| A lovely dinner doesn't feel complete until dessert is | | | | 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange rind |
| served. Desserts should always compliment the menu. | | | | 1/2 teaspoon vanilla |
| Our taste buds focus on sweet, sour and salty. If you | | | | 1/2 teaspoon almond liqueur |
| prepared a menu that includes sweet and sour, you'll | | | | 1/2 cup white raisins soaked in Sambucca liqueur, |
| want to offer a less complex dessert. The best | | | | drained (reserve liqueur) |
| desserts for meals of this kind suggest simplicity - | | | | 1/4 cup pignoli nuts |
| pears poached in a plum wine sauce, blood orange | | | | 1 sponge cake - May be purchased or use standard |
| slices sauted in pineapple juice and rum or bananas | | | | recipe for sponge cake |
| rolled in coconut and pecans and baked in Cointreau | | | | Beat eggs yolks until they reach a pale yellow color. |
| sauce. | | | | Add vanilla and almond liqueur. Blend with beater. Beat |
| For meals that are standard meat and potatoes, your | | | | egg white until stiff but not dried, adding sugar slowly. |
| menu's theme is a good guide. With roast beef or | | | | Fold egg yolk mixture with cheese and raisins. Add |
| chicken entrees, the best dessert recipes may be | | | | orange rind. Slowly fold in egg whites. |
| typical rice pudding or apple pie. Try adding coconut to | | | | Line bottom and sides of spring form pan with sponge |
| your rice pudding and top them with orange slices | | | | cake. Brush with reserved liqueur. Do not soak. Pour in |
| sauted in brown sugar. Serve apple pie with a slice of | | | | cheese mixture. Allow to set overnight or at least 6 |
| a really great cheddar cheese for ultra-sophisticated | | | | hours before serving. Sprinkle top with pignoli nuts. |
| simplicity. Or, try glazing it with apricot preserves and | | | | For casual "Saturday Night" menus, the best dessert |
| then broiling until the top turns slightly bubbly. | | | | recipes can also be fun desserts. Try old fashioned ice |
| Planning main menus ahead very carefully is an | | | | cream sodas or sundaes your guests can "build" |
| opportunity to coordinate food flavors. When serving | | | | themselves. Don't throw out that leftover morning |
| Italian food, for instance, a great idea is to serve one | | | | coffee. Pour it into your blender, add a dash of cocoa |
| of the best dessert recipes that's simply delicious - | | | | powder and for adults, a little Frangelico liqueur, and a |
| cassata, an Italian cheesecake that's easy to make. | | | | scant dash of chili powder....yes...chili powder. Sweeten |
| Some cassata recipes call for ricotta, a | | | | to taste. Pour into old-fashioned glasses and add a |
| heavier-textured Italian cheese. Try using mascarpone | | | | dollop of chocolate ice cream and a spring of mint. |
| instead of ricotta. You will need a springform pan for | | | | One of the best dessert recipes for groups is also a |
| this recipe. | | | | lot of fun: Chocolate fondue. Instead of the traditional |
| Cassata: | | | | fondue pot, pour your melted chocolate into individual |
| 16 oz. Mascarpone or Ricotta cheese. (If you are using | | | | Irish coffee glasses. Place a dinner plate under each |
| Ricotta, sieve until smooth.) | | | | glass. Add strawberries, marshmallows, walnuts, and |
| 4 eggs separated, slightly chilled | | | | small chunks of pound cake. Serve with a fondue fork. |
| 1 1/4 cups superfine sugar | | | | Unique and fun for guests. |