Chocolate Strawberry Pavlova - a toast to summer 2012!

I have been a BAD BLOGGER.  YUP, it's not that I haven't been cooking or baking or creating or even obsessing over what "my next post" will be - I've honestly just let "life" get in the way.  September - practically came...and went.  I'm another year older (eeek, that's enough stress on it's own!), the weather has started to turn... and it seems like when I get a chance to sit down in front of the computer and type, something else always seems to pop up!  WELL... that's it, I'm putting my foot down, now here I sit, computer on lap, Duke Dog curled up next to me...  My mind drifting and  I'm reflecting back on the summer... wondering.. WTF where did it go!?!?! It seems like ages ago I was rambling on about Blueberries (yup, freezer is still full of em'!) and the HOT HOT HOT weather.  Now, we're starting to prepare for the cold months ahead, and instead of patio BBQ's - long summer nights - we're eating inside, round' the dining room table, being all "grown up and stuff". ha ha  Here's my "official" disclaimer for this post: I LOVE Pavlova.  YES, not too long ago I posted a Blueberry-Lemon Pavlova... BUT I just HAD to make another one, of course switiching it up... making it "less summery" more decadent. nuff' said.  Once you try this version... you'll understand why...  This is what I came up with, and I think I fell in LOVE with PAVLOVA all over again...  Chocolate Strawberry Pavlova.

I won't dilly-dally around the recipe and details... in fact.. I'll make it short and sweet - oh-sooooo-sweet - mmm chocolate... The addition of unsweeted cocoa powder, and a handful of high quality dark belgium chocolate chunks takes the melt-in-your-mouth meringue crust to an entirely new level of awesomeness...  Real whipped cream sweetened lightly, fresh strawberries sliced and piled into the center and of course the addition of more dark chocolate chunks round out this decadent - but somehow light tasting - dessert.  YUP.  L-O-V-E.

Chocolate Strawberry Pavlova

Pavlova:

• 4 Egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup chopped dark beligium chocolate chunks
• 2 cups real whipping cream, slightly sweetened
• 1 1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

- Preheat oven to 275F

- Follow directions for making the meringue found here up until you've got the meringue with stiff, glossy peaks

- Sift the cocoa powder onto the meringue

- Sprinkle in half (1/2 cup approx) of the dark chocolate chunks, and carefully fold them into the meringue.

- On a parchment lined baking sheet, spoon out a circle of meringue, and carefully form a birdsnest shape

- Bake at 275F for 1 1/4 hours, or until meringue has a golden colour, and is not sticky to touch
- Let cool in oven, with the door slightly open
- Once cooled, carefully remove from baking sheet and place on a serving plate

- Carefully spoon whipped cream into center

- Add Strawberries, and sprinkle remaining chocolate chunks on top! 

YUP - pretty sure I could make this dessert over and over... variation upon variation, and STILL it'd come out as one of my fav's. .... ENJOY!!!

SO, as we move on from Summer 2012... I'd like to propose a toast....

Here's to the great times spent with friends new and old.  Here's to the awesome memories made ... and Here's to what lies ahead in the autumn months!  Now BRING ON FALL!! *CHEERS*

Buffalo Chicken Tacos – Food Trucks – Fairs – Last of Summer OH MY!!

I’m sure you’re probably sick of hearing it… However.. I just have to say it as well… SEPTEMBER!?!? REALLY!?!?! How did you get here so fast?!  It seems like yesterday we were gearing up for hot temps, long days, warm nights.  Now – it’s the tease of an Indian Summer, cool nights and short days. *sigh*  For me, there’s always something that signals that Summer is on its way out the door – The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE).   We always try to spend at least one day emptying our pockets at the fair.  I mean… who can resist the latest “and greatest” DEEP FRIED Food (seriously… deep fried koolaid?!).  Walking through the fair, looking at all the different types of food trucks, got me thinking….. IF I had one… what would I serve… Everyone’s already got the perogies, fish-n-chips-hotdogs-pizza stuff covered.  Not gonna lie… I’d probably dabble those kind of items on the menu as well here and there.  But no… for sure, the star of the show would have to be these – Buffalo Chicken Tacos.

They are quick and easy.  They are PACKED with flavor.  They have a SMALL ingredient list, and though they appear “fried”, they are NO WHERE CLOSE to being deep fried!  So, all you health nuts look out…. this is definitely a recipe that you can prepare with only a little guilt. You control the spice level with the amount of cayenne and hot sauce you use.  Seriously – I just know I’d have a line up in front of my food truck! Haha

Of course, before I came to my conclusion of Buffalo Chicken Tacos… we just HAD to try out some of the stuff the PNE had to offer!  Can you say…RIB FEST!  YUM YUM! 

