Confessions of a Foodie

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Showing posts with label Tiramisu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tiramisu. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Wednesday Recipes

Enjoy!

TIRAMISU

This comes from a long-since-forgotten emailing list. It begins, “A tiramisu made with sponge cake and sweetened cream cheese or mascarpone filling.”

Ingredients

1 sponge cake (10-12 inch), about 3" tall

1/3 cup strong black coffee

5 tablespoons rum or brandy, good quality

1 1/2 pounds cream cheese or mascarpone cheese, room temperature

1 to 1/2 cups superfine or powdered sugar

sifted unsweetened cocoa powder

Preparation

Cut across middle of sponge cake, making two even layers, each about 1 1/2 inches high. Combine coffee and brandy. Sprinkle enough of mixture over bottom half of cake to flavor strongly. Don't moisten cake too much. Beat room-temperature cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until sugar is completely dissolved and the cream cheese mixture is light and fluffy. Test for sweetness and add more sugar if necessary. Spread cut surface of bottom layer with half of the cheese mixture. Replace second layer and top this with remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle top liberally with sifted cocoa. Refrigerate cake for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving.

LOW FAT BLACK MAGIC BANANA CUPCAKES

Another recipe from that infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves 12

2 medium extra-ripe bananas, peeled

1 egg

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus 2 tbsps

6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Place bananas in blender or food processor container. Cover and blend until smooth. Makes about 1 cup. Stir together bananas, egg, buttermilk, oil and vanilla in large bowl; set aside.

Combine sugar, flour, cocoa, soda, baking powder and salt in medium bowl; stir into banana mixture. Stir just until moistened. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Lightly coat with vegetable spray. Fill two-thirds full with batter.

Bake at 350° F, 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

IRISH CABBAGE AND POTATO SLAW

Makes 16 servings

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/640.shtml

Ingredients

2 medium white potatoes (8 oz.), peeled and cut in 1/2" slices

1 small Savoy cabbage (about 1 1/4 lb.) or 1/2 medium head green cabbage

1 carrot, shredded

4 scallions, green part only, chopped

2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar

1-1/2 tsp. dry mustard powder

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. ground black pepper, or to taste

1 Tbsp. canola oil

1/4 cup fat-free or low-fat buttermilk

Directions

Place potatoes in a medium saucepan. Cover with cold water to a depth of 2 inches. Cook over medium-high heat.

When the potatoes still have some resistance to a thin knife, drain them. Cut them into 1/2" strips and set aside.

While potatoes cook, quarter the cabbage, cut away the core and shred into 1/2-inch strips (there should be about 6 cups).

Place cabbage in a large mixing bowl. Add carrots and scallions.

In a small bowl, combine vinegar, mustard powder, sugar, salt and pepper, mixing until sugar dissolves. Mix in the oil. Pour dressing over vegetables. Using hands, mix to coat vegetables with dressing. Add potatoes and mix again.

Cover slaw and set aside for 15 minutes to wilt cabbage.

Pour in buttermilk and mix again. Cover and refrigerate slaw until ready to serve, or up to 6 hours. The slaw is best when the cabbage and carrots still have some crunch.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 35; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 196 mg; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 6 g

LEMONY RICOTTA PASTA WITH BASIL

If you've been following this blog for a while, you no doubt know that one of my favorite emailing lists is TheKitchn. This yummy recipe comes from TheKitchn and starts off, “The pasta shapes that best complement this sauce are small shaped pieces like rotini, penne, fusilli, and gemelli; these shapes hold the sauce. Again, quality makes a big difference here. Now's a time to spring for something better than plain-wrap spaghetti. However, if it's all you have, you'll still be eating well.” Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

1 pound pasta, small shapes (see Recipe Note)

2 cups ricotta cheese, preferrably freshly-made

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons good-quality olive oil

Juice and zest of one lemon

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup loosely packed basil leaves, sliced into a chiffonade (see second note)

Set a pot of water to boil. When it boils, add a few teaspoons of salt and the pasta.

In a metal bowl wide enough to fit over the top of the pot, mix together the ricotta, Parmesan, olive oil, juice and zest of lemon, salt, and black pepper. When there are about 2 minutes remaining in the pasta's cooking time, place the bowl over the pot and slowly stir the ricotta and other ingredients. You should see it loosening as it warms. When the pasta is al dente, drain it, add the basil to the bowl of sauce and toss with the drained pasta. Serve immediately.

Recipe Note:

Use a good-quality pasta here. Small shapes like rotini, penne, fusilli, and gemelli are best; these shapes hold the sauce.

