Serves: 10

• Ingredients

Glazed almonds:
1 1/2 teaspoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup slivered almonds
1 1/2 teaspoons Amaretto liqueur

Dough:
1 cup all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 small egg, room temperature
2 teaspoons Amaretto liqueur

sugar for top
powdered sugar ( optional )

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
For glazed almonds:
Melt butter in heavy small skillet over medium heat.
Add almonds and amaretto and stir until almonds are golden brown, about 5 minutes.
Cool on paper towels.
For dough:
Lightly grease 2 large baking sheets. Sift 1 cup flour with salt into small bowl.
Using electric mixer, cream butter with 1/2 cup sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy.
Blend egg and Amaretto. Add flour and mix until dough binds. (Dough will be sticky).
Divide dough in 30 pieces. Roll each between palms in balls, dusting hands with flour if necessary. Set on baking sheets, spacing 2 -inches apart.
Fill small bowl with water.
Mound sugar on plate. Dip bottom of 2 1/2 -inch round glass into water then into sugar. Press glass onto one dough ball, flattening into 2 1/2 to 3 -inch round.
Repeat with remaining dough. Sprinkle rounds lightly with sugar. Gently press several glazed almond slivers into each round in flower pattern.
Bake until edges of cookies are golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Cool on rack. Just before serving, dust cookies with powdered sugar if desired.

Serves: 12

Cakes can be filled with chocolate butter cream, Mocha butter cream or chocolate mousse filling.

• Ingredients

3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/3 cup almonds, ground
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons butter

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Line 2 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Butter and flour bottom and sides.
Whisk whole eggs and sugar in an electric mixer. Beat until triple in volume. In another bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar to form soft peaks. Add sugar while beating. Fold egg whites into whole egg mixture. Fold in ground almonds, flour and butter. Distribute batter between the two pans. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until lightly brown and springy to touch. Cool in pans and unmold over racks.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chilled butter
1 tablespoon cold water

• preparation

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Blend first 4 ingredients in food processor until nuts are finely ground.
Cut butter into pieces and add to flour mixture. Process until it resembles coarse meal.
Add enough water and blend until dough clumps together. Wrap in plastic and chill for 20 minutes.
Roll out and transfer to tart pan with removable bottom. Freeze crust 30 minutes.
Bake crust for about 15 minutes. Cool, Reduce oven to 325 degrees. Bake crust until lightly brown.
Use pie crust for fresh fruit tarts or meringue tarts
Spoon vanilla custard in bottom of crust, cover with fresh fruit, and glaze.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

3/4 cup slivered almonds
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
For filling:
2 pints strawberries
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon gelatin powder
1 tablespoon water
3 large egg whites
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• preparation

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Lightly oil a 9-inch springform pan. Dust pan with flour, tilting to coat evenly and tapping out the excess. Line bottom with parchment or wax paper. Lightly oil paper.
Spread almonds in a shallow pan and bake for 4 to 8 minutes, until light golden. Let cool.
In a food processor or blender, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and toasted almonds. Process until almonds are ground. Set aside.
In a measuring cup, combine buttermilk, oil and vanilla and almond extracts. Set aside
In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, egg whites and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until mixture is thick and pale, about 5 minutes. The beaters should leave a ribbon trail when lifted.
With a rubber spatula, alternately fold reserved dry ingredients and buttermilk mixture into egg mixture, making 3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 additions of liquid.
Gently spread batter in prepared pan and tap the pan once on the counter to release air bubbles. Bake for 45 minutes, or until top springs back when lightly touched and cake shrinks away slightly from sides of pan.
Place on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Loosen edges of cake from pan, remove pan rim and invert cake onto rack. Remove pan bottom, peel off paper and let cool completely.
To prepare berries: In a large bowl, toss strawberries with sugar. Set aside.
To make vanilla cream: Chill a mixing bowl. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand for 1 minute.
In a large saucepan, bring about 1 inch of water to a simmer. Adjust heat so water barely simmers. In a heatproof mixing bowl large enough to fit over the saucepan, combine egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and softened gelatin. Set the bowl over the simmering water and beat with an electric mixer at low speed until an instant-read thermometer registers 140 degrees F. Increase mixer speed to high and continue beating over the heat for 3½ minutes. Remove bowl from heat and beat meringue until completely cooled, about 4 minutes more.
In the chilled bowl, combine cream and vanilla and beat with electric mixer at medium speed until soft peaks form. Fold one-fourth of the meringue into the cream. Gently fold in remaining meringue.
To assemble cake:
No more than 2 hours before serving, place the cake on a serving plate. Using a serrated knife, slice cake horizontally into 2 layers.
Carefully lift off top layer. Spoon half the berries and all the juices onto the bottom layer. Spread with half the vanilla cream. Cover with the top layer. Spoon remaining vanilla cream on top and arrange remaining strawberries over cream. Refrigerate until serving time.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

1 recipe sweet cookie dough
1/2 cup apricot preserves
4 1/2 ounces soft butter
4 1/2 ounces sugar
4 egg yolks
4 1/2 oz almond powder
2 teaspoons Kirsch
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Glaze

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Roll cookie dough very thin.
Line tiny tartlet molds with the cookie dough.
Cover the bottom of each tartlet mold with 1/2 teaspoon apricot preserves.
In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light in color. Beat in the egg yolks one at the time. Stir in almond powder, Kirsch, and cornstarch.
Spoon the mixture into the tartlet shells until half filled. Bake for about 20 minutes or until tartlets are golden brown. Glaze.

Serves: 6

Tuiles means 'tiles' like old fashioned curved roof tiles, in French.

• Ingredients

1 cup (4 ounces by weight) sliced almonds
1/2 cup (4 ounces by weight) superfine sugar
1 tablespoon flour
2 egg whites
1 egg
1 1/2 ounces melted butter
2 ounces sliced almonds

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the almonds, sugar, and flour in a food processor. Mix to a coarse powder.
Add the egg whites, egg, and melted butter. Stir well. The mixture should have a medium light consistency.
Grease a cookie sheet, and spoon the batter onto the cookie sheet, the equivalent of a teaspoon, spacing the cookies 3 inches apart. Sprinkle sliced almonds on each cookie.
Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Use a spatula to loosen the almond cookies.
Place the hot cookies in a ring mold or a rolling pin to give them a curved shape.
As they cool, they become crisp. Store in a cookie tin.

