DAZZLING DINNERS: Recipes, Decor and More
You are inviting people to dinner. You want them to adore the food, have great conversation and lots of fun. You want to excite their minds as well as their palates. After they leave, you want them to rave about the party to everyone they know. You need a dazzling dinner.
​
Dazzling dinner are not necessarily formal or elegant, and they certainly are not conventional. Dazzling dinners are distinctive and exceptional. They have themes that capture the imagination and are played out in delightful decor and fabulous food. Dazzling dinners are fun to think about, fun to carry out, and great fun for your guests. If you like food, or entertaining, or stepping out of the box, you will adore doing a dazzling dinner. It will be entertainment for your guests and recreation for you. Twelve chapters set out the Dazzling Dinner Plans, one inspired by each month of the year. Everything you need to know and do for a super-special evening is detailed in each Plan.
APPETIZER
Baby Beets & Creme Fraiche
with Sorrel & Chives
"Spring Into Summer" Dinner
MAIN
Curried Meatloaf
with Pomegranate Reduction
"Grandma's Food - NOT!" Dinner
DESSERT
Tiramisu Cake
With Rum, Lime and Banana
"A Caribbean Columbus Day" Dinner
JANUARY
ALL WRAPPED UP
Inspiration: January, The Dead of Winter
​
Your guests will arrive all wrapped up and they’ll stay warm and cozy with foods handsomely wrapped and suitably scrumptious.
COOK’S INTRODUCTION
The holidays have come and gone, the days are darker and temperatures have dipped. We all want to ward off winter’s bleakness, so now is the perfect time to gather with guests to share the warmth of friendship flavored with fun.
What could be better than food that’s all wrapped up for the occasion? Everything is wrapped, so each dish is seasoned with mystery and surprise, a strategy guaranteed to build intrigue and interest. Handsome wrappings and alluring aromas will entice your guests. Contrasting textures and warm, satisfying tastes will reward each bite they take. Soup and salad supply special surprises. The soup’s golden-brown puff pastry splits open with a cloud of fragrant steam, the antithesis of winter cold. Later, endive leaves unfold like a flower, alluding to the coming of spring.
​
Wrappings not only warm us, they comfort us too. From swaddling, an ancient practice used to soothe infants, to the cozy security of a shawl around one’s shoulders, a wrap conveys contentment and well-being – as do familiar foods. To maintain and enhance these feelings, this dinner features familiar foods, tweaked just enough to suit the intrigue stirred up by their wrappings.
​
So there you have it. In the dead of winter, put on your favorite wrap or scarf, gather your guests and get
ALL WRAPPED UP!
Appropriate for: Anytime in January, of course, or whenever it’s cold outside.
MENU
ALL WRAPPED UP
You have arrived all wrapped up and we intend that you stay warm and cozy with foods
handsomely wrapped and suitably scrumptious.
Cocktail
Mulled Wine
Wrapped in spicy warmth
Appetizers
Mascarpone with Capers and Dill
Wrapped in Smoked Salmon and Arugula
Fillet Mignon with Anchovy/Tarragon Mayonnaise
Wrapped in Flour Tortilla
Pear with Balsamic Vinegar
Wrapped in Baked Parmesan Cheese
Soup
Fennel and Leek Bisque
Wrapped in Puff Pastry
Main
Pork Tenderloins and Sage Leaves
in Prosiutto
Saute of Swiss Chard with Dried Cranberries and Pine Nuts
Wrapped in Chard Leaves Poached in Merlot
Mushrooms in Mushroom Syrup
Wrapped in French Bread Crust
Salad
Mesclun with Vanilla-Vodka Vinaigrette
Wrapped in Belgian Endive with Scallion Ties
Desserts
Rhubarb and Blood Orange Coffee Cake
Wrapped in Fondant
Anjou Pears Baked in Chardonnay
Wrapped in Dessert Crepes, Drizzled with Honey and Cream
​
THAT’S A WRAP!
BACKING UP THE THEME
Souvenir Menus
Basic: Print, preferably on cream-colored or parchment paper, the menu shown above. It will look quite distinctive if rolled and tied with a fancy ribbon.
Ornamental: Wrap it up, of course. Choose paper with a warm-looking pattern on one side. Print the menu on the plain side. Roll and tie the menu with an appropriate ribbon. Then, group all the menus together vertically and tie with a broad, fancy, warmth-generating ribbon. You may wish to wait until all guests arrive and then have each person select one from the all-wrapped-up menus.
