Oatmeal Lace Cookie Bowls with Maple Mousse

This is my second month participating in the Daring Bakers, a monthly baking challenge and I guess I'm not in the swing of things quite yet. I knew about the challenge, thought a lot about it and was planning on completing it this weekend because I thought it was due next week. Then I go check out the website tonight and realize that it's due: TODAY! and it's already after 8:00pm. Do I give up? No. So here is my response to the challenge to create a Maple Mousse and an edible container.

Tomatoes Stuffed with Fresh Mozzarella and Basil

This is a slightly different take on the traditional Caprese Salad and came as a result of this months Daring Cooks challenge. The challenge this month was to create an edible container and something to go in it. I actually had a really hard time coming up with something, I just kept trying to think of something really "different". While this combination isn't entirely unique, it's spring time here and this is one of my favorite flavor combinations. Fresh Mozzarella paired with a thick juicy tomato and a basil leaf is so refreshing and a perfect entrance to the great food season to come.  The basil vinaigrette is a vibrant green that adds additional flavor and can be added to taste.

Meringue Coffee Cake

I mentioned earlier this month that I had joined the Daring Cooks when I created the Papas Rellenos. Well there's a second side of the kitchen that's called the Daring Bakers and I also joined that group! That means I've got two chances a month to try something new and challenging.

The March 2011 Daring Baker’s Challenge was hosted by Ria of Ria’s Collection and Jamie of Life’s a Feast. Ria and Jamie challenged The Daring Bakers to bake a yeasted Meringue Coffee Cake.

Papas Rellenas

The challenge I face with blogging and cooking now is constantly trying to think of new and fun things to make. Usually it's not very hard and I have a good stream of ideas but other times it's a challenge to think of something blog worthy. So last month I joined a group called the Daring Kitchen. It has two sides, the Daring Bakers and The Daring Cooks. Each month a challenge is hosted where all the participants are challenged to make a specific dish and then post about it on the same day.