Serves: 16

• Ingredients

1 3/4 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup coarsely chopped candied cherries
1/2 cup coarsely chopped glazed pineapple
1/2 cup chopped mixed peel
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons amaretto liqueur
1 teaspoon almond flavoring

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan. Measure flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Stir until blended.
Make a well in center. Chop and measure out cherries, pineapple, peel and almonds.
Beat egg with milk, oil, amaretto and flavoring until blended. Pour into center of flour mixture.
Immediately add cherries, pineapple, mixed peel and nuts. Stir just until dry ingredients are lumpy.
Spoon batter into pan. Smooth top.
Bake until knife inserted into loaf comes out quite clean, from 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Store, covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

4 large baking apples
2 teaspoons raisins
2 teaspoons soft butter
2 teaspoons sliced almonds
4 teaspoons melted red currant jelly
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup dark rum

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut apples in halves horizontally, remove core.
Combine raisins, butter, sliced almonds, and melted red currant jelly.
Spoon in core of apple halves.
Sprinkle a mixture of sugar and cinnamon over apples.
Pour a splash of dark rum over apples.
Bake till tender.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 recipe Pate sablée

For the frangipane:

6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup almond flour
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 tablespoons flour

12 small apricots, (2 lb) halved and pitted
Confectioners' sugar, for garnish

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Recipe of Pate sablée

Beat butter and icing sugar until pale and creamy. Beat in egg. Add almond flour, and beat until just combined. (Frangipane can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 week.)

Spoon frangipane into cooled tart shell, and smooth with a spatula. Let stand for 10 minutes. Bake until set, about 15 minutes. Let cool.

Prepare an ice-water bath. Bring a pan of water to a boil. Lightly score bottoms of apricots. Add apricots to boiling water, and blanch to loosen skins, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to ice-water bath to stop the cooking, about 1 minute. Remove apricots, and gently peel. Cut in quarter, and remove pits.
Arrange apricots in concentric circles, sitting upright with the cut side on a slight angle.
Bake until browned, about 50 minutes. Let cool.
Remove the tart ring; dust with icing sugar and serve.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

2 pounds apricots, pitted
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 pound sugar
4 ounces whole blanched peeled almonds

• preparation

Cut each apricot into 8 slices.
In a mixing bowl, combine the unpeeled apricots, lemon juice and sugar. Cover and set aside for 12 hours.
Transfer apricot mixture to a pot, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 25 minutes.
Remove the foamy top while cooking. Remove the fruit from the syrup with a skimmer and transfer to a bowl. Set aside.
Boil the syrup until thickened. Add reserved apricots and almonds to syrup. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes while gently stirring the preserves.
Allow to cool before transfering to jars

Serves: 10

The bars have a base of shortbread and are filled with apricot jam with Grand Marnier, and almonds
Can be prepared ahead. Store in single layer in airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 weeks.

• Ingredients

1 1/2 cups apricot preserves
3 tablespoons orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 oz (1/4 cup) almond paste, crumbled
1/2 cup sliced almonds, divided

• preparation

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Butter a 9 by 9 by 2-inch metal baking pan; line bottom and sides of pan with parchment paper, extending over sides. Butter parchment. Mix preserves and orange liqueur in small bowl; set aside.
Using electric mixer, beat 1 cup butter and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Beat in almond extract. Add flour and salt; beat just until blended. Transfer 1 cup of dough to another small bowl; add crumbled almond paste and mix with fingertips until small clumps form. Mix in 1/4 cup sliced almonds; set aside for topping.
Press remaining dough evenly onto bottom of prepared pan. Spread preserves mixture evenly over. Using fingertips, coarsely crumble topping over preserves, then sprinkle 1/4 cup almonds over. Press topping lightly into preserves.
Bake shortbread until top and crust edges are golden brown, about 1 hour. Cool completely in pan on rack. Using parchment paper as aid, lift shortbread from pan. Cut shortbread into 4 equal strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 8 small bar cookies.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

8
2 pounds potatoes
3 ounces butter, soft
4 egg yolks
to taste salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 tablespoon chopped truffles
1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Peel and cut potatoes into large cubes. Place in a large saucepan, boil in salted boiling water until tender. Drain well, and put through a ricer.
Transfer to a saucepan, and combine with butter, egg yolks, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix well over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in chopped truffles, and sliced almonds.
Cool potato mixture until it becomes easy to handle.
Shape into pancakes 3 inch round by 1 inch thick. Arrange on a greased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

4 chicken breasts, boned, skinned
to taste salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 tablespoons butter
2 cups dry white wine
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
1/2 pound seedless green grapes, washed, stems removed, and halved lengthwise

• preparation

1.Season the chicken breasts with a mixture of salt and pepper and flour.
2. Melt the butter in a sauté pan or heavy skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add the wine and lemon juice, lower the heat, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the breasts are tender. Add the almonds and grapes for the last minute.
4. Transfer the chicken to individual plates and spoon the sauce and grapes over each serving.

Serves: 10

This edible centerpiece is a great family project. Have each person decorate some of the cookies and then assemble into your own personalized masterpiece.

• Ingredients

3/4 cup slivered almonds
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Frosting
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

• preparation

Place almonds into food processor bowl fitted with metal blade. Cover; process until finely ground. Combine almonds, flour and salt in bowl; set aside.

Combine 1 cup butter and sugar in bowl; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, lemon zest and almond extract. Continue beating, scraping bowl occasionally, until well mixed. Add flour mixture; beat at low speed until well mixed.

Divide dough in half. Shape each half into ball; flatten slightly. Wrap each in plastic food wrap, refrigerate at least 2 hours or until firm.

Heat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough, one-half at a time, on lightly floured surface (keeping remaining dough refrigerated) to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out 3 each of 6 graduated sizes of star-shaped cookie cutters (18 cookies total). Bake similar sizes of cookies together on ungreased cookie sheet 8-12 minutes or until edges are just beginning to brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack. Cool completely.

Combine powdered sugar and 1/3 cup butter in bowl; beat at low speed until well mixed. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and enough milk for desired frosting consistency.

Frost and decorate 1 large cookie as desired. Secure decorated cookie to serving platter with 1 teaspoon frosting. Place about 1 teaspoon icing in center of cookie. Repeat frosting as desired, decorating and securing same size cookie on top, turning it slightly so points of star are offset from previous cookie. Repeat, continuing to stack cookies in graduated sizes, reserving 1 small cookie. Stand reserved small cookie up to form tree topper, securing with frosting.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 medium-large eggplants (about 3 pounds)
1/4 cup coarse salt
1 cup olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
6 ribs celery, cut into 1/2 inch lengths, blanched for 1 minute
1 cup Sicilian green olives, pitted and sliced
1/2 cup capers, rinsed and drained
1cup fresh plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste diluted with a little water
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

