Desserts Archives - Chef Leticia

4 Jun 2021

Chilled Rhubarb Soup

We often associate rhubarb with pie, tarts and crumbles recipes, but it was OMG at first sight when I saw this bunch at the farmer’s market and used it as an inspiration for this gleaming new recipe for Chilled Rhubarb Soup. Think Pink! Sweet and sour, it subtly glimmers for an occasion that blends easy elegance with a casual spirit.

Characterized by a unique tangy taste, each slurp of this soup celebrates your hand in the kitchen. The soup’s distinctive taste is created by slowly cooking rhubarb and some ginger in a sugary syrup. The result is one of the most gorgeous foods you’ll ever create. I’m not kidding! Look at the color of this soup! Rarely we see recipes as photogenic as this.

We are entering rhubarb peak season during the months of May, June and July.

Think Pink! Think Rhubarb! If any association with celery comes to mind, yes, look for crisp, refreshing stalks. You’ll see shades of green turning to shades of pink and it’s that passage of color in this unique vegetable that makes rhubarb so unique in taste and appearance.

When buying rhubarb, choose a bunch as you would celery. You’re looking for crispy stalks. I like to wrap the ends of the rhubarb in a wet paper towel and keep it well wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. It should last a good two weeks in the fridge.

This soup is so refreshing from the ground up! After many winter months, a new season feels like a miracle and rhubarb has the power to transform an entire menu, whether it’s creating a healthier neutral base or taking center stage as dessert. For a modern spin, garnish the soup with strawberries pistachios and a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Every year I like to explore rhubarb in a variety of different recipes. You might like this recipe for Rhubarb Strawberry Pie here on the site and boy, oh boy, oh boy, this recipe is dreamy!

Chilled Rhubarb Soup

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Adapted from The Last Course by Claudia Fleming

Simple Syrup

1 ½ cups sugar

1 ¼ cup water

6 ½ cup sliced, trimmed rhubarb (about 2½ pounds untrimmed)

1 ½ ounces fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced into 12 quarter size slices

For Garnish:

Serve with some quartered strawberries or raspberries in the soup.

Chopped pistachios

Green Yogurt

Procedure:

In a large saucepan over medium high-heat combine the sugar and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Simmer gently for 1 minute, then turn off the heat.

Add the sliced rhubarb and ginger to the pan and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook gently for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to break down the rhubarb. Do not let the soup boil or the foam will turn bitter. Force the soup through a medium sieve discarding the solids. Pour the soup into a bowl and let it cool completely. Chill the coup until cold, at least 3 hours or up to 2 days. To serve, scoop a small mound of Greek yogurt in the middle and ladle each into chilled bowls or soup plates and garnish with strawberries and pistachios.

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Leticia

3 May 2021

Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart

If you’re looking for Olympian baking, this Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart is! For those of us crazy for the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, this is the apex in a tart format.

There are 3 components to this tart: the cookie crust, the peanut mousse and the chocolate ganache. Don’t fret. It really doesn’t take that long, and the entire tart can be prepared and assembled up to 5 days ahead of time and you’re all set.

This recipe is adapted from one of the most respected bakers in the U.S, Rose Levy Beranbaum, and it’s her attention to details that make this recipe work so well. I love how she mixes a bit of milk and bittersweet chocolate in the ganache. However, if you’d like to incline one way or the other, feel free to use just milk, or just semisweet.

Respect the ingredients – this recipe can handle season patterns from misty rain to artic blast to summer vibes. Remember, because we care about the ingredients, we also care about temperature. When baking, make sure to bring all ingredients to room temperature before starting.

Bake with love! This recipe is guaranteed to take you to paradise. And dream of Para-para-paradise! Para-para-paradise!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart

Adapted from Rose Levy Beranbaum, The Pie and Pastry Bible, Scribner 1998

Makes one 9-inch tart, serving 8 to 10 people

For the Peanut Butter Mousse

7 tablespoons cream cheese at room temperature

½ cup peanut butter (smooth)

¼ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¾ cup heavy cream, softly whipped

For the Chocolate Ganache

3 ounces milk chocolate

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate

1/3 cup heavy cream

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Sweet Peanut Butter Cookie Tart Crust

½ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes

½ cup smooth peanut butter, preferably Jif at room temperature

½ large egg (beat the egg lightly before measuring out half of it)

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment: 9-inch tart fluted pan

Prepare the Cookie Tart Crust:

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
In the bowl of a food processor, process the sugars for a few seconds until very fine. With the motor running, add the butter cubes. Add the peanut butter and process until smooth and creamy, about 10 seconds. With the motor running, add the egg and vanilla and process until incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture and pulse just until combined. (you can also use an electric mixer if you don’t have a food processor).
Scrape the dough into a bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Press the dough evenly into the tart pan. You can use a piece of plastic wrap to do this and invert onto the tart pan and then press against the sides. If the dough softens and sticks, refrigerate it until the plastic wrap doesn’t stick. If the dough tears, simply press it together or use the scraps to press into any empty areas. Cover the tart pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Bake the tart shell, without weights in a preheated 350˚F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden. It will puff at first and then settle down at the end of the baking. The sides will be soft but spring back when touched gently with a finger. Cool on a wire rack.

Prepare the Peanut Butter Mousse:

In the bowl of a standing mixer, preferably fit with the whisk beater, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, and sugar just until the mixture is uniform in color. Reduce the speed to low and add the vanilla. Beat in ¼ cup of the whipped cream just until it is incorporated. With a large rubber spatula, fold in the rest of the whipped cream, mixing until the mixture is well blended but still airy.
Scrape the mousse into the sweet peanut butter cookie tart crust and smooth the surface so that it is level. Refrigerate the tart while preparing the ganache.

Make the Chocolate Ganache:

Chop the milk and bittersweet chocolates with a serrated knife very finely and place it a glass or stainless-steel bowl.
Bring the cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 1 minute allowing the heat to melt the chocolate. Whisk slowly from the center out until homogeneous and then a bit more vigorously, making sure the ganache is completely smooth. Add the vanilla and whisk again. Cool to temperature before glazing the tart.

Assemble the Tart:

Pour the ganache over the peanut butter mousse in a circular motion, being careful so that it does not land too heavily in any one spot and cause a depression in the mousse. Using a small metal spatula, start to spread the ganache to the edges of the pastry, then spread it evenly to cover the entire surface of the tart. Refrigerate the tart for at least 2 hours to set or up to 5 days.
Remove the tart from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving. Unmold the tart and cut it with a sharp thin bladed knife, dipping in hot water after each cut to make a clean cut.

Other Recipes You Might Like:

Tahini Caramel Tart

Strawberry Cream Cheese Tart

Rhubarb Strawberry Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

Chocolate Custard Pie

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You can buy my cookbooks on Amazon:

Latin Superfoods is my latest cookbook, I’m also the author of The Brazilian Kitchen and My Rio de Janeiro: A cookbook.

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Leticia

16 Apr 2021

Alchimista Spiked Ice Cream

From Buenos Aires to São Paulo to Singapore to Connecticut, Gaby Baumatz is making the most spiked (and delicious!) ice cream ever.

Alchimista Spiked Ice Cream

When the government announced plans to lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic, Gaby Baumatz searched for comfort in the kitchen.

“My grandmother used to make ice cream, and I was trying to replicate it a few years ago. I decided to try it again, just for fun”, said Baumatz.

As the pandemic extended beyond our predictions, she continued to experiment in the kitchen and decided to embark upon a new venture devoted to the production of a new style of ice cream rarely seen before: alcohol-based ice cream. Alchimista Spiked Ice Cream was born.

But before launching a business, a lot had to happen. She reached out to an ice cream expert based in her hometown, Buenos Aires, and learned the ins and outs of ice cream science.

“Once I had the chemistry information, it became easier to understand what I was doing in the kitchen”.

Alchimista Ice Cream — A close up in the science of Alchimista Spiked Ice Cream

Her family was astonished by the delicious tastes of alcohol-infused ice cream and jumped in. Her kids, Julia, Sami, and Tomas all came on board to help, especially because everyone was home.

Alchimista Spiked Ice Cream — A family ice cream affair!

The vote was unanimous: “Let’s start an ice cream business!” The plan gradually started to evolve. From her home kitchen, she started to produce a small inventory of ice cream. As social distancing was required, Baumatz started to host outdoor ice cream tasting events. “People love it! She says, with a smile on her face.

