The “Hannah Swensen Mystery: Best Served Cold” was another great mystery! This one had so many mouth-watering desserts to choose from, but the star of the show here was the “killer” chocolate cheesecake with almonds! Cheesecake can be a process, but it is so worth it! Instead of adding almonds to the cheesecake batter like in the movie, I made an epic crust with Italian amaretto cookies!
Ingredients:
FOR CRUST:
-2 packages of amaretto cookies
-1 stick unsalted butter
Crush cookies into crumbs. Melt butter in microwave and stir into cookie crumbs. Press into a 9 inch springform pan up the sides and on the bottom. Use a spatula to push down firmly. Bake crust at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Remove and cool.
Lower oven temperature to 310 degrees.
FOR CHEESECAKE:
*Note* Make sure all ingredients are room temp before beginning.
-3 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese
-1/4 cup sour cream
-4 eggs
-1 cup sugar
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1 tablespoon vanilla
-3 (4 oz) bars semi sweet baking chocolate bars
-3 tablespoons flour
FOR WHIPPED TOPPING:
-1 cup of cold heavy cream
-2 tablespoons powdered sugar
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. then add the sugar until combined.
Next, add sour cream and vanilla.
Now add one egg at a time.
Melt chocolate bars in microwave in 30 second increments until melted. Let cool a bit, then add to batter slowly mixing it in.
Add flour and salt. Make sure all ingredients are fully combined.
Place springform pan on a baking sheet for stability and in case there is any oozing from the pan during baking. Pour cheesecake batter into the pre-baked crust. Cover loosely with foil without letting it touch the batter.
Place a baking dish that is half filled with water on the bottom rack of the oven. Then place cheesecake above it on the center rack.
Bake at 310 degrees for an hour to an hour and half. It can take more or less depending on your oven. Just check for the middle to not be glossy or jiggly.
Turn off the oven and open the door a crack while it cools for an hour.
While that cools, make the whipped cream topping.
For whipped topping, combine cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla in mixing bowl and beat on low speed for a few minutes until bubbles begin to froth. Then put it on medium to high speed until stiff peaks form.
Place in fridge until ready to use.
Once the cheesecake is cooled. Place it in fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight until ready to serve. Spread the whipped topping on top just before serving with a chocolate drizzle on top and slivered almonds. Enjoy!
“A Royal Setting” on Hallmark Channel was a delightful movie with humor, elegance, and of course romance. The proper thing to do as a royal is to have some afternoon tea. So, I partnered up with my friend at Chavamade, who makes the most amazing teas, to make something special for you! I used one of her beautiful teas called “Royal Tea”, to make cookie cups that represent little cups of tea. This tea is a hibiscus, grape and honey bush tea, but also includes many other beautiful flavor profiles. I infused the cookie dough with it as well as the cherry preserve filling.
Ingredients:
-2 cups flour
-4 teaspoons baking powder
-3 tablespoons sugar
-1 stick unsalted butter (softened to room temp)
-3/4 cup milk
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-3 tablespoons of loose “Royal Tea”
-Cherry preserves
Directions:
Start by using an electric mixer to combine butter and sugar.
Then add milk, flour, baking powder, salt and loose tea.
Once it has formed a dough, use a mini muffin tin to fill each cup with dough.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until puffed up.
Immediately after taking them out of the oven, use a heat safe kitchen tool like the end of a rolling pin or some type of dowel to dig a hole in each one. Make sure to do it while they are hot out of the oven!
While those cool, make a cup of the “Royal Tea” and put 2 to 3 table spoons of tea into a cup of cherry preserves. Set in fridge to cool.
Once it it cooled enough, fill the reservoir of each cookie cup to the top with cherry filling. Enjoy with the remainder of your mug of tea!
We are celebrating the return of Jen Lilley back to Hallmark Channel in a big and royal way! Jen is starring as character “Ruby” in Hallmark Channel movie “A Royal Setting”, alongside Dan Jeannote. Dan plays Prince Luca, and Ruby is a gemologist who is sent to restore the Crown Jewels. In honor of her character Ruby, Jen and I made a beautiful Spring salad together using ruby red grapefruit, with some other complimentary flavors. This is a salad fit for royalty!
Ingredients:
FOR SALAD:
-1 package mixed greens (I like to use a spinach and arugula mix)
-Pomegranate seeds
-1 Ruby red grapefruit
-Slivered almonds
-1/2 cup farro (cooked and cooled)
FOR DRESSING:
-1/3 cup olive oil
-2 tablespoons honey
-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
-3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
-Salt and pepper
Directions:
Cook the farro ahead of time. Set aside and let it cool.
