Monday, May 30, 2011

Coconut Bonbons

Summer is officially upon us and always looking for sweet and delicious treats to enjoy during the summer, I came upon this recipe I saw many years ago and have yet to try, until now!

The name "bonbon" is French, meaning "good-good" and refers to any of several types of sweets, especially small candies enrobed in chocolate. The first reports of bonbons come from the 17th century, when they were made at the French royal court.

This particular version, is made using coconut sorbet, shredded coconut and almonds, and are perfect little treats to enjoy outside on a hot summer day!

Very simple to make, all you need are a few ingredients and these can be ready in about an hour! Get the complete recipe here: Coconut Bonbons
Link
You'll need some Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafer Cookies, coconut sorbet, shredded unsweetened coconut, whole almonds, some semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate and little vegetable shortening.

On a wire rack, placed onto a sheet pan, place the wafers, top side down, spaced evenly. Add some shredded coconut in the center of each wafer, top with a small scoop of sorbet, and an almond on each. Put the pan in the freezer for at least 20 minutes.

In a heat-proof bowl, set over a pan of barely simmering water, melt the chocolate and shortening until nice and smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly.


Remove the baking pan from freezer and ladle a good amount of the melted chocolate over the bonbons, completely covering the entire bonbon. Remember to work fast as the warm chocolate will start to melt the sorbet slightly. Return the baking pan to the freezer for at least 30 minutes or overnight, if not serving right away. Enjoy!!


Friday, May 27, 2011

Tater-Tot Casseole

Always curious to try new recipes, a friend of mine shared this recipe for an interesting casserole and of course, I wanted to give it a test! Now this is generally not something I would make, given its high fat and caloric content, and use of pre-made and canned ingredients. It still peaked my interest to try it, at least once.

Although tater-tot casserole recipes are available by the dozen, online, and in community cookbooks all across America, this particular recipe utilizes Campbell's Golden Mushroom soup, which is new to me!

There are only 5 ingredients and this can be whipped in a pinch when those unexpected guests drop by!

1 lb ground beef (80/20), 1 large onion (sliced), 1 (2 lb) bag tater-tots, 2 cans of Campbell's Golden Mushroom soup and 1 lb shredded cheddar cheese.


Crumble the ground beef in a 13 x 9 baking dish, season with coarse salt & pepper

Add the sliced onion in an even single layer on top of the ground beef.

Add the entire bag of tater-tots, evenly across the top of the onions.

Now, pour both cans of soup on top of the tots, and spread evenly to the edges.

Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes to an hour, until the cheese is melted, slightly browned and its bubbling nicely!!

Serve this up, garnished with a little fresh cilantro, and enjoy!

Guaranteed to be a hit at your next pot-luck or week-night meal!