Party Recipes Roundup

Back in September, we had our Opening Party, celebrating being in business for almost a year.  It was great party, many people showed up to wish us well, including family, clients, students, and other local businesses.  I don't have any pictures of party because I was very busy that night.  I prepared a lot of food for the party and some people had asked for the recipes  So here is a roundup of party recipes!

Chipotle and Rosemary Roasted Nuts

This is an Ina Garten recipes from Food Network Magazine, December 2011 Issue.  I used peanuts in place of pecans, apple cider in place of orange juice.  Click on the image to see the recipe.

Souffle Cheesecake

I got the recipe from Just One Cookbook blog.  See the original recipe here.  I put the batter in foil muffin cup and reduce the baking time to 45 minutes.

Cinnamon Sweet Potato Pastry

This recipe is adapted from the Chinese translation of Okashi Daihyakka II published by the NHK (Japanese Broadcasting Company).  You can click on the image to see the original recipe.  Here is what I did:

Ingredients (makes 12)

Filling:
Sweet Potato ... 300 g (make sure you use the yellow-flesh, purple-skin variety from Asian market.  The orange-flesh sweet potato from regular supermarket has too much moisture for this recipe)
Butter ... 20 g
Egg yolk ... 1
Sugar ... 40 g
Cinnamon ... 1 tsp

Pastry:
Egg white ... 1
Sugar ... 40 g
Pastry flour ... 110 g
Baking powder ... 1/3 tsp
Cinnamon ... 1 tsp

Finishing:
Egg yolk ... 1
Mirin (Japanese sweet cooking wine) ... 1 tsp
Black Sesame

Step 1  Make the filling
Peel, cut and steam the sweet potato til soft.  Add butter, yolk, sugar and cinnamon while hot and mash it into a smooth paste.  Divide into 6 balls.  Refrigerate to chill.

Step 2  Make the pastry
Mix flour with baking powder, put aside.  Mix sugar in egg white til dissolved, add flour mixture, mix til smooth and pliable.  You might need to add a little water  as you go.  Divide into 6 balls.

Step 3  Assemble
Roll out the pastry, wrap around the filling. Roll it into an oblong with pointy ends, like a football.  Cut it in half with a sharp knife.  Beat egg yolk with mirin and brush the cut side with it.  Sprinkle sesame on top.

Step 4  Bake
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minute.  Cool on the rack.

Chrysanthemum Honey Tea

Chrysanthemum is delicious and deserving its own dedicated post.  You can grown it or buy it at Chinese market or herb store.

Ingredients:

Chrysanthemum
Water
Honey

Steep chrysanthemum flowers in boiling water for 5-10 minutes, remove the flower, add honey to taste. I would use about 2-3 flower per mug.  Drink hot in winter, or make a pitcher and chill in the fridge for summer.