ALMOND, SEMOLINA AND PISTACHIO CAKE WITH LEMON AND GRAPEFRUIT SYRUP
Ingredients
Serves 1 x 10 in (25 cm) cake
Candied Citrus Slices, for garnish, recipe follows (optional)
1¼ cups (310 ml) salted butter, room temperature, plus extra for greasing
1½ cups (375 ml) almond flour
¾ cup (175 ml) finely ground toasted pistachios, plus extra for garnish
¾ cup (175 ml) semolina flour
1½ tsp (7 ml) baking powder
1½ cups (375 ml) + ⅔ cup (150 ml) granulated sugar, divided
1½ tsp (7 ml) + 1 tbsp (15 ml) finely grated lemon zest, divided
5 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
3 tbsp (45 ml) + ⅓ cup (75 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
⅓ cup (75 ml) freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
Instructions
- Prepare Candied Citrus Slices, if using.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line bottom of a 10-in (25 cm) round cake pan with parchment paper and generously butter sides of pan. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, ground pistachios, semolina flour and baking powder. Set dry ingredients aside.
- In bowl of a stand mixer, or using a hand-held mixer, beat 1¼ cups (310 ml) butter, 1½ cups (375 ml) sugar and 1½ tsp (7 ml) lemon zest until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add eggs and vanilla and beat until glossy, about 2 minutes. Add dry ingredients and 3 tbsp (45 ml) lemon juice and beat to combine, about 2 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl from time to time. Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake until golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Lightly press top of cake to test: it should be springy to touch when done.
- While cake is baking, prepare syrup. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon zest, ⅓ cup (75 ml) lemon juice, ⅔ cup (150 ml) sugar and grapefruit juice. Bring to a boil, stirring, then lower heat and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, until syrup has reduced by about ⅓. Remove from heat.
- As soon as cake comes out of oven, spoon and brush syrup liberally over top and edges of cake. Allow syrup to drip down sides of pan. Cool cake completely before turning out. Garnish cake with crushed toasted pistachios and Candied Citrus Slices, if using, reserving any remaining syrup and citrus slices for use in cocktails, baking or salads. Cake will keep, covered, in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Drink Pairings
CHAI FIGGY CAKES WITH RED WINE CARAMEL AND PEAR CRISPS*
Ingredients
Serves 10 cakes. * Please note, this recipe should be started at least 1 day in advance.
2⅓ cups (575 ml) granulated sugar, divided
1¼ cups (310 ml) water, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
½-in (1.25 cm) piece fresh ginger, sliced
1 small bartlett pear
½ vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
1 cup (250 ml) red wine
1 tbsp (15 ml) + ½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided, plus extra for greasing
¾ cup (175 ml) chopped dried figs
¾ cup (175 ml) chopped dried dates
1¼ cups (310 ml) boiling water
1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
3 chai teabags
1½ cups (375 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground cinnamon
¾ cup (175 ml) packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
lightly sweetened whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- To make Pear Crisps, in a small saucepan, combine 1 cup (250 ml) sugar, 1 cup (250 ml) water, lemon juice and ginger and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Transfer to a large heatproof bowl and set aside to cool to room temperature. Using a mandolin or sharp knife, carefully cut pear into ⅛-in (0.25 cm) slices. Remove any seeds and submerge pear slices in sugar syrup. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 4 hours or, even better, overnight.
- Preheat oven to 200 F (93 C). Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and top with a piece of parchment paper.
- Remove pear from syrup, letting any extra syrup drip off, then place in a single layer on parchment-lined rack. Bake, turning over every hour, until firm and crisped, about 4 to 6 hours. Turn off oven and prop open oven door with a wooden spoon, letting pear slices cool completely in oven. Once cooled, use for garnish or store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 days.
- To make Red Wine Caramel, scrape vanilla seeds from pod into a small saucepan, then add vanilla pod and wine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat until wine is reduced to about ½ cup (125 ml), about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and discard vanilla pod.
