Marzipan Dove Wagashi
- 12 ounces store bought marzipan
- Cornstarch, for dusting
- 2 cups plus 3 tablespoons or 500 grams water
- 2 1/3 cups or 500 grams sugar
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon or 38 grams powdered gelatin
- 4 stalks lemon grass
- Lemon Rice Shortbread, recipe follows
- Scant 2 cups cake flour
- 1/4 cup rice flour
- Generous 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
- Pinch salt
- 1 lemon, zested
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- Roll the marzipan into a long rope that is about 1/2-inch in diameter.
- Use a sharp paring knife to slice the rope into 1-inch long slices.
- Use your palms to roll the slice into an oval shape.
- Dip your fingers into cornstarch and pinch 1 end of the oval to mold the tail of the dove's body.
- Pinch the other end to make the head and beak.
- Use the back of the paring knife to score and fan the tail section.
- Push the tail up toward the body to give the sculpture a little more flair.
- To make the wings: Place a small piece of marzipan into a zip-lock plastic bag.
- Use a rolling pin to roll the marzipan into a 3-inch diameter circle that is about 1/8-inch thick.
- Remove the rolled marzipan from the plastic bag and place on the work surface.
- Use the paring knife to cut oval shapes that are pointed on each end.
- Cut 2 pieces for each bird.
- Adhere the wings to the body.
- The finished bird is about 1 to 1 1/2-inches long.
- Jacques' tip: The marzipan can be colored by adding a few drops of food color.
- Work the color into the marzipan by folding it into itself.
- Make the gelatin: Place the water and sugar in a saucepan.
- Use a rolling pin to bruise the lemon grass.
- Place the lemon grass in the water.
- Add the gelatin.
- Bring to a boil.
- Strain the mixture.
- Let the gelatin cool but not harden.
- Place the gelatin into an automatic funnel.
- It is easier to use a funnel than cup with pour spout because you can control the flow of the gelatin as you add it to the mold.
- Pour about 1/4-inch thick layer of gelatin into bottom of the mold.
- Let harden.
- Place the marzipan doves on top of the gelatin layer.
- Use the automatic funnel to add more gelatin to the mold.
- Fill so the gelatin covers the backs of the birds but does not cover them completely.
- Place the gelatin in the refrigerator and let it set.
- When firm, remove from the refrigerator, fill the mold completely, and return to the refrigerator.
- Unmold the gelatin.
- Use a chef's knife dipped in hot water to cut the gelatin into squares.
- Place the gelatin square on top of the Lemon Rice shortbread cookie.
- Serve immediately.
- Place the butter, cake flour and rice flour in a medium-size mixing bowl.
- The rice flour will make the cookie crisper and more crumbly because it does not contain any gluten.
- Use an electric mixer set on medium speed to beat the mixture just until combined.
- Add the salt, lemon zest and sugar, mix just to combine, add the eggs, mix until dough hold together.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and pat into a disk.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before using.
- This will give any gluten that may have developed a chance to relax.
- If you use the dough immediately after making it, it may be tough and elastic.
- The dough will keep, well wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 1 week or in the freezer for 1 month.
- Thaw the dough in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- If you want to store the dough already rolled into a tart pan, wrap it in plastic wrap.
- Marzipan Dove Wagashi: When you are ready to use the dough, remove it from the refrigerator and give it 4 or 5 quick raps with a rolling pin.
- This softens the cold butter.
- Use a 2-inch plain cutter to cut the dough into cookies.
- Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool.
- If you place the gelatin squares on top of warm cookies, the gelatin will melt
- Yield: 19 1/2 ounces of dough
cornstarch, water, sugar, powdered gelatin, lemon grass, lemon rice shortbread, cake flour, rice flour, generous, salt, lemon, powdered sugar, egg
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/marzipan-dove-wagashi-recipe.html (may not work)