Berry Napoleons with Cinnamon Cream

 

Oh my...this is so..SO good! Last week I was attempting to remake "The Mese Roll" (look for the recipe in an upcoming post) and had a bunch of wonton wrappers and wanted to make a dessert using them. Then I remembered an amazing berry dessert I had at our favorite sushi place. Before I knew it...this was happening.

 This is so easy. It is truly a no brainer and so, so impressive. I tossed the wontons in cinnamon sugar and added cinnamon to basic whipped cream. The rest is just assembling (my favorite kind of dessert:). Of course, a dusting of powdered sugar never hurts. It's like a churro with fresh berries and cinnamon whipped cream except it's oh so light and perfect to share! If you're looking for a dessert to top off your Valentine's Day Dinner...this should definitely be on the list!

 

OK...the goods:

Berry Napoleon with Cinnamon Cream

serves 2:)

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Berries of your choice

 wonton wrappers

1/2 c sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

enough oil to deep fry wontons

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

1c. whipping cream

3Tblsp sugar

11/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Berries of your choice

Powdered sugar for dusting

Heat a small skillet with enough oil to fry wontons. Have a plate with paper towels ready, these babies cook up fast. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.

Once the oil is hot enough, fry wontons 2 at a time flipping half way through. Once they're golden brown, immediately sprinkle with cinnamon sugar on both sides. Set aside. You will need 4 for each Napoleon but they are so good to snack on you may want to make them all!

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

1c. whipping cream

3Tblsp sugar

11/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Whip the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment. When it starts to thicken, add sugar, cinnamon and vanilla.

Place 1 scoop ice cream on plate. Top with Cinnamon Wonton. Add a scoop of Cinnamon Cream. Top with another Wonton. More Cream. Another Wonton. Got it?

So.. Ice cream, wonton, cinnamon cream, wonton, cinnamon cream, wonton, cinnamon cream. You with me??

 

Top with Berries and dust with powdered sugar. Perfect to share with someone you heart or...NOT...whatever brings you to your happy place:) 

Samoan Banana Pancakes

3 ripe bananas, mashed

3 1/2 c flour

1 1/2 c sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 c water

Mix ingredients in large mixing bowl.

Fill a skillet with enough oil to deep fry pancakes... 2 inches or so. Once oil is hot drop batter using an ice cream scoop filled half way. Once golden on one side, flip and cook till golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

Enjoy! 

**These are meant to be eaten right away so you may want to fry a few at a time and store batter in refrigerator until ready to use. May be stored for a few days.



 Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken

Recipe on the blog tomorrow!

Berry Napoleon with Cinnamon Whipped Cream

Recipe on the blog tomorrow!!

 

Samoan Banana Pancakes

recipe on the blog tomorrow!!

Southern Chicken & Dumplings

 

 

Ok, so I am an island girl who grew up in California and have lived in Texas for almost 8yrs. I didn't discover this glorious comfort food until just last year (shhhh...it's ok). I was making Matzo Ball Soup (I know...I'm so cultural! Actually my hubby is 1/4 Jew and grew up on this traditional soup and it happens to be one of my family's favorite meals. I craved it so much during my 4th pregnancy that I had no choice but to learn how to make it.)...ok where was I?..right. I was making Matzo Ball Soup and thought...why haven't I made Chicken & Dumplings? It's the same thing just omit the matzo balls and add dumplings. So, I split the soup in half, thickened one pot and added said dumplings and we had both! Can I tell you...Amazing. I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to try and it has quickly become another family favorite!

Southern Chicken & Dumplings

1 whole chicken

2 onions, sliced

6 garlic cloves, smashed

6 sprigs of thyme

2 boxes chicken stock+ 3 qts water

6 lg carrots, sliced in 1/2 in pieces

1 bunch celery, sliced in 1/2 in pieces

In a large stock pot add chicken, garlic, thyme, onions, stock, water, 2 carrots and inner parts of celery. Season liberally with salt and pepper.  Cook uncovered until chicken 45min or until chicken is cooked all the way through and falling apart. Remove chicken to cool. At this point you can strain the stock or just pick out thyme sprigs if you like it more rustic. I'm a rustic kind of girl..aka..a bit lazy so I just pick out the sprigs...whatever gets you to your happy place :).

Dumplings

2 c flour

1 tsp salt

ice water

In a med mixing bowl, mix flour and salt and make a well in the center. Add ice water a little bit at a time while kneading in all the flour gradually by hand. It will take about 3/4 c. You will have a relatively stiff dough but shouldn't feel too dry. Don't panic...you're almost there. If an island girl from Cali can do it..so can you!

 

 Roll out dough on lightly floured surface. About 1/8 in thick or as long as your guns hold out. It's going to look like a terribly dry pie crust. Stay with me. It's going to be ok. Right, where were we?.. Cut into 1/2 in. strips and then into 1 in. pieces. I just ripped them by hand. Again...whatever makes you happy.

Ok, this is my favorite part... Shred every bit of meat off that chicken! I hear my grandma's voice every time I'm picking chicken off the bone. Every. Last. Bit. Ok, maybe I'm a little weird.

