Lemon Pistachio Crunch Cake Food

LEMON PISTACHIO CAKE WITH ROSEMARY, MASCARPONE LEMON MOUSSE AND LEMON CURD

Steps:

• For the lemon pistachio cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a half-sheet tray with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the pistachios and 1/4 cup flour until the nuts are finely ground.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until very light. Beat in the pistachio paste and lemon zest and juice, then add the eggs one at a time. Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula and beat in the pistachio and vanilla extracts. In a small bowl, mix together the nut and flour mixture, salt, baking powder and remaining cup flour. Beat the dry ingredients into the batter.
• Spread the batter evenly in the lined half-sheet tray. Bake for 15 minutes, then rotate the tray and continue to bake until the cake springs back lightly when touched and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, another 10 minutes. Allow the cake to cool in the tray for 10 minutes, then gently remove from the tray.
• For the lemon curd: Combine the lemon zest, juice, granulated sugar, eggs and salt in a medium saucepan and whisk to a homogeneous consistency. Place over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture has thickened, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, 2 pats at a time, until it's incorporated and has a silky consistency. Transfer to a bowl. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top, pressing down on the surface of the curd to prevent a film from forming. Put in the fridge to chill for 1 hour.
• For the lemon mascarpone mousse: In a large, chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. In another large bowl, whip the mascarpone and granulated sugar together until fluffy. Whip in half of the lemon curd. Fold in the whipped cream and use a rubber spatula to fluff the mousse. Transfer the mousse to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
• To assemble the cake: Cut the cake into individual cakes with a 3-inch ring cutter.
• Spread a dollop of lemon curd on the bottom of a plate. Place 2 cake rounds on top. Pipe a round of mousse onto each cake.
• Garnish each cake with chopped pistachios, a dusting of powdered sugar and the chopped rosemary.

LEMON-FROSTED PISTACHIO CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of an 8-inch nonstick cake pan with parchment paper.
• In a mixer fitted with a paddle, cream together the butter and superfine sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then add the ground pistachios and almonds. Add the orange juice, orange zest and rosewater, and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour; do not overmix.
• Scoop the mixture into the cake pan, and bake until the top is firm and a light golden brown, about 40 minutes. Lightly cover the top of the cake with foil and continue baking until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry, about 10 minutes. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for several minutes, then remove and cool on a rack.
• When the cake is cool, make the icing: mix the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice together in a small bowl, and pour over the cake. If desired, decorate with crystallized rose petals and pistachios. Allow the icing to set for 30 minutes before serving.