Lemon Pine Nut Stars Food

LEMON STARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extract. Stir in sour cream and zest. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Divide dough into 3 balls; cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until easy to handle., Remove 1 portion of dough from the refrigerator at a time. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-in. star cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. , Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool., For frosting, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, extract, food coloring if desired and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Frost cookies; sprinkle with colored sugar if desired.

PARMESAN-ROASTED BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut the broccoli florets from the thick stalks, leaving an inch or two of stalk attached to the florets, discarding the rest of the stalks. Cut the larger pieces through the base of the head with a small knife, pulling the florets apart. You should have about 8 cups of florets. Place the broccoli florets on a sheet pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Toss the garlic on the broccoli and drizzle with 5 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until crisp-tender and the tips of some of the florets are browned.
• Remove the broccoli from the oven and immediately toss with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, pine nuts, Parmesan, and basil. Serve hot.

LEMON, PARMESAN & PINE NUT CRUMBED PORK ESCALOPES

Steps:

• Trim the fat from the steaks, then place, one at a time, between 2 pieces of baking parchment and bash with a rolling pin or meat mallet until about 5mm thick. Set aside.
• Put the bread, lemon zest, Parmesan, pine nuts and rosemary leaves in the bowl of a food processor and blitz to a fine crumb. Transfer to a shallow bowl.
• Spread the flour onto a plate and put the egg in a shallow bowl. Season the pork, then dust in flour. Dip each steak into the egg, then press into the crumbs, coating evenly. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the pork for 2-3 mins each side until golden and crunchy. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

PEPPER & LEMON SPAGHETTI WITH BASIL & PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the pepper and cook for 5 mins. Meanwhile, cook the pasta for 10-12 mins until tender.
• Add the courgette and garlic to the pepper and cook, stirring very frequently, for 10-15 mins until the courgette is really soft.
• Stir in the lemon zest and juice, basil and spaghetti (reserve some pasta water) and toss together, adding a little of the pasta water until nicely coated. Add the pine nuts, then spoon into bowls and serve topped with the parmesan, if using.

LEMON PINE NUT PASTA

Steps:

• Nuts -- First, toast the pine nuts. In a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until slightly brown and you can smell the aroma. The heat just brings out their flavor. Set to the side and rough chop.
• Pasta -- Cook the pasta according to package directions in salted water. Once the pasta is tender, (reserving 2 cups of the pasta water) and just keep warm in the strainer you make the sauce. NOTE: Whole wheat makes all the difference in this dish.
• Garlic -- In the pot you cooked the pasta in, return to the heat and add the olive oil and bring to medium heat. Add in the garlic and cook for one minute to lightly toast.
• Finishing -- Return the pasta to the pot with the garlic and oil and add the lemon juice, zest, parmesan, pine nuts, parsley, salt (go lightly, the parmesan is salty), pepper and 1 cup of the pasta water and toss until everything is well combined. You may need a bit more water until it is the consistency you like.
• That's it. You can garnish with extra parmesan or parsley if you want, but I don't think it is necessary. ENJOY.

ROLLED TURKEY BREAST WITH HERBY LEMON & PINE NUT STUFFING

Steps:

• First prepare the stuffing. Heat the butter and oil in a large frying pan, then soften the onion without colouring for 10 mins. Tip into a bowl. Add the pancetta or bacon to the pan, fry for 5 mins until golden, then add the pine nuts, garlic, sage and lemon zest. Fry for 1 min more until fragrant and the pine nuts are starting to brown. Stir in the chopped parsley. Tip into the bowl with the onions, then bind with the crumbs, egg and seasoning.
• Butter and season a sheet of turkey foil or use 2 sheets of foil crimped together to make a sheet about 50 x 60cm. Lay five long pieces of string over the foil like rungs of a ladder, ready to tie the breast together. Arrange the pancetta or bacon in a lattice over the middle of the foil, on top of the string.
• Open out the butterflied breast, skin-side down, and slash each side several times. Cover with cling film and bash with a rolling pin until the meat is about 5cm thick all over. Trim the sides so that you have a roughly rectangular shape (but be careful not to cut the skin). Lift onto the pancetta, then fill any gaps with the trimmings. Season, then press the stuffing along the middle of the joint. Pull up the sides at one end, tucking in the short end, then tie the string tightly so that the stuffing is encased. Repeat with all the strings. Wrap up tightly in the foil, then turn the roll over so that the pancetta is on the top. Can be left in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Sit the joint in a roasting tin and roast for 40 mins per kg or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out very hot and the juices run clear. Unwrap for the last 10 mins of cooking.
• Lift the joint onto a board and leave to rest, covered, for at least 10 mins. For the gravy, heat the tin on the hob, then splash in the wine and any juices. Reduce by half, then add the stock and repeat. Pour in the cream and bubble to a slightly reduced sauce. Season to taste, then stir in the parsley.

OSSO BUCO WITH TOASTED PINE NUT GREMOLATA

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
• 2. Season the shank all over with salt and pepper. In a heavy-bottomed, 6- to 8-quart casserole, heat the olive oil until smoking. Place the shank in the pan and brown all over for 12 to 15 minutes, turning with long-handled tongs to sear every surface. Remove the shank and set aside.
• 3. Reduce the heat to medium, add the carrot, onion, celery, and thyme, and cook, stirring regularly, until golden brown and slightly softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, chicken stock, and wine and bring to a boil. Return the shanks to the pan, making sure they are submerged at least halfway; if not, add more stock. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid of aluminum foil. Braise in the oven for 2 hours, then remove the cover and cook another 30 minutes, until the meat is nearly falling off the bone.
• 4. Just before the meat is done make the gremolata. In a small bowl, combine the parsley leaves, pine nuts, lemon zest, and horseradish and mix well by hand. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and set aside.
• 5. Remove the casserole from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before carving the shank and dividing among four warmed dinner plates, topped with the gremolata.

