Mixed Berry Almond Cream And Spelt Stack Food

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY PANCAKE STACK

Steps:

• For the pancakes: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with two kitchen towels stacked on top of each other and place in the oven. This will keep your cooked pancakes warm.
• Whisk the flour, cornstarch, confectioners' sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk the milk, butter, eggs and vanilla together in a medium bowl. Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and whisk until they form a thick batter (do not try to whisk out all the small lumps). Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Ladle a heaping 1/2 cup of the batter into the skillet, spreading it into a 6-inch round. Cook until bubbles break the surface of the pancake, and the underside is golden brown, about 1 minute. Flip the pancake and cook until lightly golden and cooked through, about 45 seconds more. Transfer the pancake to the baking sheet in the oven, tucking it between the two kitchen towels. Repeat with the remaining batter to make 5 more pancakes.
• For the glaze: Combine the peanut butter, maple syrup and salt in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave until hot, about 1 minute. Whisk vigorously until well-combined and smooth but still pourable.
• To assemble: Place 1 pancake on a plate and spread evenly with 3 tablespoons jelly or jam. Top with another pancake, pressing down gently to flatten out the top and evenly distribute the jam. Spread 3 tablespoons of jam over the second pancake and top with a third. Repeat with the remaining pancakes and jam to make 1 large stack of 6 pancakes. Cut into quarters and serve immediately with the warm peanut butter syrup drizzled over the top.

CRESCENZA STACK

Steps:

• Scrub the potatoes well, pat dry and then lightly coat with olive oil and a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper. Roast potatoes in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until just cooked through. Cool and quarter lengthwise.
• Remove stem and scrape black gills from the portobellos. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, pan grill or roast until just cooked through. Cool and slice each mushroom into 12 thick slices.
• To construct a stack lightly oil a baking sheet and arrange 4 quarters of potato interspersed with 3 slices of mushroom side by side in the same direction. Top with a half ounce or so of cheese and then arrange another layer at right angles to the first. Finish with a top layer of potatoes and a dollop of cheese. Construct 3 more stacks in the same manner.
• When ready to serve, place baking sheet in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes to heat vegetables through and barely melt the cheese. While vegetables are heating toss the greens with vinaigrette. Place a stack on a heated plate and top with a quarter of the dressed greens. Scatter the diced peppers around and drizzle the plate with the basil oil. Serve immediately.
• Whisk all ingredients until sugar is dissolved. Store covered in refrigerator up to 1 week.

MIXED FRUIT ALMOND TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Make the crust: Grease the sides and bottom of a 9-inch tart pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place the nuts into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until nuts are finely ground. Add remaining butter and sugar and pulse until the dough resembles coarse crumbs. Use your fingers and the flat bottom of a drinking glass to press the dough into an even layer in the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch tart pan. Place the pan in the center of the oven and bake until the tart is firm and golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Set aside.
• Make the almond cream: Whisk the sugar, flour and egg yolks until thick and smooth in a medium bowl. Bring the milk and almond extract to a gentle boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Pour about 1/2 of the milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, then pour the whole mix back into the pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens, 5-8 minutes. Stir this mixture constantly, scraping the bottom as you stir, so the flour doesn't stick to the bottom and burn. Pour the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap and cover it with a coating of plastic wrap so that it doesn't form a "skin". Refrigerate until completely cooled.
• Assemble the tart: Place the tart bottom on a serving platter. Spoon the pastry cream on top. Arrange the kiwi slices, raspberries and blueberries on top of the pastry cream and brush with the jam until the fruit is coated with it. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of sliced almonds.
• Note: You can use a 9-inch springform pan in place of the tart pan, if desired. Build the crust so that it is one inch high on the sides of the pan.