Wonderful News and Easter Brunch Idea

If you’re still searching for an Easter Brunch recipe, look no further.  I have a great suggestion for you.  Brie and Prosciutto Tart!  Yes, I know I’ve blog about this recipe before.  It’s worth revisiting because….guess what?  I’ve won the Grand Prize on the Country Woman Magazine’s Breakfast & Brunch Recipe Contest with this recipe.  Woohoo….



I’m thrilled and honored that my recipe is featured on Country Woman Magazine’s April/May issue.  Check it out at the news stand and get a copy if you haven’t.  There are many other delicious recipes, crafting ideas (which I can definitely use some tips on), gardening tips and so much more.  Check out the beautiful picture (below) of the tart that they’ve re-created.  I love it. 



So, are you convinced to give this recipe a try?  I hope you are.    Best of all, you can prebake the crust the day before and only prepare the filling on the day you plan to serve this tart.  While the tart is baking, you can prepare a side salad or pour yourself a glass of mimosa and relax.    Wish you all a Happy Easter Weekend.

Spinach, Brie and Prosciutto Tart with Pecan Crust

Every once in a while, I love to enjoy a Sunday Brunch Buffet with my family.  The Golf Club House where my hubby and I tied the knot (years ago) offers a fabulous Live Jazz Sunday Champagne Bruch.  The quality of the food is great and the price is reasonable.  It’s only a few blocks away from where we live now.  The problem is, I tend to eat a lot more than I should at the buffet!  Don’t you want to try a little bit of everything they offer?  Well, even with a small bite of every dish, it’s still over my calories intake limits, especially with a few glasses of mimosas!  Yeah, although mimosa is in liquid form, it’s not calorie free (like how I wish).  What’s the solution?  Dine at home of course.     



So, what’s for brunch this weekend?  Spinach, Brie and Prosciutto Tart with Pecan Crust!  It’s really easy to prepare and you can pre-bake the crust the day before so you can still sleep-in on the day you want to make the tart.  Plus, you get to relax and dine in at home.  No need to get up early, dress up, fix your hair and get the kids ready…etc.  You can enjoy a lovely brunch in your robe and slippers!  Ha! I bet the buffet can’t beat that!   ;)  Not to mention, it’s way cheaper than dining out. 



Are you sold on this idea yet?  I hope you are because I’m really happy that I did.  This Spinach-Brie and Prosciutto Tart with Pecan Crust was amazing.  As I was taking pictures soon after the tart came out of the oven, I couldn’t help but noticed the wonderful aromas from it.  The texture of the pecan crust was crumbly with a nice crunch from the edges.  The flavor of the crust was buttery and nutty with a hint of sweetness.  The shallots was mild in onion flavor and complimented well with other ingredients without over powdering other flavors.  The custard was velvety and the salty prosciutto on top added a nice crunch.  The creamy brie on top melted beautifully and added a sophisticated cheese flavor.  I would definitely make this again, and again.             

Bittersweet Chocolate Dipped Almond Biscotti

For those who knows me well would probably remember which “meal” is a must have at our house.  Yes, that’s right, the afternoon tea!  Most of the time, we preferred something light, yet satisfying.  It’s just a little pick-me-up in the afternoon, rather than something too heavy that may ruin the appetite for dinner.  That’s why we love these chocolate biscotti.  They are the perfect size for afternoon snacks, or mid-morning snacks.  Along with a cup of tea, mocha, or milk for dipping, you’re all set.  Before I started to make my own biscotti, I used to buy these Nonni’s Chocolate Dipped Almond Biscotti from Costco.  Somehow, they vanished from all Costco stores!  After cruising up and down all the food isles twice, I panic for a while and didn’t know what to do! 

    

I even checked out another Costco location!  Unfortunately, they didn’t have them either.  Now they only carry the regular ones with a tiny little bit of chocolate drizzled on top.  NO, NO, NO!  I need my chocolate fix!  So, I went to some other stores to see if I have any luck!  But again, I was disappointed.  Before I turn to the internet as the last resort, I came across this recipe from the December issue of Food and Wine Magazine….the Chocolate-and-Pistachio Biscotti!  They look just like the Nonni’s ones I love, except the recipe calls for a different type of nuts.  So, I went into the kitchen right the way, gathered and measured all my ingredients, made some adjustments on the recipe and started making these delicious treats.





After all the measuring, beating, shaping, baking, cutting, dipping, cooling, waiting, and finally, tasting…I’m a happy girl again!  Didn’t people say chocolate, especially dark chocolate, helps improve ones mood?  Don’t just listen to me, here’s what the experts have to say.  Whether you need to de-stress, satisfy your sweet tooth, fight off the mid-morning hunger, or simply want to try something chocolaty and delicious, this is the perfect treat for you.  After you give these biscotti a try, I’m sure you’ll like this recipe as much as I do!

Prosciutto di Parma with Smoke Gouda Crescent--TangZhong Method (湯種法) **With Video Instructions**

  


You bet!  My dear readers, here comes another bread recipes with TangZhong Method (湯種法).  As I mentioned before, this TangZhong Method is one of the best method I’ve discovered for bread making.  TangZhong method really keeps the bread soft and fluffy for days!  That is if they last that long around your house.  They usually gone pretty quickly in my home. 





As some of you requested, I included a video showing some steps when I made these crescents.  I suggest you to read the recipe once before watching the video.  I know, I know, the recipe might seems complicated, but it’s really quite simple and easy.  That’s why I include a video on the instructions.  Once you watched the video, you’ll say, “ah-ha, that’s easy!”  :)    I hope you’ll enjoy watching the video and be inspired to try this recipe out.  You and your family will be really happy that you did. 





The picture above is how the crescent looks inside, isn’t it lovely?  Hm…with the swirl of prosciutto and melted cheese, every single bite is a winner.  It’s perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.  These are the best pick-me-up in the afternoon.  Alright, enough said, let’s roll the film, shall we?  “In 3-2-1, actions!”  Oh wait, before we start, I want to thank my hubby for being the director and producer of this video.  Special lighting effect from Amy’s kitchen, hair and make up…okay, okay I’m just teasing, let’s watch the video!  Oh…one last thing before we roll (I promise), the first part of the video shows how to shape and fill the dough.  The second part shows how to apply egg wash before putting them into the oven.  Enjoy!







Note: If your computer and internet connection are fast enough, you may want to watch the video with HD quality.  Simply change the setting from 360p to 720p from the lower right hand corner of the video screen.