KINGSTON — Frannie Garcia’s Almond Pastry recipe has been awarded a blue ribbon from Just A Pinch Recipes, a recipe and coupon social network for home cooks at www.justapinch.com.
Garcia’s Almond Pastry was named a blue ribbon winner by Just A Pinch Food Editor Janet Tharpe. To land the award, Garcia served up a full-flavored dish that Tharpe described as tasty and easy to prepare.
“I’ve always told people that this is an old family recipe that I got from my aunt that I have been making for decades. It is truly loved by everyone and often requested for family gatherings,” Garcia said in an announcement of the award.
“The funny thing is that I remember getting it from my aunt, but when I made it for her, she told me it’s nothing like her recipe. She did love it, though.”
Garcia is one of 16 Kingston residents sharing recipes with the social network, which in just two years has become the largest database of user-posted recipes. Just A Pinch Recipes is based in Franklin, Tenn.
On the site, users can post their own “family tested and approved” recipes and try recipes submitted by others, use a menu planner and grocery list, create custom cookbooks, print hundreds of grocery coupons, enter recipe contests and join discussion groups. They may also use Pinch It!, a robust site feature that allows users to capture and share recipes from virtually anywhere online with a simple click and seamlessly integrate them into their digital recipe boxes.
These features allow home cooks to build relationships virtually, as if they are sitting around one big kitchen table.
“We continually add new features to the club based on the feedback of our members,” Tharpe said. “It’s because of people like Frannie Garcia, who is proud to share her family’s favorite recipes with other home cooks, that the club has become so popular and is growing so fast.”
Founded in 2010, Just A Pinch Recipes offers free memberships and premium perks. Go to www.justapinch.com.
Almond Pastry
By Frannie Garcia of Kingston
Ingredients
1 c water
1/2 c butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 c all-purpose flour
4 whole large eggs
1/2 c butter
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
3 c powdered sugar
1 Tbsp milk (or as needed for desired consistency)
Directions
In heavy medium sauce pan slowly heat water, 1/2 cup butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until butter is completely melted. Bring to boil and turn off heat.
Immediately add the flour all at once and stir vigorously until well mixed.
Add 4 whole eggs, one at a time, beating thorougly until completely combined after each egg.
Spread onto ungreased cookie sheet (pretty much fills a 15 inch x 11 inch cookie sheet).
Bake for about 25-30 minutes in preheated 375 F oven. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
Frosting: In medium bowl thoroughly whip 1/2 cup soft butter, powdered sugar, almond and vanilla extracts, and 1/2 teaspoon salt (don’t omit salt). Add milk as needed to achieve desired frosting consistency.
Frost cooled pastry (using all or only part of frosting as desired for personal taste). Sprinkle sliced almonds over fresh frosting. Cut into 20 pieces — enjoy!
