Lemon Shortbread

Another great recipe from "Tartine", my new favorite cookbook. My prior post was about a recipe from this book also : Gingerbread cookies, and they were delicious. I feel very happy when I find a good cookbook, and excited about trying all of its recipes! People who worked on this book did a wonderful job and deserve a big: Thank you!

I don't know what are the origins of shortbread but I guess every country has its own version. In Algeria we have something similar called "Ghribia". Very tender, melt in your mouth cookies made into different shapes (pyramid shape happens to be the most popular) and decorated with an almond. Some versions have ground almonds or peanuts in the dough. The way these cookies are made is a little different from the "American" shortbread but both have almost the same taste and texture.

The original recipe didn't call for lemon zest nor vanilla, but I added some for extra flavor. Shortbread is so rich and the lemon zest adds a hint of freshness and lightens up these cookies.

Lemon Shortbread Cookies (Adapted from "Tartine")

1 cup + 2 tbsp unsalted butter, very soft.
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 3/4 cups + 2 tbsp all purpose flour.
1/2 cup +2 tbsp cornstarch.
1/4 tsp salt (reduced from the original 1/2 tsp).
Zest of 1 lemon.
1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
1/4 cup superfine sugar for topping.

Preparation

1- preheat the oven to 325. Butter a 6-by-10 inch baking pan.

2- Place the butter, the 1/3 cup of sugar and salt in a mixing bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon. Add the lemon zest and vanilla extract and mix until well incorporated.

3- Sift the flour and cornstarch. Add to the butter mixture and mix until a smooth dough forms.

4- Pat the dough evenly into the baking dish and bake until the top in lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool the shortbread until warm to the touch.

5- Sprinkle the shortbread with the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and cut into rectangles. If the cookies have become cold they will not slice well, so try to cut them while still warm. chill thoroughly before removing from the baking dish.

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Honey Cake

I still remember very well the first time I tasted this cake, more than fifteen years ago. My aunt H. brought the recipe and it was a big hit since then. The whole family, aunts, cousins......everybody loved it. They even served it in some family weddings. Although I made this cake endless times, and tasted others as well, aunt H. is still the one who makes it best. Her honey cake has a unique flavor and texture.

What is special about this cake -besides being incredibly good- is the way it's made. Unusual and Very easy method, no need for a mixer or any fancy schmancy material. All you need is a pan and a wooden spoon! Its baking time is relatively fast too. The only thing that is a bit "time consuming" is the making of the pastry cream. I usually make it the night before. I sometimes make this cake just because I have leftover pastry cream.

I personally like cakes that have different textures, and this one has it all: sweet tender biscuit layers with a smooth fluffy vanilla pastry cream in between. Topped with a layer of dark chocolate to balance the sweetness, plus some crunch from the crushed almonds. It is a cake worth a try and once you make it I am sure it will be one of your favorites.

Honey Cake

150 g unsalted butter.
100 g granulated sugar.
1/4 cup honey.
1 large egg.
3 Tbsp whole milk.
1 tsp baking soda.
1 tsp vanilla extract.
400 g all purpose flour.
1/2 tsp baking powder.
1/4 tsp salt.

Vanilla Pastry Cream

2 cups whole milk.
1 large egg.
4 egg yolks.
70 g granulated sugar.
60 g corn starch.
1 tsp vanilla paste or extract.
70 g soft unsalted butter.

Final Touches

100 g dark chocolate, melted.
Crushed toasted almonds.

Preparation

1- Preheat the oven to 375 f. Butter a 16 1/2 by 11 1/2 baking sheet. Set aside.

2 -In a sauce pan combine the butter, sugar, honey, milk, egg and baking soda. Cook over medium low heat stirring constantly until all the butter is melted. Add the vanilla. Strain the mixture in a bowl and set aside.

3- Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three batches. At first you can use the wooden spoon to mix, then you'll have to use your hands because the dough will become harder. The final dough should be smooth and not sticky. If the dough feels sticky after all the flour is added, add more flour a tablespoon at a time until you get the right consistency. But remember not to over work the dough or you will end up with a tough cake instead of a light flaky one.

3- Press the dough on the baking sheet. Using your hands, flatten it as evenly as you can all the way to the sides of the pan. Prick the dough and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a cookie rack.

Pastry Cream Preparation

1- Heat the milk over medium heat.
2- In a sauce pan, combine the egg, egg yolks, sugar and corn starch. Whisk until smooth.
3- Gradually add the hot milk to the egg mixture. Cook the cream over medium low heat until it thickens, 3 to 5 minutes. As soon as it starts to bubble remove from the heat and add the vanilla.
4- Transfer the cream to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. To avoid a thick layer from forming on top of the cream, the plastic wrap should touch the top of the cream. Let the cream cool completely. If not using the same day, the cream should be well kept in a container and refrigerated . It can keep for 4 to 5 days.
5- When the cream is completely cool, add the soft butter and mix until light and fluffy (I use my hand held mixer for that).

Cake Assembly

1- Cut the cake vertically into 3 equal parts, about 5 inches each.
2- Spread the cream between each layer. You'll have 3 layers of cake and 2 of cream.
3- Cover the cake with the melted chocolate and decorate with the crushed almonds.
4- Cut the cake into 2 by 1 inch rectangles or into squares.

It is preferable to let the cake sit for an hour or 2 before cutting. This cake actually tastes better the following day. It can keep for a day in a cool dry place and should be put after that in the fridge.

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Khanom Fak Thong (Pumpkin Pudding)

This is Pumpkin Pudding Dessert or "Khanom Fak Thong" in Thai. Thai dessert. Pumpkin is high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that improves cancer-protective properties. Also this vegetable is a great source of Vitamin A and potassium. For those with a sweet tooth, Thais have a wonderful dessert of pumpkin in coconut milk.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups pumpkin, grated finely
  
• 1/2 cup coconut cream
  
• 1 cup coconut milk
  
• 1/4 cup tapioca flour
  
• 1/2 cup rice flour
  
• 1/2 tbsp arrowroot starch
  
• 1/4 cup sugar
  
• 1/8 tsp salt
  

LET’S GO:

• Mix tapioca flour, rice flour and arrowroot starch together. Gradually add coconut cream, stir constantly until all the coconut cream is used up. It will take about 15 minutes.
  
• Add sugar, pumpkin, salt and coconut milk, continue stirring until sugar and salt are all dissolved.
  
• Pour the mixture into a baking pan, spread out evenly, steam over boiling water for 20-25 minutes or until done. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Cut into 2"x2" pieces.
  

Tip: Tapioca flour can be substituted by corn flour.

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Fak Thong Sang-Ka-Ya (Pumpkin Custard)

This custard is spectacular to look at, and wonderful to eat. Makes a great Halloween or Thanksgiving dessert recipe, and a nice alternative to pumpkin pie. Don't be put off by the long baking time - it's actually a really easy recipe to make! A small pumpkin (or pumpkin-like squash) is filled with an easy Thai custard (a healthier and lower calorie version than traditional custard). Serve warm with a splash of maple syrup or brandy and a cup of strong tea or coffee, and ENJOY!

INGRADIENTS:

• 1 small pumpkin
  
• 5 duck eggs
  
• 1 cup coconut cream
  
• 1/2 sugar
  

COOKING:

• Beat the eggs wih coconut cream and sugar until the mixture is frothy.
  
• Cut the top of the pumpkin in square shape to make cover , look like a bowl with a cover.
  
• Pour in the coconut cream mixture. Cook in the steamer for about 30 minutes.
  
• Leave to cool or keep in refrigerator to make the custard firm.
  

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Fak Tong Gang Buad (Pumpkin in coconut milk)

Pumpkin in Coconut Milk or Thai called Fak Tong Gang Buad. In Thailand, pumpkins are available year round. This will make a nice warm dessert in the fall. Many Thai desserts involve cooking rice, sticky rice or flour in sugar and coconut milk. However, pumpkin in coconut milk belongs to a class of dessert called 'gang buad', which refers to cooking vegetables, legumes or fruits in coconut milk with sugar.

INGREDIENT:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups pumpkin
• 1/3 cup palm sugar
• 1/2 cup coconut milk

COOKING:

• Skin the pumpkin, remove the seeds and julienne into pieces of 2" x ½" x ½".
  
• Add water and coconut milk to a pot and heat over low heat. Add salt. I would recommend adding half of the sugar and tasting before adding more. If you find it to be too sweet, add more water. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the pumpkin. Let it boil and let the pumpkin cook. Serve hot, warm or room temperature.
  