Note: chiffonade 
[shihf-uh-NAHD; shihf-uh-NAYD]

Literally translated, this French term means "made of rags." In the kitchen, it refers to thin strips or shreds of leafy vegetables (lettuce, sorrel, basil), either raw, lightly sautéed or used raw to garnish soups.

To make a chiffonade, pile up leaves neatly, role them up lengthwise like a cigar, and slice them with a very sharp knife cross-wise. We find ourselves using the technique most often with basil leaves for tossing in salads or garnishing soups and pasta dishes.

LATE SUMMER MINESTRONE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND FRESH CORN

This comes from the September 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 61, and starts out, “Bright, beautiful, and bursting with veggies, this colorful minestrone is a great way to stretch the harvest.” Serves 6.

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 cup sliced leeks

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 tsp. salt, optional

4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.)

1 Tbs. chopped fresh sage, or 2 tsp. dried sage

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 bay leaf

2 large tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped (1 cup)

2 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (3/4- to 1-inch cubes)

2 cups green beans or flat beans, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 15-oz. can or 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels

1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

2–3 Tbs. chopped fresh mint, plus more for garnish, optional

Heat oil in 5-qt. Dutch oven or other large soup pot over medium heat. Add leeks, celery, bell pepper, and salt, if using. Cover, and cook 6 to 8 minutes, or until veggies are softened, stirring occasionally. Uncover, and continue cooking 5 to 6 minutes more, or until celery is somewhat shrunken and leeks are browned.

Add garlic, sage, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf. Stir 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add tomatoes and 8 cups water, and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes. Add squash, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Add green beans, white beans, and corn; simmer 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Just before serving, stir in vinegar and mint.

nutritional information Per 2-cup serving: Calories: 185; Protein: 7 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 130 mg; Fiber: 9 g; Sugar: 7 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

SUMMER VEGGIE KEBABS WITH FRESH CORN RELISH

This comes from the July/August 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 32. It serves 4 in 30 minutes or less, and starts out, “Easy-to-assemble vegetable kebabs are paired with a lightly sautéed corn relish for a dish that can be served either as an appetizer or as an entrée when placed atop couscous or another quick-cooking grain. To ensure even cooking, make sure all the vegetables are about the same size.”

Corn Relish

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 medium yellow tomato, diced (2/3 cup)1 large ear corn, kernels removed (1 1/3 cups kernels)1 1/2 Tbs. white balsamic or white wine vinegar

1/4 tsp. dry mustard powder

2 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh basil

Kebabs

1/4 cup olive oil

2 Tbs. white balsamic or white wine vinegar

3/4 tsp. dry mustard powder, divided

1 small yellow bell pepper, halved, seeded, and cut into 12 square pieces

1 medium zucchini, halved and cut into 12 slices

1/2 small red onion, cut into 12 chunks

12 whole cremini mushrooms

12 grape or cherry tomatoes

Coat grill grate or grill pan with cooking spray, and preheat over medium heat.

To make Corn Relish: Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add tomato, cover, and cook 4 minutes, or until tomato is breaking down. Add corn kernels, and cook 2 minutes, or until corn is tender. Stir in vinegar and mustard powder, and cook 1 minute more. Remove from heat. Mix in basil; season with salt and pepper, if desired.

To make Kebabs: whisk together oil, vinegar, and mustard powder in small bowl.

Thread each of 12 skewers with 1 bell pepper square, 1 zucchini slice, 1 red onion chunk, 1 mushroom, and 1 tomato. Place skewers on large platter, and brush with vinaigrette mixture. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Grill skewers 6 to 8 minutes, turning every 2 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and browned on all sides. Serve with Corn Relish.

nutritional information Per Serving (3 kebabs and 1/2 cup relish): Calories: 247; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 18 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 30 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 9 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Have your Cake and eat it, Too!

A popular adage when I was growing up was that you can't have your cake and eat it, too. That never made sense to me; why have cake if you couldn't eat it, right?

Well, here are some really good cake recipes. You can bake 'em, after which, you can have your cake AND eat it! If you live close by, I might even join you! Enjoy!

ROCKY ROAD CAKE

This is from my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking. It's available for sale on Amazon.com; the link to buy the cookbook is here.

I was taking a speech class at a local junior college. One week we had to give a demonstration speech; one lady demonstrated how to make this cake, passing out copies of the recipe along with pieces of cake. It’s absolutely delicious. The icing can be used on almost any kind of cake; it would be really good on carrot cake!

