Category Archives: Recipes

Did somebody say food?

Slow-Cooker Hearty Beef Stew

2 lbs boneless chuck cut into cubes
¼ cup flour
1 large yellow onion
2 cloves of garlic, smashed
4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
3-4 Yukon gold potatoes cut into chunks
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp Paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
1 ½ cups beef broth
1 large bay leaf (if you want)
½ cup red wine (if you want)

• Coat beef with flour and brown in frying pan. I like to mix light olive oil with a dash of extra virgin.  The light olive oil is good for sautéing and the extra virgin gives it body.
• Once the meat is brown, add it to the slow cooker
• Brown the garlic, and onion in the beef drippings until light brown.
• Pour a tsp of the broth into the frying pan and scrape the drippings and add to the slow cooker.
• Add remaining ingredients to slow cooker. Set on high for 4-6 hours or low 6-8 hours.
• Serve with biscuits and/or mashed potatoes or if you’re adventurous, you’ll try the Stuffed Arepas (cheese stuffed corn cakes)

This next recipe is from my forthcoming book ON THE LINE (new hardcover in March)

Stuffed Arepas

Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups precooked corn meal (Marsarepa) (Goya makes it)
• 2 cups hot water
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoon soft butter divided
• 12 slices mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a medium bowl mix the Marsarepa, water, salt and butter. Knead with your hands for about 3 minutes moistening your hands with water as you work.
• Form 6 small balls with the dough. Place each ball between 2 plastic bags or parchment paper and with a flat pot cover flatten to about ⅓ inch. The arepas should be about 5” in diameter.
• Add the butter to a nonstick pan over medium heat. Place the arepas in the pan, and cook about 3 minutes on each side, until a crust forms or until they are golden brown.
• Split the arepas using a knife as you would do with an English muffin and stuff with 2 slices of mozzarella cheese.
• Place the stuffed arepas back on the skillet over medium high heat and cook 2 minutes on each side or until the cheese is melted and serve immediately.

You may often hear about the Italian tradition of Christmas Eve dinner when they serve seven fishes.  Luckily, I have several friends who are Italian who shared some recipes with me.  I sent these out last year but they bear repeating, and Diane Sarrocco is providing some scrumptious deserts.

Christmas Eve Dinner Italian Style

EGGPLANT STACKS

Ingredients:
(2) large eggplants, skinned and sliced ¼ inch thick
(3) cups Italian flavored breadcrumbs
(2) eggs beaten
(1/4) cup milk
(2) cups Parmesan cheese
(4) tablespoons chopped parsley
(2) teaspoons dry oregano
(2) cups Ricotta Cheese
(8 oz.) tomato sauce – Prego or other brand
(2 cups) shredded mozzarella
(1) cup olive oil

Mix eggs and milk in a bowl.
Mix breadcrumbs, and half the Parmesan cheese, parsley, and oregano in a different bowl.
Heat olive oil to medium.
Dip eggplant in egg batter and dredge through breadcrumb mixture.
Place eggplant in frying pan and brown on both sides.
Place on paper towels.
Mix/whip ricotta cheese and remaining ingredients (except mozzarella) together.
Let the eggplant cool.
Begin stacking.
1 slice of eggplant, top with 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture—spread on eggplant; add another slice of eggplant; top with a spoon of tomato sauce and a tablespoon of mozzarella.
Repeat until you have 3-4 slices of eggplant per stack.
Once assembled, bake in 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts.

SHRIMP SCAMPI

Ingredients:
1-2 lbs JUMBO shrimp/shelled and deveined (leave tail on or off)
2 Tbs Olive Oil
4 tbs butter
4-5 cloves garlic minced
¼ cup dry white wine or vegetable stock
2 tbs lemon juice
¼ cup chopped parsley
Crushed red pepper if desired

Heat olive oil and ½ of the butter.  Saute’ garlic 2 minutes.
Add shrimp and saute on one side for 2 minutes.
Flip shrimp and pour wine/stock over shrimp, cook 3-4 minutes.
Shrimp should be pink.
Add remaining butter, lemon juice, and toss parsley into shrimp (red pepper).
Remove pan from heat.
Can be served over linguini or rice if desired.

