Changing Up Spring Sweets

 This is the season for baking holiday treats and sweets. Yet it's usually the same thing, from kugel for Passover to Easter themed cakes , cupcakes and cookies . What about changing ot up a bit? Put in a new recipe that the family will love.

Passover begins on April 5th this year and ends on April 13th. The usual desserts are ones made with out flour namely kugel. Yet it's time to break out of that classic mold. Why not serve a refreshing fruit salad or fruit cups instead. Make it colorful with pineapple chunks, kiwi slices and strawberries,Add blueberruies ,s liced grapes and tangerine slices for more sweetness. Now zing it up with a honey lime dressing. Another dessert not necessarily associated with Passover are chocolate covered strawberries. Dip these ruby gems in dark chocolate for a different kind of ending . Give them a dusting of kosher sprinkles to make them even fancier.The days are getting warmer so think about fruit sorbets.Create an easy three ingredient one by using fruit, honey or agave syrup and a squueze of lemon juice.It's pureeing the fruit and mixing with the sweetener and juice. Pour this into ice cube trays and then freeze. Take the frozen cubes and placed into a food frocessor. They're transformed into a cool creamy dessert. Think a a strawberry or blueberry sorbet for a refreshing end. You can also make a chocolate one too using both Dutch processed chocolate and cocoa powder.

As for Easter, yes those bunny cakes and cupcakes are cute but they can be a little boring. Why not end the Sunday meal with homemade ice cream spiked with chocolate eggs or the fun multicolored robin's egg malted milk eggs. You can make a vanilla or choclate ice cream loaf to be sliced and served with whipped cream.. It can even be served in multicolored cones for the little ones. Brownies may be known as an after school snack but they can be topped with a thin layer of icing and a Peep for a colorful end to your Easter dinner. You can use a box mix or try a scratch recipe.Another unusual idea are cake bites baked to look like small Easter eggs. You can use molds (which can be bought on Amazon) to create the shapes and then decorate them in pretty colors.Both kids and adults will love meringues. These are airy puffs of sweetness which can be made with vegan or non vegan ingredients. The non vegan is made with aquafaba or chickpea brine and tastes the same as the regular ones made with egg whites. Dye them pink with all natural beet root which gives them a candy pink color. Of course coffee flavored ones are great for the adults.

Change up your Spring treats with new and exciting recipes .Break away from the classics.Serve fun sweets for Passover and Easter

What Ice Are You

 Believe it or not there are people who don't like ice cream. What do they do when the temps get hot and sticky? Turn to the refreshing alternative of ices and slushes. They're a breath of chilly air on a stifling day.

What are ices exactly? Flavored frozen water that can be served a variety of ways. There is Italian ice which is derives from the centuries old recipe of granita. Granita is also an easy make. This Sicilian treat which first came to Philadelphia in the early 1900's is an easy make. It's pureeing any kind of fruit and freezing it with water. After it pouring it into a shallow pan (an ice cube tray is perfect) .It's flaked with a fork for about two to three times before a final freeze of four hours. A great summer dessert is coffee granita served with a puddle of chocolate syrup and whipped cream. You usually have to make this at home because it's rarely served in ice cream shops and restaurants. Italian ice , however is popular. Thanks to chains like Ritas' there's all sorts of flavors. They have everything from fruit to soda flavored ices along with mixing the ices with gelato and regular ice cream. Italian ice is also called water ice in South Jersey and Philadelphia.Family owned chaine like Strollo's at the Jersey shore offers fruits, root bear and cappuccino flavors. These are more refreshing than a scoop of ice cream. You don't feel as thirsty as you do after eating a cone.

Many people love a sorbet. This is also a water ice. Many people confuse it with sherbet which has either milk or cream in it. Sorbet is another easy make at home.It's a combination of sugar and pureed fruit.There's always a lot of sugar used, about three quarters of a cup to create a creamy texture. Lemon or lime juice is added to counterbalance all the sweetness. Many people practically live on  Slurpee's, Icees and slushies during these hot days. Slurpee's have been around since 1966 and are popular throughout the world. They're an easy ice fix if you want something fizzy and cool. The same goes for Icee's which has such unusual flavors like Mermaid and Sugar Plum( all are fruit based). Again these are a great sip when you don't want ice cream. The problem with these however is that you have to go out on a hot day or night. You could easily create something at home thanks to Zoku slush maker. This is a long metal cup that's chilled in the freezer and then placed in an outer cup. Any kind of regular soda can be poured into it for a tasty slushie. The soda cannot be diet nor can you use seltzer. These don't freeze will and you'll wind up with a big chunk of ice.