I believe this was the second annual competition where several different BBQ Restaurants fire up the BBQ’s and serve up what they consider to be the BEST BBQ’s & Pulled Pork recipes that are out on the market.  We tried two of them…. Both which had the most (in my opinion) alluring smell.  SO good, SO messy. SO in love with Ribs and beans!

The PNE is also known for their shows.  This year new was the Star Trek Exhibit, for both Trekkies and non-Trekkies alike, the show was worth the hour line up.  Then of course, there’s the extreme motorsports show….. Snowmobiles in the middle of summer, doing backflips. BRAAAP!  Last – but not least, we saw the Super Dogs Show.  *bless* what these pups can do is simple awesome to watch!

Then of course, there’s my personal FAVORITE part of the PNE.  I must confess, I am addicted.  It’s a good thing a good friend of mine runs the show…as they’d probably think we were stalkers.  CANADIAN KETTLE KORN EXTREME . Seriously, I will caution those that haven’t tried it…  it’s amazing, addicting, and will leaving you “fighting” over the lil’ bits of crunchy sweet/salty goodness that each bag is packed with! 

Over all, it was a long – hot – perfect “Summer Day” at the Fair – A perfect way to start “shutting” Summer 2012 down!  OH, well, being that I have NO PLANS on launching a food truck anytime soon, guess I should let you indulge and experience these yummy creations!

Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Ingredients

• 4  boneless/skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1/3 cup All-purpose flour
• 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/3 cup “Franks” buffalo wing sauce
• 2 Tablespoon olive oil
• Soft Tortillas
• Green onions, sliced thin
• Shredded Lettuce
• Sour Cream
• 1 Cup shredded Cheddar Cheese

- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

- In a large freezer bag combine cornstarch, flour, cayenne, and garlic powder.

- Place chicken pieces in bag, seal and …. *SHAKE*SHAKE*SHAKE*  (did you know it works even better if you shake along with the bag too?!?! …shake your booty! J ) to ensure all pieces are evenly coated

- Add 2 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and once it gets hot, add chicken, stir frequently over high heat.  (Like you are stir frying)

- Once the chicken is fully cooked (no longer pink inside) – and “crispy” on the outside, toss with the buffalo wing sauce.

- Toss in some of the sliced Green Onions

- Warm tortillas and assemble tacos with chicken, lettuce, Sour Cream, Cheese and additional green onions (if desired)

SO… BRING ON FALL!  ….. That’s all I got…..for now! J

Blueberry-Lemon Pavlova with a stroll through the Alpine Meadows

My all time FAVORITE dessert has always been Pavlova.  I love how the meringue just melts in your mouth.  I love the real whipped cream (who doesn’t LOVE real whipped cream). I love that it is so versatile.. changing the flavours ever so slightly each time you make it keeps the variations endless as you use whatever fruit is in season.  You can create any flavor combos you’d like, fresh fruit – canned fruit – chocolate –custards-whatever your heart desires, it’s still going to be a phenomenal dessert.  Since it’s Blueberry season (and I still have at least a year’s supply), I thought I’d mix mine up a bit, and instead of using just fresh whole berries/whipped cream, I’d make a super simple berry sauce to drizzle on top.  The results: a perfectly delicate-light-melt in your mouth dessert. Blueberry-Lemon Pavlova.

Pavlova reminds me of growing up, I can remember no matter how full I was (or one time how SICK I was) there was always room for at least a serving-or two.  I can remember my cousin making a huge one, piping delicate crisscrosses and weaves forming a gorgeous meringue shell in the shape of an over-sized birds nest, dolloping whipped cream and then topping off with pounds of fresh fruit, adding candles and serving it as a deluxe birthday cake.  Stunning.  There was another time where I can remember the road trips out to my grandparents for Easter, and with all the family around – that was the show piece worthy dessert.  Time goes by so fast! Those moments seem like ages ago!  It’s funny how certain moments in time just stick with you.

One thing my honey and I tend to do on our little trips around is take detours – mini-road trips.  I love the fact that he knows our beautiful province so well, and what could technically be the same boring drive every weekend, turns into a mini-adventure making another lasting memory.  A few weeks back, on what would typically be just our straight “commuter” drive home from the lake; we took “the long way” home and made a little detour… Creating a memory I’ll never forget.  It was just before sunset as we headed up a dirt road, full of steep, sharp switchbacks.  Winding our way up to “Alpine Meadows” which is located in Manning Park, British Columbia.  All I can say is WOW.  Breathtaking.  The lighting was perfect, the wildflowers in bloom (and mosquito’s were hungry) BUT the sights to see made it all worthwhile!

