Chocolate Almond Biscotti

Is it bad that I'm still in vacation mode?  I've been so lazy and sleepy.  It's time to snap back into it! Over the holidays we spend a lot of time with family and make use of the vacation time.  Every year our family has a tradition of going to the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade while sipping hot chocolate and eating homemade cookies.

We bundle up, grab our lawn chairs and try to get a good spot along the parade route.  There are boats of all sizes...small motor boats to huge yachts each lit and decorated to celebrate.  Some have guests on board enjoying loud music and festive snacks.  It's a happy and cozy time of year and we look forward to going with the kids.

Last year I made shortbread dipped in chocolate, which is simply divine also.  A variation to this recipe was my flaky Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread which you can find here.


Chocolate Almond Biscotti Recipe
Barely Adapted From David Lebovitz

Remember: for best results you should weigh your ingredients.

Ingredients
For the biscotti:
2 cups (280g) flour
3/4 cups (75g) cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup (200g) sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup (125g) slivered almonds, toasted, chopped
3/4 cups (120g) mini chocolate chips

For the glaze:
1 large egg
2 tablespoons coarse sugar

Preheat the oven to 350F  degrees.

In a small bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.  In a large bowl, beat together the 3 eggs, sugar, and vanilla & almond extracts. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, then mix in the nuts and the chocolate chips until the dough holds together.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into two logs the length of the baking sheet. Transfer the logs onto the baking sheet, evenly spaced apart. Gently flatten the tops of the logs. Beat the remaining egg and brush the tops of the logs liberally with the egg. Sprinkle the tops with the coarse or crystal sugar and bake for 25 minutes, until the dough feels firm to the touch.

Remove the cookie dough from the oven and cool 15 minutes. On a cutting board, use a serrated bread knife to diagonally cut the cookies into 1/2-inches slices. Lay the cookies cut side down on baking sheets and return to the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, turning the baking sheet midway during baking, until the cookies feel mostly firm.

Once baked, cool the cookies completely then store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. If you wish, the cookies can be half-dipped in melted chocolate, then cooled until the chocolate hardens.

Nutella Banana Bread Pudding

Rich and decadent challah bread is used for this delicious bread pudding.  If you make your own bread, it turns out even better and it makes the house smell amazing!  Bread pudding is a great comfort food and when you add bananas and nutella...just speechless.

Theraputic topic for the week: comfort foods

When sick, or tired, or far from home, everyone seems to yearn for the gastronomic equivalent of a warm sweater, a kiss on the forehead, a favorite blanket. Macaroni and cheese might mean comfort to you. Or perhaps your source of succor is beef stew or udon noodles.  Studies have shown that people cognitively connect important past associations with specific foods. Craving ice cream, for example, may stem from a desire to recapture carefree, childhood days of running after the ice cream truck.

Nutella Banana Bread Pudding Recipe

Adapted from Anne Thornton

Ingredients

Cooking spray or butter, for the pan

1 (13-ounce) container Nutella

12 (3/4-inch) thick slices challah or egg bread (recipe below)

8 large eggs

1 quart half and half

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup almond milk 

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

3 ripe bananas

Directions

Spray or butter a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish.

Spread the Nutella on all your bread slices, then put 2 slices together to make 6 sandwiches. Cut each sandwich into 8 pieces and toss them into a large bowl. Crack your eggs in another large bowl and whisk in the half and half, milk, sugar, vanilla and almond extracts. Pour this mixture over the sandwich cubes. Now, mash your bananas and stir that into the bread cube mixture. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Let stand at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours, occasionally pressing the bread into the custard mixture. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake until the pudding is set in the center, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool slightly. Serve warm.

Challah Bread

Challah bread is great for soaking up delicious custards.  You can use it for french toast or bread puddings.  It is a rich, strong bread with a slight sweetness and can be eaten plain.  There are many different braiding techniques, this one uses a four braid.  You can find different braiding techniques here.

Challah Recipe
Makes two large loaves

1 1/2 cup warm water, divided
1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar, divided
2 tablespoons instant yeast
6 cups flour -- either all white or half white whole wheat
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup mild honey, plus an extra tablespoon for eggwash, if desired
2/3  cups flavorless vegetable or canola oil
4 eggs, plus one yolk for eggwash, if desired
1 pinch ground cardamom, optional 

Put 1 cup warm water in a small bowl. Add 2 teaspoons of sugar, sprinkle the yeast over top, swirl the bowl just to combine, and leave it to proof for five minutes. 