Spiked Lemon Mousse is prepared with a subtle addition of Cointreau

Tasting Events

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been to an ice cream tasting? While this kind of event is barely an American practice, it should become one. I was there, mesmerized by the colors and flavors of the collection, hosted by Gaby Baumtaz herself. First, it’s a social gathering, and in times like these, we all need a really good excuse—like ice cream— to meet. Second, the tasting is conducted in great fashion, not too different than a wine tasting; pen and paper, everyone taking notes and comparing tastes. Third, I ended buying two containers that didn’t last more than three days in my house.

Gaby Baumatz was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After a degree in architecture, she met her now-husband Adrian Isman and the couple have three children, now young adults. By courtesy of Mr. Isman’s job, the family became world travelers, moving first to Brazil, then to Singapore, to Brazil again, and then to Connecticut, where the family arrived in 2017 and is currently established.

“With all this world experience, I feel like ice cream is a continuation of my creativity. From home designer to ice cream maker”, Baumatz jokes. This ice cream is the apex between flavor, texture, package, and image. “I look for a strong flavor, powerful colors, and ice cream with a personality made with fresh ingredients and excellent quality. It’s a very unique product.”

Another Day, Another Ice Cream

Indeed. Alchimista Spiked Iced Cream presents 12 flavors (more to come!). Different flavors present different opportunities to indulge. The Paloma for example, is a Tequila-infused grapefruit sorbet, very much like a palate cleanser. The Chocolate Truffle is a perfect dessert. The Hazelnut Cream is the perfect snack. There will be a chocolate sorbet for those who are lactose intolerant. Baumatz uses two different bases for the recipes: milk-based (chocolate, hazelnut) and water-based (sorbets, grapefruit, lemons, etc). All ingredients are indicated on the label.

As the tastings grew into frequent events, Baumatz rented a commercial kitchen in Mamaroneck for production. She bought Italian gelato machines and keeps them in a special ice cream freezer. Alchimista Spiked Ice Cream delivers all over New York state. For Connecticut customers, a curb pick can be arranged.

You can find more info about Alchimista Spiked Ice Cream:

www.myalchimista.com

Instagram: alchimista_icecream

Email: [email protected]

I’m so happy that you visited today! Thanks for reading and browsing my site!

You can buy my cookbooks on Amazon: Latin Superfoods is my latest cookbook.

I’m also the author of The Brazilian Kitchen and My Rio de Janeiro: A Cookbook.

Visit my YouTube Chanel @LeticiaMoreinosSchwartz.

The easiest and most impactful thing you can to support is subscribe to my newsletter and to my channel on YouTube.

And of course, tell your friends about it.

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Leticia

1 Mar 2021

Tahini Caramel Tart

Leticia Moreinos Schwartz

1 Mar 2021 Blog, Desserts adeenasussman, carameltart, ChefLeticia, cookbookauthor, israel, israelicookbooks, israelicooking, israelicuisine, latinsuperfoods, onlinecookingclasses, sababa, tahini, tahinicarameltart, tahinirecipes, virtualcookingclass, zoomcooking 2

Take a bite of this Tahini Caramel Tart! Right through the screen!

Tahini, a sesame seed paste that has long satisfied the Mediterranean palate is finding a much wider audience. It has the potential to rival peanut butter, almond butter, and cashew butter.

According to Adeena Sussman, an expert in Israeli cooking and author of Sababa, where this recipe is featured, “Tahini is made from sesame seeds that are soaked in water (sometimes salted), then crushed so the hull separates from the tender inner germ. The seeds are then run through a centrifuge to separate and dispose of the waste before being roasted and finally ground between huge millstones to produce the tahini everyone in Israel knows.”

In a regular supermarket, among the many brands of tahini available nowadays, you will find Joyva Sesame Tahini, Seed & Mill Organic Tahini, Ziiyad All-Natural Tahini, and Roland Organic Tahini. Whole Foods has also created its own 365 Organic version.

Smooth tahini paste has become a favorite among chefs and home cooks, as Israeli cuisine is gaining more popularity. Not surprisingly, it is on the menu at places that specialize in Mediterranean cooking and home cooks are discovering that it is as handy to have in the kitchen as peanut butter.

