We graduate in 16 days! I can't even believe it. Wino Wednesday is something I want to continue next year. We all won't all be right down the street from each other, but it'll be a great and easy way to make sure we all stay in touch! Plus, who doesn't like food and wine?!
Annie and I made dinner, Annie made Chicken Picatta (recipe already on website) and I made a Citrus Rice Salad that was delicious! It's perfect for either lunch or dinner.
Citrus Rice Salad
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cups brown basmati rice, rinsed
- 3/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 medium orange, zested
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 cup thinly sliced green onions
- Vinaigrette recipe follows
Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely, about 15 minutes
In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock, salt and oil to a boil over medium-high heat Stir in the rice. Cover the saucepan, reduce the heat, and simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender, about 40 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Using a fork, fluff the rice and place in a large serving bowl. Add the parsley, orange zest, half of the lemon zest, green onions, and 1/4 cup of the almonds. Toss well.
For the Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Pour the vinaigrette over the rice mixture and stir well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with the remaining lemon zest and almonds.
Bow-Tie Cookies with Chocolate Dipping Sauce
This was our 'snack' during Wino Wednesday, I need to start having healthier snacks! Haha but for now, these cookies are so delicious and the left-over chocolate sauce can be used as pudding for the next night dessert! If you decide to use Filo paper (which I did) instead or pastry dough, the filo paper cooks A LOT faster, so it only needs 6-10 minutes instead of 14 minutes using pastry dough.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 a (17 1/4-ounce) package frozen puff pastry (1 sheet)
- 1/2 cup homemade almond paste (or store bought if you can find it!)
- yields about 2 cups
- 1 lb blanches almonds
- 1 (16 oz) package confectioner sugar
- 3 eggs whites
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 egg yolk, white reserved
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons milk
- 1 egg white
- Sugar, for sprinkling
- Chocolate Dipping Sauce, recipe follows
Let pastry stand at room temperature for 20 minutes or until easy to roll. Unfold pastry on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 14-inch square. Cut square in half with a fluted pastry wheel.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Almond paste: I couldn't find almond past anywhere in Waco, and when I looked it up online. It was really expensive. So I looked up a recipe for it at the store (thanks to my IPhone!). Grind almonds in a blender. Thoroughly mix in confectioners sugar. Beat egg whites slightly, then stir into the almond mixture. Add almond extract, using your hands to blend the heavy mixture.
For filling: crumble almond paste in a small mixing bowl. Add egg yolk, brown sugar, and milk. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed. Spread filling over 1 pastry half . Place remaining pastry half on top of filling. Using the fluted pastry wheel, cut dough crosswise into fourteen 1-inch-wide strips. Then cut each strip in half crosswise to make 28 pieces.
Twist each piece twice. Place twists about 2 inches apart on cookie sheets lined with foil or parchment paper. Brush twists with slightly beaten egg white. Sprinkle with sugar (coarse sugar if available).
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Serve with Chocolate Dipping Sauce.
Chocolate Dipping Sauce:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 (1.5-ounce) milk chocolate bars
- 2 cups whipping cream
- 1 egg yolk, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla