Cassis Crisps Recipes

CASSIS CRISPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Put butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs and creme de cassis, and mix until combined. Add flour mixture, and mix on low speed until smooth.
• Divide dough in half, and wrap each half in plastic; refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. Working with 1 half at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick, and cut into 3-inch squares. Space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Reroll scraps; repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake cookies until golden brown all over, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

PAN-SEARED DUCK BREAST WITH CASSIS COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the duck skin side up. Using a sharp knife, score 4 (1/4-inch-deep) cuts across the skin at a 45 degree angle. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper over the meat side of each duck breast.
• Heat a well-seasoned skillet or nonstick pan over high heat. When pan is hot, add duck breasts, skin side down, and cook for 5 minutes, or until skin is brown and crispy. Flip and cook for 2 more minutes. If you are unfamiliar with duck breasts, don't be put off by their unusual look. The fat-to-meat proportions reverse themselves when cooked, as much of the fat is rendered and the meat expands.
• Remove pan from heat (save the drippings) and transfer duck breasts, skin side up, to a cooking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake on the top rack of the oven for 6 minutes.
• Carefully discard all but 2 tablespoons of duck drippings from the pan. Return pan to medium heat and add shallot. Stir occasionally for 3 minutes, or until shallot begins to turn golden. Add Cassis to the pan and stir with a wooden spoon to loosen up the browned bits left by the duck. Add jam, vinegar, and remaining teaspoon of black pepper, and stir occasionally for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Remove duck from the oven and slice each breast at a 45 degree angle into 1/4-inch-thick strips (properly cooked duck should resemble medium-rare steak). Arrange in a fanlike pattern on a warmed plates and spoon Cassis compote overtop. Serve immediately.

CASSIS CRISPS

Steps:

• Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Put butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
• Add eggs and crème de cassis, and mix until combined. Add flour mixture, and mix on low until smooth. Divide dough in half, and wrap each in plastic; refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Working with one half at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick, and cut into 3-inch squares. Space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Reroll scraps; repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake cookies until golden brown all over, 12 to 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

CASSIS MARTINI

Steps:

• Combine vodka, cassis, pink grapefruit juice, and ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously, and strain into a martini glass.

HOMEMADE POTATO CRISPS

Steps:

• Pour the vegetable oil into a plastic sandwich or freezer bag. Add the potato slices, and toss to coat.
• Coat a large dinner plate lightly with oil. Arrange potato slices in a single layer on the dish.
• Cook in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned (if not browned, they will not become crisp). Times will vary depending on the power of your microwave. Remove chips from plate, and toss with salt (or other seasonings). Let cool. Repeat process with the remaining potato slices. You will not need to keep oiling the plate.
• If you want salt and vinegar; soak the raw potatoes in vinegar (cider/malt/red wine vinegar - all work well and produce different flavours) for 15-20 minutes for the best flavor. The potatoes may start to turn brown, but don't worry - they'll turn brown after they cook anyway.

SASKATOON-RHUBARB CRISP

Steps:

• Place saskatoons and rhubarb in a 9X13 pan.
• Sprinkle the white sugar over berries and drizzle with a little bit of lemon juice. You can now dot with a bit of margarine (1/4 cup) if you wish.
• Combine the brown sugar, flour, rolled oats. Cut in the margarine like you would for pie pastry until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over fruit.
• Bake in a 375 F oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve warm with ice cream.