Symbols. “All Wrapped Up” is about warmth and comfort. Wraps are the pivotal symbol and each recipe involves a wrap. Other symbols of warmth and comfort include soft light, a roaring fireplace, furry blankets, stuffed animals and deep cushions. Use them to create a cozy atmosphere.
Color. From cream to chocolate, brown hues express warmth. Subdued colors convey the same message, as do auburns in the red family, golds in the yellow family and deep forest green.
Table decor. Make sure your dinner table radiates warmth and light. For the centerpiece, create an ice luminary, a gorgeous creation of winter symbols (evergreens and red berries) wrapped up in ice with a small candle glowing with warmth in the center. (Instructions are included in the recipe section.)
Use linens in brown shades, incorporating some contrast. Examples are tablecloth or placemats in taupe with creamy napkins (or vice versa) or cream with forest green or auburn. Similarly, use dishes that reflect warmth. If you can, avoid white china, which has a cold, formal look. In keeping with the theme, wrap each set of flatware in the guest’s napkin.
Other decor. Throw a decorative blanket on your sofa, perhaps a faux mink blanket. If you have a fireplace, light a roaring fire. Keep the lighting low, but be extravagant with candles.
​
Welcome your guests wearing your favorite wrap or neck scarf. Wrap your appetizer dishes for an enchanting preamble to the evening ahead. Enclose each dish in a beautiful cloth, scarf or shawl, or large napkin. You could use coordinating shades of tissue paper, although paper does not communicate warmth as well as cloth. If you have one, a three-tier cake stand enclosed in handsome fabric will beguile your guests when you lead them to your coffee table in the living room. Unwrap it with panache for an awesome start to the evening.
Music. The occasion calls for soft, relaxing music. New Age or spa music are the best possibilities for most groups of guests.
Favor. Blood oranges, available only during winter months, make a delicious and appropriate take home souvenir. Place two or more in a decorative pouch or wrap in festive paper.
Note for favor: We hope that you will enjoy these blood oranges. Unwrap (i.e., peel) these jewels of the citrus family to reveal segments as lush in coloring as they are luscious in taste.
​
BEVERAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
Opening Cocktail. Warm and spicy, mulled wine makes a perfect start for this dinner. You’ll need two bottles of (preferably inexpensive!) fruity red wine such as Zinfandel. Place 2 cups in a large, heavy saucepan. Add ¼ cup sugar, one peeled orange in thin slices, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 allspice berries, 5 thin slices of fresh ginger, ¼ teaspoon anise seeds or 2 star anise and 10 cloves. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring to dissolve sugar. Take off heat and strain. You may prepare this mixture up to 8 hours in advance. Just before guests arrive, stir in the rest of the 2 bottles of wine and gently heat for 3 minutes. Do not boil. Gently reheat as necessary. Ideally, serve in glass mugs and garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick.
Soup. Make it a buttery Chardonnay and use the same one in the soup.
Main. A red wine with medium body, such as a Chianti reserve, will work well.
After Dinner. A good cognac or brandy to warm your guests before their departure makes a cordial conclusion.
ICE LUMINARY
This unusual and beautiful centerpiece nicely reflects the evening’s theme. The evergreens and berries are all wrapped up in ice and the candle, too, is inside. The ice represents winter’s cold; the evergreens and berries, its beauty. The candle flame conveys warmth and its comfort in the face of winter’s cold.
Note
Up to 1 month and at least 2 days prior to use: Complete the luminary.
Components
½-gallon empty cardboard (not plastic) container (e.g., for milk or juice).
1 small plastic garbage bag
8-ounce empty aluminum can (e.g., for soda or juice)
1 cup of marbles, stones or other weights
Ice cubes, approximately 1 tray
3-4 sprigs of holly or other evergreen, plus 3-4 more for tray decoration
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup of cranberries or raspberries
1 tea-light candle
1 serving tray
​
Instructions
-
From bottom of cardboard container, measure up 7 inches and cut off remainder. Line the container with plastic bag. Press into the corners and smooth up the sides as much as possible.
-
Place several ice cubes at the bottom of the container. Fill can with weights and place can on ice cubes so that it will be aligned with top of container. Continue placing ice cubes into the container all around the can until ice is flush with top of the container. Be sure that no ice cubes enter the can.
