GWAI LO INC. - Gwai Lo Pastry

MAPLE PECAN PIE

Wine: Vin Santo

Serves 6 to 8

INGREDIENTS
1 x 9" pie shell
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup maple sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 cups toasted pecan pieces
4 large eggs
4 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. maple extract (you can use vanilla extract if you can't find maple extract)
1 1/2 cups pecan halves

METHOD
Heat oven to 375°. In a pot add the brown sugar, cup maple sugar, cup corn syrup, maple syrup, boil for 5 minutes. Take off the heat and add the 4 tbsp. butter and the 1+1/2 cups toasted chopped pecans - you can use only 1 cup of pecans for the filling if desired (Toast the chopped pecans in a 350Ą F oven for a few minutes. Be careful not to burn them). Pour the syrup into the 4 Eggs in a medium bowl and mix well. Add the 1 tsp. of maple extract. Pour into the shell which is on a baking sheet. Decorate the pie with the pecan halves - DO NOT TOAST THE PECAN HALVES. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until the custard is set.

EASY CHOCOLATE CAKE

Wine: Port Serves 6 to 8

INGREDIENTS
1 OZ UNSWEETENED CHOCOLATE
3 TBSP. COCOA
1 TBSP. SHORTENING
1/2 CUP BUTTER
1 CUP SUGAR
1 TSP. VANILLA
1/4 TSP SALT
1/2 CUP MILK
3/4 CUP FLOUR
2 TBSP BAKING POWDER

METHOD
Place rack in the middle of the oven. Heat oven to 350° F. Melt butter, chocolate. Sift Flour and Baking Powder and cocoa together. Add sugar, milk, eggs, shortening, vanilla, salt and the sifted flour mixture. Add all ingredients together and beat until smooth. Bake: 20 to 30 minutes Bake: 20 to 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted or when the centre springs back when gently pressed and the sides have pulled away from the sides of the pan. Turn out onto a rack to cool.

Tip 1:
Maple Syrup comes in a variety of weights (strength of flavor). Medium is the most common weight and is pleasant on pancakes and French toast. The lightweight can be used on desserts or fruit, for example, and the dark or the "Heavy" weight is most often used in cooking.

Tip 2:
Ice wine is a dessert wine and must always be served very cold in small glasses such as a sherry glass filled two thirds full. It goes with anything sweet such as cheesecake, white chocolate and sponge cake, as well as chocolate mousse and of course, fresh fruit. Try it sometime after a special dinner party. Ice wine comes from Canada but is available in many places throughout the world.