It's a February violets themed tea party for my birthday week!
I pulled out all my pretty violet pieces and made some mini cheesecakes that I'll be taking to a luncheon later on this week. I received some early gifts of books, Peach Crumble Cake tea (it's soooo good!) from Margie at Tea in the Valley, and the Cooking With Saints from my darling daughter (she couldn't wait to give it to me!).
I'm using my trio that was painted by my late Great Aunt Kitty, and have my February teacup and another Royal Albert violet teacup that my friend Rosie gave me from her mom's collection. The teapot and creamer and sugar were a gift from my friend Michele at Nest at Finch Rest from a few years ago. The mini tiered stand is from my friend Tina, who sent it from Australia last year. We had violets growing everywhere when we lived in Ohio.
Yield: 48 mini muffin size or 12-15 cupcake size
Mini Cheesecakes
I started making these many years ago and they are wonderful little desserts. I topped mine with some homemade blueberry jam.
Ingredients
- Vanilla Wafers Regular size for 12-15 for cupcake size or Mini Vanilla Wafers for 48 mini muffin size
- 2- 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Paper or foil muffin liners
- Cherry pie filling or any flavor that you prefer, or even a dab of preserves or fresh fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries or raspberries.
Instructions
- Place a Vanilla Wafer in the bottom of each liner in a muffin tin.
- Blend cream cheese and sugar together. Add eggs, lemon juice and vanilla and beat until smooth. Fill liners 2/3-3/4 full.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes for cupcake size or 12-13 minutes for the mini muffin size, or until set. Cool and then remove from the pan. Top with the pie filling or whatever you prefer.
- Store in the refrigerator until serving time.
Notes
I'm a big fan of making ahead and freezing and these freeze so well. Pull them out as needed, defrost and serve. I would top them with the filling right before serving.
I received a box with these beautiful gifts inside from Mary at Home Is Where The Boat Is. I can't wait to use these very soon and think of Spring!
Yield: 6-8, but depends on serving size
Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
This is a creamy version of tortilla soup and oh so good, from Martina McBride. It looks like a long list of ingredients, but it goes together quickly.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used chicken tenders, or you could use leftover rotisserie chicken)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped (I used chopped pickled jalapenos)
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can tomatoes with diced green chiles, undrained
- 1/3 cup masa harina (See NOTE)
- 1 1/3 cups milk
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (16-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup fresh or frozen corn
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- Garnishes: shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, cilantro, lime wedges, corn tortilla chips, hot sauce.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place in a greased baking dish. Pour 1 cup of the broth over the top and cover. Bake 45 minutes or until done. Remove the chicken, reserving the cooking liquid. Shred the meat with 2 forks.
- Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add the onion and jalapeno; cook 3 minutes. Add the garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add the remaining 3 cups broth, reserved cooking liquid, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and tomatoes.
- Whisk together the masa (or the ground corn tortillas) and milk until blended. Stir into the soup. Cook over medium-high, stirring frequently, 10 minutes or until the mixture boils and thickens slightly. Stir in the chicken, black beans, pinto beans, and corn. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream and sour cream. Serve with the desired garnishes.
Notes
I used a couple of corn tortillas and ground them up in my mini food processor, or you could use a blender, and measured 1/3 cup in place of the masa harina.
Thank you for your visit! xo
Violets on china always looks so lovely. Violets are such pretty flowers. Happy Birthday to you, dear Kitty! Have a splendid week celebrating with family and friends!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Week Kitty, so many violet-themed pretties you have! Your mini cheesecakes are a perfect teatime treat. I used a rotisserie chicken as a shortcut to make Martina’s Chicken Tortilla Soup and can attest to how good it is. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead and happy celebrating! 🥳🎂🎉
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recipes! They look wonderful...
ReplyDeleteAll your china is gorgeous, a delight to look at!
hugs
Donna
Such lovely birthday gifts! Both your cheesecakes and your soup look delicious too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday sweet lady! I know your week will be special. You make every day special! Birthday hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteThe vanilla wafer cheesecake recipe was very popular in the late 1960s. It was always an attractive, easy, tasty choice for any occasion. Happy birthday to you a wee bit early. 🎈🌷🎈
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tea you've set with the special violet cups and saucers from your Aunt Kitty. The Tortilla Soup recipe sounds delicious, wish I had the ingredients to make it today. Adding those to my shopping list. Wishing you a beautiful and Happy Birthday week Kitty.....
ReplyDeleteMmmm....mini cheesecakes! That's my weakness. I hope you enjoy a lovely birthday week, Kitty! It sounds like you're already on your way!! xo
ReplyDeleteDarn it-- lost my comment. Soup sounds wonderful and I love that vanilla wafer cheesecake recipe. I haven't made that in years but know the kids would love them. Thanks for the recipes! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to you! What adorable Tea time with violets! Stunning china. Your recipe looks delicious. Great gift from Mary. Hugs and blessings.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a fabulous week, Kitty! What thoughtful gifts, past and present. I love the violets.
ReplyDeleteThe cheesecake and the soup both look and sound so good. You received some nice gifts for your birthday. Wishing you a happy birthday week Kitty.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of deliciousness on this post, Kitty! All the treats and then the soup! I hope you have a wonderful birthday this week. How fun to receive gifts from near and far.
ReplyDeleteThe mini cheesecakes look like a darling and delicious idea, especially with the vanilla wafers. The violet tea accoutrements are lovely! Happy Birthday Week, Sweet Friend!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Week, Kitty! Glad to see that your family and friends spoiled you with such fun gifts. I'm honoured that the Dessert by Deb tea was included in your beautiful violet-themed tea time. I've always been partial to teawares decorated with violets, and I'd love to try a violet tea one day.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday dearest Kitty. You are precious and adored. I love the soup and dessert. YUM! I need to make some mini cheese cakes. I love cheese cakes and a bite is usually enough for my sweet tooth. All of your sweet gifts are precious. Happy birthday week. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteI always love violet tea wares. Your soup looks really yummy and how nice that one can print out the recipes!
ReplyDeleteAnother charming table to enjoy your tea the violet cup is beautiful and goes well with a set of napkins with violets
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Kitty! What a great way to celebrate with beautiful violets and tea! What great gifts you received. ♥ Hope you enjoy the rest of your birthday week!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, sweet lady!!! Many happy returns!
ReplyDeleteLove your violet china collection. They're all so lovely, but not as lovely as you are. ♥
Happy Birthday Kitty! And what a lovely tea. I haven't put on a tea in ages and you motivate me to want to do so. That soup looks amazing! And the cheesecakes sound divine. Have a blessed rest of your week and may this year ahead shower you in abundance. 💗
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday week dear Kitty. The mini cheesecakes look delicious. Your violet china is beautiful. Love tortilla soup, I will have to try this recipe. How special your birthday gifts are. Enjoy them all. Celebrate all month. xoxo
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Kitty! Violets are the perfect choice for a celebration, vibrant and pretty.
ReplyDeleteOh, that soup sounds amazing! Zach would love that. I must try it sometime. I loved seeing your lovely gifts!
ReplyDelete