Recipes

Makes 6 large cupcakes

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup turbinado sugar
3 tablespoons lemon zest
3 tablespoons chopped fine, parsley
1 stick butter ( salted) softened
¾ cup ricotta cheese
1 egg
juice of three lemons

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift or mix together the dry ingredients, flour, baking powder and soda and salt, in a medium size-mixing bowl.  In another medium sized bowl mix together the sugar, parsley and lemon zest until a crumbly mixture is created.  (Set aside 3 tablespoons of the mixture in a small bowl.) Add the butter and ricotta to the sugar mixture in the medium bowl.  Mix well by hand is fine.  Add the egg and continue to mix well until a light fluffy batter is created.  Spoon the mixture into a muffin tray lined with muffin papers or greased well.  Sprinkle the sugar mixture from the small bowl set aside on the top of each muffin.  Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Serves 6

The dessert is one that combines the love of fresh dates with the amazing ricotta and honey found throughout the Middle East, the tea, purely a Tunisian thing, interesting and quite good.

Ingredients

½ cup honey
1/2  cup water
24 fresh Deglet Nuir or Medjul dates, pitted
2 cups fresh ricotta

Directions

In a small saucepan heat the honey and the water, whisking to incorporate, do not boil.  Add the dates and let the dates simmer on low in the honey for about 5 minutes.  Serve a dollop of ricotta with a 3-4 dates and a drizzle of the honey.

Serves 6-8 , makes 1 quart

Ingredients

2 tablespoons fresh cinnamon basil, chopped fine
2-3 tablespoons turbinado sugar
2 teaspoons  Sichuan peppercorns, crushed
1 teaspoon pink salt
2 pounds red flesh plums, halved
½ cup of honey or cinnamon basil syrup  ( Field Apothecary)
2 cups heavy cream
Toasted Quinoa Spiced Crumble

Directions

On a large plate place the plums flesh side up.  In a small mixing bowl, combine the cinnamon basil sugar, (only) 1 teaspoon of the Sichuan peppercorns, and the salt and mix well.  Sprinkle the mixture all over the tops of the plums and let sit for about 20 minutes.  Heat the grill to a high heat.  Place the plums flesh side down on a clean grill and cook until slightly charred and tender.  About 2 minutes.  Take off grill and place back on the plate with the sugar etc.  Allow to cool.   In a blender, combine the plums and all the scrapings from the plate with the honey or syrup and blend until totally smooth.  There will be pieces of skin but this adds beautiful color.  Add the heavy cream and blend again until well combined.  Refrigerate mixture until well chilled.  Process in an ice cream maker according to directions or just freeze, the creamy texture of the plums allows for a creamy ice cream simply in the freezer!  Serve with a little Toasted Quinoa Spiced Crumble on top.

Toasted Quinoa Spiced Crumble

Makes ½ cup

Ingredients

½ cup almonds, chopped fine
¼ cup black quinoa
½ teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, cracked fine
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon honey
½ tablespoon almond oil

Direcitons

Pre-heat oven to 325˚ F.  In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients until well mixed and all nuts and seeds are coated.  Place the nut and seed mixture on a lined baking sheet making sure to lie out evenly.  Bake for about 15 minutes or until slightly browned.  Allow to cool completely. Alternatively, toast the quinoa in a saute pan and add almonds and sichuan peppers. Add honey and almond oil, stir and take off heat.  Place on wax paper to solidify.

Serves 5

Ingredients

For the ice cream

2 eggs
1 cup turbinado sugar
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
1 whole vanilla bean, split and scraped
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, chopped fine (chopped not grated)

For the topping

1 vanilla bean, split, scraped and cut into pieces
3 blood oranges, halved and sliced thin ( peels on)
2 tablespoons turbinado or raw sugar
1 chai tea bag or 1 tablespoon fresh ground chai tea/spices
½  cup chopped pistachios
Pinch of salt

Directions

Whisk together the eggs and the sugar until a creamy whipped consistency occurs, add the heavy cream and continue to whisk until a smooth cream is formed.  Meanwhile bring the milk, fresh ginger and vanilla bean to a boil in a medium sauce pan, making sure not to burn the milk by stirring often.   When the milk is boiling  reduce heat to a medium low and continue to stir.  Add about a half of a cup of the hot milk to the cream and egg mixture and stir.  Slowly pour the cream and egg mixture into the hot milk, whisking slowly the entire time.  Continue to cook on a medium to low heat until he mixture thickens and a velvety custard like consistency forms, about 4 minutes.  Take the mixture off the heat and place in a stainless steel bowl and cool completely and chill.  When fully chilled process the ice cream in a n ice cream maker.

Pre heat oven to 400° F.  In a large bowl  combine all the ingredients and toss together until all the citrus is coated nicely.  Place the mixture on a large flat baking sheet, making sure the blood oranges are arranged flat.  Bake for about 7-8 minutes.  Turn the oven to broil and finish for about 2 minutes, making sure that the citrus brown and crisp or caramelize but not burn. Serve warm over the ginger ice cream.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 lemon, halved and sliced
1 lime, halved and sliced
1 mandarin orange, halved and sliced
10 kumquats, halved
1 cup demerara sugar
Handful of fresh sage leaves
1 fresh vanilla bean, split
Vanilla Ice Cream

Directions

Pre heat oven to 400° F. In a large bowl combine all the citrus halved and sprinkle with ¼ cup of the sugar and toss together well. Chop up the fresh sage (leaving a few sprigs whole) and toss those into the citrus bowl, along with the vanilla bean. Arrange the segments on a baking sheet flat and sprinkle with the remaining amount of sugar. Place in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes. Place the oven on broil and broil for a few more minutes until the citrus is charred slightly. Spoon the mixture over vanilla ice cream!~

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 lemon, halved and sliced
1 lime, halved and sliced
1 mandarin orange, halved and sliced
10 kumquats, halved
1 cup demerara sugar
Handful of fresh sage leaves
1 fresh vanilla bean, split
Vanilla Ice Cream

Directions

Pre heat oven to 400° F.  In a large bowl combine all the citrus halved and sprinkle with ¼ cup of the sugar and toss together well.  Chop up the fresh sage (leaving a few sprigs whole) and toss those into the citrus bowl, along with the vanilla bean.  Arrange the segments on a baking sheet flat and sprinkle with the remaining amount of sugar. Place in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes.  Place the oven on broil and broil for a few more minutes until the citrus is charred slightly.  Spoon the mixture over vanilla ice cream!~

Makes about 30 truffles

Ingredients

½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoon ground spiced pumpkin seeds
¼ cup pumpkin puree½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nut meg
½ teaspoon ground white pepper
8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet  dark chocolate, chopped
cocoa powder mixed with a little pumpkin pie spice, for dusting

Directions

In a heavy bottom saucepan, heat the heavy cream, vanilla, pumpkin seeds, spices  and pumpkin puree to a simmer, about 3 minutes, using a rubber spatula to scrape the side of the pan where the cream builds up. In a separate metal bowl, place the chocolate. When cream is warm, pour it over the chocolate, let sit for about 1 minute, and then stir until smooth and chocolate is melted and incorporated evenly. Place the metal bowl in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. Spoon small amount into hands, and roll into a little ball. Do not handle the chocolate ganache too much as the heat from your hands will melt the chocolate. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in refrigerator overnight. Roll in cocoa powder/pumkin pie spice mixture..

*Spiced Pumpkin Seeds : mix 2 cups raw pumpkin seeds with ¼ cup melted butter,  ¼ cup turbinado sugar and 1 teaspoon of the following spices: black pepper,, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and all spice.  Bake in a 400° oven for about 15-20 minutes or until browned and crisp.  Allow to cool before grinding.  Grind seeds as needed into a course grind like black pepper.

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

For pavlovas

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon fresh sage leaves
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers
3 egg whites
3 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

For granita

2 cups water
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup honey
1 cup fresh orange juice
2 cups fresh rhubarb, chopped fine

Directions

For pavlovas

Preheat oven to 300°F. In a small bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch and herbs. Set aside. In a mixer (or with a whisk), beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the water, and beat. Continue beating soft peaks. Increase speed, and add sugar and corn starch mixture a little at a time. Next, add vinegar, and beat on high speed until glossy and stiff. Place a spoonful on a lined baking sheet, making 6 to 8 little bowls. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes, until starch hardens, before eating. For serving, place a little granita in a pavlova cup and drizzle a little lavender syrup on top. Garnish with some fresh herbs.

For granita

In a blender, combine all ingredients until mixed well. Add more honey to desired sweetness. Pour in a shallow, metal pan, and freeze, scraping frozen granules every 10 to 20 minutes for about a total of 2 hours.

Beet  Lavender Flower Syrup

Ingredients

½ cup honey
1 cup water
1 medium beet chopped
¼ cup turbinado sugar
1 tablespoon lavender flowers
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves, chopped

Directions

In a small sauce pan, whisk the honey, water, sugar and herbs together while bringing to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 8 minutes, take off heat and allow to cool.

Makes 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients

2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon coarse salt
3½ teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped fine
10 tablespoons (1¼ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 large egg
½ cup dried cherries, chopped
Fine sanding sugar for sprinkling

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt and chopped rosemary; set aside.

Put butter and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Mix in olive oil. Reduce speed to low. Mix in flour mixture. Add cream; mix until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add egg and dried cherries and mix until just combined.

Shape dough into ¾ inch balls and space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Flatten slightly with fingers and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are golden, about 13 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on sheet or wire racks. Store in airtight container.

*Alternatively use fresh thyme, orange zest and chopped dried dates; dried cranberries, fresh thyme and 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, chopped fine, Winter Savory and 1 teaspoon lime zest, 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 teaspoons orange juice.

Makes 4 cups

Ingredients

2 cups whole milk
Zest of 2 oranges
¼ cup fresh orange juice
½ cup sugar
4 egg yolks
1½ cup tahini
Cup heavy cream
Salt

Directions

In a medium sauce pan combine milk, orange zest, orange juice and sugar and bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for about 5 minutes allowing zest to infuse. Bring the heat to medium again, whisk in sugar and egg yolks making sure that the mixture stays smooth and creamy and that it does not boil. Take off heat add a pinch of salt and whisk in tahini and heavy cream until combined. Chill the mixture for a few hours in the refrigerator and often follow the instructions for your ice cream maker.

Makes 18 cupcakes

Ingredients

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon meyer lemon zest
3 sticks butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1¼ cups buttermilk
¼ cup meyer lemon juice
4 eggs
Herbal Icing

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 2 piece muffin tins. In a large mixing bowl sift together the dry ingredients, including the lemon zest. In another bowl whisk together all the wet ingredients, until well mixed. Slowly add the dry mix to the wet, stirring continuously until all the dry mixture is incorporated and a smooth batter is formed. Divide the batter into the 18 cups and place in the oven to bake for about 25 minutes or until stick inserted inside comes out clean. Take out of tins and allow to cool for a few minutes on a wire rack with pan underneath. While still warm but not hot drizzle the herbal icing over the top.

Meyer Lemon Herbal Icing

Makes 1½ cups

Ingredients

1 cup powdered sugar
¼ cup meyer lemon juice
2 teaspoons fresh mint, chopped fine
2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped fine
2 teaspoons fresh basil, chopped fine

Directions

Whisk all the ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

Makes 12

This version gives a shortcut to the traditional sweet Parisian breakfast treat by using already prepared puff pastry.

Ingredients

1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon water
1 package puff pastry, cut into 12 rectangles
1 package puff pastry, cut into 12 rectangles
18 ounces bitter sweet dark chocolate, thin bards, cut into 1½ ounce pieces
Sugar
Cardamom, ground (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Mix the water and beaten egg together and brush the puff pastry (top side) with the egg wash. Please each 1½ piece of chocolate at the end of one of the rectangles. Roll the chocolate up inside and placewith the seam face down on the baking sheet. Place in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator and brush with the remaining egg mixture. Sprinkle with a tiny amount of sugar or sugar mix with a dash of cardamom. Place in the oven and bake about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm!

Serves 6

Traditionally a clafouti is French dessert made with black cherries in an excessively buttered dish in a cakey almond pudding like batter, baked and dusted with powdered sugar. This version is adapted form Julia Child’s clafouti recipe and utilizes almonds and pears.

Ingredients

3 bosc pears, cored and sliced thin (peels left on)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1¼ cups milk
¹⁄₃ cup white sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
½ cup flour
¼-½ cup almonds, sliced and blanched
Powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Gently toss together the pears, lemon juice and sugar. Excessively butter a round shallow baking dish, making sure all the sides and corners are greased well. In a blender mix together the milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt and flour on medium high speed until smooth. Place a small amount of the batter in the greased pan, enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Place in the oven for about 3-5 minutes or until the batter is set and semi firm. Remove the pan from the oven and arrange the pears in a creative design, making sure the peel side is facing upwards. Sprinkle a few almond sliced over the pears. Pour the rest of the batter evenly over the pears and then toss the remaining almonds over the top of that. Place in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes. The clafouti is done when it is puffed and brown and an inserted test stick comes out clean. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Serves 8-10

Traditional Tart Tatin are made with apples and is essentially an upside down pie!

Ingredients

1½ cups flour
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
½ teaspoon cardamom, ground
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, 1 stick cubed and ice cold the other room temperature
4-6 tablespoons ice cold water
5 medium tart apples (pink ladies, honey crips, jonagold or braeburns), peeled quartered lengthwise and cored
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
¼ cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ginger, freshly grated
½ cup sugar
Ginger Whipped Cream (recipe follows)

Directions

In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, sugar and cardamom and mix well. Using a pastry cutter cut the ice cold butter cubes into the flour mixture swiftly until a crumbled mixture is formed. (A food processor is an easy alternative) Place the mixture in the freezer for a few minutes to get it ice cold again before adding the water. Add the ice water to the crumble mixture and using your fingers quickly mix it in just until the dough start to hold together. It will resemble a big course ball stuck together. You don’t want it smooth and you don’t want it to fall apart. Form the dough into a disc shape and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for at least one hour and up to 2 days.

