Hazelnut Pudding Parfait

I am a huge dessert lover.  It's all I can do to stop myself from making some sort of baked good everyday.  And then of course on the days I don't, I'm scrounging around the kitchen trying to find any sort of treat I can stuff in my face after the kids go to bed.  Which makes me wish I had made some sort of baked good.  Of course now that summer is here I am much less inclined to want to turn the oven on so I have to come up with non-baked desserts to satisfy my pesky little sweet tooth.  Enter this delightful pudding parfait.  The hazelnut is a perfect summer flavor, in my opinion.  It isn't too heavy or strong, and it pairs really nicely with fresh fruit and chocolate.  The creamy homemade pudding and the bright fruit flavor of this dessert are really perfect for a hot summer evening.

Hazelnut Pudding Parfait

Number of Servings: 4-6
Time to Prepare: 4 hours 20 minutes

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 5 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 cups milk
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 tsp hazelnut extract
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2-3 Tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp hazelnut extract
•  12 Oreos, crushed
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 1 lb strawberries, sliced

Combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan.  Add milk and stir until smooth.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches a gentle boil.  Remove from heat.

Stir egg yolks just until blended.  Add a small amount of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolks, stirring quickly and constantly.  Slowly whisk the egg yolk mixture into the saucepan, again stirring quickly and constantly.  Return to a gentle boil and cook for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and stir in butter and 2 tsp hazelnut extract.

Pour pudding into a glass or plastic bowl and cover with plastic wrap, lightly pressing the plastic wrap directly against the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming.  Chill until completely cooled, about 4 hours.

Once the pudding is cooled, whip the cream until soft peaks form.  Add the powdered sugar and hazelnut extract and continue whipping until firm peaks form.

Spoon the pudding into serving dishes.  Spread Oreo crumbs over the top, then add the sliced bananas and strawberries.  Top with a dollop of the hazelnut whipped cream.

Produce Used: Bananas, strawberries
Source: Me

8/11/12 Basket - Cherry Banana Smoothie

Cherry Banana Smoothie
Uses from this basket: Cherries, banana

Sorry for the weird looking-into-the-cup picture...we are currently moving so all of our clear glasses are packed.

• 2 large bananas
• 2-3 cups cherries, pitted and frozen
• 12 ounces Greek yogurt
• 1/4 tsp almond extract

Put all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.  Voila!  Delicious smoothie with no added sugar.

7/14/2012 Basket - Dessert Quesadillas

Dessert Quesadillas
Produce from this basket: Banana

Spread an even layer of Nutella on one flour tortilla. Spread an even layer of peanut butter (chunky or creamy) on another tortilla. Thinly slice a banana and lay the slices on the Nutella tortilla. Place the peanut butter tortilla (peanut butter side down) on the Nutella/banana tortilla.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Coat with oil or spray with cooking spray. When the skillet is hot, place the quesadilla in the skillet. Coat (or spray) the top side of the quesadilla with oil and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on it. Once the bottom is crispy, flip the quesadilla and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the cooked side.

Once both sides are crispy and the insides are ooey gooey, take it out of the skillet, cut it in triangles and enjoy.

7/7/2012 Basket - Banana Scones with Honey Butter

Banana Scones with Honey Butter
Uses from this basket: Banana

• 3-4 cups flour
• 1 Tbsp + 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 overripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon

Remove butter from fridge and sit out to soften.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Sift 3 cups flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large mixing bowl.  Make a well in the center and put the banana in it.  Slowly pour cream in while mixing with a pastry blender or fork.  Slowly pour to the milk in, continuing to mix (reserve a couple Tbsp of the milk for later).   Add flour as needed to make a soft dough (it will be  somewhat sticky).

Turn dough out on floured surface and pat into a circle about 1" thick, flouring your hands to keep it from sticking (try to handle the dough as little as possible).  Use a round cookie cutter or the top of a glass and cut into circles about 2 1/2" in diameter (I ended up with about 14).  Place them in a greased baking dish--you can place them right next to each other so a 9x13 pan should work.  Brush the tops of the scones with the reserved milk.  Bake for 10-15 minutes until cooked through and tops are golden.

While scones are baking, cut softened butter into cubes.  In a small bowl, combine butter, honey, and cinnamon and blend until smooth.  Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

5/26/2012 Basket - Tropical Shrimp Spinach Salad

Tropical Shrimp Spinach Salad
Uses from this basket: Mango, pineapple, orange, banana, coconut
Other produce: Spinach

Whisk together 6 T. orange juice, 3 T. pineapple juice, 1/4 cup. extra virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste to make your salad dressing.