• preparation

Peel the eggplants and cut into 3/4-inch cubes. Sprinkle with coarse salt and drain in a colander, weighted, for one hour. Rinse well, and dry in a kitchen towel.
Heat 1/2 cup olive oil in a large sauté pan and fry the eggplant in batches until golden on all sides, adding more oil if necessary.
Drain on paper towels.
Sauté the onion in a 1/2 cup olive oil, stirring to coat, cover and cook until just tender but not brown. Remove cover, add the blanched celery, and cook a minute longer. Add the olives, capers, tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, and sugar.
Stir in the eggplant and simmer for another 10 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
Cool and refrigerate for 24 hours. Serve chilled or at room temperature, sprinkled with the toasted, slivered almonds.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

3/4 cup ( 3 1/2 ounces by weight) almond powder
2/3 cup ( 3 1/2 ounces by weight) all purpose flour
1 1/3 cups sugar
8 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
5 1/4 ounces melted butter

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except butter. Beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.
Gradually pour in the butter while stirring. Mix well. Butter tiny molds. Spoon mixture into molds about 3/4 full.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Unmold while hot. Cool on racks.
Coconut financiers: replace almond powder with coconut flakes
Chocolate financiers: substitute 2 oz cocoa powder to 2 oz flour

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1/3 cup dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup dark rum or bourbon
4 medium bananas, peeled and cut in halves
2 teaspoons butter
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds

• preparation

In a saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, and lemon juice.
Heat to melt butter. Add 1/4 cup rum.
Fry the bananas in butter until golden brown. Pour sauce over, and cook until tender.
Arrange bananas on a serving dish. Heat remaining rum. Ignite and pour over bananas.
Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serve with rum and raisin ice cream, or cinnamon ice cream.

Serves: 8

The floating island is a molded meringue baked in the oven. When unmolded onto a serving dish, the meringue becomes an island floating on the custard cream

• Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter, soft
6 egg whites
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 cups custard cream
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries (optional)

• preparation

Butter a 10-cup fluted tube pan or a 10-cup soufflé molds.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, combine the egg whites with cream of tartar and vinegar and beat at high speed until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Continue beating, and gradually add the sugar, vanilla and cornstarch. Beat until very stiff, about 2 minutes. Spoon the meringue mixture into the prepared mold. Smooth the top of mold with a spatula. Place the mold in a baking pan containing hot water. Place the pan on the bottom rack of the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
The meringue will rise like a souffle above the top of the mold.
Remove pan from the oven. Allow the meringue to cool in the mold for 5 minutes. Unmold meringue on a deep platter surrounded by custard cream. Sprinkle floating island with toasted almonds, and decorate with sliced strawberries.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

3/4 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup toasted walnut pieces
3/4 cup toasted and coarsely chopped slivered almonds
1 1/4 cups fat-free plain yogurt
1/4 cup canola oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange peel

• preparation

Combine apricots and cranberries. Pour enough boiling water over to cover fruit. Let stand for one minute. Drain well and spread on paper towel to dry.
Mix whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, brown sugar, white sugar, oats, baking soda and salt. Stir in walnuts and almonds. Whisk yogurt and oil, eggs, vanilla and orange peel. Stir in apricots and cranberries. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour an 11 x 7 inch cake pan. Fold cranberry mixture into dry ingredients just until moistened. Spread mixture into pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until top is golden and toothpick comes out clean when inserted in center.
Cool on a rack; cut into squares using a serrated knife. Wrap tightly and store in a cool place for up to 2 to 3 days. Bars may be wrapped individually and frozen for up to one month.

Serves: 6

This is traditionally eaten around Epiphany in France, where you can get it in all bakeries. A small porcelaine figure (the 'fève') is placed in the frangipane and the person who gets it becomes king and wears a paper crown

• Ingredients

1 pound puff pastry

Filling
4 ounces ground almonds
4 ounces icing sugar
4 ounces butter at room temperature
4 large eggs
2 oz flour
1 tablespoon dark rum
1/4 cup slivered almonds

1 fève (optional)

• preparation

For the filling: Combine the ground almonds, sugar and butter until smooth.
Add three of the eggs, flour and rum: mix until combined.
Stir in slivered almonds.
Preheat oven 375°F (190°C).

To assemble, divide the dough into two equal parts.
Roll out one part to form a 10 inch circle and place on a baking sheet.
Spread the filling on the pastry leaving a rim, about half an inch wide, all the way around. Put in a porcelaine figure (feve) if you have one. Brush the rim with egg.
Roll out the rest of the dough to form a 9 inch circle. Place on top of the filling.
Pinch together the pastry at the edges, making sure that it is well sealed. Brush the top with the remaining egg. Make a few slits in the center of the pastry.
Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
Serve warm.

Serves: 8

Dukkah: The secret weapon that elevates the texture and flavors of food. It is a flavorful Middle Eastern spice blend made with fragrant spices and and toasted nuts.

• Ingredients

For Dukkah:

½ cup hazelnuts
3 tablespoon almonds
4 tablespoon white sesame seeds
3 tablespoon shelled pistachios
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
kosher salt

• preparation

Place the hazelnuts and almonds in a dry cast iron pan without oil. Toast briefly over medium-high heat, tossing regularly, until the nuts turn a nice golden brown. Transfer to a side dish.
Place the sesame seeds in the same skillet and toast over medium heat, tossing regularly, until the sesame seeds turn golden brown.
Add the toasted nuts and sesame seeds to the bowl of a small food processor fitted with a blade. Add the pistachios, fennel seeds, spices, and a dash of salt. Pulse for a few seconds until you reach a nice coarse mixture. Do not over process. The mixture should not be too fine.
Transfer the dukkah to a bowl. You can store the dukkah in a tight-lid jar for up to 2 weeks. Use as a topping for salad, soup, chicken, meats, or roasted vegetables.

Serves: 14

• Ingredients

3/4 cup smooth natural almond butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cups liquid honey
4 cups plain granola (see recipe)
1 1/2 cup unsalted roasted pepitas (punpkin seeds)
1 cup roasted mixed nuts, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries

• preparation

Preheat oven to 325°F. Mist 15- x 10-inch baking sheet with cooking spray; line with parchment paper, leaving overhang.
In medium pot, heat almond butter and salt over medium heat until almond butter is melted. Let cool slightly. Stir in honey until smooth.
In large bowl, combine granola, pepitas, nuts and cranberries; stir in almond butter mixture until coated.
Scrape into prepared pan; cover with parchment paper. Using rolling pin, press granola mixture firmly to compact evenly. Remove top sheet of parchment paper. Bake until edges are golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool in pan until firm.
Lift out onto cutting board; cut into bars.

Layer the cooled bars between parchment paper in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to two weeks, or freeze for up to two months and thaw at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.

Serves: 6

This wonderful salad is even better the next day.
Inspired by Bon Appètit.