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a mixing bowl toss the apples with the lemon zest, juice, brown sugar and ginger and mix until the apples are completely covered by the sugar and ginger. In a cast iron pan heat the butter on high until melted. Stir in the sugar and using a wooden spoon mix slowly until a caramelized syrup starts to form. (The sugar will begin to turn a deep amber color) Reduce the heat to low and add the apples in and continue to cook, mixing well until the apples are beginning to cook and the sugars begin to combine. Take off the heat and arrange apples in a creative pattern in the caramel covering the bottom of the pan.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the cold dough disc until it is about a half an inch larger than the cast iron pan. It should be about ½-¾ inch thick and again slightly larger than the pan. Make sure to work quickly and handle the dough as little as possible. Shake of any access flour and gently place the dough over the apples. Making sure to tuck the edges in along the inside of the pan. Cut a few tiny air holes in the top of the crust in order to allow heat to escape. Place in the oven and cook for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and semi crispy. Take out of the oven and allow to cool for about 10-15 minutes. Run a knife around the inside of the pan in order to loosen the grip of the dough on the pan.

Place a large flat serving dish on top of the pan and turn upside down, gently tapping if needed until the tatin releases. Serve warm with ginger whipped cream.

*Ginger Whipped Cream-whip 1 cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger until whipped cream consistency!

Makes 6 ramekins

One of the most traditional of the French desserts a rich custard with a glass like burnt sugar topping!

Ingredients

2 cups of whole milk
2 cups of heavy cream
12 fresh bay leaves
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped out (seeds reserved)
3 large eggs
5 large egg yolks
¾ cup of sugar
Pinch of salt
Bay leaf sugar (1 cup sugar and 4-6 bay leaves in a jar for 1 week-shaking each day)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large saucepan combine the milk, cream, bay leaves (crack before putting in pan to release oils), vanilla bean pod and seeds and bring to a boil. Take off heat and let steep for about 20 minutes. In the meantime beat the eggs, egg yolk and ¾ cup sugar and the pinch of salt. Remove the vanilla pod and bay leaves and whisk the cream mixture into the egg yolk until thick custard is formed. Divide the custard into 6 lightly greased ramekins. Place the ramekins in a baking dish with sides and place about 1-2 inches water in the dish. Place in the oven and bake for about 40 minutes. Remove from the water bath and place in the refrigerator to set up for at least 3 hours. For serving place a tablespoon of bay leaf sugar over the top and with a kitchen blow torch heat the sugar until it caramelizes. Allow brulée to set for a few minutes while the caramelized sugar hardens.

Makes about 2 cups (enough for about 4 dozen macarons)

Ingredients

2 large egg whites
²⁄₃
Pinch salt
6½ ounces (13 tablespoons) unsalted butter, slightly cooler than room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup canned pumpkin puree (at room temperature)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Large pinch ground cloves
Orange food coloring, preferably paste or gel

Directions

Beat the egg whites in a stand mixer until they form soft peaks.
Meanwhile combine the sugar and about 3 tablespoons water in a small saucepan over moderately high heat. Bring to a boil and cook to the soft ball stage (235-240°F) on a candy thermometer.
Gradually pour the syrup into the egg whites with the mixer on a low speed. Scrape down the sides and beat on high speed until the meringue is at room temperature. Gradually add the butter and salt, scraping down the sides of the bowl regularly. Beat until completely smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in the remaining ingredients adding enough orange food coloring to give the buttercream an attractive color. If the buttercream seems to be separating beat on high until it comes back together.

Recipe copyright by Michael Kronkl

*You will need some almond flour. If you can’t buy it, you can make your own, just make sure the almonds are really dry. Seperate the eggs at least 1 hour before using or preferably the day before. And if you want to ensure all the macarons are the same size makes a huge difference here.

The recipe makes about 2 dozen 1½-inch macarons

Ingredients

215 grams (7½ ounces) confectioners’ sugar
140 grams (5 ounces) almond flour or sliced almonds
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
100 grams (3½ ounces) egg whites (about 3 large) at room temperature
Pinch salt
25 grams (2 tablespoons) castor or superfine granulted sugar
Orange food coloring preferably paste or gel
Pumpkin buttercream (see following recipe)

Directions

Line two 18-by-13 inch cookie sheets with parchment paper adhering them to the sheets with a little butter.
If sliced, grind the almonds very fine in a food processor with about half the confectioners’ sugar, scraping regularly. Add the remaining confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon and process until very fine. Pass through a medium-coarse sieve and regrind the remaining almond bits if necessary. If using almond flour, sift together with the confectioners’ sugar.
Beat the whites and salt with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add the granulated sugar and beat until stiff and shiny. Add enough coloring for an attractive orange color and beat until stiff and shiny. Add enough coloring for an attractive orange color and beat until homogenous. Using a rubber spatula fold in the almond mixture in two additions until just homogenous. The mixture will deflate.
Fit a piping bag with a ³⁄₈-inch (1 cm) round tip. Pipe the batter onto the baking sheets in circles about 1 inch in diameter. Let the macarons dry about 20 minutes (a little longer is OK if you need to cook them in two batches) so a little skin forms on the outside.
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Set the macarons in the center of the oven and immediately lower the temperature to 350°F. Prop the door slightly ajar with a wooden spoon or something similar. For small macarons, bake about 8-10 minutes, larger ones will take about 12-15. They are doen whe shiny and hard on the outside. When you pry one apart it should be a little moist in the middle. Set on a cooling rack and cool briefly. Remove the macarons from the parchment paper while still warm. Cool on cooling racks.
Sandwich the macarons with 1-2 teaspoons of buttercream. Set in an air-tight container and refrigerate overnight.

Pumpkin Buttercream

Makes about 2 cups (enough for about 4 dozen macarons)

Ingredients

2 large egg whites
²⁄₃
Pinch salt
6½ ounces (13 tablespoons) unsalted butter, slightly cooler than room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup canned pumpkin puree (at room temperature)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Large pinch ground cloves
Orange food coloring, preferably paste or gel

Directions

Beat the egg whites in a stand mixer until they form soft peaks.
Meanwhile combine the sugar and about 3 tablespoons water in a small saucepan over moderately high heat. Bring to a boil and cook to the soft ball stage (235-240°F) on a candy thermometer.
Gradually pour the syrup into the egg whites with the mixer on a low speed. Scrape down the sides and beat on high speed until the meringue is at room temperature. Gradually add the butter and salt, scraping down the sides of the bowl regularly. Beat until completely smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in the remaining ingredients adding enough orange food coloring to give the buttercream an attractive color. If the buttercream seems to be separating beat on high until it comes back together.

Recipe copyright by Michael Kronkl

Makes about 1 cup buttercream

Ingredients

125 grams (4½ ounces or 1 stick + 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, softened
70 grams (2½ ounces or 5 tablespoons) granulted sugar
3 egg yolks at room temperature
2 ounces gianduja

Directions

Melt the gianduja along with 2 tablespoons water in a double boiler. Set aside to cook to room temperature.
Beat the butter until smooth.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with an electric mixer until thick and foamy.
Combine the sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan and boil to the soft ball stage (238°F). Very gradually add the syrup to the egg mixture in a thin stream, beating rapidly between each addition. Beat with an electric mixer until thick and fluffy and room temperature. Beat in the butter, a tablespoon at a time. If the mixture looks curdled keep beating at high speed. If it gets soupy, refrigerate for about 15 minutes and beat again. Finally beat in the gianduja buttercream.

