Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing & Candied Carrot Curls
Ingredients
Serves 6
½ cup (125 ml) lightly packed brown sugar
½ cup (125 ml) white sugar
1 cup (250 ml) vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 cups (500 ml) grated carrot
½ tsp (2.5 ml) orange zest
1½ cups (375 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground allspice
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground ginger
½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt
Cream Cheese Icing, recipe follows
1 x 8 oz (250 g) block cream cheese, softened
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups (750 ml) icing sugar, sifted
¼ tsp (1 ml) kosher salt
½ tsp (2.5 ml) orange zest
1 tsp (5 ml) orange juice
Candied Carrot Curls, recipe follows, for garnish
2 large carrots, peeled
1 cup (250 ml) sugar
1 cup (250 ml) water
Raw, slivered pistachios, for garnish
Instructions
- Grease an 8½ x 4½-in (21.5 x 11.5 cm) loaf pan. Preheat oven to 325 F (170C).
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together sugars, oil and eggs until light and creamy. Fold in carrot and orange zest.
- In a separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and fold together until combined.
- Transfer to oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a skewer inserted into centre of cake comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cake cool completely, then remove from pan. Frost with Cream Cheese Icing and garnish with pistachios and Candied Carrot Curls. Makes one 8½ x 4½-in (21.5 x 11.5 cm) loaf cake
- TO MAKE CREAM CHEESE ICING: In a large bowl, using a mixer or wooden spoon, cream the cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy. Gradually add icing sugar, mixing well between each addition. Add salt, orange zest and juice and mix until combined. Makes enough for 1 loaf cake.
- TO MAKE CANDIED CARROT CURLS: Using a vegetable peeler, peel long strips off carrots, aiming to keep as many pieces intact as possible. In a medium saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and return to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until carrots are tender. Preheat oven to 250 F (130 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove carrots from syrup and gently drain, being careful not to break the strips. Lay strips in a single layer on lined baking sheet. Transfer to oven and bake for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, gather clean items from kitchen that have cylindrical handles of various sizes, such as wooden spoons, a whisk and/or a saucepan handle. Remove carrots from oven and immediately and carefully wrap them around handles to create curls. Let carrots cool around handle, then carefully remove them.
Drink Pairings
Pear & Ginger Crêpes served with Cinnamon Cream
Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground ginger
1 pinch table salt
3 tbsp (45 ml) butter, divided
3 to 4 Bartlett pears, peeled, cored, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) x 1½-in (3.75 cm) chunks
⅓ cup (75 ml) chopped crystallized ginger
2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) water
½ tbsp (7 ml) cornstarch
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
Classic Crêpes, make ahead, recipe follows
1 cup (250 ml) flour
pinch table salt
¼ cup (60 ml) sugar
1 cup (250 ml) milk
½ cup (125 ml) water
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil, divided
Cinnamon Cream, make ahead, recipe follows
1 cup (250 ml) whipping cream
2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon, ginger and salt. Set aside. In a large skillet or wok, melt 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter over medium heat. Add pears, crystallized ginger and sugar, then increase heat to high and sauté until edges of pears start turning golden brown.
- Reduce heat to medium and sprinkle cinnamon mixture over pears. Mix well to coat. Continue cooking, uncovered, for another 3 to 5 minutes, until pears are fragrant and most of the released liquid evaporates.
- In a small bowl, mix together water and cornstarch and add to pears, stirring well until liquid in skillet thickens, about 10 seconds. Add lemon juice and remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter and stir until butter melts and is incorporated into pear filling, about 30 to 45 seconds. Turn off heat and cover. Set aside.
- To assemble, spoon desired amount of filling into centre of each Classic Crêpe and fold sides in towards centre to create a cone. Top with Cinnamon Cream and chopped pecans, if using.
- To prepare Classic Crêpes, In a large bowl, lightly whisk together flour, salt and sugar until blended. Add milk, water, eggs and vanilla and whisk together until smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated. Cover and allow to rest at least 30 minutes or overnight, if possible.
- In a 10-in (25 cm) non-stick skillet or crêpe pan, heat about ¾ tsp (4 ml) vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Give batter a quick stir and, using a ladle, pour about ⅓ cup (75 ml) batter into hot skillet and carefully but quickly swirl skillet to evenly distribute batter over surface. Cook until edges start to brown, about 1 minute, then flip and continue cooking for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, monitoring and adjusting heat level as needed to prevent burning. Remove from skillet and transfer to a plate. Loosely cover with foil to keep warm until ready to fill. Repeat with remaining batter.