- In a medium saucepan, stir together remaining 1⅓ cups (325 ml) sugar and ¼ cup (60 ml) water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil, without stirring, and washing down any sugar crystals that form on side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water, until syrup turns pale golden, about 6 to 10 minutes. Continue to cook, swirling pan occasionally, until deep golden, about another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully pour red wine reduction down side of pan into caramel. Take care, as it will steam and sputter. Return saucepan to medium-low heat and stir continuously until caramel is smooth and has thickened slightly, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter. Set aside or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- To make cakes, preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease 10 cups in nonstick popover pans.
- In a medium bowl, stir together figs, dates, boiling water and baking soda. Add tea bags, submerging in mixture, and set aside for 10 minutes to soak. Discard tea bags.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
- In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together remaining ½ cup (125 ml) butter and brown sugar until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add fig and flour mixtures. Stir until just combined. Spoon batter into prepared cups until ¾ full. Place popover pans on a baking sheet and bake until a wooden skewer inserted in centre comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Allow cakes to cool about 10 minutes in pan before turning out onto a wire rack.
- Divide warm cakes onto serving plates. Drizzle with Red Wine Caramel and garnish with a couple of Pear Crisps and a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream, if desired. Serve immediately. Any extra cakes can be frozen. Allow to cool completely, wrap well in plastic wrap or an airtight container, and freeze for up to 1 month. To thaw, leave out at room temperature for several hours, warming in a 300 F (150 C) oven for 5 to 8 minutes before serving, if desired.
Drink Pairings
STOLLEN SWIRL BUNS
Ingredients
Serves 12 buns
⅔ cup (150 ml) whole milk
2 tsp (10 ml) active dry yeast
3¼ cups (810 ml) all-purpose flour, divided
½ cup (125 ml) dried cranberries
¼ cup (60 ml) roughly chopped candied orange peel (available at specialty grocery stores)
¼ cup (60 ml) roughly chopped dried apricots
2 tbsp (30 ml) brandy
¾ cup (175 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided, plus extra for greasing
¾ cup (175 ml) raw cane sugar, divided
2 large eggs, room temperature
½ tsp (2.5 ml) fine sea salt
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground cardamom
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground nutmeg
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground allspice
⅓ cup (75 ml) marzipan, grated on large holes of a box grater
½ cup (125 ml) roughly chopped blanched almonds
icing sugar, for garnish
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat milk until just starting to steam. Remove from heat and pour into a medium bowl. Cool to about 110 F (43 C), and whisk in yeast and ½ cup (125 ml) flour. Cover bowl with a clean tea towel and set aside for at least 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, wipe out saucepan used to heat milk and in it combine cranberries, candied orange peel, apricots and brandy. Warm gently over medium-low heat until just starting to steam. Remove from heat and set aside, allowing fruit to soak and cool to room temperature.
- In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together ½ cup (125 ml) butter and ½ cup (125 ml) sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, followed by salt and cardamom, until thoroughly combined. Add yeast mixture and another ½ cup (125 ml) flour. Mix on low until dough just comes together, about 30 seconds.
- Switch to dough hook attachment and add remaining 2¼ cups (560 ml) flour, ½ cup (125 ml) at a time, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Knead on low speed for 5 minutes. Remove dough hook, cover mixing bowl with a tea towel and allow to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) sugar with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Set aside.
- Tip out dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 12 x 16-in (30 x 41 cm) rectangle. Spread remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) softened butter evenly over entire surface of dough. Sprinkle sugar mixture evenly over butter, then sprinkle on crumbled almond paste, almonds and soaked fruit. Starting from a short end, tightly roll dough into a log. Using a sharp knife, cut dough into 12 sections, each roughly 1-in (2.5 cm) thick.
- Generously butter two 13 x 18-in (33 x 46 cm) rimmed baking sheets. Place 6 buns on each sheet and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight (12 to 16 hours).
- When ready to bake, allow buns to rise in a warm place for about 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Position oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven. Preheat to 350 F (180 C). Discard plastic wrap and bake buns, rotating once halfway through baking time, until golden brown, about 22 to 25 minutes. Dust with icing sugar and serve warm. Buns are best served on day they are made, but can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place in a 275 F (140 C) oven until warmed through, about 5 to 10 minutes.