STUFFED FLOUNDER WITH OR WITHOUT CRABMEAT

1 Piece of founder per person (using 6 pieces for recipe)
1 cup chopped crab meat (optional)
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup olive oil
(4) lemons for garnish – cut into equal pieces
Zest and juice of (1) lemon
2 cups breadcrumbs Italian flavored breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
¼ cup finely chopped parsley
4-5 cloves finely chopped garlic
¼ teaspoon oregano

Rinse flounder and pat dry.
Heat oven to 325 degrees.
Heat butter and ½ olive oil in sauce pan, add garlic and saute’ for 1-2 minutes.
Add breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, oregano (crabmeat if desired) and saute until blended and if   adding crabmeat until cooked.
Place 2-3 tablespoons of mixture and spread in middle of flounder.  Roll flounder and hold together with toothpick.
Mix lemon zest and lemon juice together and pour over flounder.
Bake 15-20 minutes until fish turns white.
Once removed from oven top fish with any remaining stuffing.
Squeeze lemons over fish.

FRESH APPLE CAKE, courtesy of Deb Yarmula.

Ingredients:
You will need (3) large mixing bowls, Bundt pan, shallow baking pan
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3 ½ cups chopped Granny Smith apples – cored and peeled
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs

Preheat oven to 325.  Coat 10 inch Bundt pan with non-stick spray and lightly floured.
Spread walnuts in a separate pan and toast for about 7 minutes until golden.  Cool completely.
In large bowl whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
In another large bowl combine walnuts, vanilla, cinnamon and 3 cups of the cut apples.
In third bowl beat sugar, oil, and eggs with electric mixer on medium until well blended.
Turn mixer to slow speed and gradually add the flour mixture from bowl 1. Scrape bowl occasionally with spatula.  Beat one minute longer or until well combined.
Fold in apple mixture from bowl 2.
Once all ingredients are folded together spoon batter into Bundt pan. Add remaining apples to top and gently press into mixture.
Bake 1 ½ hours or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Cool on rack.  Serve with a big helping of ice cream.

SNOWBALLS

Ingredients
1 Cup butter softened
½ Cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 ¼ Cups flour
¼ tsp salt
¼ Cup finely chopped walnuts

Mix well butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
Mix in flour, salt, and walnuts until holds together.
Roll into 1” balls.
Place on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10 – 12 minutes. Dough should be set, but not brown.
While still warm, roll in powdered sugar. Cool. Then roll again in powdered sugar (or gently shake in bag).
Makes 4 dozen.

POUND CAKE

Ingredients:
1 lb butter
3 1/3 C sugar
10 eggs
4 C flour
½ tsp salt
1 T vanilla
1 tsp lemon extract

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time and beat thoroughly. Add sifted flour and dry ingredients. Add flavorings. Beat 15 minutes. Bake in greased tube pan. Bake 300 degrees for 2 hours or 325 degrees 1 ½ hours.

PECAN TASSIES

3 oz. cream cheese softened
½ Cup butter or margarine softened
1 Cup flour

Blend together cream cheese and butter.
Stir in flour.
Chill 1 hour.
Shape into 2 dozen 1” balls. Place in 1 ¾” muffin pans. Press dough against bottom and sides.

For filling beat together just till smooth:
1 egg
¾ Cup brown sugar
1 T softened butter
1 tsp vanilla
Dash of salt

Divide 1/3 Cup coarsely broken pecans among “tarts”. Add egg mixture. Top with 1/3 Cup coarsely broken pecans.
Bake at 325 degrees for 25 min or until filling is set.
Cool completely and then remove from pans.

Now on to another favorite topic, food.  For those of you who are baking—and from what I hear it’s a lot of you—here is that fantastic apple pie recipe courtesy of Patricia Dorph—in case you missed it last year.

 Apple Pie

Pastry for two 9-inch pastry pans:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cups butter
• 2-3 Tbs. cold water
• Sift flour and salt together
• Add butter and cut it through with pastry blender until mixture is in pieces, pea size
• Add cold water a few drops at time until moistened enough to hold together in a ball
• Wrap in plastic and chill in frig. for 15-30 mins
• Take more than half for the under crust and roll out and fit into 9” pie pan

Filling:

• 5 cups, cored, peeled, and thinly sliced apples. Granny Green and Mackintosh
• Mix together and add to apples
• 3/4 cups brown sugar
• 2 Tbs. flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. allspice
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 Tbs. butter
• Place into pie pan
• Roll out top dough for crust and place on top
• Make 4 slashes in top crust

Bake 450 degrees for 15 mins.  Turn heat down to 350 degrees and bake for 20 to 35 mins.  Remove when golden brown.

Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.  Enjoy.

If you’re craving the traditional pumpkin pie, this is courtesy of Heidi Dugan.

