desserts
Fresh Strawberries
with Balsamic Vinegar and Basil
Ingredients
Quick dessert for 4
4 cups strawberries, washed and hulled
½ cup sugar
4 ounces (½ cup) balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
12 basil leaves, torn into small pieces
A few turns of the pepper mill
Directions:
Slice the strawberries in halves or quarters, depending on their size.
Place all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Let macerate in the refrigerator for 10 to 30 minutes, as time allows.
Serve in individual serving bowls, with cookies, whipped cream, ice cream, pound cake. . . .
Secret Agent Raspberry Bars
Ingredients
Makes about 30 squares
3/4 cup softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces (1 cup) seedless raspberry preserves
1/2 cup sweetened, flaked coconut
Directions:
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Using a mixer, beat together butter and sugar at medium speed.
• Add flour and mix well.
• Add chopped pecans, almond extract, and salt, stirring until the flour mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Reserve 1 cup of the flour mixture and press the remainder into the bottom of an ungreased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
• Spread raspberry preserves evenly over the crust.
• Sprinkle the reserved flour mixture over the preserves.
• Sprinkle the coconut over the top.
• Bake until the crust and topping are golden, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Let cool and cut into squares.
• In the unlikely event there are any leftovers, store in an airtight container.
Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies With Macadamia Nuts
Ingredients
Will Fill a Small Cookie Jar
2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chunks
1 cup coarsely chopped unsalted macadamia nuts
Directions:
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Combine flour, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl.
• Using a mixer, cream the butter, both sugars, and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
• Add the flour mixture in 1/2-cup increments, mixing at low speed until incorporated.
• Stir in the chocolate chunks and macadamia nuts by hand.
• Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto nonstick baking sheets or lightly greased sheet pans (try to refrain from eating dough).
• Bake until golden brown, about 9 minutes for chewy cookies. Let cool on the baking sheets, and get milk.