• Ingredients

For the Salad
1 cup raw almonds with skins or walnuts, chopped
1 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved and thinly sliced
1 pound Tuscan or curly kale (about 1 large bunch), thick center rib removed, leaves thinly sliced
1 cup coarsely grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino
For the Dressing
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, from about 2 lemons
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots, from one large shallot
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean-up. Bake the walnuts for 5-8 minutes, until toasted and fragrant. Keep a close eye on them; they burn quickly.
Combine the brussels sprouts and kale in a large bowl.
Make the dressing by combining all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over the vegetables. Add most of the walnuts and cheese, reserving some to garnish the platter, and toss well. Let the salad sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours in the fridge) to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to soften. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Transfer to a serving dish and scatter the remaining walnuts and cheese over top. Serve at room temperature.

Serves: 8

Anise seeds add a hint of licorice to these pretty lace crispy cookies made of ground almonds. Orange zest adds a citrus aroma.
Recipe adapted from Everyday Food.

• Ingredients

1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
3/4 teaspoon anise or fennel seed
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees, with racks in middle and lower thirds. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a food processor, pulse almonds and anise seed until coarsely ground. Transfer mixture to a small saucepan. Add butter, sugar, honey, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high, stirring once to combine ingredients as butter melts. Boil 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in flour and zest. Working quickly, drop batter by teaspoonfuls, 2 1/2 inches apart, on sheets.
Bake until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 envelop unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
4 egg whites
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup toasted almonds
raspberry sauce

• preparation

Dissolve gelatin in cold water. Add the boiling water and lemon juice. Stir in sugar and blend well until completely dissolved. Chill until mixture starts to jell.
Beat egg whites with cream of tartar to form soft peaks, and gradually add sugar while beating to firm peaks.
Fold into the jellied mixture. Pour in ring mold, decorative molds or individual molds.
Chill until set. Unmold and sprinkle with almonds.
Serve with raspberry sauce.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

For crust:
2/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, soft

For filling:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 tablespoon cornstarch
4 large eggs
1/2 cup lime juice
1 tablespoon grated lime zest

For compote:
3 cups bing cherries, diced
1 cup diced fresh pineapple
1/2 cup diced mango
2 diced apricots
2/3 cup raspberries
1 teaspoon sugar

• preparation

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
Make crust:
Butter a 9-inch tart pan with a removable fluted rim. Mix to a fine powder in a food processor, almonds, sugar, and salt. Combine with wafer crumbs and butter. Mix well. Line the bottom and sides of pan with the crust mixture.
Bake 10 minutes to a deep golden color.
Make filling:
In a heavy saucepan, cook sugar, butter, cornstarch, eggs, and lime juice over moderate heat, whisking until thickened and bubbly. Stir in zest and cool.
Filling may be made 2 days ahead. Spoon filling evenly into crust. Cover surface with buttered round of wax paper. Chill for at least 1 hour.
Make compote:
In a bowl, toss compote ingredients and let stand for 15 min. Remove sides of pan, and transfer to a plate.
Serve with the compote.

Serves: 12

For Valentines' Day, Make heart-shaped
Linzer cookie

• Ingredients

1 cup (150 grams) whole almonds (blanched or natural)
2 cups (260 grams) all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon (1 gram) ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) salt
Zest (outer yellow skin) of one small lemon
1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar, divided
1 teaspoon (5 grams) pure vanilla extract
2 large (40 grams) egg yolks
Topping:
1/2 cup (60 grams) confectioners' (Icing or Powdered) Sugar
1/2 cup (120 ml) Raspberry or Black Currant Jam, well stirred

• preparation

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) with the oven rack in the center of the oven. Place the almonds on a baking sheet and bake about 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant. Remove from oven and once the nuts have cooled, place in a food processor, along with 1/4 cup (50 grams) white sugar, and process until finely ground.
In a separate bowl, whisk or sift together the flour, cinnamon, salt, and lemon zest.
In the bowl of an electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and remaining 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract and egg yolks. Finally, beat in the ground almonds and then the flour mixture. Divide the dough in half, cover each half with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm (30-60 minutes, or up to two days).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Remove one ball of dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 inch (.5 cm) thick. Using a 3 inch (7.5 cm) cookie cutter (round, square, heart, etc.) cut out the cookies. Place the cookies about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Use a smaller cookie cutter to cut out the centers of half of the cookies on the baking sheet. Reroll any scraps and cut out the remaining cookies. Repeat with the second ball of dough. (Note: If you find the cookies are soft, place the baking sheets with the unbaked cookies in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to chill the dough. This will prevent the cookies from spreading and losing their shape when baked.) Bake the cookies for about 12 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
Assemble Cookies: Place the cut out cookies on a baking sheet and lightly dust the tops with powdered sugar. Spread a thin layer of jam on the bottom surface of the full cookie (top of cookie will face out). Place the cut-out cookie on top and gently sandwich them together. Using a small spoon or a piping bag, fill the cut-out with a little more jam.
The filled cookies will soften when stored. If you want the cookies to stay crisp, assemble the day of serving. The assembled cookies can be stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for several days.

Serves: 8

This Maple Almond Roll is a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dessert.

• Ingredients

For the Almond Pastry Cream
1/2 Granulated Sugar
4 tsp. Cornstarch
1/4 tsp. Salt
2 C. Half-and-half
4 Large egg yolks, lightly beaten and discard the egg whites
1/2 tsp. Almond extract

For the Maple Cake
1/2 cup all-purpose f
lour
1 tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. Ground ginger
3/4 tsp. Ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Ground cloves
1/3 C. Maple syrup
4 Large eggs, at room temperature and separated
1/2 C. Granulated sugar

For the Maple Glaze
1 C. Powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. Maple syrup
1-2 tsp. Milk
Sliced almonds, optional

• preparation

Make the pastry cream:
In a medium sauce pan combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt.
Gradually stir in the half-and-half and cook over medium heat until the mixture has come to a light boil and thickened.
Cook the cream for 1 more minute.
Now stir half of the cream into the beaten egg yolks.
Add the cream and egg yolk mixture back into the medium sauce pan.
Bring the cream back to a light boil, reduce the heat to low and cook the cream for 2 more minutes.
After the 2 minutes are up remove the pan from the heat, stir in the almond extract and strain the pastry cream through a fine mesh strainer into a small mixing bowl.
Place the small mixing bowl into a ice water bath and let the pastry cream cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Directly cover the pastry cream with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic is touching the top of the cream to stop a film forming on top of the pastry cream, you do not want a film.
Chill the pastry cream in the refrigerator until it is cold.
Make the cake:
Preheat your oven to 375°F, 350°F if using a convection oven.
Line a 10 x 15 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, grease the parchment paper.
In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, salt and cloves.
With your stand mixer, with the wire whisk attachment, in your small bowl beat the egg yolks on high speed until they are light yellow and thickened, about 5 minutes.
Add in the maple syrup and whip until just combined.
Now take the small bowl off of your mixer, clean the wire whisk attachment and connect your large bowl to your mixer.
Add the egg whites to the large bowl and whip them on medium speed until soft peak form.
Gradually add in the sugar and whip the egg whites until they are stiff.
Now take the large bowl off of the stand mixer and with a large spatula fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites. Make sure to fold and not stir the egg whites, you do not want to take the air out of the egg whites, stirring will deflate the egg whites and make the cake turn out flat.
After the egg yolks are folded in sprinkle the flour mixture over the egg whites and fold them in one tablespoon at a time until you have all of the flour added in and the mixture is just combined.
Spread the cake batter into your lined jelly roll pan and bake the cake for 12-15 minutes until it springs back when touched.
While the cake is baking take a large, lint free, kitchen towel and cover it with powdered sugar.
When the cake is done immediately invert it into the prepared kitchen towel and peel the parchment paper off.
Now while the cake is hot roll the cake into a spiral in the kitchen towel, make sure to roll with the short side in, and let it cool until it is at room temperature.
Once the cake and the pastry cream are cooled unroll the cake and spread the pastry cream on the inside of the cake roll. Be sure to keep the cream 1 inch from the edges of the cake.
Re-roll the cake, place it on your serving dish and trim off the end edges.

