Kristen's Recipes

2 C. cold water, divided

1 T. plain gelatin (measure – one packet will not contain 1 level T.)

1 T. sugar

1 C. orange juice with pulp

1/2 tsp. orange extract

1 navel orange, peeled, sectioned, and cut into small chunks

1 C. raspberries, fresh or frozen loosepack

Whipped cream (aerosol)

 

Place 1/2 C. water in a saucepan. Sprinkle on the gelatin. Allow to stand for 10 minutes. Gradually add the remaining 1 1/2 C. water while whisking constantly to partially dissolve the gelatin. Add the sugar. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes, or until the gelatin is dissolved. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the orange juice and extract. Pour the mixture into an 8″ x 8″ baking dish. Refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours, or until partially gelled. Fold in the orange and raspberries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until set. Serve with a spritz of whipped cream (2 T. per serving).

 

Yield: 9 servings

Calories: 66

Fat: 2g

Fiber: 1g

2 T. pineapple juice or water

1 T. brown sugar

2 tsp. better butter or trans-fat free spread

1/4 tsp. rum extract

8 pineapple rings, fresh or canned, packed in juice, drained

4 tsp. sour cream

1 T. finely chopped macadamia nuts

 

In a nonstick skillet set over medium heat, combine the juice or water, sugar, Better Butter or spread, and extract. Whisk to combine. Place the pineapple in the skillet. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or until sizzling. Place 2 pineapple rings on each of 4 dessert plates. Drizzle the pan sauce over the pineapple. Top each serving with 1 tsp. sour cream. Sprinkle on the nuts.

 

Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 113

Fat: 4g

Fiber: 1g

12 ounces fresh or frozen berries of your choice (if using frozen berries, defrost in a bowl overnight in the refrigerator)

4 large eggs

3/4 C. whole milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 C. sugar

2 T. plus one tsp. flour

1 9-inch homemade or store-bought unbaked pie crust

 

Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven; preheat to 375 degrees. If your berries are still frozen, defrost in a microwave set on low. Be sure to retain any juices from the berries. Whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Add the sugar and flour; combine until smooth. Arrange the berries in an even layer in the unbaked pie shell and pour in any reserved juices. Pour the egg-milk mixture over the berries. Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes or until the center of the pie has set. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

3 T. confectioners’ sugar

2 tsp. cornstarch

2 C. (about 1 pound) sliced anjou or bartlett pears

2 C. (about 1 pound) sliced mcintosh apples

2 C. (about 1 pound) sliced red or purple plums

2 T. finely chopped crystallized ginger

2 tsp. vanilla extract

 

3/4 C. old-fashioned oats

2 T. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. apple pie spice

2 T. cold better butter or trans-fat free spread

 

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Coat an 8″ x 8″ baking dish with vegetable oil spray. Set aside. To prepare the fruit: In a bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch. Stir until well blended. Add the pears, apples, plums, ginger, and vanilla. Toss to coat evenly. Transfer to the reserved dish. Set aside. To prepare the topping: Wipe the bowl dry with a paper towel. Add the oats, brown sugar, and apple pie spice. Toss with a fork to mix. With the fork, break the Better Butter or spread into small chunks. Add to the mixture. Use the fork to cut into smaller pieces that blend with the oats mixture. Scatter over the reserved fruit. Bake for about 55 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

Yield: 9 servings

Calories: 152

Fat: 2.5g

Fiber: 4g

 

 

 

 

3 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 C. + 1 T. cold half & half

1 T. pourable Splenda (or equivalent in packets)

1 1/2 C. thawed SF Cool Whip

2 four-serving size boxes SF vanilla instant pudding

1 16 oz. can plain pumpkin (not the pie mix)

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

 

Mix cream cheese, 1 T. half & half and Splenda with a wire whisk until smooth and creamy. Gently stir in Cool Whip. Spread on bottom of pie crust. Cover and place in freezer. Pour 1 C. half & half into mixing bowl; add pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Let stand 3 minutes. Stir in pumpkin and spices; mix well. Spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with additional whipped cream and nuts, as desired.

1/2 lb green grapes 

1/2 lb red grapes 

1/2 lb black grapes 

8 oz. cream cheese, softened 

1 (7 oz.) jar marshmallow cream 

3-5 drops vanilla 

1/4 C. very coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts 

 

In a good-sized bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the marshmallow cream and vanilla and mix well. Slice grapes in half and add to the sauce. Add nuts and fold to cover the grapes. Cover and refrigerate for one hour before serving.