It’s also turning up in sweet dishes, like this delicious Tahini Caramel Tart. Caramel Tarts started to show up a good 20 years ago, but this one, made with tahini in the caramel is pretty special. As you see in the recipe, it calls for ½ teaspoon of sea salt. Use it. The caramel really needs this whole amount of salt, or else, it’s going to be too sweet.

When I first made this tart and photographed it for this blog, I ended up skipping the Labaneh whipped cream. Since then, I made this tart a few more times, including the whipped cream, which does add a good complement. As you can tell, this recipe quickly became a regular in my kitchen, and I hope it becomes a regular in your kitchen too.

I’m slowly working my way through Sussman’s book. You might also like this recipe for Eggplant and Tomato Galette from Adeena Sussman’s Sababa.

Tahini Caramel Tart Cooking Show

Tahini Caramel Tart

Adapted from Sababa by Adeena Sussman

Serves 12 to 14

Chocolate Shortbread Crust

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, slightly softened

½ cup confectioner’s sugar

¾ cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

3 tablespoons sesame seeds

Tahini Caramel

½ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup heavy cream

½ cup lightly packed light brown sugar

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces

3 tablespoons Asian (date syrup)

½ teaspoon fine sea salt

1/3 cup pure tahini paste

Labaneh Whipped Cream

2/3 cup heavy cream

½ cup 4-Hour Labaneh, or Greek Yogurt

1 tablespoon confectioner’s sugar

Make the Crust: Preheat the oven to 325˚F.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and confection sugar at medium-high speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary, until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and sesame seeds. And beat until just incorporated 15 to 20 seconds. Gather the dough, then press it into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Freeze for 10 minutes, then bake until the crust is golden and flaky but still soft, 25 minutes. Cool Completely.

While the tart is cooling, make the caramel: Place the granulated sugar in a medium saucepan (try to use one with a few inches headroom) and sprinkle 3 tablespoons of water on top of it. Turn the heat to medium, bring to a boil, then increase the heat to medium-high and boil until the sugar turns syrupy and the color of light caramel, about 7 minutes ( be careful here; it can burn, so take it off the heat a few seconds early if you’re in doubt and swirl gently if one area begins to darken more than others). Remove the syrup from the heat, then immediately add the cream, brown sugar, butter, and silan and stir until the butter is melted. The mixture will sputter, then may harden in parts, but don’t worry. Place the saucepan back on the stove. Bring the mixture to a low simmer over low heat and simmer until it’s a deep mahogany color, 11 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat, whisk in the salt and then the tahini until smooth, and pour into the baked tart crust. Cool slightly, then chill until the tart is set, at least 4 hours (but overnight is best).

Make the Whipped Cream: just before serving, in a stand mixer fitted with the whish attachment, whip the cream until soft peaks form, 2 minutes. Add the labaneh and confectioner’s sugar and whip until soft peaks return, 1 minute. Remove the tart from the fridge, slice, and serve with the whipped cream.

More Israeli Recipes:

Jeweled Rice with Carrots

Passover Brisket with Prunes & Carrots

Short Ribs with Eggplant, Silan, and Nigela Seeds

Matzo Buttercrunch

I’m so happy that you visited today!

Make sure to share this story with someone who cares about this topic.

You can buy my cookbooks on Amazon: Latin Superfoods is my latest cookbook;

I’m also the author of The Brazilian Kitchen and My Rio de Janeiro: A Cookbook.

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See you next time!

Leticia

10 Dec 2020

How To Make Brigadeiros

What’s that? A truffle? A fudge? You want to know the recipe everyone is talking about, clicking, pinning, and drooling over the internet more than any other this week? BRIGADEIROS! Silky, chewy, fuggy, and chocolaty, brigadeiro, is an undiscovered candy from Brazil waiting to become your next vice.

I’m over the moon and beside myself to tell you some awesome news:

Thanks to Bon Appetit, now anyone who loves chocolate can make brigadeiros!

Just think about all the occasions we have for giving a gift; a bridal shower, housewarming, mother’s day, father’s day—this holiday season!

Tangible expressions of caring and love can be wrapped and given in so many ways. And now, you can add Brigadeiros to the list.

