June 17, 2014 by Cissy Fridfinnsson

Chocolate Kahlua Mousse

I don’t even know where to start to describe this oh so easy and delicious dessert. It is one of the favorites of the Apples of Gold team and students. My husband, Bill, loves, loves this dessert. The coffee flavor with chocolate and cream who wouldn’t love it? You can make it days ahead and serve it in beautiful glasses of all shapes and sizes or in simple clear plastic cups. It is also great for making a chocolate trifle, using as a fruit dip or to fill a cake. Your family and guests will think you have worked hard in the kitchen making such a gourmet dessert that is beautiful to serve and enjoy. It is so creamy and explodes with flavor with each bite. You can serve it with cookies; like in the photos or you can dress it up with some red, ripe raspberries. There is nothing better than chocolate and raspberries right? The Kahlua is optional so don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand. No reason to run off to the store to buy some for such a small amount that the recipe calls for, but if you do you could have Kahlua and coffee. Yum!!! Of, course I am going to encourage you to make a double recipe, and it works fine to double it, to share with friends and family bringing Joy into their lives. It will be “The Best You Ever Made”.

**Served in different glasses and for on the go plastic.**

Anna Lee’s

Chocolate Kahlua Mousse

A creamy amazing flavor in every bite mousse. Easy to make and beautiful to serve.

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Servings: 8

Course: Dessert

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules, I use decaf
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 cup chocolate chips; semi-sweet
1/2 cup hot coffee; can make with instant or coffee you have made
1/2 tablespoon Kahlua (optional)

Method

Whip the heavy whipping cream, instant coffee granules and powdered sugar till set- not stiff
In processor: pulverize the chocolate chips.
Add hot coffee blend and then add Kahlua. Kahlua is optional
Keep 1/4 cup of chocolate separate for garnish.
Pour chocolate into cream and gently fold together.
Spoon into serving dishes; glasses, bowls, cups tart shells etc.
Pour/Drizzle the 1/4 cup of reserved chocolate over the top of the mousse and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Notes

Can be used as a trifle, for a fruit dip or to fill a cake.

Will keep 4 to 5 days covered in refrigerator and can be frozen.

If serving with a cookie straw don’t insert till ready to serve.

May 17, 2014 by Cissy Fridfinnsson

Kindness and Hospitality

I came across this poem that I think speaks to the kind heart of a cook, especially one who spreads joy and blesses others with her hospitality.

The Kind Heart

Kindness brings such great comfort to our lives.

Even the littlest acts of kindness

have a way of spiraling into so much more.

Kindness is at the heart of cooking

and at the heart of making life great.

In little acts of kindness is the magic to transform

our lives into something wonderful.

Hospitality and bringing joy to others through your gifts of food and making them feel special is an act of service. When you think of hospitality as serving others it will bring joy to you and your guests. If you show hospitality for what is in it for you there will never be joy. Use hospitality for God’s Glory and to make others feel welcome and special when they come to your home. Having a friend over for coffee and listening to her, bringing your family together over a simple dinner/supper, a fancy dinner party, or a fun picnic are all showing hospitality and kindness. Hospitality is about making someone feel special by doing something a little extra to say to them, I am glad you are here and you bring joy to my life. Who can you serve this week with a joyful heart, making them feel special with your service of hospitality, kindness and great food?

April 23, 2014 by Cissy Fridfinnsson

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

Here I go again with another casserole. Maybe I should rename my blog site to “Casseroles for you and me”. I can’t help it. Having a casserole in the freezer makes me a “happy gal”. I don’t have to worry “what’s for dinner”. This is one of my go to casseroles. It is so easy and kids to adults love it. I’ll bet you will be like me and want to eat all the topping, right out of the bowl. Yum!!! Make one tonight, but you know me, make two or three – one for your family, one for the freezer and one to share. The picture below shows an afternoon of cooking I did last week. My nephew and his sweet wife had a new baby boy, Maddox. So, since what I do is cook, I made casseroles. Now, when they are tired and no one is bringing dinner, they can pop one in the oven and dinner is ready. The great thing about making casseroles and delivering them frozen is that you can cook on your time schedule and they can heat and enjoy them on their time schedule. Easy for all. Who do you know that you can share the joy of “dinner is ready” with a casserole for their freezer or dinner that night? Be a Blessing!

Burrito Supreme, Easy Shepperd’s Pie, Poppy Seed Chicken

**Sleeves of crackers in plastic bag.**
**Use mallet to crush.**

Butter, crushed crackers and poppy seeds — **Sleeves of crackers in plastic bag.**
**Use mallet to crush.**

Cooked all bubbly and ready
to serve and enjoy. “The Best I Ever Made”