Pecan Squares Ala The Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla and almond extracts. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter/sugar mixture. Add the pecans and mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
• Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut into 2 1/2-inch squares with a plain or fluted cutter (or cut into any shape you like). Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature and serve.

Steps:

• Cream the cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the salt, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour and mix until just combined. Dump the dough out onto a well-floured board and roll it into a ball. Cut the ball in quarters, wrap each piece in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• To make the filling, combine 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar, the brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the raisins, and walnuts.
• On a well-floured board, roll each ball of dough into a 9-inch circle. Spread the dough with 2 tablespoons apricot preserves and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the filling. Press the filling lightly into the dough. Cut the circle into 12 equal wedges?cutting the whole circle in quarters, then each quarter into thirds. Starting with the wide edge, roll up each wedge. Place the cookies, points tucked under, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Brush each cookie with the egg wash. Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on the cookies. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crust, beat the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, until light, approximately 3 minutes.
• Add the eggs and the vanilla and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Mix the dry ingredients into the batter with the mixer on low speed until just combined.
• Press the dough evenly into an ungreased 18 by 12 by 1-inch baking sheet, making an edge around the outside. It will be very sticky; sprinkle the dough and your hands lightly with flour.
• Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned.
• Allow to cool.
• For the topping, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, and zests in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan.
• Cook over low heat until the butter is melted, using a wooden spoon to stir.
• Raise the heat and boil for 3 minutes.
• Remove from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and pecans.
• Pour over the crust, trying not to get the filling between the crust and the pan.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold.
• Cut into bars.
• Dip one end in chocolate, if desired.
• Flatten cupcake papers and top each with a bar.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 12-by-18-by-1-inch sheet pan with olive oil.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and saute for 5 minutes, until it begins to brown. Add the leeks and saute for 5 minutes, until tender. Add the zucchini and thyme and saute for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Stir in two-thirds of the Gruyere and the basil.
• Pour the zucchini mixture in an even, well distributed layer into the prepared sheet pan. Pour the egg mixture over the top and sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere. Shake the pan to evenly distribute the egg mixture. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until puffed and just set in the center. Allow to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Cut the frittata into 30 equal size squares, sprinkle with salt, garnish with the julienned basil and serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 12-by-18-by-1 1/2-inch half sheet pan.
• Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a 12-inch saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the potatoes and fry them until cooked through, turning often, 10 to 15 minutes. Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter in a small saute pan and set aside.
• Meanwhile, whisk the eggs in a large bowl, then stir in the ricotta, Gruyere, melted butter, salt, pepper, and basil. Sprinkle on the flour and baking powder and stir into the egg mixture.
• Distribute the potatoes over the bottom of the sheet pan. Pour the egg mixture over the potatoes and spread evenly. Bake the frittata until it is browned and puffed, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow the frittata to cool and cut into 20 single-serving squares.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Spray a sheet pan with the cooking spray or brush it lightly with oil.
• Place the egg white in a large bowl and whisk vigorously for 15 seconds, until light and frothy. Whisk in the brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, chile powder, cloves, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the pecans and mix well, until thoroughly coated. Pour the mixture, including any liquid, onto the prepared pan and spread in a single layer. Bake for 30 minutes, tossing twice with a metal spatula. Each time you toss the pecans, spread them out again in one layer. When they're done, sprinkle with fleur de sel and allow to cool completely; they will crisp as they cool. Serve at room temperature.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Crust:.
• Cream butter and sugar in large mixing bowl, until light, approximately 3 minutes.
• Add the eggs and the vanilla and mix well.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Mix the dry ingredients into the batter with the mixer on low speed until just combined.
• Press the dough evenly into an ungreased 18 by 12 by 1-inch baking sheet, making an edge around the outside. It will be very sticky; sprinkle the dough and your hands lightly with flour.
• Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned. Allow to cool.
• Topping:.
• Combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, and zests in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat until the butter is melted, using a wooden spoon to stir. Raise the heat and boil for 3 minutes.
• Remove from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and pecans.
• Pour over the crust, trying not to get the filling between the crust and the pan.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Cut into bars and serve.

Steps:

• In a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the two chocolates, coffee, coffee powder, Grand Marnier, Armagnac, and vanilla extract. Cool to room temperature. Beat in the softened butter.
• Meanwhile, place the egg yolks and the 1/2 cup of sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on high speed for about 5 minutes, until pale yellow; when you lift the beater, the mixture will fall back on itself in a ribbon. With the mixer on low speed, blend in the chocolate mixture. Transfer to a larger mixing bowl.
• Measure 1 cup of egg whites and freeze or discard the rest. Combine the cup of egg whites with a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon of the remaining sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on high speed until stiff but not dry. Mix half of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture; then fold the rest in carefully with a rubber spatula.
• In the same bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the heavy cream and the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar until firm. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Pour the mousse into a 2-quart serving dish. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for a few hours or overnight and up to a week.
• Decorate with sweetened whipped cream just before serving.