Almond Pistachio Dessert Roll Ups Food

PISTACHIO PINWHEELS

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse the pistachios until they're very finely ground but not yet forming a paste, about 25 second-long pulses. Transfer the ground pistachios to a small bowl and set aside.
• To the same food processor (no need to wash after grinding the pistachios), add the butter and confectioners' sugar, and process until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the yolks and almond extract, and process until the mixture is smooth and light. Add the flour and salt, and pulse, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice, until you have a stiff, uniform dough.
• Transfer two-thirds of the dough (about 10 ounces/240 grams) to a medium bowl and add the almond flour to the bowl. Use a flexible spatula to work the almond flour into the dough until you have a uniform mixture.
• Scrape the almond dough onto a piece of parchment paper. Pat it down with your hands into a thinner layer, then place a piece of parchment paper on top. Roll out the dough between the sheets of parchment into a slab measuring about 12-by-8 inches and ¼-inch thick. (Uncover the dough and use a small offset spatula to shape the dough into a rectangle if necessary.) Slide the parchment paper onto a baking sheet and refrigerate the slab until firm, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the ground pistachios to the food processor with the remaining dough and pulse until the mixture is thoroughly blended and the dough has taken on a green color, about 7 pulses. Set aside at room temperature while the almond dough chills.
• Remove the almond dough from the refrigerator and plop tablespoon-size pieces of the pistachio dough across the surface of the slab. Use the offset spatula to spread the pistachio dough across the length of the slab in an even layer, leaving a 1/2-inch border along the longer sides. Starting at one of the longer sides and using the parchment paper to help you, roll the dough into a tight spiraled log. Wrap the log in parchment paper and transfer to the refrigerator. Chill until the dough is very firm, at least 1 hour.
• When ready to bake, arrange two oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and heat to 350 degrees. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
• Sprinkle the demerara sugar across a cutting board. Remove the log from the refrigerator, unwrap, and roll across the board in the sugar, pressing down very firmly as you roll so the sugar adheres. Continue to roll and press until the entire log is coated. Using a sharp knife, shave a thin crosswise slice off of each end so you have straight sides with the full spiral exposed. Cut the log in half crosswise, then cut each half in half again to make quarters, and cut each quarter in half again for eighths. (This ensures even, equal slices.) As you cut, roll the pieces on the cutting board to prevent the pinwheels from gaining a flat side and losing their round shape. Cut each piece into 4 equal slices to make 32 cookies.
• Divide the cookies between the two prepared baking sheets and space them evenly. Bake the cookies on the upper and lower racks until they are golden around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes, switching racks and rotating the sheets front to back halfway through baking. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheets.

ALMOND PISTACHIO MACAROONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Grate the almond paste on the large holes on a grater; until you have about 1 3/4 packed cups.
• In an electric mixer (preferably a heavy duty one with a paddle blade), combine the grated paste and the granulated sugar on low speed for about 2 minutes, mixing until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar and keep mixing for about a minute until it's well combined.
• Increase the speed to medium and add the egg whites, vanilla, and salt and mix until it's just combined (the dough will be wet and sticky) then add 1/3 cup of the chopped pistachios to complete the dough.
• Place remaining chopped pistachios in a shallow dish.
• Roll the dough into 1-tablespoon sized balls, then dip one side of each ball into the reserved chopped pistachios to coat only that side.
• Place cookies, pistachio side up and 1 inch apart, on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and press each one lightly so that they adhere to the paper.
• Bake cookies for 25 to 30 minutes and until the tops are evenly colored and the bottoms are smooth and golden brown when lifted carefully with a metal spatula.
• Let the macaroons cool on the baking sheets, then pull them gently off the parchment paper.
• They can be stored for up to 5 days at room temperature in an airtight container.
• Makes about 30 cookies.

EASTER PISTACHIO ALMOND PUDDING PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a spring-form pan or pie pan with cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl add graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Mix together until the crumbs are coated. Set aside 2 tablespoons for the topping.
• Spread the remaining coated crumbs evenly in the prepared pan. Pat the crumbs down.
• Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place in refrigerator to quickly cool.
• In the meantime, in a large bowl, add milk, dry pudding mix, and almond extract. Beat with a wire whisk for about 2 minutes until thickened. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in 1½ cups Cool Whip. Spoon into cooled pan. Spread evenly.
• To the pudding bowl add the remaining Cool Whip. Add one drop of each red and blue food coloring and gentle mix with a rubber spatula. This should create a light lavender colored batter. Spread this lavender batter evenly on top of the pistachio pudding batter.
• Sprinkle the top evenly with the remaining 2 tablespoons of crumbs and sliced almonds.
• Refrigerate for at least 3 hours to set. Easter Pistachio Almond Pudding Pie can be made several days in advance. Store in refrigerator. It also freezes great.