Line a salad bowl with spinach leaves and top with one diced mango, 1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts, and 1/2 cup dried banana chips (recipe here).

Cook (or warm) 1 lb. of large peeled and deveined shrimp in a frying pan with oil. Add the shrimp to the spinach bowl. Top with four ounces of crumbled goat cheese and 3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut.

Dress and serve.

Adapted  from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/tropical-shrimp-spinach-salad/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=tropical%20shrimp%20salad&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe

5/19/2012 Basket - Chocolate Banana Muffins

Chocolate Banana Muffins
 Uses from this basket: Banana

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 eggs
• 4 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup peanut butter chips (optional)

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugars, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, beat the eggs, bananas, sour cream, milk, oil and vanilla. Stir flour mixture into wet ingredients and mix just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.  Makes 24 muffins.

4/21/2012 Basket - Baked Oatmeal

Baked Oatmeal
Uses from this basket: Banana
Other produce: Strawberry

• 2 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• milk
• fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9x9 baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, stir together eggs, banana, applesauce, 1 1/2 cups milk, and butter. Pour wet ingredients into bowl with dry ingredients and stir until well blended. Bake for about 35 minutes, until oatmeal is set. Serve with milk and fresh berries.

4/14/2012 Basket - Pear Apple Crisp and Bananas Foster

Pear Apple Crisp

Uses from this basket: Pears

Other produce: Apples

• 12 apples and pears, peeled, cored and sliced
  
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup quick cooking or old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup plus 3 Tbsp butter, softened
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray bottom and sides of 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Spread apples and pears in pan. Mix remaining ingredients until well blended. Spread over pears and apples. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, until topping is golden and apples are tender.

Bananas Foster

Uses from this basket: Bananas

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 bananas, cut in quarters (cut in half lengthwise and crosswise)
  

Mix butter, brown sugar, and syrup in a frying pan over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixtures begins to bubble. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continually. Stir in bananas and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Serve over ice cream. If desired, top with shredded coconut, pina colada syrup, or other toppings.

3/24/2012 Basket - Banana Pancakes with Pina Colada Syrup

Banana Pancakes with Pina Colada Syrup
Uses from this basket: Banana, pineapple


*I couldn't get a good picture, but trust me--this tastes better than it looks.

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup wheat flour
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 4 Tbsp butter, melted
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1/4 cup pina colada drink mix
• 1/4 cup sugar

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix until well blended.

In a separate bowl, mash banana with a fork. Add milk, eggs, and vanilla and stir until blended. Pour the banana mixture and the melted butter into the flour mixture. Mix gently with a rubber scraper until just blended--batter will be somewhat lumpy.

Cook on griddle over medium high heat.

To make syrup, blend pineapple chunks in blender or food processor until smooth. Pour into small pan over medium heat. Stir in drink mix and sugar. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Serve over banana pancakes.

3/24/2012 Basket - Banana Muffins Three Ways

Banana Muffins Three Ways
Uses from this basket: Banana
Other produce: Coconut

• 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 T baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups butter, melted
• 6 bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup peanut butter chips
• 1/2 cup granola
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 1/2 tsp poppy seeds
• 1 tsp almond extract

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl combine the eggs, butter, and bananas. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Separate the batter into thirds in three separate bowls. For Banana Peanut Butter Chip Muffins, stir peanut butter chips into one of the bowls. For Crunchy Granola Banana Muffins, stir granola, pecans, and coconut into another one of the bowls. For Banana Almond Poppy Seed Muffins, stir poppy seeds and almond extract into remaining bowl.

Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 375 for about 18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack. Makes about 36 muffins.

3/17/2012 Basket - Tacosagna and Mini Banana Cheesecakes

Tacosagna (Taco Lasagna)
Uses from this basket: Carrots, lettuce, tomato, green onion
Other produce: Onion, garlic

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 to 1-1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 can black beans
• 3 carrots
• 1 onion, diced
  
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 2 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 cup beef stock
• 6 (8-inch) flour tortillas
• 3 cups shredded cheese
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 head romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 tomato, diced

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat a large high sided skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Add the meat and brown, 5 minutes. While meat browns, grate the carrots with a box grater. Add the black beans, carrots, onion, and garlic to the meat. Season the meat with chili, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper and cook 7 to 8 minutes more to soften vegetables. Stir in beef stock. Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with vegetable oil. Layer 2 overlapping flour tortillas on the bottom and top with 1/3 meat, 1/3 cheese. Repeat the layers twice and bake 10 to 12 minutes to brown cheese. Top with green onion, lettuce and tomatoes, cut into squares and serve.


