I can't see the pictures here at work, I've got to remember to check them tonight at home. The dinner sounds delicious and I'm sure will look every bit as good as it sounds. Congratulations on a job well done. So SWMBO was suitably surprised and good for the daughter, to allow that the soup wasn't totally "icky", LOL. Annie

Is this what you were looking for, Chase? Posted by chase (My Page) on Fri, Jul 11, 08 at 9:49 I made this dip for a Canada Day get together and it was a big hit. Rita's Queso from "Rita's on the River" in San Antonio Originally posted by Brenda55 on the Cooking Forum. Brenda's notes: This recipe was in the SA paper several months ago and a reader had asked for this recipe from Rita's on the River because it was "the best queso we have ever eaten". I just recently fixed it and it was for us also the best queso. I changed the recipe somewhat for the heat impaired in my house and served the pica de gallo on top, which I really liked as it added the crunch with the creamy queso. I hope you enjoy as much as we did. I also halved the recipe and we still had enough left to serve over some soft tacos the next night. Can be cut in half or thirds Rita's Queso 3 Lb white American cheese ( Use Queso Blanco Instead ) * 2 Cup half and half 1 Cup heavy cream 1 Cup sour cream 1 Cup salsa (your favorite recipe) 1-1/2 T. Lawry's Seasoned Salt (or your favorite seasoning) 1 Tbl Tabasco sauce Pico de Gallo 2 Cups ripe tomatoes chopped 1/2 Cup chopped onions 2 Tbl minced fresh jalapeno or serrano chiles 2-3 T. chopped fresh cilantro 3 Tbl fresh lime juice Salt and pepper to taste For queso: cut white cheese into 1 to 2 inch cubes, set aside. Combine all ingredients, except cheese and Pico de Gallo in microwave-safe dish. Add cheese and microwave on high for 4 minutes, stop and stir and repeat twice; then reduce to 2 minutes until mixture is hot and well mixed. Recipe can be reduced by half or a third. Pico de Gallo Combine tomatoes, onions, chiles, salt, cilantro and lime juice in bowl. Let set for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Drain before placing on top of queso. Food editor's notes: It can also be made in a slow cooker to keep it hot and to avoid a skin forming on the surface. You can adjust the heat level easily with salsa, pico de gallo and Tabasco. My notes: I could not get Queso Blanco at the cottage so used Monterey Jack cheese. I served the Pico separate from the Queso rather than on top Here is a link that might be useful: Queso dip thread

Hi all! What a great success the party turned out to be...everyone loved the food they were very surprised that the hosts daughter was making all the major goodies. I got accolades abounding, offers for jobs to cater, and questions as to whether I do this for a living and why aren't I? [um, 'cause it's *hard*!, all you pros have my complete respect] I just felt like a million bucks for making Mom and Dad's guests happy. I can only say thank you to everyone here for being an inspirational support system and fueling my cooking desire where I felt strong enough to do this. Hell, having people over for dinner is one thing, taking your show on the road in someone else's kitchen is another altogether!!! I was major league stressed out praying this would all work out. Again, without all of you and the great experiences I've had cooking new and different things and honing new skills in not only preparing but presenting food - I would never have had the intestinal fortitude to attempt such a thing. I love that my Mom and Dad were able to entertain friends they haven't seen in years with confidence. Whew! Thank you. Oh, and BTW my laptop took a nose dive Friday so I was flying by the seat of my pants and couldn't even check in here or ask you guys one of a million questions unless I hit one of the other pc's in the house and with all the prep I mired myself in that was not in the cards, or I woulda been all over you guys with questions!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