While yeast is proofing, mix flour, salt, 1/4 cup of sugar and cardamom, if using, in a large bowl (or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.) Stir to incorporate or blend on low speed.
In a medium bowl, mix remaining water, honey, oil, and eggs. 

When yeast has finished proofing, add it to the flour, immediately followed by wet ingredients. Mix with a large wooden spoon or on medium-low speed in the mixer, just until combined, about 30 seconds. 

Switch to dough hook and begin to knead on low speed, making sure to incorporate what's at the bottom of the bowl if the dough hook misses it. If kneading by hand, stir using spoon until dough becomes to thick to stir. Empty dough onto well-floured surface and knead by hand. Knead dough until smooth and no longer sticky, adding flour with a light hand as needed, 7-10 minutes. 

Split the dough into two equal pieces. Set each in a large oiled bowl, cover both bowls with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size. If using white flour, this should take about 2-2.5 hours. If using white whole wheat, it will take closer to 3.5 or 4. Feel free to let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight instead; if you do this, be sure to set out the dough in plenty of time before shaping, so it can come to room temperature. 

Preheat oven to 375.

After the rise, the dough should be soft and pliable. Separate each mound of dough into three equal balls, for a total of six. Roll each ball into a log almost 1-foot long. Braid the logs together to create your loaf. For the nicest-looking braid, do not pinch the top edges of your logs together before braiding; simply place one log over the next and braid until you reach the bottom, then pinch those edges together. Then, flip the unfinished loaf the long way, so that the unfinished edge is now at the bottom and the loaf has been flipped over and upside down. Finish braiding and pinch these edges together. This way, both ends look identical. Tuck the very tips beneath the loaf when braiding is finished. 

Repeat with second loaf. 

Put each loaf on its own silpat-lined baking sheet. If using egg wash, mix yolk with a 1 tablespoon water and 1 tablespoon honey. Brush over loaves. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-22 minutes, until challot are golden and baked through.

Pear and almond tart

Pear and Almond Tart

This is truly a French classic tart that is so delicate and delicious it is really hard not to eat the whole thing.  Sometimes it may also be called "frangipane" which is the almond custard made in this dessert.  Usually you poach the pears but it is difficult to get it to the right texture without ruining the shape of the fruit.  For this reason, I use the canned pears in water only.  Be sure to buy a good brand, it is not something you want to cheap out on because it will make a difference in your final product.  If you don't like pears then substitute with canned apricots or peaches!

Therapeutic topic of the week: Recall a past success.

Taking five minutes to reflect on how you pulled through other stressful situations like your last breakup or when you switched jobs can help you reconnect with your resilient side.

In the moment, it may feel as though you'll never get over your present problem, but when you look back, you realize that you felt similarly before and found a way to overcome it.

If you're going through a divorce or recently lost a loved one, you also may want to seek out a support group: Research on grieving presented by the Center for the Advancement of Health in Washington, D.C., suggests that talking with peers is even more beneficial than one-on-one counseling in the initial months after a loss.

Pear and Almond Tart Recipe
Adapted from Food and Wine

Ingredients
PASTRY
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick plus 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg yolk mixed with 1/4 cup ice water

FILLING
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 large eggs
Pinch of salt
1 stick plus 6 tablespoons (7 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon almond extract
5 canned pear halves in water, sliced

Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Directions
In a food processor, pulse the flour with the sugar and salt. Pulse in the butter until it is the size of small peas. Sprinkle the egg mixture on top and pulse just until a dough forms. Scrape the pastry onto 2 sheets of plastic wrap and form into 2 disks or 10 small disks for tartlets. Wrap and refrigerate until chilled.

Bring the milk to a simmer in a medium saucepan. In a medium bowl, whisk the sugar with 1 tablespoon of the cornstarch. Whisk in 1 egg and the salt. Gradually whisk in the hot milk, then return it to the saucepan and cook over moderate heat, whisking, until thickened and just beginning to bubble around the edges, about 4 minutes. Strain the custard into a bowl and let cool slightly. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of the butter.

