Happy New Year 2012!

In my first non-food-related post, I want to post an interesting article I came across at work today. Perhaps something to consider with a new year, new slate, new beginning! :)

30 Things to STOP Doing to Yourself!

Choc Chip Walnut Cookies!

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies!

Made on 12/27/11.

Honey Ricotta Cheesecake!

Honey Ricotta Cheesecake modified using Panettone crust!
Made on 12/24/11, Merry Christmas Eve!

The ingredients: Ricotta cheese, cream cheese, lemon, vanilla bean paste, white sugar, butter, triple sec (orange liqueur), eggs, honey, panettone, and pistachios and raspberries (not pictured):

Slice the panettone in half and break it up into rough chunks. Place them on a baking sheet and bake at 220 degrees F for an hour. Put chunks into food processor and pulse until crumbs.

Add melted butter and place firmly into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan with aluminum foil around it. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes and then cool completely on cooling rack.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the ricotta and cream cheese mixture until smooth. Add white sugar.

Add lemon zest, honey, vanilla bean paste, and orange liqueur and mix until smooth.

Pour the cheesecake batter into the cooled crust and place pan into a large roasting pan filled until halfway up the springform pan with hot water.

Bake at 350 degrees F for an hour and 10 minutes. Cool completely on cooling rack and refrigerate overnight.

Frost with pink whipped cream, crushed pistachios and raspberries!

Chocolate Espresso Macarons!

Chocolate Espresso Macarons!
Made on 12/21/11.

Here are the ingredients for the macaron shells:
(slivered almonds, confectioner's sugar, cocoa powder, white sugar, egg whites)

Grind slivered almonds in the food processor:

Add in confectioner's sugar and cocoa powder and combine.

Whip egg whites on medium speed.

Whip until stiff peaks form.

Incorporate the almond-cocoa powder-sugar mixture into the egg whites.

Fold the two mixtures into each other quickly.

Fold batter into a large ziplock bag and cut off the corner.

Pipe out small rounds onto a silicone baking sheet and leave the shells out for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Put the sheet in the oven heated at 300 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Cool the shells on a wire rack.

Assemble the ingredients for the espresso ganache:
(cream, butter, sugar, espresso powder, bittersweet chocolate)

Heat cream, butter, and sugar until combined. Chop bittersweet chocolate.

Whisk together the cream mixture and chocolate, adding in the espresso powder until well mixed.

Match the cooled macaron shells by size and spread the espresso ganache in between.

Spread the filling evenly so it doesn't ooze from the sides.

Here they are!

Yay! :)

Thanks Annie's Eats!

Cherry Cupcakes!

Cherry Cupcakes by Rosie at Sweetapolita!

Made on 09/15/11.

Thanks to Frosting for the Cause! :)

Cran-Orange Muffins!

Cranberry Orange Muffins!

Made on 07/26/11.

Thanks to For the Love of Cooking! :)

Sweet Potato Flatbread!

Sweet Potato Almond Flatbread!

Made on 07/24/11.

And again on 12/31/11:

Thanks to From Apples to Zucchini! :)

What I have made thus far .... Tyler Florence Edition!

Lemon Pudding Cake!
Made on 06/07/11.

Blueberry Lemon Scones!
Made on 05/08/11.

And again....
Made on 09/10/11.

Thanks to Tyler Florence! :)

Strawberry Macarons!

Strawberry Macarons!

Made on 12/17/11.

Thanks to Tartelette! :)

What I have made thus far .... All Recipes Edition!

Spinach Quiche!
Made on 05/24/11.

Lemon Creme Cupcakes!
Made on 03/20/11.

Bacon Chocolate Cupcakes!
Made on 03/13/11.

Salmon Cakes!
Made on 06/09/11.

Champagne Cupcakes!
Made on 05/28/11.

Vanilla Ricotta Cupcakes!
Made on 11/12/11.

Cheddar Garlic Biscuits!
Made on 12/31/11.

Spinach Phyllo Cups!
Made on 12/31/11.

Thanks to All Recipes! :)

It's Pizza Time!

Mascarpone Zucchini Pizza!
Made on 09/20/11.

Four Cheese Basil Pizza!
Made on 12/24/11.

What I have made thus far .... Baking Bites Edition!

Baby Apple Pies!
Made on 11/24/11.

Before....

And after!

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies!
Made on 04/05/11.

Thanks to Baking Bites! :)

What I have made thus far .... Bakerella Edition!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies!
Made on 12/15/11.

Baby Cherry Cheesecakes!
Made on 12/17/11.

Oreo Cupcakes!
Made on 10/13/11.

Thanks to Bakerella! :)

What I have made thus far .... Joy The Baker Edition!

Cappuccino Cookies!
Made on 12/15/11.

Red Velvet Cupcakes!
Made on 12/15/11.

Thanks to Joy the Baker! :)

What I have made thus far .... Annie's Eats Edition!

Caramelized Sea Scallops!
Made on 01/22/12.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes!
Made on 12/10/11.

Rum Cupcakes!
Made on 06/28/11.

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecakes!
Made on 05/09/11.

And with a twist .... Blueberry swirl cheesecakes!
Made on 09/29/11.

Pumpkin Cupcakes!
Made on 10/30/11.

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes!
Made on 12/31/11.

Thanks to Annie's Eats! :)

What I have made thus far .... Bon Appétit Edition!

Banana Cream Pie!
Made on 05/20/11.

Ragù Bolognese!
Made on 05/23/11.

Zucchini Ricotta Galettes!
Made on 05/31/11.

Thanks to Bon Appétit! :)

What I have made thus far .... Barefoot Contessa Edition!

French Apple Tart!
Made on 05/02/11.

Creme Brûlée!
Made on 10/18/11.

Thanks to Barefoot Contessa! :)

What I have made thus far .... Giada De Laurentiis Edition!

Chocolate Espresso Cookies!
Made on 12/07/11.

Lemon Ricotta Cookies!
Made on 12/04/11.

Parmesan Frico (Wafers)!
Made on 12/03/11.

Mini Frittatas!
Made on 11/01/11.

Raspberry Ricotta Mousse!
Made on 09/17/11.

Mango Cheesecake with Basil Lemon Syrup!
Made on 06/01/11.

Pea Pesto Crostini!
Made on 12/31/11.

Italian Kebabs!
Made on 12/31/11.

Zucchini Flatbread!
Made on 12/31/11.

Thanks to Giada De Laurentiis! :)

What I have made thus far.... AmyBites Edition!

Turkey Sloppy Joes!
Made on 01/24/12.

Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies!
Made on 11/28/11.

Snickers Cupcakes!
Made on 11/06/11.

Butterbeer Cupcakes!
Made on 07/15/11.

Blueberry Lemon Muffins!
Made on 06/16/11.

Strawberry Orange Muffins!
Made on 06/06/11.

Thanks to Amy Bites! :)