Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanksgiving delight

It is interesting for me that desserts (candy, cookies, cakes and pies) are substantially different compare that I used to in Ukraine (sweet cuisine in Russia alike). It seems to me too much sugar with stodgy fillings....
This Thanksgiving I wanted to make small changes ... for a start, ... I make a new concept of Thanksgiving dessert)))
Spring form (10 in.)
For the crust:
1.5 sticks salted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3 eggs
1 can pitted sweet cherries (dried)

For first layer:
2 envelopes of original Gelatine (Knox)
1 pkg cream cheese
1 cup of milk
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
6 Tsp of sugar divided
1 tsp vanilla extract
Berries - optional (I used blueberries)
For second layer:
Fruits to create a nice design on top of your cake
1 pkg (6 Oz) of jelatin dessert (Jell-o, color and taste should match with fruits)

Preheat oven to 350F. Coat spring form with nonstick spray; set dish aside.
Using an electric mixer, cream together 1.5 sticks butter and sugar for the buckle until mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla.
Mix 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, baking powder and soda in a small bowl.
Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with eggs, one at the time, beating well.
Spread part of cake batter in prepared spring form half inch deep! (you still have leftover of batter and I recommend to use it for cup cakes, just add some nuts and cherries and you have up to 6 cute and tasty cupcakes to treat yourself or your children until this cake is ready ;) )
Drop cherries onto cake batter and deep it a little bit into it (you have some cherries left for cupcake).
Bake for 30 minutes (top should be golden brown). Cupcakes (if you make it) need 40 minutes in an oven.
Cool crust and spring form completely.

For first layer in a small bowl mix 1 pkg cream cheese with 4 Tsp sugar, set aside. In another small bowl mix 2 envelopes of gelatin in 0.5 cup of cold milk and let stay for few minutes.
Using an electric mixer, stir heavy whipping cream with 2 Tsp sugar into fluffy whipping cream.
At the same time, in a microwave bring to boil other 0.5 cup of milk and then add to gelatin mixture. Mix it thoroughly.
Add gelatin mixture into cream cheese and mix, then add whipping cream (and berries if you use them) and interfuse gently.
Spread your mixture evenly onto crust without any holes between spring form sides (to prevent from leaking of second layer). Put it in a refrigerator for at least a half of hour.

For second layer make a jelly dessert according directions on a box at let cool it to the room temperature. Prepare fruits (wash & cut as you wish). Take your cake from a refrigerator and pour small amount of jelly on it (1/3 in). Bring it back to a refrigerator.
In 10 minutes, take spring out and make your design from fruits (press fruits slightly down). Bring it back to a refrigerator.
In 20 minutes, take your cake from a refrigerator and pour rest of jelly very gently.
Bring it back to a refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Bon appetit

Monday, November 21, 2011

Ukrainian folk festival

Ukrainian folk festival on November, 20th, 2011 in St Lucie West brought bitter taste of unorganizedness but still it was nice to see people who try to diverse our community!
 I really hope they will continue to do this!!!!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Soft light of autumn


Oh! We can feel presents of autumn almost everywhere now!

Even here in Florida fresh air of November reminds me first days of autumn in Crimea where I’m from …. Days are getting shorter but this is the only sing of seasonal slowdown for nature here …
 I don’t know why but autumn usually brings to me appeasement and peace in my mind.  Your breathing is deeper …. it is like mature love that you can feel only when you already went  through light-mindedness of spring and passion of summer. You are full of energy and desire and are wise enough to appreciate every moment of your life without regrets of your past and putting a lot of thoughts in a distant future.

It is funny that with all beauty of South Florida nature I really miss orange and red colors now… I love summer time and we have it here almost all year around ... but nevertheless  …. I want to see fall of the leaves, to be in a middle of swirl)))

Autumn  means a family time also! What can be better to light a candle and talk with your family share your thoughts and feelings. Soft light…. Nice smell … Did I tell you that I like to make candles?
Ohhh! I finally find an exit for my creative desires …. Every candle I made is unique … they look and smell differently …..  I believe each of them can create especial memories ….




So take a candle and soft light will warm your  evening …..

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

What is Your Destiny?

What is Your Destiny? I think this is your highest assignment, path that God gave to us on the Earth!
Every time we do something with happiness, satisfaction and pleasure we are on the right way!


You pursue Your Destiny!
But not everybody has the courage to follow the way, to meet his sacre desire.
Why? We all had a lots of dreams in our childhood ....
but with time we forgot about it or our responsibilities took over our desires. And we could give it up under circumstances ...
Please, don't do it! Your dream is still here - with you! Nothing should stop you! Your love, your family - when you following your way - every single thing will support you - just ask for!
But there are many challenges ahead .... because only who is doing something makes mistakes. I think there is nothing wrong with mistakes IF you realize it and except the lesson.
Yes, we can face defeats on our way but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger! Shake dust from your feet and move forward.
And eventually everything bad will be behind, we will experience deep feelings of happiness and will trust ourselves much more!