07 July

Archived Posts from this Category

July 1, 2015

Butter Tart Squares

Posted by HI Cookery under 07 July | Tags: , , , |
[3] Comments 

Butter Tart Squares

Butter Tart Squares

July 1: Canada Day

Visiting some of Highlander’s relatives in Canada is always a treat—literally—especially when they serve treats from his country of birth. They want to remind him of his roots and share cultural cuisine with us since we are foodies. One distinctive dessert from Canada is butter tarts, a pastry invented in the pioneer era. We transformed the traditional tarts into squares for a sweet stacked snack to celebrate Canada Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Robin Hood)

For the base crust

  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup flour

Directions

Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment or waxed paper, leaving a little overhang as the “handles” to lift the dessert out of the pan later. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter with the brown sugar. Mix in the flour until it sticks together.

Butter Tarts Squares

Press into prepared pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Make the topping.

Butter Tart Squares

For the topping

  • ¼ cup (½ stick) butter, softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup corn syrup
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ cup raisins
  • ½ cup walnuts, chopped

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter with the brown sugar. Mix in the corn syrup, eggs and vanilla.

Butter Tart Squares

Blend in the flour and baking powder. Sprinkle the raisins and chopped walnuts over the base crust. 

Butter Tart Squares

Pour the filling over the raisins and nuts. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until the filling is set. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Lift the dessert out of the pan using the parchment or waxed paper “handles”. Cut into 16 squares.

Butter Tart Squares

Notes

  • The raisins and walnuts are optional but we added them to the recipe. The raisins add a nice chewy texture and the walnuts counter the sweetness of this dessert.
 

July 1, 2015

No-Churn Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Posted by HI Cookery under 07 July | Tags: , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

No-Churn Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

July: National Ice Cream Month

Have you ever taken one of those personality quizzes based on your favorite flavor of ice cream? One such test, an “ice cream flavorology study”, was developed by Dr. Alan R. Hirsch, the neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, Ltd., in Chicago, Illinois. National manufacturer Edy’s Grand Ice Cream commissioned him to determine how ice cream flavor preferences relate to people’s personalities.

Islander’s favorite flavor is butter pecan and Highlander likes chocolate (see our blog post recipe for no-churn chocolate ice cream). We read Dr. Hirsch’s amusing analysis of our personalities based on the ice cream flavors we chose and, while they do fit us, we do not feel bound to those descriptions, as we enjoy eating other flavors of ice cream, depending on our moods.

During National Ice Cream Month, have some fun and take the personality test. And while you’re at it, enjoy eating some homemade no-churn butter pecan (or other favorite flavor) ice cream from the recipe provided below. Stay cool!

Recipe

(Adapted from Noreen’s Kitchen)

Ingredients

  • 1 cups pecans (chips, pieces or half nuts), toasted
  • 2 cups heavy cream, whipped
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon maple extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon butter extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Directions

In a small pan, toast the pecans, being careful not to burn them. Let cool and set aside. Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. In a large bowl, pour the condensed milk.

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Stir in the melted butter, maple syrup and extracts.

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Add the salt. Fold in the whipped cream and toasted pecans and blend well. Pour mixture into a large loaf pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight. Remove from the freezer, scoop and enjoy!

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Notes

  • National Ice Cream Day is also celebrated on the third Sunday of July.
  • Search our blog for other no-churn ice cream recipes.
 

July 27, 2014

Lilikoi Creme Brûlée

Posted by HI Cookery under 07 July | Tags: , , , , , |
Leave a Comment 

Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Crème Brulee

Lilikoi Creme Brûlée

July 27: National Crème Brulee Day

Our favorite dessert at Kona Grill is its passion fruit crème brulee. The mainland-based chain restaurant tries to add a tropical taste to its menu. Islander loves lilikoi (Hawaiian word for passion fruit) and indulges once in awhile in the custard with a crust of crackly burnt sugar on top.

Now that she has learned how to make lilikoi crème brulee in her own kitchen, she makes these for fellow Hawaii expatriates. The passion fruit flavor reminds them of home. For a tropical twist to traditional crème brulee, infuse some passion fruit flavor and see why locals love the lilikoi in this delicious dessert.

Make lilikoi crème brulee for a summer social or luau and especially for National Crème Brulee Day!

Recipe

(Adapted from NBC Connecticut)

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1-2 teaspoons vanilla paste
  • 6 egg yolks
  • ½ cup sugar, divided use
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ – 1/3 cup passion fruit puree/pulp/juice

Directions

In a microwavable cup or small bowl, stir the cream with the vanilla paste. Heat until hot (about 1-2 minutes). Let cool for about 10 minutes to infuse the flavoring. Boil a quart of water and set aside. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with ¼ cup sugar and salt. Gradually add the cream mixture and continue whisking.

Lilikoi Creme Brûlée

Add the passion fruit liquid. Strain this mixture, if necessary. Put the mixture into custard cups or ramekins. Pour the boiled water halfway up the sides of the custard cups or ramekins to make a water bath. Bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees F for 30-45 minutes, testing for doneness with a toothpick (it should wiggle gently).

Lilikoi Creme Brûlée

Remove from the oven and carefully transfer the ramekins to a wire rack. Cool for about 30 minutes then cover and refrigerate overnight. Before serving, sprinkle a thin layer of the remaining sugar on top. Carefully use a crème brulee torch in a back and forth or circular motion to caramelize the sugar to a crisp. Serve immediately while the custard is still cold and the sugar top hardens.

Lilikoi Creme Brûlée

Notes

  • Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much) to Phyllis S. for ribbon lei for the final food photo above. Mahalo also to Olga W. for gifting Islander with the crème brulee blow torch.
  • Search our blog for other recipes containing lilikoi (passion fruit) as an ingredient.
 

« Previous Page — Next Page »