Bites from other Blogs

If you’re looking for some last minute Halloween ideas, you might want to check out this postabout Halloween cupcakes, or some of the holiday links currently in my sidebar. If you’re just looking for some non-holiday specific recipe ideas from the past week or so on the blogs, look no further:

• Creampuffs in Venice relived a childhood favorite with a batch of Italian Crumiri. Relatively plain cookies, with cornmeal mixed into a shortbread-like dough, crumiri are piped out into a distinctive and delicate shape before baking. Although it’s probably not quite traditional, they seem like a goof candidate for chocolate-dipping. 
• The Amarula Chocolate and Mascarpone cheesecake with a Hazelnut and flapjack crust that Applemintrecently made has a few ingredients that most readers – especially if you’re in the US, might not be familiar with. First is Amarula, a South African liquor in the vein of Irish Cream. Flapjacks are popular UK cookies heavy in rolled oats (or muesli) that are usually baked until crispy. Finally, fromage fraisis a fresh cheese similar to yoghurt, and it is often available at specialty supermarkets even here in the US.
• If you’re interested in adding a quick apple dessert to your repertoire, look no further than Tirami-mela. The dish is a layered dessert made with poached boozy apples, sugar and mascarpone. Kind of like apple pie a la mode for grownups, and without the pie.
• A classic childhood favorite for many is Banana Cream Pudding and Homesick Texan‘s version fits the bill for anyone looking for its flavor. Made with a simply banana pudding, banana slices and chocolate wafers – which are a little twist on the slightly more conventional vanilla – the gooey dish improves with age, but is sure to go quickly once served..
• With October on the way out, we’re just coming in to the main holiday season of the year. Pinch My Salt is already in the spirit with Spiked Egg Nog French Toast. Indulgently delicious, a batch of this is perfect for a cold wintry morning – especially if you have some cinnamon bread around to use as the base.
• Urban Vegan‘s Cranberry Upside Down Cake is another recipe that is worth filing away for the holidays. It looks oh-so-festive, with a gorgeous red topping from fresh cranberries, and is a snap to make. Of course, it is also completely vegan and has no eggs or dairy in the recipe, which makes it a good option for dessert if any of your holiday guests are a bit sensitive to those products.
• Finally, I have to admit that I absolutely adore the Doggie Cookies at Taste Goblet. Almost like little Snoopy look-a-likes, the cookies have shortbread heads that are dressed up with chocolate sprinkle eyes, chocolate chip noses and chocolate cereal ears. They’re so cute I don’t know if I could bring myself to eat one – although knowing how good they’d taste, I’d certainly try. Plus they’re a fantastic thing to make with/serve to kids.