Strawberry Dream Cake

We're taking a brief sabbatical from the new cookbook to try out a Cook's Country (America's Test Kitchen magazine) beauty.  This is the perfect dessert for the perfect fruit at this time of year! So much intense strawberry flavor, this is just absolutely delicious! If you have any left over frosting, it goes really well in homemade crepes with fresh strawberries... just an idea. =) Below is the recipe as posted on the Cook's Country website....

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Chocolate Covered Pears with Sauce

A beautiful symbol of decadence, these pears are a perfectly chocolaty after-dinner treat.  Goes great with either the espresso sauce or raspberry sauce.  Surprisingly, they are pretty quick and easy to make despite how fancy they look! Ingredients: 1 lemon 6 c. cold water 2 c. sugar, divided 1 (4") stick cinnamon 2 whole cloves 4 ripe Bartlett pears, with stems 4 ounces dark chocolate (70% cacao), chopped 2 tsp. unsalted...

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Roasted Red Pepper Gazpacho

I've never had chilled soup.  I have to admit I was super skeptical.  So refreshing! Ingredients: 2 oven-roasted red bell peppers 2 large ripe beefsteak-type tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1" pieces 1 small onion, chopped 2 or 3 cloves garlic, chopped 2 cups tomato juice 1 slice day-old whole wheat bread, crust trimmed 1 tbsp. white-wine vinegar 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil salt and pepper 1/2 c. finely diced green bell pepper 1/2...

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Mexican Mole Chicken Salad

Ingredients: 1 tbsp. natural unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tsp. curry powder 1 tsp. sweet/hot Hungarian paprika 1/2 tsp. ground coriander 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper 4 (4 ounce) pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast 8 cups loosely packed spinach 1 Granny Smith apple, halved and tinly sliced lengthwise 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/4" strips 1 small red onion, cut into thin rings 4 tbsp. raisins 4 tbsp. slivered almonds,...

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins

These muffins are the epitome of the classic sandwich. Perfect breakfast/snack! Ingredients: 1 c. unbleached flour 1 c. whole wheat pastry flour 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 c. smooth natural peanut butter 1/2 c. packed brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 c. buttermilk 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 c. jam (strawberry or raspberry) 6 Tbsp. salted dry roast peanuts, coarsely chopped Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees....

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Green and Yellow Squash Ribbons

Lovely dinner. Ingredients: 2 large (9 ounce) zucchini 2 large (6 ounce) yellow squash 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 tsp. minced shallot Salt and Pepper 2 tsp. basil, cut in fine ribbons 2 tsp finely chopped oregano leaves Directions: To make long thin ribbons, halve each squash lengthwise.  Using a teaspoon, scoop out the seeds.  Cut off the neck and rounded blossom end, then slice the squash lengthwise into 1/5" strips.  Discard...

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