Monday, May 30, 2011

Panna Cotta with Fresh Berries

While a homemade tiramisu used to be my signature dessert, I now find myself shifting toward simplicity. So in addition to making poached pears (see previous post), panna cotta has become another of my go-to desserts. These two desserts are on the fly, on the go recipes—ingredients already in the pantry, 15 minute prep time, and recipes that I can make in Hawaii, the mainland, or at a guest’s home in a moments notice. They also look pretty and are always a hit with my guests.

Panna Cotta is a super easy dessert to make for a dinner party. It’s also a light pairing that complements a heavy preceding course. I like to serve it in extra large wine goblets (glasses I serve sangria in) as the wide open mouth holds more berries and is easier for guests to scoop out of.


PANNA COTTA WITH FRESH BERRIES

Giata de Laurentis
6 servings

1 cup whole milk

1 T unflavored powered gelatin

3 cups whipping cream

1/3 cup honey

1 T sugar

Pinch of salt

2 cups fresh assorted berries (e.g. blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries)

Place the milk in a heavy, small saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over and let stand for 5 minutes to soften. Stir over medium heat just until the gelatin dissolves but the milk does not boil, about 5 minutes. Add the cream, honey, sugar and salt and stir until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Pour the cream mixture into 6 wine goblets. Cover and refridgerate until set, at least 6 hours and up to 2 days.

Spoon berries atop the panna cotta and serve.


{Mahalo to Alli for the “Everyday with Giata” cookbook}

Rice Pudding with Vanilla, Orange & Rum

This recipe takes more care than making poached pears and panna cotta (don’t burn the rice), and calls for a couple ingredients you’ll need to prepare for (like a whole vanilla bean, bottle of rum, and a kitchen zester). I like playing with different ingredients to give rice pudding a fresh touch. You can also spice rice pudding with cinnamon, peacans, pistachios, figs, or even shavings of chocolate. Warmed berries, poached pears (love this paring), warmed mango slices, and fresh or dried blueberries are some of my favorites. In the recipe below, I find Giata's comibination quite nicely balanced.

Serve in martini glasses, mini serving or shot glasses, on the bottom of a poached pear, or next to a warm individually sized chocolate molten cake. (45 minutes prep time)


RICE PUDDING WITH VANILLA, ORANGE AND RUM


Giata de Laurentis
4-6 servings

5 cups whole milk

2/3 cup Arborio rice

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (or 1 T vanilla bean paste, William Sonoma)

½ cup sugar

2 teaspoons dark rum

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Orange segments (blood orange is great for this)

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk and rice. Scrape in the seeds of the vanilla bean, plus add the bean. Bring the milk to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring frequently, until the rice is tender, about 25 minutes. Stir in the sugar, rum and orange zest. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes longer. Discard the vanilla bean and spoon the rice pudding into 4-6 bowls. Cover and refridgerate until the pudding is cold, about 5 hours and up to 1 day ahead. Serve with orange segments. (And I sometimes sprinkle with cinnamon—very lightly—for texture and color.)

{Mahalo again to AC for the "Everyday with Giata" cookbook}

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Urban Seascape

The line of trashcans added to the irony of enjoying Hawaii's beautiful mountain and ocean view
...amidst city life.

{photo taken out of my car window as I drove by}

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Bradley's Granola

This is some of the yummiest moist granola I've had in a long time. It's simple to make and takes only 20 minutes.  I like to top the granola with a dollop of yogurt (rather than add milk) to enjoy the flavors and texture. (Alternatively you can use the granola to top a bowl of fresh fruit and yogurt, or build a fruit parfait as in the photo below). Enjoy!
 
Bradley's Granola
6 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup bran
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups chopped nuts (e.g. pecan, almonds)
1 cup coconut (optional)

1 cup agave nectar (or honey)
½ cup oil

2 cups dried fruit bits (e.g. apricot, cranberry)

Mix first 6 dry ingredients in large bowl.
Heat agave nectar and oil and blend well.

Pour agave/oil mixture over dry mixture and mix well.
Spread into well-greased sheet pan.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.
Stir 2 times while baking.
Add dry fruit.
Let cool and store in airtight container.

{mahalo to BBI for sharing the recipe!}

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Taste of Wailea + Kapalua Wine & Food Festival - Tickets on Sale Today


They are back for another year!  The Taste of Wailea  & Kapalua Food and Wine Festival

Get your tickets to try the very best resort restaurants at the Taste of Wailea outdoor food event.  There is also the popular Taste of Chocolate event at the Four Seasons. The admission to each of these events also includes a Celestial movie ticket!  ($120 for event+ticket).  These events (and many others) are a part of the annual Mauil Film Festival where you can watch independent films on the lawn and under the stars at the Wailea Golf Course or the MACC.  It's one of my favorite events on Maui!

Last year I met folks who flew in from different mainland states, just to come to this event as well as the Kapalua Food and Wine Festival (which starts on June 9th).  This equally exciting festival is celebrating it's 30th Year anniversary and is always a hit.  Try your wine pallet to sample over 200 wines, enjoy some tastey meals, or take a sommelier course. Tickets for this seperate week long event run $80-120.

What a fantastic week it is to be on Maui. Mark your calendars!

June 8-12 2011 | Kapalua Food and Wine Festival
June 15-19 | Maui Film Festival Events

For more info and to buy your tickets:
http://www.mauifilmfestival.com/tixSYS/2011/specialevents

http://www.kapalua.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137&Itemid=897/