Venetian Napoleons
- 6 sheets phyllo dough
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (3/4 stick)
- 6 tablespoons ground almonds
- 6 tablespoons raw sugar, plus more
- raw sugar, for garnish (or granulated) (optional)
- 2 cups mascarpone cheese, at room temperature (1 lb.)
- 12 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 12 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups strawberries, sliced (fresh)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons port wine
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough flat on a clean work surface.
- Lightly butter the phyllo, working from the edges towards the center.
- Sprinkle the phyllo with 1 tablespoon of the ground almonds and 1 tablespoon of the sugar.
- Layer the remaining 5 sheets of phyllo over the first, buttering and sprinkling each one.
- With a sharp knife, cut the phyllo into 24 irregularly shaped triangles.
- Using a large metal spatula, carefully place the phyllo triangles on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake them until they are crisp and golden, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Transfer the phyllo triangles to wire racks to cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, stir the mascarpone cheese, 1/4 cup of the light brown sugar, and the vanilla extract until smooth.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- No more than 30 minutes before serving, toss the sliced strawberries, the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, the balsamic vinegar and the port together in a separate bowl.
- To serve, place 1 phyllo triangle on a dessert plate and top with 2 heaping teaspoons of the cheese mixture.
- Spoon 1/4 cup of the marinated berries over the mascarpone.
- Place a second phyllo triangle over the berries but do not attempt to line it up exactly with the first triangle -- it should be asymmetrical.
- Top the second phyllo triangle with another 2 heaping tablespoons of the cheese mixture and another 1/4 cup strawberries.
- Top with a third phyllo triangle.
- Sprinkle some raw or granulated sugar around the pastry on the dessert plate to garnish, if desired, and serve.
- Repeat the process for the other 7 portions.
phyllo, unsalted butter, ground almonds, sugar, sugar, mascarpone cheese, light brown sugar, vanilla, strawberries, balsamic vinegar, port wine
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/venetian-napoleons-303664 (may not work)