Using an electric mixer, beat the remaining 12 tablespoons of butter with the sliced almonds at medium-low speed until the almonds are slightly crushed. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and the remaining 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 eggs, then beat in the custard and extract.

Preheat the oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each pastry disk to a 12-inch round 1/8 inch thick. Fit the pastry into two 9-inch fluted tart pans with removable bottoms. If making miniature tarts such as I did, roll each disk into a 5 inch round 1/8 inch thick for each tartlet pan.  Fold the overhang onto itself. Using a sharp knife, trim off any excess pastry.

Spoon the filling into the tarts. Place 1 pear half in the center of each tart; arrange the slices trying to keep the original shape of the pear. Bake the tarts in the center of the oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until the pears are very tender and the custard and pastry are deep golden. Let the tarts cool for 30 minutes, then unmold and serve warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream.

Soda Twist

Cream Soda Cupcakes with Almond Whipped Cream

I've been craving carbonated drinks but especially cream soda.  Cream soda is basically a vanilla flavored soda...that I put in these cupcakes!  This recipe doesn't call for baking soda (which usually helps it rise) because the carbonation in the drink makes up for it.  The original recipe uses Coca-Cola and is for a layer cake which can be found below.

The cake is buttery, soft and not too sweet with a kiss of vanilla.  The almond whipped cream adds a sophisticated but delicious topping.  It's like cream soda and cupcakes came together and had a food baby.

Cream Soda Cupcakes with Almond Whipped Cream Recipe
Adapted from Tasting Table

INGREDIENTS

Cake

1½ sticks, at room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup cream soda

¼ cup whole milk

2 large eggs

Whipped Cream

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp almond extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Set about 20 cupcake liners in the muffin tins. 

2. In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter with the sugar on medium speed until light and airy, about 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and salt and set aside. In another medium bowl, whisk together the cream soda and milk.

3. Add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter-sugar mixture, using a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Turn the mixer to low and alternate adding the dry and wet ingredients in three batches, starting and ending with the flour mixture and mixing until just combined. Divide the batter between the muffin tins. Place the muffin pans in the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 16 to 18 minutes.

4. Remove the cakes from the oven and set aside to cool completely.

5.  With a whip attachment, pour the cream into the bowl of stand mixer and beat until it forms soft peaks.  Add powdered sugar and extract and beat until medium to stiff peaks form.  Transfer to a pastry bag and top the cupcakes.

French Macarons

Hazelnut Macarons with Praline Buttercream

I took a class at Sur la table to master the art of french macarons and learned so much. My favorite recipe was this delicious and crunchy hazelnut cookie and smooth creamy filling made with nutella. Incredibly irresistible Let's be honest, macarons are moody. The humidity has to be perfect, the egg whites need to be at room temperature and you cannot overmix the batter. Once you get the method down, the end result is so satisfying. It's light with the perfect sweetness and perfect if you are hosting an oscar party this weekend. Elegant, dainty little cookies that are worth the effort.

Tip: this is one of those times where investing in a kitchen scale is worth the money.

Hazelnut Macarons with Praline Buttercream Recipe
Recipe from Sur la table

Hazelnut Macarons:
7 oz powdered sugar, divided
2.5 oz almond flour or meal
1.5 oz hazelnut flour or meal
4 large (4 oz) egg whites, room temperature
Pinch of cream of tartar
3.5 oz granulated sugar
Brown food coloring (optional)

* Use a digital scale to measure everything.

Praline Buttercream:

4 oz egg yolks, room temperature

1 1/2 oz plus 8 oz granulated sugar, divided

pinch of salt

2 oz water

2 1/4 tsp corn syrup

20 oz unsalted butter, softened, cut into 1 inch pieces

1/4 cup nutella spread

Prepare parchment paper macaron templates. Line baking sheets with silpat silicone mats and top with parchment paper templates.  These templates can be printed and found here.

Pulse 1/3 of the powdered sugar with all the almond flour and hazelnut flour in a food processor to form a fine powder. Sift sugar mixture 2 times. Sift remaining powdered sugar 2 times. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Set aside.

In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a wire whip attachment, whisk whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar. Once all sugar is incorporated, scrape down sides of bowl and increase speed to high, whisking until stiff, firm, glossy peaks form.

