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Sweet Saffron Custard with Rose Water

Serves 4 This dessert combines crunchy almond pieces with creamy custard.  I learned from my Global Table dinner people either love or hate the contrast of texture. Enjoy with hot tea. Ingredients: 3/4 cup slivered almonds 2.5 cups milk 1/4 cup sugar 1 Tbsp butter 1/8 cup semolina 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp rose water pinch saffron, crushed slivered almonds & cinnamon – garnish Method: 1. Finely grind the almonds in the bowl of a food processor. Heat ground almonds with milk and sugar. Bring to a boil, to infuse the almond flavor into the milk. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. 2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, toast semolina in butter, stirring for a few minutes. 3. Add milk mixture to semolina in a smooth, steady stream. Simmer, uncovered for about 15-20 minutes or until thickened like pudding. Add saffron and cinnamon. NOTE: If you let this boil by accident, the bubbles are like volcanos. The lava pudding can give quite a burn. Don’t ask me how I know… 4. Stir in …

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Azeri Saffron Pilaf with Potato Kazmag

Serves 6 I almost didn’t make this pilaf because there were so many steps. I went out on a limb because I figured Azeri’s must know how to cook basmati rice better than me. I was right. This is a great rice dish, buttery and delicately perfumed with saffron. Ingredients: 2 Potatoes 2 cups basmati rice 2 tsp salt 1/4 cup water 2 sticks butter 1 tsp saffron threads, soaked in a Tbsp of hot water. optional garnish: fresh mint leaves Method: For the potato crust: 1. Slice 2 potatoes thinly. Mix water with 4 Tbsp melted butter. Pour into the bottom of a large skillet or pan that has a tight-fitting lid. 2. Line the bottom of the pan with potato slices, fitting them close together without overlapping. Mine overlap a little because the sloped sides of my pan caused them to slide down – the crust still turned out fine, so don’t worry too much about this. 3. Cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, or until the potatoes soften and begin to turn …

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Austrian Chocolate Tart with Apricot Jam | Sacher-torte

Serves 8-10 When made properly, Sacher-torte is enrobed in a silky, smooth layer of chocolate ganache. This cake will satisfy any sweet tooth. I made sure to make enough glaze that even the novice decorator will be able to coat the entire cake. Please note: This is *not* the same recipe as published in my upcoming article in AFAR Magazine. The technique is totally different. Ingredients: For the cake: 1/2 stick butter, melted 3/4 cup flour 1/4 cup dutch-processed cocoa 1/4 tsp salt 6 large eggs 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/2 cup apricot preserves (chunk-free, or strained) For the glaze: 1 cup heavy cream 4 Tbsp light corn syrup 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate 1 tsp vanilla extract Method: For the Cake: 1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 10″ round springform pan. Add a circle of parchment paper to the bottom. 2. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, and salt. NOTE: You really need to sift them together, making them light and fluffy. Sponge cakes rely …

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Viennese Hot Chocolate

Serves 2-4 Viennese Hot Cocoa is so rich and tasty, you won’t need dessert. Perfect for a chilly night! Take care when adding the egg yolk to the hot liquid, you don’t want to make “scrambled egg cocoa.” Ingredients: 2 cups milk 3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa 3 Tbsp sugar 1 Tbsp raspberry brandy (or regular) 1 egg yolk For whipping cream: 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 Tbsp powdered sugar Method: 1. Whip the cream to soft peaks. Add vanilla and powdered sugar, and continue whipping to combine. 2. In a small saucepan, whisk together milk, cocoa, sugar, and brandy until combined. Heat over medium-low until barely simmering. Turn heat to low. 3. Place an egg yolk in a small bowl. Whisk a small ladle of the cocoa into the egg yolk, tempering it. Add yolk mixture to pot, whisking constantly until thickened. Do not let mixture boil or egg will scramble. 4. Serve cocoa in teacups or mugs with a dollop of whipped cream on top.   Viennese Hot Chocolate Votes: …

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Austrian Spaetzle with cheese and caramelized onion | KasNocken

