Mary Ann Esposito Dessert Food

MERLUZZO STUFATO (STEWED COD)

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the onion and celery and cook until soft.
• Stir in the tomatoes, capers, bay leaf, and parsley and simmer, covered, for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the cod, cover, and cook over low heat for about 8 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
• Add salt to taste and serve.
• Variation: The fish can also be served as a sauce over spaghetti.

PASTICIOTTI OR PASTA CIOTTI

Steps:

• Dough:
• Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.
• Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
• Add the milk, vanilla, and egg and use your hands to mix the ingredients into a smooth ball of dough.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and set aside.
• Filling:
• In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch and sugar, making sure there are no lumps.
• Gradually whisk in the milk.
• Add the butter, place the saucepan over medium heat, and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thickened.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the egg yolk and almond extract. Set the custard aside.
• To Assemble and Bake:
• Divide the dough in half.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece into an 11-inch circle, about 1/4-inch thick.
• Using a 3-inch fluted biscuit cutter, cut out circles of dough and press each one into the bottom and up the sides of 3 x 1 1/4-inch tart pans.
• Reroll the scraps and cut out additional circles. You should have 12 tart shells.
• Place the tart pans on a cookie sheet. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling into each tart shell.
• Roll out the second piece of dough and cut out 3-inch circles. Place a circle over each tart and pinch the edges closed.
• With a pastry brush, paint the top of each tart with the egg wash. Refrigerate the tarts for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees . Bake the tarts on the middle oven rack for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Remove the tarts to racks and let cool completely.
• Carefully remove the tarts from the pans. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• .

CHOCOLATE WAFER COOKIE ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Line a 9X3" pan with aluminum foil, with an overhang of 2".
• Line the bottom of the pan with a layer of the cookies, breaking a few to fit into the edges, if necessary.
• Spread a layer of ice cream over the cookies.
• Repeat making 2 more layers, or however many your pan will accommodate, ending with a top layer of cookies.
• Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil, and freeze until needed.
• 15 minutes before serving, remove the cake from the freezer.
• Whip the cream.
• Grab the overhanging foil on the sides of the pan, and lift out the ice cream cake. Place it on a serving platter.
• Decorate the top with whipped cream, and place the strawberries randomly on top to make a design.
• Cut into squares with a sharp knife, and serve.