Make the glaze: In a small bowl add the powdered sugar, maple syrup and enough milk to bring the glaze to drizzle consistency and mix until well combined.
Drizzle the glaze over the cake roll and decorate with almond slices.
The cake will keep for 2-4 days covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup fresh blueberries

Streusel topping:
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Grease a 12 cup muffin pan.
Streusel topping:
Stir together brown sugar, almonds, butter and cinnamon. Set aside. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In separate bowl, whisk together egg, maple syrup, milk and butter; pour over dry ingredients. Evenly sprinkle with blueberries; stir just enough to moisten dry ingredients and distribute blueberries. Spoon into muffin cups, filling two-thirds full.
Sprinkle with streusel topping .
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until tops are firm to the touch. Let cool in pan on rack for 3 minutes.
Transfer to rack and let cool completely.
Adapted from Canadian Living Magazine.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

2 cups sliced almonds
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
melted butter for brushing pan
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1/3 cup orange juice
3 large egg whites
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toast almonds until brown. Let cool and crush. In a bowl, mix cornstarch and confectioners' sugar.
Butter a 13 by 9 by 2 inch baking pan. Dust the pan with cornstarch mixture.
Coat the bottom of pan with cup crushed almonds. In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin with juice. Set aside.
In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Boil to a temperature of 230 degrees.
Continue boiling, and start beating egg whites. When foamy, add salt, and continue beating until syrup reaches 245 degrees. Pour syrup in gelatin. Whisk to dissolve. Gradually pour hot syrup over egg whites while beating at high speed. Add vanilla.
Spread meringue in pan. Smooth surface. Let cool in a dry place until set, at least 2 hours.
Sprinkle work surface with remaining almonds. Loosen edges of pan, and unmold onto nuts.
Cut into 12 even pieces. Dry on rack for 2 to 3 hours. Keeps a week in airtight container.
Variations:
You may omit almonds, increase the sugar-corn starch mix by 1/4 cup. Substitute lemon juice for orange juice. Or use toasted coconut.

Serves: 10

These crunchy cookies are wonderful on their own or when paired with your favorite ice cream.
Light and crisp oatmeal cookies make a pleasant alternative to heavier treats. Dip them in melted chocolate for a decadent, lacy crunch.
* see more comments below

• Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 6 1/2 tablespoons or (2 oz or 60 gr by weight)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup quick oats (NOT old fashioned)
1/3 cup melted unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tbsp. heavy cream
2 tbsp. light corn syrup
1 tbsp. vanilla extract

• preparation

1. Heat oven to 350°, 177 degrees C., gas 4.
Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; add oats, butter, cream, corn syrup, and vanilla, and mix until evenly combined.
2. Using a 1⁄4-tsp. measuring spoon, drop balls of dough 4 inches apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets or a Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat. Press the dough to a 1 1/2-inch round shape. Bake until spread and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Let stand for a minute until firm enough to remove from baking sheet. Cool on rack.
*
The Oatmeal lace cookies recipe is one well researched by our team @wefacecook.com. The recipe is accurate. Be advised that many of the recipes 5 millions+ on google are mostly a guess evaluation and have not been tested giving disappointing results. For example, if you try those recipes made with ground almonds found on well-travelled sites, you will surely get “rock-tooth-braking” cookies. Others just do not produce the real lace cookies effect.
We have tracked the origin of the recipe. It is Scottish and arrived in Canada Gaspé Coast in Québec with the immigrants.
Follow the recipe as explained (accuracy in the measurement of flour is very important); and you will be happy with the results. Moreover, The cookies can be shaped into cups, and rolled into circular/round tubes.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

3 peaches
1/4 cup apricot jam
1/4 cup black currant jelly
1/4 cup brandy
1/4 cup Amaretto
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pint vanilla ice cream
3/4 cup toasted slivered almonds

• preparation

Peel, core and halve peaches. Slice each half into 8 slices. Reserve. Combine jams in a large frying pan over low heat. Cook until jams are liquefied. Pour in brandy and Amaretto. Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil. Add peaches and stir together until peaches are tender and warmed through, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Cool. Place ice cream in serving dishes such as coupes or wine glasses and top with peaches, sauce and almonds.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

pâte brisée:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 egg, beaten for glazing the baked crust
3 pears, fresh poached in sugar, water, and vanilla or or 6 canned pear halves

Almond pastry cream:

1cup milk
2 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup finely ground almonds
1 tablespoon kirsch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Apricot glaze:
1/2 cup apricot jam
1 tablespoon Kirsch

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, combine flour, egg, water, sugar, vanilla and butter. Process until dough forms a bowl. Cover and chill dough for 30 minutes.
Roll the dough 1/8-inch thick to fit an 8 inch fluted removable-bottomed tart pan.
Cover with parchment paper, fill the center with weights, and bake until the edges start to brown. Remove weights and paper. Brush bottom and sides with egg glaze.
Arrange pears over bottom of pie crust.

Almond pastry cream:
In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Whip egg yolks, sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Mix in cornstarch. Stir in the hot milk. Pour in a saucepan, and whisk over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
Transfer to a mixing bowl. Stir in the almond, kirsch and butter. Spoon mixture over pears and bake for 15 minutes. Cool on rack.
For glaze:
In a small saucepan, melt the apricot jam over low heat. Stir in the kirsch. Strain through a fine strainer and spoon over pie to glaze.

Serves: 8

This classic Pear Frangipane Tart is also called Tarte Bourdaloue in French, The name Bourdaloue is a street in Paris where the tart was created.

