Gands Chocolate Bergamot Paint Food

GAND'S CHOCOLATE BERGAMOT PAINT

Steps:

• For a double boiler, put water in base pan, but make sure the inset pan doesn't/won't touch the water. Bring to simmer.
• In the top half (inset pan), combine the 2 chocolates over simmering water. Stir constantly until melted.
• Whisk in the tea and syrup, without removing the double boiler from the heat. Whisk until smooth and shiny.
• If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a touch of hot water.
• Using a brush, paint the sauce onto plate before serving.
• Sauce may be made up to 48 hours in advance and refrigerated.
• To rewarm, stir over low heat or heat in a microwave.

GALE GAND'S CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Line eight muffin tins with paper cups.
• In a mixer with a whip attachment, mix together the peanut butter, egg, and sugars until smooth. Add milk in 3 additions, mixing well each time.
• Stir the flour, baking powder, and salt together and add to the peanut butter mixture. Mix on low just until the flour disappears.
• Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Spoon into muffin cups filling 3/4 full (a small ice cream scoop works well for this) and bake until puffed up and firm on top, about 10 to 15 minutes. Cool in the pan.

GALE GAND'S PINWHEEL COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• In large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. In standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes more. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition, then beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture and beat on low just until combined.
• Divide dough in half. Form 1 half into 4- by 4-inch square, wrap in plastic wrap, and set aside. Return other half to mixer. In metal bowl set over pan of barely simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth. Add melted chocolate to dough in mixer and beat just until combined. Form chocolate dough into 4- by 4-inch square and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate both squares of dough 30 minutes.
• Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut each dough square into 4 strips. Place 3 strips of chocolate dough and 4 strips of vanilla dough on baking sheet and refrigerate. Between 2 sheets of parchment paper, roll out 4th strip of chocolate dough into 6- by 7-inch rectangle (use ruler to make sure dimensions are exact). Remove 1 strip of vanilla dough from refrigerator and, between 2 sheets of parchment paper, roll out into 6- by 6-inch square. Peel off top sheet of parchment from each dough and flip vanilla dough over onto chocolate, aligning top and bottom edges and allowing 1/2 inch of chocolate dough to stick out on each side. Run rolling pin lightly over doughs to adhere, then peel off top sheet of parchment. Fold extra 1/2 inch of chocolate dough over vanilla on 1 side. Starting on folded-over side and using parchment as aid, tightly roll up dough into log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Repeat with remaining strips of dough to form 4 logs.
• Refrigerate logs 1 hour, then remove from refrigerator and roll each log on counter several times to prevent bottom from flattening. Refrigerate 3 hours more, then transfer to freezer. When frozen, wrap in parchment paper, twist ends, and tie with decorative ribbon. Attach card with baking instructions for each log:
• Keep dough frozen until ready to slice and bake. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease 2 large baking sheets. Using sharp knife, slice dough into 1/4-inch-thick slices and place 1 1/2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake until vanilla dough is slightly golden, 9 to 11 minutes. Makes 20 cookies.