-
Insert holly or evergreens of your choice around the interior of the container between the ice cubes, being careful not to move the can. To keep the berries in place, add crushed ice.
-
Fill the container with water to top of container and freeze until solid, approximately 24 hours.
-
Remove from freezer when frozen solid. Empty the weights from the inner can. Fill the can with hot tap water until you can work the can out gently. Once it is removed, place container on a tray with a rim to catch melting ice. Carefully peel away the container and remove the plastic liner from the luminary surface. Decorate the tray with additional greenery. Insert the candle where you removed the can, light and enjoy!
APPETIZERS
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
MASCARPONE WITH CAPERS AND DILL
Wrapped in Smoked Salmon and Arugula
This dish is a sensual symphony of color, taste and texture. With each bite, the firm, smoky flesh of coral salmon yields to soft white cream and emerald counterpoints of parsley, tangy capers, sharp chives and peppery arugula. Serves 8.
Notes
Yield: 8 wraps
Up to 2 hours ahead: Complete wraps; cover and refrigerate.
Ingredients
Cheese
6 ounces mascarpone at room temperature
1 tablespoon scallion, white part only, minced
1 tablespoon small capers, rinsed well
1 tablespoon fresh Italian (flat) parsley, minced
½ tablespoon fresh dill, minced
½ teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
16 arugula leaves (or other peppery lettuce such as watercress), stems removed
Wrap
¾ pound smoked salmon, cut into 8 lengths, each 2x4 inches
Toothpicks
Garnish
9 lemon wedges
Parsley sprigs
Preparation
-
Mix all cheese ingredients in a small bowl. Divide into 8 spoonfuls.
-
For the wrap, place one arugula on the middle of each strip of salmon so that the top of the leaf projects past the salmon. Add a spoonful of cheese mixture onto the middle of the salmon strip. Add a second arugula leaf on top of the spoonful of cheese so that the leaf also projects past the top of the salmon once rolled. Roll and stand upright with arugula leaves pointing upward. Fasten with toothpick. Refrigerate until serving.
Presentation
Arrange lemon wedges radiating outward from the center of a circular serving plate. Place one end of each wrap in the space between 2 lemon wedges. Sprinkle parsley sprigs in between the rolls.
FILET MIGNON WITH ANCHOVY/TARRAGON MAYONAISSE
Wrapped in Flour Tortilla
Guaranteed, your guests will experience an explosion of taste as the contents of this wrap come in contact with their taste buds. Serves 8.
Notes
Yield: 8 wraps
Up to 4 hours in advance: Prepare mayonnaise spread. Cook steak; keep covered at room temperature.
Ingredients
Mayonnaise spread
2 garlic cloves, grated or minced
½ cup mayonnaise, preferably homemade
½ cup sour cream
1½ teaspoons anchovy paste, or 1 whole anchovy, drained and rinsed
1½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Steak
1 pound filet mignon
Wrap
4 flour tortillas, 8-inch size
1 bunch watercress
Toothpicks
Garnish
1 bunch watercress
Preparation
-
Mayonnaise spread. Mash garlic into a paste with a pinch of salt. In a small bowl, whisk together garlic paste, mayonnaise, sour cream, anchovy paste, lemon juice, tarragon and pepper. Set aside.
-
Steak. In broiler or on grill, cook filet mignon until medium rare or to your preference. Set aside for at least 15 minutes, then slice into 16 strips of equal thickness and length.
-
Wrap. Toast flour tortillas directly over flame on stovetop. Using tongs, turn to brown evenly. Transfer to a towel and cover until ready to fill.
-
Assemble. Slice tortillas in half. Spread each half with a layer of mayonnaise mixture and 2 slices of filet mignon, covering about half of the tortilla. Add a a few sprigs of watercress, roll and fasten with toothpick.
Presentation
Place wraps on serving dish and garnish platter with watercress.
​
PEAR WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR
Wrapped in Baked Parmesan Cheese
The combination of ripe pear, balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese is a popular party dish. Transform it by baking the cheese over the pear. Now, the soft, sweet pear contrasts with the crispy, savory cheese wrap. Balsamic vinegar adds an extra burst of flavor. Serves 8.