To complete the macaronnage step (macaronnage: the technique of mizing flour and meringue to make macarons), sift the almond flour mixture 1/3 at a time over the egg white mixture and fold using a large silicone spatula until mixture is smooth and shiny. Once all the almond flour mixture is incorporated, check to see that the batter is nicely firm and drips slowly from the spatula.

Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2″ plain round tip (#12) and pipe 1 1/3 inch rounds on the parchment-lined baking sheets. Rap bottom of each sheet on work surface to release any trapped air. Let macarons stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375 degrees while waiting for the macarons to dry. Place the rack in the lower thirds. Macarons are ready to bake when they no longer stick to a finger when lightly touched. 

Stack the baking sheet with the macarons on top of an empty baking sheet. Bake one sheet at a time, rotating halfway through, until macarons are crips and firm, about 10-15 minutes. If the macarons are still soft inside, lower oven to 300 degrees, over with aluminum foil and bake for a few more minutes.
Let the macarons cool on baking sheets for 2-3 minutes and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.

For the buttercream: place the yolks, 1 1/2 oz sugar, salt in the bowl of sa stand mixer fitted with a wire whip and beat on high speed until it reaches the ribbon stages or is light in color, thick and foamy.

Meanwhile, combine water, 8 oz sugar, corn syrup in a small saucepan.  Stir once to combine, then wash down the sides of the saucepan with a silicone pastry brush dipped in water.  Bring to a full boil and cook until the mixture reaches the thread state or 235 degrees on an instant read thermometer.  Remove from heat.

With the mixture running on medium high, pour the cooked sugar in a slow, steady stream into the yolks.  Don't let the sugar hit the whisk or the side of the bowl which will result in lost cooked sugar.

Once all the cooked sugar is incorporated  reduce speed to medium and beat until mixture has cooled to about 100 degrees or warm to the touch.  Reduce speed to low and add butter, 1 piece at a time, whisking after each addition.  Once all the butter is incorporated, return to medium high an whisk for a few minutes until fluffy.  Add vanilla extract and nutella, whisking to combine.

Use the buttercream immediately or cover an refrigerate.  To fill macarons, transfer buttercream to a 12 inch pastry bag with a medium round pastry tip and pipe between two macarons.

French Patisserie Inspiration

Raspberry Almond Petit Four

A petit four is a small confectionery generally eaten at the end of a meal or served as part of dessert. The name is from the French petit four (French pronunciation: [pə.ti.fur]), meaning "small oven".   Petits fours glacés (glacé meaning "iced") are iced or decorated in some way, such as tiny cakes covered in fondant or icing.  This small individual dessert is elegant, sweet and a showstopper. The raspberry filling and almond cake is delightful and a perfect way to impress your guests.  It tastes even better with my homemade raspberry and strawberry jam!  

Stress relief tip of the week:

Meditation. The calming effects of meditation are well-known and have been linked anecdotally to easing symptoms of anxiety. The nuts-and-bolts scientific demonstration of these benefits is less clear. But the lack of information need not be a deterrent to use of the approach, since there are no side effects of meditation.  If a treatment like meditation "is proven to be safe, it may sometimes be recommended despite lacking conclusive evidence of effectiveness with the belief that it is unlikely to hurt but has a potential to help,” says Amit Sood, MD, director of research for Mayo Clinic’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine Program in Rochester, Minn.

Raspberry Almond Petit Four Recipe

Ingredients

Cake:
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus melted butter for pans
3/4 pound or 12 ounces almond paste
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
6 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch fine sea salt
1 1/3 cups of my Strawberry Raspberry Jam
8 cups tinted Royal Icing, recipe follows
Decorative dragees for garnish

Royal Icing:

3 tablespoons corn syrup

1 tablespoon almond extract

8 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar 

Green and violet food coloring (or your favorite colors)

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Brush 2 18 by 13-inch rimmed baking sheets (otherwise known as half sheet pans) with melted butter. Line the pans with parchment paper, leaving a few inches of overhang on opposite sides. Butter the top of the parchment paper as well, then set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the almond paste and sugar on medium speed until well combined, about 5 minutes. Add the almond extract. Roughly cut the room temperature butter into pats and gradually add to the almond paste-sugar mixture. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating to combine after each addition. Add the flour and salt and beat until just combined.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared baking sheets, smoothing the batter out with an offset spatula. Gently tap the baking sheet on the table to remove any air pockets in the batter. Air pockets will cause holes in the baked cake and give a ragged look to the finished product. Bake until just set, but not browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Give the baking sheets a turn halfway through baking, after about 8 minutes, for even baking, if needed, but don't worry too much because we're covering the cakes. Test with a toothpick or skewer and if clean, remove from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool.

To make the jam easier to spread and to prevent tearing the cake, puree the jam in a food processor. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Turn 1 cake layer out onto the lined baking sheet. Spread half of the raspberry jam in an even layer over the cake. Carefully flip the cake out of the baking sheet and top with a second cake layer. Spread with the remaining jam. Cut the cake in half width-wise. Carefully flip the right cake layer and top the cake jam side down. This should create four layers of cake.  Place a piece of parchment paper over the final layer and top with a second baking sheet. Weigh down with 2 large 28-ounce cans. Chill in the refrigerator overnight.

Remove the cake from the refrigerator and cut into 1-inch squares. Place onto a wire racks over at least 2 baking sheets, leaving at least 1-inch between each cake piece.

For the royal icing.   In a large heatproof bowl, combine 3/4 cups water, corn syrup and almond extract. Once incorporated, slowly whisk in the sugar until fully combined. Alternately, slowly mix together in a stand mixer and transfer to a heatproof bowl prior to icing cakes.

Divide the icing into 3 heatproof bowls.  Place each of the tinted royals icings in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, with the bottom of the bowl not touching the water, until pourable. You should have about 4 cups total. You'll be using about 1 heaping tablespoon icing on each. Carefully place a cut cake on a  small fork. Place the cake over the icing and spoon the icing onto the cake. If the cake drops into the icing, carefully pick it up with your spoon and place back onto your fork. Place back onto the wire rack using another dipper or fork to slide onto the wire rack. Top with decorative dragees, as desired. Repeat with the remaining icing and cakes. Let stand until set, about 30 minutes at room temperature or cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 1 week until ready to serve.


Adapted from Anne Thornton

Goodbye Summer

Mascarpone Nectarine Tart with Smoky Almond Crust

A simple crust made with smoked almonds and filled with a creamy, light mascarpone, topped with juicy nectarines.

Baking is a time to relax, unwind and enjoy my passion for pastry.  To complete the "therapy" theme of this blog I have decided to add a stress relief tip with each post.  Kindly share your thoughts on the recipe, tips or pictures.  Feedback is appreciated!

Stress relief tip of the day: 

Set aside relaxation time. Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule. Don’t allow other obligations to intrude. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and recharge your batteries.

 

Mascarpone Nectarine Tart with Smoky Almond Crust Recipe

 

Ingredients 

 

2 cups graham crackers, crumbled
1/2 cup smoked almonds
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
8 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1 egg 

3 firm, ripe medium nectarines, peeled and cut into thin wedges

 

Directions 

 

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a food processor, combine the graham crackers with the almonds and 2 tablespoons of the sugar and process until fine. Add the melted butter and pulse until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Press the crumbs into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the side of a rectangular tart pan or a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, until the crust is set.

Meanwhile, wipe out the food processor bowl. Add the mascarpone cheese, sour cream, egg and 2 tablespoons of the sugar and process until smooth. Pour the custard into the crust and bake for 15 minutes, until set. Let the tart cool slightly and transfer to the freezer to chill, about 15 minutes.

In a bowl, toss the nectarines with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Arrange the nectarines in a straight line over the custard. Remove the outer ring, cut the tart into slices and serve.

Adapted from Food and Wine Magazine August 2011

California meets Middle East

Arabian Dream

My Ramadan cupcake: an almond pound cake with an orange apricot filling topped with orange apricot and almond buttercream.  Inspired by a traditional Arabic drink made with apricot leather which is usually served during Ramadan combined with a touch of California oranges and almonds.  Happy Ramadan cupcakes!

Love is in the air

Almond cupcakes

An almond based cupcake topped with almond flavored icing.

These cupcakes were made for a young couple's engagement.