Recipe Copyright by Michael Krondl

Makes about 2 dozen

Ingredients

215 grams (7½ ounces) confectioners’ sugar
100 grams (3½ ounces) egg whites (about 3 large) at room temperature
130 grams (4½ ounces) peeled, lightly toasted hazelnuts
2 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa
25 grams (2 tablespoons) castor or superfine granulated sugar
Pinch salt
Gianduja Buttercream (recipe follows)

Directions

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper adhering them to the sheets with a little butter.
Grind the hazelnuts very fine in a food processor with about half the confectioners’ sugar, scraping regularly. Add the remaining confectioners’ sugar and process until homogenous. Pass through a medium-coarse sieve and regrind the remaining nut bits if necessary. Whisk in the cocoa.
Beat the whites and salt with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add the granulated sugar and beat until stiff and shiny. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula fold in the nut mixture in two additions until just homogenous. The mixture will deflate.
Fit a piping bag with a ³⁄₈-inch (1 cm) round tip. Pipe the batter onto the baking sheets in circles about 1 inch in diameter. Let the macarons dry about 20 minutes (a little longer is OK if you need to cook them in two batches) so a little skin forms on the outside.
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Set the macarons in the center of the oven and immediately lower the temperature to 350°F. Prop the door slightly ajar with a wooden spoon or something similar. For small macarons, bake about 10 minutes, larger ones will take about 15. They are done when shiny and hard on the outside. When you pry one apart it should be a little moist in the middle. Set on a cooling rack and cool briefly. Remove from the macarons from parchment while still warm. Cool on cooling racks.
Sandwich the macarons with 1-2 teaspoons of gianduja buttercream. Set in an air-tight container and refrigerate overnight.

Gianduja Buttercream

Makes about 1 cup buttercream

Ingredients

125 grams (4½ ounces or 1 stick + 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, softened
70 grams (2½ ounces or 5 tablespoons) granulted sugar
3 egg yolks at room temperature
2 ounces gianduja

Directions

Melt the gianduja along with 2 tablespoons water in a double boiler. Set aside to cook to room temperature.
Beat the butter until smooth.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with an electric mixer until thick and foamy.
Combine the sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan and boil to the soft ball stage (238°F). Very gradually add the syrup to the egg mixture in a thin stream, beating rapidly between each addition. Beat with an electric mixer until thick and fluffy and room temperature. Beat in the butter, a tablespoon at a time. If the mixture looks curdled keep beating at high speed. If it gets soupy, refrigerate for about 15 minutes and beat again. Finally beat in the gianduja buttercream.

Recipe Copyright by Michael Krondl

Makes about 2 dozen

Ingredients

215 grams (7½ ounces) confectioners’ sugar
100 grams (3½ ounces) egg whites (about 3 large) at room temperature
140 grams (5 ounces) almond flour or sliced almonds
25 grams (2 tablespoons) castor or superfine granulated sugar
Pinch salt
Green food coloring (preferably paste)
2 teaspoons very finely grated key lime rind

Directions

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper adhering them to the sheets with a little butter.
If sliced, grind the almonds very fine in a food processor with about half the confectioners’ sugar, scraping regularly. Add the remaining confectioners’ sugar and process until homogenous. Pass through a medium-coarse sieve and regrind the remaining almond bits if necessary. If using almond flour, sift together with the confectioners’ sugar.
Beat the whites and salt with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add the granulated sugar and beat until stiff and shiny. Add coloring and beat until homogenous. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula fold in the almond mixture in two additions until just homogenous. The mixture will deflate. Gently fold in the lime rind.
Fit a piping bag with a ³⁄₈-inch (1 cm) round tip. Pipe the batter onto the baking sheets in circles about 1 inch in diameter. Let the macarons dry about 20 minutes (a little longer is OK if you need to cook them in two batches) so a little skin forms on the outside.
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Set the macarons in the center of the oven and immediately lower the temperature to 350°F. Prop the door sligthly ajar with a wooden spoon or something similar. For small macarons, bake about 10 minutes, larger ones will take about 15. They are done when shiny and hard on the outside. When you pry one apart it should be a little moist in the middle. Set on a cooling rack and cool briefly. Remove from the macarons from parchment while still warm. Cool on cooling racks.
Sandwich the macarons with 1-2 teaspoons of buttercream. Set in an air-tight container and refrigerate overnight.

Lime Buttercream

Makes about 1 cup

Ingredients

125 grams (4½ ounces or 1 stick + 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, softened
70 grams (2½ ounces or 5 tablespoons) granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
3 egg yolk at room temperature
2 teaspoons key lime juice
1 teaspoon key lime rind
Green food coloring (preferably paste)

Directions

Beat the butter until smooth.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with an electric mixer until thick and foamy.
Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and boil to the soft ball stage (238°F). Very gradually add the syrup to the egg mixture in a thin stream, beating rapidly between each addition. Beat with an electric mixer until thick and fluffy and room temperature. Beat in the butter, a tablespoon at a time. If the mixture looks curdled keep beating at high speed. If it gets soupy, refrigerate for about 15 minutes and beat again. Finally beat in the food coloring, then the lime juice a drop at a time and finally stir in the lime rind. Refrigerate until firm enough to pipe.

Recipe Copyright by Michael Krondl

Makes 2 dozen doughnuts

*Recipe adapted from Donna Hay

Ingredients

1 package active dry yeast
¼ cup warm water
1 cup warm milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon orange zest
3 tablespoons butter, melted
4 ¼ cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, beaten
Vegetable oil for frying

For the glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
½ cup butter, melted
¼ cup milk, warm
1 tablespoon brown rice syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla
6 ounces bittersweet dark chocolate, chopped fine
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, chopped superfine
1 teaspoon orange zest

Directions

In a large bowl whisk together the yeast, water  and milk and set aside.  The mixture should begin to foam, allow to sit and “activate” for about 7-10 minutes.  Add the sugar, orange zest, salt , eggs and butter and mix well.   Next add the flour stirring well as you add the flour in a little at a time until a sticky dough is formed.  Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead for about 5 minutes or until super elastic.  Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover with a towel.  Set in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size.

Roll the dough out on a floured surface and cut  doughnuts using round cookie cutters and using the small cutter for the center hole. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let stand for 30 minutes. Heat the oil in a large sauce pan filled about 3 inches filled with oil to a medium heat.  Cook the doughnuts a few at a time until golden brown flipping ounce.  (about 3 minutes per side.)  Drain on paper towels.

To make the glaze, combine the milk rice syrup, zest, ginger , chocolate and vanilla in a sauce pan and heat on low stirring until all is melted and incorporated.  Take off the heat and add the powdered sugar and mix well.  Dip the doughnuts in chocolate and let sit in a wire rack for about 10 minutes.