Serves 2-3 This is an Austrian’s answer to Mac and Cheese. Totally wonderful and, as a bonus, vegetarian! One taste and you’ll want to move to Austria. Ingredients: 2 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 1/2 cups flour 1 Tbsp butter 1 onion, sliced thinly 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (or more to taste) Method: 1. In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Add flour a 1/2 cup at a time. Stir with a wooden spoon until smooth. Let rest 10-20 minutes. The dough should be like pancake batter – thin with more milk if necessary. 2. Meanwhile, saute onion in butter until golden. Set aside. 2. Preheat oven to 350. Drop nocken through the holes in a sieve (see techniques) into simmering water. Cook until the nocken float. 3. Remove the nocken from the water with a strainer. Place in a buttered casserole or oven-safe pan. 4. Sprinkle with grated cheese and caramelized onion. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Serve out of pan. Austrian Spaetzle with cheese …

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Australian Damper Bread

Serves 8-10 This dense frontier bread is traditionally cooked in hot campfire embers. Enjoy plain, with jam and butter, or dunked in chicken noodle soup. This recipe can safely be halved. Ingredients: 8 cups flour 1 Tbsp salt 1/4 cup baking powder 1/4 cup sugar 2.5 cups milk, plus more as needed Method: 1. Preheat oven to 425F. Grease a lasagna pan with butter or vegetable oil. 2. Add salt, baking powder, and sugar to a small bowl. Whisk to combine. In a large bowl, whisk together flour with the other dry ingredients until evenly distributed. Add milk and stir with a wooden spoon to form a stiff dough. Some extra milk may be needed, but take care not to make it too wet. 3. Press evenly into pan. Cut lines 1/4″ into the dough with a sharp knife. 4. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden. Serve hot or room temperature. Australian Damper Bread Votes: 2 Rating: 3 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe This dense frontier bread is traditionally cooked in hot campfire …

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Armenian Bulgur Pilaf Salad | Itch

Serves 8 This colorful salad reminds me of tabouli. The orange hue comes from the pureed tomatoes. Serve at room temperature with grilled chicken or lamb. Ingredients: 1, 15 ounce can diced plum tomatoes 1/2 cup olive oil 2 cups chopped onion 2 cups bulgur 1/4 cup lemon juice salt pepper 1 small jalapeno, minced 1 large red bell pepper, diced 1 large red onion, diced 8 scallions, sliced 1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley 1-2 cups very hot water (add as needed) Method: 1. Saute onions in oil over medium heat until golden. Add tomatoes and liquid and bring to a boil. Puree. 2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Cover and let stand for 45 minutes, until the liquid is completely absorbed. 3. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Let stand at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve cold or at room temperature. Armenian Bulgur Pilaf Salad | Itch Votes: 3 Rating: 5 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe This colorful salad reminds me of tabouli. The orange hue comes from the pureed tomatoes. Serve at room …

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Armenian Stuffed Grape Leaves | Yalanchi Sarma

Serves 4-8 (makes 20) This is a delicious variation on traditional stuffed grape leaves we see in supermarket salad bars. The Armenians make stuffed grape leaves without an intense vinegar brine. Instead, earthy cinnamon and currants carry the flavor. Just wonderful! Ingredients: 1 16 oz jar grape leaves 6 Tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced (about a cup) 1/2 cup basmati rice 2 Tbsp tomato paste 3 Tbsp dried currants 1 Tbsp lemon juice 3/4 cup water salt 1/4 cup pine nuts 1/2 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp ground allspice 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 4 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley Method: 1. Saute onion in olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. After they begin to turn golden about 5 minutes), add rice, tomato paste, currants, and lemon juice. Cook for one minute longer. NOTE: Currants are like tiny raisins: 2. Add water and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook until just cooked, about 15 minutes. 3. Turn off heat. Add pine nuts, sugar, allspice, cinnamon, and parsley. 4. Stuff leaves …

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Armenian Hazelnut Cake in Honey Syrup | Revani