Ingredients:

Cake:

1 C chopped nuts

1 C raisins

1 C mini-marshmallows

6 oz. package of chocolate chips

4 eggs

1 C mayonnaise

1 package (18.25 oz) Devil’s Food cake mix w/pudding

Icing

1 tsp. vanilla

8 oz. cream cheese

1 stick butter

1 lb. box of Confectioners' sugar

Directions:

Cake: Grease and flour 2 9” pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix first four ingredients in medium-size bowl.

In large bowl at low speed, mix cake mix, eggs, may & water until blended. Increase speed to medium & beat for 2 minutes. Stir in nut mixture. Pour into greased & floured pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

Cool in pan 15 minutes on cooling rack.

Icing: Place ingredients in bowl & cream together. When cake is cool, ice. ENJOY!

TIRAMISU

I'm not sure where I got this from. However, the email said, "A tiramisu made with sponge cake and sweetened cream cheese or mascarpone filling." You'll say it's yummy.

Ingredients:

1 sponge cake (10-12 inch), about 3" tall

1/3 cup strong black coffee

5 tablespoons rum or brandy, good quality

1 1/2 pounds cream cheese or mascarpone cheese, room temperature

1 to 1/2 cups superfine or powdered sugar

sifted unsweetened cocoa powder

Preparation:

Cut across middle of sponge cake, making two even layers, each about 1 1/2 inches high. Combine coffee and brandy. Sprinkle enough of mixture over bottom half of cake to flavor strongly. Don't moisten cake too much.

Beat room-temperature cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until sugar is completely dissolved and the cream cheese mixture is light and fluffy. Test for sweetness and add more sugar if necessary.

Spread cut surface of bottom layer with half of the cheese mixture. Replace second layer and top this with remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle top liberally with sifted cocoa. Refrigerate cake for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving.

POOR MAN'S CAKE

Another cake from my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking. This recipe was from my friend, Maryann. She wrote, "Maybe my cousin's recipe."

Ingredients:

1 C brown sugar

1 C water

1/3 C oil

1 C raisins

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 C flour, sifted

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix brown sugar, water, oil, raisins, nutmeg & cinnamon in pan. Boil 3 minutes. Cool thoroughly. Add remaining ingredients. Bake in square pan in moderate oven (350 degrees) for 35 minutes.

THE CAKE

One last recipe from Off The Wall Cooking. This recipe was given to my mom by a friend, who worked as a lawyer for years. She was married to an Episcopal priest; both were involved in the civil rights movement.

1 package (18 oz.) yellow cake mix

1 package (small) vanilla pudding

1 egg, unbeaten

3/4 C oil

3/4 C sherry

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Put ingredients in bowl. Beat for 5 minutes. Pour into greased tube cake pan or mold. Bake for 45 minutes.

CHOCOLATE CARROT CAKE

Not sure where this cake is from. The recipe starts with, "A rich and moist healthy treat." Serves 8

Ingredients:

3/4 cup canola oil

1/2 cup orange juice

1 cup sugar or Sucanet

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 cup silken tofu

2 cups carrots, finely grated

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 cup Brown Rice Flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the oil, orange juice, sugar or Sucanet, cocoa powder and tofu in a blender or food processor and then add the grated carrot. In a separate bowl, mix the flours, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

Spoon the wet ingredients into the dry and mix just until moistened. Pour batter into a lightly oiled bundt or tube pan and bake for 50-55 minutes. If baking in 2 seperate 8" pans, bake until a toothpick come out clean.

GOOBER CAKE

This comes from Brett Moore, About.com's Gourmet food blog's guide, who attributes this to Vintage Cakes, by Julie Richardson (Ten Speed Press, 2012). The recipe starts with, "In the South, 'goober' is another term for peanuts. This delicious vintage dessert starts with a moist and flavorful peanut butter cake and then adds a wonderful peanut butter frosting and chocolate ganache. Chocolate and peanut butter taste heavenly together but, for something different, you can substitute the ganache with your favorite jam." Don't be intimidated by the length of the recipe. Read through it once or twice, then give it a try. It's worth it.

