Light Summer Mousses

Recently I wrote about that most wonderful of meals and desserts, the mousse. Now with the hot weather here, it's time to revisit it and check out the lighter stuff.It's an easy to make summer dish and it's perfect for ending a barbecue or even a picnic. Try the traditional flavors or even make with the fruits of the season.

One of the easiest mousse recipes is made with just simply Cool Whip and any kind of pudding. Just mix equal parts pudding and the topping. Finish with fruit slices or berries placed on top. There's also one where it just requires egg yolks, melted  butter  and bitter chocolate Add Tia Maria  and  the beaten egg whites and then blend. If you want sub in coffee for the liqueur for a mocha latte flavor.. Vanilla mousse is another great classic. Make it with  a marshmallow fluff, whipped cream and a dash of vanilla for something truly tasty and really quick.

Fruit mousses are the perfect dessert right now. This is the season for peaches, and all the berries.. Try a puree of any fruit and mix with Cool Whip or fresh cream for a type of English fool. You can also use macerated fruit along with any comparable in taste liqueur for added kick.. Another idea is using  fruit flavored gelatin and whisking  when it's in the liquid state with Cool Whip or heavy cream.This creates something that's not only feather light but meltingly delicious. Add some fresh fruits on the side and a blob of Cool Whip for an elegant but easy dinner party end.

A light summer mousse is what a barbecue or outdoor dinner party needs. It is easy to make  whether you use the traditional flavors or it with the fruits of the season.It's a few seconds of creating some so complex yet surprisingly easy.

For my friend BMoose who's having a dinner in the stars right now.

Homemade Valentine's Treats

There's nothing like loving from the oven. This is never more true on Valentine's Day when any kind of sweet can capture a beloved's heart. Nowadays it;s easy to whip up a batch of this or a tin of that in just few hours. Home bakers and candy makers can also show their creative flair too and allow their loved  ones some unique homemade goodies.

Any baked good is always appreciated. There's nothing like homemade chocolate chip cookies to finish off a romantic meal.if there's no time to gather up ingredients just get a stick of pre made cookie dough. After they're done cooling , dip them in microwave melted chocolate for added decadence. Heart shaped sugar cookies again are a fun dessert and they can easily be iced with pre made frosting, Sweet, coy or even suggestive messages can be written on them as wel. Better yet turn these treats, into sandwiches. Make an easy ganache of dark semi sweet chocolate and heavy cream  . After it cools then spread on the cookies and assemble. Tartlets are also fun to make and you can fill them with everything from fruit to nuts to dulche de leche.

Don't forget homemade candy is another great Valentine's Day gift. Fudge is easy to make and there are so many variations to play with. Try a few drops of mint extract for chocolate mint flavor. Add walnuts or almonds for a truly nutty fudge. For a fruitier version, toss in some dried cherries or blueberries. Haystacks are another fun and super simple gift to make. Melt any kind of  chocolate , add toasted coconut(it can be toasted  in a toaster oven) , mix together, and then drop spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Pretzel rods are also a yummy sweet and ,again, they're easy to create. Take average sized pretzel logs, dip in either melted caramel first or just any kind of chocolate, then roll in either chopped nuts or pink, white and red sprinkles. 

Homemade gifts are always appreciated. Whip up something decadent and sweet for your sweetie this Valentine's Day. They'll enjoy that it was made especially for them with love.