Squisito supplementare! That's Extra Delicious in Italian

One of my new fav recipes is Panna Cotta.  An Italian Custard Dessert.  I made it for someone that loves Creme Brulee but I wanted to have them try a new summery dessert.

This is a great recipe from CHERYLA33 @ all recipes.com 

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Panna-Cotta/Detail.aspx

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup skim milk
• 1 (.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Pour milk into a small bowl, and stir in the gelatin powder. Set aside.
2. In a saucepan, stir together the heavy cream and sugar, and set over medium heat. Bring to a full boil, watching carefully, as the cream will quickly rise to the top of the pan. Pour the gelatin and milk into the cream, stirring until completely dissolved. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and pour into six individual ramekin dishes.
3. Cool the ramekins uncovered at room temperature. When cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before serving. 
4.  I also added one vanilla bean.  Make sure you slice in half and scrap beans into milk mixture with the pod.  Allow to steep(come up to the boil in the milk)  and remove the pod after mixture is boiled. 

Instead of Ramekins I use these Ball Jars.  They make cute gifts or just a fun presentation.

To top the panna cotta because it if a very light sweet flavor.. I made a tangy lime, raspeberry, ginger compote for the top.

12 oz of frozen raspberries

3 Tablespoons of Sugar

1 teaspoon of Karo syrup (just for a glossy look)

1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger (powder)

Zest of 1 lime

Juice of 1/2 of a lime

Mix ingredients together in a small pot and bring to a simmer.  cook until sugar is dissolved completely.   Allow to cool completely and then pour a small amount over the panna cotta in each jar.  It will be really tart but it goes very well with the sweetness of the custard.

It is super easy and delicious and People will be soo impressed!

Fireworks, Waterfalls and Ugly Cakes.

Here are some shots from Fallen Leaf Lake in Tahoe. 

My Hubby and his sister chatting about whether or not they could drink the water.

The dog enjoying the FREEZING WATER!!

I guess I was the only one excited about this picture...

My sister in law (in the middle) visiting from Moldova (she's in the peace corps) and her bestie brooke.  Brooke came prepared with festive wear.

Since my SIL is heading back to Moldova today tried to make a hot pink zebra striped cake for her..  But, it did not work out so well.  So I will share the before pictures and the recipe since it tasted pretty yummy.

I found this recipe for white cake in a Better Homes and Gardens Baking book. 

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspsoon salt

1/2 cup shortening or butter

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 egg whites

1 1/3 cup buttermilk.

Grease and flour 2 rounds or one sheet pan.

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl and set off to the side.

Cream butter and add sugar and vanilla

Add egg whites one at a time

Once blended alternately mix in flour mixture and buttermilk.

Pour into greased pans and Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 min.

I chose to cook in a rounded pan  and cut out the middle.  I filled with vanilla snack packs (because they don't have to be refrigerated) and fresh raspberries.  I frosted the cake with vanilla frosting (hot pink) but I think whipped cream would taste even better.  This cake is very moist.

It is what it is....  Sorry neet!

Crashes, Frames and Salad

I've been a busy girl the last two weeks...  This was by far my quickest and most expensive project of the week... YEAH ME!  Thank goodness we have insurance and friends that fixed it : )

After a little yelling.. (which I totally deserved) The hubby was amazing and supportive and cheered me up!

So we've been in the house since January and I keep not doing anything in the dining room..  and it was really bugging me...  

SO..  I visited a few stores and did a few crafty things...  and it's still not done...  but... We're closer : )

I went to goodwill and bought a bunch of.... not very attractive frames.....

I sanded them down and then used paint to cover up the uglies ;)

For my large frame I started out with the white and stain and then covered and did paper towels and water to let some of the white come through.

Here is everything on the floor getting ready for hanging.  I'll post the finished product when everything is actually finished : )

Above are where I got the supplies for this...   This whole project cost around $30!  WAY cheaper than if I had purchased any of these premade or paid for new frames.

Here is a quick salad that I made for the House Party.  Very nice for Summer.

One Bag of Spinach

Handful of Almonds

Handful of Dried Cranberries

6 or 7 sliced strawberries

Kraft Creamy Poppyseed Dressing