Friday, December 29, 2006

Cardamom Coconut Macaroons & Coquito

Although the big holiday event has come and gone already, there is still one more in the near future. New Year's Eve is another reason to get together with your friends, sharing memories and good food. Unlike the night before Thanksgiving, which is the biggest day to go out and party, New Year's Eve is the biggest day to party at someone's house. And although I don't have plans as of yet, I'm sure New Year's Eve will find me surrounded by good friends and fun.

Cardamom Coconut Macaroons


If you're looking for a quick and easy dessert idea for another upcoming event, this is a winner. The macaroons are amazingly quick to make (my batch took about 20 minutes, from start to cooling time) and the cardamom adds a lovely exotic flavor. This recipe is courtesy of one of my new favorite cookbooks, In Nirmala's Kitchen.

Coquito


The coquito is a recipe courtesy of a coworker of mine. Coquito is a traditional Puerto Rican holiday beverage and is a tasty variation of eggnog. Although I'm not wild about the traditional eggnog, this one is definitely delicious and bang-dead easy to make.




Cardamom Coconut Macaroons
Makes about 16 large cookies
2 1/2 c unsweetened grated coconut
1/4 c sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp ground cardamom
2 large pinches salt
2 large egg whites

In a large bowl, combine coconut, milk, cardamom, and one pinch of salt. Stir well with a wooden spoon until evenly combined. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine egg whites and pinch of salt; beat with mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold into coconut mixture until just combined.
Drop 1 tbsp of batter onto parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between cookies. With wet hands, mold into mounds. Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes, until edges are starting to brown. Cool on sheet for 5 minutes, then remove and cool on wire racks. If desired, cookies are wonderful drizzled with melted dark chocolate.

Coquito
1 (15 oz) can cream of coconut
1 (15 oz) can coconut milk
1 (15 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (15 oz) can coconut water
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 egg yolks (optional)
8 oz rum, either white or coconut (optional)

Empty all 4 cans into blender. Process until well mixed. Add vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and egg yolks, if using. Blend well. Add rum, stir well, and allow to sit in the refrigerator overnight. If mixture is too thick, add milk or more coconut milk to thin.

6 comments:

Kalyn Denny said...

It certainly looks like you're getting the hang of the new camera. Great photos.

Dr. Melissa West said...

Mmmm cardomom in macaroons. Look amazing. Love the photos.

S. said...

Wow, the macaroons looks amazing! Great photo. I'm going to make them tonight.

Fiber said...

Kalyn - thanks so much for the compliments! I'm still learning!

Melissa - they are quite fantastic, but then again what isn't with dark chocolate drizzle??

Stefanie - so how did they turn out?

Anonymous said...

Wohoo coquito that is so puertorican, yum! i miss it now that im more vegan, hope soon i found a good substitute.:) the macaroons looks so profesional!

Anonymous said...

Before I say anything else I'd like to say normally I get on really well with your recipes and some of them have become real favourites. But this one? Looks stunning, but I didn't get on with it at all well. My first block was to know how hot to put the oven - no temperature? Then I started making them. Are the amounts correct? How do you mix a pretty much congealed solid (are all the amounts correct?) with egg whites until 'just combined'? I've done this many times, but not with something so solid and gooey it requires muscle to work it? The batter was hardly dropping consistency at the end. Any more advice on this one? (sorry for sounding so negative - I've really loved every other one I've tried!)