Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Torta Di Spinaci

10 oz. spinach, blanched 1 minute, drained, dried and chopped
2 cups all purpose flour, extra for kneading dough
1/2 cup unsalted butter(4 oz.)
1 egg yoke plus 3 whole eggs, beaten
3 tbs milk
1/4 cup golden raisins, soak 30 minutes in water, drain
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and ground pepper
2 1/2 tbs (1 oz.) Pine nuts
To make dough by hand: Pour flour into a bowl, add salt and the butter.
Using fingertips, work the butter into flour until a crumbly dough forms.
Add the egg yoke and milk, incorporate, and knead dough into a ball. Wrap in
plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Food processor dough: Combine flour and salt in the work bowl and using
metal blades process briefly to mix. Add butter and process until the
ingredients resemble course meal. Next add egg yoke and milk and process
until dough forms a ball around the blades. Remove dough, shape to ball,
wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Using 1 tbs. butter, grease a 9 inch tart pan
with a removable bottom and then dust with flour. Using a lightly floured
board, roll out the dough into a round shape, making it 1 inch larger than
the diameter of the pan. Line the prepared pan with the pastry dough and
trim.
In a bowl, combine the blanched, chopped spinach, raisins, whole eggs, cream
and Parmesan cheese. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour
into the pastry-lined tart pan and top with the pine nuts. Bake in oven
until it is golden, about 40 minutes. Remove, let cool slightly and then
transfer to a serving dish. Serve Torta luke warm or cool.

Tomato Bruschetta

1 Loaf Italian bread, halved lengthwise then cut
crosswise diagonally, into 1-in slices
1 Garlic clove; minced
2 Tablespoon Olive oil
2 Large Tomatoes; peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Pepper
1/2 Cup Chopped fresh basil
Toast the bread under the broiler until lightly browned. Combine the garlic
and olive oil and brush over one side of the bread. Spread the tomatoes over
the bread. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil for about 30 seconds to heat
the tomatoes. Sprinkle with basil and serve.

Tiramisu

4 tablespoons espresso coffee
1 tablespoon Grappa
3 eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
8 ounces Marscapone cheese
24 Savoiardi biscuits
1 ounce sweet chocolate, grated
In a small bowl, combine the coffee and grappa; set aside
In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks together with the sugar until thick and
lemon-colored. Add the marscapone and blend. Gently fold the egg whites into
the cheese mixture.
Place half of the biscuits in the bottom of a 10-inch square baking dish or
larger serving plate. Sprinkle with half of the coffee mixture. Cover with
half of the cheese mixture, and repeat process. Refrigerate tiramisu for 4
hours before serving with grated chocolate.