Hazelnut Sable Stars Food

DARK CHOCOLATE-HAZELNUT SABLES

Steps:

• Pulse the chocolate in a food processor until finely chopped; transfer to a bowl. Add the hazelnuts to the food processor and pulse until finely chopped; transfer to the bowl with the chocolate.
• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture and chocolate and hazelnuts, then increase the speed to medium high and beat until combined.
• Divide the dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper; roll each into a 1-by-9-inch log, using the parchment to help you. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap the logs and slice into 1/4-inch-thick rounds; arrange 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake until set, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

SABLEFISH WITH HAZELNUT CRUST

Steps:

• Mix miso and 2 tablespoons red wine and spread on top, not skin side, of fish. Set aside. Heat butter on medium-high in an ovenproof skillet large enough to hold the fish in a single layer. When the butter no longer foams, add the hazelnuts and cook a few minutes, until the nuts are toasty and lightly browned. Remove from the heat.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Transfer the contents of the skillet to a bowl. Place the fish, skin side down, in the skillet and spoon the hazelnuts and butter on top. Place in the oven 12 to 15 minutes, until the fish is just cooked through and is starting to flake. Transfer fish to a serving platter.
• Place skillet on the stove and add the remaining half cup of wine. Stir in the honey. Cook on medium-high until wine has reduced and become syrupy. Season to taste and pour over and around the fish.

HAZELNUT MACAROONS

Steps:

• Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt in a stand mixer to soft peaks, pouring in the sugar while still beating until you have a thick, glossy meringue.
• Mix the lemon zest with the ground hazelnuts. Carefully fold the hazelnut mixture into the meringue without losing too much volume.
• Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Lay the rice paper circles on several baking sheets, if using, or line the sheets with baking parchment. Spoon the meringue mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a plain nozzle. Place the nozzle in the middle of a rice paper circle and, applying a steady pressure, pipe a blob until only a 1-2mm border on the paper is still visible. Slowly pull the piping bag upwards and remove it. Put a whole hazelnut on the centre. Repeat with the remaining macaroons.
• Bake the macaroons for 10 minutes. Don't let them get too brown or they'll dry out. Let the macaroons cool down completely, then store them in a biscuit tin.