There are so many different types of ices out there. They're all refreshing and cooling.They're perfect during these hot ,, sticky days.

A Quick Sorbet

With the weather heating up, there's nothing like a cooling simple sorbet .Everyone thinks it's a hard make but a recipe in the Sunday Home section of the New York Times. I thought I'd try it. It's simple ,.Just freeze a can of fruit and then puree.

Well, it was simple in theory. I put a can of peaches in the fridge. The recipe calls for fruit in heavy syrup, but that would be too sweet and I had this.

I left the DelMonte peaches overnight. First thing, never freeze the fruit in the can that  it came in.

It was a block of fruity ice which was impossible to get out of the can. I put it under hot tap water to loosen it. That didn't work, so I got both my paring and slicing  Farberware knives out to break it into chunks.

Once it was all out it needs to be pureed.I used my immersion blender for it and voila - sorbet!!

It was creamy, cool and fruity, a lovely delicious end to dinner. I would definitely make this again, maybe with pears and fruit salad.I also would put the fruit into a container. first. It was a job hacking it to pieces in the can. 

This quick fruit sorbet is the perfect cure for a hot steamy summer's day. Try it  with one kind of frozen fruit or two for a treat. It's a light alternative to ice cream.

Your Ice Cream Guide

Ask anyone what's the difference between a sorbet and a sherbet and you'll be met with a shrug. Query about semifreddo and you may get a blank stare. Know the difference between French or Philly style ice cream? If you don't you may need the ice cream guide.

We're in the middle of an epic heat wave here in the New York metro area. Any icy treat  is appreciated. As long as it reduces body heat , it's perfect. Yet many don't know about the different types and if one is better than the other. Take hard and soft serve ice cream. Most affectionados  just think it's a question of texture but it's much more. Soft serve is lower in milk fat by almost ten per cent .It has  only 2 to 3 per cent while hard ice cream has 10 to 18 %.. Also it's stored at a higher temp of -4 C  while the other is -18 C. Soft serve  has air whipped into it at the time of freezing. Some ice creams have French or Philadelphia style written on their cartons. French ice cream is essentially frozen custard thanks to the inclusion of two or three eggs. Philly or American style just has milk cream and sugar in the recipe. The first is a bit more labor intensive to make at home. It involves cooking a custard, making sure that the mixture is cooked properly or the home chef will ind up with a pot of sweet scrambled eggs. Philly style is easier  and it highlights the taste of the cream and milk. Both can have add ins such as fresh fruit or cocoa powder along with fresh mint to liven it up.

What is semi freddo? It's kind of like a French ice cream loaf but not quite.Think more frozen mousse made from zabaglione, Swiss meringue and cream, The three components are swirled together and then poured into a loaf pan.It's frozen for at least six hours before serving.It can be made with fruits, espresso and chocolate. along with hazelnuts and almonds. It's a nice alternative to an ice cream cake for any summer birthday celebration. Another head scratcher is sorbet and sherbet. Sorbet is purely sweetened or flavored water and is easy to make. Sherbet has milk as a basic ingredient along with a creamier texture. Both can be made at home. thanks to any good ice cream maker., Sherbet is made mostly with fruit however it can be made with cocoa powder for a refreshing change from ice cream.What is Italian ice and how is it different from gelato? Italian ice, sometimes known as water ice in the Philadelphia and Delaware regions,is basically water blended with concentrate, puree or just plan juice. Some Italian ices may have egg whites which act as a binder. Gelato is more of an ice cream, except that it has less air and is denser in texture and flavor.Traditionally it contains more milk and less cream along with being a bit more experimental with flavors and flavor pairings.

This is the time for any frozen treat for relief from the heat. Whether you have a scoop of French vanilla or a cup of strawberry ice, it's time to cool down. Keep the hot weather at bay with any of these chilled treats.