Because a handmade gift, especially a food gift like Brigadeiros, represents creative energy and time spent in the kitchen—like a homemade hug!

Find the article here.

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I’d love to connect with you! Please do send comments and suggestions,

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See you next time!

Leticia

6 Sep 2020

French Apple Tart

Although this French Apple Tart looks fancy and work-intensive, a second read made me realize that almost everything can be done ahead of time. I could easily call it Beautiful & Easy Apple Tart. There are four components to this tart, of which three of them can and even should be prepared ahead of time. Pastry dough, almond cream, apple sauce and apple topping.

The pastry is a typical sweet pastry dough, just like you see in every tart. The almond cream is a mixture of butter, sugar, almond flour and eggs that’s creamed and spread over the tart shell (there is no blind baking). The apple sauce is a very simple mixture of apples and lemon juice cooked, cooled and then spread on top of the almond cream. All of these components can be prepared ahead of time, and the tart can even be assembled up to this point a few days ahead.

Then comes the cherry on top, or of course, the apples on top. Although they give this tart a very elegant look, putting them together couldn’t be easier. Basically, you slice red royal gala apples very thinly using a mandolin and arrange them nicely in a rose pattern. The closer the slices are packed together, the nicer the tart will look.

Another interesting aspect about this tart is that it calls for two different kinds of apples. The granny smith used in the sauce gives a tangy and sharp taste; the royal gala makes for a sweet and gorgeous presentation. Together, they scream APPLE better than any other apple tart I’ve eaten in years.

This recipe is quite generous. Each component yields a little more than you’ll need for a 10-inch tart. Better this way. I ended preparing a 10-inch tart plus an individual size tart.

For those of us who can visualize the upcoming Rosh A Shana Celebration, dinner can be written in those images! This French Apple Tart is bound to be the cynosure of all eyes!

French Apple Tart

(Inspired by Chef Cedric Grolet)

Makes one 10-inch Tart

(serving 8 to 10 people)

Sweet Pastry Dough:

1 stick plus 2 tablespoons (150g) unsalted butter

¾ cup (95g) confectioner’s sugar

1/3 cup (30g) almond flour

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg (lightly beaten with a fork)

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (more for dusting and rolling)

Almond Cream

1 stick plus 2 tablespoons (150g) unsalted butter at room temperature

¾ cup (150g) sugar

1 ½ cup (150g) almond flour

3 large eggs

Apple Sauce

4 Granny Smith apples

¼ cup lemon juice

Apple Topping

4 Royal Gala apples

7 tablespoons (100g) butter

For the Sweet Pastry:

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, confection sugar, almond flour, salt and vanilla. When creamed, add the egg, and beat until the mixture is combined. Then, working at low speed, gradually add the flour, stopping just when it is thoroughly incorporated. Shape the dough into a ball, flatten into a disk, cover in plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to chill. This can be done up to 5 days ahead of time. Be sure to bring the dough to room temperature a good 20-30 minutes before using to make it more malleable.

For the Almond Cream:

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, sugar, and almond flour together. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing and scraping the sides of the bowl after each addition. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic and chill. This can be done up to 5 days ahead of time. Be sure to bring the almond cream to room temperature before using so that it spreads better.

For the Apple Sauce:

Peel and core the Granny Smith apples and cut them into small cubes (not to small or they will cook and disappear). Combine the apple cubes and lemon juice in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring from time to time with a wooden spoon. When the apples have softened considerably—there should still be pieces of apple visible— remove from the heat. Allow to cool completely. Transfer to a covered container and chill in the refrigerator. This can be done up to 5 days ahead of time.

Assemble, Bake, and Make the Apple Topping

Working on a floured surface, roll the dough about 1/16-thick, lifting the dough often and dusting more flour as necessary, making constant turns on the dough. Roll the dough up and around the rolling pin and unmold onto the tart mold, fitting the bottom and sides, and patching as needed. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

Heat the oven to 350˚F.

Spread the almond cream over the unbaked tart, filling it half-way to the top of the rim.

Place the tart in the oven and bake until the almond cream is lightly browned, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the tart to cool.

Using an offset spatula, spread the apple sauce over the baked almond cream very thinly. You will not need all of the apple sauce, and that’s ok.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Continue cooking until it just turns lightly brown (this is called beurre noisette, or hazelnut butter).

