Cannoli Ricotta or Custard Filled? You Choose

 Updated Recipe:

                   

I've made these easy Cannoli's with homemade custard as well as homemade ricotta filling.  I am sharing this recipe again for my new foodie friends.  I am very pleased to say that my blog has been getting new followers and I want to make sure some of the favorites don't get missed.  Check out the index on the side of the blog for lots of great recipes and menu ideas. Enjoy!

Family Favorites from my kitchen to yours,

 I made the filling from scratch but couldn't resist buying the shells..  Any good Italian market will have the shells. Ferrara was the brand I purchased.

Mom always made her own shells(metal tube and all) but the tubes got lost somewhere between our moves so if you'll accept that as an excuse I'll show and tell you how Ricotta and Custard fillings are made..

                   9/26/17

Custard Filled

I grew up loving the custard cannoli but as time as gone by and ricotta has gotten so popular (I remember you would get those ricotta filled ones in New Jersey or New York)..My husbands family lived in Jerzee and we get some to take home with us when we visited them.

 My hubby and I grew up in Northeastern Pa and we knew Cannoli only as filled with custard pudding and the ends being sprinkled with pine nuts(colored red and green)  on the end and today we still love them that way and buy them when we go home(it'll always be home)to NE Pa.

Today I made both fillings and will share mom's custard filling and the ricotta one I found on the back of the box of Cannoli shells.. I think they are looking good and they taste wonderful..  I tasted both!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Happy Italian Dessert time!!!

Custard Filling
1/4 cup corn starch
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups milk( I used 2%)
2 eggs,  beaten well
2 Tablespoons butter
1 tsp. vanilla

In a medium glass bowl combine corn starch and sugar.  With a whisk , gradually stir milk into the corn starch.

Place above milk, cornstarch, sugar mixture in microwave on high power for 5 to 7 minutes or until thickened and bubbling, stirring after each 2 minute interval.  

Take out of microwave using whisk gently whisk half of the hot milk mixture into the eggs and then add the rest of the egg mixture into remaining hot mixture..

Microwave on high power for 1 1/2 to 2  1/2 minutes or until thickened and heated through, stirring after each 45 second interval.  Using a wire whisk blend in butter and vanilla. 

Note: Cool completely before filling Cannoli..


Ricotta Filling
12 oz. chilled, drained ricotta cheese
4 oz.sifted confectioners sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
2 oz. . mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon diced candied fruits (optional)
Dash of cinnamon


Combine chilled and drained ricotta cheese and confectioners sugar.  Hand mix well, then add vanilla, and semi -sweet chocolate chips, candied fruits and cinnamon.  Mix thoroughly and refrigerate..Fills 6 shells

Enjoy!

From my kitchen to yours,

5/6/14
12/5/16

Lobster Tail anyone!!!

Re-post because lobster tail is a holiday favorite!!! 

Enjoy!

Today’s lobster tails were thawed.  I boiled in cider vinegar and red pepper (I don’t measure) for 10 minutes after they turned red.  Cool completely and broil.

2025

2022 Tonight’s lobster tail preparation.

****My tails were slightly larger  so I boiled the frozen tails for 20 minutes after I had returned them to a rapid boil after amercing them in water. 

2022 Christmas Eve!

How to Prepare a great lobster tail.

Note:  I am using frozen cold water lobster tails in this recipe! I prefer cold water tails and always use them.


I was going through some of my pictures and thought this illustration might be of use to those who like lobster tail and hesitate to prepare it because you may think it is difficult..

Hubby and I love it and we don't indulge very often but when we both crave some we buy some good quality lobster at our local market or I have bought it at Costco or Sam's.  Here is how I do it and it is tender and buttery with no fishy taste or grisly bits which I have come across at a few restaurants where they only broil their lobster tails. Hope you find this helpful!

 Happy Baking and Cooking from my kitchen to yours!

M. J.

Delicious and cooked perfectly!

Place lobster tail in a large pot and cover lobster with cold water..Add 1 tsp. red pepper flakes and 1 tablespoon vinegar

Bring to a boil and turn heat down to a low boil and simmer for approximately ***15 minutes depending on size of tails..  Note:  Lobster tail will change color from dark to deep reddish color

Remove with tongs from water..Rinse off in cool water.  Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

 Place tail on sturdy surface (cutting board) and press firmly down with a large serrated knife to crack shell

You will now have two pieces

Using a pastry brush , brush tail with melted butter, sprinkle with paprika and broil until bubbly (just a few minutes)

Example of large knife going through tail


Happy Cooking !

*All recipes and their respective images are the sole property of I Like to Bake and Cook 2012, all rights reserved. All content herein is meant for your personal enjoyment only and is in no way to be used for commercial purposes. Use of this site automatically constitutes your agreement to these terms.

4/15/12 

5/31/13

Cheesy Spinach Artichoke stuffed French Bread

Just in time for the holidays!!!

Here's the recipe for the stuffed French Bread.  This was and will be for you a hit!  Everyone loved it and although I am not fond of mozzarella cheese I did really enjoy it.  I think it was the addition of cream cheese making it super creamy and of course melted butter with garlic to top it. How can you not like it?    Yummy! Merry Christmas!

I large French Bread
1/2 T olive oil
1-14 oz. artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1-10 oz. package baby spinach leaves or 1 -10 package frozen chopped spinach thawed and drained
1 -8 oz. package cream cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3 chopped green onions
salt and pepper to taste
3 cloves garlic minced
4 T butter

Italian grated cheese for top, fresh basil or parsley chopped

Cut bread into 4 pieces.  Using a long skinny knife hollow out pieces and remove.

Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat.  Add in chopped artichoke pieces and cook for a minute or two.  Reduce heat and add, spinach turning often.  Turn heat up a little and add cream cheese and mozzarella and let it melt entirely.  Fold in onions and season with salt and pepper.  Remove off heat.  In another pan place butter and garlic.  Simmer for a few minutes on low. Stuff bread and place each piece close together.  Cut  in inch slices and place on aluminum foil touching together to make the bread look like the original loaf.

In a small pan place butter and garlic and simmer for a few minutes. Brush loaf with butter/garlic mixture and cover tightly with foil.  Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  Open foil and bake an additional 5 minutes.  Garnish with grating cheese, and fresh parsley or basil.

On a extra large piece of aluminum foil place the bread quarters. Fill each one with the melted artichoke and spinach mixture carefully placing them one right next to the other.  Photo will demonstrate steps.

Countdown to Christmas

                                  



Happy Monday...Countdown to Christmas.  A few ideas to make your holiday a time for enjoyment and not stress.

One:  Only make and do what your body allows you to.

Two:  You don't have to make everything.  There are plenty of good bakeries around.  Make sure you order now so you'll have time for other things.  The meal....make it easy..A one pot meal always works(lasagna) or either a ham or turkey with bought sides are always an option.
.
Three: Cleaning...now is not the time.  Clean after the holidays.  Just tidy up and clean your bathrooms and kitchen.  The rest can be given a quick touch up.

Four:  If your not able to visit.  Call your Mom, Dad or grandparents...Don't put it off.  That will be the best gift they get you can be sure.

Five: Remember to include family and friends and celebrate the real reason for the Christmas season. Don't get caught up in commercialism.

Six:  Take time and pray for our country, our servicemen and women who protect us.  We have a good life because they protect us. Peace, love, joy and hope. 


From my home to yours,

A little sweets!

I’ve started some Christmas treats.

Melted chocolate and tossing mini marshmallows

Spiced pecans

Toasted coconut clusters