Eleven Madison Park Granola

                                         RECIPE COURTESY OF ELEVEN MADISON PARK

Eleven Madison Park Granola

Eleven Madison Park Restaurant was rated the best restaurant in the world.  Following dinner, guests were gifted with a jar of granola.  It is 5*.  

Ingredients:
2 3/4 cup oats
1 cup pistachios
1 cup unsweetened coconut chips
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
1 tsp salt

Bring the next three ingredients to a boil stirring until lt. brown sugar is dissolved:
1/2 cup lt. brown sugar
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup EVOO

Directions:
Place the oats, pistachios, coconut chips, pumpkin seeds and in a large bowl.

Place the sugar, syrup and EVOO in a pan over low heat. Stir until lt. brown sugar is dissolved.

Pour the boiled mixture over the oat mixture in a large bowl and mix well. When well coated place in baking pan with tall sides lined with parchment paper and bake at 300*F for 15 minutes and 225*F for the remainder of the time 2 to 3 hours until the mixture appears dry and caramelized. 

When baked and golden, remove from oven and allow to cool.  Place cooled granola in a large bowl and add 3/4 cup dried sour cherries.
Mix well to coat the cherries with granola. Place in air tight container. Yield 9 cups.   5*****

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

When baked and golden, allow to cool.  Place cooled granola in a large bowl and add the cherries, mix well.  Place in a storage container.                  

Baklava Bundt Cake

                                              

Baklava Bundt Cake 

I do not usually recommend box mixes but this sounded to me like a "caught in a hurry" for a dessert type recipe.    Servings: Serves 8-10
Ingredients:
Nut Topping
¼ cup butter
½ cup pistachios, roughly chopped
½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
Pinch of cinnamon 

Cake
1 (14.25 oz) white cake mix
3 eggs
½ cup butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk
Honey Sauce

¾ cup sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1/3 cup honey
Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and thoroughly grease a standard bundt pan, then set aside.

Topping: Add all topping ingredients to a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until butter is fully melted and sugar has dissolved. Transfer mixture to the prepared bundt pan and spread evenly along the bottom.

Cake: In a large bowl, combine all cake batter ingredients and whisk just until smooth. Gently pour batter on top of the nut mixture, then bake for 38-42 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Sauce: Start on the sauce as the cake bakes. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, lemon juice, and water and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Stir in honey and continue cooking for 1 additional minute. Set sauce aside to cool and thicken.

Allow the cake to cool for about 12 minutes then invert onto your desired serving plate. Drizzle the cooled sauce over the top.

Beets Carpaccio And Burattò

Beet Carpaccio

Beets take the front and center stage with this delicious appetizer served with a crusty bread.

Ingredients:
1 yellow beet, peeled, thinly sliced
1 red beet, peeled, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon honey
½ cup white vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 cup of arugula
Balsamic glaze
1 ball of burrata
¼ cup pistachios, chopped

Directions:
Place yellow and red beets in separate bowls.

In a medium bowl add honey, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine. Pour half of the marinade over the yellow and red beets. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.

Arrange the beets on a serving platter in an alternating overlapping pattern. Toss arugula in leftover marinade and pile it in the center of the platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with burrata and chopped pistachios. Serve with toasted bread.  

Serves 4

Cranberry Pistachio Sandies

Cranberry Pistachio Sandies

The secret to these indulgent cookies lies in their simple yet indulgent  ingredients.  For these cookies you will need:
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped into smaller pieces

1/2 cup shelled pistachios
Optional Garnish: coarse sugar before baking
White chocolate drizzle for elegance

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) . Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.

Cream the Butter and SugarIn a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.  Mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.

Add the Dry Ingredients  Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Fold in the chopped dried cranberries and pistachios by hand using a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Shape the CookiesScoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.  Gently flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass or your fingers. If desired, sprinkle coarse sugar on top for added sparkle.

Bake the CookiesBake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies should remain pale in the center for that classic shortbread texture.

Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Optional Drizzle
Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle melted white chocolate over the tops for an elegant finishing touch. Allow the chocolate to set before serving.

Dust the cookies lightly with powdered sugar for an extra festive look. Arrange them on a platter and enjoy the buttery, nutty goodness!

Why This Recipe Works So Well

The magic of Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies lies in their balance of textures and flavors. The buttery shortbread provides a rich, tender base, while the dried cranberries add a sweet-tart pop and the pistachios contribute a satisfying crunch. Together, these elements create a  cookiethat’s as indulgent as it is festive.

Variations to Try

While the classic version is divine, here are some creative ways to switch things up:

1. Add Citrus Zest : Stir in orange or lemon zest for a bright, aromatic twist.
2. Swap Mix-Ins : Replace  cranberries and pistachios with dried cherries and almonds, or white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts.
3. Gluten-Free Option : Use gluten-free flour to make this recipe suitable for dietary restrictions.
4. Chocolate-Dipped Cookies : Dip half of each cookie in melted dark or white chocolate for an extra decadent finish.
5. Mini Cookies : Roll the dough into smaller balls for bite-sized treats perfect for parties.