Sunday, April 10, 2011

Easy Infinity Scarf Pattern

Last year was the Year of the Infinity Scarf, I'm told.  I guess I'm a little late to the party, but I wanted to make one even though it's the end of the cool season ( I hope!).  There are so many patterns you can use to make these scarves, but this one is pretty mindless, and makes a great 'Take Along' project.

  Directions:  Cast on 200 stitches.  I used size 10 1/2 circular needles and a bulky yarn. Join ends and attach a marker
Knit the 1st row to the end
On the second row, Knit 1, Purl 1 to the end

Repeat the pattern until you reach the length you want
That's it!
The reverse side has a nice pattern to it as well.

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Cheesecake Tarts with Raspberry Sauce

Last night was our monthly Book Club meeting at my house.  In our group, the hostess cooks dinner for everyone, and we all enjoy a relaxing meal and conversation.  I haven't entertained in a while and I forgot how much fun it was to plan a sit down dinner, and bring out the good dishes...in this case my Mom's china, which she keeps at my house since she doesn't entertain much anymore.  It was a good time also, to spruce up the house and get out the Easter Decorations. 
For dessert, I served Brownies and mini Cheesecake Tarts with Raspberry Sauce.  They take a little work, but are easy to make ahead of time:

2 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
3/4 c sugar
3 eggs separated
butter
1/2 c graham cracker crumbs
Cream together the cream cheese and sugar; add slightly beaten egg yolks.  In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff and fold into cream cheese mixture.  Butter 18 miniature muffin tins, and coat with the cracker crumbs. Fill each cup 3/4's full.
Bake 350 for 15 min.
When cool, top with raspberry sauce and refrigerate until ready to serve

Raspberry Sauce
1 10 oz. pkg. frozen raspberries, thawed
2 tablespoons currant jelly
1/4 tsp. lemon juice
t tablespoon apricot brandy
1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in two tablespoons water
Heat berries in a saucepan, and add the rest of the ingredients.  Bring to a boil, and then thicken with cornstarch mixture.

 
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