Apple Topping: Core the Royal Gala apples with an apple corer. Using a mandolin with safety guard, slice them thinly. Cut each slice in half, and starting at the rim, arrange the slices in a rose pattern, pressing the outward slices lightly against the crust. Be patient to make this design and try to pack as many slices as you can. The fuller the tart, the better it looks. Brush the browned butter over the apples and return the tart to the oven for 10 minutes. Remove and serve warm.

Hope you will enjoy this French Apple Tart after reading this post!

I’m so happy that you visited today! Thanks for reading and browsing my site!

Have you bought by latest cookbook Latin Superfoods yet?

Cheesecake With Cherry on Top

Leticia Moreinos Schwartz

25 Aug 2020 Blog, Desserts cheesecakerecipe, cheesecakewith cherryontop, cheesecakewithcherryglaze, ChefLeticia, cherries, cherryontop, cherrypie, cookbookauthor, latincookingclasses, latinsuperfoods, nobakecheesecake, nobakecheesecakepie, superfoods, virtualcookingclass, virtualcookingclasses

Luscious, juicy, sweet and versatile, cherries are at peek at the height of summer! This Cheesecake with Cherry on Top is a fun and elegant play on cheesecake;

Bowl of Cheerios instead of baked in the oven, the cream cheese is set in the fridge and then topped with a gorgeous mound of fresh cherries and a sweet cherry wine reduction. The result surpasses the expectations.

Cherries have a perfect balance between sweet and acid, making them very easy to pair with wine. A good red wine, such as Pinot Noir is a great combination, but feel free to use another type of red wine of your preference.

Cheesecake With Cherry on top

Be careful to place the cherry topping on top of the tart only at last minute, just before serving, as they will “bleed” and stain the white cheese filling.

Cheesecake With Cherry on Top

Yield: 8 servings

Graham Cracker Crust

1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs

2 ½ tablespoons sugar

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling

1 teaspoon unflavored powdered gelatin

1 ½ cups heavy cream (divided)

½ cup (4oz) cream cheese, softened

½ cup sour cream

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cherry Topping

2 cups red wine (Pinot Noir is a good option)

1 cup sugar

1 star-anise

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups red cherries

Equipment: 10-inch tart pan

Make the Crust: Pre-heat the oven to 350˚F. in the bowl of a food processor or mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Mix until well combined, then slowly drizzle in the butter until the rust comes together. Press it into the bottom and up the sides of the tart pan. Bake for. 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Filling: in a medium bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over ¼ cup of the heavy cream. Allow the gelatin to soften for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring ½ cup of the heavy cream and the cream cheese to a simmer. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the cream cheese melts. Add the mixture to the bowl with gelatin and whisk until the gelatin dissolves. Let it cool to room temperature.
Whip the Cream: in the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the remaining ¾ cup of heavy cream, the sour cream, sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture holds medium peaks. Fold a third of it into the cream cheese mixture, then fold in the remaining whipped cream mixture in two additions. Pour the filling into the cooled tart shell and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours or preferably overnight.
Prepare the Topping: in a small saucepan, bring the red wine, sugar, and star anise to a simmer. Reduce the heat to very low and simmer until the sauce is syrupy and sticky, about 30 minutes (don’t allow the mixture to caramelize; it should stay dark red). Strain the mixture, discarding the solids and stir in the vanilla extract. Refrigerate until cooled, at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.
Just before serving, toss the cherries with ¼ cup of the red wine glaze. Spoon over the tart, mounding them in the center. Serve the tart with some of the remaining red wine glaze on the side, to drizzle more on the plates if desired.

I’m so happy that you visited today! Thanks for reading and browsing my site!

If you’d like to buy a copy of latest cookbook Latin Superfoods, find it at Amazon.

If you like what you read, tell your friends about it,

I’d love to connect with you! Please do send comments and suggestions,

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Contact me!

See you next time!