• Ingredients

Pâte Sucrée (Sweet Shortcrust Pastry)
100 gr Unsalted Butter - soft
50 gr Icing Sugar, sifted
1 Egg large, at room temperature
50 gr Almond Meal
200 gr Plain / All-Purpose Flour
1 pinch salt

For thePoached Pears:
3 Pears – firm (Bartlett Pears, Anjou Pears, or Bosc Pears)

1,5 litre water - or enough to cover the pears
50 gr sugar
20 ml lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Almond Cream Filling:

100 gr unsalted butter - softened
100 gr super fine sugar
2 eggs - about 100gr, at room temperature
100 gr almond meal
sliced almonds (optional) - to taste
Simple Syrup Glaze (optional)
45 ml pear cooking liquid
45 gr Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract - optional

• preparation

Pâte Sucrée (Sweet Shortcrust Pastry)
• In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the soft Butter and sifted Icing Sugar for a couple of minutes or until smooth.
• Mix in the Egg and Almond Meal, then add the Flour and Salt. Mix on low until the dough is well mixed and smooth.
• Place the flat pastry in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
• Take the pastry out of the fridge and leave to come back to room temperature for about 5 minutes.
• Transfer it inside over a Tart Pan (I used a 24 cm / 9,5 to 10-inch diameter Tart Pan with Removable Bottom). Gently press the pastry down into the corner of the pan to create a 90 degree angle.

Poached Pears
• Peel the Pears, slice them in half and core them.
• In a large saucepan, mix together the water, lemon Juice the sugar and vanilla. Simmer over medium to dissolve the sugar. Add the pear halves. Cook on low for 10 to 15 minutes or until the pears are slightly soft.
• Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer them over a wire rack covered with paper towel to cool down and drain slightly. Save 1 cup of the cooking liquid for the glaze below. Cut each pear halves into thin slices of about half a centimetre (1/5 inch). Set aside.
Almond Cream Filling
• In a mixing bowl, cream together the soft Butter and Sugar with a mixer for about 3 minutes on medium speed or until very soft and creamy.
• Slowly mix in the Egg, then the Almond Meal until a thick paste comes together.
Assembling the Tart
• Preheat your oven on 160 degree Celsius / 325 degree Fahrenheit.
• Spread the Almond Cream at the bottom of the par-baked tart crust.
• Place each Poached Pear over the cream using a small offset spatula to lift them up. Lightly press them into the cream. Sprinkle some sliced Almonds between each pear.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the almond filling has puffed up and looks golden.
Simple Syrup Glaze (optional)
• In a small saucepan, combine the cooking syrup, sugar and vanilla. Bring to a simmer and reduce to a thick consistency. Brush it over the pears while still warm.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

For pastry:
1 recipe Quick and easy pie crust

for frangipane:
3/4 cup toasted almond slivers
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons flour
1 large egg
1 teaspoon Brandy
1 pound pitted plums

• preparation

Pastry:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll the dough inch thick to fit an 8 inch fluted removable-bottom tart pan. Cover with parchment paper, fill the center with weights, and bake until the edges start to brown. Remove weights and paper. Bake crust for 15 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool.
For Frangipane:
Mix almonds in a food processor to obtain a powder. In a mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup sugar and butter until smooth. Mix in almonds and flour. Add egg and brandy and blend well. Spread evenly in crust. Overlap plum slices atop filling, covering completely. Sprinkle plums with additional sugar.
Bake tart until filling is brown and set and plums are tender, about 50 minutes. Cool on rack at least 15 minutes. Serve tart with sweetened whipped cream.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 cup sliced almonds
6 fillets of pompano, boned
1/2 teaspoon salt pepper
1/4 cup flour
6 ounces butter
3 ounces oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
lemon slices

• preparation

Spread sliced almonds on a baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Skin the pompano fillets. Wash under cold running water. Season both sides with salt and pepper . Dredge in flour.
Heat 2 ounces of the butter and oil in a large skillet and brown the fish. Turn the pompano and cook until the flesh is tender. Arrange the fillets on a serving platter.
Melt the remaining butter in a clean frying pan until brown. Add the lemon juice to melted butter and pour over the fish.
Sprinkle with the parsley and sliced toasted almonds.
Decorate with lemon slices. Decorate with lemon slices and serve immediately.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

10 ounces rhubarb, trimmed
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup blanched ground almonds
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons sour cream
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon Cognac
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 sheets phyllo dough
2 1/2 teaspoons unsalted melted butter
1 egg yolk
Strawberry sauce:
1 pint ripe strawberries, hulled
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons sugar

• preparation

Peel rhubarb. Cut into ¼-inch slices.
Place in a mixing bowl with sugar. Set aside for 1 hour.
In a mixing bowl, combine almonds, sugar, cornstarch, sour cream, egg yolk, cognac and vanilla.
Drain rhubarb, press to remove liquid, and blend into custard mixture.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut phyllo leaves across in halves. Place one sheet on a buttered baking sheet.
Brush with melted butter. Repeat and stack 2 more sheets. Spoon rhubarb over phyllo, leaving 1-inch border unfilled.
Brush the edge of pastry with egg yolk. Cover with 3 more buttered sheets of phyllo.
Trim off the pastry edges, leaving a neat 8-to-10 inch circle.
Use a dinner plate as guide. Use left over pastry to form leaves and decorate top of pastry.
Brush leaves, but not the pastry. Use the back of a small knife to trace leaf veins.
Bake until the pastry is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.
To make the strawberry sauce:
Puree strawberries, lemon juice and sugar in a blender. Strain.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

2 egg whites - aged at room temperature for 3 days (measure 57 g after aging - I’m using 55 g eggs)
70 g ground almond powder
113 g icing / confectioners’ sugar
21 g super fine sugar
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp rose water essence

Rose water buttercream filling:
90 g unsalted butter – room temperature
3/4 cup (100 g) icing / confectioners’ sugar
28 g (1 oz) white chocolate – melted
1 1/2 tbsp. rose water essence

• preparation

1. In a food processor, add in icing sugar, ground almond powder and pulse for 30 secs into fine powder.
2. Put the mixture through a sieve and remove any lumps. Transfer to a mixing bowl and set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, add in egg whites, cream of tartar. Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, whisk until foamy.
4. With the mixer on low speed, add in the sugar slowly and whisk until soft peaks.
5. Drizzle in rose water essence and turn up the mixer to high speed. Continue to whisk the meringue until stiff peaks.
6. Add in pink color gel by using a stick or skewer.
7. Turn on the mixer and mix until the color is well combined.
8. In 3 batches, fold the meringue with a spatula into the icing sugar and almond powder.
9. It should resemble a lava-like texture. When you raise the spatula, the batter should flow down slowly and perfectly okay if it breaks in between.
10. Pipe the meringue onto a baking tray lined with non-stick baking sheet.
11. Rap the tray a few times on the counter to remove air bubbles. Use a skewer to break up large air bubbles.
12. Set it to dry at room temperature for 45 – 60 mins or in an oven preheated at 40C for 15 mins.
13. While waiting, prepare the buttercream filling by creaming the butter and icing sugar together till light and fluffy.
14. Add in melted chocolate and rose water essence. Continue to whisk for another 1 min.
15. Fill the buttercream in a piping bag.
16. Check the meringue by gently touching the skin of the meringue. It should be dry to the touch.
17. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 305F (150C) for 15 minutes.
18. Cool them on a wire rack completely before piping the buttercream filling.
19. If making ahead, store the cooled macaron shells in an air-tight container.
20. Macarons always taste better the next day so you could make them a day in advance and store them in air-tight containers before serving.
21. If you are staying in humid environment, store them in the fridge.

