RESTAURANT REPLICAS: ALL THE BEST OUR RESTAURANT REPLICAS LET YOU CREATE A WONDERFUL SUMMER TABLE.Byline: Natalie Haughton Food Editor What could be more refreshing on these hot summer nights than crisp greens topped with raspberries - now at their peak - candied can·died adj. Permeated, covered, encrusted, or cooked with sugar: candied sweet potatoes. candied Adjective coated with or cooked in sugar: walnuts and dressed with a raspberry vinaigrette? Follow it up with a flourless chocolate cake or a delicious peach crisp, and your meal is complete. All can be found at Piatti Restaurant in Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. . The recipes have been developed by executive chef Bradley J. Bennett, who has been with the company 13 years, six of them locally. Although the restaurant is part of a 14-establishment chain that originated in the California wine country town of Yountville, the self-trained Bennett has lots of flexibility in menu offerings, which are mostly inspired by traditional Tuscan and Northern Italian food. While we generally don't request restaurant recipes because most aren't geared for home kitchens and cooks, we did ask Bennett in an effort to guide us in the right direction and streamline testing. He was happy to share - and after some tweaks and shortcuts See Win Shortcuts. , we came up with winning results for your own table. The fabulous Flourless Chocolate Cake, on the menu for a year and a half, is intensely chocolate and goes together effortlessly with several eggs and just a tad of sugar. To save time, we melted the chocolates and butter in the microwave oven instead of over a double boiler double boiler n. A cooking utensil consisting of two nested pans, designed to allow slow, even cooking or heating of food in the upper pan by the action of water boiling in the lower. Noun 1. like the restaurant does. Don't be surprised at the high baking temperature - 425 degrees F - and the short baking time - 15 minutes or so total - which yield fantastic results. Serve slices topped with whipped cream with a pool of raspberry sauce and fresh raspberries on the side. A homey, fresh Peach Crisp also goes together quickly. Simply mix the fruit slices - it's not necessary to peel them, although the restaurant does - with brown sugar, flour (to thicken thick·en tr. & intr.v. thick·ened, thick·en·ing, thick·ens 1. To make or become thick or thicker: Thicken the sauce with cornstarch. The crowd thickened near the doorway. 2. ) and spices and turn into individual oval or round ramekins. Sprinkle with a crumbly crum·bly adj. crum·bli·er, crum·bli·est Easily crumbled; friable. crum  bli·ness n.Adj. 1. oat-brown sugar-pecan topping. After baking, serve still warm with a scoop of vanilla ice Robert Matthew Van Winkle (born October 31, 1968), better known as Vanilla Ice, is a Grammy Award nominated, American Music Award winning American rapper and actor known mostly for the 1990 single "Ice Ice Baby. cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Yummy! The mixed greens with raspberry vinaigrette salad, known as Della Casa, is the most popular one on the menu and deserves kudos, too. Dress mixed baby greens (use the bagged pre-washed ones) with an easy, from-scratch raspberry vinaigrette, then top with a sprinkling of crumbled blue cheese and homemade candied walnuts (in a pinch you could use store-bought varieties available in supermarket produce sections). The walnuts take only minutes to complete with sugar melted until golden in a skillet. Some customers turn the salad into a main dish - requesting grilled chicken breast or shrimp on top. If cheesecakes are your favorite, you'll love our copycat version of the decadent limited-edition 25th anniversary Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake now among the dessert selections at the Cheesecake Factory (various Valley and Los Angeles-area locations). With four different layers - chocolate crust, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache-style topping - it requires a little time and patience to make, but it's really not difficult. The original sports a brownie-like crust, but for simplicity we've opted for a chocolate cookie crust. Tasters raved about our facsimile. If summer wanderings take you to Laguna Beach Laguna Beach (ləg  `nə), city (1990 pop. 23,170), Orange co., S Calif., on the Pacific coast; founded 1887, inc. 1927. , stop in at the funky and very casual locals' hangout - Zinc Cafe & Market - for breakfast or lunch. Dine on the patio (you stand in line to order) if you can find a seat - or pick up sandwiches and cold salads at the adjacent gourmet shop/market to eat while strolling, or take to a picnic at the beach. One sandwich sounds better than the next - and the latest one that won me over was a simple Brie creation copied here. If you go, pick up a couple of the out-of-sight chocolate cookies (go early - the cafe always runs out). Armed with these recipe creations, you're in for some wonderful summer dining at home on the patio, around the pool or even on a picnic. Natalie Haughton, (818) 713-3692 natalie.haughton(at)dailynews.com MIXED GREENS WITH RASPBERRY VINAIGRETTE, BLUE CHEESE AND CANDIED WALNUTS 3 tablespoons granulated sugar Noun 1. granulated sugar - sugar in the form of small grains powdered sugar - sugar granulated into a fine powder refined sugar, sugar - a white crystalline carbohydrate used as a sweetener and preservative granulated sugar 3/4 cup walnut halves and pieces, toasted 1 (5-ounce) bag pre-washed mixed baby greens Raspberry Vinaigrette 6 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese (Danish Blue Danish blue Noun a white cheese with blue veins and a strong flavour Noun 1. Danish blue - blue cheese of Denmark bleu, blue cheese - cheese containing a blue mold , Maytag, etc.) In a small 8-inch skillet, heat sugar over medium high heat (without stirring but swirling pan occasionally) until a medium golden brown and well-dissolved. Watch carefully. Remove from heat and using a wooden spoon, quickly stir in toasted walnuts, mixing to coat completely. Turn out onto waxed paper-lined baking sheet baking sheet n. A flat rectangular metal pan, often with at least one rolled-up edge, used for baking. . Cool. When cold, break apart using fingers or meat mallet mallet, n a hammering instrument. mallet, hard, n a small hammer with a leather-, rubber-, fiber-, or metal-faced head; used to supply force or to supplement hand force for the compaction of foil or amalgam and to seat cast . Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss greens with just enough Raspberry Vinaigrette to coat (use about 1/2 of vinaigrette). Divide greens among 3 salad plates. Top each with 2 tablespoons blue cheese and 1/3 of candied walnuts. Drizzle with some of remaining Raspberry Vinaigrette, if desired. Serve immediately. Makes 3 salad-size servings (4 servings if you make them smaller or 2 entree-size servings if you make them larger). RASPBERRY VINAIGRETTE: In a bowl or 2-cup glass measure, combine 1 tablespoon raspberry puree pu·rée or pu·ree tr.v. pu·réed or pu·reed, pu·rée·ing or pu·ree·ing, pu·rées or pu·rees To rub through a strainer or process (food) in a blender. n. (press fresh or frozen raspberries through a fine sieve and use puree), 1 1/2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar Noun 1. wine vinegar - vinegar made from wine vinegar, acetum - sour-tasting liquid produced usually by oxidation of the alcohol in wine or cider and used as a condiment or food preservative , 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt kosher salt n. A refined, coarse-grained salt with no additives. [From its use in making meat kosher by drawing out the blood.] , 2 to 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper black pepper or pepper Perennial, woody climbing vine (Piper nigrum) of the family Piperaceae, native to India; also, the hotly pungent spice made from its berries. . Whisk to mix. Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil olive oil, pale yellow to greenish oil obtained from the pulp of olives by separating the liquids from solids. Olive oil was used in the ancient world for lighting, in the preparation of food, and as an anointing oil for both ritual and cosmetic purposes. until well-blended. Adjust seasoning to taste. Refrigerate re·frig·er·ate tr.v. re·frig·er·at·ed, re·frig·er·at·ing, re·frig·er·ates 1. To cool or chill (a substance). 2. To preserve (food) by chilling. until needed. Makes about 3/4 cup. Keep any leftover vinaigrette refrigerated re·frig·er·ate tr.v. re·frig·er·at·ed, re·frig·er·at·ing, re·frig·er·ates 1. To cool or chill (a substance). 2. To preserve (food) by chilling. . PEACH CRISP 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 3/4 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 1/2 pounds fresh ripe peaches (about 5 large), peeled (if desired), pitted and sliced into wedges Crisp Topping In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, ginger and cinnamon; mix well. Sprinkle over peach slices and toss well. Divide equally among 6 (8- to 10-ounce) shallow baking dishes. Sprinkle tops evenly with 1/6 of Crisp Topping. Bake on a cookie sheet (to catch any drippings) in a preheated 425-degree oven 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool slightly and serve topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired. Makes 6 servings. CRISP TOPPING: In a medium bowl, mix together 2/3 cup flour and 2/3 cup packed brown sugar. Cut in 5 tablespoons unsalted butter. Stir in 2/3 cup uncooked quick-cooking oats oats, cereal plants of the genus Avena of the family Gramineae (grass family). Most species are annuals of moist temperate regions. The early history of oats is obscure, but domestication is considered to be recent compared to that of the other and 1/4 to 1/3 cup chopped pecans. FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE 12 ounces bittersweet bittersweet, name for two unrelated plants, belonging to different families, both fall-fruiting woody vines sometimes cultivated for their decorative scarlet berries. chocolate, chopped (see Note) 2 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter 6 large OR 5 extra-large eggs 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar Raspberry Sauce Fresh raspberries and whipped cream for serving Butter an 8-inch springform pan spring·form pan n. A cake pan having an upright rim that can be unclamped and detached from the bottom of the pan. and dust with sugar. Wrap outside of the pan with a double thickness of foil (make sure foil comes up sides of pan). In a large glass bowl in microwave oven, melt chocolates and butter on high power 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until smooth when stirred. Remove and set aside to cool. In medium bowl of an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar until doubled in volume. Fold 1/2 of beaten eggs into cool chocolate mixture. Gently fold in remaining eggs only until no streaks remain. Turn batter into pan, spreading evenly. Place cake in another pan and add enough very hot water (for water bath) to come 1/2 inch up sides of outside of cake pan. Bake, uncovered, in preheated 425-degree oven 5 minutes. Cover loosely with foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes longer (cake will not be set in center; don't worry, it will set up when refrigerated). Remove from oven and cool 45 minutes. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or longer before serving. Bring to room temperature before serving, if desired. Serve with Raspberry Sauce, fresh raspberries and whipped cream. Makes 1 cake, about 8 to 10 servings. RASPBERRY SAUCE: In a food processor or blender, combine 2 (12-ounce) packages individually frozen raspberries, partially thawed, and 1/3 cup (or more to taste) powdered sugar. Blend until pureed and as smooth as possible. Press through a fine sieve to remove seeds (straining process can be messy). Refrigerate sauce until serving time. Makes about 2 cups. NOTE: Because this cake is mostly chocolate, use a high-quality chocolate such as Callebaut (or an imported Belgian bittersweet chocolate pound plus bar from Trader Joe's). DECADENT LAYERED CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE CHOCOLATE CRUST: 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs (Oreo) 3 tablespoons butter, melted CHEESECAKE FILLING: 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 3/4 cup sugar 4 extra-large eggs 3/4 cup whipping cream 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 1/2 cups semisweet sem·i·sweet adj. Having a small amount of sweetening: semisweet chocolate. Adj. 1. semisweet - having a taste that is a mixture of bitterness and sweetness bittersweet chocolate chips, melted CHOCOLATE MOUSSE: 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate, cut-up 2 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons chocolate liqueur liqueur (lĭkûr`), strong alcoholic beverage made of almost neutral spirits, flavored with herb mixtures, fruits, or other materials, and usually sweetened. The name derives from the Latin word to melt. (such as Godiva) 1 cup heavy whipping cream Noun 1. heavy whipping cream - cream with a fat content of 48% or more double creme cream - the part of milk containing the butterfat , whipped TOPPING: 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 2 tablespoons whipping cream 3 tablespoons chocolate liqueur (such as Godiva) 1 teaspoon butter For Chocolate Crust, mix together cookie crumbs and butter until blended. Press evenly into bottom only of a 9 1/2-inch springform pan; set aside. For Cheesecake Filling, in a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs until thoroughly blended. Blend in cream and vanilla and beat 3 to 4 minutes longer. Beat in melted chocolate, beating 2 minutes more. Turn filling into crust, spreading evenly. Bake in preheated 400-degree oven 20 minutes. Without opening oven, reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F and continue baking 40 to 45 minutes longer until cheesecake is set around edges but still jiggles slightly in center. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until well-chilled, 4 hours or longer. Meanwhile, make Chocolate Mousse: In a 1-quart glass bowl, combine chocolates, water and liqueur in a glass bowl. Heat in microwave oven on high power about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Cool. Fold cooled chocolate mixture into whipped cream. Chill until using. Spread Chocolate Mousse evenly over cold cheesecake. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or until set. For Topping, combine chocolate chips, cream and liqueur in a 1-quart glass measure. Heat in microwave oven on high power 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until smooth when stirred. Stir in butter, until melted. Refrigerate until thickened thick·en tr. & intr.v. thick·ened, thick·en·ing, thick·ens 1. To make or become thick or thicker: Thicken the sauce with cornstarch. The crowd thickened near the doorway. 2. to spreading consistency (don't let it get hard), about 25 to 30 minutes or longer. Spread evenly on top of cold mousse and return to refrigerator until firm. To serve, cut into slices with sharp knife. Top with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired. Keep any leftovers refrigerated. Makes 12 to 14 servings. BRIE SANDWICH 1/3 cup Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons whipping cream 4 soft individual sourdough OR French rolls Brie cheese (about 8 to 10 ounces), rind removed 1 cup baby arugula arugula or rocket Yellowish-flowered European herbaceous plant (Eruca vesicaria sativa), of the mustard family, cultivated for its foliage, which is used especially in salads. leaves Mix mustard and whipping cream until blended. Cut rolls in half. Spread both cut sides with mustard mixture. Cut Brie into 1/4- to 3/8-inch thick slices and arrange over one cut side of rolls. Top with arugula leaves. Top with remaining roll half. Cut sandwiches in half and serve at room temperature. Sandwiches are good microwaved a few seconds just until cheese starts to melt. Makes 4 sandwiches. CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) Flourless Chocolate Cake (2 -- color) Peach Crisp (3 -- color) Mixed Greens With Raspberry Vinaigrette, Blue Cheese and Candied Walnuts (4 -- color) Bradley J. Bennett Executive chef at Piatti Restaurant Michael Owen Baker/Daily News |
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