- To Prepare Cinnamon Cream, In a medium bowl, using a whisk, hand blender or hand mixer, whisk all ingredients together until whipped cream holds medium peaks. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Makes about 1½ cups (375 ml)
Drink Pairings
Tuna Sushi Cones
Ingredients
Serves Serves 2
1 cup (250 ml) uncooked sushi rice
1¼ cups (310 ml) water
2 tbsp (30 ml) rice vinegar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) sugar
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
10 oz (284 g) raw sushi-grade tuna, diced
2 green onions, trimmed and diced
1 tbsp (15 ml) mayonnaise
½ tbsp (7 ml) Sriracha, or to taste
½ tsp (2.5 ml) sesame oil
5 full sheets soy paper*, cut in half
1 cup (250 ml) sliced cucumber
1 avocado, sliced
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
1 cup (250 ml) pea shoots
soy sauce, to serve
wasabi, to serve
Instructions
- In a fine mesh strainer, rinse uncooked rice under cold water until water runs clear. Transfer to a medium saucepan and add 1¼ cups (310 ml) water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 20 minutes. Rice should be tender and have absorbed all the water. Leave lid on for 10 minutes after water is absorbed to steam rice. Transfer to a non-reactive dish and let cool until cool enough to handle.
- In a heatproof bowl, combine vinegar, sugar and salt. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, or until sugar and salt have completely dissolved. Pour over rice and gently mix to incorporate. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together tuna, green onions, mayonnaise, Sriracha and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Place half a soy paper sheet on a dry, flat surface with the long side parallel to you. Wet hands and spoon about 2 tbsp (30 ml) rice into one hand. Pat rice down evenly on left half of soy paper; it should make about a 2-in (5 cm) square.
- Place 1 tbsp (15 ml) tuna mixture on top of rice with some cucumber, avocado, carrot and a few pea shoots. Fold the bottom left corner over towards the centre of the top edge of the sheet, to form a triangle. Take the triangle and roll it in the same direction of the first fold, rolling it up to form a cone. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve immediately with soy sauce and wasabi.
- * Can substitute 5 full sheets nori, cut in half, if desired. Toast nori before using. Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C), and place nori on a baking sheet. Transfer to oven for 1 minute, then remove and let cool.
Drink Pairings
Peruvian-Inspired Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Aji Verde
Ingredients
Serves Serves 2 to 3
2 green onions, trimmed and roughly chopped
4 garlic cloves
1 small jalapeño, halved, seeded and sliced, divided
2½ cups (625 ml) packed cilantro leaves, divided
1 cup (250 ml) packed parsley leaves
½ cup (125 ml) packed mint leaves
2 limes, zest and juice
1 cup (250 ml) sour cream
2 tbsp (30 ml) red wine vinegar
salt and pepper, to taste
3 chicken breasts
1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, shredded
½ cup (125 ml) crumbled feta cheese
1 large head butter lettuce
Instructions
- To make Aji Verde, in a food processor or blender, combine green onions, garlic, half the jalapeño, 2 cups (500 ml) cilantro, parsley, mint, lime zest and juice, sour cream and red wine vinegar. Blend on high until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Place chicken in a container with a lid and pour half the Aji Verde over top. Reserve remaining Aji Verde for serving and place in refrigerator. Transfer chicken to refrigerator and marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill chicken for 8 to 10 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
- On a serving platter, arrange remaining jalapeño, remaining ½ cup (125 ml) cilantro, red pepper, red onion, carrot and feta. Add whole lettuce leaves along with chicken and remaining Aji Verde.
- To serve, place a mixture of the ingredients, as desired, in a lettuce leaf and drizzle with a spoonful of Aji Verde.
Drink Pairings
Collard Green Tofu Wraps served with Tahini Sauce
Ingredients
Serves Serves 2 to 3
1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
5 garlic cloves, minced, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) minced ginger
2 tbsp (30 ml) sweet chili sauce*
¼ cup + 1 tbsp (75 ml) soy sauce, divided
3 tbsp (45 ml) water, divided, plus extra as needed
1 x 16 oz (500 g) package firm tofu
2 tbsp (30 ml) cornstarch
2 tbsp (30 ml) grapeseed oil, divided
2 medium carrots, peeled into ribbons
1 small beet, grated
1 cup (250 ml) julienned cucumber
1 cup (250 ml) cilantro leaves
1 cup (250 ml) bean sprouts
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
1 avocado, sliced
¼ cup (60 ml) tahini*
1 tbsp (15 ml) rice wine vinegar
½ tbsp (7 ml) honey
8 to 10 large collard green leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 F (220 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, heat sesame oil. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and ginger and cook for 3 minutes, until fragrant. Add chili sauce, ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce and 1 tbsp (15 ml) water. Reduce heat to low and cook for another 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Set garlic-ginger sauce aside.
- Cut tofu into 3-in (8 cm) long rectangles. Place tofu in a medium bowl and sprinkle with cornstarch, tossing to coat. Drizzle 1 tbsp (15 ml) grapeseed oil onto lined baking sheet. Arrange tofu evenly on baking sheet and drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until bottom of tofu is golden brown, then flip and bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to a clean mixing bowl. Add desired amount of reserved garlic-ginger sauce and toss to coat. Transfer to a platter with carrot, beet, cucumber, cilantro, bean sprouts, red onion and avocado.
- To make a tahini dipping sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1 minced clove garlic, 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce, remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) water, tahini, rice wine vinegar and honey. For a thinner sauce, whisk in more water, 1 tbsp (15 ml) at a time, until sauce reaches desired consistency. Set aside.
- Prepare an ice bath and set aside. In a large pot, bring 8 cups (2 L) water to a boil. Working in batches, blanch collard leaves for 15 to 20 seconds each, until just tender. Immediately remove and place in ice bath.
- Once cooled, trim collard green stems. Lay a collard leaf on a flat surface. Starting from the middle of the leaf, with knife parallel to the cutting board, thinly shave the stem towards the base of the leaf, then cut off any remaining stem at the base. This is to remove some of the bulky, fibrous stem to make for easier, more pliable wrapping.
- To assemble, place a collard leaf on a flat surface. In the middle of the leaf, place a piece of tofu, a few carrot ribbons, some shredded beet, and a bit of cucumber, cilantro, sprouts, red onion and avocado. Fold two opposite sides in towards the centre, then, starting from one of the “open” sides, roll up the wrap like a burrito. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- To serve, cut wraps in half and serve with tahini sauce alongside for dipping.
Drink Pairings
Salted Honeycomb & Smoked Almond Beehive Baked Alaska
Ingredients
Serves Makes about 6 Baked Alaskas
½ cup + ¼ cup (125 + 60 ml) granulated sugar, divided
¼ cup + ⅔ cups (60 + 150 ml) clover honey, divided
1½ tsp (7 ml) baking soda
1 tsp (5 ml) Maldon sea salt flakes
4 cups (1 L) good quality store-bought vanilla ice cream
½ cup (125 ml) smoked almonds, roughly chopped
1 store-bought pound cake, cut into ½-in (1 cm) thick slices
4 large egg whites
edible flowers, berries, herbs or pea shoots, for garnish
Instructions
- To make salted honeycomb, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, combine ½ cup (125 ml) sugar and ¼ cup (60 ml) honey. Let sugar dissolve while gently whisking constantly, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium and bring to a lazy simmer, whisking often, until mixture reaches 300 F (150 C) on an instant-read thermometer, about 3 to 5 minutes. Take care not to overcook, as honeycomb will taste burnt.
- Remove saucepan from heat and immediately whisk in baking soda and salt. Be careful, as mixture will steam and turn into a thick foam. Pour this foamy mixture immediately onto prepared baking sheet. Let sit at room temperature until cool, about 1 hour. Use a sharp knife to chop honeycomb into no smaller than bite-sized chunks and shards. Transfer to an airtight container and set aside.
- Place ice cream in a bowl and let soften slightly. Stir in smoked almonds and about half the chopped honeycomb until well combined. Transfer to freezer for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, cut 2.5-in (6 cm) rounds out of pound cake. You should get at least 6 rounds. Feel free to fit together a few pieces if needed. Transfer rounds to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Dollop about ¾ cup (175 ml) ice cream onto each piece of pound cake and shape into a tall dome. Place ice cream-topped cakes in freezer until completely frozen, about 4 hours.
- When ready to serve, make meringue. In a small saucepan, heat remaining ⅔ cup (150 ml) honey until it reaches 242 F (117 C) on an instant-read thermometer.
- Meanwhile, whip egg whites in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment over medium-high speed, until it forms soft peaks. Add remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) sugar and continue to whisk until well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly pour in cooked honey in a very thin stream. Once it is all added, increase speed to medium-high and continue whisking until meringue is cooled, shiny and holds a peak, about 5 to 10 minutes. Place meringue in a large piping bag fitted with a plain round tip.
- To serve, working with 1 ice cream-topped cake at a time, place cake on a serving plate. Pipe honey meringue around cake and ice cream, starting from the plate and working your way up in concentric circles. Alternatively, you can spread a thick layer of meringue all around the cake and ice cream. Caramelize meringue using a culinary torch. Garnish with extra salted honeycomb candy, edible flowers, berries, herbs and/or pea shoots. Repeat with remaining cakes and serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
Bánh Xèo served with Nuóc Chấm
Ingredients
Serves 6
7 oz (200 g) Bánh Xèo pancake flour*
1 tsp (5 ml) ground turmeric
1 tsp (5 ml) table salt
1 x 400 ml (14 oz) can coconut milk
1 cup (250 ml) warm water
2 green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced
8 oz (250 g) pork belly, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) thick strips
¾ tsp (4 ml) table salt
1 cup (250 ml) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped garlic (optional)
4 tbsp (60 ml) vegetable oil, divided
1½ cups (375 ml) bean sprouts, divided
6 tbsp (90 ml) cooked mung beans, divided (optional)
1 head green leaf or Boston lettuce, whole leaves separated, washed and dried
1 bunch mint, washed and dried
1 bunch cilantro, washed and dried
1 bunch Vietnamese perilla (optional), washed and dried
* Available at Asian grocery stores. If you can’t find it, combine 1/3 cup (75 ml) rice flour, ¼ cup (60 ml) all-purpose flour and 3 tbsp (45 ml) cornstarch. All flours must be spooned to measure; total weight should be 7 oz (200 g).
Nuóc Châ´m, make ahead, recipe follows, to serve
3 tbsp (45 ml) sugar
⅔ cup (150 ml) lukewarm water
¼ cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
¼ cup (60 ml) fish sauce
1 garlic clove, finely chopped (optional)
1 small red Thai chili, thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together Bánh Xèo flour, turmeric and salt. Add coconut milk and warm water and whisk until batter is smooth and there are no lumps. Stir in green onion. Cover and let rest for 1 hour, if possible.
- Season pork belly with salt. In a large skillet over high heat, fry pork until edges are brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a plate, reserving skillet with rendered fat for next step. Set aside.
- In same skillet, fry prawns in rendered pork fat for about 1 minute per side. Transfer prawns to a separate plate and set aside, again reserving skillet for next step.
- In same skillet, fry onions and garlic, if using, over medium-high heat until translucent. Remove from heat and add to cooked pork.
- Give batter a quick stir to integrate ingredients. In a 10-in (25 cm) non-stick skillet or crêpe pan, heat 2 tsp (10 ml) oil over medium-high heat. Using a ladle, pour ½ cup (125 ml) batter into hot skillet and carefully but quickly swirl skillet to evenly distribute batter over surface.
- Spread 1/6 of pork and onion mixture onto ½ of crêpe. Add 1/6 of prawns over top. Sprinkle over 1 tbsp (15 ml) mung beans, if using, and about ¼ cup (60 ml) bean sprouts over filling. Cover skillet, reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes. Remove lid, increase heat to medium-high and continue cooking for another 3 to 5 minutes to allow bottom of crêpe to crisp up slightly. Fold crêpe in half over filling and transfer to serving plate. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Serve with whole lettuce leaves, mint, cilantro and perilla, if using, alongside. To eat, tear or cut pieces of crêpe, wrap up with lettuce and herbs and dip in Nuóc Châ´m.
- To prepare Nuóc Châ´m, In a small bowl, combine sugar and water and stir until dissolved. Add lime juice, fish sauce, garlic, if using, and chili and stir to combine. Makes 1¼ cups (310 ml)
Drink Pairings
Lamb with Honey Pistachio Sauce, Smoked Yogurt & Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients
Serves Serves 4
12 to 16 small multicoloured carrots, tops trimmed off, well-scrubbed and halved if large
6 red and/or yellow baby beets, trimmed, well-scrubbed and sliced into ½-in (1.25 cm) rounds
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil, divided
2 leeks, root end and dark green part trimmed off,
cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) rounds
Smoked Yogurt*, make ahead, recipe follows
2 lamb loins
⅓ cup + ½ cup (75 + 125 ml) clover honey, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) red wine vinegar, plus extra as needed
½ cup (125 ml) sliced pistachios, roughly chopped
1 cup (250 ml) packed flat-leaf parsley leaves and tender stalks, finely chopped
SMOKED YOGURT
1 cup (250 ml) full-fat plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp (30 ml) light brown sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml) long-grain rice
¼ cup (60 ml) woodchips, for smoking
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
- Combine carrots and beets on a rimmed baking sheet. Season to taste with salt and pepper and toss with 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil. Roast for 20 minutes. Add leeks and stir vegetables, then return to oven and roast until golden and tender, another 15 to 20 minutes.