4 C. sliced fresh rhubarb

3/4 C. sugar

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise in half

1 pint strawberries, sliced

3 large egg yolks

1/3 C. sugar

1/4 C. water

8 oz. (1 C.) mascarpone cheese

1-1/2 C. heavy or whipping cream, beaten until stiff

1-1/2 packages (3 oz. each) ladyfingers

6 whole strawberries, for garnish

 

Bring rhubarb, 3/4 C. of the sugar and half of the split vanilla bean to boil, stirring, in medium saucepan. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until rhubarb softens. Transfer to bowl. Remove vanilla bean half. With small knife, scrape out seeds. Stir seeds and strawberries into rhubarb mixture. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until cold.  Meanwhile, combine yolks, remaining 1/3 C. sugar, remaining half of vanilla bean and 1/4 C. water in large stainless-steel bowl. Place bowl over large saucepan with 1 inch of gently simmering water. Cook mixture, stirring constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until thickened. Remove bowl from water and whisk until cool. Remove vanilla bean half; scrape out seeds into egg yolk mixture and whisk in mascarpone. Gently fold in whipped cream.  Arrange half the ladyfingers in bottom of a 1-1/2- to 2-quart serving dish. Spread with half the fruit mixture. Cover with half the cream mixture. Repeat layering, ending with cream mixture. Garnish with whole strawberries, if desired.

Vegetable cooking spray

2 T. granulated sugar

2 T. confectioners’ sugar

1/2 C. butter cut up (no substitutes)

1-1/4 C. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger

3/4 C. granulated sugar

1 tsp. grated lime peel

1/4 C. fresh lime juice

3 large egg yolks

1 large egg

2 T. butter cut up (no substitutes)

Confectioners¿ sugar, for garnish

 

Heat oven to 350 degree F. Lightly coat twelve 1-3/4-inch miniature muffin-pan C. (or mini muffin pans) with vegetable cooking spray. For the pastry, pulse the 2 T. granulated and confectioners¿ sugars together in a food processor to blend. Add 1/2 C. butter and pulse to break up into small pieces. Add flour and ginger; pulse until fine crumbs form. Turn crumbs out onto counter and gently gather until dough holds together. Divide dough in half. Roll each piece into a 12-inch log; wrap one log in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Cut remaining log crosswise into 12 equal pieces. Press each piece into bottom and up side of a muffin C.. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until pastry is golden.  Meanwhile, for the lime curd whisk together the 3/4 C. granulated sugar, lime peel, lime juice, egg yolks and egg in a medium saucepan. Cook 5 to 8 minutes, stirring, over medium-low heat, until mixture thickens (do not boil). Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a medium bowl; stir in 2 T. butter until melted.  Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F. Using half the Lime Curd, fill tartlet shells. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until filling is set. Transfer pan to a wire rack. Remove tartlets from pan when slightly warm, then cool completely. Cool pan. Repeat process with remaining pastry log and Lime Curd. Garnish with confectioners¿ sugar, if desired. Makes 2 dozen tartlets. 

1 pkg. (4 serving size) white chocolate or vanilla instant pudding mix

1 1/4 C. Reduced Fat Milk

1 tsp. vanilla

3 medium mangos

1/2 (8 oz.) tub non-dairy frozen light whipped dessert topping, thawed

2 T. chopped pistachios

 

In a medium mixing bowl prepare pudding mix according to package directions using the 1 1/4 C. Milk. Stir in vanilla. Set aside.  Seed and peel mangoes. Cut fruit into wedges. Divide fruit among six chilled dessert bowls. Fold whipped topping into pudding mixture; spoon over fruit. Top with chopped pistachios.

 

6 C. melon (honeydew and cantaloupe are my favorites) – cut into 1 inch cubes

1/4 C. honey

2 tsp. ginger root – minced

1 tsp. lime zest

1 tsp. orange zest

 

In a microwave-safe bowl, mix together the honey, zests and ginger root. Heat on high in microwave for about 20 seconds. Set aside and allow to cool. In a large bowl, toss the melon pieces with the sauce. Serve immediately. You can store this in the refrigerator for 5 days, but it’s always best when super fresh.

