02-15-10
Mini Strawberry Mascarpone Tarts
Makes 12 mini tarts
Ingredients:
8 ounces frozen pizza dough, thawed
1/2 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
8 large strawberries, hulled and finely diced
4 ounces mascarpone cheese, whipped
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
In a small bowl add 1/2 cup of sugar and the salt. Stir to combine and pour about half of it evenly onto a work surface. With your hands, press the dough into the sugar and roll out into a flat disk, about 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 of the sugar evenly over the top of the dough and press it a few times to adhere. With a rolling pin, roll the dough into a thickness of about 1/8-inch, turning and flipping as you roll to incorporate the sugar into the dough and to keep it from sticking to the surface. With a 3-inch round cutter, cut out 12 dough rounds and arrange them on the lined baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake until crisp and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool the crisp rounds completely on the pan.
Meanwhile, pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer until thick and syrupy, about 4 minutes; it should still swirl in the pan. If too thick, simply add about a teaspoon of balsamic, stir, and remove from the heat.
Put the strawberries in a small bowl and sprinkle them with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let them stand until juicy, 5 to 10 minutes. To assemble the tarts, spread about 2 teaspoons mascarpone on each crisp dough round with a spoon or small offset spatula. Using a spoon to drain any excess liquid, put about 1 tablespoon of diced strawberries on the top of each tart. Drizzle a little balsamic syrup over the tarts and serve immediately.
Cook’s Note: The sugared dough scraps can be tossed with cinnamon and baked in the 400 degree F oven until browned and crisp as a treat for the little ones. Leftover strawberries or balsamic syrup are delicious over ice cream!
02-15-10
Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Cinnamon-Caramel Sauce
Makes 6 Servings
Ingredients:
1 1/2 teaspoons (scant) unflavored gelatin
1 cup heavy whipping cream, divided
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon (generous) ground cinnamon
Directions:
Pour 1 1/2 tablespoons water into small bowl; sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes.
Combine 3/4 cup cream and 1/3 cup sugar in heavy small saucepan. Stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and mixture just begins to simmer. Remove from heat. Add gelatin; stir until gelatin dissolves. Cool until warm, stirring occasionally. Stir in buttermilk and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Divide among six 1/2-cup ramekins. Cover and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.
Combine brown sugar and remaining 1/4 cup cream in small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and caramel sauce is smooth. Remove from heat; stir in cinnamon and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Spoon slightly warm caramel sauce over each panna cotta and serve.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 283 calories; 15 g fat; 0 g fiber; 34 g carbohydrates
02-14-10
Chocolate-Caramel Macadamia Nut Tart
Makes 10 Servings
Ingredients:
crust
1 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon (or more) ice water
ganache
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (do not exceed 61% cacao), chopped
1 1/2 cups unsalted macadamia nuts (about 7 1/2 ounces), toasted, coarsely chopped
caramel filling
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
Vanilla ice cream (optional)
special equipment
9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom
Pastry brush
Small resealable plastic bag
Directions:
CRUST
Blend flour, powdered sugar, and salt in processor. Add butter and cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1 tablespoon ice water and blend just until moist clumps form, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if mixture is dry. Transfer dough to 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Using lightly floured fingers, press dough firmly and evenly onto bottom and up sides of pan. Chill crust 1 hour.
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Line crust with foil; fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake crust until pale golden around edges and sides are set, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and beans; bake until crust is golden and cooked through, about 14 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool crust completely in pan.
GANACHE
Bring cream to simmer in heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; stir until smooth.
Spoon 3 tablespoons ganache into 1 corner of small resealable plastic bag and seal; set aside at room temperature for piping. Spread remaining ganache evenly over bottom of crust. Sprinkle chopped macadamia nuts evenly over ganache layer in crust. Freeze crust while preparing caramel filling.
CARAMEL FILLING
Combine sugar and 1/3 cup water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until syrup is golden amber, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 8 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Add cream and butter; stir until any caramel bits dissolve and mixture is smooth. Attach candy thermometer to side of pan and bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat. Boil without stirring until thermometer registers 240°F, about 2 1/2 minutes longer. Remove from heat. Whisk in vanilla and salt.