RUSTIC LEMON TART (TORTA DELLA NONNA AL LIMONE) WITH PINE NUT LACE COOKIES

Steps:

• Make the crust:
• Whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and whole-wheat flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Simmer lemon juice and zest in a small skillet over medium heat until syrupy and golden, 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Using an electric mixer, beat butter, both sugars, and lemon reduction on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add whole egg and yolk and beat until just combined. Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour mixture; beat until just combined.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Transfer dough to a work surface, flatten into a disc, then wrap in plastic and freeze for 10 minutes. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12" round, about 1/4-inch thick. Fit dough into tart pan, pressing it into the fluted sides. If the dough breaks, just press it back together with your fingers. Trim the excess by running a rolling pin over the tart pan. Prick the pastry several times with a fork and freeze tart shell until firm, about 15 minutes. Bake on the middle rack until the tart shell is golden and dry, 30 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Reduce oven temperature to 275°F.
• Make the filling:
• Combine cream, lemon zest, and 1/4 cup sugar in a medium saucepan and bring just to a simmer.
• Whisk egg yolks and remaining 1/4 cup sugar together in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in hot cream. Add lemon juice and strain mixture into a heat-proof pitcher or large measuring cup with spout.
• Set tart pan on a sturdy baking sheet and pour in filling. Bake until custard is just set when jiggled, about 1 hour (the filling should not start to brown). Cool to room temperature on a wire rack, then refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 4 hours.
• Meanwhile make the Pine Nut Lace Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment.
• Using a wooden spoon, stir butter and corn syrup in a medium bowl until smooth. Add sugar and stir to thoroughly combine. Add flour and pine nuts and stir until blended and smooth.
• Working in batches, scoop level teaspoons batter onto baking sheet 2 inches apart, allowing room for the cookies to spread. Bake until cookies are golden and lacy, 8-10 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet and then transfer to a plate. Wipe parchment and repeat with remaining batter.
• Cut torta into wedges and garnish each slice with toasted pine nuts, candied lemon zest, and Pine Nut Lace Cookies.
• Do ahead
• Torta can be refrigerated up to 1 day before serving and Pine Nut Lace Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day before serving.

LEMON AND PINE-NUT RICE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add rice; season with salt and pepper, and return to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until rice is tender and has absorbed all liquid, 15 to 17 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Fluff rice gently with a fork, then toss with pine nuts, oil, and lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

LEMON PINE NUT TAGLIATELLE

Steps:

• 1. Mince the parsley and place it in a large shallow bowl. Add the oil, lemon zest, and pine nuts and mix until well combined. Season with salt, cover, and let sit for at least 2 hours at room temperature.
• 2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the tagliatelle, stir, and cook until it is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite), 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
• 3. Add the hot pasta along with the cooking water immediately to the prepared sauce and toss until the sauce is thoroughly distributed. Season with salt and pepper and toss again.
• 4. To serve, use two spoons and carefully scoop up the pasta, making sure to get pine nuts with each serving (see Note). Serve with lemon wedges if desired for squeezing atop the pasta.
• Note: The pine nuts tend to fall to the bottom of the bowl no matter how well you toss the pasta. Once the pasta is served, simply return to the bowl and evenly distribute the remaining pine nuts over each serving.

LEMON HUMMUS WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Process chickpeas, pine nuts, garlic and spices until well combined.
• With the motor running, gradually add the olive oil & lemon juice until smooth.
• Season well with salt & pepper.
• Drizzle with extra olive oil to serve.

LEMON & PINE NUT LAMB PATTIES

Steps:

• Combine the lamb mince, pine nuts, mint, lemon rind, cumin and egg in a large bowl, and mix until well-combined. Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and shape into 6cm (just over 2 inch) patties, about 1.5 cm thick.
• Preheat a BBQ plate on medium, lightly spray the patties with olive oil, cook on the BBQ plate for 5-6 minutes, each side or until they are cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil, to keep warm.
• To make the Tabouli: Place the burghul in a heatproof bowl and pour the boiling water over it. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 10 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Then use a fork to separate the grains of burghul; add the tomatoes, mint, parsley and shallots, and stir well until all the ingredients are combined.
• To serve: Divide the tabouli among the serving plates, top with the patties and babaghannoush, and serve with lemon wedges.

LEMON SABAYON TART WITH PINE-NUT CRUST

Steps:

• Place the pine nuts with three tablespoons of sugar in a food processor and process until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl and mix with the flour. Using your fingertips or pastry blender, work in four ounces of the butter, a scant two tablespoons of the beaten eggs and the vanilla to form a soft dough. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 10-inch straight-sided tart pan.
• Press the dough evenly into the pan and up its sides. Prick the bottom. Bake about 30 minutes, until the crust is golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
• Select a large metal bowl that will fit partway into a saucepan. Put about one-and-a-half inches of water into the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Put the remaining beaten eggs, the egg yolks and the remaining sugar into the bowl and beat them using a whisk or a hand-held electric mixer. As the mixture begins to warm and thicken, add about a third of the lemon juice. Continue beating constantly, adding lemon juice as the mixture heats and thickens. The mixture should thicken to about the consistency of yogurt. Beat in the remaining butter. Take care that you do not overheat the mixture or the eggs will curdle.
• Remove the sabayon from the heat and pour it into the cooled tart shell. Preheat the broiler. Broil the tart, watching it carefully, until the top is golden brown.
• Refrigerate for one-and-a-half to two hours, or overnight, before serving.