Adrienne's Delight


Welcome to Zaza's Table---On the Gulf Coast whether it be MS, TX, LA, AL or FL time and events are often referred to as "before the storm" or "after the storm".  Until 2005 "the storm" was Camille now "the storm" is Katrina.  I lost most of my cookbooks in Katrina especially my favorite ones since they were on the lower shelves in my kitchen (we had 8 ft. of water in our house).  V, my youngest daughter of four, immediately went to Amazon and E-bay and found about 10 or 12 of them so cookbooks started arriving well before Christmas of 2005.  Cotton Country Collection from Monroe, LA was first published in 1972 and at that time was my most favorite.  I served this at the Yacht Club Christmas Sherry Party in '72 and it was a big hit.  I really had forgotten about this recipe until we were getting ready for the Yacht Club Party this past Christmas and one of the ladies requested that I make it.  Again it was a big hit!!!!!




Adrienne's Delight



12 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese
1 stick butter
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 envelope plain gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 cup silvered almonds, toasted
Grated rinds of two lemons
Saltine crackers

Have cream cheese, butter and sour cream at room temperature. Cream well and then add sugar.  Soften gelatin in 1/4 cup cold water and then dissolve over hot water.  Add to cream cheese mixture.  Add raisins, slivered almonds and lemon rind.  Mix well.  Pour into a 1 quart mold and refrigate until firm.  Unmold and serve with Saltine crackers.

Hints
#1 Spray your mold with cooking spray to help with the unmolding.
#2 If you don't have a zester, put your lemons in the freezer for a couple
     of hours and grate on small side of your grater.
#3 Don't substitute for the Saltine crackers---it's just not the same--
     may not be elegant but they are the best.
#4 May be frozen after unmolding---just thaw and serve.
#5 Use at a cocktail party or as a dessert.
#6 Garnish with lemon curls, toasted whole almonds and parsley if desired.