Italian Nut Filled Sticks Food

FIG AND WALNUT COOKIES

Steps:

• For the pastry dough: Whisk the eggs and vanilla in a small bowl to blend. Mix the flour, sugar, lemon zest, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingers until the butter is the size of small peas. Add the egg mixture and mix with a fork until the dough comes together. Gather the dough into a ball. Divide the dough in 2 and flatten into disks. Wrap the dough disks in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, for the filling and cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line 2 heavy large baking sheets with parchment paper. Finely chop the figs and raisins in a food processor. Add the honey, orange juice, cinnamon, and lemon zest, and pulse just to blend. Scrape the fig mixture into a medium bowl. Stir in the walnuts. Transfer the fruit mixture to a pastry bag.
• Roll out 1 disk of dough on a floured work surface to 1/8 to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch diameter biscuit cutter, cut out dough rounds. Gather the dough scraps into a disk, then cover and refrigerate while assembling the cookies. Spoon the fruit mixture in the center of each dough round. Lightly moisten the edges of the dough with the egg wash. Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges to seal. Arrange the cookies evenly apart on the prepared baking sheets. Brush the tops of the cookies with egg wash. Bake until the cookies are pale golden, about 18 minutes.
• Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and cool completely. Repeat with the refrigerated dough scraps and remaining filling.

ITALIAN CHEESE STICKS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Lightly roll out the sheet of pastry into a 10-by-12-inch rectangle, then brush with the melted butter. Sprinkle over the mozzarella, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, the oregano and basil. Using a rolling pin, press the cheese into the pastry. Cut the 12-inch side of the pastry into 12 strips. Twist each strip about 5 times and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mix together the egg and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl. Brush the strips with the egg mixture and sprinkle over the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. Bake until golden brown and puffed, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool before removing from the baking sheet. Serve the cheese sticks with warm marinara alongside.

ITALIAN NUT FILLED STICKS

Steps:

• 1. To make the pastry: Combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter to resemble coarse crumbs. Sprinkle a little wine over a section of the flour, then mix with a fork to moisten. Push the moistened dough aside and continue adding enough wine until the dough just holds together. Divide in half. Using your fingertips, lightly press and knead into balls. Flatten into discs, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days. Let stand at room temperature until malleable but not soft.
• 2. To make the filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the honey to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Be careful, it may foam up. Add the remaining filling ingredients and cook, stirring constantly, for another 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is cool enough to handle but not set. Pour onto a floured surface, divide into 6 equal portions, and shape the portions into 14-inch-long sticks.
• 3. Preheat the oven to 350°F Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or grease.
• 4. On a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap or on a lightly floured surface, roll each piece of dough into a 14-by-12-inch rectangle, then cut each rectangle lengthwise into three 14-by-14-inch rectangles. Place a nut strip near a long side of each rectangle and roll up from the filling side. Cut into 2-inch sticks. Place seam side down on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1 inch between the cookies, and brush with the egg wash.
• 5. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool. Wrap in aluminum foil until ready to serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
• VARIATIONS.
• Oil Pastry: Substitute 1/3 cup vegetable oil for the butter and combine it with the wine.

BLINTZ SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Line greased pan with blintzes.
• Combine all other ingredients in the blender or food processor and process till smooth.
• Pour over blintzes.
• Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

SFRATTI (NUT FILLED COOKIES)

Steps:

• To make the dough:.
• In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
• Cut in the margarine or butter with a pastry blender until the mixture has the consistency of coarse meal.
• Add the wine and stir and toss with a fork until the mixture just holds together. Remove the dough from the bowl and gather it into a ball(The dough can also be made in a food processor, pulsing it to cut in the butter and processing to bring the dough together).
• Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a disk.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• To make the filling:.
• Pour the honey into a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Bring to a boil, add the cinnamon and cloves, and boil until it forms a ribbon when a spoon is lifted, about 10 minutes. Add the nuts, citrus zests, and pepper and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and let cool until you can touch the mixture without burning yourself.
• Dust the counter(or chilled pastry board) with bread crumbs(you can substitute flour). Pour the filling onto the board and, using your hands, roll it into 6 long, thin ropes, each 12 to 14 inches long (work quickly as the mixture sets up fast).
• To make the cookies:.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Butter 1 or 2 baking sheets or line with parchment paper.
• On a lightly floured board, divide the dough into 6 equal pieces.
• Roll out each piece into a 4-inch-wide strip that is 12 to 14 inches long.
• Place a strip of nut paste on the center of each piece of dough, and roll up the dough, fully enclosing the nut paste.
• Cut into finger-length cookies and place on the prepared baking sheet(s).
• Brush the sticks with the egg wash glaze. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.
• These keep well in an air-tight tin.

ITALIAN NUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together sugar,butter,anise seeds,anisette, and whiskey;(I use mixer) Beat in eggs.
• In another bowl, stir together flour and baking powder.
• Gradually add to sugar mixture, blending thoroughly,Mix in almonds.
• Cover tightly with Plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.
• Directly on greased baking sheets,shape dough with hands to form flat loaves about 1/2 inch thick,2 inches wide, as long as baking sheets.
• Place loaves parallel and 4 inches apart,(this make 6 loaves).
• Bake in a 375 degrees oven for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Remove loaves from oven and let cool on baking sheets until you can touch them.
• Cut diagonally into 1/2 to 3/4-inch-thick slices;Place slices close together (on same baking sheet, cut sides down} on baking sheets.
• Bake 375 degree oven for 15 more minutes or until lightly toasted.
• Transfer to racks to cool;Store air tight container.