This cherry turnover recipe from acclaimed pastry chef and cookbook author Claudia Fleming wraps a combination of sweet and sour cherries in flaky pastry to form tidy hand pies that would be a hit at any function, from a backyard BBQ to the most elegant brunch party.
Billows of smoke rise up as Chika Hanyu eyes a pot of boiling sugar. We're in the narrow side room of a commissary kitchen in Sunnyside with the struggling AC on full blast. As any confectioner will tell you, making caramel is something of a tightrope act - take it off heat too soon and it's an anemic syrup; wait a half-second too long and it's a noxious, blackened mess. For her signature Japanese pudding, Hanyu likes to take it to the brink of ruin.
Late-season plums are wonderful to bake with; juicy and slightly astringent as you get closer to the skin, they soften into a rich, almost winey sweetness. And, when they're nestled into soft almond cream and scented with star anise, they make a delicious tart for any time of day. Serve warm with pouring cream as pudding or cold with a cup of tea.
Craftsman and Wolves emphasizes visually striking desserts, such as the strawberry cucumber 'pills' with colorful garnishes, blending aesthetics with taste in each creation.