I have Sharon's(chase) classic cheese cake in the oven as I type. I think that would work. If ya want to go with chocolate this one from Carol(dishesdone) is killer and then some. It is fine without the ice cream... Posted by dishesdone (My Page) on Fri, Mar 10, 06 at 21:26 This was also in this month's Chocolatier magazine and looked sinful! The recipe sounds long but if like to bake it really isn't that time consuming. Just lots of steps. LOL I served store bought Ice Cream so can't comment on the Frozen Milk recipe. Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cake with Frozen Milk Frozen Milk: 3 1/2 cups whole milk 1/2 cup granulated sugar 3 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Chocolate cake: 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons alkalized cocoa powder (preferably Valrhona), sifted 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 large eggs 1 cup whole milk 1/2 cup canola oil 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons boiling water Ganache: 1 pound milk chocolate (preferably Valrhona Jivara or Guittard) 1 1/2 cups heavy cream Dacquoise layer: 1/3 cup sliced almonds 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 2 large egg whites, at room temperature 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1/2 cup salted peanuts, chopped Peanut butter crunch: 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup Skippy creamy peanut butter 3 ounces milk chocolate (preferably Valrhona Jivara or Guittard) 1 cup Rice Krispies Make the Frozen Milk: Combine all ingredients except vanilla extract. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Transfer mixture to medium bowl and set bowl in large bowl filled one-third of way with ice water. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until chilled, about 20 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Process in ice cream machine according to manufacturers instructions. (Frozen Milk is best when served the same day.) Make chocolate cake: Position rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 9" x 13" pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. In a separate bowl, mix together all wet ingredients except water; pour into dry ingredients. Stir until well combined. Add boiling water and stir to combine. Pour into prepared pan and bake until cake springs back when touched in middle, about 30-40 minutes. Cool cake in pan set on wire rack for 20 minutes. Invert cake onto rack and cool completely. Make ganache: Melt chocolate in microwave or double boiler. In small saucepan, bring cream to a gentle boil and gradually whisk into melted chocolate. Set aside. Make dacquoise: Position rack in the center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Using 13" x 9" baking pan as a guide, trace a rectangle onto a piece of parchment paper. Turn paper over and place on a large baking sheet. Combine sliced almonds and confectioners' sugar in food processor and process until finely ground. Set aside. In bowl of electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip egg whites on medium speed to soft peaks, gradually adding granulated sugar while whipping. Once stiff and shiny, fold in almond flour mixture. Spread into 9" x 13" rectangle on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle top with chopped peanuts and bake until browned, 12-15 minutes. Set aside to cool on wire rack. Make peanut butter crunch: In medium bowl, combine butter, peanut butter and chocolate. Place bowl over saucepan filled one-third of way with simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in Rice Krispies. Spread chocolate mixture evenly over dacquoise. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. Using a serrated knife, cut chocolate cake in half horizontally for form 2 layers. Spread one-third of ganache on top of bottom half. Remove dacquoise from freezer and peel off parchment paper. Place dacquoise, peanut butter crunch-side up, on top of ganache covered cake; gently press to remove any air pockets. Spread half of remaining ganache over peanut butter crunch. Place second half of cake on top. Refrigerate until ganache is set, about 1 hour. Using serrated knife, carefully trim off rough edges of cake. Rewarm remaining ganache over a pot of simmering water, and spread over top of cake. Serve a square of cake with a scoop of frozen milk. Recipe by Nancy Olson, Peacock Alley, Waldorf-Astoria, NYC from Chocolatier Magazine March 2006 Cheescake Supreme (Sharon) 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter melted 40 ounces cream cheese (5, 8 oz packages) 1 3/4 cups sugar 3 TBSP flour grated rind of 1 lemon grated rind of 1/2 orange 5 eggs 2 egg yolks 1/4 cup whipping cream Fruit and glaze (Directions follow) Mix graham cracker crumbs sugar and melted butter. Butter a 10 inch springform pan. Press crumb mix into the bottom of the pan. Let the remainingg ingredients except cream come to room temp. Beat cheese until fluffy. Mix sugar and flour together and gradually mix into the cheese, beating mixture smooth. Mix in grated rinds. Add eggs and egg yolks one at a time beating well after each. Stir in cream. Pour over crust. Cook in preheated 500 degree oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 200 and cook for 1 hour ( NOTE: I always seem to have to cook it longer than this to get it to set properly, usually 1 1/2 hours) Remove from oven, place on rack away from drafts and cool. When cool refrigerate in pan until cold. Remove from pan and place on serving plate. Top with fruit and glaze and refrigerate until serving time.~ Fruit and Glaze.... working from the centre out to the edge. Arrange 4 or 5 canned apricot halves around centre of cake(reserve juice) Circle the apricots with canned pineapple wedges, (4 rings quartered) reserve juice. Alternate fresh starwberry halves and green grapes to form outer circle. Mound about 1/3 cup blueberries in the very centre , inside the ring of apricots. To make glaze combine the apricot and pineapple syrups to make 3/4 of a cup. Add 1 TBSP of lemon juice. Combine 1 TBSP cornstarch with 2 TBSP cold water. Add to juices and cook stirring until thickened. Add a drop of yellow food colouring if desired. Spoon over fruit. Hope you have a great evening!! David