Photographs by Jon Cancelino

Coconut Macaroon and Chocolate Tartlettes

Makes 16

1/2 cup sugar
2 egg whites
1 1/2 cups unsweetened desiccated or flaked coconut (not the sweetened, shredded kind)
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
a few toasted almonds slices

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Mix sugar, eggs whites, and coconut together in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon. (The recipe can be made up to this point and kept refrigerated up to three days in advance.) Grease foil cupcake papers and place in a muffin tin. Place a spoonful of the mixture in the foil and spread it around slightly with the back of the spoon, making the sides a little higher than the center. Bake until light golden, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely in the pans. Remove them from the pan and peel off the foil. Place a large spoonful of the ganache on top and place a few sliced almonds on for garnish.

To make the ganache filling, heat the cream in a small saucepan until just boiling, then turn it off and add the chocolate. Let it sit a couple minutes to melt the chocolate, then whisk it smooth. Let it sit at room temperature, covered, at least three hours or overnight to set.

 

Broccoli and Ham Strata

Serves 8

5 cups cubed French bread
10 eggs
4 cups milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup broccoli flowerets
1/2 cup cooked and quartered red-skinned potatoes
1/2 cup cubed ham
1/2 cup diced red pepper, sautéed
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Place bread cubes in the dish, then top with the vegetables, ham, and grated cheese. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, mustard, and salt.

Pour the mixture over the bread cubes.

Fold it in slightly to mix in the vegetables and ham.

Cover and chill up to 24 hours to let it soak up the custard.

Uncover the dish and bake at 350 for 60 minutes.

Tent with foil if the dish is browning too quickly. Serve immediately.

A special thanks to Glenn Gutnayer for providing Sheridan Road with the phenomenal backdrop for the shoot. The spectacular gourmet kitchen pictured is part of a beautiful French Normandy style, 6-bedroom home in Highland Park.For more information on this home located at 1590 Hawthorne Lane in Highland Park, call 847-432-3529, or visit www.glenngutnayerconstruction.com.