Pumpkin Pie

Pastry for two 9-inch pastry pans:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cups butter
• 2-3 Tbs. cold water
• Sift flour and salt together
• Add butter and cut it through with pastry blender until mixture is in pieces, pea size
• Add cold water a few drops at time until moistened enough to hold together in a ball
• Wrap in plastic and chill in frig. for 15-30 mins.
• Take more than half for the under crust and roll out and fit into 9” pie pan

Filling:

• 2 Large eggs, beaten
• ¾ Cup brown sugar (may also use white sugar)
• ½ Teaspoon salt
• 1 Teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ Teaspoon ginger
• ¼ Teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ Teaspoon clove
• 15 Oz can pumpkin puree
• 1 12oz can evaporated milk
• In a medium bowl combine ingredients in order listed above
• Pour the mixture into unbaked piecrust. Bake in pre heat oven at 425 degrees for 15 minutes
• Reduce heat to 350 degrees bake for 40-50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean
• Cool 2 hrs. and serve or refrigerate

Both are absolutely delicious and I want to thank Heidi and Patty for sharing their family recipes with us.  If you’d like to share one of yours, please go to my Facebook page.

Let’s no forget Halloween!  Below is a fun treat that I just l-o-v-e, love!

Peanut Butter Treats

1 small jar Jiff peanut butter, 1 can of Duncan Heinz cake frosting (vanilla or chocolate)

Microwave peanut butter 90 seconds.  Microwave frosting 60 seconds.  Mix and pour in baking pan lightly greased and refrigerate until solid.  Cut and EAT when set.  OMG, I ate half the pan.

And with the cold weather approaching, here is one of my favorite one-pot recipes

Short Ribs – Crock Pot Recipe – You can make two different dinners from this

• 2 lbs. short ribs
• 1 lb. mushrooms – washed and sliced
• 1 large leek (or onion) sliced thin
• 3 cloves crushed garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ cups dry red wine (don’t worry the alcohol will evaporate)
• 8 oz. broth (bone is the best but you can use chicken or vegetable)
• 1 tsp. ground savory
• 1 tsp. dry oregano
• 1 tsp. thyme
• Pinch of salt
• Fresh ground pepper – to your taste

Brown the short ribs in the olive oil.  Don’t overcook. Remove and set aside.
Brown the leeks and garlic in the same pan.
Pour the wine and broth into the crock pot and add savory, oregano, thyme, salt & pepper.  Stir together.
Add ribs and top with the mushrooms.
Cook 6 hours on high or 8 hours on low.

The meat will literally fall off the bone, that you can discard.
First meal is the beef.  Serve with mashed potatoes.

Second meal (which is the best part for me)

Pappardelle pasta.  Those are the long flat ones that are about a ¼ inch thick.  They usually come in spirals. Depending on how many people you are feeding you can decide how much pasta to make.  Cook pasta according to your liking.
Heat leftover mushroom sauce and serve over pasta.
Garnish with fresh basil, grated parmesan, or pecorino cheese.
If you’re like me and you want to give it a kick, sprinkle crushed red pepper.

Buon appetito!

Grilled cheese sandwiches.  Here are a couple of my favorites.  BTW, did you know you can substitute mayonnaise (the real stuff) instead of butter?  I recently discovered that many diners use it in place of butter.

Grilled Swiss Cheese, Bacon & Tomato – I like it on Rye Bread
Make sure the bacon is cooked first.
*Slather up two slices of bread with either butter or mayo.  Place slathered side down on medium heat in frying pan.
Place 2-3 slices of swiss cheese on each slice of bread.  When cheese starts to melt, top with bacon and a slice of tomato.  Let melt for another minute.  Carefully flip one of the slices over and place on top of the other – cheese meets cheese.   Yummy.

If you want a little tang:
Sourdough bread
Provolone
Cheddar
*Same routine as above substituting cheeses

Even more tang:
Your choice of bread
Monterey Jack
Jalapeno peppers – as much heat as you can stand
*Same routine as above substituting cheese and adding peppers

For something fresh and easy try a Caprisi salad or sandwich.
Get fresh mozzarella, I mean fresh, not the stuff hermetically sealed.  If you can.
Fresh beefsteak tomato – there should still be a few around.
Fresh Basil.
Make ¼ inch slices of the cheese and tomatoes.
Lay them out like a fan alternating cheese, tomato, basil leaves.
You can make a sandwich out of this, or serve it with bread on the side.
Drizzle a little balsamic vinegar.  It looks refreshing and tastes delicious.
Note:  never refrigerate fresh mozzarella.  It makes it hard.  You can keep it in a cool place for up to a week. Cheese never lasts that long in my house.

