Red Velvet Souffles with Whipped Yogurt Cream

There is absolutely nothing bad to say about this airy and decadent dessert. The souffle is a rich chocolatey cake, topped with a dollop of whipped yogurt cream and some berries to add a hint of tart and refreshing flavor. You can make the batter ahead of time and freeze it for baking later and serve it warm fresh out of the oven.

The Recipe: 

Souffles:

1 Tablespoon butter

3 Tablespoon granulated sugar

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate baking bar, chopped

5 large eggs, separated 

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3 Tablespoons skim milk

1 Tablespoon red food coloring

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 pinch of salt

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of 6 (8oz) ramekins with butter. Lightly coat with 3 Tablespoons sugar. Place on baking sheet. 

2. Microwave chocolate in a large bowl for 1 minute or until melted. Stir at 30-second intervals. Stir in 4 egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, and next 3 ingredients. (discard remaining egg yolk).

3. Beat 5 egg whites and salt at high speed with electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.

 4. Fold egg white mixture into chocolate mixture, one third at a time. Spoon into prepared ramekins. Run the tip of your thumb around the edges of ramekins, wiping clean and creating a shallow indentation around the edge of the mixture (this will help the souffles rise properly).  

5. Bake at 350 for 20 to 24 minutes or until the souffles rise and a toothpick can be removed with a few moist crumbs. Dust with powdered sugar, serve immediately with the whipping cream.

 To make the whipping cream:

3/4 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup fat free plain yogurt
2 tablespoons sugar

Beat all ingredients together at medium high speed for about 45 seconds or until just lightly whipped. Spoon onto top of souffles. You can add a small amount of melted 70% dark chocolate and fresh berries to top it off.

   

Pork Tenderloin with Cocoa Nib Crust

If you want to impress a loved one on Valentines Day this entree is perfect for you. It sounds fancy and looks incredible to whom ever you make it for. The best thing about it is how easy it is to make; anyone can pull it off!

The Recipe: 

2 Tablespoons cocoa nibs ( roasted cocoa beans separated from their husks, I found them at a health food store)

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon cumin powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 1/2 lbs pork tenderloin 

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a spice or coffee grinder, or with a mortar and pestle, grind the nibs until broken into smaller bits. Mix with remaining spices.

 2. Trim off the pork's silvery skin, then rinse and pat dry. Lightly coat pork with olive oil. Rub with a generous amount of the cocoa spice rub.

3. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium high heat. Add pork and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 8 minutes total. Transfer to oven and roast pork until a thermometer in the thickest part of the pork reaches 145 degrees, about 15 minutes.

 

4. Let rest 10 minutes before thinly slicing and serving with mango salsa.  

 The mango salsa adds color to the plate and a fresh citrus taste to the pork. If you want the salsa to be a little more juicy use a mango that is soft to the touch,  the color of the skin is not a good way of knowing when the mango is ripe.

1 mango
1/2 red onion
1 red pepper
2 Tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon lime juice
If you would like the salsa to be hot add a small jalapeno.
Mix all ingredients together and let sit for at least 2 hours for flavors to mix.

This is a perfect meal to make for Valentine's day or any time you want to impress someone with a romantic dinner. With a little taste of bitter chocolate and spice from the paprika and cumin you'll have all of your senses stimulated.

Corn and Smoked Mozzarella Pizza

With a combination of flavors like the sweetness of roasted corn and a rich smokey flavor of cheese you can't go wrong. I was trying to think of something new to try during the super bowl that was not too cliche. This pizza can be cut into great finger food for the super bowl or make for a main dish any time throughout the year.

Recipe:

  2 ears shucked corn
  Cooking Spray
  2 tablespoon olive oil, divided
  1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  1 garlic clove, minced
  1 pkg dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
  3/4 cup warm water (100- 110) divided
  2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  2 tablespoons 1% low-fat milk
  1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
  2 tablespoons cornmeal
  1 cup (4oz) shredded smoked mozzarella cheese ( I used gouda, any smoked cheese is good)
  1 cup very thinly sliced red onion
  2 tablespoons chopped chives
  1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime rind
Recipe complements of Cooking Light

1. Prepare grill or broiler

2. Place corn on grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray, cook 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Let cool.

3. Place 1 tablespoon oil and red pepper in a small bowl; microwave on high for 3 seconds. Stir on garlic, set aside.

 4. Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water in a large bowl; let stand 20 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cups and level with knife. Add 1/2 cup warm water, 2 cups flour, milk, 1 tablespoon oil, and 3/4 teaspoon salt to yeast mixture; mix well.

 5. Turn dough onto floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic; add flour a little at a time to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel tacky).

6. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turn dough to coat the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85), 40 minutes or until about doubled in size. To tell if it is done lightly push finger into dough, if indentation remains, dough has risen enough. Punch the dough down, cover and let rest 5 minutes. 

7. Preheat oven to 500 

8. Divide dough in half; roll each half into a 9-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. If you do not have a rolling pin a good alternative is a wine bottle. If you would like more of a flat bread pizza roll the dough more thin to get a very crispy crust. Don't worry about making a perfect circle, it will look rustic and more homemade if its not perfect. Place dough onto baking sheet covered in cornmeal. Crimp the edges of the dough to form a rim.

 

 9. Brush dough with oil mixture, sprinkle with cheese, corn and onion. Bake at 500, for 8 minutes or until golden. Sprinkle with chives and lime rind.

  

Cut the pizza into small pieces and serve warm. 

Spicy Black Bean Hummus

February is Heart Heath month so I decided to try and make some great super bowl food that is also "heart healthy." This is a great spin on bean dip but what makes it even better is that it is low in fat and high in fiber with a spice that will keep the everyone coming back for more. Not only is is it a healthy snack but it is extremely fast and easy to make.

Spicy Black Bean Hummus:

 Ingredients:

    1 garlic clove (minced)
    2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice (I used orange juice)
    1 teaspoon ground cumin
    dash of salt*
    1 can (15oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
    1 small jalapeno pepper, diced (about 2 tablespoons)
    dash of red pepper (add to taste at the end)
    2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
Recipe from Cooking light

   

 Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Add a sprinkle of crushed pepper at the end to increase spice if preferred.

Cut whole wheat tortillas into triangle pieces and bake in the oven until warm or as crunchy as desired. By using your own tortillas rather than store bought chips you cut down on the sodium and add fiber.

Serve hummus with tortillas, vegetables, sweet potato chips, or anything that sounds tasty to you!

  The other great thing about this hummus is that you can save the left overs and it can double as a spread for a grilled cheese or turkey sandwich later in the week. 

* The American Heart Association recommends consuming less than 1500mg of sodium per day, adding less salt to what you make cuts down on sodium and makes for a more heart healthy snack.