Vegan For The Summer

One of the best aspects of summer is that you can nix the meats and live off the land - literally. This is a great time to take that long promised stab at vegetarianism, thanks to all the harvests right now. It's time to discover all these hot weather veggies and the dishes that go with them.

Squash is always popular and is in full harvest right now. Many home farmers have an abundance of them, thanks to their hardiness and ability to thrive. They are versatile from their delicate flowers to the mature vegetable. Squash flowers, those fragile yet delicious blooms, are best made into a kind of fritter. This Provencale and Piedmontese recipe is easy,The flowers do have to be picked early morning before they close for the day. They're then washed and patted dry , ready for battering. The batter is a simple mix of  one cup each of flour and water. One egg and one tablespoon oil are also added for body. The flowers can be fried in margarine,oil, or the preferred French way, butter until crisp. Mature squash is another great versatile veggie.It can be turned into a green version of spaghetti, thanks to a neat little gadget called Veggetti. This hourglass shaped spiralizer turns any squash into a tasty pile of noodles. They can be made with sauce but a better and healthier way is sauteing them in olive oil, tempered with margarine and minced garlic. The spiralizer can also be used to make a tasty cucumber slaw too. Serve with an apple cider based vinaigrette for a nice cool salad.

Of course it's the season of the tomatoes. These bright red gems are the stars of any summer harvest and rightly so. They can be made into any type of dish., from starters to even dessert (technically they classified as fruit). Try them as bruschetta, piled on top of toasted crunchy rounds of Italian bread or as a flavorful salsa. The last can also highlight other summer stars green peppers and onions. This is the time to make homemade sauces for those fall and winter pasta dinners. Fresh ones are great in a pasta crudo where  they 're mixed raw with just cooked spaghetti or angel hair pasta. One of the best way to have them is in a sandwich.Toast your favorite bread, slather on mayo and them layer on the tomato slices Tomaotes can even be turned into a sorbet for an unusual but flavor packed dessert..Another use for them along with eggplants and onions are the French classic ratatouille.Novice home chefs may be put off by the name's fanciness but it's really easy to make.It's basically sauteing sliced the veggies in a garlic and oregano spiced olive oil.They're then cooked down until tender. It's usually served with crusty baguette slices to sop up the juices however it can also be served with rice too. Green and red peppers can be added along with zucchini to mix it up a bit.

Anyone can go vegan on a summer diet thanks to all these abundant harvests. Take advantage of them of them and cook healthy. It's a great boost to your health and to your taste buds!

Red , White And Berry

Berries are everywhere right now, from straw to blue. Most foodies eat them plain or with a good dollop of whipped cream yet they're versatile in everything, from salads to all sorts of desserts.Try them in barbecue sauce or in a fresh summer salad.

Of course berries are used in baking. Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are popular this weekend  because of their patriotic colors. Melissa Clark wrote about them in her A Good Appetite column in Wednesday's New York Times Food section, She arranged them in festive red and blue stripes in a buckwheat (!) cake made with buttermilk  The fruit adds a nice tartness because it's been baked and absorbed by the crumb. Another fun Fourth idea is making either a chocolate or vanilla sheet cake , icing it with whipped cream and decorate with berries to create the Stars And Stripes.It's a fun end to a barbecue. The idea can be carried over to cupcakes. Cupcakes can also be filled with a mix of chopped fruit and cream or pudding for a neat surprise.One of the easiest desserts to make with any berry is the crisp.It's cooking the fruit with a crunchy topping of brown sugar, butter and cinnamon.Usually made with apples the recipe can be expanded to include blackberries, blueberries and strawberries. Cobblers are another great summer dessert that highlight any berry's juiciness. They're a bit more involved than a crisp , resembling a cake but they are still easy enough to bake on a hot summer's day. For a cooler treat think berry infused sorbets or old fashioned ice cream with whole cream and fresh produce.

Not surprisingly berries can be used in savory dishes as well.Salads always benefit from them, whether as a tangy dressing or a zesty addition, One tasty mix is taking half a pound of strawberries and mixing them with honey, apple cider vinegar and olive oil. Use it for dressing a grilled chicken and spring green salad. Blackberries and even blueberries would not only add some sweetness but also color to a steak salad. Toss a few in with some chopped  bell peppers and grape tomatoes for a spin on a classic salad. Any berry can be used in barbecue sauce.Imagine a raspberry barbecue sauce slathered on ribs. The sauce is easy to make. Take a cup of raspberries and blend with a variety of sweeteners such as brown sugar, molasses and light corn syrup. Garlic , red pepper and onion flakes zing it up.The base is balsamic vinegar and olive oil.It's pureed and strained through a sieve to get rid of the seeds. Ever think of blueberry ketchup? Yes, it can be made, In fact one of the original recipes was made solely from them.It's a mix of the fruit along with shallots, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic and ginger. The flavor is bright and fruity, sort of jammy  yet perfect for those grilled burgers or for giving those cookout some zing.

Get red white and berry this July Fourth and for the rest of the summer. Use blueberries in a ketchup. Strawberries in a crisp. Blackberries in a salad. It's the season for them so enjoy them.

Ice Cream Versus No Cream

Hot weather means ice cream, Unfortunately that means extra calories too. It's hard to give any iced treat however there are substitutes and alternatives. Try them when you still want that cool stuff without  the fat.

Calorie counters often head to frozen yogurt when  they see the high amount of fat and calories in their beloved Eskimo pies and cones. Yet is yogurt all that healthy? A cup is only fifty calories  less than a cup of ice cream. The fat ratio is low too; there is only six grams of fat and four grams of saturated fat. You can have this instead because many ice cream shops and supermarkets do offer it. A great place to taste and try a variety of flavor is Orange Leaf . It offers so many different varieties , from chocolate to Greek yogurt and it also offers healthy toppings too. Soy ice cream is another idea. It has far less calories and fat than regular ice cream.Unlike the other, it has real health benefits. Soy is whole protein containing isoflavenes which help in lowering cholesterol and protecting the body against certain cancers such as breast and prostrate. A steady diet of soy products can also aid in lowering the risk of heart attacks.Tofutti is one of the best known soy ice cream brands. Not only do they have pints in such yummy flavors as vanilla almond bark and berry supreme, they also have the super delicious Cuties, mini ice cream sandwiches and cones. Sadly, there are no soy ice cream shops. Hopefully someone will create a chain featuring it soon.

Some ice cream lovers go to gelato, claiming it's a healthy treat.This is true. It has a lower air content so that creates a denser texture and requires less of the basic ingredients such as cream and sweeteners.. A scoop of vanilla gelato has only ninety calories , three grams of fat and ten grams of sugar.Since the fat in frozen treats coats the tongue the flavors are muted. Gelato also  has less fat  so the flavors are more intense and don't need sugar to emphasize their flavors. Most of the ice cream companies such as Breyers and Turkey Hill have a gelato variation of their regular flavors.  However there is also Talenti gives us a more artisanal treat and has a variety of different flavors such as mint and dark chocolate mixed with bittersweet Belgian chocolate. The company also sells sorbet which brings us to the next question what about sorbet?It  may be an ice cream lover's best choice for a dessert or snack.It has zero fat along with only eighty calories. On th e minus side it does have more sugar, namely twenty grams but it loaded with Vitamin C thanks to it being with fruit (although there is a chocolate sorbet usually made with bitter chocolate. Ice is another alternative.It's just flavoring ,sugar and water. Some brands do have the extra sweetening boost of corn syrup however.

For those who love ice cream but not the calories, don't despair. There are plenty of alternatives to try. Have a scoop of gelato or sorbet when you're hot and bothered. They're cool, soothing and best of all low in fat.!

Your Ice Cream Guide

The warm weather brings about much wished, things, days at the beach , barbecues, and of course ice cream. This is the start of the frozen treat season. Yet many of us don't; know the difference between  gelato and an ice cream or frozen milk and regular ice cream. Just like flavors, there are so many different kinds of ice cream and ices .