Drink Pairings
CRÈME BRÛLÉE SUGAR COOKIES
Ingredients
Serves 35 cookies
2 tbsp (30 ml) + ¾ cup (175 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, room temperature
3 cups (750 ml) icing sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml) Irish cream liqueur
½ cup (125 ml) packed light brown sugar
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar, divided
1 large egg
1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract
2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tsp (10 ml) cornstarch
1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
¼ tsp (1 ml) kosher salt
Instructions
- To make frosting, in bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add icing sugar and Irish cream and mix until well combined. Transfer to an airtight container, cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Frosting may be made up to 1 week in advance.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In clean bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together remaining ¾ cup (175 ml) butter, brown sugar and ½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and mix until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Add to ingredients in bowl of mixer and mix on low until well combined.
- Place tablespoon-sized balls of dough on lined baking sheets. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, then bake until edges just start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Allow cookies to sit for 2 minutes on sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies may be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 1 month.
- When ready to serve, place remaining ½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar in a small bowl. Spread 1 heaping tbsp (about 15 ml) frosting onto each cookie, then press into granulated sugar, coating frosting. Place on an unlined baking sheet, sprinkle a little extra sugar over top of each cookie and, using a kitchen torch placed very close to cookies, caramelize sugar. Set aside to cool a few minutes before serving.
Drink Pairings
Rum and Eggnog Tart
Ingredients
Serves 10
2¼ cups (560 ml) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (175 ml) icing sugar, plus extra for dusting
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
13 tbsp (195 ml) very cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg, lightly beaten
grapeseed oil or cooking spray, for greasing
9 egg yolks, divided
1⅓ cups (325 ml) whipping cream
⅓ cup (75 ml) whole milk
2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground cinnamon, plus extra for dusting
½ tsp (2.5 ml) grated fresh nutmeg, plus extra for dusting
½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar
3 tbsp (45 ml) spiced rum
Instructions
- In a food processor fitted with steel blade attachment, pulse together flour, icing sugar and salt. Scatter butter over dry ingredients and pulse 8 to 10 times, until butter is coarsely cut in. Add egg and process in long pulses, about 10 seconds each, until dough comes together in large clumps. Turn dough out onto a clean surface and, very sparingly, knead dough just to incorporate any dry ingredients that may have escaped mixing. Form into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Lightly grease a 9-in (23 cm) fluted tart pan with a removable bottom with grapeseed oil or cooking spray.
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper into a 16-in (41 cm) round, lifting and turning dough occasionally so it does not stick. Using paper as an aid, turn dough into prepared tart pan before peeling off paper. Press dough into edges and seal any cracks in dough. Trim overhang to ½-in (1.25 cm), reserving excess dough, then fold in overhang, doubling up sides. Pierce bottom of crust all over with fork. Freeze for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Stack excess pastry on top of itself and re-roll to about ¼-in (0.5 cm) thick. Using star-shaped cookie cutters in different sizes, cut out as many stars as possible. Place stars on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Place oven rack in middle of oven and preheat to 375 F (190 C).
- Butter shiny side of a piece of aluminum foil and place it, buttered-side down, tightly against frozen crust. Place tart pan on a baking sheet and bake crust for 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil. If crust has puffed up, press it down gently with back of a spoon. Bake crust 5 to 10 minutes longer, until firm but still pale. Transfer tart pan to a wire rack and cool crust to room temperature. Leave oven on.
- While crust cools, place 1 egg yolk in a bowl and whisk until liquefied. Brush chilled pastry stars with egg yolk, then bake until firm and golden brown, about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on size of stars. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Reduce oven temperature to 300 F (150 C).
- In a large saucepan, whisk together cream, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a hard simmer over medium heat. Meanwhile, in a large, heatproof bowl, whisk together remaining 8 egg yolks and granulated sugar until lightly thickened and pale. While whisking, slowly pour hot cream mixture into egg mixture. Add rum and stir to combine. Transfer mixture to a large glass measuring cup and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Carefully skim off and discard any foam that forms on surface of custard. You should be left with about 2½ cups (625 ml).
- Place cooled tart shell, still in pan, on a baking sheet and place in oven. Carefully pour custard into tart shell until it reaches top of pastry. Bake until custard is set around edges and just set in middle, about 30 to 40 minutes. Allow tart to cool to room temperature on a wire rack while still in pan.
- When ready to serve, remove tart from tart pan, place on a serving plate and lightly dust surface with cinnamon and nutmeg, if desired. Decorate tart with pastry stars. Dust some with icing sugar, some with cinnamon and leave some plain. Tart is best served the day it is made.
Drink Pairings
White Chocolate Truffles with Rose and Pistachio
Ingredients
Serves about 30 truffles
¾ cup (175 ml) whipping cream
¾ lb (340 g) + ⅓ lb (175 g) finely chopped high quality white chocolate, divided
6 tbsp (90 ml) unsalted butter
½ tsp (2.5 ml) best quality rose water, or to taste
1½ tsp (7 ml) Grand Marnier (optional)
1 pinch salt
2 tbsp (30 ml) finely crushed edible dried rose petals
⅔ cup (150 ml) chopped toasted pistachios
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Remove from heat and immediately add ¾ lb (340 g) chocolate, butter, rose water and Grand Marnier, if using. Gently whisk until chocolate and butter are melted and mixture is completely smooth. Pour into a shallow container, cover and refrigerate until fully set, preferably overnight.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fit a piping bag with a ½-in (1.25 cm) round nozzle (or a plastic freezer bag with ½-in (1.25 cm) snipped off from one corner). Spoon chocolate mixture into bag and pipe 1-in (2.5 cm) mounds onto lined baking sheet. Place sheet in freezer for 2 hours, or until truffles are solid.
- In a shallow bowl, combine crushed rose petals and pistachios and set aside.
- In a small pot, bring water to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Place remaining ⅓ lb (175 g) chocolate in a small heatproof bowl that will fit over pot. Place bowl over pot of simmering water and melt chocolate slowly, stirring, until smooth. Turn off heat, leaving bowl over pot so chocolate remains liquid.
- To roll the truffles, this step is a bit messy, so having an extra pair of hands here can be quite helpful. Wearing thin plastic gloves, smear a little melted chocolate into your palm with a spoon. Carefully pick up a truffle (they will be quite soft) and quickly but gently roll it in a circular motion between your palms to make a thin even coating of chocolate and round out shape. Place truffle into pistachio mixture and roll it around with a fork to coat evenly. Set it on parchment-lined baking sheet; repeat with remaining truffles. Remove gloves and quickly roll each truffle between your palms once more to help pistachios adhere and to finish shaping. Place truffles back on baking sheet and return to freezer to set overnight.
- Once set, store truffles in refrigerator overnight, or in freezer for up to 1 month, well covered, until ready to pack into decorative boxes for gifting. These delicate confections need to be refrigerated until serving.
Drink Pairings
GINGER CAKE WITH WHISKY POACHED PEARS
Ingredients
Serves
WHISKY POACHED PEARS:
3 small underripe pears (Bartlett works well)
½ cup (125 ml) whisky (bourbon works well)
½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar
2 cups (500 ml) water
3 whole star anise
GINGER CAKE:
≈ cup (150 ml) salted butter, softened
¾ cup (175 ml) golden syrup
1≈ cups (400 ml) all-purpose flour
½ cup (125 ml) dark brown sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
½ tsp (2.5 ml) baking powder
2 tsp (10 ml) ground ginger
1 ½ tsp (7 ml) ground cinnamon
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground allspice
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground nutmeg
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground cloves
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
ƒ cup (75 ml) buttermilk
ƒ cup (75 ml) cooled reserved pear poaching liquid
1 tsp (5 ml) finely grated fresh ginger
1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
CARAMEL SAUCE:
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar
½ cup (125 ml) reserved pear poaching liquid
¾ cup (175 ml) whipping cream
2 tbsp (30 ml) salted butter, cubed
lightly sweetened whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- To make poached pears, slice a thin piece off bottom of each pear. In smallest saucepan that will fit pears comfortably, combine whiskey, sugar, water and star anise. Place pears in liquid and bring to a simmer. Partially cover saucepan and poach pears over medium-low heat for about 40 to 50 minutes, turning from time to time and maintaining a medium-low simmer. To test for doneness, insert a thin, sharp knife into centre of pear. It should meet no resistance. Remove pears and star anise from poaching liquid and set them and liquid aside to cool. Reserve liquid for cake and caramel sauce. Leftover pear poaching liquid can be stored in refrigerator and used in drinks and sauces.