Pretty sure our GPS was a little confused… as we were  definitely NOT in a grassy green meadow, those were some STEEP cliffs! Duke Dog had a grin on the entire detour… not that he knew what we were doing… but didn’t matter…he was enjoying the ride J It felt like we were driving to the top of the world!

Once we parked up top, there are maps of trails – areas where you could literally get lost backpacking for days on end through the mountain ranges. YUP – add another thing to my bucket-list, hiking the trails up there. Then – there was the wildflowers.  Stunning colours, absolutely amazing how these delicate flowers and plants can grow in such a harsh and extreme climate.  We were probably about a week late for the full bloom, which I can’t even imagine what the alpine meadows would look like then!

The sun was setting which casted a warm glow over everything.  I could have stayed up there for hours playing with my camera, taking in the views.

These plants were kind of cool (I think anyways), looked like a bunch of “Cousin Its” just growing in the alpine.

The Thistle’s purple colour seemed to glow neon in the light, and they were huge, growing right along the rocky cliff side road.

As we left the Alpine Meadows, the sun painted the clouds above in reds, purples, oranges and pinks.  Definitely an evening I will not forget… quite possibly one of my new favorite places to visit now during the summer wild flower bloom.  xorxor honey!!

NOW - back out of dream land, and on to the YUM YUM's.... :)

Blueberry-Lemon Pavlova

Pavlova

·         4 Egg Whites

·         Pinch of salt

·         1 cup Sugar

·         1 tablespoon vinegar

·         Whipping cream (mixed, with addition of sugar to taste)

- Preheat oven to 275F, and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper

- Beat egg whites/salt  using the whisk attachment on your mixer until soft peaks form

- Gradually mix in sugar, beat well after each addition

- Add vinegar, and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form

- Using a spoon or spatula, mound the meringue into a circle on the cookie sheet that is lined with parchment

- Build up the circle forming a shallow birds nest.  Be creative here, to make it “fancy” you can put the meringue in a piping bag and pipe out designs.  BUT, back of a spoon/spatula works just fine here too!

- Bake at 275F for 1 ¼ hours.  Meringue should be creamy coloured (bake 15 more minutes if still sticky)

- Let cool in oven with the door slightly cracked open

Blueberry-Lemon Sauce

·         1 tbsp Cornstarch

·         ½ Cup Sugar

·         2 Cups Blueberries (fresh or frozen)

·         2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

·         Zest of 1 small lemon

·         1 tsp Vanilla Extract

·         Pinch of salt

- Add cornstarch and sugar into a small saucepan, whisk to mix

- Add blueberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract and salt, stir to mix well

- Using a potato masher – mash berries, bring berry mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat , stirring frequently

- Turn heat down, and let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally

- Remove from Heat and let cool

Putting it all together:

- Carefully removed cooled meringue from cookie sheet and put on plate

- Spoon/pipe whipped cream into center of meringue shell

- Spoon Blueberry-lemon sauce on top of whipped cream, use back of spoon to swirl mixture in a little.

- I also topped with additional fresh blueberries for looks!

-Serve immediately!

Cheers!!

Blueberry Fool.... Blueberry Month!!

 Blueberries. MMMMMMM blueberries!  Known as one of Nature's "superfruits", high in antioxidents, and simply delicious... I just couldn't help but jump onto the Blueberry Band Wagon, especially, as British Columbia produces some of the best berries around.  (That and I'm lucky enough to know of, and have access too, a wicked supply of these superfruits.) With the first pick going on now, and several gallons of blueberries to play with, I'm going to be a busy chick!  I declare and dedicate the next couple of weeks solely to Blueberries!  YUM YUM!!  What better way to kick off this mini-event with a simple, quick and easy... delicate but decadent dessert: Blueberry Fool.

After a hot afternoon's quick picking, and with a trip planned up to the lake for the weekend, I wanted to "whip up" a quick recipe that showcases the natural sweetness of the berries.  Hot days - for us - typically means lighter dinners, and if any.. lighter desserts.  Blueberry Fool is perfect for this!  Eat alone - or - top a yummy blueberry pie with it. IF there's any leftovers, it makes a perfect topping for a soft and fluffy pancake in the morning.  mmmmblueberry pancakes!

Blueberry Fool

• 1 pint blueberries
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons confectioners sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons water

- Fill your sink with the blueberries / cold water, gently wash berries, removing leaves and stems...