Most of us usually have a brick of ice cream in the freezer.This is known as hard ice cream because of its consistency.It's made with not only milk and cream but also with eggs and stabilizers to keep it from melting..It's churned to keep the ingredients from freezing into a solid mass Ice cream can be made at home thanks to an ice cream maker or one of those balls with a canister inside to hold the mixture.French style ice cream is a bit richer thanks to the addition of eggs to make a thin version of  crème anglais.That boardwalk favorite frozen custard is similar but uses more eggs or just  yolks. Both are cooked and left to cool prior before freezing. Both are denser than regular ice cream and have a silky feeling.There is also Philadelphia style ice cream which is made without eggs.It's simpler to make at home. Remember without the egg base it does freeze firmer and harder. The Italians give us that classic treat gelato. The name simply means frozen in Italian . It can contain eggs or not but it is denser  than our version, thanks to having very little air whipped into it There is also semifreddo.. It means half cold and is a variation on ice cream or frozen custard.It's frozen in a loaf pan and then sluiced and served with fruit.It's usually made at home with just cream and eggs.

Of course there is the lighter side of frozen treats.These don't have  as many calories, yet still have     flavor. There is ice  milk which  doesn't have enough milk fat to be considered ice cream.It is still creamy but lighter and lower in calories. Sherbet has always been a warm weather favorite. Classic kinds are made with fruit juice sugar water or even wine..Some versions do contain milk, buttermilk, egg whites or gelatin.It is sometimes confused and labeled sorbet which is completely vegan. This has been traditionally used as a palate cleanser between large courses.It's usually lemon or strawberry flavored and very light on the tongue and taste buds. Granita is one of the easiest frozen treats to make at home.It's made from mashed ice and usually the preferred flavor is coffee.It can be served with ice cream but is good on it's own with a chocolate syrup and side of whipped cream.  Then there is ice.It can be known as Italian ice or water ice if you're from Philly.It can contain egg white as a binder but it's mostly just water and syrup churned like ice cream.  Another treat is President Obama's love Hawaiian shaved ice and this is the most refreshing of all the ices.It starts with a block of ice that's been shaved with a special gadget , mounded into  cone and then doused with syrup.  Three different flavors can be poured over it for a yummy rainbow ice.

Just as there are so many flavors, there are so may types to choose from. Make a semi freddo for a weekend get together, have a cone on Sunday and maybe some ice during the week. No matter what you finally opt for, it's all cool , sweet and delicious, a perfect break from the sweltering heat.       

A Little Cheating

Every now and then even the most health conscious foodie falls off the healthy grub wagon. Let's face it , unlike other addictions bad food is all around us.It exists in stores  at parties , even within in our grasps. It's hard to keep a healthy diet - however sometimes a little cheating can actually help.

Salt and sugar are the worst temptations. They're everywhere. However once in a while some fries or milk chocolate can satisfy. If you're planning on a salty treat, then just have a handful or share with someone.There are all natural chips such as The Good Earth olive oil fried potato chips or Food Should Taste Good chips and crackers. These are all natural as are the Back To Nature brand cheese crackers which also have unbleached flour and no preservatives. Barbecues are big this time of year and there's all sorts of stuff being offered. Stick with a few nibbles to satisfy yourself  and then make a beeline for the vegetable platter. Fill up on the healthier option of tomatoes, broccoli florets and cauliflower bits.

Sweets are always a factor in cheating. Let's face it , it's hard to resist cookies or cupcakes.It's the time of year too for ice cream in any form. The best bet is have a mini cupcake than a larger one and nibble a few cookies to satisfy that sweet tooth. You can also try the Back To Nature brand which has a wide variety of the kinds of cookies people love. As for ice cream, a kid size cone or cup will do nicely. You still get the taste but not all the calories or fat that would go with the  adult sized one.Another alternative is trying an Italian or plain ice ,sherbet or sorbet which has no dairy in it. These are water based so you don't have that fat. You can also freeze fruit like grapes or peach slices and have them as a different frozen treat.

Cheating on a healthy diet is OK every now and then. Satisfy that salt or sugar craving and then go back to what's good for you. Temptation is fine. Just sate it and then go back to eating better.

That Extra Dash? Cider

This is definitely the month for cider. Usually most people have it just a chilled drink during this time of year. However it can be a vital ingredient to any fall cooking or baking. Its' taste livens up any dish , giving it a pop of unexpected flavor. A dash of cider is just a great idea for whatever you have in mind.

