An elegant way to present after-dinner coffee or just to have on hand for a special treat. Orange lends itself nicely to chocolate! Also, a great way to make a special gift for a friend or as a hostess gift. Thanksgiving is coming up way too soon. You can try out your Christmas candy making on unsuspecting holiday guests!
Orange-Scented Truffles
12 ounces dark chocolate chips
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Freshly and finely grated zest of one orange
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Run the zest and granulated sugar through the blended for a minute or so to thoroughly blend in the orange zest. Set aside.
Gently melt the chocolate until it is smooth. You can do this over a double boiler or in the microwave. Stir in the cream until blended and stir in the extracts. Bring to room temperature, stirring ever so often. Refrigerate until firm. Scoop into small balls, roll in orange/sugar mixture and place in paper candy cups for serving.
I'm thinking of trying a lemon zest/spice version. Still in the thought process but figure I could blend the lemon zest with the sugar and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg and cloves.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Pumpkin-Orange Spice Softies
I noted that pumpkins have appeared in the grocery stores. That is a sure indication that no matter how warm the sunshine is right now, Fall produce is coming into play. Although I make recipes with pumpkin throughout the year, there is something about having a good pumpkin cookie when the season is right. I love a crisp/chewy cookie but make an exception for this soft, cake-like version. They are even a nice break for a fast breakfast treat in the morning with a cup of coffee or tea.
Pumpkin-Orange Spice Softies
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix together the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Combine sugar and butter in another mixer bowl and beat until fluffy. Add in pumpkin, egg, extracts, and zest. Mix to just combine. Beat in flour mixture until combined but not over mixed. Stir in the nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets. A cookie scoop comes in handy here!
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes our until golden around the edges and slightly firm to the touch. Cool on baking sheets before removing to wire racks to finish cooling. Glaze cookies when completely cool.
Glaze/Icing: Combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest, 1 teaspoon orange extract, and enough freshly-squeezed orange juice to form a glaze. Using a rubber pastry brush, brush the top of each cookie and let set.
Pumpkin-Orange Spice Softies
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix together the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Combine sugar and butter in another mixer bowl and beat until fluffy. Add in pumpkin, egg, extracts, and zest. Mix to just combine. Beat in flour mixture until combined but not over mixed. Stir in the nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets. A cookie scoop comes in handy here!
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes our until golden around the edges and slightly firm to the touch. Cool on baking sheets before removing to wire racks to finish cooling. Glaze cookies when completely cool.
Glaze/Icing: Combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest, 1 teaspoon orange extract, and enough freshly-squeezed orange juice to form a glaze. Using a rubber pastry brush, brush the top of each cookie and let set.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
America's Demise?
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=dde_1374573750
Anyone who cares about our country and wants to bring it back to its place in the world, needs to view this video. It actually seems that we are under attack and from our own people. Uninformed voters brought us to this pass. Perhaps some education and a new voice in our political system is needed come the next election. Our country can't take too much more of the same.
Anyone who cares about our country and wants to bring it back to its place in the world, needs to view this video. It actually seems that we are under attack and from our own people. Uninformed voters brought us to this pass. Perhaps some education and a new voice in our political system is needed come the next election. Our country can't take too much more of the same.
Feast Day for Our Guardian Angels!
Dr. Taylor Marshall brought up some interesting facts about our Guardian Angels in his daily notes. I found out a few things both religiously and historically about them that I didn't know. One has to believe we do have someone helping to look over our daily lives and to be with us in times of trials and tribulations. God is everywhere but how kind of Him to give us a personal contact with another Heavenly Being. http://taylormarshall.com/
The concept of "guardian angels" is thoroughly Jewish. Moses records human interaction with guarding angels in the Torah, and Daniel frequently mentions the powerful role of angels as guardians
Christ our Lord explicitly teaches the existence of guardian angels in Matthew 18:10: "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."
The early Church Fathers also spoke of our guardian angels. St. Jerome, for example, taught that each person (whether they are Christian or not) has a guardian angel appointed to a person from the beginning of his existence.
Saint Thomas Aquinas taught that all humans have a guardian angel and that these were chosen from the lowest hierarchy of angels.
Blessed John Paul II emphasized the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the ministry of guardian angels: "Let us invoke the Queen of angels and saints, that she may grant us, supported by our guardian angels, to be authentic witnesses to the Lord’s paschal mystery" (Regina Caeli Audience, 1997).
Maria Agreda, the visionary, taught that the Blessed Virgin Mary had hundreds of guardian angels, including St Michael and St Gabriel. I’ve heard some people say that Catholic priests have "two guardian angels," but I don’t know if this tradition has any magisterial support.
And to raise a very controversial topic, you’re not supposed to name your Guardian Angel. Sorry, just don’t do it.
The concept of "guardian angels" is thoroughly Jewish. Moses records human interaction with guarding angels in the Torah, and Daniel frequently mentions the powerful role of angels as guardians
Christ our Lord explicitly teaches the existence of guardian angels in Matthew 18:10: "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."
The early Church Fathers also spoke of our guardian angels. St. Jerome, for example, taught that each person (whether they are Christian or not) has a guardian angel appointed to a person from the beginning of his existence.
Saint Thomas Aquinas taught that all humans have a guardian angel and that these were chosen from the lowest hierarchy of angels.
Blessed John Paul II emphasized the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the ministry of guardian angels: "Let us invoke the Queen of angels and saints, that she may grant us, supported by our guardian angels, to be authentic witnesses to the Lord’s paschal mystery" (Regina Caeli Audience, 1997).
Maria Agreda, the visionary, taught that the Blessed Virgin Mary had hundreds of guardian angels, including St Michael and St Gabriel. I’ve heard some people say that Catholic priests have "two guardian angels," but I don’t know if this tradition has any magisterial support.
And to raise a very controversial topic, you’re not supposed to name your Guardian Angel. Sorry, just don’t do it.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
A Chain of Kindess - Try it, it's contagious!
http://www.videosmotivational.com/best-clips/making-a-difference-videos/chain-of-kindness/#sthash.wXEC47c0.dpuf
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