Mini Banana Cheesecakes
Uses from this basket: Banana

• 1 box no-bake cheesecake mix
• 2 very ripe bananas
  
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp honey

Make the crust and filling from the cheesecake mix according to package directions. Divide crust mixture between six 4-inch tart pans and press to bottom and sides. Mash bananas and stir into filling mixture. Stir in cinnamon and honey, then spoon into crusts. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

3/10/2012 Basket - Banana Chips

Banana Chips
Uses from this basket: Bananas
Other produce: Lemon


Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Peel the bananas. Cut each banana into thin slices, about 1/8-inch thick. Coat your cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

Pour a little lemon juice into a bowl. Dip the banana slices into the juice before placing them on the cookie sheet. Don't crowd the slices -- arrange them in a single layer.

Place the cookie sheet in the oven. Bake the banana slices for about 2 hours.

Remove the cookie sheet from the oven, flip the banana slices and bake them for another hour or two. Remove the banana chips when they're brown and crispy. Sprinkle with sugar or salt if desired (I used Splenda on mine). Remove from pan and let cool.

3/3/2012 Basket - Greek Salad Wraps and Frosted Banana Bars

Greek Salad Wraps
Uses from this basket: Lettuce, cucumber
Other produce: Tomato, red onion, lemon, garlic

• 2 cups cooked turkey or chicken
• 4 cloves garlic
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Basil
• Poultry Seasoning
  
• Tortilla wraps (we used the sundried tomato and basil flavor)
• Sliced red onion
• Diced tomato
• Lettuce
• Blue Cheese
• Tzatziki (see recipe here)

In a food processor, grind the turkey or chicken with garlic and herbs, to taste. Warm tortillas in the microwave so they are pliable. Fill with ground turkey/chicken, lettuce, onion, tomato, and blue cheese. Drizzle with tzatziki. Wrap and enjoy!

Frosted Banana Bars
Uses from this basket: Banana

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed

Frosting

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture.

Stir in bananas. Spread into greased 15x10" baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool.

For frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla. gradually beat in enough confectioners' sugar to achieve desired consistency. Frost bars. Store in the refrigerator.

1/21/2012 Basket - Banana Souffle

Banana Souffle
Uses: Banana

• 2 ripe bananas
• 3 T water
• 1/3 cup plus 1 T sugar
• 1/2 t cornstarch
• pinch of cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• 4 egg whites
• pinch of salt

Butter and sugar 6 4-ounce ramekins. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Peel the bananas, and puree in a food processor until smooth.

In a small saucepan, bring water and the 1/3 cup of sugar to a boil. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and add banana puree, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until incorporated. Set aside to cool completely.

In a stainless steel bowl, beat egg whites and salt until foamy. Add remaining tablespoon of sugar and beat to soft peaks. Fold cooled banana puree into egg white mixture. Pour into ramekins and place ramekins on a baking sheet.

Place baking sheet in oven and immediately turn the temperature down to 375 degrees. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until puffed up and browned. Serve immediately.

1/21/2012 Basket - Southwestern Turkey Salad and Fruit Pizza

Southwestern Turkey Salad
Uses: Lettuce, Tomato

Can you tell we're on a turkey kick? :)

Coat cooked turkey (or chicken) with barbecue sauce. Toss lettuce with tomato, red onion, black beans, and cheese. You can also put in avocado and corn. Top with barbecue turkey and serve with barbecue ranch dressing (just mix your favorite barbecue sauce with some ranch).


Fruit Pizza
Uses: Kiwi, banana, orange, pear, pomegranate


1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

sliced fruit - strawberries, kiwis, oranges, bananas, pears, etc.

1/2 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup orange juice
2 T lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp orange zest

Mix sugar and butter. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; mix thoroughly. Stir dry ingredients together, then blend in to butter mixture. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours.

Press cookie dough onto a cookie sheet or pizza pan (I only used about 2/3 to 3/4 of the amount of dough made in the recipe above). Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, then cool completely.

In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over crust.

In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar, salt, cornstarch. Stir in orange juice (I used fresh squeezed from the oranges in the basket), lemon juice, and water. Cook and stir over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until thickened. Remove from heat and add orange zest. Allow to cool but not set up.

Arrange sliced fruit over cream cheese mixture (coat bananas in lemon or lime juice to keep from browning).

Spoon orange sauce over fruit and chill for 1-2 hours.

10/8/2011 Basket - Cinnamon Chips and Fruit Salsa

We have the tortilla pack again so we're incorporating tortillas into our meals.