Surprisingly any meat goes well with cider. It can be used with turkey. duck and chicken, as a sauce or a marinade to flavor the meat. Mostly it's used in pork and ham dishes. which makes sense. For centuries Germans have been serving apple dishes as sides with these meats. To add cider to them is a no brainer. There is a great crock pot recipe that calls for slow cooking ham with cider for four hours and then roasting it in a cider bath. You can also braise pork loin in it for a both delightfully sweet and savory main meal. Wild meats such as venison can also be cooked with apple cider. too, mostly in pot roasts. If you're adventurous you can try cider as a marinade for this as well.

Apple cider is widely used in baking. Many farms across the country feature apple cider doughnuts amongst their baked products. These add a sweet fruity note and are almost impossible to resist. For a different spin make cider doughnut holes too for fun party snacking. The drink is also used in muffin recipes along with cake ones. Apple cider pound cake is a New England favorite , perfect for a Sunday afternoon tea. There is also the decadent caramel apple cake made not only with cider but also with a good helping of apples and caramel. You can also use apple cider in making spicy sorbets, a good dessert for warm Indian summer evenings.

Apple cider is perfect on its' own as a refreshing, chilled drink. However it's even better used as an ingredient in any kind of dish from dinner to dessert. Try it for it's versatility and to liven up your fall menu!

Dippin Dots Grow Up!

Everybody loves Dippin Dots. This frozen treat has a stand in almost every mall in America.At first it just offered just the basics, strawberry, vanilla and chocolate.Like every other product, it's growing up. It's so popular that the New York Times Dining section covered it yesterday in an interesting article by Jennifer A. Kingston.

Dippin Dots is not your typical ice cream. These are individual balls of ice cream base that have been flash frozen in liquid nitrogen to form "pearls". Even though this is a popular way to serve any food these days, Dippin Dots was the first, starting twenty-three years ago, There are also Mini Melts another brand that is very similar, both in taste and shape. Dippin Dots, though is all over, mostly at malls where there are several flavors to choose from. The original three flavors are now competing wtith cookies and cream, cotton candy and bubble gum to name a few.

The company is also appealing to a more sophisticated, adult crowd with its' new division, forty Below Joe. This is coffee dipped in liquid nitrogen to form pellets that can be eaten from a cup. This is probably a more refreshing way to have the drink than just a glass of iced coffee. Flavors are going to be the unsweetened espresso, along with vanilla, caramel and mocha. What is neat is that the dots can be mixed to create a frozen latte or frappeccino taste. There is also going ot be a sorbet line that will have strawberry, citrus and pina colada dots that can be added to alcohol for a fun grown up treat or the more innocent soda for kids.

Dippin Dots may be a kid classic and fave but it;s growing up. This popular treat is attracting more sophisticated palates with its' new lines. It is still an unusual approach to ice cream. Now it'; going to be unique.

So Many Pears So Many Recipes

The apple is usually the star fruit of the fall season. However its' costar, the pear can also shine in a variety of recipes. It can be made into a variety of things, from butter to pies sliced in salads or used in sweet relishes. better yet there are so many different kinds of pear the possibilities are endless.

Surprisingly enough pears are wonderful in any kind of salad. They lend flavor and texture as well as color. Plus there's a dose of unexpected sweetness. The fruit goes well with any kind of lettuce is doe swell with ones featuring chicken. A great lunch or brunch salad is pear with chicken and almonds. this is a light. yet tasty concoction made with a yogurt mayo dressing and also has crunchy celery and green peppers. You can also make pear bread which is similar in texture to banana and zucchini breads. Again slices of pear bread with butter make great holiday gifts and nice hostess gifts for thanksgiving. You can use any kind of pear as long as they're peeled and shredded.

Pears also make wonderful desserts. I'm partial to poached pears myself. You can poach them in red wine for a full flavor. use th e mircrowave for this. It's the easiest and also the less messiest too. Pear tarts are wonderful and easy to make. Most recipes call for a simple pie crust and sliced pears. You can glaze the fruit with apricot jam before baking and later serve with an almond cream. An even delicate pear based dessert is pear sorbet usually made with a touch of white wine. This the perfect end to a chicken or duck dinner.

This is the season for pears and there are so many to be harvested right now. Use this versatile fruit in any dish from brunch to dessert. Their flavor is wonderful, crisp and light like a sunny fall day. They really are the stars that shine during this season.

