Food Network Food Paradise

PUCHKAS

Steps:

• For the filling: Mix together the garbanzos, potatoes, cilantro, chaat masala, chile powder, cumin powder, sugar and salt to taste in a bowl. Set aside.
• For the mint chutney: Combine the cilantro, cola, mint, lime juice, ginger, chaat masala, chile powder, jalapeño and 3 cups water in a blender and blend. Strain and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a deep-fryer.
• Fry the pan puri until crisp.
• To serve: Break a small circle out of one side of each pan puri, then put the filling in, along with a drop of tamarind chutney. Serve garnished with the micro cilantro, edible flowers, pomegranate seeds and boondi with the mint chutney in a bowl on the side.

BROWN BUTTER BLONDIES

Steps:

• First, brown the butter: Place it in a medium saucepan over low heat to cook. Check it after about 10 minutes; it should be a medium-brown color (not too light, not too burned). Once it reaches that color, take it off the heat and let it cool.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cooled brown butter and brown sugar until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix, scraping the sides of the bowl. Add the flour, baking powder and salt and mix until combined. Fold in the walnuts and white chocolate chips.
• Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
• Bake the blondies for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few crumbs stuck to it (I like these blondies gooey, so I go with a little less time). Let cool completely on a wire rack, then cut them and wrap individually in plastic wrap so the sides don't dry out. Store in the freezer or at room temperature.

ALTON BROWN'S PARADISE MACAROONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Combine the coconut with the sweetened condensed milk, salt and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add the sugar and continue to whip the whites until medium peaks form, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Gently fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture. Scoop tablespoon-sized mounds onto a parchment-lined half sheet pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately transfer the parchment with the macaroons to a cooling rack. Cool completely before topping.
• Fill a 4-quart pot with enough water to come 2 inches up the side, set over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Combine the chocolate chips and shortening in a small metal or glass mixing bowl and set over the simmering pot. Stir occasionally until melted, then remove from the heat.
• Dip the cooled cookies in the chocolate mixture, sprinkle with the chopped macadamia nuts and place on parchment paper to set, about 30 minutes.