 This is the home stretch! Add carrots and celery to stock that's been boiling away and is so perfectly seasoned...(now would be a good time to check your seasonings and adjust). If you like a thicker soup, add a slurry of flour and cold water through a strainer to avoid lumps. About the consistency of a thin gravy. Add dumplings and chicken. Let come to boil. Dumplings are done when they float to the surface. 3-4 min. Boom. Your family will love you. Ok, they already do but this soup will make them love you more:).

Perfection.



 

Little Indian Pow Wow

Remember in my last post about NinjaFest I said my family loves birthdays? Well as soon as our little Ninjas left with goodies in tow (forgot to get pics), we broke everything down and began to put up our Little Indian Pow Wow for my nephew's 1st birthday party the next day. Yes, you read that right. Madness. This was my favorite party we've ever done. Ever. Yes, I didn't sleep for days but oh...it was amazing! I loved every detail.  

The birthday boy and his Teepee Cake.

That's my brother dressed up as an Indian Chief leading our little Indians in some Pow Wow fun.

 My Sister Aggie, the Mama to the birthday boy, made him the cutest head dress and vest. She also made all the kids indian headbands. So talented.

Oh...just a teepee in my living room! NBD. The colors were amazing! When you're planning a boy birthday, it's tricky getting the details right without making it too "pretty" or fussy. I felt like the details of this party were spot on. Speaking of felt..the banners are made of felt hot glued to ribbon. Yeah...we're fancy that way:). Also the fringe that's hanging is plastic table cloths cut up and hung on fishing wire! Seriously. All hung by my SIL with her mad skills and energy at 2am.

 I set up a children's buffet on my coffee table so they could help themselves.

On the menu: Mini Chicken Pot Pies, Cinnamon Crisps and then we filled different ramekins and cups with Indian looking snackage. Mini water bottles wrapped in coordinating scrapbook paper. I just filled baskets I had around the house...I have a slight basket problem (no joke).

 

 These fireside cupcakes were the cutest! My Sister Marlena made these and the Teepee cake. I know right? They came out so amazing!!

 The kids got to take turns drumming the Cajun Drum Box and lead the kids in a song of their choice. This was probably their favorite part of the party. They were so into it!

 

The Pow Wow was so fun and so little kid friendly. Aggie dreamt up this party months ago and it was so great to see it come alive. I loved working on this party. 

Happy Birthday Choppy! We love you so much!

Happy Birthday Benny! 

NinjaFest Part I

 This boy was so excited to turn 4, he'd been telling people he was for two years! We had to celebrate his number 4 in true NINJA style (he is obsessed) to honor our favorite Ninja!

 Ninja cupcakes (thank you pinterest!)

 A look at the goods. I just filled a container I had with Fruit Kabobs, Nori Snacks, and Shrimp Chips

Little Bento Boxes. These were nacho containers I had leftover from who knows what. This was a family party that I threw together last minute because we'd been sick. Most of what we had were pantry items. Can you tell I frequent asian markets? Musubi (Spam Sushi: don't knock it till you try it!), fruit and little pandas courtesy of my sweet Sis! At each place setting there was also a jello cup and Pocky treats.

  

 NinjaFest Part II

So Birthdays are huge in our family. We just love them! We have a lot of family here (when we get together, there's 19 of us!) so we usually have to do a "family" party and a "friend" party. So here is NinjaFest Part II.

 The table was set Japanese style complete with "Dragon Veggies" (thanks pinterest!)

 Bentos with Teriyaki Chicken, Rice, Fruit and Veggies. The green baran paper you see with sushi was tricky to find last minute but you can order online at Amazon if you have the time.  The little soup spoon (found at Asian markets ) has ranch dip in it. Jello with whipped cream and edamame.

 The Decor: Homemade Lanterns (made from poster board...remember making them in school?), the flags are paper napkins with vinyl Japanese symbols and ninja..ish stars:). The birthday banner I made using a free font I downloaded and printed on matte photo paper. Made a huge difference! 

 Some goods for the mamas that stayed. Assorted veggies in bamboo steamers I bought at an asian market and Asian Chicken Salad. The Ninja cupcakes are Devils Food with Chocolate Buttercream and the Ninja is an oreo half with the cream scraped off the top and bottom. Add eyes with chocolate sprinkles. Done.  

Fruit Kabobs, Rolls and more Veggies

Tons of fun was had by all and my boy was a very happy little Ninja! 

Raspberry Almond White Chocolate Cupcakes
 with Cream Cheese Frosting

OK. Here it is...these are my favorite cupcakes. Ever. They are so easy you will cry. Your family will love you and think you're amazing. And you will smile...and let them. Usually these are topped with a Raspberry Whipped Cream Frosting (look for a Valentine's Day post!)  but I made these for a very large party (355 cupcakes!) and I needed a hearty frosting because they needed to be made ahead of time. 

Raspberry Almond White Chocolate Cupcakes

1 box your favorite white cake mix
mix as usual plus...
1 extra egg (I always add an extra egg to my cake mixes)
1tsp vanilla
1tsp almond extract

Bake as usual following box instructions. Cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting

2 (8oz) pkgs cream cheese
1/2 c butter, softened
2 c. sifted powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Cream together cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in vanilla, then gradually add powdered sugar.

Pipe onto cupcakes or frost by hand whatever makes you happy! Top with white chocolate shavings, a raspberry and a dusting of powdered sugar. 
Done. Await the applause.