Birthday Party Recipes

Bruschetta with Goat Cheese, Figs and Honey

Makes 13–15 slices

y loaf (5 oz.) baguette, cut into y" slices
1 log (4 oz.) goat cheese
2 ripe figs, diced
Clover honey to drizzle

Heat oven to 400°F.
Place baguette slices in single layer on baking sheet. Bake 8–10 minutes, turning each slice until both sides are crisp and golden around edges; let cool.
Spread cheese on toasted baguette slices. Top with figs and lightly drizzle with honey.

Pork Carnitas Tacos

Serves 8

2 lb. boneless pork shoulder
5 sprigs fresh thyme
3 sprigs fresh oregano
1 small onion, quartered
2 large cloves garlic
Salt and pepper to taste

Season pork with salt and pepper. Place pork, thyme, oregano, onion and garlic in Dutch oven; add 2 cups water. Bring to boil.
Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until meat is tender, about 2 ½ hours. Uncover; boil until liquid has evaporated. Discard herbs, onion and garlic cloves. With fork, shred meat. Serve with warm tortillas, salsa, guacamole and condiments.

Tiramisu Cake

Serves 8

1 box (18.25 oz.) yellow cake mix
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp confectioners' sugar, divided
1/3 cup sweet marsala wine
½ cup chilled heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla
2 containers (8 oz. each) mascarpone cheese, softened
1 cup cold espresso or strong coffee
1 cup grated dark chocolate, divided
1 pkg.(3 oz.) store-bought ladyfingers (about 24)

Heat oven to 350°F. Coat two 8-inch round baking pans with nonstick cooking spray. Bake cake in both pans according to package directions, then cool completely.

In small bowl with electric beater, beat egg yolks and 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar until mixture is thick and pale yellow, about 2 minutes. Whisk in marsala.

Place bowl with egg-and-sugar mixture over saucepan of simmering water, and whisk until mixture reaches 160°F. Remove from heat and cool.

In small bowl with electric beater, beat heavy cream until frothy. Add vanilla and remaining 1 tbsp confectioners' sugar, and continue beating until soft peaks form.

Place mascarpone in large bowl, then fold in egg-and-sugar mixture to incorporate completely. Follow by gently folding in freshly whipped cream.

Slice one of the cooled cakes into two layers horizontally. (Freeze remaining cake to use later.)

Place first cake layer on cake plate. Brush layer with 1/3 cup espresso. Spread 1/3 of whipped cream mixture over that, then sprinkle with 1/3 cup grated chocolate. Top with other cake layer and repeat the layering of ingredients, finishing off with some cream and grated chocolate.

Press ladyfingers gently into side of cake so that they stand upright and are evenly spaced around its perimeter. Cover cake with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 8 hours or, if possible, overnight.

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