Easy Meringue Dessert

 Looking for a light dessert for your New Year's dinner party?  One that doesn't require a lot of effort, but looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen creating the concoction?  Look no further.  This easy to make, decadent dessert will leave your guests asking for seconds. 

It's best to make the meringues the evening before, then put the layers together the morning of your dinner.  This gives the flavours time to blend.






STEP 1 - MERINGUE BASES

4 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup white sugar
1 tbsp. cocoa

Line two flat cookie sheets with tin foil.  Draw an 8" diameter circle on both pieces of tin foil.  Lightly grease the inside of the circles.  Heat oven to 250 degrees F.

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.  Gradually add white sugar, beating until egg whites become very stiff.  Sift cocoa over top and fold in with a spatula.

Spoon 1/2 of egg white mixture into each circle, spreading evenly around.  Bake for 1 hour at 250 degrees F.  Then turn oven off and let sit in oven for another hour.  Now remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

STEP 2 - CHOCOLATE FILLING

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 tbsp. water

Combine chocolate chips and water in a small pot.  Melt over very low heat, stirring constantly until a smooth chocolate mixture is formed. 

Gently loosen each meringue from the foil.  Spoon half of the chocolate mixture onto the top of one meringue and spread evenly, then do the same with the second.  Try not to apply too much pressure when spreading as the meringues are fragile.

STEP 3 - TOPPING

2 envelopes Dream Whip (not whipped, just the powder)
1 cup milk
2 tsp. cocoa
1/2 pkg Skor bits (about 1 cup)

Put the Dream Whip powder, milk, and cocoa in a bowl.  Beat until stiff.  Fold in the Skor bits. 

Spread half the topping over the chocolate on each meringue.  Now gently lift and place one meringue on top of the other.  The meringue may collapse under the weight at this point, but it's OK.  It doesn't change the look or the taste.

Grate some chocolate over top for garnish.  Allow to chill in the fridge for six to eight hours before serving.

Enjoy!

A Child Born

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

"So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.". Luke 2:7 (NKJV)

A prophesy and a fulfillment...the story of the birth of Christ, Son of God.  May it permeate your heart this Christmas and may you find peace, joy, and love.

Merry Christmas!

Open Door Opportunity

The mercury drops outside our house and we shiver in the chill of the fall day, knowing winter lurks around the corner.  My husband and I sit on our front porch talking quietly, when we’re interrupted by the meow of a small, matted, starving cat. 

If you know me at all you know how this ends.  Winter is approaching and there’s a beautiful tiny orange cat outside who doesn’t stand a chance at temperatures below zero.  The adoption story is a long one, but suffice to say, against my better judgment, we took her in.

 

I researched proper methods to introduce new cats to a multi-cat household and for a number of weeks we lived with the gated cat community you see in the picture.  Yes those are baby gates extending from floor to ceiling!

 

Zeus and Phoebe, our resident cats, plotted on how to gain access to Jasmine, the new cat.  One morning after erecting the gates, I realized I forgot to shut the bathroom door; a door providing access to the rooms where Jasmine was barricaded. 

 
Zeus and Phoebe, so focused on the barrier in front of them, completely missed the opportunity to walk freely through the door and enter the barricaded area!
 
I think a little of this focused “cat nature” carries over into “human nature”. 

Are you so caught up in the stress of Christmas concerts, work parties, church pageants, and shopping that you don’t recognize an opportunity to connect with God when the door beckons wide in front of you?

 

Are you paralyzed by the “To Do” list, longing to connect with God but never quite getting there?

This is Advent; a time of reflection and preparation.  Lots of churches have open doors this season.  Don’t miss the open door opportunity.  Visit a church and spend time reflecting on the significance of this Christmas season.

Do You Know Me?

A few hours ago I was waiting in line to board a plane in the Edmonton airport.  A young couple with a little girl, about four years old, was at the gate.  The flight attendant decided to engage the girl in conversation and it went something like this…

“GOOD MORNIG SUNSHINE!!!!  How are you today?  Are you excited to get on the plane?” 

I tuned out for a bit until her comment, “You have fun now” signaled the end of the conversation. 

As the family moved down the boarding ramp into the plane the little girl turned back to the flight attendant, a puzzled look on her face.  In a voice only a child can achieve, pitched perfectly to carry across the boarding lounge and down the terminal, she looked at the attendant and asked, “Do You KNOW Me?”

Needless to say the entire boarding lounge completely lost it in laughter!  It was SO perfect!

Do you know me?  Perhaps that’s a question Jesus is asking this Advent season.  In the busy press of a crowded shopping mall Jesus stands quietly in the deserted corner, knocking at your heart, asking, “Do you know me?”

Do you REALLY know me?

In the craziness that is your pre-Christmas life I encourage you to make some time to ask yourself that question.

If you’re not sure, or you’ve lost touch with Jesus, read the Christmas story in Matthew 1:18 to 2:23 and Luke 1:1 to2:20.

Get reacquainted with:

•  Jesus, the Baby
• Jesus, the Word made Flesh
• Jesus, the Miracle

Then continue reading through these gospels to get to know:

• Jesus, the Man
• Jesus, the Son of God
• Jesus, the Saviour
• Jesus, the Risen Christ

Do you know me?  Let the answer be, “Yes” to Jesus this Advent season.