Leticia

23 May 2020

Yogurt Parfait With Granola and Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

Leticia Moreinos Schwartz

23 May 2020 Blog, Desserts granola, summeryogurtparfait, yogurtparfait

Some recipes are the perfect experimentation of taste, aroma, texture and colors. This Yogurt Parfait with Granola and Strawberry Rhubarb Compote is the way I like to give my imagination free rein. See those seeds on the top of the bowl? The add crunchy and taste. Even better, they mix perfectly with the sweet & sour taste of yogurt and strawberry rhubarb compote. It inspires health. Eat and breathe. Mediate. Inhale peace. Exhale peace of mind. You can watch a video of this recipe on You Tube!

Yogurt Parfait with Granola and Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

Makes 2 Parfaits

Components:

2 cups Plain Greek Low Fat Yogurt

Tropical Granola (recipe here)

Strawberry Rhubarb Compote (recipe follows)

Recipe for Rhubarb- Strawberry Compote

3 medium stalks of rhubarb (about 9 ounces), trimmed, and chopped into ¾ -inch pieces

1 ounce fresh ginger, peeled and cut into large chunks

1/3 cup organic cane sugar

1 cup quartered fresh strawberries (rinsed)

zest of 1 lemon, finely grated

1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint leaves

In a medium sauce pan, place the rhubarb, ginger and sugar, and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often.
Simmer until the sugar dissolves and the rhubarb becomes soft and tender and releases a lot of juice, about 3 to 5 minutes (be careful not to let the rhubarb create any foam, or the compote will turn bitter and taste like soda).
Transfer the rhubarb and all its liquid to a bowl, and while still hot add the strawberries and lemon zest. Let the compote cool to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator in a plastic container covered with a tight-fitting lid.
Just before serving remove the ginger piece and add the mint leaves.

You can prepare this compote up to 3 days ahead of time and keep it a plastic container covered with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator.

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1 Apr 2020

Matzo Buttercrunch

Leticia Moreinos Schwartz

1 Apr 2020 Blog, Desserts ChefLeticia, jewishchef, jewishcuisine, jewishlatinachef, jewishlatinchef, jewishrecipes, matzah, matzobuttercrunch, matzoh, matzohbuttercrunchtoffee, matzohrecipe, matzohrecipes, passoverrecipes

Matzoh Buttercrunch Toffee

I write this recipe for Matzo Buttercrunch with a tight heart. As the world is navigating uncertain times with this pandemic, I wanted to come here to my blog and offer help and hope. If there is one thing that hasn’t changed in my life, is the way I feel about cooking, baking, spending time in the kitchen nourishing those we love. Back then, when life was normal, cooking has always been my anchor. OK, it can also be a source of stress sometimes, when I have a big job. But it’s always a good stress, if you know what I mean. Now that the world has turned upside down, cooking is more therapy than ever.

During Passover, we celebrate the exodus of Jewish slaves from Egypt. We do that with many habits and traditions, like abstaining from eating leavened foods for seven days. Instead of bread, we eat Matzoh. You can find it in just about any supermarket. I’m sharing a classic recipe for Matzo Buttercrunch that I discovered through Arthur Schwartz, adapted from his cookbook Jewish Home Cooking. Even if you’re not Jewish, you’re bound to love this recipe! In fact, I have given these treats to friends from all walks of life and they loved it! Everyone does! If you like toffee covered in caramel, you will like this recipe as well. You can top it with almonds, pecans or just about any nuts of your preference. The photos are quite helpful understanding the process. But if you have any questions at all, reach out to me. I’m always here!

Matzo Buttercrunch

Adapted from Arthur Schwartz Jewish Home Cooking

Makes one 12 by 15 inch sheet, or about 50 pieces of buttercrunch

Ingredients:

4 to 6 matzo boards

1 cup unsalted butter (or parve margarine)

1 cup light brown sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

12 oz semi-sweet chocolate Callebeaut, chopped

1 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted and roughly chopped

Pre-heat the 350˚F. Line a baking sheet with silicone mat. Spread the pan with the whole matzo boards, cutting extra pieces to fit any uncovered spaces. You want to leave the matzos as whole as possible, but you don’t want to leave any extra space on the sheet pan without matzah. Also, don’t overlap any pieces of matzo.
In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and sugar and cook, over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk until the mixture comes to a boil. At first, the mixture will separate, but as you mix constantly, it will come together in a beautiful caramel. Continue boiling and whisking for an extra 3 minutes. Add the cinnamon and whisk well.
Immediately pour over the matzos and using an off-set spatula, spread the caramel all over. Do not worry about covering both sides of the matzoh boards; spread only on the side facing up.