• The key to this dish is using thin coconut milk. The top layer of coconut milk or cream will curdle when boiled. If your coconut milk is creamy, dilute it with water.
  

Tips: I recommend using acorn squash, moschata squash or any other yellow meat squash or cooking pumpkin.

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Gingerbread experience

I bought a new cookbook that I adore, called "Tartine". Wonderful is the least I can say about it. I tried four recipes already and they all turned out good. I rarely experience this with cookbooks. I had this same impression with Jacques Torres cookbook "Dessert Circus". I can't say more than the author name! just mentioning the name tells it all!!
So, the book had these wonderful looking soft gingerbread cookies. When I looked at the picture I couldn't resist but try them. I never tried gingerbread cookies before, I had absolutely no idea what they taste like, plus I have a small issue with the smell of ginger, a bit too strong for me. Yet, I needed to give this recipe a try, and boy did they taste incredible! soft, just the right amount of spices and that glaze on top, yum!
I did made small, tiny small changes in the recipe (so me). It called for ground cloves, which I didn't have on hand, so I used some ground allspice. The recipe also called for ground pepper and I didn't add that, I was somehow scared of the result. I never used black pepper in any of my desserts.
This cookie is definitely a keeper. I don't know why, but I always felt that anything involving ginger was somehow healthy! these cookies are definitely not, but very tasty and worth a try.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies (From cookbook "Tartine")
3 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground allspice
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp table salt
1 cup (2 sticks) soft unsalted butter
3/4 granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup dark molasses
2 Tbsp light corn syrup.

Glaze
1 cup Powdered sugar
2 Tbsp water

Preparation

1- Stir together the flour, cocoa powder, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

2- Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the soft butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until well combined. Add the molasses and corn syrup and ,ix until well incorporated.

3- Add the dry ingredient and beat on low speed until a dough forms. Wrap in plastic wrap and keep in the fridge overnight (surprise, surprise!!)

4- Preheat the oven to 350 f. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

5- Unwrap the dough and place on a floured surface. Roll it out to about 1/3 inch thickness. You can leave the dough as it is or use a patterned rolling pin (like I did) so you get the nice patterns on the cookie. Place the dough as it is on the baking sheet and cook until golden brown on the edges. Let cool while you make the glaze.

6- Mix the sugar and water until smooth.

7- Cut the cookies into rectangles or squares. Using a brush, apply a thin layer of glaze and let dry. These cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

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Pistachio & Banana Mini Cakes

I know it takes me years to post a new recipe, and I apologize for all of you who are following my blog and may be wondering why am I such a lazy blogger??!! I am "lazy" when it comes to writing and posting. I essentially created this blog mainly because people were asking for recipes on my flickr page, and my answer would be: soon .............on my blog! I ,hopefully, will be more serious and post more often. This post didn't help get me back on track, I almost gave up. I had so much trouble getting it all together. I wrote it may be 5 or 6 times and kept losing the whole work after adding a link. I gave up the link- obviously- and ended up frustrated! writing always drives me nuts!! Grrrrrr.....
Speaking about nuts, I need to mention couple things regarding this recipe. First, I am not a big fan of banana bread. I only make it when I have ripe bananas sitting on my kitchen counter for days. The cake itself is good and I think banana bread lovers will like it. BUT, the issue is in the "nuts". I discovered lately that I'm no fan of nuts in cakes anymore. I don't like when they become soggy when mixed and cooked with any kind of batter. So, I left their addition optional and let you decide!

Pistachio & Banana Mini Cakes (or 1 large loaf/cake)

100g butter, melted and cooled

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup granulated sugar

4 eggs

4 medium bananas (preferably ripe), pureed

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup milk

2 Tbsp lemon juice

Pinch of salt

1/2 to 1 cup chopped pistachios mixed with a tablespoon of flour

Preparation

1- Preheat the oven to 350 f. Butter and flour a large loaf pan or ramekins (you need a lot of those if you're making the full recipe)

2- Beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the melted butter, oil and the pureed bananas. Mix until well combined.

3- Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder and the salt. Mix the milk and lemon juice. Set aside.

4- Add the dry ingredients mix to the wet one alternating with the milk. Fold in the chopped nuts

5-Bake until a toothpick inserted inside the cake(s) comes out clean. For the large loaf pan it will take between 50 and 55 minutes. The smaller ones, approximately 20 minutes. Cool before enjoying!

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