CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES!!!!

INGREDIENTS:

1 bag of semisweet milk chocolate chips
1 dozen strawberries
1 table spoon of softened butter
1 teaspoon of fresh brewed coffee

METHOD:

Wash strawberries and dry them properly. Set aside on paper napkin.
Put the semisweet chocolate chips into a heatproof medium bowl.
Full a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowl of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth.
Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat.
Quickly add the butter and coffee and stir.
Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries.
Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.
Can be refrigerated also.

 

TIPS:

Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave for 1 minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted and smooth.

 

For a healthier choice dark chocolate chips can be used.

 

Ensure most of the strawberry is covered with chocolate, however leave the tops to show red.

 

To handle the strawberries properly leave the long stem attached or insert short bamboo skewers by the top stems.

 

 

TOPPINGS:

 

Melt 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips and after covering the strawberries with chocolate use a fork and drizzle the white chocolate on top.

 

Once dipped in chocolate and placed on the sheet pan you can sprinkle with your favourite topping.

Chocolate shavings, chocolate sprinkles, chopped nuts, chopped candy bars, any of your other favourite toppings.

 

Preparation time: 30 minutes

CHOCOLATY... HOT CHOCOLATE.....

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup, plus 1-2 tablespoons milk of choice

2 rounded teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon raw sugar

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

cinnamon, optional

 bay leaf, optional

 

METHOD:

1. Place milk in a small pot over medium low heat.
2. Meanwhile, place cocoa powder, sugar, and extra tablespoon of  milk in a small bowl. Whisk until a paste/thick mixture forms and powder is absorbed. Add additional tablespoon of milk, if needed.
3. Whisk cocoa mixture into milk mixture. Heat till hot but not boiling.
4. Pour into a mug and sprinkle with cinnamon, if using.
5. Serve and enjoy once the drink is cool enough to safely drink.

 

TIPS:

- Rice, Soy or Almond Milk can be used.

- In place of raw sugar, use AGAVE instead. sweeten to taste.

- Bay leaf and cinnamon flavours the drink but can be left out.

- Can be served cold or hot

- top with whip cream, marshmallows or chocolate chips.

- Hey you can top it with anything you like.

OREO CHEESECAKE

Oreo cheesecake made by Marissa Khan

INGREDIENTS:

1   Plain Box cheese cake recipe
14 OREO Cookies
12 Cupcake paper liners
Hot fudge syrup for topping

METHOD:

In a cupcake pan, line off cupcake liners in each mould.
Put an OREO biscuit at the bottom of each paper liner (this is your crust)
Mash up two OREO biscuits and fold into cheesecake batter.
Pour cheese cake batter into each cupcake liner and put in the refrigerator overnight.
Ensured it is covered with foil or plastic wrap.
Before serving Remove from paper liners and drizzle chocolate syrup over the top.


TIPS:
Ensure cheesecake is set properly before serving.
You can use any of your favourite biscuit as the crust
Can be served with whip cream
Sprinkle OREO crumbles at the top and caramel for garnish

Store Bought: Cheese cake mix, OREO biscuit, hot fudge syrup.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes.

Healthy Homemade Strawberry Frappuccino (sugar free, low fat, high protein)

 

Ingredients

• 2½ cups Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 2 cups Frozen Strawberries (unsweetened)
• 1 cup Plain, Nonfat Greek Yogurt*
• ¾ tsp  Agave *
• ½ tsp Vanilla *
• 1 cup Ice Cubes

Method:

1. In a high-speed blender, add all of the ingredients. Blend until smooth.
2. Refrigerate for later or serve immediately with whipped cream and strawberry on top. Enjoy!

  

Tips:

 

Vanilla

White vanilla should be used, so the drink would not be discolored. If you don't have white,  brown vanilla can surely be used.

 

Agave

Is a natural sweetener!!

 

Nonfat Greek Yogurt

You can substitute with unsweetened plain yogurt

 

Want Chocolate?

Use Chocolate Unsweetened Almond Milk.

 

Rocky Road Cupcakes

 

Rocky Road cupcakes made by Marissa Khan

 

 

12 plain chocolate cupcakes

 

1 pack of your favourite chocolate covered peanuts

 

1 small pack of mini marshmallows

 

Your favourite type of nuts ( pecans, walnuts, almonds, peanuts)

 

Hot fudge syrup

 

Caramel syrup

 

1 tub of chocolate frosting

 

 

METHOD:

 

Bake cupcakes as instructed on the box.

Frost cupcakes with chocolate frosting

Arrange marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate covered peanuts on the top of each frosted cupcake,

In a pot of warm water, place the bottle of hot fudge and bottle of caramel syrup to thin out. After 5 minutes stir and once soften use a fork and drizzle hot fudge and caramel over each cupcake. Leave it to set for 15 minutes. Once set this will allow the topping to stick together.

That's it enjoy and have fun...........

 

Store bought items: Boxed cupcake mix, toppings for cupcake, chocolate hot fudge syrup, caramel syrup and frosting.

 

Preparation time: 30 minutes

 



Why have desserts?

 

The tradition of eating a dessert after having a meal is being followed by many cultures across the globe. This delectable dish served at the end of a dinner signifies completion of the meal and creates a sense of goodness within you. Apart from the cultural importance and the feel-good factor, a dessert can also offer you a variety of health benefits.

 

Aids in digestion. 

Adds extra vitamins and fiber to your diet.

Boosts immunity.

Reduces your blood pressure.

Balances hormones in the body.

Lowers the levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).

Improves HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).

Acts as an anti-depressant.



 

This blog is about making desserts easy and quick. The recipes are simple and the ingredients are easy to locate and buy. You don't have to go to culinary school to make desserts that look professional. By following these recipes you will leave your friends and family astonished. You can even spend quality time with your kids in the kitchen and let them help without the mess.......

 

Welcome and enjoy.........