Serves 8

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 loaf Challah bread, hardened, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into ½-inch pieces
1 cup (6 ounces) golden raisins, plumped in hot water, for 15 minutes
3 large eggs
¾ cup sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¹⁄₈ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
¹⁄₈ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
3 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
¼ cup sliced almonds

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter a deep 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 6 minutes, until crisp. Transfer to a bowl and add the apple and raisins. In a medium bowl, using a handheld electric mixer or whisk, beat the eggs with sugar. Beat in the ground spices, vanilla and salt. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk with the molasses until just warm to the touch. Gradually beat the warm milk into the egg mixture, scraping the bottom and side of the bowl. Spread bread mixture out in your large baking dish, or distribute it among ramekins. Pour the custard over the bread mixture, nudging the bread around a bit to make sure it soaks all of the pieces. Let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle the almonds on top. Bake in the center of the oven for about 40 minutes, until puffed and set, with the tops lightly browned. Let the bread pudding rest for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

½ cup dried apricots, chopped
½ cup dried figs, chopped
½ cup dried dates, chopped
½ cup almonds
1 teaspoon cinnamon, freshly grated
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon traditional ros el hanout recipe
1 cup turbinado sugar
¼ cup water
3 tablespoons orange juice
½ stick butter
¼ tablespoon heavy cream
½ teaspoon vanilla
Vanilla ice cream

Directions

In a medium mixing bowl mix together the dried fruit, nuts, cinnamon, zest and ros al hanout until well mixed. In a small sauce pan on medium heat place the sugar, water and orange juice and stir until the sugar dissolves. Increased the heat to high and boil, stirring constantly until the sugar turns a deep amber color. Brush the sides down with a wet pastry brush to ensure that caramel doesn’t form on the side of the pan. This should take approximately five minutes. Whisk in the butter and then once the butter is melted and whisked in, whisk in the heavy cream and vanilla. Add the dried fruit and nut mixture and take off heat. Let stand a few minutes to cool and drizzle over ice cream!

These are more an adult cookie – sweet, sultry and exotic!

Ingredients

1 butter cookie recipe with orange zest in it
½ tablespoon traditional Ros El Hanout
½ tablespoon brown sugar
½ tablespoon poppyseeds
Rose Petals (optional)

Directions

Prepare the butter cookie dough according to the directions, adding 1 tablespoon orange zest into the mixture. Prepare the butter cookies as per directions. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the rose el hanout, sugar and poppy seeds and mix well. Sprinkle the mixture on the prepared butter cookies. Place one rose petal in the center of the cookie and bake according to directions!

Serves about 6-8

This simple low calorie snack is perfect for kids and adults. Creativity is the key in this recipe, mixing and matching flavors to create an amazing chocolate experience!

Ingredients

16 ounces semi sweet of bittersweet dark chocolate, chopped or chips
Dried fruit of choice: cranberries, cherries, apricots, blueberries, chopped
Nuts of choice: almonds, pistachios, walnuts, peanuts roasted and chopped
Seeds of choice: pumpkin, sesame
Sea salt flakes

Directions

In a double boiler, melt the chocolate. Spoon the melted chocolate over a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper making sure it is about at least ¼ inch thing. Sprinkle your bark items thoroughly evenly. Sprinkle with salt. Let stand in a cool place for at least an hour, alternatively you can place in the refrigerator to harden faster. Break into pieces and enjoy!

Here are a few of our favorite junk bark combinations:

Almond and dried cherry
Peanuts, pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries
Pretzels and dried cherries
Almond and blueberry
Almonds, pumpkin seeds, cherries, walnuts and sesame seeds

Makes 1 dozen Cheesecakes

*Recipe from AllREcipes.com

Ingredients

2 cups graham crackers, crushed
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2-8 ounce packages of cream cheese, softened
¾ cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Strawberry Preserve Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line one 12 cup mini muffin tins with paper liners. In a small bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, stir with a fork until just moistened. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of crumbs into each liner and pack down (a shot glass in a useful tool for this!). Bake the crusts for about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, cream together cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well combined. Top each crust with the mixture, filling the cups almost to the top. Bake for 20 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Top each cheesecake with about ½ teaspoon for the berry topping. Chill in the refrigerator for an hour before serving. Store leftovers covered in the fridge.

Strawberry Preserve Sauce

Makes 1 cup sauce

Ingredients

½ cup strawberry preserves
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
½ cup rose wine or water

Directions

Bring all ingredients to aboil in a small sauce pan, continue to boil a few minutes, and then reduce heat to a simmer and let reduce by about ¼ or until desired consistency, stirring often. Cool and store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.

Makes 2½ cups

Ingredients

2 cups Medjool dates, chopped fine
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, chopped fine
1 tablespoon orange zest
¼ cup fresh orange juice
¼ cup hot water
2 tablespoons honey
1 cinnamon stock
2 star anise

Directions

Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir and place tempeature on a low simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently until the mixture is a soft compote. Serve with cheeses, cakes, or on warm sweet breads.

Makes 1 tart, serves 6 to 8 people

Ingredients

1 cup farro, cooked
2 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing pie dish
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
4 medium plums, chopped
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 cups ricotta cheese
2 eggs
Pinch of salt
Freshly grated nutmeg
Plums & Rosemary for decorating the top
Honey creme fresh

Directions

Cook farro until tender, following package instructions, about 30 to 40 minutes. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a glass pie dish by greasing it with butter. In a large saute pan over medium heat, add butter. Cook plums and rosemary until soft, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add cinnamon, stir and remove from heat. Set aside. In a separate  bowl, mix ricotta cheese, eggs, salt, and freshly grated nutmeg. Add plum mixture and cooked farro, and combine thoroughly. Pour into glass pie dish. Arrange plums and rosemary leaves on top. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until set. Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with honey creme fresh.

Ingredients

¹/₂ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¹/₂ teaspoon baking soda
¹/₂ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¹/₄ teaspoon salt
³/₄ cup coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
¹/₂ cup chopped pecans  (optional)
1 tablespoon orange zest

Topping:

2 tablespoons sugar
¹/₈ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Fold in sour cream. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and salt; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Fold in orange zest, cranberries and pecans. Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups two thirds full. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Recipe Property of Shawona Jones.

Ingredients

For the filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
¹/₄ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¹/₄ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup crushed blueberries

For the glaze:

1¹/₄ cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Quick puff pastry
2 boxes quick puff pastry

Directions

Make the filling: In a bowl beat together the cream cheese, the sugar, the yolk, the vanilla, the salt, the zests, and the flour until the mixture is smooth and chill the filling, covered, for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
Unroll 1 defrosted box of puff pastry onto a lightly floured work surface. Cut into even squares. Each square will be cut at the corners. Add a tablespoon of filling and 1 teaspoon blueberries to enter. Cross the left side of each slit made onto the top of the filling, overlapping dough. Continue around until pastry resembles a pin-wheel. Brush with egg wash.
Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes, or until they are crisp and golden. Keep an eye on pastry as extra filling may change baking time.
Make the glaze while the Danish pastries are baking: In a bowl whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, sifted, and enough of the lemon juice to make a thick but pourable glaze.
Transfer the Danish pastries to a rack and drizzle some of the glaze over each pastry. The Danish pastriies may be cooled to room temperature, wrapped in plastic wrap and foil, and frozen for 1 month. Transfer the Danish pastries to a baking sheet and bake them in the middle of a preheated 400°F oven for 5 minutes, or until they are heated through.

Recipe Property of Shawona Jones.