TUSCAN STYLE COLLARD GREENS (A LITTLE BIT OF ITALY)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large bunches local collards
• 16 oz. low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 2 large leeks, washed, white part diced (slice 2-3 rings for garnish)
• 1/3 lb. pancetta or bacon chopped

DIRECTIONS

• Cut or tear collard leaves off stems.
• Clean by rinsing repeatedly in cold water.  Remove excess water – use a salad spinner if you have one.
• Cut into two-inch strips.
• Place in a large pot, cover generously with vegetable broth (reserve 1/3 cup broth for later), and bring to a low boil.
• Cook until collards are almost tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
• Sauté garlic for two minutes, or until tender. Using slotted spoon, remove garlic to a bowl.
• Add diced leeks to pan, and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes—do not brown.
• Remove leeks to garlic bowl. Add pancetta/bacon to frying pan, and sauté until browned.
• Return garlic and leeks to pan.
• Add reserved vegetable broth and collards.
• Stir gently and thoroughly until collards are completely cooked, about three minutes. Serve.

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS

• Cut up whole chicken
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cup corn meal
• 2 tablespoons sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 3-4 cups Wesson or high heat oil – enough to cover frying pan by at least 1 inch

DIRECTIONS

• Wash Chicken – soak in slightly salted water for 10 minutes
• Blend dry ingredients and let sit for 10 minutes
• Heat oil until a drop of water sizzles
• Dip chicken in buttermilk
• Dredge chicken through dry ingredients and place in hot oil
• Keep an eye on the chicken—when it is brown on one side turn over and cook other side

EASY POTATO SALAD

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs. New Potatoes or red potatoes cubed and cooked – let cool a bit
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup ranch dressing [with or without bacon] or add your own
• ¼ cup bacon bits or crumbled bacon

DIRECTIONS

• Mix and serve or refrigerate for 2 hours and serve

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE – ANOTHER CONTEST WINNER!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder plus additional for sprinkling

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 375°F and butter an 8-inch round baking pan. Line bottom with a round of wax paper and butter paper.
• Chop chocolate into small pieces.
• In a double boiler or metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water melt chocolate with butter, stirring, until smooth.
• Remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat and whisk sugar into chocolate mixture.
• Add eggs and whisk well.
• Sift 1/2 cup cocoa powder over chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined.
• Pour batter into pan and bake in middle of oven 25 minutes, or until top has formed a thin crust.
• Cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes and invert onto a serving plate.
• Dust cake with additional cocoa powder. (Cake keeps, after being cooled completely, in an airtight container, 1 week.)

Here are a couple of my favorite summer specials – a no-bake dessert, a summer staple, and a refreshing beverage.   I know I included this in my last letter, but it’s still summer so it’s still relevant:

Watermelon for Grownups*

• One round “sugar” watermelon
• 2 cups vodka
• Cut a 4-5 inch hole in the top
• Using a paring knife chop the inside of the watermelon to make it chunky
• Add 2 cups vodka
• Fresh mint – pick just before serving
• put the watermelon in a bowl or a pan so it doesn’t leak all over, chill overnight in refrigerator

Scoop out the watermelon chunks and add  1 cup to a blender.
Mix on high adding more watermelon as it emulsifies.
Once it’s frothy, pour into an appropriate glass and garnish with fresh mint.

*If you want to be prepared for future gatherings, chop up a sugar watermelon and put it in a blender with fresh mint.  Turn it into a smoothie and freeze it.  When you’re ready, you can put it back in the blender and add your favorite vodka – or not.  It’s a great summer smoothie with or without.

German Potato Salad

• 5 slices bacon (diced and cooked until crisp)
• 2 tablespoons bacon drippings
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 cups sliced cooked potatoes – look for thin skinned like red or fingerling

1. Boil already-sliced potatoes until they are cooked through. Set aside.
2. Cook the bacon and keep the drippings. Set it aside to cool.
3. Heat bacon drippings in a pan large enough to add the potatoes.
4. Blend in flour, sugar, salt, and mustard.
5. Slowly add vinegar and water. Stir until smooth.
6. Continue cooking over low heat until thickened.
7. Add potatoes and heat through. Slowly add crumbled bacon-save a few tablespoons for garnish.
8. Serve warm or room temperature.

No Bake Cheesecake

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup white sugar
• 4 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
• ½ pint sliced fresh strawberries – sprinkled with sugar – set aside

1. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
2. Fold in whipped topping.
3. Spoon mixture into graham crumb crust. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
4. Once the cheesecake has set, garnish with sliced strawberries.

