Gentlemen, listen up: Impressing your lady this Valentine's Day isn't as difficult as you think.
Sure, you can go the safe route, make dinner reservations and show up with a bouquet of roses. {::yawn::} Oh, excuse me. I fell asleep for a second.
OR... you can get your gal to brag on you to all of her girlfriends by sweetening up the evening with HOMEMADE DESSERT. {Yes please!}
Before you get all frazzled about the prospect of stepping foot in the kitchen and wielding your spatula, I've got good news for you. There's an expert who wants to show you how to wow your woman and he's coming to town to share his arsenal of sugary secrets. Who better to learn from than a master chef with award winning dishes??
Macy's Culinary Council Chef Johnny Iuzzini will be at Macy's Aventura on Saturday, January 31 at 1pm and he'll be demonstrating how to make some dazzling Valentine's Day desserts that you can recreate at home!
Chef Johnny was given the title of "Pastry Chef of the Year" by the James Beard Foundation in 2006, and it's easy to see why when you flip through his cookbooks, Dessert FourPlay: Sweet Quartets from A Four Star Pastry Chef (2008) and his more recent work, Sugar Rush: Master Tips, Techniques, and Recipes for Sweet Baking.
Whether you're looking to schmooze your sweetie or just want to learn a little from a master chef, this event is for you! I'll be attending and I can't wait to try out some of Chef Johnny's decadent creations.
While I wait {im}patiently, I'm trying my hand at one of his recipes and sharing it with you today!
These Balsamic Cherry Crisps are such a fantastic treat for two {or more!}. Sweet and tart cherries get a kick from rich balsamic vinegar. For a little texture, a combination of oats and almonds {and a surprise cameo from chili powder} creates a crunchy crumble topping that works perfectly with the tender cherry filling.
Hope to see you at Macy's for this sweet celebration of Valentine's desserts!
Disclosure: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere has provided me with compensation for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Balsamic Cherry Crisp
Adapted from Reader's Digest
Crisp Topping:
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup rolled oats
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of chili powder
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons butter, melted
Cherry Filling:
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups frozen cherries, thawed and drained
1/3 cup powdered sugar
3 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
For Crisp:
1. Combine almonds, oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, chili powder and salt in a food processor or blender and pulse until coarsely ground.
2. Pour mixture into a bowl and stir in melted butter. The mixture should resemble wet sand and form small clumps. Set aside.
For Filling:
1. In saucepan over medium high heat, melt butter and olive oil together. Add thawed cherries and powdered sugar and allow to come to a bubble. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the liquid has slightly thickened.
2. Remove from heat and stir in balsamic vinegar and vanilla extract. Cool slightly, and then add slurry of cornstarch and water. Stir until well incorporated.
For assembly:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Divide cherry mixture among 4 ramekins. Divide crisp topping evenly among ramekins.
2. Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the tops are just starting to become golden and the filling is bubbly.
3. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
Serve warm. {With a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is even better!}