To Buffet Or Not To Buffet

These next few weeks are going to be the prime time for holiday entertaining. The question is what makes a better setting - a buffet or a sit down dinner?What's easier to handle? Do you let people mingle at informal buffets or is it better to have a formal sit down dinner? These are the questions party planners will have to ask themselves.



Buffets have a lot of merits. People can take and pick what they like. There's no worry about dietary restrictions along with likes and dislikes. There can be a theme like Oriental, French or Italian with small servings an hors d'oeuvres. Buffets also offer a better chance to mingle. Guests can catch up with old friends as well as enjoy meeting new people. There's also the freedom t move around more too. The down side to any buffet is the amount of work. There are so many dishes to make from the appetizers to the desserts. A bonus would be having friends and family bring dishes of their own.



Sit down dinners are also another good way of celebrating the holidays. A dinner party is the best way to showcase any cooks' talents. Outstanding dishes, such as crown rib roast or a twenty pound turkey can be served. It's also chance for also bringing back classics such as the amuse bouche or palate cleansing lemon sorbet between courses. Sit down dinners allow cooks to come up with grand desserts too. Forget the holiday cookie tray. Impress guests with crepes Suzette or a blanc mange. It's also a chance for a hos tor hostess to have some interesting conservation and introduce guests to each other. Unfortunately a sit down dinner party means a huge clean up later on. This could mean going to bed at one or two in the morning or waking up to an entire kitchen full of dirty plates, pots and pans.



Buffet or not to buffet? That is the question most holiday hosts and hostesses are asking themselves. Both types of get togethers have pluses and minuses . It's a tough decision but once chosen can be the highlight of the 2009 season.

Italian Ices - A Mini Italian Holiday

How to cool off on a hot summer's night?

Enjoy an Italian ice. There is nothing as refreshing as a cup of this in any flavor. It's cooling and sophisticated without the cloying creaminess of ice cream. Ice in any form cleanses the palate of the days tastes as well as adding a pop of fresh fruity flavor. It's the perfect ending to a sticky day. Now we can see why Italians from the Alps to the Mediterranean and Adriatic beaches enjoy this cooler.

Italian ice is as old as the Republic itself. (actually much older. Italy became a unified nation in 1861). Nero first ate it when his cooks mixed ice brought from the nearby mountains and mixed it with honey and fruit syrups. Centuries later Marco Polo bought back tho e Chinese recipe for making ice which is similar to how our modern ice cream makers work. It was made in a metal tin that was surrounded by salt and ice to keep it cold and later dished out.

It was Catherine de Medici who introduced a variation of Italian ice to the French court. Upon her marriage to Henri II of France. Sorbet is an ice but the only difference is that it has a mushier consistency (think Slurpee). It's a child of the Persian sherbet or sharbat that the middle Easterners enjoyed. These were used also used as plate cleansers during the Gilded Age when courses were heavily sauced and spiced.A refreshing lemon sorbet helped to ready the taste buds for the next round of dishes.

Granita is probably the oldest form of ice and the one most popular today. It can be made with a variety of flavors from pineapple juice to coffee. It's also the easiest dessert to make for a summer party. There's really no prep time or clean up and the amount of dishes used is next to nothing.What is great about granita is that you can make it up in one or two flavors. Try a blueberry one with a lemon or a cherry with a cola one (this is a no brainer . Just freeze Coke or Pepsi). You can even serve it with a dollop of Cool Whip.

I can't let this entry go without mentioning my favorite ice place - Rita's. This chain is in almost every American town.The one near me is my summer hangout. I love their Alex's Lemonade flavor (named in honor for the brave little girl who used to sell lemonade) as well as their black cherry and chocolate. Check the website - www.ritasice.com for a location nearest you. They have a birthday club as well as a treat card (for every ten ices bought you receive a free one). They also give out free samples so you can taste the newest flavors.

This summer treat yourself to a little bit of Italy. Enjoy a cold, refreshing cup of Italian ice.It'll make you feel like your on a Roman holiday.

Espresso Granita.

4 cups espresso coffee
2-3 tablespoons sugar.


Mix hot coffee and sugar together. Stir and then put into a metal pan (you can use a ice tray without the dividers). Freeze until you're ready to serve. Using a fork, scrape the ice into crystals and put into bowls. You can drizzle some chocolate syrup on the granita and serve with a small side of Cool Whip.