In a large bowl, add mixed greens, pomegranate seeds and almonds.
Add the grapefruit slices and farro at the end when you are about to pour the dressing on top so it doesn’t get soggy.
In a salad dressing cruet or mason jar, pour all dressing ingredients in and shake vigorously until everything is well combined. Pour imminently onto salad. Add a few more grapefruit slices and almonds on top to garnish. Enjoy!
In preparation for another Hannah Swensen mystery movie on Hallmark Channel, I’m making a new treat! “Sugar and Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery” is sure to be another tough case to crack! But in the meantime, let’s enjoy the evolving relationship between Hannah and Chad as they watch a mystery unfold at a masquerade ball! I made some fun sugar cookies to look like the beautiful and ornate masks you see at a masquerade ball.
Ingredients:
-1 1/2 cups sugar
-4 sticks salted butter
-2 eggs
-2 tsp vanilla
-1 tsp cinnamon
-6 cups flour
-royal icing (I use Wilton brand)
– edible glitter, sugar pearls, etc.
Directions:
Make sure the butter is at room temperature. In an electric mixer, combine butter and sugar.
Add eggs and vanilla.
Stir the cinnamon into the flour and slowly add it to the wet ingredients until fully combined.
Sprinkle flour on a clean surface and gently knead the dough until if forms a ball.
Lightly flour the surface and rolling pin as you roll out the dough about 1/2 thick.
Use the mask-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then place in the fridge to firm up for 5 minutes.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.
Once cooled, use the royal icing by adding a bit of water to it to make it pourable. Then pour over the cookies for a thin and smooth white layer. Let it dry before moving to the next step.
I used a decorating brush to paint on edible gold paint and adorn with sugar pearls and crystals. You can get as creative as you like! Enjoy!
This seafood salad is a classic dish in Sicily, where Hallmark Channel movie “Missing The Boat” takes place! It’s fresh and bright, perfect for a sail around the coast of Sicily!
I loved everything about this movie! From the scenery, to the storyline, and of course the two main characters played by Emilie Ullerup and Kristoffer Polaha! The pair I never knew I needed! Well, a cruise and a trip to Sicily isn’t complete without some calamari and octopus, so let’s get cooking!
Ingrdients:
-1 pound squid
-1 pound octopus
-1 pound shrimp
-Juice of 2 lemons
-Parsley
-Cherry tomatoes
-4 celery stalks
-Garlic infused olive oil
-Chicken stock
-2 cloves garlic
Directions:
In a large pot, pour chicken stock, and add water if it is not enough to cover the squid and octopus completely. Add two whole cloves of garlic, to season the water.
Add squid and octopus into the pot and cover while heat is on simmer. The squid will take 3 to 4 minutes to cook, and the octopus will take closer to 20 minutes. Once you have removed them both from the water, let them cool a bit.
In the meantime, you can prep your tomatoes, celery, and parley. Rinse and chop those up, throw them in a bowl and set aside.
Then you will cut your cooled calamari into rings, and your octopus tentacles. Add those into the bowl with your vegetables, and add some pre-cooked cocktail shrimp as well.
Squeeze the juice of two lemons and pour that all over. Next, pour a generous amount of garlic infused olive oil on top, followed by salt and pepper. Mix until it is all well combined.
Transfer to a serving bowl or platter with lettuce and lemon wedges, adding a little more parsley on top for garnish. Best if served chilled. Enjoy!
“Caught By Love” on Hallmark Channel was such a fun movie! I loved the combo of a love story amidst the mystery of a jewel thief! Rachael Leigh Cook and Luke Macfarlane were fantastic together! I absolutely loved the tropical vibes of Malta, the scenery, and all the tropical drinks that were consumed! I decided to concoct my own tropical mocktail that I think would have been a great addition to the menu at the Salini Resort, where the film took place!
Ingredients:
-2 oz coconut water
-3 oz mango nectar
-Pineapple sparkling water
-Pineapple for garnish
*MAKE SURE ALL INGREDIENTS ARE COLD
Directions:
In a very tall glass (I used a beer pilsner), start with a bit of crushed ice.
Add coconut water, then mango nectar.
Top off whatever space is left in the glass with pineapple sparkling water. Give it a quick stir.
Add a slice of pineapple for garnish, and that’s it!
If you choose to add alcohol and make it a cocktail, a splash of coconut rum would work with this drink.
