Summer Fruit Appetizer with Chocolate Ganache

I made this Appetizer  during the summer months for an All Ladies Gathering at a dear friends home and forgot to post it at that time.  I had the Ganache frozen which was leftover from the chocolate cake I made for the clam bake earlier in the summer.  When it comes to sauces and icing, I try to make more than I need for one recipe so I have leftovers I can freeze and pull out in a whim when I need a quick dessert. 

This plate of sweetness has fresh strawberries, kiwi and dried apricots for the dipping...

It was so good...I could have eaten the ganache with a spoon:))

This Appetizer could be made for any occasion and time of year by mixing up the fruit...

Any things goes with Ganache, Right!!

Have a fun and fantastic week..!

K

Fried Pickles

Fried Pickles.....sounds a bit discussting!? 

 or as my 5 Year Old Nephew would say..Nasty!

Tonight I saw them on the menu and thought...Hmmm, Why Not?!

The cucumber dip sounded good even if the pickles didn't make the grade:)

To my surprise...the darn things were good! 

Actually burned my mouth and dripped pickle juice on my self...

This picture was actually taken and sent to my dear long time friend who lives in Virginia...

she LOVES Fried Pickles...

Her response was confirmation of her love for the things..!

As usual, I brought home over half of my meal...

Which gives me my lunch for tomorrow:))

I'm actually looking forward to eating the rest of them with the other half of my Chicken Quesadilla..

Here is a recipe I would try to make my own.

Fried Pickles

Ingredients

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (32 ounce) jar sliced dill pickles, drained
• 1 quart vegetable oil for deep-frying

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together the egg, milk, 1 tablespoon of flour, and Worcestershire sauce. In a separate bowl, stir together the remaining flour, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a deep-fryer or heavy deep skillet. Dip pickle slices into the milk mixture, then into the flour mixture. Repeat dipping.
3. Place the pickles carefully into the hot oil. Avoid over crowding by frying in several batches. Fry until pickles float to the surface, and are golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels.

 I would fry some to eat with a cook out during the summer months..

Cucumber Dip

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 cucumbers - peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Directions

1. Place cream cheese in a medium bowl. Beat until smooth. Stir in cucumbers, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, dill weed and hot pepper sauce. 

Enjoy..!

Pepper and Cheese Spread

This Pepper and Cheese spread is one of my favorite and a family favorite..! 

My Mother made this spread often, especially on Sunday afternoons during Football Season..!

This spread can be eaten alone as a Lunch or Lazy Weekend Meal or Served as an 

Appetizer for a special gathering or party.

Recipe and Instructions

Take One to Two Green Peppers removing seeds and clean out inners.  Take pieces of the pepper and Grate them into medium size bowl..  I use my small food processor, draining the pepper juice out by using a strainer to press out the pepper juice.  Add about two cups of any Shredded Sharp Cheese and mix the pepper and cheese well together.  Then add about two TBsp of Mayonnaise, just enough for the pepper and cheese to bind together.

You do not what this spread overly moist, wanting it more on the dry side.

Spread on your favorite Roll or Bun, I do not recommend you use bread unless the bread is a thick slice.  Place under the broiler until melted and lightly brown on top..

Left over spread can be stored in an air tight container for several days...

So Stinkin Good

Ready to be broiled

Ready to eat..!

This Spread doesn't last long in our home..once you try and taste, you'll know why..

Enjoy

Sealed With A Kiss..

 Last minute sweets...

Believe it or not I had a cake baked for an 

afternoon Christmas gathering...

But someone or two decided to sample it last night...

I must confess..I was one of the two

I decided I would take the cake any ways with only two small pieces 

sampled and then decided to bake some 

Chocolate Pies...

I found this recipe several weeks ago and thinking they would be so easy 

and quick to make if your in a pinch for a small dessert or appetizer..

The preparation time was about an hour,

Ingredients Needed:

One Round Pie Shell (not in pie pan if store bought)

Hershey Kisses or in my area, Wilbur Buds are a favorite 

One Egg

One Tablespoon Water

Sugar

 I wanted a sturdy surface to work from and easy clean up,

I placed the round pie dough on my very seasoned round stone..

I lined my rectangular stone with parchment paper..

I did this because my rectangular stone is only 6 months old from 

Pampered Chef and not seasoned enough...

I did not want to spray the pan with a non stick stray for this recipe..

I used a small jar to make the round circles

needed for the small pies...

It worked great!

 

I then placed a Kiss in the middle of each dough circle

 Folded the two sides into the middle and giving a pinch

 I then did the same to the other two remaining sides..

 Gently Pinching the tops closed and sealing them

One 9 inch Pie Shell gave me 15 Chocolate Pies

Egg wash the outside with the egg mixture of one egg and a Tablespoon of Water

Sprinkled on top some large Sugar Crystals I had on hand

And Baked at 350 for 20 mins...

You need to watch these closely while baking..

I started at 10 mins and then added another 10 mins..

Remember this is pie dough and not cookie dough..

so baking time will be a bit longer depending on what type of baking pan you use

and how thick your dough is..

The Chocolate Pies were a big hit..

I came home empty handed...!

Even the Cake was left behind..

what was left of it..!!

I was "told" I'll get my empty plate back...!

I love sharing my treats with those who

really appreciate them and the sincere
 thankfulness I receive for sharing, 
they truly are Dear Friends and a Blessing..!