Through the Kitchen Window

Rossana S. Tarantini

Last weekend a group of us who are part of an online message / bulletin board community got together to celebrate Christmas. We had Santa, so kids were also invited, which was nice. After about 8pm, the kids were taken home and the adults continued to party into the night. We had a great turn out, about 50 in all, kids included, and a great time as well.

It was a pot luck dinner and to my mind, pot lucks have some of the best food ever. A great way to sample things you might not otherwise have a chance to. We had stuffed peppers, chili, Spanish rice, meatball stew, Portuguese shrimp pockets, pasta salad, veggies and dip and even wings in three flavours. But I think pot lucks are so popular for the selection of desserts rather than the “serious” food.

I know most people at this time of year are making resolutions, and it seems that the vast majority of resolutions, according to informal surveys, are about losing weight. A good thing.

Unfortunately, this column is about desserts. If you resolved to lose weight, you may just want to by-pass this spot this month. *laughing*

Two of the desserts on the table for our pot luck were so yummy, that I simply had to get the recipes for you -- well, okay -- for me too!!!

Sopapilla Cheesecake

This was made by Allana, whose boyfriend Brad runs our board. She claimed it didn’t turn out right because he gave her the wrong amounts when she was shopping for ingredients. I can’t say, since I didn’t have the “correct” one, but if her version that night was a mistake, I think I’d make the same mistake over and over. You be the judge.
  • 2 cans of Pillsbury crescent rolls
  • 2 packages cream cheese softened (This is where the mistake came in, she was told 3 packages and so she made it with three. Gave it a different consistency, but it was still sooo good!)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon

Line the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan with one can of the crescent rolls, stretching carefully if necessary. Whip the cream cheese with 1 ½ cups of sugar and the vanilla. Spread this over the biscuit layer. With the remaining can of biscuits, cover the top. Pour melted butter over the top and sprinkle the cinnamon and remaining sugar over that.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes and then watch it disappear!!!

The second dessert is one I’ve had many times since, Kerry, by popular demand, makes it often when we get together. It disappears almost as soon as it’s put out and there’s invariably someone looking for more when there is none. Good idea to make two.

Sex in a Pan

Funny thing about the name of this one. A friend of ours, Michelle, took some home to her kids who weren’t at the party, being “too old” for Santa. When it came time to tell them what it was called, she didn’t want to use the name of it, so she re-named it: Love in a Pan. But whatever you choose to call it, it’s sinful and wonderful. Enjoy!!! First Layer:
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ cup butter, melted

Mix all of these together and press into a 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 300 for 25 minutes, then allow to cool.

Second Layer:
  • 1 package cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 cup icing sugar
  • ½ of a large tub of Cool Whip

Mix all of these together and spread over the cooled first layer.

Third Layer:
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 family size instant chocolate pudding
  • 1 family size instant vanilla pudding

Beat all together until thickened and pour over the second layer. Top with the remaining Cool Whip and garnish with crushed Crispy Crunch bars. Refrigerate until ready to serve. And have a second one ready after the first one magically disappears!!!

Ok. I think I’ve done enough damage to everyone’s resolutions.

Happy New Year to you and yours from everyone at our house -- if I can tear them away from the desserts!!!

TTFN!!!