Serves: 5

• Ingredients

5 pints large mussels
1/2 cup ground almonds
1/2 cup pine nuts
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon paprika
12 peppercorns
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon tomato paste
salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste

• preparation

Sort, scrape, wash the mussels, discarding any that do not close. Steam them in a cup of water, in a large kettle. Drain mussels and reserve the cooking liquid. Remove the empty half shell from each mussel, and discard, leaving the mussel attached to other half shell.
In a food processor combine the ground almonds, pine nuts, crushed garlic, parsley, paprika, peppercorns and half of the oil. Mix to a thick paste.
In a medium pot, brown the onion in the remaining oil. Stir in the blended paste, and mix over a brisk fire, while stirring. Add the tomato paste and thin sauce with reserved mussel juice to obtain a thick sauce. Season to taste.
Loosen each mussel from the shell. Arrange on a serving dish. Fill each mussel with the sauce. Serve hot.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 pints fresh strawberries
3 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 teaspoons Grand Marnier
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cup Cool whip

• preparation

Cut the strawberries into quarters or slices. Place in individual crystal compote dishes or other bowl.
Combine the egg yolks, sugar, and wine in a metal mixing bowl. Set over a pot with boiling water.
Whisk egg yolks until thick and creamy, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the Grand Marnier. Add Cool whip. Spoon zabaglione sauce over strawberries, and top with sliced almonds.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

For filling:
1 orange
1 lemon
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
3 1-pint baskets strawberries, hulled, washed, halved
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

For pastry:
2/3 cup+2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted
1/2 cup whole almonds, toasted
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup whipping cream
3 large egg yolks
1 egg, beaten with
1 teaspoon cream

• preparation

For a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom.
Filling:
Remove peel and pith from oranges and lemon. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces, discarding seeds. Place in a large pot or Dutch oven. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Add strawberries, sugar, chopped fresh ginger and pepper. Bring to a boil while stirring. Cook over medium heat until thick and reduced to 2 cups.
Transfer filling to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate. (can be made 3 days ahead).

Dough:
Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Process 2/3 cup sugar, hazelnuts and almonds in processor until ground. Add flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt and nutmeg, and blend. Add butter and process until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Beat 1/4 cup cream and egg yolks in a small bowl. Add to dough and process to form moist clumps. Turn out dough to work surface. Knead until smooth. Divide in 3 equal parts.
Flatten into disks. Wrap in plastic. Chill. (can be made a day ahead.)
Roll out one disk to 11-inch round. Transfer dough to tart pan. Press dough into place. Trim edges. Chill crust until firm.
Meanwhile, roll out another dough disk to 11-inch round. Cut 16 1/2-inch wide-strips. (Reserve remaining dough disk for another use.)
Spoon filling into crust.
Arrange 8 dough strips across filling, spacing evenly. Arrange 8 dough strips in opposite direction across filling, creating a lattice pattern.
Press dough strips at edges to seal strips to crust bottom. Trim strip ends. Brush glaze over lattice top. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar.
Bake torte until golden brown and very firm to touch, and filling begins to bubble, about 1 hour. Let cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes.
Gently push bottom of pan up, freeing torte from pan sides; let torte settle back into pan. Cool in pan on rack. (can be made 8 hours ahead.)

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

For crust:
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup whole almonds, toasted
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
2 teaspoons cold water

For filling:
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
3/4 cup chilled whipped cream, (divided into 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup)
5 ounces white chocolate
1 teaspoon grated lime peel
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons sour cream

Topping:
3 12-ounce baskets strawberries, washed, hulled, sliced
1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam

• preparation

Crust:
Preheat oven at 375 degrees.
Blend first 4 ingredients in processor until nuts are ground. Add butter cut into small pieces, and mix until dough has a fine texture. Blend in enough water until mixture forms a ball. Press dough evenly over bottom and up sides of tart pan. Freeze crust for 30 minutes. Bake until golden brown for about 30 minutes.
Filling:
In a small bowl, combine the lime juice and gelatin. Let stand for 10 minutes to soften. Bring 1/4 cup cream to simmer in medium saucepan. Stir in the white chocolate. Add gelatin mixture; stir to dissolve. Mix in peel. Chill until cold and beginning to thicken but not set, stirring often.
Whip sugar, sour cream and remaining 1/2 cup cream to medium-stiff peaks.
Fold whipped cream mixture into the white chocolate mixture. Spoon mousse into crust.
Chill until mousse sets, about 2 hours.
Arrange berries atop the mousse.
Melt jam in small saucepan over low heat. Brush jam over strawberries to glaze.

Serves: 6

This recipe is also delicious served cold with a lemon-caper mayonnaise. The stuffing can be prepared up to a day ahead.

• Ingredients

2 pounds fillet of salmon
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup parsley sprigs
1 teaspoon dry tarragon
3 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
4 ounces soft unsalted butter
Ground cayenne pepper to taste
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup dry white wine

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Skin the salmon fillet. Remove all bones. Rinse fillet under cold water, and pat dry.
Cut the fillet in half across. Season with salt and pepper.
To make the stuffing:
Combine the fresh breadcrumbs, almonds and parsley in a food processor.
Process to a coarse texture until well mixed. Blend in the tarragon, grated lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Spoon the stuffing over the surface of one fillet. Top with the other salmon fillet, pressing the fillet to adhere to the stuffing. Tie the stuffed fillets with butcher twine to keep the shape
of the fish.
Place the fish on a baking sheet. Measure the thickness of the stuffed salmon at the thickest part. Pour lemon juice, melted butter and wine over surface of fish.
Bake about 15 minutes per inch of thickness, until the flesh is barely opaque throughout.

To serve:
Cut the fish crosswise into 1 to 11/2 -inch-thick slices.
Arrange in center of warm plates. Spoon the cooking liquid over each portion.
Garnish with steamed asparagus or other green vegetables. Serve hot.