Remove crust from freezer. Working quickly, pour caramel filling into crust. Gently shake tart pan to allow filling to settle evenly in crust. Cool completely at room temperature, about 3 hours.
Place reserved resealable plastic bag with chocolate ganache in microwave and heat in 5-second intervals just until smooth and pourable. Using scissors, cut off very small tip from corner of bag with ganache. Pipe ganache decoratively over caramel filling in crosshatch pattern. Chill until chocolate is set, about 20 minutes. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled. Bring tart to room temperature before serving.
Remove sides from tart pan. Place tart on platter. Cut into wedges and serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 600 calories; 68 g fat; 3 g fiber; 49 g carbohydrates
01-10-10
Milky Way Tart
Makes 6 Tarts
Ingredients:
Crust:
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch process)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 large egg yolk
Filling:
3 1/2 ounces high-quality milk chocolate (such as Lindt or Perugina) chopped
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons water
Unsweetened cocoa powder (for dusting)
Directions:
Make crust:
Whisk flour and cocoa in medium bowl. Beat butter and powdered sugar in another medium bowl until well blended. Beat in yolk. Add flour mixture in 2 additions, beating just until blended. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 2 hours.
Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Press each onto bottom and up sides of 4 1/2-inch-diameter tartlet pan with removable bottom. Refrigerate crusts 1 hour or freeze 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake cold crusts until set and dry-looking, about 12 minutes, pressing with back of spoon if bubbles form. Cool crusts in pans. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; store at room temperature.
Make filling:
Place milk chocolate in medium bowl. Bring 1 1/2 cups cream to simmer in small saucepan. Pour hot cream over chocolate; let stand 1 minute, then whisk until melted and smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Combine remaining 1/2 cup cream and butter in small saucepan and stir over medium heat until butter melts; remove from heat. Combine sugar and 3 tablespoons water in heavy small saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until color is deep amber, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 8 minutes. Immediately add hot cream-butter mixture (mixture will bubble vigorously). Remove from heat and stir until any caramel bits dissolve. Transfer caramel to small bowl and chill until slightly firm (semi-soft), stirring often, about 40 minutes.
Spoon caramel into center of baked crusts (about 2 generous tablespoons for each crust). Set aside.
Using electric mixer, beat chilled milk chocolate-cream mixture until peaks form; spoon atop caramel in crusts, dividing equally (about 1/2 cup for each crust) and spreading evenly. Chill at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.
Remove tartlets from pans. Lightly sift cocoa powder over tartlets and serve.
08-30-09
Apricot and Amaretti Crostata
Makes 8 Servings
Ingredients:
Crust:
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
4 tablespoons (or more) ice water
Filling and cream:
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds large slightly underripe apricots (8 to 9), halved, pitted, each half cut into 3 wedges
2 tablespoons golden brown sugar
1 tablespoon melted butter
6 teaspoons honey, divided, plus
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup coarsely crushed amaretti cookies (Italian macaroons)*
1 large egg, beaten to blend (for glaze)
1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
Directions:
For crust:
Blend flour, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in processor. Add butter. Using on/off turns, blend until mixture resembles very coarse meal. Add 4 tablespoons ice water. Blend to moist clumps, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dry. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap dough in plastic; chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
Roll out dough on lightly floured sheet of parchment paper to 13-to 14-inch round. Slide dough, still on parchment paper, onto rimless baking sheet; chill 10 minutes.
For filling and cream:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss apricots, brown sugar, butter, 2 teaspoons honey, and cinnamon in large bowl to coat. Spread amaretti crumbs in center of dough, leaving 2-inch plain border. Top crumbs with apricots and juices. Fold border over edge of fruit; brush with glaze.
Bake crostata on parchment on sheet 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Bake until crust is golden and juices bubble thickly, about 40 minutes. Cool 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk whipping cream and 4 teaspoons honey in medium bowl until peaks form. Chill until ready to serve.