Ingredients

4 cups all purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk, scalded and skimmed
¹/₂ cup granulated sugar
¹/₃ cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs

Filling:

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2¹/₂ tablespoon cinnamon
¹/₃ cup butter, softened

Icing:

8 tablespoons butter, softened (1 stick)
1¹/₂ cups confectioners’ sugar
¹/₄ cup cream cheese
¹/₂ tablespoon vanilla extract
¹/₈ teaspoon salt

Directions

Dissolve the yeast in warm milk and set aside for 5 minutes to proof (foam). Combine sugar, butter, eggs and salt. Stir in flour and yeast mixture. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth. Sprinkle lightly with flour, as needed, to keep dough from sticking  (dough should be slightly sticky). Add as little flour as possible; the more flour that is added, the heavier the bread will be, and the goal is to have very light bread, so if the dough is sticking rub a little oil on your hands. Place in a lightly greased bowl and turn once to grease top. Cover, let rise in a warm place free from draft about one hour or until dough has nearly doubled in size. Punch down, and roll the dough on a clean surface lightly dusted with flour. Roll out to a rectangle shape until it is approximately 21 inches long and 16 inches wide by ¹/₄” thick. If dough begins to resist, stop working and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 400°F. While oven is preheating, mix ingredients for filling. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough, then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Starting from the long side, begin rolling the dough down to the bottom edge, jelly roll style. Cut the rolled dough into 1³/₄” slices and place and place into a lightly greased baking pan, allowing about 1 inch space between each.
Put the rolls into a warm place and allow to rise again until nearly double in size (approximately 30 minutes). Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden. While the rolls are baking, mix ingredients for icing.
Beat well with a rotary mixer until light and fluffy.
When the rolls are done, drizzle generously with the icing while still warm.

Recipe property of Shawona Jones.

Ingredients

Topping:

¹/₄ cup packed brown sugar
¹/₄ cup sugar
¹/₂ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoon cold butter or margarine
¹/₂ cup chopped pecans

Cake:

¹/₂ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
¹/₂ cup canned or cooked pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
¹/₂ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
¹/₄ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¹/₄ teaspoon ground clove
¹/₄ teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

In a small bowl, combine sugars and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans; set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the sour cream, pumpkin and vanilla; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream mixture. Beat on low just until blended. Spread the batter into two greased and floured 8 inch round cake pans. Sprinkle with topping. Bake at 325°F for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted neat the center comes out clean.

Recipe property of Shawona Jones.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2¹/₂ teaspoons baking powder
¹/₄ teaspoon salt
4 oz cold butter or margarine
²/₃ cup whole milk
1 egg separated
³/₄ cup dried fruit
2 teaspoons sugar for sprinkling

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°F.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt.
Cut butter into flour mixture. Will resemble crumbs.
In a small cut, with fork, mix milk and egg yolk.
Make well in center of flour mixture. Pour in milk mixure and dried fruit. Stir just until combined.
Transfer dough to un-greased large cookie sheet.
With floured hands, shape into 7 in round. With floured knife, cut into 8 wedges, but do not separate wedges.
Brush wedges with egg white sand sprinkle 2 teaspoons of sugar on top.
Bake 22-25 minutes until golden brown and just cooked through.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Recipe Property of Shawona Jones

Makes 12 ramekins

Ingredients

1 can (15 ounces) coconut milk
¹/₂ cup almond milk
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
¹/₂ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon, freshly grated
2 teaspoons nutemg, freshly grated
1 teaspoon cardamom powder
1 teaspoon salt
8 cups day old bread, cubed about 1¹/₂ inch thick
4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
Powder sugar

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Grease 12 ramekins. In a large bowl whisk together the coconut milk, almond milk, pumpkin, brown sugar, and spices until smooth. Mix in the bread and the chocolate. Place the mixture in greased ramekins. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the tops are slightly browned. Remove from oven and take out of ramekins while warm by cutting around the mold and turning upside down onto a small plate. Dust the tops with powdered sugar.

Makes about 24 rolls

Ingredients

1 package active dry yeast
1 cup lukewarm water
1 teaspoon dark molasses or honey
2¹/₂ cups unbleached white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons salt
¹/₂ cup dried cranberries
¹/₂ cup fresh sage, chopped fine
¹/₄ cup walnuts, chopped fine
2 tablespoons olive oil
Pumpkin butter (recipe follows)

Directions

In a small bowl, gently whisk together the yeast, ¹/₄ cup lukewarm water and molasses. Let the mixture stand until frothy, about 7 minutes. In a large mixing bowl combine the flours, salt, cranberries, sage and walnuts. Mix well. Combine the two mixtures and mix well, adding the olive oil in the end. When the dough is well mixed, turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for approximately 7-8 minutes or until texture is elastic. Place dough in a lightly oiled ceramic bowl, dampen a kitchen towel in warm water and use the towel to cover the bowl. Let dough rise until double in size, usually about 1¹/₂ hours. Punch the dough down and again turn onto lightly floured surface and knead a few minutes. Divide dough into 24 evenly shaped balls and place on lightly greased baking pan. Allow to rise another 20 minutes. Bake rolls for about 20 minutes or until rolls are golden brown in 450° oven that has been preheated for at least an hour.

Pumpkin Butter

Makes ¹/₂ cup

Ingredients

1 cup pumpkin puree
¹/₄ cup apple cider
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, chopped fine
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon, freshly grated
1 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated

Directions

Place all the ingredients in a small saucepan and  mix well, heat to a medium heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally until thick. Allow to cool and let set in the refrigerator to set up.

Makes 12-15 pies

Ingredients

Basic Pie Crust Dough (Recipe Follows)
6 medium plums, peeled, cored and chopped fine
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped fine
1 pinch of ground cardamom
½ cup light brown sugar or sugar in the raw
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon flaked sea salt
1 teaspoon turbinado sugar or sugar in the raw

Rosemary Sugar

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 400°F.

In a small mixing bowl, combine all plum filling ingredients and mix well. Roll out dough and cut dough into 12 to 15 4-inch squares. Put 2 tablespoons of mixture of the dough on one side, and fold over. Using wet hands, moisten the seal so it sticks together. You can use a fork to press it down or roll it over like an empanada. Place on a greased baking sheet. Brush outside with beaten egg wash, and sprinkle with salt and sugar. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle some rosemary sugar on top!

Pie Crust Dough

Ingredients

1½ cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1¼ sticks of unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons ice water

Directions

Mix together flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl until combined well. Using your hands, add butter and crumble into the flour (a food processor can also be used) until the crust mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add the egg yolk and the ice water, and mix together gently until dough is moist. Form dough into a flat disc, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.

Makes 1 tart

Ingredients

For the tart

1½ cups all purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped super fine
1 stick butter, cold and cubed
3 tablespoons maple syrup
¼ cup whole milk

For the filling

2 eggs
1 can (12 ounces evaporated milk)
¾ cup brown sugar
2 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
2 teaspoons fresh cinnamon sticks, freshly grated
1 teaspoon fresh nutmeg, freshly grated
½ teaspoon fresh cloves, ground
½ teaspoon fresh allspice berries, ground
1 pinch (¼ teaspoon) white pepper

Directions

For the tart

In a food processor combine the flour, salt, and sage and mix well. Add the butter cubes into the flour and pulse several times until a coarse meal is formed. Add the maple syrup and pulse a few more times. Then as it is running pour in the milk until a ball is formed, which will be just about instantly. Turn off the machine and form the dough into a disc and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Heat the oven to 375°F. Roll the tart dough out to fill an 8 inch deep dish tart pan (13-14 inches in circumference). Press the dough gently into the tart mold, roll the rolling pin over the top of the mold to cut off excess dough. Place in the refrigerator to chill at least 30 minutes.

Roll the pie dough out large enough to fill a 9-inch deep dish pie or tart pan (about 13-14 inches). Press gently in pan. If using a pie pan, crimp edges. If using a tart pan, roll the rolling pin over the top to cut the excess dough off. Chill the dough-filled pan in the fridge. In the meantime, in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs until beaten, add the evaporated milk and brown sugar and continue to whisk. Add the pumpkin puree and whisk or stir until totally incorporated and mixed. Add the spices and continue to mix until smooth. At this point taste the mixture and adjust spices to taste preference. Place the tart pan on a baking sheet and pour the filling into the tart dough filling the mold. Place in the oven and bake until the center of the pie is cooked through and does not jiggle loosely, the crust should be golden brown. This process could take up to 50 minutes. When a stick inserted into the center comes out clean, the tart is done. Take out of oven and allow to cool. After at least 7 minutes you can slip the tart through the ring mold. Cool at least 30 minutes before refrigerating to serve chilled. Serve with Nutmeg Cardamom Whipped Cream.

Nut Meg Whipped Cream

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

1½ cup heavy whipping cream
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cardamom pod (shells removed, seeds used)

Directions

With a mixer, mix all ingredients until whip cream with soft peaks is formed!

Makes 1 pie

Ingredients

For the crust

2½ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar or light brown sugar
2 teaspoons freshly grated cinnamon
1¼ sticks butter, cold and cubed small
½ cup ice water

For the filling

6-8 medium tart apples, peeled, cored and sliced about a ½ inch thick
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1 teaspoon cinnamon, freshly grated
½ cup turbinado sugar, white sugar is okay too
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour

Directions

In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, cinnamon and sugar. Next, cut in butter with a pastry cutter or two forks until mixture resembles coarse meal. Next add the water a little bit at a time mixing after you add each few bits. Mix just until dough comes together without being wet or sticky. Turn out dough from bowl onto work surface, and knead once or twice to combine. Flatten into two disks. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least an hour.

In another medium bowl add the apples, and mix with lemon juice and zest, tossing until well coated. Add the nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar and flour and mix well again until all is evenly coated all over the apples.

On a flat lightly floured surface roll out one of the discs until a smooth thin disc a few inches larger than the circumference of your pie plate. Gently fold the disc in half and then in half again and transfer to the pie plate, unfold and arrange the disc in the center of the pie plate. Place the pie plate on a large flat baking sheet and place in the refrigerator. Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Next roll out the second disc into the same size thin disc. With a pastry wheel cutter cut the dough into 12 strips about ¾ inch wide. Take the pie plate out of the refrigerator and poke holes in the bottom layer with a fork. Add filling to the pie plate, making sure it is evenly distributed. Lay about 5-7 strips across the pie evenly and parallel to each other. Then fold back every other strip half way. Lay another strip over the pie and fold the other back and then the opposite way in half. Repeat until remainder of the pie is latticed. Seal the edges with a crimping pattern making sure the dough is smooth and pushed together well. Place in the refrigerator for a few minutes and then the oven for aboout 45-50 minutes or until browned and apples are soft.

Makes 6 ramekins

Ingredients

2 cups of whole milk
2 cups of heavy cream
12 fresh bay leaves
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped out (seeds reserved)
3 large eggs
5 large egg yolks
¾ cup of sugar (plus more)
Pinch of salt
Bay leaf sugar (1 cup sugar and 4-6 bay leaves in a jar for 1 week-shaking each day)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large saucepan combine the milk, cream, bay leaves (crack before putting in pan to release oils), vanilla bean pod and seeds and bring to a boil. Take off heat and let steep for about 20 minutes. In the meantime beat the eggs, egg yolk and ¾ cup sugar and the pinch of salt. Remove the vanilla pod and bay leaves and whisk the cream mixture into the egg yolk until thick custard is formed. Divide the custard into 6 lightly greased ramekins. Place the ramekins in a baking dish with sides and place about 1-2 inches water in the dish. Place in the oven and bake for about 40 minutes. Remove from the water bath and place in the refrigerator to set up for at least 3 hours. For serving place a tablespoon of sugar over the top and with a kitchen blow torch heat the sugar until it caramelizes. Allow to burlée to set for a few minutes while the caramelized sugar hardens.

Ingredients

For the cake

½ cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1¹⁄₃ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
²⁄₃ cup milk
3 egg whites

For the fruit glaze

12 ounces apricot or raspberry preserves (or heated jelly may be used instead)
3 tablespoons water

For the icing

9 cups confectioners’ sugar
½ cup water
½ cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
Food coloring (optional)

For the garnish

Tiny edible sugar flowers and/or leaves, for decorating tops of petit fours

Directions

For the cake

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place a sheet of parchment in a sheet pan and grease sides. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. In a small mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gently fold into batter. Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake for 12-15 or until cake is golden. Remove cake from oven and let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Cut cake in half and spread preserve on one side and carefully stack second side on top. Place in fridge for 10 minutes.

For the icing (icing can be colored)

Combine all icing ingredients in the top of a double boiler. Heat over boiling water to lukewarm. Leave on double boiler. Remove cake from fridge. Cut into squares or use cutters for more unique shapes. Add each individual cake to a wire rack with a sheet pan to catch drips and pour warm icing over cakes evenly. Repeat if necessary. Careful not to over ice cakes. Add garnish.

Ingredients

4 egg yolks (reseve whites for meringue)
¹⁄₃ cup cornstarch
1½ cups water
1¹⁄₃ cup sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
½ cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 box gingersnap cookies (2 cups)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
4 egg whites
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grind gingersnaps into crumbs. Add butter and press into tart molds. Place on a sheet pan for easy transport. Whisk egg yolks in medium size mixing bowl and set aside.

Over a double boiler, combine cornstarch, water, sugar, and salt. Whisk to combine, stirring frequently. Allow mixture to thicken. Add hot mixture to egg yolks and stir until you have added at least half of the mixture. Return egg mixture to double boiler, stirring constantly, for 1 more minute. Remove from heat and gently stir in butter, lemon juice, and zest until well combined. Pour mixture over gingersnap crumbs and top with meringue while filling is still hot. Cover filling with meringue (can use a piping bag). Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until meringue is golden. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

For meringue

Place egg whites and pinch of salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form and then gradually add sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.

Ingredients

8 ounces almond paste, at room temperature
8 ounces butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 eggs, separated
2 cups all purpose flour
6 drops yellow, pink and green food coloring
¹⁄₃ cup raspberry preserves
¹⁄₃ cup orange marmalade
1 cup semisweet chocolate (melted)

Directions

Cream butter, almond paste and sugar until creamed. Add egg yolks and blend to smooth. Add flour to form dough. Whip egg whites to soft peaks in separate boil. Fold into dough in three additions. Separate batter and add food coloring. Prepare three pans with parchment paper. (Can share pan between two colors). Spread evenly each color batter. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until slightly golden. Cool, approximately 10 minutes.

Layer each color alternating with raspberry jam and orange marmalade. Stack heavy books over covered cakes. Allow to thin for at least 1 hour in fridge. Next, melt chocolate over double boiler. Spread evenly over layered cake. Place in fridge for five minutes. Cut with hot knife into squares and serve.