Notes
Yield: 24 wraps
Up to 2 hours in advance: Make dish through Step 3; place each piece on baking sheet; keep at room temperature
Ingredients
2 Bosc pears, cored
Good balsamic vinegar
4 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
Preparation
-
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Slice pears into 8 sections lengthwise. From those sections, cut 24 flat pieces, roughly triangular in shape, no more than 1 inch on a side and 1/8 inch thick. Put 1 or 2 drops of balsamic vinegar on each pear piece.
-
It is best to make the wraps in 3 batches. Use about 1 generous tablespoon of cheese for each wrap. On a plain baking sheet, form each spoonful into a circle about twice the size of the pear pieces. Don’t worry if the edges are a little uneven. Lightly flatten the center of the circle.
-
Bake in oven for 4-6 minutes, until cheese has melted but is not yet crisp. Remove baking sheet from oven and immediately place one pear piece at the edge of one circle. With a spatula, fold the cheese over the pear so that the edges of the cheese join and completely cover the pear. It will look like a half circle.
-
Return baking sheet to oven and bake for 1 minute. The cheese should be crisp and light golden brown in color.
Presentation
If not using a three-tier stand for the appetizers, use a small breadbasket for this appetizer. Spread a colorful napkin inside the basket, place the pear/Parmesan pieces on the napkin, then fold the napkin over them. Unwrap with panache!
SOUP
FENNEL AND LEEK BISQUE
Wrapped in Puff Pastry
This soup is a showstopper! The pastry over the bisque puffs up like a huge chef’s hat. A spoon breaks the hat and POOF! A cloud of fragrant steam! Serves 8.
Note
Up to 1 day in advance: Make soup; store covered in refrigerator; return to room temperature before reheating.
Ingredients
Soup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 medium leeks (white and pale green parts only), cut crosswise to ½-inch sections
2 medium potatoes, Yukon Gold preferred, peeled and cut into eighths
3 medium fennel bulbs, cored and roughly chopped
1 medium shallot, minced
2 cups vegetable or chicken stock, preferably homemade
1½ cups water
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
¼ cup chopped Italian (flat) parsley
​
Pastry topping
1 package (17 ounces) frozen puff pastry
8 ramekins, 8-ounce size, 4 inches in diameter
Preparation
-
In 6-8 quart stockpot over medium heat, melt butter. Cook leeks, potato, fennel and shallot until softened, about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
-
Lower heat and add stock, water, salt, pepper, cardamom and peppermint extract. Simmer uncovered until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in cream and simmer 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Do not allow to boil.
-
Purée soup in batches in blender until smooth. Transfer to ramekins. Sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon of chopped parsley.
-
For each ramekin, cover the top and ½-inch of the outsides with a 4½-inch square of pastry. Press the pastry against the side of the ramekin. Place ramekins on cookie sheet. Cook until pastry rises and turns light brown, about 12 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and serve.
Presentation
This is a simple one -- place ramekin on individual plate and serve!
MAIN
PORK TENDERLOINS AND SAGE LEAVES
Wrapped in Prosiutto
Pork and sage are a classic combination. In this preparation, sage does double duty by lending its dusky flavor to two distinct pork tastes. Prosiutto, dense and savory, encases the soft, sweet tenderloin slices and sage leaves. High heat and fast cooking preserve flavorful juices and the different dimensions of flavor. Serves 8.
Note
Up to 4 hours in advance: Prepare pork wraps through Step 3; cover tightly in plastic wrap; refrigerate; bring to room temperature before roasting.
​
Ingredients
8 slices boneless pork tenderloin, each about 6 ounces and ¾ inch thick
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16 large fresh sage leaves
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
8 wide slices of prosiutto, 1/8 inch thick
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Garnish
16 sage leaves
Preparation
-
Place oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 500ºF.
-
Place vinegar in a medium bowl and add sage leaves. Soak for 5 minutes then drain on paper towels.
-
Salt and pepper individual tenderloin rounds. Place 2 sage leaves on top of each pork tenderloin in a crisscross pattern.
-
Wrap 1 slice of speck over the sage leaves and around the tenderloin packages.
-
Place seam side down on a baking sheet. Brush oil over wrapped tenderloins. Roast for 10 minutes.
-
Transfer to a warmed serving platter. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Presentation
Serve tenderloins seam side down. Garnish each with 2 sage leaves.
