Saturday, September 3, 2011

Cinnamon Sugar Dusted Mango Wontons with Mixed Berry Sauce & Almond Whipped Cream

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"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.
It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.
We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."
~ Albert Schweitzer

I've been "off the grid" to some extent. Not entirely. But certainly in my corner of the blogosphere. Forgive the time-conscious overtones, but life truly has been spinning at the speed of light these days and my soul has been a little weary from the bustling pace, yet continually thankful at the same time to be enjoying a life so full.

The countdown to baby #3's arrival is in fully swing *31 weeks down, 9 (or less) to go (preferably less!!!)* and there is a palpable eustress floating in the air...a glint of excitement in my eyes one moment, followed by a glazed stupor the next. There's no doubt I'm slowing down even amidst the parts of my life that never slow down. I'm not really feeling the urge to nest, rather I find myself fighting the overwhelming desire to hibernate. But as I chuckle to myself, acknowledging the vain fantasy, I tarry... knowing that the time will soon be at hand to usher this new life into the world and begin yet another chapter in our riveting adventure.

As the hum of the dishwasher crescendos, I'm thankful to be a soul at rest tonight.
Thankful for friends who speak life and refreshment into my spirit.
For encouraging emails.
And girlfriend lunches.
Definitely girlfriend lunches.
With lots of tasty nibbles.
And cinnamon sugar dusted mango wontons with mixed berry sauce & almond whipped cream.
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The menu:

Chicken Salad Croissants
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Broccoli Mushroom & 3 Cheese Quiche
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Italian Style Pasta Salad with Salami, Peas, Carrot Slivers, Red Bell Pepper, and Snazzy Vinaigrette
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Spinach Fontina & Manchego Puff Pastry Pinwheels
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Tortilla Chips w/Cowboy Caviar
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and Cinnamon Sugar Dusted Mango Wontons with Mixed Berry Sauce & Almond Whipped Cream
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The recipes:

Thank you Venessa for bringing the delicious Chicken Salad Croissants :)

Due to time constraints I used lots of short cuts to throw together a simple but tasty menu starting with a frozen pie crust to make the Broccoli Mushroom & 3 Cheese Quiche. I began by chopping a handful of fresh broccoli, destemming and chopping a handful of cremini mushrooms and then sauteing them in olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper. I beat 4 eggs in a medium bowl with 1 cup of 1/2 & 1/2 cream, then added the broccoli mixture to the egg mixture and 1/3 cup each of shredded Manchego, Fontina and Sharp Cheddar Cheese and then poured the entire mixture into the pie shell. I baked at 375 for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

For the Italian Style Pasta Salad I simply boiled two handfuls of mini farfalle in salted water, drained and rinsed, then tossed with diced Salami, a handful of Peas, a handful of Carrot Slivers, a diced mini Red Bell Pepper, and mixed with a Snazzy Vinaigrette I had on hand - topped with freshly grated parmiggano reggiano and cracked black pepper.

For the Spinach Fontina & Manchego Puff Pastry Pinwheels I used a recipe that was given to me in a recipe exchange by an anonymous person, but have noticed the recipe on the back of some puff pastry packages as well - I simply rolled out one puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface, brushed lightly with an eggwash, topped with shredded Manchego, Fontina and Parmiggano Reggiano, a handful of diced green onion, a sprinkle of garlic powder & freshly ground black pepper, and appx. 8-10 oz. of defrosted (previously frozen) spinach that has had all of the liquid extracted as much as possible (Since I don't have a cheese cloth, I squeezed the liquid out by putting the spinach in a few heavy duty paper towels and twisting & squeezing in the sink until all the liquid was gone). I sprinkled the spinach over the cheese, then I rolled the puff pastry up like a jelly roll, cut into slices (the spinach and cheeses spiraled so beautlfully) and arranged on a greased baking sheet. I baked it at 375 for appx. 15-20 minutes.

