Easter menus, anyone?

Candied strawberries and cupcakes from

Walmart ;o) (The strawberries, I'm making, the cupcakes someone in the bakery department at my local Walmart has probably already made.)

 
I don't do Easter, but this is a fantastic dessert: Strawberry Charlotte Russe:

STRAWBERRY CHARLOTTE RUSSE

INGREDIENTS:

2 envelopes gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
1 cup mashed fresh strawberries (about 1 pint)
1 cup sugar
2 packages sponge-type ladyfingers (24 ladyfingers, split)
2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries *(Note: If strawberries are too tart, use less, about 1/4 cup)
Sliced fresh strawberries for topping

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a 1-cup glass measuring cup, soften gelatin in cold water for 5-10 minutes. Place glass measuring cup in saucepan filled with 1-inch of water and heat until gelatin dissolves, stirring often. Set aside.
2. In a small pan, heat mashed strawberries with sugar until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Add gelatin and mix well. Let cool to room temperature.
3. Line a 9" or 10" springform pan, bottom and sides, with ladyfingers (stand them up rounded side out).
4. In a chilled mixer bowl with chilled beaters, whip the cream a minute or so; then add the vanilla. Whip until stiff.
5. Gently fold whipped cream into the cooled strawberry mixture, just until blended. Fold in 1/4 - 1 cup sliced strawberries.
6. Fill pan with strawberry mixture.
7. Chill several hours or overnight.
8. Just before serving, slice several strawberries for topping. Place on top of cake around the edges or in overlapping circles.

Adapted from Baker Boulanger

 
Here's another great one: Strawberry (or Raspberry) Cream Pie

STRAWBERRY CREAM PIE

(Sometimes I double this and put it into a springform pan - it seems to hold up better when doubled. I've also made this with frozen raspberries, thawed and drained).

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese; softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
dash nutmeg
1 cup (+ additional for garnish) strawberries; sliced
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
9-inch graham cracker crust

DIRECTIONS:

Combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and nutmeg until well blended. Mash 1 cup strawberry slices, stir into cream cheese mixture. Whip cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form; fold into cream cheese mixture; spoon into crust. Chill several hours or overnight.

Before serving, garnish with sliced strawberries in an overlapping circle on pie.

Optional: Serve with whipped cream and a mint leaf on the side.

 
That's the same one that I am going to make. Have you made it before?

I don't remember which blog it was either!

 
nope, first time making it. But, how can it be bad??

I think the recipe I read had you bake the bacon first for a bit, then drain and then sugar it and bake again till crisp. I think I'll use that method.

 
I've made this a number of times, and it's always a hit. The amount of chili is fine--not

overpowering and nicely balanced by the sugar and the salt of the bacon.

 
This is very good Meryl. I have it in the fridge cooling for tomorrow.

Almost like a strawberry cheesecake flavor to it.
Thanks for posting!

 
Do you use a pure chile powder or chili powder? Would a little

cayenne work in this do you think? I was planning on making this and serving on a platter, but do I need to bake it and serve immediately? Thanks!

 
I have this in the fridge right now Cyn.

I forgot to get red onions and I am battling a head cold so I wasn't about to go back out today. I added a little yellow onion to the cream cheese mixture and pulsed it in the food processor. I guess I don't own a loaf pan or it has been put somewhere else. So I used my mini loaf pan and made two smaller ones instead. I meant to layer some capers in the middle cream cheese layer but I forgot. I think it is going to be really good. I really wanted to do the other torte, but I am running out of steam today.

 
I think cayenne would be the wrong kind of heat. Some of the reviewers sub chipotle powder, which

sounds good. You could do a bit ahead -- we've all eaten cold bacon, and cold bacon with praline would be even better.

 
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