Serves: 8

In Israel, the dish is called ptitim, which translates roughly from Hebrew to “little crumbles.” It was created by the Osem food company in the early 1950s at the behest of then prime minister David Ben-Gurion.

• Ingredients

¾ cups sliced almonds
3½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
4 sprigs fresh thyme
3 cups Israeli couscous
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
6 medium shallots, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Chopped fresh parsley, for serving

• preparation

Place the almonds in a small pan set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.

Combine the broth and thyme in a medium pot set over high heat and bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous, turn heat to low, cover, and cook until the liquid is absorbed, 8 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Transfer the couscous to a large bowl and discard the thyme sprigs.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add the shallots, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and browned, about 8 minutes. Add the cooked shallots, toasted almonds, and lemon juice to the couscous, drizzle with a little more olive oil, and toss to combine. Taste and season again with salt and pepper. Serve warm, topped with parsley.

By: Leah Koenig

Serves: 4

Dinner ideas of Andorra by Carles Flinch

• Ingredients

4 pear tomatoes or tomatoes from the Canary’s
300 g of creamy goats cheese
200 ml of tomato juice
extra virgin olive oil
apple vinegar
50 g toasted almonds
50 g toasted hazelnuts
25 g pine nuts
salt, pepper and basil
parsley or chives for decoration

• preparation

Clean the tomatoes and cut the top off. Empty the inside with the help of a spoon, keeping the pulp and top. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.

Blend the pulp with a hand blender, adding oil, basil, the tomato juice, a bit of sugar, salt, pepper, and a teaspoon of apple vinegar and dried fruits. When it’s mixed, add a little more salt and store the gazpacho in the refrigerator. Stuff the creamy cheese inside the tomatoes, cover it with the lid chopped off earlier and add some pepper and oil. It will be inserted in the oven for 10 minutes at 180 degrees for it to scald and the cheese to melt.
Presentation
Pour the gazpacho into soup bowls and place the tomatoes on top, sprinkle a bit of parsley or chives over, and decorate it with a basil leaf. Serve immediately when cold.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

The Cocoa and Almond Sponge Cake :
Allows to make 2 squares 16x16 cm
- 3 egg-whites
- 40 gr sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 30 gr flour
- 50 gr ground almonds
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder

The Praliné Feuillantine (Crispy Praline) :
- 100 gr praline paste
- 65 gr milk chocolate
- 50 gr crèpes dentelles (if not available use corn flakes or rice crispies)

The Chocolate Mousse :
- 200 gr dark chocolate
- 50 gr cream
- 4 sheets gelatin
- 3 egg-yolks
- 1 whole egg
- 50 gr sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 350 gr cream

The Chocolate Glaze :
- 150 gr water
- 180 gr sugar
- 60 gr cocoa powder
- 6 gelatin sheets
- 100 gr cream

• preparation

The Cocoa and Almond Sponge Cake

Start beating the egg-whites and when it forms peaks add the sugar and keep beating until fluffy. Then the yolks, beat until homogeneous
Mix together the ground almonds, the flour and the cocoa then blend them into the meringue delicately
Spread this mixture over 2 sheets of baking paper, shape 2 squares a bit larger than 16x16 cm and put in a preheated oven (medium heat) for 7-10 minutes (according to your oven). Then leave to cool down for 5 minutes, remove from the baking paper (turn them upside down), reserve.

The Praliné Feuillantine (Crispy Praline)
Warm up the praline paste over a hot water bath, add the chocolate, stir until completely melted.
Crush the crèpes dentelles (or the corn flakes or even crispy rice), and mix them into the praline paste and chocolate.
Spread this mixture over a sheet of baking paper, try to shape a square 16x16 cm... Place in the freezer right away.

The Chocolate Mousse :
Hydrate the gelatin in cold water for 5 minutes. Melt the chocolate over a warm water bath. Heat up the 50 gr cream and add the gelatin (drained), stir until dissolved, then blend the cream into the chocolate, mix until homogeneous. We get a ganache. Leave to cool down, until it reaches about 30°C/86°F.
Place the yolks and the whole egg in a large bowl (glass or metal). Then prepare the syrup, gather the water and sugar in a pan and heat it up until it reaches 115°C/239°F, pour it right away in a thin stream over the eggs, whipping all the time until it reaches the room temperature. We get a smooth mousse. Blend delicately this mousse into the ganache. Then prepare the whipped cream with the 350 gr cream and fold it delicately as well into the previous mixture.

The Chocolate Glaze :
Hydrate the gelatin in cold water for about 5 minutes.
In a pan bring to the boil the water and sugar. Add the cocoa powder, mix until homogeneous. Add the gelatin (drained), mix until dissolved, then add the cream. Reserve (we want to use it below 30°C/86°F).

The Assembly :

Place one square of sponge cake in the middle of the cake frame. Place over it the crispy praline (still frozen). Then pour the chocolate mousse almost to the top.Place the second square of sponge cake, press a bit then cover with the rest of mousse to the top. Level with a large spatula. Put right away in the freezer for about 2 or 3 hours. This step will help to remove the cake from the cake frame and to set quickly the chocolate glaze.
Remove the cake from the freezer, and delicately from the cake frame.
Place the cake on a shelf and pour the chocolate glaze over it and leveling the top with a large spatula.

When the glaze is completely set, decorate as you want, here with some macaroons. Leave it at room temperature for 1 hour in order to defrost and then serve right away.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

12 ounces pound cake
2 tablespoons raspberry jam, melted
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup brandy
2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons super fine sugar
3 cups Custard crean

2 cups fresh raspberries

• preparation

Cut the pound cake into 1 inch cubes, and combine with the melted raspberry.
In a round serving glass bowl, alternate layers of pound cake and custard sauce. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the almonds. Pour the sherry and brandy over and let steep for 30 minutes.
Whip the cream until stiff, gradually adding the sugar. Save a dozen raspberries for garnish. Scatter the rest over the cake, then spread 1/2 of the cream.
Using a pastry bag fitted with a large decorative tip, decorate the cake with the remainder cream. Garnish with raspberries and sprinkle with almonds. Serve chilled.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

6-14 ounce cans vegetable broth
2 cups wild rice
1 cup dried apricots coarsely chopped
1/2 cup dried currants
1 cup blanched slivered almonds, toasted
2/3 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
6 tablespoons tarragon vinegar
4 teaspoons Dijon vinegar
2 garlic cloves

• preparation

Bring broth to boil in heavy saucepan. Mix in wild rice. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered until rice is tender, stirring occasionally, about 50 minutes. Drain rice well. Transfer rice to bowl.
Mix dried apricots and currants into rice mixture. Cool completely.
Mix toasted almonds, chopped red onion and parsley into rice. Whisk vinegar, Dijon mustard and minced garlic, gradually whisk in olive oil.
Mix enough dressing into salad to season to taste. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate).