Showing posts with label epicurious. Show all posts
Showing posts with label epicurious. Show all posts

Caramel Macadamia Rice Crispie Treats

caramel macadamia rice crispie treats recipe from cherryteacakes.com
Yes. I stink at life. I have not blogged in months. I swore I'd start blogging again....then I didn't. I told you my kitchen would be done soon.....then it wasn't. Not even close, BUT.....this time I mean it. No really. I will be blogging and cooking and photographing again! No, my kitchen is not finished, but all it not lost.....I've been cheating on my kitchen. I confess. There is a new oven in my life *sigh* it's an electric. It's just so hard to tell you this. *wipes tear* but yes, I am using a "boy kitchen."

Until I have a pretty shiny new double oven gas stove happily installed in my own kitchen (which at this rate won't happen until the fall), I will be using my boyfriend's kitchen. I'm slowly infiltrating it. First it was just a Kitchenaide mixer on the counter.....then came the spring form pans, and the souffle dish and even a small frother for hot chocolate. Before you know I'll have properly set up shop! He says he's okay with this....and despite the fact that he helped me move and pack all my kitchen wares, I'm still not sure Brandon really gets just how much gear I own. He understands in theory.......

 He'll understand fully soon. The blog is back and it's being run from his kitchen. It's a good test for the relationship right?

In other news, no, this recipe is not something I came up with on my own. I read this on Epicurious and my jaw hit the keyboard. It's one of the best things I've made in months....and not just because I haven't had a working kitchen in months.....but that helps its case. These were actually made in Butchie's kitchen (gas oven = happy Jana). Do make them. They are delicious and you'll wonder why the gourmet rice crispy trend hasn't taken off yet, because, WOW.

Enjoy!

Caramel Macadamia Rice Crispie Treats
as found on Epicurious 

4 cups puffed-rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies
1 cup salted, roasted macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Butter 17- by 12-inch rimmed baking sheet. Line with parchment paper, leaving 1-inch overhang on each end, and butter paper.

In large heatproof steel bowl, toss together cereal and nuts.

In heavy large saucepan over moderate heat, stir together sugar and 6 tablespoons water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves, then raise heat to moderately high and boil without stirring, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush, until syrup turns deep amber in color, about 8 minutes. Carefully stir in cream (mixture may splatter and briefly harden) then stir in butter. Remove from heat and stir in salt and vanilla.

Drizzle caramel over cereal-nut mixture and, using heatproof silicone spatula or wooden spoon, stir until fully incorporated. Spread mixture evenly on prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm and slightly cooled, about 10 minutes, then break into bite-sized pieces.

In small metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water, combine chocolate and oil. Heat, whisking occasionally, until melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. Drizzle chocolate mixture over Rice Krispie pieces and let stand until chocolate hardens.

Rice Krispies Treats will keep in an airtight container for up to two days.

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti has that perfect crunch and a deep rich taste of cocoa and roasted hazelnuts. It was a crowd pleaser and one of the first things gobbled up at the Easley wedding!

My apologies in advance that this is a production shot as the main shot. I don't actually have ANY finished photos. It got so insanely out of my mind hectic too dark before I was able to take a finished shot! Imagine, if you will, a cute swirl of crème fraiche and an equally delightful swirl of Nutella on top of these biscotti: hopefully your mind's eye is as good as my memory. They were beautiful, and so elegant atop their beautiful silver platters. [All of this is true. They were lovely. Plus, crème fraiche!--B.]

Things around my life had been a little crazy. Okay, a lot crazy. Between doing two people's work for the last two weeks, a wedding to cater, a birthday to celebrate, a trip out of town, a large breakfast to serve, and Stephen and I calling it quits, I'm spent. I did spend Saturday relaxing but then Sunday's stresses of trying to figure out the long distance relationship and then ending it entirely had me about done in. All of that is leading up to my apology that I haven't done a lick of baking that wasn't for someone else since............um, uh, actually, I can't remember. I have a hard time remembering anything that didn't happen in the 24 hours immediately prior to any given moment! But before you ask, I'm ok, it's been a GOOD 24 hours, what I remember of them, and that's what counts. [Never fear, I'm monitoring her closely for signs of heartbreak. So far, all clear on the emotional front. --B.]

Anyway, Butchie and I actually baked this biscotti.........nearly two weeks ago? Wow. I am so far behind it's amazing. Mea culpa! Without further ado (primarily because I can't take anymore ado!) here is the adapted recipe for chocolate hazelnut biscotti:

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti
adapted from epicurious

1 1/2 cups hazelnuts, toasted & husked
3 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Grind 1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts in processor. Set aside. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Beat butter and sugar in another large bowl to blend. Add eggs and vanilla and almond extracts and beat until well blended. Beat in flour mixture. Mix in 1 cup whole toasted hazelnuts, chocolate chips and 1/2 cup ground hazelnuts.

Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Shape each piece on baking sheet into 2 1/2-inch-wide by 14-inch-long log (Ours resembles more of a 2x4 than a log, aim for the log as it helps with spreading). Place logs on prepared baking sheet, spacing 3 1/2 inches apart . Logs will spread during baking!. Bake until logs feel firm when tops are gently pressed, about 35 minutes. Cool logs on baking sheet 15 minutes. Maintain oven temperature.

Using long wide spatula, transfer baked logs to cutting board. Using serrated knife, cut warm logs crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange slices, cut side down, on 2 baking sheets. Bake biscotti until firm, about 15 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool completely.