Cinnamon Chips & Fruit Salsa

Uses: Tortilla, banana, apples, Asian pears, grapes, kiwi

I basically followed this recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fruit-salsa-with-cinnamon-tortilla-chips/detail.aspx, but substituted out and in some of the fruits.

9/3/2011 Basket - Bananas Foster French Toast

Lately we've been doing a poor job of finishing our bananas before they turn black. And there's only so much banana bread/muffins that a person can eat.

Bananas Foster French Toast

Uses: Banana

I followed this recipe from Paula Deen:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paulas-home-cooking/bananas-foster-french-toast-recipe/index.html

I omitted the rum extract because I didn't have any, and I used "nut topping" instead of pecans.

9/3/2011 Basket - Banana Spring Rolls

This recipe is inspired by the Banana Spring Rolls served at P.F. Chang's. It's not exactly the same - I didn't have fresh berries or the pineapple coconut ice cream, but the idea is similar.

Banana Spring Rolls

Uses: Banana

You'll need egg roll or spring roll wrappers for this one.

Heat a small pan of oil to 350 degrees.

Cut banana in half by length, and again by width. Place 1/4 banana in the center of each wrapper and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up each wrapper tightly (brushing the edges with egg wash), and fry them for 2-3 minutes each.

Cut in half and serve with ice cream, sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar.

7/2/2011 Basket - Ramen Noodle Stir Fry, Spicy Pear Cookies, Fruit Tarts

Ramen Noodle Stir Fry

Uses: Broccoli, Carrots

This recipe is super easy but surprisingly good. The recipe calls for cauliflower but since we didn't have any this week, we used a little extra broccoli and carrots. We also added some onion.

1 cup chopped broccoli

1 cup chopped cauliflower

1 carrot sliced thin

2 packages ramen noodles

nonstick vegetable spray

2-3 T soy sauce (optional)

1 2/3 cup water

Wash broccoli and cauliflower. Cut into small bite size pieces. Peel and slice carrot.

Before opening the ramen packets, crush packet and break up noodles. Pour noodles into a bowl and set aside.

Spray frying pan with nonstick vegetable spray while on the burner with medium heat. Let the frying pan warm for 30 seconds.

Add the vegetables.

Stir fry the vegeatbles for about one minute.

Stire in the borken noodles, contents of the seasoning packets, and water.

Bring mixture to a boil. Lower heat to medium low and simmer with the lid on for 3-5 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir twice during cooking.

Serve. Add soy sauce if desired.

Spicy Pear Cookies

Uses: Pear

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/spicy-pear-cookies/detail.aspx

I usually leave out the raisins and walnuts in this recipe, just out of personal preference.

Fruit Tarts
Uses: Pear

We still had some plums left over from a previous basket so I used those as well. You could also use peaches, bananas, etc.

1 package ready-made puff pastry
~3 T melted butter
Sugar
1 pear
4 plums
Warmed, strained apricot jam

Set the oven to 425 degrees. Roll the pastry out on a floured surface until it is about 1/8" thick.
Cut circles out of the pastry around a dish or lid. (I did four 6" tarts with a good amount of pastry left over--if you did a little bit smaller tarts you could probably do eight.)
Slice the plums and pear thinly. Then brush the pastry with melted butter and arrange slice of fruit on the circles.
Brush the prepared fruit with butter and sprinkle sugar on top.
Bake the tarts for 20 minutes, until the pastry is crisp and the fruit cooked. Put them on a wire rack to cool.
When the tarts have cooled, brush the fruit with a little melted, strained apricot jam to glaze the tarts.

6/18/2011 Basket - No-Bake Fruit Tart

We've got a lot of fruit laying around. I was going to make a fruit pizza, but it's too hot to turn on the oven. So I made a few fruit tarts.

No-Bake Fruit Tart

Uses: Any fruits you have laying around.

We used our Pampered Chef Tart/Quiche Pan and sprayed it well with non-stick cooking spray.

The crust is your average Rice Krispies Treats, flattened and pressed into the sides of the pan. For the size of our pan, I melted 2 Tbsp. butter in a sauce pan. Then I added 2 C. mini marshmallows and once they had melted, I added 3 C. Rice Krispies. Finally mix it all up and press it in the pan.

The filling is a fruit dip that we enjoy which is easy to make. Beat 8 oz. softened cream cheese, 1 Tbsp. milk, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 1/2 C. brown sugar with a hand blender. Spread over Rice Krispies crust.

Cut up any fruits you have and arrange them on the fruit dip filling. Brush the completed fruit tart with any citrus juice to keep the fruit from browning. I brushed with orange juice.