Beignets With Rosemary Caramel And Local Honey Recipes

MASCARPONE SORBETTO WITH ROSEMARY HONEY

Steps:

• For the mascarpone sorbetto: Combine the sugar and 1 1/4 cups water in a small saucepan. Place over medium-low heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the lemon zest, lemon juice and salt. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the mascarpone to soften. Add the lemon syrup and whisk until smooth. Allow to cool completely to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Prepare your ice cream maker. Whisk the mascarpone mixture one more time to incorporate, and then freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer the sorbetto to the freezer to freeze completely.
• For the rosemary honey: Meanwhile, place the honey, rosemary and 2 tablespoons water in a small skillet. Bring to a simmer over low heat and simmer gently for about 5 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer and cool to room temperature.
• To serve, scoop the sorbetto into coupe glasses and drizzle with the desired amount of rosemary honey.

BEIGNETS

Steps:

• Put the milk, yeast and 1 teaspoon of the granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and mix on low to combine. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Add the butter, salt, egg and remaining granulated sugar to the bowl and mix on low speed to combine. Add the flour in 1/2-cup increments, mixing on low speed just until the dough becomes sticky and pliable, about 2 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put somewhere warm to rise, such as inside an unlit oven, until the dough is roughly doubled in size, about 2 hours. (You can also refrigerate the covered dough overnight.)
• Lightly flour a large work surface. Punch down the dough with your fist to remove air, then place the dough on the work surface. Roll the dough into a 12-by-14-inch rectangle that is about 1/4 inch thick. Make 6 cuts 2 inches apart along the 12-inch side and 7 cuts 2 inches apart along the 14-inch side using a sharp knife or pizza cutter for a total of forty-two 2-inch squares. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let rest for at least 30 minutes. (If you refrigerated the dough, let the dough rest at least 1 hour.)
• Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large Dutch oven or electric fryer. Put the confectioners' sugar in a large paper grocery bag or on a large baking sheet. Fry 6 to 8 beignets at a time, flipping them every 30 seconds or so, until both sides are golden brown, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes per batch. If using the paper bag, transfer the beignets to the bag and shake to coat well with the sugar. If using a baking sheet, transfer the beignets to the sheet and, using tongs, toss to coat well with the sugar. Repeat with the remaining dough. Serve immediately.

CARAMEL PEARS WITH ROSEMARY, HONEY AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Choose a baking dish or roasting pan large enough to hold pears in one layer, or use 2 pans. Scatter star anise, cinnamon stick, fennel seeds and cloves on bottom of dish.
• Put pears in a large mixing bowl. Add brown sugar, raisins, rum and lemon juice. Coat pears evenly with mixture. Transfer to baking dish, cut-side down, in one layer. Dot with butter.
• Bake, uncovered, until pears are soft and well caramelized, about 45 minutes. Remove pears from oven, and let them sit at room temperature. Shortly before serving, drizzle the pears with honey, and sprinkle them with rosemary leaves and chopped walnuts. Bake for 10 minutes. Serve warm with plenty of sauce from the baking pan.