#pavlova

#pavlova

Imam Cagdas has been making baklava the same way since 1887: entirely by hand, without any automation. The Gaziantep shop is now in its fifth generation of ownership.

Fashioned after a traditional French gateau Breton, the gateau Basque and even the galette des rois—all cakes made of sweet or quick puff dough doubled up and filled with fruit or cream or nuts—this cake, uniquely Louisianan and lovingly called gateau nana, takes inspiration from each.

It's kind of like a pseudo-cheesecake - more so than other no-bake varieties. Our own two-ingredient version of it doesn't even require cream cheese. Instead, shortbread cookies are set into a vat of Greek yogurt and allowed to sit overnight so that they can soften. The result is a creamy, cheesecake-like dessert packed with protein and endless customization options.

Suddenly, a strange, loud, rhythmic, prolonged noise, like the dying moan of an organ, then the dying wail of the breeze sighing in the cloisters, struck the indignant ears of the nuns with astonishment. The nuns all turned to stare at Sister Agnès, who in her embarrassment, tripped and let fly a spoonful of her chou pastry dough into a pot of boiling fat, and the doughnut-like pet de nonne, 'nun's fart' was born.

"You used to have to dress up to go out to lunch," says the fashion designer, cabaret singer, and foremost man-about-town Isaac Mizrahi. "I really liked the idea of having a reason to put on a coat and tie. But over the years, everything has become much more casual. Now you go in a sweatshirt, and it's okay because everybody around you is dressed like that."

This bread pudding is going to put you into a chocolate coma... and worth every bite. It's a rich and decadent bread pudding filled with chocolate and pecans. The bread pudding has a firm but creamy texture and the pecans add a nice crunch. Alone, it's delicious. But add the simple chocolate sauce and this is out of this world good. You don't have to dip the strawberries in chocolate, but it's a nice touch

Irish desserts are, in one word, resourceful. They have to be; in a nation that grappled for centuries with conflict, famine, and outright war, luxurious ingredients were not accessible to most people. Instead, the Irish turned to local ingredients like sea moss, apples, and an impressive array of dairy products to satisfy their cravings for something sweet.

At the masterclass, held exclusively for our INSIDERS on Sun 15th February, you can learn all the secrets behind the Incomparable Lemon Pie, aka of the city's most showstopping desserts. Gloria's pastry chef will do a step-by-step demo showing how the pie is put together and then it's over to you to assemble your own, including piping and shaping six inches of Italian meringue on top - and it's thirsty work so you'll get a Bellini or a virgin cocktail to enjoy too.

Using phyllo dough instead of traditional shortcrust for quiche changes the whole personality of the dish. The paper thin sheets of phyllo dough becomes light, flaky, and crunchy when baked, swapping rich, buttery heft for a lighter quiche with a crispy shell that shatters a little when you cut into it.

The use of egg whites to starch religious garments in the early eighteenth century was the catalyst for what is now one of Portugal's most famous dishes. That practice led to a surplus of egg yolks, and to avoid waste, monks and nuns invented rich, egg-yolk-based desserts and pastries. The famous custard tart baked in a crispy pastry shell was created at the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem, Lisbon, and the pasteis de nata were initially sold to help support the monastery.

Few desserts are more evocative in French cuisine than a decadently creamy chocolate mousse. And if anyone embodies the spirit of simple French cuisine that folks can make at home, it's Julia Child. When you put the two together, well, you're guaranteed a sure hit. In Julia's world, however, you don't just make a chocolate mousse - you make mousseline au chocolat, a lighter, heavenly version of the popular dessert.

I love dessert as much as the next person. The existence of dessert is truly one of the best things to have happened to mankind, and I've always had immense respect for people who know how to make these sweet treats. Now, if you're curious like me, you've probably also tried whipping some stuff up in the kitchen (no one's going to ask if you failed. That's between you and your stand mixer).

Heavy whipping cream is one of those things that pops up in a lot of recipes, but for some reason, it's never sold in exactly the amount you need. Instead, you're always left with some odd amount of heavy cream left over and no real idea what to do with it because, well, the recipe you bought it for is done now. That's where these recipes to use up heavy cream come in handy.

Indeed, beyond its delicate, airy texture and rich flavor, the hallmark of this old school dish is its theatrical impressivo. Soufflés comprise a crème patisserie (egg yolk base) beaten into a meringue and baked in individual ramekins, a once-popular side dish that has fallen out of favor due in part to its daunting reputation among unacquainted home cooks. More specifically, the elegant, somewhat retro spinach soufflé receded from a mid-20th-century status-symbol dish to a relic of elevated dinners past.

If all things chocolate make up your love language, then this silky rich chocolate pudding pie brought to us by recipe developer Miriam Hahn will speak to you in more ways than one. The homemade chocolate pudding is made from real cocoa and chocolate, providing that smooth and velvety texture that you just can't get from an instant pudding mix laden with artificial flavors.

When prepared well, a classic banana pudding can be a beautiful and tasty dessert to serve to family or guests. While this kind of treat doesn't require any special culinary expertise to put together, those unfamiliar with layering techniques may find that their dishes are topped with browning bananas. The easiest way to avoid that unsightly and unappealing presentation is to layer the banana within the pudding rather than place slices on top.