Here are some fun easy summer recipes to enjoy:

Easy Grilled Skewered Shrimp

• 1 lb. peeled and deveined LARGE shrimp – leave the tail on or off – up to you
• Two tablespoons lemon juice
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning or Cajun – depending on what you’re in the mood for
• 6-8 wooden skewers
• 1 lemon cut into wedges

Directions:
Mix lemon juice, olive oil and seasoning in a large plastic zip lock bag
Once the ingredients are combined, add the cleaned shrimp to the bag
Marinate for minimum of 15 minutes up to 2 hours
Thread the shrimp on to skewers (trust me it’s the easiest way to cook them)
Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side
Or broil for 2-3 minutes on each side
Serve with lemon wedges

Greek Chicken Kabobs

• 1 & 1/4 lb. boneless chicken breast cut into 2 inch chunks
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 red pepper, seeded and cut into 1 inch pieces – you can use green bell peppers but they don’t always “agree” with people
• 1 red onion cut into 1 inch pieces
• 6-8 wooden skewers

Combine lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, garlic and black pepper in a bowl or zip lock bag, add chicken and marinate overnight.

When ready to cook, alternate chicken, onion, pepper on skewer
If grilling – cook 5 minutes on each side
If broiling – cook 8-10 minutes on each side

Dipping Sauce:
You can either make this yourself or buy a pre-made Tzatziki sauce—you can usually find it where they sell humus (Cesar’s Food is the brand I use), Green Goddess dressing, or any kind of yogurt dill dressing.

If you’re ambitious here’s how to make it yourself:

• 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup minced cucumber
• ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
• Optional garnishes: lemon wedges chopped parsley

Watermelon for Grownups

And…no summer picnic wouldn’t be complete without watermelon.  But here’s an “adult” version.

• One round “sugar” watermelon
• 2 cups vodka
• Cut a 4-5 inch hole in the top
• Using a paring knife chop the inside of the watermelon to make it chunky
• Add 2 cups vodka
• Fresh mint – pick just before serving
• Put the watermelon in a bowl or a pan so it doesn’t leak all over, chill overnight in refrigerator

Scoop out the watermelon chunks and add  1 cup to a blender
Mix on high adding more watermelon as it emulsifies
Once it’s frothy, pour into an appropriate glass and garnish with fresh mint.
Cheers!

If  you are planning a tea-party I wanted to re-share a traditional menu with you:

Classic afternoon finger sandwiches:
Egg salad
Cucumber & cream cheese
Smoked salmon & cream cheese
Roast Beef
Chicken Salad
Make the sandwiches out of white bread.
Cut the crust off the bread and cut the sandwiches in half at an angle.
Scones, Tea, and Voila!

Pizza Rustica is one of several Italian Easter pies.  It’s a traditional savory dish and usually takes a day and a half to prepare.  But here is a simpler recipe.

Ingredients – for 2 pies…believe me they will fly out of the kitchen.  It can keep on the counter all day.

Original recipe yields 16 servings

Ingredient Checklist

• 4 unbaked 9-inch pie crusts, divided
• 2 (16 ounce) containers whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 eggs
• ¼ pound pepperoni
• ½ pound sweet capicola (coppa)
• ½ pound salami
• 1 egg white, slightly beaten

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Press 1 pie crust each into the bottom of two 9-inch pie pans.

Step 2

Mix ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and eggs together in a large bowl. Roughly chop the pepperoni, sweet capicola and salami; fold in chopped meats. Spoon half the mixture into each of the 2 prepared pie pans.

Step 3

Top each pie with a pie crust, crimping the edges together creating a seal. Brush the top of each pie with egg white.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until crust is golden brown, 45 to 60 minutes.  Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

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Quick, Easy and Impressive.  You can make the brownies but if you’re tight for time, buy them.

Brownie Trifle

• 1 lb. brownies – cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1-2 cans whipped cream
• ½ lb. cherries – if fresh, take out the pits, or use frozen.  Another trick is to buy LUXARDO cherries – they come in a heavy syrup and are the original maraschino cherries.  They’re a little pricey but worth it.
• 1 cup crushed chocolate chips
• 6 wide mouth wine glasses, martini glasses (just to be fancy)

Squirt a bit of whipped cream into the bottom of the glass.

Add 2-3 cubes of brownies.

Add 2-3 cherries.

Another squirt of whipped cream.

Repeat until glass is full.  Garnish with a sprinkling of chocolate chips and a cherry on top.

If you want to be even fancier, put a stick of cinnamon just to make it look pretty.