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Yield: Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients:

3 cups (12 ounces) sifted cake flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 3/4 cups (12 3/4 ounces) firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter,at room temperature

1/2 cup canola oil

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup (5 ounces) natural crunchy unsalted peanut butter, at room temperature

4 eggs, at room temperature

1 1/4 cups whole milk, at room temperature

For the Chocolate Ganache

1 or 1 1/4 cups heavy cream , depending on the type of chocolate

8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped or chipsFor the Peanut Butter Frosting

6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter , at room temperature, cut into small cubes

1/2 cup (5 ounces) natural crunchy salted peanut butter, at room temperature

2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) sifted confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation:

To make the cake:

Center an oven rack and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl, then whisk the mixture by hand to ensure that the ingredients are well mixed.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, blend the brown sugar and the butter on medium speed until they are a smooth paste. With the mixer on low speed, drizzle the oil and the vanilla into the bowl until combined. Increase the speed to medium-high and cream the mixture until it is fluffy, about 5 minutes. As you make the batter, stop the mixer frequently and scrape the paddle and the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Blend in the peanut butter on low speed. Blend in the eggs one at a time, adding the next one as soon as the previous one has disappeared into the batter . With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk in two parts, beginning and ending with the flour. After each addition, mix until just barely blended and stop and scrape the bowl. Stop the mixer before the last of the flour has been incorporated and complete the blending by hand with a rubber spatula to ensure you do not overbeat the batter.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans (there will be approximately 1 pound 2 ounces per pan) and smooth the tops. Bake in the middle of the oven until the cakes are golden and firm and have small cracks forming on top, 28 to 32 minutes.

Remove the cakes from the oven and promptly run a thin knife around the edges of the pans to help the cakes retract evenly from the sides. Cool the cakes in their pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Flip the cakes out of the pans. Let the cakes continue to cool on the rack, top side up, until they reach room temperature.

To assemble the cake, place one cake on a flat plate, top side up. Using about one third of the ganache, spread a thin layer onto the top of the cake. If the ganache is warm, pop the cake in the refrigerator to let the ganache firm up before you proceed. Next, spread a third of the peanut butter frosting-about 3/4 cup-over the ganache. Place the second cake on top of the frosted cake, also top side up. Cover it with a thin layer of ganache and 3/4 cup of peanut butter frosting, as you did with the bottom layer. Top with the third cake (top side up), align the layers, and spread ganache and peanut butter frosting on the top layer, using up the remainder of both the ganache and the frosting.

This cake keeps for up to 3 days at cool room temperature.

To make the chocolate ganache:

Measure the chocolate into a small heat-resistant bowl. If you are using semisweet chocolate , use 1 cup of cream. If you are using bittersweet chocolate, use 11/4 cups of cream. Heat the cream in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When the cream begins to simmer , quickly remove the pot from the heat and pour it over the chocolate. Swirl the bowl to ensure that all the chocolate is coated with the hot cream.

Cover the bowl with a lid to trap the heat, and let it rest for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and begin to slowly whisk the mixture, starting with small circles in the middle and working your way outward until you have a smooth, glossy frosting.

If you intend to use the ganache as a glaze , let it cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Pour the liquid ganache over your cake while the ganache is still warm but not hot. If the ganache thickens too much, rewarm it by placing it over (not in) simmering water.

If you plan to use the ganache as a frosting (not a glaze), you can leave the ganache at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until it reaches spreading consistency. The time varies for this depending on your room temperature, but plan for 2 to 3 hours. Alternatively, you can pop it into the refrigerator to hurry this process, gently stirring it with a spatula every 10 minutes or so until it stiffens up to spreading consistency. If the ganache ever becomes too hard to spread, simply put it somewhere warm to soften.

Covered with plastic wrap at room temperature, this frosting keeps for up to 3 days. Makes about 1 1/2 cups (enough to lightly glaze or frost an 8- or 9-inch cake. Note: If you are using the ganache as a frosting (rather than a glaze), make it at least 2 or 3 hours before you'll need it, as it takes time to reach a spreading consistency.

To make the peanut butter frosting:

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and peanut butter on medium speed until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar, cream, and vanilla and continue beating until the frosting is light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, as well as the paddle, as often as necessary to incorporate all the ingredients.

This frosting keeps at room temperature for up to 3 days or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. If refrigerated, the frosting will need to be brought back to room temperature and rewhipped before using. Makes about 2 1/2 cups (enough to fill and top but not completely frost an 8- or 9-inch layer cake).

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Emailing List Recipes

I was on several foodie and recipe emailing lists for a number of years and discovered many wonderful recipes while on them. Unfortunately, some of the lists closed, others slowed down, and the rest...It got so that if I didn't check certain email accounts in a timely way, I'd end up overwhelmed. Now I'm not on any of them, though there are times I really miss them.

Here are a few recipes found from a few of the lists. If the recipes have where they came from, I've included that info.

Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce

from: Bountiful Harvest Cookbook

Whoever posted this on the emailing list wrote, "I've had this recipe for years and make it often since Michigan has an abundance of apples. The caramel sauce is a special touch, especially when serving guests."

SERVINGS: 9

CATEGORY: Dessert

METHOD: Baked

TIME: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 30 min.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups chopped peeled baking apples

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

CARAMEL SAUCE:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup cream or evaporated milk

1/4 cup butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg, beaten

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the egg. Combine flour, baking soda, nutmeg and cinnamon; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in apples and walnuts. Turn into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until cake tests done.

Meanwhile, for caramel sauce, blend brown sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Add remaining ingredients; cook and stir until thickened, about 3 minutes. Serve cake warm or cold with warm caramel sauce.

Yield: 9 servings.

Nutrition Facts

One serving: (1 piece) Calories: 436 Fat: 21 g Saturated Fat: 11 g Cholesterol: 91 mg Sodium: 335 mg Carbohydrate: 60 g Fiber: 1 g Protein: 5 g

State Fair Corn Dogs

1 c. flour

3/4 c. yellow cornmeal

2 tbsp. sugar

2 tbsp. baking powder

1 tbsp. dry mustard

1 tsp. salt

1 c. milk

1 egg

2 tbsp. shortening

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in shortening. Add milk and slightlybeaten egg. Mix quickly until nearly smooth. Pour batter into a tall glass for dunking hot dogs. Fry in hot deep fat until golden brown.

Pumpkin Apple Butter

A great butter for spreading on your toast, muffins, bagels, crackers, you name it! You'll find this pumpkin apple butter recipe is easy to make. And, it is so tasty, that it will quickly disappear.

Makes: 3 cups

1 3/4 cups Solid Pack Pumpkin

1 cup Apple Juice

1 cup(about 1 medium) Peeled and grated Apple

1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

3/4 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

Combine pumpkin, apple juice, apple, sugar and pumpkin pie spice in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Pour into container. Cover,chill. May be stored in refrigerator for up to two months.

Tiramisu

The email added, "A tiramisu made with sponge cake and sweetened cream cheese or mascarpone filling."

INGREDIENTS:

1 sponge cake (10-12 inch), about 3" tall

1/3 cup strong black coffee

5 tablespoons rum or brandy, good quality

1 1/2 pounds cream cheese or mascarpone cheese, room temperature

1 to 1/2 cups superfine or powdered sugar

sifted unsweetened cocoa powder

PREPARATION:

Cut across middle of sponge cake, making two even layers, each about 1 1/2 inches high. Combine coffee and brandy. Sprinkle enough of mixture over bottom half of cake to flavor strongly. Don't moisten cake too much. Beat room-temperature cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until sugar is completely dissolved and the cream cheese mixture is light and fluffy. Test for sweetness and add more sugar if necessary. Spread cut surface of bottom layer with half of the cheese mixture. Replace second layer and top this with remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle top liberally with sifted cocoa. Refrigerate cake for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving.

Fettuccine Alfredo

"This fettuccine recipe is purported to be similar to a famous Italian restaurant's fettuccine dish," according to the email sender.

Ingredients:

8 ounces fettuccine

8 ounces cream cheese, cut in small pieces

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter

1/2 cup milk

Preparation:

Cook fettuccine in boiling salted water following package directions. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, combine cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, butter, and milk, stirring constantly until smooth and hot. do not boil. Toss the hot cooked pasta lightly with sauce, coating well.

Serves 4.

Pasta Roma Soup

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Someone wrote that it "Mimics Olive Garden's soup." If you'd prefer a vegetarian version of this, you could use a soy "bacon" in place of the bacon and vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup uncooked miniature pasta bow ties

2 cans (approx. 15 ounces each) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

6 slices bacon, cooked, drained, chopped

1/4 cup olive oil

3/4 cup chopped onions

1 cup chopped celery

1 small clove garlic, minced

1 cup julienne-cut carrots

1 can (14.5 ounces) tomatoes, diced

4 cups chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground rosemary

2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley

Preparation:

Cook bow tie pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Add garbanzo beans to food processor and pulse until beans are well mashed. Scrape down sides of work bowl occasionally. Set aside. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or stockpot. Add carrots, onions, celery and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes on medium heat. Add remaining ingredients except pasta and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook stirring occasionally for 20 minutes. Keep warm. Add pasta to finished soup, heat through, and serve immediately.

Serves 4.