- To make the cake, preheat oven to 325 F (170 C). Butter and line bottom of a 5 x 9-in (12 cm x 23 cm) loaf tin with parchment paper. In a medium high-sided saucepan, combine butter and golden syrup. Melt butter and bring mixture just to a simmer. Remove from heat and set aside until cool, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients, including spices, and mix well. Add buttermilk, poaching liquid, ginger, egg and vanilla to butter mixture and whisk together. Add flour/spice mixture to saucepan and whisk well to combine until no lumps remain; batter will be quite wet. Pour batter into prepared pan, then gently place whole poached pears into batter, spacing out evenly. Bake for 1 hour. Test for doneness; skewer inserted into centre of cake should come out clean. Set aside for at least 30 minutes to cool before removing from pan.
- To make the caramel sauce, in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar and ½ cup (125 ml) poaching liquid. Dissolve sugar over low heat, stirring gently, then increase heat to medium and cook without stirring for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until caramel is a rich golden brown. Remove from heat and add cream—be careful, as caramel will bubble and sputter; this is normal. Return pan to medium-low heat and add butter. Stir until completely smooth, remove from heat and set aside.
- To serve, gently rewarm caramel sauce, if necessary, and drizzle generously over cake. Allow to cool and set, about 10 minutes. Slice cake and serve any extra sauce on the side, adding a dollop of whipped cream, if desired. Makes one 5 x 9-in (12 x 23 cm) cake
Drink Pairings
CLASSIC PUMPKIN TART WITH PECAN PRALINE TOPPING
Ingredients
Serves 8
PASTRY:
½ cup (125 ml) + 2 tbsp (30 ml) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (60 ml) + 1 tbsp (15 ml) cold salted butter, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) pieces
1½ tbsp (22 ml) very cold water
FILLING:
2 cups (500 ml) pumpkin purée (from a roasted sugar pumpkin, or canned)
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
1/3 cup (75 ml) dark brown sugar
1 large pinch fine sea salt
1½ tsp (7 ml) ground cinnamon
1½ tsp (7 ml) ground ginger
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground cloves
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground cardamom
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground allspice
1½ cups (375 ml) whipping cream, chilled
3 large eggs, beaten
TOPPING:
½ cup (125 ml) packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup (75 ml) cold salted butter, cut into large pieces
¼ cup (60 ml) whipping cream
1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
¾ cup (175 ml) coarsely chopped toasted pecans
lightly sweetened whipped cream, to serve
Instructions
- To make pastry, in bowl of small food processor, combine flour and butter and pulse until mixture has sandy texture, with largest pieces of butter the size of tiny peas. Add cold water and pulse until large clumps form and pastry just starts to form a ball around blade. Transfer dough to a work surface and knead a few times to bring together into a ball. Flatten into a disc, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out into a 12-in (30 cm) circle. Carefully transfer to a 10-in (25 cm) tart pan with a removable base. Gently ease dough into pan. Fold excess pastry over itself to double up edges of tart and pinch off any extra from top edge. Use any excess to patch areas if necessary, or discard. Freeze while preparing filling.
- To make filling, preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine pumpkin, sugars, salt and spices. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Add cold cream and whisk until smooth. Slowly add beaten eggs, whisking until mixture is well combined and smooth. Remove tart shell from freezer and place on a heavy baking sheet. Pour filling into crust. Carefully place tart in oven and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 F (170 C) and continue baking for another 30 to 40 minutes, or until centre is just set. A toothpick inserted into centre of tart should come out clean. Allow to cool completely.
- To make topping, in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine sugar, butter and cream. Bring to a simmer and cook until thick and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla and pecans. Keep warm over lowest heat or reheat when ready to serve tart.
- To serve, remove tart from pan, leaving it on metal base. Place tart back on baking sheet and reheat in a 325 F (170 C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through and pastry is crisp. Garnish edges of tart with pecan topping and top with whipped cream. Drizzle whipped cream with some of the warm pecan topping. Serve tart immediately with remaining pecan topping.