- Heat remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Generously season lamb loins, then add to frying pan. Cook, turning often, until slightly browned, about 2 minutes total. Reduce heat to medium and pour ⅓ cup (75 ml) honey over lamb. Continue cooking, turning and basting with honey frequently, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into lamb reads 130 F (54 C), about another 5 to 6 minutes. Remove lamb to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Meanwhile, make the honey pistachio sauce. In a bowl, stir together remaining ½ cup (125 ml) honey, red wine vinegar, pistachios and parsley. Season to taste with salt and additional vinegar if desired.
- To make smoked yogurt, place yogurt in a small, wide bowl set above another small bowl filled with ice. (This will help prevent yogurt from curdling as it smokes.) Line base of a wok with 2 pieces heavy-duty foil and add sugar, rice and woodchips. Set a wire rack inside wok. Turn on hood fan and place wok over high heat until contents start to smoke, about 5 minutes. Place 2 nested bowls on rack and cover wok with a lid or large metal bowl. Reduce heat to medium and smoke yogurt until it has a smoky flavour, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove yogurt bowl from smoker and refrigerate until ready to use. * Can substitute 1 cup (250 ml) full-fat plain Greek yogurt with a few drops Liquid Smoke (available at most grocery stores) or smoked paprika stirred in, to taste.
- To serve, swirl a good dollop of Smoked Yogurt on serving plates. Arrange lamb and roast vegetables over and around yogurt, then drizzle with honey pistachio sauce.
Drink Pairings
Hot Honey Spring Carbonara
Ingredients
Serves Serves 4
1 cup (250 ml) clover honey
1 tsp (5 ml) crushed red chili flakes
1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
½ lb (250 g) dried spaghetti
6 large egg yolks
1 cup (250 ml) finely grated Parmesan, divided
½ tsp (2.5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp (1 ml) kosher salt
½ cup (125 ml) diced pancetta
1 cup (250 ml) frozen green peas, thawed
10 to 12 spears asparagus, cut into 1-in (2.5 cm) pieces
1 cup (250 ml) packed baby spinach
Instructions
- To make hot honey, in a small saucepan over low heat, stir together honey, chili flakes and vinegar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes. Honey should be warm but should never come to a simmer. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container; honey will keep in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months and will get spicier the longer it sits.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions, reserving 1 cup (250 ml) pasta cooking water. Drain and set pasta aside.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks with ¾ cup (175 ml) Parmesan, pepper and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook pancetta over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain all but 2 tbsp (30 ml) fat from skillet. Return half the pancetta to skillet along with peas and asparagus and cook over medium heat, stirring, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Add spinach and let wilt. Remove skillet from heat. Add pasta and ½ cup (125 ml) reserved cooking water. Toss everything together. If pasta has cooled, return to heat, tossing for another 1 to 2 minutes, until hot.
- Working quickly, scrape egg yolk mixture into hot pasta. Toss until sauce is thickened, adding additional reserved pasta cooking water if needed to reach desired consistency. Divide between warm plates and sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) Parmesan and pancetta.
Drink Pairings
Chicken Florentine Crêpes with Herbed Mushrooms
Ingredients
Serves 8 crêpes
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced ¼-in (0.5 cm) thick
salt and pepper, to taste
4 cups (1 L) fresh spinach leaves, washed, dried and roughly chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) white vinegar
Buckwheat Crêpes, make ahead, recipe follows
¾ cup (175 ml) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
¾ cup (175 ml) shredded Provolone cheese
Herbed Mushrooms, make ahead, recipe follows
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, fry onion in oil until translucent. Add garlic and continue cooking for 2 minutes.
- Add chicken and sauté until fully cooked, about 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add spinach and increase heat to high for about 1 minute, or just until spinach wilts, then add vinegar, stir, cover and remove from heat. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together cheeses. Place 1 buckwheat crêpe on a large plate. Sprinkle ⅛ of cheese over surface. Spoon ⅛ of chicken and spinach mixture onto ¼ of crêpe. Fold crêpe in half over filling, then fold in half again into a triangle. Transfer to a shallow baking dish. Repeat with remaining crêpes, placing filled crêpes in a single layer in baking dish. Cover and seal with foil, poking a few holes in foil with a fork. At this point, crêpes can be refrigerated for up to 1 day. Bring to room temperature before baking.
- To serve, preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Bake prepared crêpes, covered, for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Remove from oven and serve with Herbed Mushrooms on top.