If you watched “Lost in Paradise” on Hallmark Channel, you know exactly what this dish is all about! Lacey Chabert and Ian Harding’s characters, “Sophia” and “Max” were marooned on a deserted island, well, at least they though it was deserted! One of the best scenes is when the two of them are spear fishing in the ocean to catch dinner. Max, who is a chef, turned their catch of Skip Jack into a culinary masterpiece! He cooked the fish over a fire with coconut, sea salt, fresh tropical herbs, and wrapped in a banana leaf to lock in moisture while cooking. I just had to recreate what sounded like the most delicious dinner you could have while stranded on an island!
Ingredients:
-1 pound fresh cod (I couldn’t find Skip Jack, and this is in the same family)
-1 or 2 large banana leaves (found these in the frozen section)
-1 can coconut cream
-3/4 cups chicken stock
-1 teaspoon ground ginger
-3 cloves garlic
-juice of half a lime
-cilantro
-green onions
-salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Start by defrosting the banana leaves.
In a large pan, pour coconut cream, chicken stock, lime juice, ginger and garlic in. Stir and bring to a boil while stirring often.
Add the amount of cilantro and green onions that you like. Continue simmering and stirring until thickened and reduced.
Open up thawed out banana leaf and wipe down with damp cloth or paper towel. Then dry with a dry cloth or paper towel. I layered two banana leaves for extra leak protection. Use a baking sheet to lay the banana leaves on.
Lay the fresh cod on top of banana leaf. Add salt and pepper.
Pour on the thickened coconut sauce, covering entire cod.
Wrap banana leaves around it like a present and then gently flip seam side down.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 to 30 minutes. Fish will be flaky.
Place on serving dish, and add more chopped cilantro and green onions on top. Pair with a side of cilantro-lime rice. Enjoy!
The trilogy of “Three Wise Men and a Baby” on Hallmark channel has concluded with “Three Wisest Men”. I’m a big fan of all three of these movies, and if you haven’t seen any of them yet, you should! This recipe was inspired by the scenes where “Kings Hawaiian” rolls were featured ( some kind of advertisement plug throughout the movie). I was thinking why “Kings Hawaiian”? Maybe I’m thinking too deeply into it, but the in the Bible, the Three Wise Men are also known as The Three Kings, so maybe there is a connection there? You never know! I decided to use these sweet rolls to make the most sweet and savory baked sliders! Perfect for family dinner or a holiday gathering!
Ingredients:
-1 package “Kings Hawaiian Rolls”. The slider buns that are pre sliced.
-1 package smoked ham
-1 package provolone cheese
SAUCE:
-3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
-2 tablespoons mustard
-1 tablespoon mayonnaise
-2 tablespoons honey
-1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
-1 tablespoon onion powder
-Everything bagel seasoning
Directions:
Start with the sauce. Melt the butter first in a microwave safe bowl, and then add all other ingredients. Whisk until it is all well combined. Set aside.
In a square baking dish, place the buns inside. Remove the tops and set aside. Place as much ham and provolone as you’d like on each bun. I like to start with ham, then cheese, then more ham.
Top with the top buns. Spoon or pour all of the sauce you made on top of the whole thing. Covering buns completely.
Add a generous about of “everything bagel seasoning” on top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling.
Let it sit for a few minutes before serving so the buns can soak up all the juice. Enjoy!
The group of potential leading men in Hallmark Channel series, “Finding Mr. Christmas” was a fun one this week! Not only did the guys become cowboys in a scene with Hallmark star Allison Sweeney, they also built gingerbread houses that were to reflect themselves and their lives. They were so cute and festive! These gingerbread muffins are for these studs!
Ingredients:
-2 1/4 cup flour
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-2 teaspoons baking powder
-pinch salt
-2 teaspoons cinnamon
-1 1/2 tablespoons ginger
-1/2 teaspoon cloves
-1/2 cup brown sugar
-1/2 cup milk
-1/2 cup molasses
-1 stick unsalted butter, melted
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/4 teaspoon orange extract
-2 eggs
-Orange zest
FOR GLAZE:
-2 tablespoons powdered sugar
-Desired amount of milk (start with one teaspoon until you reach the consistency you like)
-Orange zest
Directions:
In a bowl with electric mixer, mix eggs and brown sugar first.
Then mix in milk, molasses, melted butter, vanilla and orange extracts, eggs and orange zest. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves.
Slowly add your mixture of dry ingredients to your wet ingredients as the mixer is on low/medium. Stir until well combined.
Line your muffin tin with festive liners and fill will two scoops of batter in each muffin liner.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 23-25 minutes.
For the glaze, using a fork, mix the powdered sugar and milk until you get the desired consistency. Then stir in a bit of orange zest.
Spoon on your glaze so it seeps into the cracks of the muffins. Enjoy!
