Love My Philly

The French are known for their food. They understand that food is supposed to be an indulgence of the senses and it’s showcased in recipes that call for carbs and cream. Try these recipes that showcase some of the best French staples, infused with Philly, of course.

Oven-Baked French Toast with Cranberry-Maple Sauce
This is the staple French breakfast. French toast is probably the best thing the French have ever given us, oh yeah that and the Statue of Liberty. You can’t eat Lady Liberty but you can definitely eat this French Toast.

“Croque Monsieur”
What does that mean? I don’t know, but I’d put my money on it being the French way of saying “fancy sandwich.” Toasted French bread, Philly, ham and cheese; I don’t think a sandwich has ever sounded so good.

French Vanilla Tiramisu
Go with me on this one, okay. Yes, Tiramisu is an Italian dish. But adding French vanilla to the mix waters down its Italian roots. Besides, once you taste it you won’t much care where it came from, you’ll be too busy licking your plate clean.

Hot Beef Dip
This appetizer is a hearty dip served with French bread cubes. For some reason it reminds me of a very cheesy version of French onion soup mixed with an Au Jus sandwich.

Cream Crepes
Anyone order a rich creamy pastry for breakfast? That’s exactly what you’re in store for with this recipe. Fold your crepes, or roll them for a more traditional French presentation.

Everyone knows that when it comes to cream cheese Philly can’t be beat. The same can be said of the full flavorful taste of Grey Poupon mustard. Put the two together and you get the best of both worlds. Try these recipes and see what I mean.

Spicy Mustard Dip
Dip your favorite veggies into this one. One part Philly, one part Grey Poupon, all parts yum!

Ham and Dijon Pastry Cups
The perfect puff pastry appetizer, this creation cooks up in less than 40 minutes and is filled with the distinctive flavors of Philly and Grey Poupon.

Saucy Honey Mustard Chicken
In this dish, skinless chicken breast is served up with a savory honey mustard sauce. Plate it with steamed rice and broccoli for fast meal that’s teeming with wholesome goodness.

Florentine Fish with Lemon Sauce
This is a full hearty meal guaranteed to impress family and friends. Pair this meal of stuffed flounder with a side of asparagus and carrots, to round it out.

Prosciutto-Dijon Pinwheels
Provolone, prosciutto, and Grey Poupon all lend themselves to this appetizer to create bite sized pieces of culinary heaven.

My love for Philly runs deep. These recipes, much like the layers of my love, build upon each other to create something wonderful. See how to layer Philly with the things you love and watch your love for cream cheese grow.

Layer-after-Layer Lemon Pie
Layer strawberry jam, Cool Whip, and lemon custard over a graham cracker crust to create this delightful Philly summery treat.

Philadelphia Mexican Dip
Cream cheese is the perfect substitute for sour cream. Why? I don’t know, it just is. Make a Mexican layered dip, with Philly, for your next fiesta and have everyone shouting, “Ole!”

Layered Fruit Dessert
Think, a trifle but made entirely of fruit and add Philly. Then you’d be on the right track with this dessert.

French Vanilla Tiramisu
Enjoy a serving of this rich and indulgent treat, perfect for special occasions. It’s sure to be a hit with family and guests alike.

Seven Point Spread
Each bite of this spread goes a long way in flavor. And for all the taste with less fat, try these substitutions. Prepare as directed, using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese; KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Four Cheese Mexican Style Cheese; and BREAKSTONE’S Reduced Fat or KNUDSEN Light Sour Cream.

Philly goes with lots of things, especially bagels. But take that thought and run with it. If Philly tastes great with a plain ol’ bagel, imagine what else it could do. Take your “plain ol’” bread to “OMG” bread! Philly and bread make quite a pair. Try out these 5 recipes, and relish how Philly brings out the best in bread.

Stuffed French Toast
French Toast is the ultimate breakfast food, but add ham and Philly to the mix and you turn the ultimate breakfast dish into something that words can’t even begin to describe. One bite of this and you’ll sit in silence while your tastebuds pay homage to the wonderful flavors taking over your mouth.

Favorite Banana Bread
Who doesn’t love banana bread? I don’t like bananas or nuts but put them in a yummy bread and I can’t resist. Of course, with the addition of Philly into this classic recipe it will be everyone’s favorite!

Garlic Breadsticks
The more garlic and cheese with my breadsticks, the better.These breadsticks only take a combined total of 20 minutes to prepare and cook. When you pull them out of the oven be ready to serve up this warm cheesy bread with your favorite pasta dish.

Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread
Think of mini cinnamon rolls, then make that thought take the shape of a bunt cake and you’ll start to be on the right track. This ooey gooey dessert will be gone in no time, aptly titled, your friends and family will work themselves into a frenzy pulling this dish apart.

Easy-Bake Cheddar Biscuits
Cheddar biscuits…just the mention of them makes me my mouth start to water. Try this Philly recipe for biscuits that are light, fluffy and full of creamy cheese flavor. Mmm, biscuits *drool*

So, you love cream cheese but sometimes you want to add a little extra something to the creamy taste of Philly. Kick it up a notch with barbecue sauce. That’s right, you read right. Philly and barbecue sauce go together like a hand and glove. If you don’t believe me, just try out these Philly BBQ inspired ideas. They’re bound to make a believer out of you.

BBQ Cheese Spread
This spread takes simple to the next level. With only 3 ingredients and a total 5 minute prep/cook time, you can enjoy this festive spread all summer long.

BBQ Bacon Party Spread
This hearty BBQ spread serves up with 1/3 less fat, thanks to Philly’s Neufchatel Cream Cheese. Calling for 2% milk, this recipe is made complete with less fat than you’d think. Serve it anytime without fretting about your waistline.

Awesome BBQ Burgers
The original version of this recipe calls for BOCA meatless burgers. I love veggie burgers, but sometimes you want a big beef patty to sink your teeth into. Substitute BOCA for ground chuck for a thick juicy Philly BBQ burger. Or if you want the meat without all the fat, opt for lean ground turkey.

Diner Special Meatloaf
This is an interesting twist on traditional meatloaf. Start by giving your meat a tangy zip, with barbecue sauce. Then build you sides into your main dish and you have a diner special.

It used to be that my favorite thing about Greece was the mythology. But once I discovered the food and how to add Philly to the mix, Greek food has started moving up to the top of my list of favorite things. Take a minute and delve into these Philly enriched Grecian discoveries.

Philadelphia Greek Style Spread
This spread is full of the taste of Greece. Fix this for your next party and see how fast it goes.

Whipped Feta Spread with Walnuts
Feta is the cheese of Greece. Whip it together with the the creamy taste of Philly and add walnuts for a bit of crunch.

Mediterranean Six Layer Dip
Six layers of anything is sinfully good, especially when one of those layers is Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Add a layer of olives and other Mediterranean faves, and you’ve got a dip that any Greek guy or girl will love.

Hot Artichoke and Feta Dip
Who doesn’t love a good artichoke dip? Heat it up with Philly and Feta, and wait 30 minutes for your taste buds to cry, “Oopah!”

Toasted Feta and Beet Bites
Don’t be fooled; these tiny bites are full of flavor. With red onion, spinach, and Philly; how could they be anything other than sensational?

Philly is great for a lot of things. It’s fantastic for desserts and perfect for parties. But Philly on your face? Yep, it works great there, too. Have a look at this facial recipe and the benefits of putting Philly on your face. A most refreshing and creamy, skin-soothing treat.

Ingredients
½ small tangerine, peeled and seeded
2 ounces softened cream cheese

Directions

1. Mash the tangerine flesh with the back of a fork. Add tangerine flesh to softened cream cheese and stir well to incorporate. Reserve 1 teaspoon of Breakfast Spread, and enjoy it with your English muffin and tea.
2. To use, apply to clean face and neck, avoiding eye and mouth areas. Rest for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and follow with toner and moisturizer.

Feel free to substitute other citrus fruits for the tangerine, such as orange or lemons. Citrus fruits (particularly lemon) are ideal if you have an oily complexion, as they work as an astringent to open clogged pores.

* Recipe courtesy of http://www.organicauthority.com

Philly makes dinner easy. How? Every meal is filled with Philly flavor, turns out rich and creamy, and brings the family to the table in less than 25 minutes. Each one of these dishes will have you and your brood saying, “Yum.”

Best Veggie Burgers
I love to sink my teeth into a good burger, even when that burger is composed of veggies. This recipe indulges the herbivore in all of us.

Microwave Chicken Enchiladas
A great meal, inspired by our neighbors to the south. You can’t ever go wrong with a dish that’s bursting with flavor and spice.

Creamy Spinach Ravioli
This is probably my favorite pasta dish. It alwyas looks so prestine, no matter how it’s served up. Add some spinach and Philly and you’ve got a dish, with class, in less than 20 minutes.

Swordfish with Leek Cream
Fish is always an easy dish to do. Add this Philly infused leek cream sauce and make an “easy meal” look like it took all day to create.

One-Pan Meatball Stroganoff
This is the perfect main dish. It will be the star of dinner. Serve up tasty sides like mashed potatoes and brocioli to give your family a well balanced meal.

Earlier this week I caught a whiff of garlic bread, during lunch, which made me want some lasagna. It’s three days later and I haven’t been able to shake the longing for layered pasta drenched in marinara and overrun with cheese. Then I got to thinking, I wonder how it would taste with the addition of cream cheese. So, here you have my latest creation; Cheesy Philly Lasagna. I hope it hits the spot.

Cheesy Philly Lasagna

9 lasagna noodles
12 ounces ricotta cheese
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup Parmesan
1 (8-ounce) Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 cup mozzarella, grated
2 jars of marinara
1 clove of garlic, diced
1/4 cup chopped, fresh parsley leaves
1-1/2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
1-1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt
1-1/2 pounds ground beef

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees.

COOK crumbled ground beef in a saucepan; with garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, and season salt; until no pink remains, then drain off the fat.

MIX 12 ounces ricotta cheese with 1 beaten egg and 1/2 cup Parmesan.

BOIL lasagna noodles according to the package directions.

LAYER lasagna in a 9×13x2 inch pan as follows: marinara sauce, 3 lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, meat, mozzarella, and dots of Philly cream cheese. Repeat layering until there are 3 layers in pan. Top with remaining marinara.

COVER pan with aluminum foil and place in oven, to bake for 20 minutes. At the end of 20 minutes remove foil and add remaining mozzarella on top. replace foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

SERVE while still gooey and hot.

Take a trip to Italy tonight, without leaving the comfort of your home. Mix up this great Italian meal for your family and friends, then celebrate all the delicious wonderful foods Italy has to offer. Everyone will have fun!

Appetizer

Pesto Crostini

Side Dish

Zucchini with Parmesan Sauce

Main Course

Bow Ties Florentine

Dessert

Cappuccino Cream Cheese Brownies