Drink Pairings
CINNAMON LOAF SERVED WITH MULLED WINE PLUM JAM
Ingredients
Serves Makes 1 loaf
½ cup (125 ml) water
3 cups (750 ml) all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup (250 ml) homogenized milk
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp (5 ml) salt, divided
2 ¼ tsp (11 ml) instant yeast
2 tbsp (30 ml) ground cinnamon
1 cup (250 ml) demerara or brown sugar
1 cup (250 ml) butter, softened
MULLED WINE PLUM JAM:
1 cup (250 ml) Malbec
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves
1 whole star anise
1 lb (500 g) red or blush plums, pitted and cut into quarters
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch black pepper
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk together ½ cup (125 ml) water and 3 tbsp (45 ml) flour until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, and cook until mixture thickens into a slurry, about 5 to 8 minutes. Allow to cool.
- In bowl of stand mixer, combine milk, granulated sugar, butter, ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt and yeast. Stir until yeast has dissolved. Add remaining flour and slurry, then mix with a dough hook until smooth and elastic, about 3 to 5 minutes. You can also do this by hand, though it will be more work, due to the slurry. If making by hand, knead for about 15 minutes.
- Transfer dough to a clean bowl and cover with a damp tea towel. Allow to rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 2 hours, depending on temperature of room.
- To make cinnamon filling, mix remaining ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt, cinnamon, demerara sugar and butter until thoroughly combined. Keep aside at room temperature until ready to use.
- Once dough has risen, roll out to a rectangle about ¼-in (0.5 cm) thick.
- Spread butter mixture over entire piece of dough. Tightly roll into a long log. Place log on a baking sheet and place in refrigerator or freezer for 5 to 10 minutes, to slightly chill dough and make it easier to handle.
- Meanwhile, grease a loaf pan (the 5 x 9-in (12 x 23 cm) size works well) and line with parchment paper.
- Remove log from refrigerator or freezer and lay on a cutting board. Cut almost completely in half lengthwise, but leaving 1 end uncut. Starting from uncut end, braid dough and pinch ends together. Place braid into prepared loaf pan, tucking ends underneath, if necessary. Cover with a damp tea towel and allow to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
- Once dough has risen, bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until loaf has reached an internal temperature of 190 F (88 C). Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, remove from pan to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before slicing and serving with Mulled Wine Plum Jam. It is also nice toasted!
- MULLED WINE PLUM JAM: 1. In a medium saucepan, cook Malbec and sugar over medium heat until it reaches consistency of maple syrup. Tie cinnamon stick, cloves and star anise together in a piece of cheesecloth and add to saucepan. Add remaining ingredients and continue cooking until liquid coats back of a spoon. Remove cheesecloth with spices. 2. Allow mixture to cool, then transfer to a glass jar. Can be stored in refrigerator for up to 3 months. Makes 1 cup (250 ml)
Drink Pairings
Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Summer Fruit
Ingredients
Serves 8
¼ cup (60 ml) water
2 tsp (10 ml) unflavoured gelatin
½ vanilla bean, halved lengthwise (or use 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract)
2 cups (500 ml) whipping cream
1 pinch fine sea salt
½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar
1½ cups (375 ml) buttermilk
MACERATED SUMMER FRUIT:
½ cup (125 ml) water
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
1 strip of lemon peel
8 small apricots, halved and pitted, or peeled, sliced peaches
½ cup (125 ml) fresh blueberries
½ cup (125 ml) fresh blackberries
1 cup (250 ml) fresh raspberries
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine water and gelatin. Stir to combine and allow to sit for 2 minutes for gelatin to bloom. Heat mixture over low heat until gelatin has just dissolved, about 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine vanilla, cream, salt, sugar and buttermilk. Bring just to a boil over moderately high heat, whisking occasionally. As soon as it comes to a boil, remove from heat and immediately whisk in gelatin mixture. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, then divide cream mixture between eight ½-cup (125 ml) glasses. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- To serve, divide fruit and syrup between chilled glasses and serve immediately.
- For the macerated summer fruit, in a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar and lemon peel. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until syrup has reduced to about 3 tbsp (45 ml). Lower heat to minimum, add apricots or peaches and swirl to coat. Cook for 3 minutes then add berries. Cook for 1 more minute, swirling berries in the syrup. Remove lemon peel. Allow to cool. Will keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.