Favorite Things, Part 2

Recipes

Italian Torta
Recipe originally found in Wilton Entertaining Appetizers to Desserts


Wilton 9 inch Spring Form Pan 
1 package hot roll mix (16 oz)
1 lb of ground beef
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 cup water 
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed 
1 cup of ricotta or cottage cheese, drained
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 egg beaten


Prepare hot roll mix according to package directions. While dough is rising brown ground beef and onion; drain fat. Add seasonings, water, and tomato paste. Squeeze excess moisture from spinach and combine with ricotta cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. After fillings are prepared, divide dough into 3 portions and roll each into a 9 inch circle. Fit one portion into a buttered 9 inch Springform Pan. Spread meat almost to edges of dough. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top of meat. Add next layer of dough and allow to rise 10 minutes. Spread with spinach mixture. Place remaining dough on top and cover with damp cloth. Set pan in warm place and allow to rise about 40 minutes. When doubled in size, score top with sharp knife into 8 pie shaped wedges. Brush top with egg. Bake on lower oven rack at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let set 15 minutes before slicing. 


Makes 8 servings.

Snowflake Amaretto Cakes
Originally called Pitter Patter Petits Fours


1 package white cake mix (plus)
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cups oil
3 eggs


Icing
2 tablespoons amaretto
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup water
3 Tablespoons light corn syrup
2 Tablespoons margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract


Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour jelly roll pan (15X10). Prepare cake mix as directed on package. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool.


Brush top of cake with Amaretto. To avoid crumbs, freeze cake 1 hour before cutting. Cut cake into pieces using 1" or 2" cookie cutters. Return to freezer. In a small bowl combine remaining icing ingredients. Blend at low speed until powdered sugar is moistened. Beat at highest speed until smooth. If necessary add 2 or 3 teaspoons of water. Set cake pieces on wire rack over jelly pan or wax paper. Spoon evenly over top and sides of cake. After 1 coat of icing is dry you may apply more. 




I found the recipes for the beverages on pinterest. Here are the links to the recipes:

Cranberry Margaritas
With the Cranberry Margaritas I used white cranberry juice with peach and a 1/4 cup of blue curacao.

Blue Christmas
I made two recipes of this at the party. In one recipe, I used vodka and in the other I used coconut rum... I called that one my Hawaiian Blue Christmas, I think that was my favorite concoction.