February 13, 2012

Tortellini and Tomato Skewers

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Tortellini and Tomato Skewers

Tortellini and Tomato Skewers

February 13: National Tortellini Day

One of the couples whose wedding we were sponsoring at our church brought over a new dish to share during their marriage preparation meeting with us at our home. Christina and Alex P. introduced us to tortellini, a ring-shaped pasta filled with Italian sausage (others are stuffed with cheese or chicken and some are made of spinach or wheat). They revealed that they just bought a package of refrigerated tortellini at the store and simply cooked it. When skewered with tiny tomatoes, they make a quick and hearty appetizer with an impressive presentation. Now tortellini and tomato skewers are on our own menu repertoire when entertaining guests.  Make them for get-togethers and especially for National Tortellini Day.

Recipe

(Inspired by Christina and Alex P.)

  • 1 package of tortellini, cooked (we used Buitoni brand)
  • grape or cherry tomatoes, whole and washed

Directions

Cook the tortellini as directed on the package by boiling them in water with a little olive oil. Drain and rinse. Skewer the tortellini between tomatoes. Serve stacked on a platter or standing in a tall glass.

Notes

  • Skewer spinach tortellini with regular or wheat tortellini for a color variation.
  • Place mini mozzarella cheese balls, olives, button mushrooms or basil leaves between the tortellini as other options.
  • Serve with pesto or other dipping sauces if desired.
 

February 11, 2012

Peppermint Patty Brownies

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Peppermint Patty Brownies with

White Chocolate Mint Drizzles

 Peppermint Patty Brownies

February 11: Peppermint Patty Day

We had some Peppermint Patty (round chocolate-covered mints) in a candy dish leftover from a holiday event. So we decided to bake them into brownies. We enhanced this simple recipe by flavoring melted white chocolate with mint and drizzling it over the brownies. The drizzles reinforce the minty taste as well as add a decorative touch to these sweet treats. Prepare Peppermint Patty Brownies with White Chocolate Mint Drizzles—they are perfect for observing Peppermint Patty Day!

Recipe

(Adapted from Real Simple)

Ingredients

  • 1 box brownie mix, family size (19 ounces, 9×13 inches) [we used Duncan Hines brand dark chocolate fudge flavor)
  • 1 package Peppermint Patty candies (we used York brand)
  • 2 squares (1 ounce each) white chocolate (we used Baker’s brand)
  • 1/8 teaspoon mint extract

Directions

Unwrap the Peppermint Patty candies and set aside. Line a 10×10-inch square baking pan with foil and grease with cooking spray. Mix the brownie batter with the ingredients according to the package.

Peppermint Patty Brownies

Layer half of the batter on the prepared pan. Place the Peppermint Patty candies on top. Carefully cover with the remaining batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven. Transfer the brownies in the foil to cool on a wire rack.

Peppermint Patty Brownies

Slice in 36 mini-squares. Separate the brownies and place on a wire rack above another foil-lined cookie sheet.

Peppermint Patty Brownies

Melt the white chocolate. Stir the mint extract into the melted white chocolate. Fill a pastry bag with a small round tip or a plastic zipper top bag with a small cut in the corner with the melted chocolate. Drizzle over the brownies. Let the chocolate cool and set. Place the brownies on a tray and serve. Garnish with fresh mint leaves (optional).

Peppermint Patty Brownies

Notes

  • Use a plastic knife to cut the brownies as they tend to stick on stainless steel knives.
  • Ice the brownies in chocolate frosting before slicing into squares for a sweeter dessert. Then decorate in white chocolate mint drizzles as described above.
  • Search our blog for more brownie recipes.
 

February 8, 2012

Frosted Molasses Bars

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Frosted Molasses Bars

Frosted Molasses Bars

February 8: National Molasses Bar Day

We have baked brownies many times before. So making molasses bars is a nice alternative or addition on a party/potluck platter. Molasses is a thick, dark syrup derived from sugar cane and is a natural sweetener. When added as an ingredient to the molasses bars and frosting, it makes this dessert a unique treat! Make frosted molasses bars for National Molasses Bar Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from About.com / Southern Food)

For the molasses bars

  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup shortening
  • ½ cup sugar, granulated white
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup molasses
  • 1/3 cup water

Directions

In a large bowl, sift together the flower, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Set aside. In another bowl or mixer, cream the shortening with the sugar. Beat in the egg and water.

Frosted Molasses Bars

Add the molasses. Gradually blend in the flour mixture until smooth. Pour into a generously greased, foil-lined 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Spread out the batter evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until done. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack. Meanwhile, make the frosting.

Frosted Molasses Bars

For the molasses frosting

  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 2-3 tablespoons water

Directions

In a bowl or mixer, cream the butter with the sugar. Add the molasses and mix until thick. Thin with water until a spreadable consistency is reached.

Frosted Molasses Bars

Spread the frosting on the molasses bar while it is still warm. Cool to let the frosting set. Slice into squares and serve.

Frosted Molasses Bars

Notes

  • The texture of these frosted molasses bars is soft and cake-like.
  • Search our blog for other brownie recipes.
 

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