Espresso Brittle Shards Recipes

FROTHY CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO SHAKE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil over medium-low heat. Add the hot chocolate mix and espresso powder. Stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the milk.
• Place the frozen yogurt and vanilla in a blender. Pour the chocolate mixture into the blender and blend until smooth and frothy.
• Pour the shake into 4 (8-ounce) frosted glasses and serve immediately.

AFFOGATO

Steps:

• Put the scoop of ice cream in a pretty glass, bowl or coffee cup.
• Combine the hot espresso with the brandy and sugar and pour over ice cream.
• Serve immediately. (I have a recipe for Espresso Brittle posted - shards of this are lovely served over the Affogato).

ESPRESSO AND WALNUT BRITTLE

Steps:

• Coat a 12-by-17-inchrimmed baking sheet withcooking spray. Bring sugarand corn syrup to a boil in amedium saucepan, stirringand brushing down sides witha wet pastry brush to preventsugar crystals from forming,until sugar dissolves. Cook,swirling occasionally, untilmixture just starts to turn goldenaround edge.
• Stir in mix-ins. Cook, stirringoccasionally, until mixtureis pale amber, about8 minutes. Pour onto bakingsheet without spreading.Let cool. Break into pieces.

ESPRESSO BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with kitchen parchment and spray the parchment with nonstick cooking spray or grease it lightly.
• In a medium heavy-based saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Heat over high heat, swirling the pot occasionally (don't stir it) for even color, until it turns light amber. Add the crushed espresso beans (don't worry if the sugar seems to foam), swirl them around in the caramel, and continue to cook until the caramel turns brown. Remove the pan from the heat. Carefully whisk in the butter and salt (the butter will sputter).
• Immediately pour the brittle onto the prepared baking sheet, quickly tilting the baking sheet to get the brittle to flow into a thin layer (be careful--the brittle is very hot). As it cools and slows down, use a metal spatula to spread it into an even thinner layer. Let cool.
• Chop two-thirds of the cooled brittle into small pieces by sealing it in a plastic bag and smashing it with a mallet or rolling pin. Sift the crumbs in a strainer if you don't want the powder. Break the remaining brittle into shards and use them to garnish bowls of ice cream.

ESPRESSO BRITTLE SHARDS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Set aside.If using espresso beans, place them in a food processor fitted with a metal blade or in a coffee grinder, and process until the beans are finely chopped. (The beans can also be left in the coffee bag and crushed with a mallet or rolling pin.)Combine the sugar and water in a small heavy saucepan over high heat. Allow the mixture to boil for 4 to 5 minutes or until it turns light amber in color, swirling the pot occasionally (do not stir). Using a wooden spoon, blend in the crushed coffee beans and cook for 1 minute. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the butter. Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Tilt the sheet to make a 9- to 10-inch circle of the mixture. It does not have to be perfectly round. When the brittle has cooled, break it into large, triangular pieces. Store the brittle in an airtight container.From ULTIMATE SMOOTHIES: delicious recipes for over 125 of the best smoothies, freezes, and blasts. Copyright © 2000 Donna Pliner Rodnitzky. All Rights Reserved.

CARAMELIZED SUGAR SHARDS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and lightly coat it with a nonstick vegetable spray.Combine the water and sugar in a medium heavy saucepan bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue to cook for 6 to 7 minutes or until mixture turns golden in color, occasionally swirling the pan. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly pour the caramel mixture in a free-form pattern onto the baking sheet and allow it to cool. When cool, break the caramelized mixture into irregular triangular shapes. The shards can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.From ULTIMATE SMOOTHIES: delicious recipes for over 125 of the best smoothies, freezes, and blasts. Copyright © 2000 Donna Pliner Rodnitzky. All Rights Reserved.