Game of Thrones: House Greyjoy Cake

Tomorrow is the day the final season of Game of Thrones starts. If you’re like me, you’re still waiting for the next book…

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But until then, we make do with the TV show.

I started this series of cakes with some of the main houses: Stark, Lannister, Targaryen. No one can dispute that these are the main competitors in the Song of Ice and Fire.

But at least in the last season and the last book, House Greyjoy has become increasingly important.

Amlou: Moroccan Almond Honey Dip

Hello.

Hi.

This is a bit awkward.

It’s been a little while.

Let me tell you the story of a little simple dip that I first encountered at Atlas restaurant. It’s taken me so long to post this that the restaurant has since closed, which is too bad because it was delicious. Best couscous I’ve ever eaten.

Clearly Mai Tai

Wow, it’s already two weeks into 2018 and I haven’t posted on this blog in months! It’s not that I haven’t thought about you. I’ve taken pictures and jotted down ideas, but nothing seems to have actually made it to posting stage.

Let’s not stay mad. It’s a new year and I have an amazing cocktail recipe for you.

It’s amazing not just because it tastes great, but also because of how it looks. Who ever heard of a tiki drink that’s crystal clear? This clarified mai tai tastes just like the old favourite, but is mellower with a creamier mouthfeel, and looks so much classier than its cloudy cousin.

Bread and Butter Ice Cream

Bread and butter is one of those things that’s so simple, yet so amazing. I’ve had the conversation with my mother-in-law before – we could probably survive on bread and butter alone for the rest of our lives. It’s something you can never resist at a restaurant no matter how much food you know you’re going to get after.

Chewy Almond Cookies

Alex and I went to Italy at the end of May. We started out in Sicily and then went up to Naples and Sorrento, finally finishing off in Rome. It was an amazing experience. While there, I definitely made it my goal to eat and drink as much local food as possible. I tried some things for the first time (snails) and I had the best of things I had tried before (ricotta).

But one thing I was disappointed in was the cookies. We bought cookies in a few places and they always just seemed like I was eating almond paste. Where was the chew? Where was the crunch? Maybe I’m just not into the cookies from the region.

So anyway, here is a recipe for chewy almond cookies that I love.

Chewy Almond Cookies

Adapted from Kitchen Sanctuary

3 egg whites

280 g almond meal

280 g sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp (30 mL) amaretto liquor

Pinch of salt

Extra sugar and powdered sugar for rolling

Preheat oven to 325F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Prepare two small bowls: one with granulated sugar and one with powdered sugar. Set aside.

In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or with a hand mixer, begin to beat egg whites. Once whites are frothy, add the sugar in a slow steady stream. Continue beating whites to stiff peaks. Add vanilla and beat to combine. Add almond meal, salt, and amaretto and fold carefully into egg whites just until no streaks of flour remain.

Roll dough into golf ball sized balls. The dough should be slightly sticky, but still fairly easy to roll. If it is way too sticky, add more flour 1 tbsp at a time until you can roll it. Roll each ball in granulated sugar and then in powdered sugar. Arrange on parchment lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Once the sheet is full, flatten each dough ball slightly with your fingers.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until golden but still soft in the middle.

Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes and transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Cookies will keep in a sealed container at room temperature for at least a week.