A WONDERFUL COOKBOOK- JUNIOR LEAGUE OF GALVESTON COUNTY

We are leaving this wonderful Texas gulf coast area today and, traveling home to Memphis, Tennessee.  Before I go, I would like to feature a SUPERB regional cookbook.  The JUNIOR LEAGUE OF GALVESTON has published an AMAZING cookbook and, it truly is a MUST HAVE in your cookbook collection.  My dear friend, Erin Haynes, is a member of this League and, she was kind enough to make me aware of this great publication last year.  

Here are a couple of great recipes from this beautiful book:


Kahlua Brie


1 (14-ounce) wheel Brie cheese
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
1/3 cup Kahlua
1/4 cup packed brown sugar


Remove the rind from the top of the cheese and place the cheese on a microwave-safe serving platter.  Melt the butter in a saucepan.  Stir in the pecans.  Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  Stir in the Kahlua and brown sugar.  Spoon over the cheese, spreading to the edge.  Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute or until hot and bubbly.  Serve with melba toast.  Serves 8.  

Peach Bread Pudding


4 cups cubed French bread
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 can peach pie filling
1 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
1 tablespoon butter


Spread the bread cubes in a 7 X 11-inch baking pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.  Whisk the eggs, milk, sugar and almond extract in a bowl.  Stir in the pie filling.  Pour over the bread cubes and press into the bread with the back of a spoon.  Sprinkle a mixture of the brown sugar and cinnamon over the peach mixture.  Top with the almonds and dot with the butter.  Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 50 to 55 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.  Serve warm with ice cream. 
Serves 8


*FLAIR TIP:  Cookbooks make a NICE gift for any person who loves to cook.  JUNIOR LEAGUES  across the USA support local charities and, these women give countless hours toward volunteering each year.  Galveston, Texas is special to me due to the devastation which occurred in this city with HURRICANE IKE in 2008, the citizens endured this terrible disaster and, worked to re-build this gorgeous coastal town.  Three years later, the town is going strong!