- Remove from water, pat dry
- In a small saucepan, combine berries, lemon juice and water.  Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until berries burst/begin to breakdown

- Keep stirring until the juices begin to boil and the sauce begins to thicken. Approx 5-8 mins.

- Remove from heat, and transfer to a small bowl.  Place in fridge, stir occasionally until cold.
- Meanwhile using whisk attachment on your mixer, combine cream, confectioners sugar and vanilla
- Beat until stift peaks form
- Gently fold in 1/2 cup of the thickened blueberry sauce with the whipping cream
- Serve in dessert cups, spooning extra sauce over top!

YUM YUM!!

Stay tuned for the next BLUEBERRY Posting!  In the meantime... here's one of my most popular posts to date...  of course... starring the superfruits....  No-Pectin Added Blueberry Jam .

Cheers

A SUPER HERO PUNCH for a Bunch of Super.....people!

For 3 years running, we send out invite to our friends and family to join us up at our little spot of heaven in the Interior of BC. Good friends, good food, “camping” and the odd shenanigan to keep it all interesting are all included. This past weekend was that annual event, which I believe proved to be the best one yet!  The theme – SUPER HEROS.  YUP – even “grown-ups” like to show off their inner Super Hero self once in awhile.  (just sayin’…don’t judge!) The weekend has a loose itinerary, arrival on the Friday night, a group Potluck on the Saturday and the twist this year – Beer Tasting on the Sunday.  (It was a long weekend after all!) Mother Nature cooperated – and the Sun heated things up all day – which meant thirsty evenings! The Host House potluck contribution this year – my very own Super Hero Punch!

It’s light – fruity – and definitely has a *PUNCH* and a *KICK* that will quench the thirst of any *adult* Super Hero! I went with “summer” fruit flavours and adding frozen mixed berries to help keep the punch cool without watering down the punch too much. (Though in 40C weather… a little ice had to be added) Be fair warned… this stuff is YUMMY! Perfect for a hot summer’s night!

Super Hero Punch

·         2  (1 litre containers) White Cranberry Juice

·         2 (1 litre containers) Peach Juice (no sugar added)

·         2 (1 litre containers) Lemon Lime Soda

·         1 (750ml) bottle of Absolut GRAPEVINE Vodka

·         4 cups frozen mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries) – or whatever you chose!

·         Ice ( optional )

- Mix all ingredients in a large jug, adding the frozen fruit last.

- Serve Immediately!

The APU weekend for me is months of planning, and it’s truly a pleasure to see it all come together!  I love hosting fun events like this…and I think sometimes it’s the smaller details that makes a great event successful!  I mean, come on, all Super Hero’s need someone to “change”… or attend to the call of nature… you know.. whatever … even Super Hero’s need to___.  ANYWAYS…

This is our Outhouse BEFORE the transformation, and AFTER!  Not too bad eh!? What Superman WOULDN'T want to use that to ...make a call. :)

Being that this year we decided to hold the event on the long weekend,  we added a 2^nd mini-event (aside from the normal potluck), and our good friend, and neighbor up at the lake, hosted a Beer Tasting Event for all of us hero’s!  Of course, we all needed to taste beer the correct way – out of a glass… SO, recruiting my honey and a good friend.. we set to work!  Each person that participated in the Beer Tasting received their own “collectible” (ha ha) take home APU3 glass!  So easy to make… such a small detail… but appears to have been well received!

It’s easy! – Either purchase re-usable stencils (which I did for the lettering), or you can buy a blank sheet, which we cut out our own APU3 Stencil.  Using a paintbrush, and a small bottle of Armour Etch (found at any craft store), paint in the stencil, wait 60 secs, and wash off with water! That’s it! Your design is permanently “etched” into your glass of choice!  One set of stencils, a 3 oz bottle of Armour Etch and 1 paint brush was able to make over 40 glasses, and I still have a smidgen left over!

Eric from BigEZ Beer Reviews did a fantastic job introducing us to several beers from our beautiful province! Informative, knowledgeable …and knows how to just have fun with the group… can’t wait to try and convince him to do one next year! 

Over all…. All I can say is WOW.  The costumes.. the fun times…. Oh Red Solo Cup…. I can’t wait until next year to do it all again!  Hmm… wonder what the theme will be!! For those that made the trek, through long-weekend traffic-to joined us – THANK YOU!!  To those that put up with us invading their property and quiet neighbourhood - THANK YOU!!… it’s truly a team effort that makes a weekend like this a true success!!