Thursday, May 16, 2013

Peach Charlotte

You already know I have a thing for fruity desserts, but this one is the easiest ever. Really. Charlotte is one of the desserts I have loved when I was a kid, and today I still like it even though the real reason we eat a lot of Charlotte lately is my sister, who is obsessed with it.



Charlotte is the ultimate summer dessert; light, fruity, packed with flavor and doesn't require baking. I have to warn you however, this recipe is not the original Charlotte recipe. This one is my version of it. I know how a Charlotte looks and tastes like, but believe me – this one is much easier to do and tastes just like any other.

You need:
12 ladyfingers
2 cans peach halves in juice
2 cups heavy cream
8 table spoons sugar
1 tea spoon vanilla

First, drain the peach halves and cut them into chunks. Then put the peach chunks in a blender and mix them until smooth (or if you wish, a bit chunky). Beat the heavy cream together with the sugar and vanilla until soft peaks start to form and set five table spoons aside. Combine the rest of the cream with the peach mixture. Mix well and set aside. Prepare small glass bowls and start making your Charlotte; put three table spoons of the peach mixture in the bowl. Then stand four ladyfingers upright around side of the bowl. Put the remaining heavy cream on top. Let cool.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Apple Dumplings

Do you love apples like I do? I am a huge fan of apples and eat at least two a day. Of course, I love other fruit too, but apples are the numero uno when it comes to fruit. When I go to buy some, I tend to buy too many and then I start baking apple pies or eat them with peanut butter, which is a great snack by the way! Or I make this great dish, called Apple Dumplings.
You might notice this dish does not look fancy and appetizing at all, but trust me it is amazing. It is such an easy recipe and you can do it in minutes, and have a great breakfast/dinner/dessert ready.



You need:
500 grams apples of choice (Granny Smith are probably the best here)
1 egg
150 grams flour
A pinch of salt
½ cup sugar
½ cup bread crumbs
3 table spoons butter

Peel the apples and grate them. Let them stand for a few minutes and pour the liquid into a glass and drink it because you don't need the juice here. Put the apples together with the flour and salt into a medium sized bowl and mix well with a spoon. Now use your hands and try to form dumplings. Remember that your hands have to be a bit wet so the batter doesn't stick to it. Pour 2 liters of water in a bigger pot and bring to a boil.Carefully put the dumplings in and cook until they start to float to the top. This may take five minutes or so. Remove them from the water and set aside. Put the butter, sugar and bread crumbs in a medium sized sauce pan and let it slightly brown over low heat. Add the dumplings and turn them a few times in the mixture. Serve.