Run spatula under crust to loosen from parchment. Slide crostata onto platter. Brush fruit lightly with additional honey. Serve crostata warm or at room temperature with honey-sweetened whipped cream.
08-30-09
Nutty Caramel Cookie Tart
Makes 16 Servings
Ingredients:
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies
1/3 cup Dry-Roasted Peanuts or Toasted Pecans
1/3 cup Caramel Topping
1/4 cup creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/4 cup white vanilla baking chips
Directions:
1.Heat oven to 350°F. Press cookie dough evenly in bottom of ungreased 9-inch springform pan. (If dough is sticky, use floured fingers.) Bake 17 to 22 minutes or until light golden brown.
2.Meanwhile, place peanuts in resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag. Crush peanuts with rolling pin or meat mallet; set aside.
3.In medium microwavable bowl, microwave caramel topping, peanut butter and cinnamon uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds or until hot and bubbly; stir well. Drizzle mixture evenly over partially baked crust. Sprinkle with peanut butter chips, vanilla baking chips and crushed peanuts.
4.Bake 12 to 18 minutes longer or until edges are golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
5.Run sharp knife carefully around edge of tart to loosen; remove side of pan. To serve, cut tart into wedges. Store tightly covered at room temperature.
08-08-09
Brown Butter Raspberry Tart
Makes 8 to 10 Servings
Ingredients:
Crust:
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
Pinch of salt
Filling:
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, diced
2 6-ounce containers fresh raspberries
Directions:
For crust:
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Using rubber spatula or fork, mix melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in medium bowl. Add flour and salt and stir until incorporated. Transfer dough to 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Using fingertips, press dough evenly onto sides and bottom of pan.
Bake crust until golden, about 18 minutes (crust will puff slightly while baking). Transfer crust to rack and cool in pan. Maintain oven temperature.
For filling:
Whisk sugar, eggs, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Add flour and vanilla; whisk until smooth. Cook butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until deep nutty brown (do not burn), stirring often, about 6 minutes. Immediately pour browned butter into glass measuring cup. Gradually whisk browned butter into sugar-egg mixture; whisk until well blended.
Arrange raspberries, pointed side up and close together in concentric circles, in bottom of cooled crust. Carefully pour browned butter mixture evenly over berries. Place tart on rimmed baking sheet. Bake tart until filling is puffed and golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool tart completely in pan on rack. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and store at room temperature.
Remove tart pan sides. Place tart on platter. Cut into wedges and serve.
12-28-08
Pumpkin Coconut Tart
Makes 10 servings
Ingredients:
CRUST
1 1/4 cups white whole-wheat flour (see Ingredient Note)
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted (see Tip)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
4 tablespoons cold reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel)
FILLING
1 1/2 cups canned unseasoned pumpkin puree
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons dark rum
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3 large eggs
1 cup “lite” coconut milk
GARNISH
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut chips (see Ingredient Note) or flaked coconut, toasted (optional)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 11-inch round or 8-by-12-inch rectangular removable-bottom tart pan with cooking spray.
2. To prepare crust: Combine flour, almonds, 1 tablespoon sugar and salt in a food processor; process until the almonds are finely ground. Add butter one piece at a time, and then cream cheese by the tablespoonful, pulsing once or twice after each addition, until incorporated. Turn the dough out into the prepared pan (it will be crumbly), spread evenly and press firmly into the bottom and all the way up the sides to form a crust.
3. Bake the crust until set but not browned, about 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
4. To prepare filling: Beat pumpkin, 3/4 cup sugar, rum, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined. Beat in coconut milk. Place the tart pan on a baking sheet and pour in the filling.
5. Bake the tart until the filling is just set (the center may still appear soft, but will become more solid as it cools), 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature. Serve room temperature or refrigerate until chilled. Remove the pan sides before slicing. Garnish with coconut, if desired.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 260 calories; 12 g fat (6 g sat, 3 g mono); 80 mg cholesterol; 33 g carbohydrate; 6 g protein; 3 g fiber; 168 mg sodium; 163 mg potassium.
