• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

UrbnSpice

"A Taste Of Heart & Home"

  • Home
  • About
  • My Recipes
  • UrbnSpice EBooks
  • UrbnSpice Confitures

Archives for December 2016

Versatile Dried Apricot Paste

By Denise Pare-Watson

Versatile Dried Apricot Paste:  If you have followed my blog for a while, you know that enjoy making UrbnSpice confitures, chutneys and compotes and that this is a fun part of what I create in the UrbnSpice kitchen.  Every once in a while, when inspired by an idea for a condiment to accompany a particular cheese, main dish or dessert, working with seasonal ingredients is rather challenging.

Seasonal Apricots, ready for freezer storage | urbnspice.com

So, what do you do when that idea Will.Not.Leave.Your.Head? You come up with an alternative – in this case, dried apricots. Dried apricots are one of those lovely pantry products that I think are sadly undervalued.  Did you know that dried apricots provide substantial health benefits?  They are excellent sources of soluble fibre, potassium (helps maintain healthy blood pressure, and balance of cellular water levels) and antioxidant carotenoids (Vitamin A, which functions as an antioxidant and helps with cell growth, immune system, and eye health), as well as providing a source of iron.

Dried Apricot Paste | urbnspice.com

In my pretty UrbnSpice Confetti Pepper Jelly, I use dried apricots as a base, which in turn helps to keep the medley of colourful peppers beautifully suspended in the jelly.

Confetti Pepper Jelly | urbnspice.com

Confetti Pepper Jelly: a medley of sweet bell and jalapeno peppers is suspended in a dried apricot base

I also use dried apricots in many savoury dishes, such as stuffing, cauliflower rice tabbouleh, chicken tagine, rice pilaf, or as a baking ingredient.Plated Cauliflower Tabbouleh | urbnspice.com

In the kitchen, I use the prepared Dried Apricot Paste as a compote with pork dishes, as a glaze for ham, or as a filling for cakes, pastries and cookies, and even on my cheese platter to serve with Brie or Cream Cheese.  On charcuterie platters, I often serve the apricot paste with rillettes de porc or country paté.  The balance of tangy apricot with creamy cheeses and rich meat is absolutely epic.

Appetizer Pate with UrbnSpice Jelly | urbnspice.com

On bistro menus, I have noticed apricot paste accompanying foie gras on a small plate or appetizer offering.   I have always wanted to duplicate that dish as a starter.  I even imagine how I would serve it – a luscious little slice of freshly seared foie gras with a gorgeous spoon of dried apricot paste beside it, together with crunchy crostini and a glass of crisp Sauternes or Pinot Gris.  I must try that soon.

CHEF TALK:  The recipe for my Versatile Dried Apricot Paste is very versatile.  It is easy to make and it stores very well in the refrigerator in a sealed container for several weeks.  This recipe makes about 1 litre of apricot paste.  Typically, I double the recipe to preserve it for pantry storage (I ladle the paste into small jars and process them in a water bath) so that I can use the paste all year around.   

Dried Apricot Paste | urbnspice.com

Versatile Dried Apricot Paste

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/2 cups dried apricots, coarsely chopped
  • 3/4 cup white wine or apple juice
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar or maple syrup
  • pinch of fine salt
  • Zest of 1/2 of a lemon
  • 1 – 2 Tablespoon lemon juice or white wine vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Brandy

METHOD:

  1. In a heavy saucepan, bring the apricots, wine, water, sugar, salt, zest to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Lower the heat to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the liquid reduces and starts to looks more like syrup. The apricots will start to break down and become soft.  This will take about 20 minutes.  Add more water, if necessary.
  3. Remove from the heat and add the brandy. Cool slightly.
  4. With an immersion blender (or a food processor), puree the fruit mixture until it is very smooth. Add more water if necessary to achieve a nice paste.
  5. At this point, you have two choices.  Either ladle the mixture into small sterilized jars and process for longer storage, or place into containers with a sealed lid and store in the refrigerator for several weeks or freeze the containers for up to three months.
  6. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Dried Apricot Paste | urbnspice.com

Try your hand at making this very easy Dried Apricot Paste – you will find a multitude of uses for it.  My granddaughter and I spread the very same paste as a filling in between baked cookie-like disks of Vinarterta layers (you can find the recipe for this lovely vintage cake recipe here).  If you make this recipe for Versatile Dried Apricot Paste, please leave a comment – I want to hear how you used it.

Dried Apricot Paste as a cake filling

Other Urb’n’Spice Recipes you might enjoy:

UrbnSpice Confitures, Compotes and Jellies

Urbnspice Mulling Spices and Confitures | urbnspice.com

How to Pair Cheese and Charcuterie with UrbnSpice Confitures

Urb'n'Spice Golden Plum Pate | urbnspice.com

The Story behind UrbnSpice Confitures

Caramelized Onion and Roasted Garlic Confiture | urbnspice.com

Urb’n’Spice Books:

Urb’n’Spice Chocolate Desserts Cookbook Series

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2016-2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Charcuterie, Cheese, Condiments & Accompaniments, My Recipes Tagged With: Apricot, Dried Fruit, Fruit Filling

The Reflection of a VIP Dessert Menu

By Denise Pare-Watson

(From a pastry chef’s point of view)

Today, I am sharing a Reflection of a VIP Dessert Menu.  In my career as a pastry chef in a private golf and country club, VIP Dessert Menus was one of the interesting and intriguing items that frequently became an add-on to my task list at the last minute.   When the Executive Chef came up to my pastry station and informed me that there was a VIP event and he needed ideas following a particular theme to pull together a special menu, I had to be quick on my feet.

White Chocolate Crème Brûlée with a nutmeg tuile nest & lace cookie garnish | urbnspice.com
White Chocolate Crème Brûlée with a nutmeg tuile nest & lace cookie garnish

There was often not a great deal of time to reflect or ponder this menu and the pride I felt when presented and trusted with this task was very important to me.   VIP events often meant a celebrity was arriving in town and it was all quite ‘hush-hush’ until the very last moment before announcing that they would be dinner guests at the club that very evening or the next.  After a couple of these events, I strived to be pro-active and have a ready source of special dessert components ready in what I called my “Recipe Bible.”  In that way, I could pull together a spectacular dessert with minimal time allowances.

The Reflection of a VIP Dessert Menu

Here is an example of a Canadian Themed VIP Dessert that I created at one of these VIP events.  It is a flashback to 2007 and the event was for some very high profile chefs that were members of an exclusive culinary group from Texas.  I called the menu “A Canadian Reflection.”

VIP LUNCHEON DESSERT MENU

25 people

“A Canadian Reflection”

*****

A Duo of Mousse:

Swirled Blueberry Mousse and Maple Mousse

Featuring Ontario Wild Blueberries and Maple Syrup from Quebec

*****

š›Caramelized Macedoine of Okanagan Apple,

A Wine Poached Crabapple or disk of Quince

nestled in a Tuile Leaf Boat

On a Compote of Prairie Saskatoon Berries

*****

Sauces:

Canadian Brandy Crème Anglaise

And a 24-carat Gold Syrup Reduction featuring Alberta Organic Honey

Beautiful lacy tuile dessert garnish | urbnspice.com
Beautiful lacy tuile dessert garnish

______________________________________

…

Read More »

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2016-2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Inspiration of Urbnspice Series, Menus Tagged With: Baking, Dessert Menus, Desserts, inspiration of the day, Pastry Chef, Sweets, VIP Desserts

32 Classic Homemade Candy Recipes by Food Bloggers of Canada

By Denise Pare-Watson

RECIPE ROUNDUPS

Time to play in the kitchen with 32 Candy Recipes from Food Bloggers of Canada, including a recipe from UrbnSpice, called Dark Chocolate Truffles. Have fun!

32 Homemade Candies by Food Bloggers of Canada

Here is the link to making your own candy today!

32 Classic Homemade Candy Recipes by Food Bloggers of Canada

 

Chocolate Truffles | urbnspice.com

If you would like to try your hand at making some of my easy Dark Chocolate Truffles, here is your link:

Dark Chocolate Truffles by UrbnSpice

Dark Chocolate Truffles | urbnspice.com

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2016 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Chocolate, Confection, Desserts and Sweets, Food Fun, Holiday Baking, My Recipes, Recipe Roundups Tagged With: Candy Recipes, Chocolate, Confection, Food Bloggers of Canada, Sweets

Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

By Denise Pare-Watson

This recipe was made for Easter breakfast when my two daughters were very young, and it has been a favourite ever since. I am unsure of the origin of the recipe – it has been adapted several times over the years.  Try this recipe for Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins – they are ‘yummy in my tummy’ as my daughters often said.

Apple Streusel Muffins with Creamy Cinnamon Spread | urbnspice.com

Apple Streusel Muffins with Creamy Cinnamon Spread 

…

Read More »

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Breakfast Items, Condiments & Accompaniments, Dairy Free Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes, Muffins & Quick Breads, My Recipes Tagged With: Apples, Breakfast Pastries, Muffins, Streusel

Holiday Cookie Roundup by Food Bloggers of Canada

By Denise Pare-Watson

RECIPE ROUNDUPS

Recently, the Food Bloggers of Canada had a call-out for Holiday Cookies.  You are going to have fun with this recipe roundup of 40 cookies.  I am thrilled to say that one of my cookie recipes was chosen as part of this Holiday Cookie Roundup.  I had a bit of food fun in the kitchen with a very young child and he was thrilled to help out the colourful Vanilla Bean Poppers – Holiday Food Fun Variation.  I hope you will enjoy browsing through this roundup of amazing cookies from Food Bloggers of Canada and have some fun baking this holiday season.  Please visit the bloggers and tell them how much you enjoyed their recipes.

You want cookies? We've got cookies! 40 different kinds in our FBC Holiday Cookie Guide – 40 recipes from classic…

Posted by Food Bloggers of Canada on Saturday, December 10, 2016

 

Here is a photo of the Vanilla Bean Poppers – Holiday Food Fun Variation. Bake with a young helper – believe me, you will have just as much fun as the little one.  I give you step by step details in the recipe.

Vanilla Bean Poppers - Christmas version | urbnspice.com

Lay the cut Vanilla Bean Poppers on their side on a parchment lined tray and bake according to the directions given in the recipe below

…

Read More »

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2016-2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Cookies, Dairy Free Recipes, Food Fun, Gluten Free Recipes, Holiday Baking, Kids in the Kitchen, My Recipes, Recipe Roundups Tagged With: Baking, Cookies, Dairy Free, Food Fun, Holiday Baking, Kids in the Kitchen

Baking Dilemmas and the Fix

By Denise Pare-Watson

The Confident Kitchen Series

“I love baking, but baking hates me!!” This is a frequent comment that I hear, which clearly illustrates people’s frustration with baking. Typically, after just a few questions, it quickly becomes quite clear why they are feeling this way. There are several key issues which arise again and again. In this “Confident Kitchen” post, I am going to address some of the necessary fundamentals of baking. For the purposes of this post, I will discuss Baking Dilemmas and apply “The Fix” to a recipe for muffins.

One of the very best things about being a chef is that I am able to adopt a “pay it forward” approach to cooking and baking. There are many barriers that prevent people from attempting baking or cooking which can be resolved easily.

Example of a perfectly baked muffin | urbnspice.com

Example of a perfectly baked muffin | urbnspice.com

…

Read More »

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2016-2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Breakfast Items, Muffins & Quick Breads, The Confident Kitchen Series, Urb'n'Spice Tips and Techniques Series Tagged With: Baking, Muffins, Quick Bread Methods

White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Mini Cheesecakes with Gluten Free Crust

By Denise Pare-Watson

I love cheesecake! Just about everyone in my circle of family and friends will answer “cheesecake” when asked what their favourite dessert is.  I like to make sure that no one is left out due to dietary restrictions, so I developed this recipe for White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Mini Cheesecakes with a Gluten Free Crust. Even the folks that could eat foods with gluten loved this cheesecake.

Although this delicious white chocolate cheesecake recipe will feed a crowd (9-inch springform pan), I prefer to divide the cheesecake custard to make mini cheesecakes (18 – 24 mini cheesecakes). The crust I created for this particular cheesecake is a gluten-free rice flour crust that is pre-baked for just a few minutes before the cheesecake custard is poured in.

For these dainty little cheesecakes, a simple garnish is all that is required. Top each mini cheesecake with a quarter wedge of strawberry or other perfect berry and you will have an impressive dessert for a buffet or dessert tray. Bonus Technique:  I have included a simple technique to make your own white chocolate garnishes as pictured in the photographs below.  I hope you will enjoy trying these White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Mini Cheesecakes.

White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes | urbnspice.com

…

Read More »

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2016-2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Cheesecakes, Chocolate, Dairy Free Recipes, Dessert Garnish, Desserts and Sweets, Gluten Free Recipes, Individual Desserts Tagged With: Cakes, Cheesecakes, Chocolate, Dairy Free, Dessert Garnish, Desserts, Dietary Restrictions, Flourless, Gluten Free

Fun with Pomegranates

By Denise Pare-Watson

The Confident Kitchen Series

What is the best way to eat and/or use pomegranates?  I have heard many versions and most people talk about struggling to get to the juicy gems (called arils) that are well hidden inside the dry pithy fruit.   I thought it might be a great idea to tell you about one of the easiest (and neater) ways of tackling this unusual fruit.

A beautiful pomegranate

A beautiful pomegranate

Did you know that Pomegranates are considered a Super Food?  They have sources of Vitamins A, D and B-12, and Calcium, Protein, Potassium and fibre, as well as it is a powerful antioxidant. And, they are delicious!

CHEF TALK: The two common methods of extracting the arils from the pomegranate is to score the outside of the pomegranate as shown in the first photo.  Pry the fruit in half.  Using a medium to Large size bowl, hold the pomegranate half (or pieces) over the bowl and use the back of a wooden spoon to tap firmly against the fruit and the arils will fall into the bowl.

The second method, which is a technique that I prefer, is as follows.  If you try this technique, you will have a minimum of pink speckles all over your kitchen (and little faces if your children or grandchildren are helping you).

…

Read More »

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2016 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Food Fun, Have you Ever wondered about Series?, Learning Tips Series, The Confident Kitchen Series Tagged With: Confident Kitchen Series, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Grain Free, How To, Learning Tips, Tips and Techniques

Vanilla Bean Poppers

By Denise Pare-Watson

The Inspiration of Urb’n’Spice Series

This is a recipe that I had so much fun creating. My challenge was first, to come up with a cookie using cream cheese, and second, a cookie that could also be made gluten-free, if necessary, without any difference in appearance or quality. Cream cheese makes any baked item very tender and rich tasting, so I knew that this was going to be a good cookie. I also liked the idea of making cookies so tiny that they could be mistaken for candy drops. Eureka! Success! Everything I wanted to achieve in my little cookie challenge became a reality – my little cookies became so popular that I was confident entering my recipe into a competition for edible gifts. I call the cookies Vanilla Bean Poppers because they are delightful delicate little cookies that are so irresistible you will keep popping them in your mouth – literally!

These cookies are lots of fun to make with children. Even very young children will love helping you roll the dough into long rope-like snakes before you cut them into small pillows or balls. The little ones will love giving these cookies to their teachers.  I also make tons of these teeny, tiny cookies during the holiday season and put them in pretty jars or beribboned cellophane bags to give away as hostess gifts.  And, for further food fun, I made variations of the same cookies: Urb’n’Spice Rainbow Poppers and Vanilla Bean Poppers – Holiday Food Fun Version.

Urbnspice Vanilla Bean Poppers | urbnspice.com

Urbnspice Vanilla Bean Poppers

…

Read More »

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2016-2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Cookies, Food Fun, Gluten Free Recipes, Holiday Baking, Inspiration of Urbnspice Series, Kids in the Kitchen, My Recipes Tagged With: Baking, Cookies, Family Recipes, Food Fun, Gluten Free, Gluten Free Techniques, Kids in the Kitchen, Sweets

Parmesan Pita Crisps

By Denise Pare-Watson

Have you heard of Parmesan Pita Crisps?  They are addictive.  You cannot buy anything that tastes like them.  They are better than chips.  They are so good you will want to devour the entire bowlful. You will want more than you have made.

Every. Single. Time.

Parmesan Pita Crisps | urbnspice.com

They are so good that family members ask for them in their annual Christmas baskets – truly!  So that means, I have made enormous amounts of pita crisps. I would say that they keep well, however, I cannot say that these crispy bits of goodness have lasted long enough to test that theory.  As a matter of fact, I had to make more just so that I could take a photograph for this post – really.

…

Read More »

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Appetizers and Small Plates, Casual Dining, Quick and Easy Dishes, Salsas and Dips Tagged With: Appetizers, Dips, Make Your Own, Pita Chips, Pitas, Small Plates

Primary Sidebar

Search Urbnspice Recipes

Meet Denise – The Urbnspice Chef

Welcome to Urbnspice - A Taste of Heart and Home. Inspiration in my kitchen is often a trip to the market or an experimental coincidence! Come and join me on this culinary journey where I share my passion for the creative, technical and teaching components of the profession and unravel culinary quandaries for you with fun and easy to follow user-friendly recipes, tips & techniques.
Read More…

Denise Pare-Watson: View My Blog Posts

Featured Post

Pomegranate Molasses Sugar Cookies

Pomegranate Molasses Sugar Cookies

Holiday Fruitcake | urbnspice.com

Holiday Fruitcake Made Easy

Categories

Archives

Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 urbnspice.com