Tortilla Chips w/Cowboy Caviar - for the recipe click here

and lastly for my Cinnamon Sugar Dusted Mango Wontons with Mixed Berry Sauce & Almond Whipped Cream - I had one package of wonton wrappers, but since there was just two of us, I used only two sheets, cut each sheet into 4 squares, dabbed a smidge of softened cream cheese in the center of each square along with a teaspoon of pureed mangos. I brushed an eggwash on the sides of each square and folded into a triangle. I deep fried them for just about 30 seconds or so on each side, tossed them in cinnamon & sugar, and served with a mixed berry sauce (I simply pureed blackberries, raspberries and blueberries) and almond whipped cream (Using my electric beater in a medium bowl I beat 1/4 cup of powdered sugar with 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of almond extract).
A complete success!

13 comments:

  1. I'm sure it a complete success..... hugs, hugs and hugs....and have you a wonderful LA bor weekend, xoxoxoxo, Flavia

    P.S. I'm back to Blogland...I'm back from Summer holidays...

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  2. Ciao! I missed you!! God bless & warm wishes for your new baby!! ♥ All the food photos are making me hungry!!

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  3. This menu looks so delicious...once again I wish I was there...for the food and for the fellowship with you, my dear friend! Those wontons are amazing! I want to (no I have to) make them!
    So glad you are at soul rest! ;)
    xoxo

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  4. Mmm the wontons! Best wishes to you and your family - and the new addition. Congratulations!

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  5. I am always excited when I see that you've posted something. You have a way of blessing my heart and making me hungry with every post. This one is no exception. Blessings to you and your family!

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  6. Those wontons look unbelievable! And how exciting to be so close to delivery! :)

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  7. Great looking won ton plate and other delicious foods!
    Thanks for sharing..

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  8. Ciao! It's a treat to hear from you too! Thanks!! Glad you are enjoying the book you are reading. That sounds interesting, I never came across a book that had a workbook/journal that comes with it. Aww thanks, I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend too! Hopefully you will find some time. I am not sure of the problems with the photos,that never happened to me. There is only two things I could think of that could be causing the problem.

    1.It may just be a glitch with photobucket or blogger.

    2. Something with the html could be off.

    Other than that I'm not too sure. I hope you get that problem fixed & it doesn't happen again.

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  9. What an exciting time for you and your growing family!!! I can't believe you even had the energy to bake one quiche, let along all these beautiful dishes! Those dessert wontons are fabulous~

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  10. Talk about "rekindling the inner spirit"...not only did you rekindle the inner spirit, but you sure were "on fire" when you made these amazing and super delicious treats for your friend...I wish I could have been there to participate so you wouldn't have to do so much work, bella!

    Everything is done with "love" and is to perfection. Shortcuts always help, especially with pie crusts, and puff pastries, but just look how you created all this masterpiece.

    The wontons look so light, sweet, and crunchy, and the quiche with the 3 cheeses. The pasta salad alone is my very favorite for a luncheon, and so is the chicken salad on the croissant!
    The plating is beautiful, as well. I just hope you rested after all that work...counting down the weeks, so exciting! Such a blessing, and joy! Keep us posted, bella!
    Take good care, and thanks for sharing!
    Hope your "Labor Day" (no pun intended) is a relaxing one!
    Hugs,

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  11. you won my giveaway! please contact me no later than thursday to claim your prize. :)

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  12. You are my third friend who is due soon and it's your third child and you are 31 one weeks, I'd say the heavens are on your side. I feel bad I've been away too, I'm resting my soul for a bit too, I need to find that inner quiet, even if it's for a few minutes.
    Wishing you an easy delivery and a happy life, congrats on 15 years, I'm sure it will be a lifetime more.
    Hugs - I'll be thinking about you!
    -Gina-

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  13. Wow just look at all of these goodies and those wontons are gorgeous! Baby #3 is getting close, wow it does not seem that that much time could have passed by. Such an exciting time for your family and beautiful as well :)
    Hugs

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