spicy pecan cocada

Literally cocada is the ultimate in coconut bark. It's a Mexican/Latin America candy/cookie that is bark-like--just like what I've made. It's very sweet, very coco-nutty, and I've always wanted to add a nut to it for texture and crunch. I've also wanted to add a tiny bit of heat to it as well, hence the spicy pecan. It is an oven baked goodie that is supposed to be served at room temp for chewy texture. And yes, it is very chewy, almost caramel like texture. If you have any loose teeth or fillings, think twice on chomping down on this one. The bark is a bit difficult to cut, you need a sharp, wet knife. The edges of the cocada are the best part; they get the most caramelization of the condensed milk paired with the coconut. Add in's are endless on this one--whatever would work with caramel flavor and coconut really.



spicy-pecan cocada
adapted from http://scarlettabakes.com/cocada-simple-coconut-bark/
print recipe

2-14 oz. cans sweetened, condensed milk (approximately 3 1/2 cups)
1-14 oz. bag of sweetened, flaked coconut (approximately 5 1/2 cups)
1/2 c. light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
5-7 oz of spicy, toasted pecans (optional but amazing)

Preheat oven to 350°.
Line an 11” x 17” baking sheet with parchment paper. This is a very sticky candy/bark; non stick spray will NOT work—use parchment paper. Make sure to completely cover the baking sheet.
In a large mixing bowl, stir the condensed milk, corn syrup and vanilla together until well-blended. Fold in the coconut and spicy pecans. Mix well.
Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
Using a rubber scraper or wet fingers, push the mixture evenly across and into the corners of the pan. Bake for 25-28 minutes. Don’t let it burn. Check the cocada at the 25 minute mark.
The cocada will bubble as it bakes and turn a deep golden brown, with the edges becoming especially dark – it is done baking when the top appears golden throughout.
Allow the cocada to cool at room temp for a couple hours. Then I put it in the fridge to harden a bit before slicing.
Using a sharp, wet knife, slice the cocada into squares, carefully remove each piece from the parchment lining, and enjoy straight away or store in an airtight container.

lemon cheesecake w/ lemon cookie-panko crust and white chocolate-raspberry ganache

Is that a title or what? Is there another dish I've made with a longer title? No, I think this is the longest. Oh the flavors abound in this lovely cheesecake.
Everything paired together so perfectly--I was happy. Truly fabulous.

This was my first lemon cheesecake and it won't be my last.
 When I saw those lemon wafers at whole foods, I knew exactly what to do with them; tasting them on the car ride home confirmed there would be a lemon cheesecake happening in the near future.
 Don't you love when you see a product in the store and a "recipe light bulb" goes off in your head? Instant inspiration!
But why is there panko in the crust? Why not? On my 'to create' list, in the notes column, I've had "use panko in a cheesecake". An experiment of sorts. The "crunch" factor in a cheesecake is what I craved for a while. The crunch factor in this crust is not overwhelming at all. Those panko crumbs really stand up to just about any type of cooking; do they ever lose their crunch? Hardy lil critters!
Just don't use seasoned panko crumbs, make sure they're plain!

Lastly the raspberry coulis is a natural pairing with anything lemon.
This time of year I just adore the smell of raspberry coulis cooking and then that "snap" "twang" flavor when you first taste it.

lemon cheesecake w/ lemon cookie-panko crust & white chocolate-raspberry coulis
recipe by vanillasugarblog.com
print recipe

crust
1- 9 oz box of lemon wafer cookies
½ cup plain panko crumbs
3/4 stick salted butter, melted (6 ounces)
1 TB lemon zest
medium pinch of sea salt

cheesecake filling:
4 - 8 oz. packages of cream cheese, room temp
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup heavy cream
3 large eggs and 2 large egg yolks
1 TB lemon zest
2 TB of fresh pink lemonade, preferably with pulp! (don’t know if frozen from concentrate would work, feel free to try it)

cook notes:
Please invest in a good/sturdy cheesecake pan. They make all the difference in terms of baking and not overbaking. Williams Sonoma has some good ones.
I do not like my cheesecake batter too sweet, so please taste test as you go along and before it goes in the pan for baking to see if you like it as is or if you want more sugar. This makes a lot of crust for the 10-inch pan, but I like to have it thick, so if you don’t like it thick you could probably halve it. But with the remaining leftover crust I just put it in a bag and freeze or make a mini cheesecake. There will also be a small amount of leftover cheesecake batter—haven’t figured out how to scale it down yet. But with the leftover crust and batter you can easily make 2 mini cheesecakes if you have the mini springform pans. Also, I do not have a mixer, I know, everyone always ask how I do it, but I do, been that way for decades. So I just use a food processer, works perfectly. But use what you feel comfortable with.

Preheat your oven to 350°F.
In a measuring cup, crack open the eggs and egg yolks, set aside until ready to use.
Spray a 10-inch springform pan with non stick spray.
In a food processor grind up the cookies into a fine crumb. In a bowl, combine the cookies, a pinch of salt, panko crumbs, lemon zest, and the melted butter. Mix, then press into the bottom and partially up the sides of the springform pan. (I use a flat bottomed glass to press it in evenly AND up the sides). Recipe & photos by Dawn Finicane of vanillakitchen.blogspot.com
Bake crust for 12-15 minutes, set aside and let cool or until sides of crust are lightly brown. Reduce the oven heat to 325°F.
I used my food processor to make the cheesecake batter—I suppose you could use a mixer, but I don’t have one (I know, weird). With the food processor, mix the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and lump free. Add in the sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. .
Add in the eggs one at a time until all is mixed well; add in the heavy cream, the zest, and pink lemonade. Process until all is well mixed. Do a taste test see if you like it and if you want more sugar.

baking:
Most people like to do a water bath for their cheesecake. I never do, I find all too annoying. But if you want to do this please feel free; it’s best to bake your cheesecake how ever you feel most comfortable.
I baked this cheesecake at 325°F for one hour then at 300°F for an additional 40-50 minutes or until the center is set. Please put a tray under the cheesecake to catch any spills. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours.

raspberry coulis

1 or 2 pints raspberries
Use ¼ cup of superfine sugar for every pint of raspberries you use
½ lemon (the juice of) for every pint of fresh raspberries you use
1 TB cornstarch for every pint of fresh raspberries

Over medium heat, heat up the raspberries with the lemon juice, and sugar. Let it come to a boil, stirring occasionally to help break up the raspberries. Once the raspberries are dissolved strain the mixture in a fine sieve. Take strained juices back to pan and over low heat add in the cornstarch until it’s thickened. Do not leave the stove at this point since the coulis heats up fast once seeds are gone and cornstarch is added. Should only take 5 minutes. Let cool in pan or in a separate bowl. Then refrigerate.

white chocolate-raspberry ganache

Is nothing more than melted white chocolate (3/4 cup),
with a splash or two of heavy cream, mixed till creamy (stir well).
Then take small portions of it, pour into a bowl and then add in tiny swirls of the raspberry coulis. (this part you have to work fast before the white chocolate hardens). Alternatively, you can put a layer of the white chocolate Ganache on the cheesecake and small swirls of the raspberry coulis and swirl with a toothpick.

good eats flashback

Let's have a good eats flashback of sorts shall we? Here is a small collection of some of my most famous, downloaded, web-searched for recipes ever. Oh heck, let's just call em the best of the best.
My own tomato pie. Very rich. Leftovers are even better (served cold too!). Perfect served at room temp with an ice cold glass of your favorite white wine.