Serves 12

Ingredients

For the Skyr Mousse

1 vanilla bean pod
18 ounces plain skyr
3 ounces granulated sugar
2 ounces heavy cream
7 ounces heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
3 sheets gelatin, soaked in warm water until pliable, excess water squeezed out

For the Crowberry Sauce

5 ounces fresh crowberries
2 ounces granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon freshly grated cinnamon
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

For the Sweet rye bread dust

12 thinly sliced pieces rye bread (rugbraud)

Directions

For the Skyr Mousse

Split the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Reserve the seeds for the mousse and reserve the pod for making something else such as infused vodka or sugar. In a large bowl, whisk together the skyr, sugar and vanilla seeds until incorporated. Set aside. In a small saucepan, gently heat the heavy cream over low heat. Set aside for three minutes. Add the gelatin and stir until dissolved. Combine the gelatin mixture with the skyr mixture and stir until incorporated. Gently fold in the whipped cream with a rubber spatula and distribute into 12 small bowls. Transfer to the freezer until set.

For the Crowberry Sauce

In a blender, purée the crowberries until smooth. Transfer to a saucepan and add the sugar. Over medium low heat, bring to a simmer while stirring frequently. Cook until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the cinnamon and lemon juice then refrigerate until chilled.

For the Sweet Rye Bread Dust

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the rye bread on a sheet tray and bake until dry, about 20 minutes. In a blender, puree until the texture of fine sand.

To serve

Spoon crowberry sauce over the skyr mousse and sprinkle with rye bread dust.

Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients

4 ripe bananas
¼ cup vanilla and cinnamon infused rum
¼ cup melted butter
2 tablespoons almond oil
1 cup turbinado sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1½ cups all purpose flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Smash together bananas, rum, vanilla, melted butter, almond oil and sugar until well mixed, add the beaten egg and mix. Add the salt and baking soda and mix. Fold in the flour a little bit at a time mixing until all flour is incorporated and a smooth batter is created. Pour the mixture into a greaed loaf pan and cook for 50 minutes or until inserted stick comes out cleans. Allow to partially cool, remove from pan and serve with rum butter. (1 tablespoon infused vanilla, cinnamon rum with 3 tablespoons butter.)

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

Directions

Wash rice three times in cold water, draining after each wash. Then completely soak washed rice in water overnight or for 10 hours. Place drained rice into a pan with the coconut milk, white sugar, zest and rice flour. Steam until rice is cooked through and sticky, about 30-40 minutes. Form sushi oval with the sticky rice and place a mango slice on top. Enjoy the mock sushi pieces!

Serves 6-9

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
½ cup honey
1 cup ground almonds
2 eggs
½ cup heavy cream
Vanilla been scraped, seeds reserved
10 apricots, pitted and halved
8 plouts, pitted and halved
2 sheets of puff pastry, white or whole wheat
Apricot syrup

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Mix together in a large bowl the butter, honey, almonds, vanilla seeds, eggs, and cream until smooth. Arrange sheets of puff pastry on a greased baking sheet and brush with apricot syrup. Make sure you create sides on the dough on all sides. Arrange the apricots around the dough and pour in the almond filling. Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Upon pulling out of the oven brush with apricot syrup while warm.

Apricot Syrup

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

½ cup apricot puree
1 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cinnamon sticks
½ cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Combine apricot puree, sugar, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a medium sauce pan and place on the stove and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes and add honey and vanilla and simmer another few minutes.

Makes 1-2 inch gallette

Ingredients

1 cup dark rye flour
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1½ sticks unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 tablespoon apricot puree
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 cup ice water
10 apricots, sliced
1 cup cherries, pitted and halved
½ cup raw suconat sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Mix together the flours turbinado sugar and salt, cut in the butter with pastry cutter or fork until a course meal is created. Add the apricot puree, apple cider vinegar and mix. Adding the water a little at a time, slowly and gently combine mixture until a soft dough ball is formed. Place the dough ball in the refrigerator and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight. In a large bowl combine the apricots, cherries, sugar and lemon juice and let stand approx 30 minutes. Roll out dough on a floured surface until it forms a large circle about 16 inches in diameter. Place rolled dough on a large, thick, greased cookie sheet or pan with sides or, better yet, a large, greased cast iron pan. Place apricots and cherry mixture in a big pile in the center of the dough, reserving liquid. Fold dough up all around the pile of fruit leaving a big hole at the top like a shallow volcano. Pour a little of the liquid in the top and reserve a little for the end. Bake in a preheated oven 375° for about 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown and crispy. Drizzle finished tart with the remainder of the juice from the fruit in the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 cup walnuts, chopped fine
1 cup apricots, chopped fine
½ cup sugar
2 teaspoon freshly grated cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla
2 cups apricot syrup (recipe follows)
1 package whole-wheat Phyllo pastry (white can be substituted)
1 stick butter, unsalted and melted

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
In a mixing bowl, mix the filling mixture ingredients (walnuts, apricots, and sugar) until well combined and set aside. Butter a large baking sheet making sure to get the corners and sides as well. Unroll the phyllo dough and cover with a damp cloth to keep it from drying out. Place two sheets of dough on the pan and brush with melted butter thoroughly. Sprinkle a later of the nut mixture atop the sheets and repeat the layers creating a total of between 5-8 layers. With a sharp small knife, cut the pastry in diamond or square shapes carefully, making sure to get all the way to the bottom of the pan. Place in the oven and bake for about 50 minutes or until golden brown. While the baklava is baking, make the syrup by combining apricots, sugar, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon and place on the stove and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes and add honey and vanilla and simmer another few minutes. Keep warm and spoon over baklava (when it first comes out of the oven), making sure the baklava is soaked fully.

Let baklava set for about 30 minutes before serving.

Apricot Syrup

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

½ cup apricot puree
1 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cinnamon sticks
½ cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Combine apricot puree, sugar, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a medium sauce pan and place on the stove and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes and add honey and vanilla and simmer another few minutes.

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

Directions

Mix together all ingredients until smooth and mixed.

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

Directions

Mix together in a large bowl the butter, honey, almonds, vanilla seeds, eggs and cream until smooth. Use in tarts that are baked for about 10 minutes at least.

Makes 8 Tartlets

Ingredients

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350 ° F. Place about 3 tablespoons filling of choice into a par-baked tart shell and place about ½ cup of fresh fruit, (for the plum add the prunes as well) nicely arranged on top. Bake for 10 -15 minutes or until the fruit is soft. Take out of the oven and brush with a little bit of glaze of choice. The recipe makes 2 of each variety of tartlets.

*Pairing ideas: Blueberry Lemon Cream with Honey Ginger Glaze, Apricot Almond Cream with Herbal Honey Glaze or Black Pepper Cherry Glaze, Raspberry Herbed Ricotta with Ginger Honey Glaze, Plum & Prune with Almond Cream and Ginger Honey Glaze.

Makes 1 cup

Ingredients

Directions

In a medium saucepan combine the strawberries, sugar, water and the star anise and bring to a boil and cook for about 4-5 minutes or until thick and strawberries cooked down. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes and take of heat and let stand to cool before serving. (discard the star anise before serving.)

Makes 1 cup

Ingredients

½ cup adzuki beans, cooked very soft
¼ cup turbinado sugar
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon, freshly grated
1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated

Directions

Ingredients

3 cups all purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons butter, cold & cut into cubes
1 ½ cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons orange zest
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
3 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves, sliced into thin strips

Directions