Rose del Deserto (AKA: Desert Roses)

Last year, I was in Calabria for almost two months, enjoying every minute of it, despite the unbearable heat. As a foodie and culinary instructor, I admit that I had my share of delicious food! All in the name of research, I tell myself! I want to be able to tell you all about the not-to miss spots while traveling! I love finding new spots, trying new foods and picking up a few new recipes along the way. 

One day before I was to leave for Boston, I was ready to call it a vacation. Time to pack my stuff, squeeze my clothes into an oversized luggage and make peace with the fact that most of what I was packing was now fitting, oh shall we say, a bit snug. All in the name of culinary research, I repeat to myself! 

After I packed, I took one last drive.  I went to say goodbye to my beloved beach. This is a ritual I've had forever, going to bid farewell to the ocean. I love the beach, so the last day is always a bit sentimental. After one last talk" with the ocean, telling it that I will see it again soon, I head home. And on my way home, I spot a shop I haven't entered yet. It's a "biscotteficio and paneficio!" How did I miss this?? A biscotteficio and paneficio is basically a shop that just sells cookies and various breads. No creamy pastries here, no tiramisu, no cannoli, just bread and dry biscuits. Should I go down? I contemplate this for only about 1 second before I make a b-line to park in front. After all, the clothes already fit tight, what's one more cookie going to do?

I go down, and the smell, oh the smell. If you have ever been to a bread shop on Italy, you know that it's the smell you will notice first. This smell should be bottled. But I'm saddened to see that their counter is looking a bit scarce. "Signora, e sera, non c'e piu' tanto." A polite way of saying, "Lady, you shouldn't have come earlier, it's evening, what did you expect!" But what do I spy from the corner of my eye? A few leftover cookies. Are they coated in cereal? Corn flakes? Who in the world would decorate cookies with corn flakes?! No thanks! But I'm here, I went through the trouble of parking (so much work!), it would be rude not to buy something, so I buy four. More out of duty than the fact that they appeal to me. I just can't wrap my head around the corn flakes.

I bring them home. I continue cleaning out our house before getting ready to leave in the morning. It's now nighttime, time for a little snack, no? I make a decaf cappuccino (breaking rule numero 1 by having cappuccino after 11AM), and munch on a cookie wrapped in corn flakes. CORN FLAKES!

And it's delicious! The darn, weird looking cookie, is delicious! Crunchy on the outside (the toasted corn flakes!), and soft on the inside, it's chocolaty, with a hint of almond and the inside melts in your mouth, while the outside provides the crunch. I love it! And I don't want to love it because it looks weird and corn flakes are what you eat if you want to starve, but it's delicious! 

Upon my return to the states, I go hunting for the recipe. I email the biscotteficio for the recipe. No reply. I email a baker friend, he doesn't make them. I email my aunt, a traditional Italian women, she's never heard of them. I Google "corn flake cookies" and the results are nothing like the ones I had in Italy!

But I am relentless! A few more emails, research, begging a few people, and.....AND, here is the recipe for you to try yourself! I played around with doses, flours, amounts of chocolate chips (too much of a good thing, can be too much!) and even butter consistency. Don't be quick to discount them because they sound odd and require 3 types of flour, none of which you will likely have in your pantry and look hard. They are easy to make, once you purchase all of  the ingredients!

Give them a try, you will not be sorry! 

Potato flour? Almond flour? Corn flakes? What kind of cookie is this??

Always prep everything before you start so you don't have to stop and measure while mixing!

Butter should be very soft, it's ok if it's a bit melted.

It's all coming together nicely!

Ingredients

7 tablespoons unsalted butter (butter should be very soft)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
¾ cup + 2 tablespoons  “00” flour
½ cup almond flour
½ cup potato flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup miniature chocolate chips
2 teaspoons baking powder
pinch of salt
Corn Flakes (as much as needed, at least several cups)
 
Directions
1) Preheat over at 350 degrees.
2) In a medium bowl, using electric mixer, mix the butter and sugar. Mix for several minutes, until well combined.  
3) Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
4) In a separate bowl, mix the “00” flour, potato flour, almond flour and baking powder.
5) Add flour mixture to the egg and butter mixture just until blended. Do no overbeat.
6) Add a pinch of salt and the chocolate chips. Incorporate chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed in the batter.
7) Using a small cookie scoop, or two tablespoons, measure a small mound of dough and drop it in a bowl of corn flakes. Coat cookie with the corn flakes and place on a cookie sheet that has been lined with baking paper. Continue with the rest of the batter.
8) Bake cookies for approximately 17 – 20 minutes, max.
9) Dust baked cookies with powdered sugar and serve. This recipe makes approximately 25 cookies. 

Place on a prepped cookie sheet and bake!

So yummy! Corn flakes and all!

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Ready to make your 2020 Italian Travel Dreams come true? Consider joining us in one of our Culinary Adventures! 

CHIANTI: MAY 1 - MAY 8, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure! 
AMALFI: MAY 10 - 17, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure!  
EMILIA ROMAGNA: MAY 19 - 26, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure! 
SICILY: SEPTEMBER 1 - 8, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure! 
CHRISTMAS in TUSCANY: DECEMBER 4 - 11, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure! ​​

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