SAUTÉ OF SWISS CHARD WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES AND PINE NUTS
Wrapped in Chard Leaves Poached in Merlot
This chard is chock-full of rich flavor with a filling that is a variation of the classic winter combination of dried fruit and nuts. The poaching liquid for the wrap subtly alters the chard’s flavor. Serves 8.
Note
Up to 4 hours in advance: Complete wraps; cover and keep at room temperature; warm before serving.
Ingredients
Chard Mixture
2 pounds Swiss chard, approximately 2 large bunches
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium sweet onion, finely chopped
¼ cup dried cranberries
1 cup vegetable broth, preferably homemade
1 teaspoon salt
1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded
Pinch of dried red pepper flakes
½ cup of pine nuts, toasted in skillet until light brown, seasoned with salt
Poached leaves
8 Swiss chard leaves
½ cup Merlot wine
½ cup vegetable broth
Salt and pepper
Preparation
1. Carefully remove stems from chard leaves. Set aside 8 outside leaves for
the wraps. Coarsely chop stems and remaining leaves and set aside separately.
-
Chard mixture. Heat oil and butter in heavy, large skillet over moderate heat and cook onion until soft, about 5 minutes.
-
Add chopped chard stems and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add dried cranberries and ½ cup broth. Simmer, covered, until stems are softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add chopped chard leaves, remaining ½ cup broth and salt. Simmer, partially covered, until leaves are tender, about 7 minutes. Season with pepper. Remove from heat and set aside. Add carrot, pepper flakes and toasted pine nuts to mixture and place mixture in bowl.
-
Poach outside leaves. In the same skillet, bring to boil vegetable broth and merlot. Reduce to simmer and add 2 chard leaves at a time. Poach 1 minute on each side. Drain on paper towel.
-
Assemble. Fill each leaf with a heaping tablespoon of the mixture. Roll and set on serving plate seam side down. Warm prior to serving.
Presentation
Present chard wraps on serving platter, preferably ivory or beige.
​
MUSHROOMS IN MUSHROOM SYRUP
Wrapped in French Bread Crust
A mushroom reduction intensifies the earthy flavor of mushrooms. The crisp wrap supplies contrast in texture. Serves 8.
Note
Up to 1 day in advance: Prepare mushroom syrup and mixture; cover and refrigerate; heat before serving.
Ingredients
Syrup
8 ounces white mushrooms
2 large shallots, minced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 cup water
1 cup dry white wine, preferably a Chardonnay
1 bay leaf, preferably fresh
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest
Mushroom mixture
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
2 medium shallots, minced
2 pounds mixed fresh mushrooms (preferably chanterelle, shiitake and cremini), stems discarded, roughly chopped
¼ cup chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Crust
1 loaf of crusty French bread
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
-
Syrup. Melt butter in large skillet over moderate heat. Sauté white mushrooms and shallots. Stir occasionally until the mushrooms begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Season with pepper. Add water, wine, herbs and lemon zest. Simmer briskly for 10 minutes and stir occasionally. Pour mixture through a strainer into a small skillet; press on solids until they no longer give up liquid. Discard solids (or save for soup stock). Boil until liquid is syrupy and coats a spoon, about 12-15 minutes. Set aside.
-
Mushroom mixture. In a large skillet over moderately high heat, sauté shallots in oil for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms, stirring often, until mushrooms begin to brown, approximately 15 minutes. Stir in parsley, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
-
Crust. Preheat oven to 500ºF. Cut 8 slices, each ½ inch thick, from the bread. Carefully remove inside soft bread (store for future use, e.g., making fresh bread crumbs), leaving unbroken rings of French bread crust. Mash the oil with the garlic and brush on crusts, inside and out. Season with salt and pepper. Place crusts on baking sheet in middle of oven and bake approximately 2 minutes or until lightly browned.
Presentation
Place toasted crusts on plate, fill with warm mushroom mixture and drizzle warm syrup over top. Serve immediately.
Plating the main
Place pork wrap at bottom center of plate. Position wrapped chard to one side above it and mushroom wrap to the other side.
SALAD
MESCLUN WITH VANILLA-VODKA VINAIGRETTE
Wrapped in Belgian Endive with Scallion Ties
Once untied, this salad gracefully unfolds like a flower while imparting the heady, sweet aroma of vanilla. Serves 8.
Notes
Yield: 8 lettuce wraps
Up to 4 hours in advance: Prepare vinaigrette; cover and refrigerate.