Matzoh Buttercrunch Toffee

Place the sheet pan with matzoh caramel in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, checking after 10 minutes to make sure the mixture is not burning.
Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate all over the sheet pan.

Let it stand for 5 minutes, then use an off-set spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly and thinly over the matzos.

Matzoh Buttercrunch Toffee

Sprinkle with toasted almonds and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Matzoh Buttercrunch Toffee

While the matzo is sill “wet”, cut the candy into squares, or simply, just break it into pieces with your hands. Chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Bring it bag to room temperature and let it rest and set. At this point, you can keep the matzo buttercrunch in a covered container for up to 1 week, or in the refrigerator for 3 weeks.

I’m so happy that you visited today! Thanks for reading and browsing my site!

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Leticia

7 Mar 2020

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Leticia Moreinos Schwartz

7 Mar 2020 Blog, Desserts bread, breadrecipes, breadwithraisins, ChefLeticia, irishbreads, irishsodabread, irishsodabreadrecipe 2

I wish Irish Soda Bread would appear more than once a year during St. Patrick’s Day, a celebration of all things Ireland. Although we are surrounded by baked goods, there is something quite special about the Irish Soda Bread Recipe. This rich and handsome bread is made with bread flour, yeast, butter, buttermilk and it’s studded with raisins.

Every culture has its own bread variation, from Babakas from Eastern Europe, Croissants and Kugelholf in France, Colomba Pasquale in Italy, Cheese Bread in Brazil and many more.

Around the early 2000’s, I was an “stagiere” at Payard Patisserie by acclaimed pastry chef Francoise Payard, when the pastry shop was in its full glory in the Upper East Side location. Each day we used to roll croissants in the morning hours and then we’d bake huge batches of dough in the afternoon. Irish Soda Bread was prepared mostly for St.Patrick’s day and Eastern Holiday.

You’d think that I’d be done baking breads by now, but it turns out, I still love to bake at home, especially interesting breads such as this one. I can’t resist a warm oven filling the house with the most wonderful bread aromas. For this Irish Soda Bread, I turned to expert John Barricelli of Sono Baking Company, a lovely bakery in Connecticut.

Bread baking requires patience for sure. Let the yeast do its work and don’t try to rush it. I’m sure you’ll find plenty to do while the dough is resting at various stages. You’ll be rewarded with a delicious and gorgeous bread to enjoy. It also makes a beautiful food gift by the way.

With my recent trip to Belém do Pará, in Brazil, I came back with lots of Cupuacú Jams in the luggage. Turns out, it goes perfectly with Irish Soda Bread. But any jam in the likes of apricots or orange will be nice here! Hope you’ll enjoy this recipe!

Recipe adapted from Sono Baking Company cookbook

Irish Soda Bread

Makes one loaf

Ingredients:

6 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting the loaves

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt

4 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons instant yeast

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes

2 cups buttermilk

1 ½ cups raisins

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and yeast. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the buttermilk, and using your hands, mix until the dough just comes together, mix in the raisins. Using a plastic bowl scraper, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it’s smooth and supple, 3 to 4 minutes. Shape into a round loaf.

Irish Soda Bread in the Making

Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with oiled plastic wrap, and let rest in a warm location (at least 70˚F) until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Irish Soda Bread rising

Irish Soda Bread proofed

Punch the dough down to deflate it, reshape it into a round loaf, and let it rest again until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. With a bench scraper, divide it into two pieces, and shape them into two round loaves.

Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Dust the top of each loaf with flour, and with a bench scraper, form an X through the center of the bread, pressing down deeply in both directions with the scraper, almost cutting through the loaf. Place the loaves on a lightly floured baking sheet.

Bake, rotating the sheet halfway through, until the crust is deep golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean, about 1 hour. Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let cool completely.

Serve it with butter and jam of your preference!

I’m so happy that you visited today! Thanks for reading and browsing my site!

If you like what you read, tell your friends about it,

I’d love to connect with you! Please do send comments and suggestions,

If you prepare any of the recipes on the site, snap a photo and send it to me!

Follow my food adventures on Instagram!

Contact me!

See you next time!

Leticia

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