Sunday, January 15, 2012

THIRD BLOGIVERSARY WEEK CELEBRATION: DAY 7! BRUNCH WITH BINGO: JUNIOR'S DESSERT COOKBOOK- A GIVEAWAY AND A FOND MEMORY

 THIRD BLOGIVERSARY
 
For this year's BLOGIVERSARY I decided to highlight different  kinds of books/prizes each day of this week, and on this last day, I chose a cookbook for "BINGO BRUNCH" that has some very personal meaning to me.
 WELCOME TO BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"BLOGIVERSARY BRUNCH WITH BINGO DAY"
TODAY'S SPECIAL COOKBOOK WILL END THE
WEEK LONG CELEBRATION OF MY THIRD
YEAR BLOGIVERSARY...IT IS:
GIVEAWAY ENDED
JUNIOR'S DESSERT 
COOKBOOK
75 RECIPES FOR CHEESECAKES, PIES, COOKIES, CAKES, AND MORE
BY ALAN ROSEN AND BETH ALLEN
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What would life be without dessert? 
With this book, you’ll never have to find out. Junior’s Restaurants, the landmark chain with four locations on the East Coast, are nationally known for their award-winning cheesecakes.

Make the desserts that made Junior’s deli famous. 
Along with their signature cheesecake, Junior’s is renowned for their iconic black ’n whites, towering cakes, flaky pies, and luscious sundaes. Learn the secrets to their success with Junior’s Dessert Cookbook – and duplicate 65 of their most-loved delights.

Many never-before-published recipes. 
Authors Alan Rosen and Beth Allen put together this incredible collection of recipes – many of them never published before – that range from simple cupcakes to elaborate multi-layer confections. These restaurant recipes retain their authentic flavors and yet they can be easily made in family-size portions right in your own kitchen.

Secret family recipes revealed
Rosen, a third-generation co-owner of Junior’s, enhances this cookbook with entertaining family tidbits, bits of history, and sidebars on “The Junior’s Way,” sharing what his family has learned about baking over the years.

Earn kudos for fabulous sweets. 
You’ll love Junior’s Dessert Cookbook because it’s your guide to creating show-stopping desserts for every taste, plus slimmed down, light versions sure to please calorie counters. Make a name for yourself with amazing desserts that rival the famous originals.
FROM ALAN ROSEN, AUTHOR:
After 60 years, we decided it was time to write our third cookbook, to celebrate with you—our readers and friends—what we’re all about . . . where we’ve been, what we’ve learned, how we’ve grown, what we’ve accomplished, and what makes us The Best. We wanted to pay homage to my grandfather Harry, my father Walter, and my uncle Marvin—for without them, there would not be a Junior’s at all…it would not exist.

So we’ve gathered together a collection of our very favorite Junior’s desserts. We’ve included recipes for our luscious lemon meringue pie (reimagined as individual tartlets), our mountain-high ice cream sundaes and triple-rich malteds, our famous fresh strawberry shortcake, creamy rice pudding, and, of course, the cheesecake that made us famous, our Original New York Cheesecake, all adapted for the home kitchen. In addition, we developed some brand-new recipes just for this book, desserts you won’t find on any of our Junior’s menus or via mail order, like Boston Cream Pie, Brioche Bread Pudding, and The World’s Smallest Hot Fudge Sundae. We’ve also brought back desserts Junior’s used to offer on its menu in the 1950s, when it first opened, like Banana Whipped Cream Pie and Nesselrode Whipped Cream Pie.

 We want to give a great big sweet thank you to all of our customers during these first 60 years—from our regulars who keep coming back and bringing their friends and family to our mail-order customers and visitors from other states and countries. And a sweet “hello” as well to those who are discovering Junior’s for the first time. We promise that, at Junior’s, you will always find great home-cooked food and great cheesecake, every day—as you want it, just as my Grandpa Harry promised! You are very important to us…for at Junior’s, we care.
    —Alan Rosen
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
ALAN ROSEN AND BETH ALLEN
(ABOVE) Alan Rosen, owner of Junior’s Cheesecake, and cookbook author Beth Allen pose with some desserts at Junior's on Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn.

Read the "New York Daily News " article about Alan Rosen and Beth Allen, authors of the cookbook and see all the WONDERFUL recipes they have there including the one for those yummy Black and White Cookies!

Read more here: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/alan-rosen-beth-allen-shares-cheesecake-recipe-junior-dessert-cookbook-article-1.981119#ixzz1jDL1iw
ABOUT JUNIOR'S RESTAURANT:
Founded by Harry Rosen in 1950, Junior's landmark restaurant is known as the home of New York's best cheesecake. From the very first day Junior's opened its doors in 1950 on the corner of DeKalb and Flatbush Avenue Extension in Brooklyn, the Rosen family has worked hand in hand to build the restaurant into one of the most popular eateries in the city. For decades residents of Brooklyn (and other New Yorkers) have come here to eat, laugh, argue, and kibitz over cheesecake. In the 1950s an entire generation came of age at Junior's.

Since the opening, Junior's has been serving the "World's Most Fabulous Cheesecake." Harry Rosen perfected his recipe for the perfect New York–style cheesecake with a master baker named Eigel Peterson. After much trial and error, they had it – a delicious layer of buttery light sponge cake with the perfect cheesecake – creamy but not heavy, light without falling apart, and of course that rich, creamy flavor. To this day, the third generation of Rosens still uses the same recipe.

In 1995, Junior's began selling its fabulous cheesecakes on QVC. Many of the selections are exclusive to QVC – you can't even get them in our restaurant!

Today, loyal customers still come from all over and all walks of life – Supreme Court justices, famous mayors, Hall of Fame athletes, authors, singers, and movie stars – each with his or her favorite Junior's cheesecake. In fact it's as true today as it was 50 years ago: You haven't really lived until you've had cheesecake from Junior's.
A RECIPE FROM JUNIOR'S DESSERT COOKBOOK:
JUNIOR'S FAMOUS 
STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE 
(From GOOD MORNING AMERICA Website HERE)
Ingredients for One 9-inch Sponge Cake Layer 
  • 1/2 cup sifted cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 extra-large eggs separated
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 drops pure lemon extract
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 
Directions for the Thin Sponge Cake Layer for Cheesecake 
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and generously butter a 9-inch springform pan. Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
2. Beat the egg yolks together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high for 3 minutes. Then, with the mixer still running, gradually add the 1/3 cup of sugar and continue beating until thick light-yellow ribbons form in the bowl, about 5 minutes more. Beat in the vanilla and lemon extracts.
3. Sift the flour mixture over the batter and stir it in by hand until no more white flecks appear. Then blend in the butter.
4. In a clean bowl, using clean dry beaters, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together on high until frothy. Gradually add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form (the whites should stand up in stiff peaks, but not be dry).
5. Stir about 1/3 cup of the whites into the batter, then gently fold in the remaining whites (don't worry if a few white specks remain).
6. Gently spoon the batter into the pan. Bake the cake just until the center of the cake springs back when lightly touched, only about 10 minutes (watch carefully!). Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack while you continue making the cheesecake filling. Do not remove the cake from the pan.
Makes Enough for One Cheesecake.

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Filling 
  • 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese (the regular variety not light Neufchatel cream cheese), at room temperature
  • 1 2/3 cups sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 extra-large eggs
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Directions for the Cream Cheese Filling
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and generously butter a 9-inch springform pan. Make the batter for the sponge cake as the recipe directs Evenly spread the batter on the bottom of the pan, and bake just until set and golden, about 10 minutes. Place the cake on a wire rack to cool (do not remove it from the pan).
2. While the cake cools, make the cream cheese filling: Place one 8-ounce package of the cream cheese, 1/3 cup of the sugar, and the cornstarch in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low until creamy, about 3 minutes, then beat in the remaining 3 packages of cream cheese.
3. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of the sugar, then beat in the vanilla and heavy cream. Blend in the eggs, one at a time, beating the bating only until completely blended (just like they do at Junior's). Be careful not to over mix the batter.
4. Gently spoon the cheese filling on top of the baked sponge cake layer. Place the springform pan in a large shallow pan containing hot water that comes about 1 inch up the sides of the pan. Bake the cheesecake until the center barely jiggles when you shake the pan, about 1 hour.
5. Cool the cake on a wire rack for 1 hour. Then cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate until it's completely cold, at least 4 hours or overnight. Remove the sides of the springform pan.
6. Slide the cake off of the bottom of the pan onto a serving plate. Or if you wish, simply leave the cake on the removable bottom of the pan and place it on a serving plate. If any cake is left over, cover it with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
Makes Enough for One 8-Inch Cake, About 2 1/2 Inches High 

Ingredients for the Macaroon Crunch
  • 1/2 cup chopped mixed nuts (almonds, pecans, and/or walnuts)
  • 1/2 cup angel flake coconut 
Ingredients for the Strawberry Topping 
  • 1 quart large ripe strawberries
  • 1 cup strawberry jelly
  • 1/2 cup apricot preserves
Directions for the Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and butter a 9-inch springform pan. Make and bake the sponge cake layer. Make the cheesecake filling and bake the cake as for Junior's Famous No. 1 Pure Cream Cheesecake. Transfer the baked cake to a wire rack to cool, about 1 hour.
2. While the cake is baking and cooling, make the macaroon crunch: Spread the nuts and coconut on a baking sheet and toast in a 350 F oven until golden and crunchy, about 10 to 15 minutes. Set the crunch aside to cool.
3. To prepare the strawberries: Wash, hull, and sort through the strawberries, then pat them dry with paper towels. Starting at the outside edge of the cheesecake, arrange the berries on their sides, in rows, with ends pointing toward the edge of the cake. Continue until the top of the cake is completely covered by strawberries.
4. Now make the strawberry topping: Melt the strawberry jelly and apricot preserves together in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Strain and drizzle the warm jelly over the berries.
5. Sprinkle the macaroon crunch in a 1 1/2-inch border around the edge of the cheesecake, covering the berries around the outside edge. Loosely cover the entire cake with plastic wrap, being careful not to let the glaze stick to the wrap.
6. Refrigerate the cake until it's completely cold, at least 4 hours or overnight. Remove the cake from the pan and serve it chilled. Wrap any leftover cake in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
  
BINGO'S PERSONAL NOTE:
Those of you who have been with me these 3 years, know I was born in Brooklyn and grew up there and later lived in Yonkers, NY, before heading south in my late elementary school years. I have so many fond memories of Brooklyn and remember Flatbush Avenue well where Junior's is located. But my best Junior's memory was the early years when it was first opened and Alan Rosen's grandfather, father, and uncles ran the business. At that time, my father was the manager of the restaurant. A self-made man who left school at an early age to help bring in money for the 11 children in his family, my father was a natural in this business. I remember when we left Brooklyn and moved out to Yonkers, Dad would come home very late nights from the city but when we went to bed on Saturday night, we always knew there would be something special the next day to look forward to. Sure enough, every Sunday I can remember, my father would have brought home dessert from Junior's for our Sunday dinner. He would see what kind of desserts, usually cheesecake, were left at the end of the night and was allowed to bring home some pieces for us. These were tough times and having something as special as my favorite, the strawberry cheesecake, was so amazing that I can taste it today. I have visited Junior's when in New York on trips and have also ordered from there to have desserts delivered. I always order the cheesecake and although I am sure it has changed some, it surely brings back so many memories to me even just writing about it and looking at the pictures now I can see my dad at the head of the table unveiling the special Sunday dinner dessert. YUM! I hope whoever wins this cookbook will whip up one of these AMAZING cheesecakes and let me know how good it is! 
 GIVEAWAY
I AM SO THRILLED (AND HUNGRY)
AS I WRITE ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY!
I HAVE ONE COPY OF THIS AMAZING
JUNIOR'S DESSET COOKBOOK TO GIVE
AWAY MYSELF TO ONE LUCKY WINNER!
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:


+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT JUNIOR'S RESTAURANT AND THIS COOKBOOK THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK
+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING BY VISITING THE JUNIOR'S WEBSITE HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON THE KIND OF DESSERT YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO LEARN TO MAKE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU MAY COMMENT SEPARATELY FOR EACH TO RECEIVE MORE ENTRIES
 
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, JANUARY 21
 GOOD LUCK!

63 comments:

yadgirl said...

I was thinking it's been a long time since I made dessert, and I'd like to try these recipes.

yadgirl said...

I'd most like to learn how to make puff pastry.

debbie said...

