more than a restaurant-worthy meal that is healthy, easy to make, and can be made in ten minutes flat.  My Mother-in-Law recently introduced me to Chile Shrimp with Butter Beans and Lemony Couscous and it is fantastic as a light appetizer or entree.  It has the perfect amount of spice that's balanced by a lemony couscous topped with meaty butter beans and capers.  I recently served it with a kale caesar salad and a brussel sprout, pancetta, and parmesan flatbread (which I will feature soon).

Recipe after the jump:

2/3 cup couscous 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound shelled and deveined medium shrimp
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
One 15-ounce can butter beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons capers
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

In a bowl, stir the couscous with 3/4 cup of boiling water. Cover with a lid and steam for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Meanwhile, in a nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the shrimp and crushed red pepper and cook over moderately high heat until golden, 2 to 3 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add the butter to the skillet. Add the beans, capers and lemon juice and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

Fold the bean mixture, parsley and remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the couscous; season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with the shrimp.
Recipe/PC: Food & Wine

Peer Pressure

Looking for a showstopper? Check out Crack Pie, the cult classic dessert crafted by James Beard-rising star chef David Chang from his famous bakery Momofuku Milk Bar in NYC. (Wow, that was a mouthful).

Now, obviously you should steer clear of anything called crack, but I swear this is actually the good kind. It's the sort of pie that makes you hate yourself for realizing how little self control you have when it comes to something so dangerously addictive.  Try it, everyone's doing it. I mean I have been for the past four nights and I'm fine. (Leftovers are killer).

I think it's my favorite pie of all time. 

Recipe after the Jump

Crack Pie

LA Times Note: Adapted from Momofuku. This pie calls for 2 (10-inch) pie tins. You can substitute 9-inch pie tins, but note that the pies will require additional baking time, about 5 minutes, due to the increased thickness of the filling. Also, for those of you who don't know, 'scant' means a little less than called for.  

Cookie for crust 

2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (3 ounces) flour 

Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking powder 

Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking soda 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter 

1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) light brown sugar 

3 tablespoons (1 1/4 ounces) sugar 

1 egg 

Scant 1 cup (3 1/2 ounces) rolled oats

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. 

2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy. 

4. Whisk the egg into the butter mixture until fully incorporated. 

5. With the mixer running, beat in the flour mixture, a little at a time, until fully combined. Stir in the oats until incorporated. 

6. Spread the mixture onto a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking sheet and bake until golden brown and set, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to the touch on a rack. Crumble the cooled cookie to use in the crust.

Crust 

Crumbled cookie for crust 

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter 

1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) brown sugar 

1/8 teaspoon salt

Combine the crumbled cookie, butter, brown sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until evenly combined and blended (a little of the mixture clumped between your fingers should hold together). Divide the crust between 2 (10-inch) pie tins. Press the crust into each shell to form a thin, even layer along the bottom and sides of the tins. Set the prepared crusts aside while you prepare the filling.

Filling 

1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 ounces) sugar 

3/4 cup plus a scant 3 tablespoons (7 ounces) light brown sugar 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon (3/4 ounce) milk powder 

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted 

3/4 cup plus a scant 2 tablespoons heavy cream 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

8 egg yolks (yes, you read that right)

2 prepared crusts 

Powdered sugar, garnish

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. 

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, salt and milk powder. Whisk in the melted butter, then whisk in the heavy cream and vanilla. 

3. Gently whisk in the egg yolks, being careful not to add too much air. 

4. Divide the filling evenly between the 2 prepared pie shells. 5. Bake the pies, one at a time, for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 325 degrees and bake until the filling is slightly jiggly and golden brown (similar to a pecan pie), 20-25 minutes. Remove the pies and cool on a rack. 

6. Refrigerate the cooled pies until well chilled. The pies are meant to be served cold, and the filling will be gooey. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

PC: Bon Appetit, Recipe: LA Times