Serves 8 This dense cake has a muffin like texture. Depending on how coarse you grind the nuts, you can experience quite a bit of “crunch.”  Serve chilled or room temperature with vanilla ice cream. Ingredients: For syrup: 1 cup water 3/4 cup sugar 2 Tbsp honey 2 pieces cinnamon stick 2 lemon slices 3 Tbsp brandy For Cake: 4 large eggs, separated 1/2 cup sugar 3 Tbsp vegetable oil 1/4 cup greek yogurt 1 cup flour 1 1/2 cups toasted, skinned, ground hazelnuts (you can grind them up in a food processor) 1/3 cup ground walnuts 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 orange, zested 1 lemon, zested optional garnish – hazelnut halves Method: For the syrup: 1. Combine all syrup ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Let cool. For the Cake: 1. Preheat the oven to 325F. Grease a 12 x 9 pan with vegetable oil. 2. In a large bowl, beat egg yolks with sugar until light yellow and a ribbon forms. Add oil, yogurt, flour, …

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Armenian White Bean Plaki | Lupia Plaki

Serves 8 This dish can be enjoyed hot or cold. We served the Plaki cold in an Armenian Meza style dinner (cold buffet) and scooped it up with flatbread. Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups dried Great Northern Beans, soaked overnight in water 1 Tbsp salt 2-3 medium carrots, peeled and diced 1 celery stalk, diced 1/2 cup diced onion 1 can diced plum tomatoes, drained 2 Tbsp tomato paste 1/3 cup olive oil 8 cloves garlic, quartered 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp Hungarian paprika 1/2 tsp cayenne 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley and stems 2 cloves, crushed chopped celery leaves (optional garnish) Method: 1. Add beans to a large pot. Add enough water to cover 1″ and salt. Simmer until almost done. 2. Add remaining ingredients, except for crushed garlic and celery leaves, and cook another 30 minutes. 3. Take off heat and add crushed garlic and celery leaves. Serve warm or cold. Adjust seasonings before serving if necessary. Beware of Baby. Armenian White Bean Plaki | Lupia Plaki Votes: 0 Rating: 0 You: Rate this recipe! Print …

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Armenian Spiced Feta | Brinza

Serves 4-8 Spiced feta is wonderful wrapped up in flatbread with fresh herbs. Feel free to improvise on this recipe with your favorite herbs and spices. Ingredients: 1/2 lb feta cheese 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 tsp Hungarian paprika 1/2 tsp dried tarragon 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp dried cilantro 1/4 tsp sumac (optional garnish) 2-6 sprigs each of basil, oregano, mint, and chives Method: 1. Spread fresh herbs down in a shallow serving dish. Slice feta into 4 slices. Arrange on top of herbs. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, paprika, and dried herbs. Drizzle over feta. Let sit for at least an hour, or over night. Right before serving, sprinkle with ground sumac. Armenian Spiced Feta | Brinza Votes: 1 Rating: 5 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe Spiced feta is wonderful wrapped up in flatbread with fresh herbs. Feel free to improvise on this recipe with your favorite herbs and spices. CourseAppetizers & Snacks, Sides & Salads LifestyleGluten-Free, Potluck Friendly, Vegetarian Servings Prep Time 4-8 …

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Cucumber and Yogurt Dip | Jajik

Serves 6 Serve this refreshing dip with toasted pita chips. You’ll be cool as a cucumber even on a hot day. Ingredients: 2 cups greek yogurt 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed 2 medium cucumbers, peeled, grated, and squeezed dry with paper towels (see photo at bottom of recipe). 2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint 1 tsp dried cilantro 2 Tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp ground sumac for garnish (optional) Method: 1. Combine all ingredients in a serving bowl, except for sumac. Cover and refrigerate at least an hour or over night for flavors to mingle. If left to sit overnight the liquids will separate. Just stir to combine again. 2. Garnish with ground sumac. Serve with pita chips or lavash (flatbread). Cucumber and Yogurt Dip | Jajik Votes: 1 Rating: 5 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe Serve this refreshing dip with toasted pita chips. You’ll be cool as a cucumber even on a hot day. CourseAppetizers & Snacks LifestylePotluck Friendly, Vegetarian Food TypeDips, Vegetables Servings Prep Time 6 people 15 minutes Passive Time 1 hour Servings Prep Time …

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