What great memories you have. I would love to try their cheesecakes. It would be really nice to try their recipes, I bet they are really good.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I would like to learn to make cannoli.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

On their site, their cheesecakes look amazing. I would love to try their red velvet cheesecake.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

JJ said...

Oh, the cheese cake did it for me. I can't wait to try more recipes. Thanks

gahome2mom/gmail/com

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful memory. I love Juniors and we always go there for breakfast and dessert when we're in New York. I have ordered their Christmas cheesecake several times for the holidays.

jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

hThanks for a fabulous giveaway.

Anonymous said...

I am a GFC follower
jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

Anonymous said...

On their website I think I found my next birthday cake - lemon coconut cheesecake. yummy!

jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

Anonymous said...

i would love to learn to make their red velvet cheesecake. It would be perfect for so many events.

Thanks again for the giveaway.
jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

Suburban prep said...

I would love to create or sort of create the beautiful and delicious desserts that are pictured in the book and have been shown on tv.

Suburban prep said...

They have a cheesecake layer sampler

Suburban prep said...

Creme caramel would be the dessert I would like to learn to make.

Suburban prep said...

I follow via GFC

petite said...

A most delightful and lovely dessert cookbook. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I woudl like to learn how to make mille-feuilles. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(Dot)com

petite said...

I would like their cheesecakes. Delectable. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(Dot)com

traveler said...

Excellent and appealing book. so unique. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I would like to make lemon squares. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The chocolate mousse cheesecake looks incredible. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The website is fascinating. ABout their history, and lovely offerings. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Pat L. said...

I always look forward to Sunday's cookbook giveaways.

patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

The photos are droolworthy.

patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

I would love to make the lemon cheesecake or lemon squares.

patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

I am a gfc follower.
patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

I am an email follower.

patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

On their website, the offerings over there look so wonderful.

patoct@yahoo.com

Linda Kish said...

I love dessert and it would be nice to make some really tasty ones.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Cherry crumb cake looks amazing

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I'd like to learn to make a Boston cream pie.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would like to win this cookbook for my mother-in-law who loves to cook. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Margie said...

Loved your fond memory about your father and Juniors.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Maria D. said...

I would love to win this book - I love the idea of Junior's being a family owned restaurant and about them sharing secret recipes in the book. It looks amazing and made me hungry...lol

Thanks for the giveaway!

junegirl63 at gmail dot com

Maria D. said...

I Tweeted this giveaway:

https://twitter.com/#!/crazymidwestgal/status/158758148805632000

junegirl63 at gmail dot com

Maria D. said...

I follow the blog via email

junegirl63 at gmail dot com

Maria D. said...

I follow the blog via RSS reader

junegirl63 at gmail dot com

Maria D. said...

I follow the blog via GFC

junegirl63 at gmail dot com

Maria D. said...

I would like to learn how to make the "Black and Whites" type of deserts that are shown on the book cover - they look amazing!

junegirl63 at gmail dot com

Maria D. said...

I thought it was interesting to see the history of Junior's on their website and that a link on that page takes you to all of the different cakes they offer.

junegirl63 at gmail dot com

holdenj said...

What a beautiful cover! Would love to try to make some Junior's recipes!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I would love to learn how to make a great creampuff!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am an email subscriber.

JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am a GFC follower.

JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I subscribe via RSS feed.

JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Reading said...

Did someone say Cheesecake? Gotta love it!

Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I follow on GFC

Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

rubynreba said...

I loved your review and the story of your Dad bringing home desserts. The cheesecake looks so very good. I'm anxious to try it and some of the other recipes in the book.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

gfc follower
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

lag123 said...

I need some new dessert recipes.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Maureen said...

I would love to win this book since they look like they have some good recipes for special occasions and also some low calorie recipes.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Maureen said...

I found that Junior's is located in Brooklyn.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Maureen said...

I would like to learn to make their black and white cookies
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Maureen said...

I am an email subscriber
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Maureen said...

I am a facebook fan
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Maureen said...

I follow on GFC
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Maureen said...

I follow on networked blogs
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Jolee said...

As the included recipe was enough to make me drool, it makes me quite interested in seeing more of the cookbook. :-) joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Loved the Chocolate Ganache Heart cheesecake on their website. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Well, I can make a good pie, but I would LOVE to perfect crust. Yum. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

follow you on gfc joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

fan on fb joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

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