 

6 ounces sugar

¼ cup water

2 cups milk

1 ¼ ounce cornstarch

1 large egg

2 large egg yolks

½ ounce unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Combine 5 ounces of the sugar and the water in a small, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, brush down the sides of the pan with water, and boil for 8 to 10 minutes, or until caramelized. The sugar will be fragrant and a deep amber color when it is caramelized. Remove the pan from the heat and dip the bottom into an ice water bath for a second or two. Slowly stir in the milk. Return the pan to low heat and stir until smooth. Increase the heat to medium and heat to a simmer.  Meanwhile, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 1 ounce of sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in the egg and yolks. Continue whisking while adding the hot caramel mixture in a thin stream. Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan and cook, whisking constantly, over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it thickens and just comes to a boil. Immediately strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl and stir in the butter and vanilla. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate.  Makes about 2 ½ cups. A delicious alternative to the usual vanilla pastry cream—try it in cream puffs, éclairs, Napoleons, tarts, or between cake layers. For a light-as-air filling, fold in some whipped cream. Keeps for several days in the refrigerator. The plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the pastry cream will prevent a skin from forming.

 

1 ½ cup plain flour

½ cup melted Smen or butter

2 tbsp icing sugar

1 pinch of baking powder

Milk

For the filling:

1 ½ cup ground almonds

½ cup sugar

Orange blossom water

A pinch of cinnamon

Food coloring

For the glaze:

1 egg beaten

 

Mix flour and sugar and add the butter. Rub with your hands to impregnate the dry ingredients. Add the baking powder and then add the milk slowly and continue mixing until your dough comes together. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 min. To prepare the filling, mix the dry ingredients together, add the food coloring of your choice until you get the desired color and pour slowly the orange blossom water until you can roll the filling into a ball. Set aside. Preheat your oven to 350F. Roll out the dough and cut it into triangles. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, make three vertical incisions in the center of each triangle. Take small pieces of the almond paste and roll them between your hands into thin “sausages”, the length of the base of your triangle. Place these in the base of the triangle and roll the dough over until you obtain a cigar like shape. The almond paste will be inside the dough like you see in the pictures. Bend your “cigar” slightly to shape it as a crescent shape. Brush them lightly with the beaten egg and bake for 12-16 min, until lightly colored. Let cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

 

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1 large egg

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl, blending well. Drop cookie dough by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 13 to 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute; remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Crispy Praline-Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels; bake as directed.

 

 

4 large egg whites (1/2 cup), at room temperature

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup sugar

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (1/4 in.), or 3/4 cup miniature chocolate chips

3/4 cup (about 3 oz.) shelled unsalted roasted pistachios, chopped

1 teaspoon grated orange peel

 

Line two 10-by-15-inch baking sheets with cooking parchment or silicone baking liners. In a bowl, with an electric mixer at medium-high speed, beat egg whites and salt just until stiff (but not dry) peaks form, 2 to 4 minutes. Reduce speed to medium and add sugar gradually, beating until it has dissolved and whites are glossy and like marshmallow creme in texture, about 3 minutes. With a flexible spatula, gently fold in chocolate, pistachios, and orange peel. Drop mixture in tablespoon portions about 1 inch apart on baking sheets. If desired, swirl the back of a spoon (or your finger) around cookies to shape.

Bake in a 250° regular or 225° convection oven until meringues appear set and are just beginning to turn pale gold at edges, about 50 minutes, switching baking sheet positions halfway through baking. Turn off oven and leave cookies inside on sheets until dry in the center (break one to test), at least 4 hours or up to 12. Store airtight at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

 

2 frozen puff pastry shells, thawed

2 firm Fuyu persimmons (5 oz. each) or 1 Fuji apple (8 oz.)

2 tablespoons fresh or frozen cranberries, rinsed

4 teaspoons sugar

4 teaspoons currant jelly

Crème fraîche or lightly sweetened softly whipped cream

 

On a lightly floured board, roll each pastry shell into a 5- to 6-inch round. Set rounds about 2 inches apart on a 12- by 15-inch baking sheet. Peel persimmons or apple; quarter lengthwise, core, and slice 1/4 inch thick. Overlap slices attractively on pastries. Sprinkle half the cranberries and sugar evenly over each tart. Bake in a 400° regular or convection oven until richly browned, 20 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, place jelly in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in a microwave oven on full power (100%) just until melted, 20 to 30 seconds. Brush jelly over hot tarts. Transfer tarts to racks. Serve warm or cool, topped with a dollop of crème fraîche.

 

1 pint regular or low-fat plain yogurt

1/2 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

1 tablespoon honey

5 ripe Bartlett pears (about 2 1/2 lb. total), rinsed

8 ounces fresh Medjool dates (about 10), pitted and chopped

 

Spoon yogurt into a bowl. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into yogurt (reserve pod for other uses). Stir in orange juice concentrate and honey until well blended. Peel and core pears; cut lengthwise into 1-inch-thick slices. Arrange pears and dates in bowls and top each with about 1/4 cup vanilla-orange yogurt.