**Birds' Nests: A Delectable Journey of Flavors and Textures**
Birds' nests, a culinary delight prevalent in various cultures, are intricate pastries filled with a symphony of sweet and savory ingredients. Often associated with celebrations and special occasions, these edible works of art captivate the senses with their delicate appearance and explosion of flavors.
From the classic Cantonese delicacy of steamed birds' nests, known for its luxurious texture and subtle umami taste, to the crispy and golden Portuguese queijadas de nata, a beloved pastry boasting a creamy custard filling, birds' nests offer a diverse culinary experience.
This collection of recipes takes you on a culinary journey, exploring different variations of birds' nests from around the world. Discover the delightful simplicity of Italian sfogliatelle, characterized by its crispy filo pastry and creamy ricotta filling, or indulge in the rich and decadent French profiteroles, filled with velvety pastry cream and topped with a luscious chocolate ganache.
For a unique twist, explore the savory side of birds' nests with the tantalizing Vietnamese bánh căn, featuring crispy rice batter nests filled with a variety of savory ingredients, or the hearty German spätzle, where delicate egg noodles are pan-fried until golden brown and served with a rich mushroom sauce.
Whether you prefer sweet or savory, simple or elaborate, this comprehensive guide to birds' nests offers a recipe for every palate. Embark on this culinary adventure and discover the endless possibilities of this versatile dish.
BIRDS' NESTS IV
Steps:
- Separate the eggs. Chop the nuts fine.
- Cream together 1 cup softened butter and sugar. Add the yolks, and beat well. Add the flour, and mix well.
- Make small balls out of dough. Roll balls in egg white, and then in the nuts. Place balls on greased cookie sheets, and press center of cookie with thumb. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 8 minutes. Press center of cookie again, bake until lightly browned 4 to 6 minutes. Cool cookies on racks.
- To make frosting, begin by blending the water, shortening, vanilla, and 1/4 cup softened butter or margarine together thoroughly. Slowly add confectioners' sugar, and mix until smooth and creamy. More water may be needed to make desired consistency.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 456.6 calories, Carbohydrate 44.5 g, Cholesterol 54.6 mg, Fat 30.8 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 3.4 g, SaturatedFat 11.2 g, Sodium 99.1 mg, Sugar 32.3 g
BIRDS' NESTS
Make cookies that look like bird nests! Pretty for school spring celebrations or Easter. You can use egg-shaped candies in lieu of the jellybeans, too.
Provided by Valerie Cain Cuff
Categories Desserts Cookies No-Bake Cookie Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, stir together the crispy rice cereal and coconut. In a large saucepan, combine corn syrup, brown sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat, and stir in the coconut and cereal mixture until it is well coated. Set the mixture aside until cool enough to handle.
- Form the mixture into balls, then make an indention in the center so that they look like little bird nests. Place two or three jelly beans into each nest.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 159.1 calories, Carbohydrate 24 g, Fat 6.5 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 143.1 mg, Sugar 13 g
CHEESE-FILLED BIRDS' NESTS
Categories Cheese Citrus Dairy Fruit Dessert Bake Ramadan Mozzarella Ricotta Orange Winter Gourmet Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 36 pastries
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Make syrup:
- Bring water, sugar, honey, zest, and juices to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then simmer until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Cool syrup.
- Make filling:
- Stir together cheeses, honey, zest, and cinnamon.
- Assemble and bake nests:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and butter 2 shallow baking pans (about 1 inch deep).
- Gently pull apart strands of kataifi in a large bowl to loosen, then toss with all of butter. Pack a 1/3-cup measuring cup with strands and invert into a baking pan to form a mound. Make 36 more mounds (18 in each pan) in same manner.
- With your finger, make a 1-inch-deep depression in top of each mound to form a nest. Spoon filling into holes, then sprinkle pine nuts over filling.
- Bake birds' nests in upper and lower thirds of oven, rotating pans halfway through baking for even browning, until nests are pale golden, about 35 minutes. Discard zest and drizzle all of syrup over nests (syrup will gradually be absorbed). Cool birds' nests in pans on a rack.
BREAKFAST BIRDS NESTS
Steps:
- Line bottoms of greased or sprayed muffin cups with hash browns. Bake 15 minutes at temperature suggested on package. Remove from oven. Gently crack an egg in each cup. Sprinkle with bacon and cheese. Return to oven and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Carefully remove from pan prior to serving.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Make sure your noodles are cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the noodles, or they will stick together.
- Use a large skillet or wok to cook the noodles, so that they have plenty of room to move around.
- Stir the noodles frequently while cooking, to prevent them from sticking together.
- Add the sauce to the noodles immediately after they are cooked, so that they can absorb all of the flavor.
- Serve the noodles hot, garnished with your favorite toppings.
Conclusion:
Birds nest is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to use up leftover chicken or pork, and it can also be made with tofu or vegetables for a vegetarian or vegan option. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can easily make this dish at home. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give birds nest a try.
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