Rice is Nice

Comfort food. Just a few ingredients; no mixer or oven, just a spoon, pot and a flame. And patience. Almost an hour's worth. Then the chill.


The thing about rice pudding is that it's a great place to start. I've added a cherry or two. It's also presents options on a dessert buffet when served in a small glass.


And did you notice how many rice pudding places have opened up within the last few years? The Upper East Side is bursting with people from Wall Street... any partners out there looking to start a business? We all need some comfort.

Sultans of Swing

The Kugelhopf mold came from Bridge Kitchenware, who has since moved to New Jersey. The bread-cake selected by The All-purpose Girl of TWD is baked in a mold with twisted or turban-like ridges.


The batter needs rest, both chilled and on the counter...or in this case a closed unheated oven.


Not too sweet and contrast of texture with a slight buttery crunch.


Cuppa tea please.

Dough Re Mi

Rugelach dough is my pretend puff pastry without the wait. TWD's host this week Piggy's Cooking Journal offers Rugelach. It's a half moon shaped, croissant like flaky cookie, filled with mini-sized juicy currents, bittersweet chocolate chips and organic chopped walnuts that provide big flavor. This magical dough puffs when baked. Also, this versatile dough is perfect for cardamom-sugared palmiers or pain au chocolat. Follow the links to the recipe.


Making them is kind of like making a pizza. Roll the chilled dough disk into a flat circle. Add the filling and cover with parchment and press gently into the dough. Divide the dough into 16ths and roll-up starting with the 'crust' into a crescent. Chill. Before baking, brush with egg whites and sprinkle with sugar.


Into the oven they go.


Rugelach is my comfort cookie. Recipes like Dori's are passed down to the next generation. It's always a welcome gift to give. Everyone loves them.

Piece of Cake

These Chocolate-Chocolate cupcakes are a perfect balance of flavors. Moist cocoa mini cakes, dipped in bittersweet chocolate. Layers of flavor.


Scooped out chilled cake is filled in with whipped marshmallow fluff... and butter.


Careful not to overbake these little ones.




After a dip in the glaze, a roll in the sanding sugar adds to the autumn look. Thank you iheartfood4thought for this selection. Check out the other TWD posts this week.

Pumpkin Muffins

With the drop in temperature, I was happy to make Sarabeth's spicy pumpkin muffins. Sarabeth's is THE iconic brunch bakery/restaurant on the Upper West and East Side where the wait is way too long for me. To open a bakery/restaurant, this would be the model. Thanks to Kelly from Sounding My Barbaric Gulp! of TWD, these little jewels are at my fingertips!


Moist pumpkin muffins have just a touch of sweetness.


Finished with sprinkles of sunflower seeds. Very healthy. Half the flour was replaced with whole wheat flour. Nice texture.


Autumn pumpkin treat.

Biscotti

In Italy, there's always biscotti. Dorie picked a winner by including local restaurant Lenox Room's almond and cornmeal biscotti in the Baking: From My Home to Yours book. This special treat is great to dip and sip with Vin Santo, the wine of the saints. The TWD's selection is made by Canela & Comino.


Cornmeal adds the crunch.


Two long logs. To keep from spreading, chill just a bit.


Twice baked and cut on a 45 degree angle.


Drizzle with caramel. Hide a few for yourself.


Lenox Room is now closed. Tony, the owner went nut-free and re-opened as a steakhouse. Biscotti are no longer on the menu. I'll always have Florence.

Caramel Crunch...

With salted peanuts and chocolate too. Caramel is about feeling good. Wee Treats by Tammy from Tuesdays With Dorie assigned this recipe of happiness. Once in a while, everyone indulges in caramel. From dulce de leche to caramel apples and those amazing cubes of salted caramel candy? it's a seductive flavor that melts slowly in the mouth.


This complexity of sweetness, has a few rules of preparation. Patience is the key to success. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, let the sugar absorb the liquid. Well maybe one stir.


Add medium heat. And wait.




Watch for the bubbles. Pay attention.


Once boiled, now swirl the pan and continue to cook for the desired color.


Move the pan off heat and add the butter and cream. Stir.

And, there was a brownie cake beneath all that too. Well, another time for that.