Simple Yet Elegant Babylonian Apricot Jewels Recipes

SIMPLE YET ELEGANT BABYLONIAN APRICOT JEWELS

Steps:

• Mix the cashews, raisins, white wine, lemon zest and cream cheese and powdered sugar until it forms a paste.
• You can do this in the food processor to really mix everything together.
• Take one apricot, and spread some of the cheese on it, nice and thick.
• Cover with a second apricot.
• Do this to make a total of 16 "sandwiches".
• Sprinkle or roll in powdered sugar.

PORTABELLA NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Combine the 3/4 cup olive oil, balsamic vinegar, white wine and garlic in a large bowl.
• Add the mushroom caps, chicken breasts and tomato slices, tossing to coat.
• Cover and marinate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the grill to medium heat.
• Remove the mushrooms, chicken breasts and tomatoes, and discard the marinade.
• Place the mushrooms on a tray covered in parchment paper.
• Grill until tender.
• Remove to a plate.
• Place the tomatoes on a tray covered in parchment paper (can used the same tray).
• Grill for only 1 minute on each side or the tomatoes will fall apart.
• Remove to a plate.
• Place the chicken breasts on the tray.
• Grill for two minutes on each side.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Layer one mushroom cap (stem side up), one chicken breast, one slice of tomato, one 2 basil leaves, another tomato slice on top, and them cover with one mushroom cap, stem side down.
• Take one sheet of phyllo dough, brush with olive oil, repeat with two more sheets.
• Wrap the 3 sheets of dough (all three at once) around the mushroom "sandwich.
• "
• Place this seam side down on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper, making sure the ends are tucked underneath.
• Brush the top and sides with olive oil.
• Repeat this with the other 3 sandwiches, using three sheets of phyllo dough per sandwich.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

CANDY JEWELS

Steps:

• Tools:.
• Candy jewel and diamond molds.
• Prepare your molds by spraying them lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Wipe out the inside with a paper towel, so that only the thinnest layer of oil remains.
• Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a medium saucepan and stir gently.
• Cook over medium-high heat and brush down the sides with cold water and a.
• clean brush. Cook to 295F to 309F or a Hard Crack stage. If you are cooking without a candy thermometer, have a small bowl of ice water next to the cooking sugar. Grab a teaspoon full of the hot sugar mixture and pour into the ice water. If the sugar is hard and snaps, it is at the Hard Crack stage. Remove from heat.
• Pour into prepared molds. Cool, allow to harden and remove from molds.

CHRISTMAS JEWELS

Steps:

• Combine flour with 1/3 cup brown sugar.
• Cut in margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Press mixture firmly and evenly onto bottom of an ungreased 15x10 jelly roll pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat egg slightly in large bowl.
• Stir in remaining 1/3 cup brown sugar and salt.
• Add salted mixed nuts, 1-1/2 cups halved candied cherries and chocolate chips.
• Toss mixture lightly to coat.
• Spoon fruit mixture evenly over baked layer.
• Press firmly to adhere layers together.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Cool, then cut into approximately 24 bars.

ISOMALT JEWELS

Steps:

• Additional Tools Needed:.
• Plastic or glass jewels you want to replicate.
• Food-safe Moldable putty.
• toothpicks.
• hot glue gun.
• HOW TO:.
• I recently came upon the wonder that is isomalt! I've been making my own candy glass for years, and while I'm glad I have that experience under my belt, isomalt is worlds easier to work with and nowhere near as finicky! It's available to order online or pick up at your local cake supply store. If you're on a budget or don't have time to pick up isomalt, please see my candy glass recipe (in the ingredient section under Hocus Pocus Cottage Cake) for a homemade substitute!
• I will say the same danger applies here as candy glass and you should use extreme caution when working with either. This liquid is EXTREMELY hot! I made the mistake of working in bare feet, and a single drop caused a really unpleasant burn! So long sleeves, thick pants, eye protection, shoes, and gloves are what I recommend! You may look like a lunatic, but who cares!?.
• Instructions:.
• Break toothpicks in half and using your hot glue gun adhere to the backs of your jewels to use as a handle when pressing the shapes into your mold.
• Follow molding putty directions by mixing equal parts of the two putty's and rolling out with a rolling pin. Press jewels into the putty and remove immediately to create molds. Allow to set (About 30 minutes or so).
• Put 2 cups isomalt crystals into a pot and melt at medium heat, stirring occasionally until all crystals are dissolved, and the mixture is bubbling. Remove from heat and add coloring. Wait till the mixture is clear before using.
• Once ready, using a small metal spoon or measure, pour tiny amounts into your jewel molds one at a time. Use a toothpick or needle to sharpen or perfect edges.
• Allow to cool. Remove from molds and apply directly to your cookie! I adhered mine by resting the jewels in the places I wanted and piped royal icing as brackets to fasten. Once the royal icing had dried completely, I used gold luster dust to paint the brackets gold giving them a fairly realistic jewel look.