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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Almond Pine Nut Cookies

Almond Pine Nut Cookies
Amaretti con Pinoli cookbook: Lidia's Italy in America

serves: 30 Cookies

This one of the most classic Italian American cookies, and it is one of the easiest to make. In Italian American culture, these are simply known as pignoli cookies, the word “pignoli” referring to the pine nuts that top the cookies, a distinct Sicilian twist. The personal element in making this cookie is to ask yourself if you like it chewy or crumbly crisp—the difference is all in the baking time. With the timing given below, they will be a bit chewy, but of course it depends on how big you make them. Oh, so many variables in cooking!

2 7-ounce tubes almond paste
1 cup sugar
2 large egg whites
finely grated zest of one orange
1½ cups whole pine nuts

Baking sheet covered in parchment paper;

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.

Crumble almond paste into the work bowl of a food processor and process until the paste is in fine crumbs. Sprinkle in the sugar with the motor running. Once the sugar is incorporated, add the egg whites and orange zest. Process to make a smooth dough, about 20 to 30 seconds.

Spread the pine nuts on a plate. Form the dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls by rolling in in between the palms of your hands, then roll the dough in the pine nuts until coated, then place on baking sheets. Bake until lightly golden and springy to the touch, about 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to cooling racks to cool completely.

Variation:

Chocolate brittle surprise

Chocolate Brittle Surprise

Rated:

Submitted By: ShanaLee

Photo By: Tricia Jaeger

Servings: 12

"Like chocolate-covered toffee! Disappears like magic! Great for holiday parties, gifts!"

Ingredients:

35 unsalted soda crackers

1 cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Cover cookie sheet with foil. Spray foil with cooking oil spray.
2.	Place crackers on foil in 5 x 7 inch rows.
3.	Microwave butter on high for 2 minutes. Add brown sugar and stir. Microwave on high for 2 more minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
4.	Pour over crackers. Bake 17 - 20 minutes (should bubble but not burn).
5.	Sprinkle chocolate chips over hot crackers. Spread after 2 minutes (chips have softened). Sprinkle nuts on top.
6.	Refrigerate 1 hour. Break into pieces. Can be frozen.

Printed from All recipes.com January 23, 2012

best Toffee ever

Best Toffee Ever - Super Easy

Rated:

Submitted By: FUNKYSEAMONKEY

Photo By: frances

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Ready In: 1 Hour 20 Minutes

Servings: 32

"Chocolate and almonds top off a rich buttery toffee. A simple recipe that you could easily remember and whip up any time. I always get compliments and requests for more. Use any type of nut that you like in place of the almonds."

Ingredients:

2 cups butter

2 cups white sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup finely chopped almonds

Directions:

1.	In a large heavy bottomed saucepan, combine the butter, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Allow to come to a boil, and cook until the mixture becomes a dark amber color, and the temperature has reached 285 degrees F (137 degrees C). Stir occasionally.
2.	While the toffee is cooking, cover a large baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
3.	As soon as the toffee reaches the proper temperature, pour it out onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the chocolate over the top, and let it set for a minute or two to soften. Spread the chocolate into a thin even layer once it is melted. Sprinkle the nuts over the chocolate, and press in slightly. Putting a plastic bag over your hand will minimize the mess.
4.	Place the toffee in the refrigerator to chill until set. Break into pieces, and store in an airtight container.

Printed from Allrecipes.com 1/24/2012

quiche lorraine II

Quiche Lorraine II

Rated:

Submitted By: LADYNUSS

Photo By: PERIPATETIC1

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Cook Time: 35 Minutes

Ready In: 1 Hour 5 Minutes

Servings: 8

"Bacon, eggs, cheese and onions. It's a delicious way to start a meal!"

Ingredients:

1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust

pie

6 slices bacon

1 onion, sliced

3 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line pastry shell with foil. Bake in oven for 8 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until crust is set and dry. Remove from oven and turn down temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2.	In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Drain and reserve 2 tablespoons of drippings. Crumble the bacon and set aside. Cook onion in skillet with reserved drippings; cook until onion is tender and then drain.
3.	In a large bowl, mix together milk, salt and eggs. Stir in bacon and onion. In a separate bowl, toss cheese and flour together, then add to egg mixture. Be sure to mix well. Pour egg mixture into pie crust.
4.	Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until knife inserted in center of quiche comes out clean. If necessary, cover edge of crust with foil while baking to prevent burning or overbrowning. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Printed from Allrecipes.com 1/24/2012

Potato and cheese frittata

Potato and Cheese Frittata

Rated:

Submitted By: DONSSWEETY

Photo By: stwhiteisme

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cook Time: 25 Minutes

Ready In: 40 Minutes

Servings: 4

"This potato and cheese frittata is great by itself or with some fruit on a Sunday morning."

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large russet potatoes, peeled and

shredded

1 medium onion, diced

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

4 eggs, beaten

Directions:

1.	Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2.	Heat oil in a 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add the potatoes, and fry until crispy and golden, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, and add onions. Cook, stirring, until softened. Season with salt and pepper. Pour eggs over the potatoes and onions.
3.	Place the skillet in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until eggs are firm. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle shredded cheese over the top. Return to the oven for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Printed from Allrecipes.com 1/24/2012

Spinach and potato frittata

Spinach and Potato Frittata

Rated:

Submitted By: CHERYL H.

Photo By: Tara

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Ready In: 30 Minutes

Servings: 6

"A tasty frittata made with potatoes, spinach, garlic, green onions, and cheese. Delicious!"

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

6 small red potatoes, sliced

1 cup torn fresh spinach

2 tablespoons sliced green onions

1 teaspoon crushed garlic

salt and pepper to taste

6 eggs

1/3 cup milk

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

1.	Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Place potatoes in the skillet, cover, and cook about 10 minutes, until tender but firm. Mix in spinach, green onions, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking 1 to 2 minutes, until spinach is wilted.
2.	In a medium bowl, beat together eggs and milk. Pour into the skillet over the vegetables. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until eggs are firm.

Printed from Allrecipes.com 1/24/2012

Bacon cheese frittata

Bacon Cheese Frittata

Rated:

Submitted By: Diana Bullock

Photo By: GodivaGirl

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 25 Minutes

Ready In: 35 Minutes

Servings: 6

"'I always serve this attractive frittata to overnight guests in our home,' reports Diana Bullock of Hanover, Maryland. 'To cut down on last-minute preparation, I keep cooked bacon in the freezer.'"

Ingredients:

6 eggs

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup chopped green onions

5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

1.	In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Pour into a greased 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with onions, bacon and cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Printed from Allrecipes.com 1/24/2012