TWD: "Baking Chez Moi" - Soft Centered Chocolate Tea Cakes

        These were so good! We know them as Chocolate Lava Cakes and we make them often. They are so easy and a "main stay" dessert on our menu.
        One of the biggest reasons I really like this recipe is that you can adjust it to make as many or as few as you need. They are great to serve at a large party.
        We don't have ramekins like Dorie suggests, so we just use our mini souffle cups (might be the same thing) and they worked just a well.



Check out the group and other great recipes at  "Tuesday's with Dori"

TWD: "Baking with Julia" - Buttermilk Bread

       

        So we actually had two challenges today, first our "Tuesday's With Dorie" challenge was to make Buttermilk Bread. Next in our bread making techniques class, we learned how to twist and braid loaves of bread. We decided to combine the two together. My loaves are not pretty, but they tasted good.

And of course, no recipe included because we would like to encourage everyone to join us and cook from Dorie's Cookbook... "Baking With Julia", 

Make-Over Broccoli Salad

I am not sure how many of you are like us and consider the Super Bowl another "Food" holiday. You know... one of those holidays that you start talking about and planning the menu for months in advance.... Well, we do. We have some traditional items like wings, chips and sliders, then you always try a few new things too. I love a large variety of salads and one of my favorites is Broccoli Salad. This year, since I am focusing on reducing my calorie counts. This is one of those salad that I have been able to make over and yet been able to save the integrity of the yummy taste.

Ingredients

4 cups small broccoli florets (about 1 1/2 pounds)

1/2 cup frozen sweet peas  

1 cup chopped green or red onion

1 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese (grated)

1/4 cup salted sunflower seed kernels

1/3 cup light mayonnaise

1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon white vinegar

Salt & pepper to taste

(You can add 1/2 cooked turkey bacon. It only adds 25 more calories to the whole salad)

Preparation

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a large bowl.

Combine mayonnaise and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk.

Pour dressing over broccoli mixture, and toss well.

Chill for 1 hour.

Side note: This salad 195 calories, original salad 328 calories.