12-28-08
Pear, Apple & Cranberry Tarte Tatin
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
CRUST
1 cup white whole-wheat flour (see Ingredient Note)
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons ice water
FILLING
2 ripe but firm pears, peeled and thinly sliced
1 large apple, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup fresh cranberries
Directions:
1. To prepare crust: Place flour, oats, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor; process until the oats are finely ground. Add butter one piece at a time, pulsing once or twice after each addition, until incorporated. Add oil and water and pulse just until the dough starts to come together. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it a few times until it holds together. Form the dough into a 5-inch disk, wrap in plastic or wax paper and refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F.
3. To prepare filling: Toss pears and apple with lemon juice in a large bowl.
4. Place brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and ginger in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet; cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until the butter and sugar are melted and the mixture starts to bubble. Remove from the heat. Starting at the center of the pan, arrange the pear and apple slices in concentric circles, overlapping the slices and adding another layer until all the slices are in the pan. Scatter cranberries on top.
5. Return the pan to medium-low heat and bring the liquid to a simmer. (It might be hard to see the simmering—take a peek under the fruit or listen for the bubbling.) Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Uncover and cook, gently swirling the pan occasionally, until the sauce becomes a thick, caramel-like glaze, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
6. Roll the dough out between sheets of parchment or wax paper into a 12-inch circle. Peel off the top sheet and invert the dough over the fruit. Peel off the remaining paper. Quickly tuck the edges of the crust down into the sides of the pan. Prick the top with a fork.
7. Transfer the pan to the oven. Bake until the crust is just beginning to brown around the edges, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to release the crust. Place a serving plate larger than the pan on top of it and invert the tart onto the plate (it may take a light shaking to release the tart from the pan). Serve warm.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 274 calories; 12 g fat (6 g sat, 2 g mono); 23 mg cholesterol; 41 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 5 g fiber; 146 mg sodium; 135 mg potassium.
12-28-08
Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Shortbread Crust
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
CRUST
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup hazelnuts
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons hazelnut oil or canola oil
1 tablespoon ice water
FILLING
1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
1 tablespoon water
3/4 cup low-fat milk
2 large egg yolks
2 1/2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
1 tablespoon coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua (optional)
4 teaspoons dried egg whites (see Ingredient Note), reconstituted according to package directions (equivalent to 2 egg whites)
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.
2. To prepare crust: Coat a 9-inch tart pan with cooking spray. Combine whole-wheat pastry flour, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, hazelnuts, 1/4 cup sugar and salt in a food processor; process until the nuts are finely ground. Add butter one piece at a time, pulsing once or twice after each addition, until incorporated. Add oil and ice water and pulse just until incorporated. Turn the dough out into the prepared pan (it will be crumbly), spread evenly and press firmly into the bottom and all the way up the sides to form a crust.
3. Bake the crust until set and the edges are beginning to brown, about 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
4. To prepare filling: Sprinkle gelatin over water in a small bowl; let stand, stirring once or twice, while you prepare the rest of the filling.
5. Heat milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat until steaming (but not boiling); remove from the heat to cool slightly.
6. Whisk egg yolks, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon flour in a medium bowl until combined. Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of the hot milk. Whisk the egg yolk mixture into the pan with the remaining hot milk. Return to the heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (do not boil), about 1 minute. Remove from the heat; whisk in chocolate until completely melted. Whisk in the softened gelatin and coffee liqueur (if using) until smooth.
7. Beat reconstituted egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until frothy. Increase speed to high and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form, 3 to 5 minutes. Gently fold the chocolate custard into the egg whites until blended. Spoon the filling into the crust; smooth the top with the back of a spoon and chill, uncovered, until set, about 1 hour.
Serve garnished with whipped cream and toasted hazelnuts for a special touch.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 268 calories; 16 g fat (6 g sat, 7 g mono); 55 mg cholesterol; 29 g carbohydrate; 6 g protein; 3 g fiber; 141 mg sodium; 117 mg potassium.