Cook's Exchange | Strawberry icebox cake is simple, no bake
When a recipe ingredient is omitted, readers call or email me, which I appreciate -- even more so after my semi-disaster with a quick dessert.
I wanted a light, fruity dessert for a church lunch. A new recipe had just dropped in my inbox that fit the bill. It was a strawberry, graham cracker, whipped topping and chocolate dessert. No baking required.
The recipe called for a box of graham crackers, two tubs of whipped topping, two boxes of fresh strawberries and semisweet chocolate chips. The directions were unclear. What it didn't say was how many graham crackers to put in the graham cracker layer. I placed one layer of graham crackers on top of the whipped topping. I thought that looked a little thin but didn't snap to the fact that the whole box of graham crackers should be used.
My dessert didn't have the thick layer of crust from the graham crackers, but folks didn't seem to mind. There were no leftovers.
Here's the recipe; just don't make my mistake.
NO-BAKE STRAWBERRY ICEBOX CAKE
2 pounds of fresh strawberries, sliced
2 (8-ounce) tubs whipped topping
1 (14.4-ounce) box of graham crackers, leave whole
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
In a 9-by-13-inch dish, spread 1 tub of whipped topping in the bottom. Top with several layers of graham crackers until the whole box is used. Place 1 pound of sliced strawberries on top of graham cracker layers, then top with the second tub of whipped topping. End with another pound of sliced strawberries.
Melt chocolate chips in a double-boiler or in the microwave. Be careful if using the microwave, and check about every 10 seconds to see if chips are melted. The chips can burn or turn brittle in the microwave if cooked too long.
Drizzle melted chocolate over the strawberries. Chill in refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours or overnight.
Sausage minus guilt
A Bradenton reader shares two sausage recipes that are done on a countertop grill. The first recipe is made with ground turkey breast, and the second is spicy and made with lean ground beef. Both recipes are taken from "The Healthy Gourmet" by Cherie Calbom.
THE CHAMP'S SAUSAGE WITHOUT GUILT
1 slightly beaten egg white
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely snipped dried apples or 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh red delicious apple
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 pound lean ground turkey breast
Remember to place the drip tray in front of the countertop grill to catch the drippings from the cooking process.
In medium size mixing bowl, combine the egg white, onion, dried or fresh apples, bread crumbs, parsley, salt, sage, nutmeg, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Add the ground turkey and mix well.
Shape the mixture into eight or nine 2-inch wide patties. Preheat the countertop grill and place the patties on the grill 2 at a time. Close the lid. Cook for 5 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink and the juices run clear, turning once or twice. Yield: 8-9 patties.
-- Submitted by a Bradenton reader from "The Healthy Gourmet"
GEORGE'S SAUSAGE TEXAS STYLE
1 slightly beaten egg white
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup diced green chili peppers
1 large clove garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1- 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 pound lean ground beef
Remember to place the drip tray in front of the countertop grill to catch the drippings from the cooking process.
In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the egg white, onion, bread crumbs, green chili peppers, garlic, cilantro, vinegar, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper. Add the ground beef and mix well.
Shape the mixture into eight 3-inch wide patties.
Preheat the countertop grill for 5 minutes and place the patties on the grill 2 at a time. Close the lid.
Cook for 5 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink and the juices run clear, turning once or twice. Yield: 8 patties.
-- Submitted by a Bradenton reader from "The Healthy Gourmet"
Mom's Day on the way
Readers, what do you prepare for Mother's Day? Does Mom get breakfast in bed, a Sunday brunch or maybe a backyard barbecue? Please share your Mother's Day menu and recipes with fellow readers.
Also if you have a favorite recipe of Mom's, Grandmother's or even Great-grandmother's, send it to me. We have several weeks, but the special day will be here before we know it.
Want grilling recipes
A Biloxi, Miss., reader just bought a new grill and wants some easy, tasty ideas to try on the grill. Please share the best grilling ideas, whether they be meats, vegetables, fruits or even desserts.
Andrea Yeager, can be reached at ayeager51@cableone.net or Cook's Exchange, P.O. Box 4567, Biloxi MS 39535-4567.
This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 5:54 PM with the headline "Cook's Exchange | Strawberry icebox cake is simple, no bake ."