Up to 1 hour in advance: Assemble salad wraps; cover in plastic and refrigerate with bottoms in lemon water until serving.
Ingredients
Vinaigrette
4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
½ cup vanilla vodka
1 teaspoon honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
½ cup hazelnut oil
Salad
8 large heads of Belgian endive, bottom cores removed
4 cups mesclun
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Garnish
8 scallions, green part for ties
Preparation
-
Vinaigrette. Whisk together vinegar, vodka, honey, salt and pepper in small bowl. Add oil in slow stream, whisking until combined.
-
Salad. Remove 10-12 leaves from each endive and set aside. Tear mesclun into small pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Toss with vinaigrette.
-
Assemble. For each, in the palm of hand, place two endive leaves so their bottoms overlap. Continue adding leaves, 8-10 in total, overlapping them until it resembles a completed flower. Drop in ½ cup of dressed mesclun. Bring fingers together to close salad within endive leaves. If you need to add another endive leaf to ensure outside of packet is solid, do so at this point.
-
Wrap scallion tie around endive and pull ends into knot. Continue process to complete eight individual wraps.
Presentation
Stand each tied endive bunch in center of a flat, individual plate. Once scallion tie is removed, endive will unfold like a flower in bloom!
DESSERTS
RHUBARB AND BLOOD ORANGE COFFEE CAKE
Wrapped in Fondant
Rhubarb and blood orange, noted for their assertive sour flavors, combine to make a super sweet. Fondant, as wide as the cake is high, enwraps the sides. Serves 8.
Note
Up to 1 day in advance: Bake cake; cover and keep at room temperature.
Ingredients
Topping
1 cup demerara, turbinado or light brown sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated blood orange zest
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Cake
2 cups flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon grated blood-orange zest
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/3 teaspoon melted butter
1 cup of fresh squeezed blood orange juice
1½ cups chopped rhubarb, in ½-inch pieces (3-4 stalks)
Decoration
1 package of brown or pink fondant
1 tablespoon confectioner’s sugar
Preparation
-
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan.
-
Topping. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
-
Cake. In medium bowl, stir together the 5 dry ingredients. In small bowl, lightly beat eggs. Blend in vanilla, zest, cardamom, butter and blood orange juice. Combine egg and dry mixtures: stir until evenly combined.
-
Spread half the batter into pan and cover top evenly with chopped rhubarb. Spoon remaining batter on top; smooth. Sprinkle topping evenly over batter.
-
Bake for about 50 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on rack.
-
Follow package instructions to roll out fondant. Cut fondant with serrated cutting wheel or knife into 4 strips, each 8x1½ inches.
Presentation
Sprinkle a cake stand with powdered sugar. Place cake on it. Place fondant strips, one at a time, along the cake sides, bottom edge on plate. Pinch lengths together and smooth seams so that the fondant makes one continuous wrap.
ANJOU PEARS BAKED IN CHARDONNAY
Wrapped in Dessert Crêpe
The gentle sweetness of the pears, heightened and compounded by the baking liquid, harmonizes beautifully with the strong flavors of the rhubarb and blood orange cake. Serve warm with cool cream for added complexity in this duet of desserts. Serves 8.
Note
Up to 4 hours in advance: Complete steps 1-3; cover pears with plastic wrap and keep at room temperature; reheat gently just before serving.
Ingredients
Pears
1 cup Chardonnay wine
½ cup sparkling water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
4 firm Anjou pears, peeled, seeded and cut lengthwise in ½-inch-thick slices
Wrap
Package of dessert crêpes, 8 count, at room temperature
8 teaspoons mild blossom honey
8 tablespoons heavy cream, whipped
Garnish
Mint leaves
Preparation
-
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
-
In medium saucepan over medium heat, bring to a boil the wine, sparkling water, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Remove from heat, cover and set aside.
-
Brush a cookie sheet with melted butter. Line pan with pear slices and spoon wine mixture over pears. Bake for 20 minutes, basting every 5 minutes. Remove pears from pan and reserve pan liquid.
-
Divide pear slices into 8 portions. Place one portion of sliced pears in the middle of each crêpe and spoon some of the reserved liquid over the top. Roll the crêpes, drizzle each with 1 teaspoon honey and top with a dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately.
Presentation
Place crêpe on individual dessert plate and garnish with mint leaf.