Tipsy Tart

Another awesome South African dessert! Of course it adds no inches to the waistline....It's very easy to make and so delicious. We like it with custard and whipped cream, but I think next time we will try a scoop of cinnamon (or vanilla) ice cream!

8 oz pkg chopped dates, divide in half

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup pecans or walnuts chopped (optional)

Syrup

1 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon butter

1/2 cup water

1 tsp. vanilla

pinch salt

1/2 cup brandy

Bring water and 1/2 of the dates to a boil in small saucepan, remove from heat, stir in baking soda- set aside.

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time,

add flour, baking powder, and salt, mix well.

stir in date mixture, add other half of dates and nuts if using.

Pour into 8 x 11 greased baking pan

Bake at 350 for 40 Minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Meanwhile prepare syrup:

Boil sugar, butter, water approx. 5 min. Remove from heat and add vanilla, salt and brandy.

Remove baking pan from oven; immediately carefully pour hot syrup over all.

Serve warm with fresh whipped cream, Ice cream or Custard. MMMMMM

Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil Salad

Perfect hot weather snack or salad with dinner.

Tomato, sliced

Fresh Mozzarella cheese, sliced

Fresh Basil leaves

Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

Slice tomato and cheese into 1/8 - 1/4 inch slices.

Lay cheese on top of tomato, top with basil leaves, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Trifle

7 oz pkg Lady Fingers

1/2 cup strong brewed coffee, divided

5 cups fresh strawberries, sliced ( reserve 2-3 for garnish)

8 oz cream cheese softened

1 reg pkg instant vanilla pudding mix

1 1/4 cup cold milk

1 cup whipping cream, whipped

3 oz good quality dark chocolate*** curls

Slice strawberries and set aside.

Add milk to dry pudding mix and beat for approx. 2 minutes, blend in 2 tablespoons coffee to the pudding, add to softened cream cheese, blend well. Set aside.

break lady fingers in half, dip in brewed coffee, cover bottom of trifle bowl with half the lady fingers. Top with half the sliced strawberries, chocolate curls, pudding mixture and whipped cream, repeat. Garnish with strawberries and chocolate curls.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

*** run a vegetable peeler along the edge of the chocolate bar to make chocolate curls