My sister Robin is visiting us in Todi this week, with her husband Phil and her two daughters Clementine and Scarlett. Scarlett, like most 9 year old girls, is totally obsessed with One Direction. (It’s a boy band. I didn’t know either).
But unlike most other 9 year old girls, she also has another obsession: Melissa Clark. Yes, that would be my friend Melissa who writes for the New York Times. No, Scarlett is not some precocious tween who reads the Times before heading off to camp. She gets her Melissa fix through the videos that appear in the Dining Section each week.
I think she’s watched them all. And not just watched them, but memorized them.
For instance, the other day, when I was making Cacio e Pepe, which I’ve been making forever, Scarlett asked why it didn’t have fave in it. I told her that I don’t do that, and anyway, they weren’t in season in the summer. Her response: Well, Melissa puts fave in hers.
And when Sophie was having trouble finding the jar of mayonnaise in the fridge for a sandwich the other day, Scarlett chimed in: Melissa would just make hers from scratch.
You know how some kids stay up to watch just one more cartoon? One more music videos? Scarlett, instead, puts off bed time just so she can watch ‘one more Melissa video.’
For real.
So, the other day, when the rest of the family took a day trip to Florence, and Scarlett and I decided to stay at home, there was really never any question of what our activity for the day would be.
“Can we make a video? Like Melissa’s?”
So here is Scarlett’s debut cooking video. Since Domenico has been jamming up a storm this summer, we decided to make biscotti di crostata. This is a classic crostata recipe, but in cookie form. Brilliant, right? You get all the goodness of a buttery crostata, but without the hassle of pushing out the dough into a pan. Plus, the crust to jam ratio is higher in favor of crust, which is always a good thing. The biscotti turned out (to quote the star) scrumptious!
And the video? Equally so.
biscotti di crostata
Preheat oven to 180C/350F
Crust:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
7 tablespoons butter (125 grams) softened
2 egg yolks, room temp
1/2 cup sugar
pinch salt
1 jar of jam
Put flour and salt in in big bowl, and make well in center.
In a small bowl, put butter, yolks and sugar. Mix the wet ingredients well with your fingers.
When it is well mixed, add the wet ingredients to the flour. Just use your hand, and eventually the heel of your hand to mush it all together until it forms a ball. This only takes a few minutes.
Let the dough rest for 20 minutes in the fridge.
Cut the dough into 1/2 inch strips. Cut each strip into 1 inch pieces. Using your fingers and thumb, make an indentation in each cookie. Fill each dent with a teaspoon of jam and place on parchment lined cookie sheet.
Place on middle rack of oven and bake for about 20 -25 minutes.
Let cool completely before serving.
Will shirley make this recipe!! Maybe the star will come and help me
These look like they smell wonderful and taste just as good. Easier and cleaner than tiny muffin cups and so plain and pretty. Will make these asap. Many thanks, Elizabeth!
Chrissy
so cute!!
Beautiful! I think she needs a bowl scraper! Job well done!
She has a scraper. It’s called her finger!
I can’t wait to show my son this video! He’s 9 also and LOVES to cook and record our sessions. Such fun, and Scarlett is a natural!
Scarlett can make cookies for me/with me anytime … ADORABLE … can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this video.
Oh, what a great idea! Can’t wait until my husband makes these-
She’s a natural! And the green nail polish is wonderful! Watch out Melissa!
In fact, I’m waiting to see if Melissa starts wearing green polish in her next video.
Absolutely darling the video…would like to do a similar one with my 11 yr old grandson…kids steal the show.
Mary jane
http://www.elegantetruria.com
Bravo Scarlett! Ask Elizabeth for a rubber spatula next time, these look delicious!
Scarlett is adorable. Watch out for her on the Food Network in just a few years! Brava, Scarlett.
Loved the music in the video – can you tell us what it was?
Thank you! It’s actually just one of the canned jingles that come with iMovie. It’s called “gelato” which seemed kind of appropriate.
That looks tasty. The young lady has some cooking skills and the jam looks amazing.
Brava Scarlett!
These look fab.
BTW, who is her favorite member of One Direction? Harry?
no, my favorite is louis
That is a fantastic video! Scarlett is a star!
Fantastic video and Scarlett is a star !
And just think Heidi, you knew her when….
More and more kids are getting excited about cooking – Like Scarlett … perhaps their generation will be healthier because of their love for fresh home cooked foods! Scarlett – you Rock!
Cio Elizabeth! I found your blog through Gluten Free Girl and love it. For your recipe of Crostata, can gluten free flour be used in lieu of the all purpose flour and wheat flour? Thanks! Carmela
Thanks so much! I”m not familiar with gluten free baking, but I think you could certainly try it. I would suggest using a mixture of gluten free flour plus cornmeal. I’m not sure of the proportions though. But since it’s a short crust, if you look up a recipe for gluten free short crust, I think you should be ok.
SO FUNNY, WHAT A GREAT AUNTIE (: