By Amy Story

Rolled Italian Lace Cookies

INGREDIENTS

3/4 c. granulated sugar

1/2 c. unsalted butter

1/3 c. heavy cream

2 Tbsp honey

1/2 tsp. almond extract

2 c. sliced almonds, crushed

3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp kosher salt

Zest of 1 orange

PREPARATION

> Prepare a pan for indirect heat by putting liquid in a drip pan, placing it on the heat medium, and putting the cooking grid on top. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat.

> Add in sugar, butter, cream, almond extract, and honey to a saucepan and bring to a boil over direct heat. Whisk until the sugar dissolves.

> Stir together crushed almonds, flour, salt, and orange zest in a large bowl, then pour into the sugar mixture. Combine.

> Allow mixture to cool, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. (Batter can be chilled overnight.)

> Spoon teaspoon-sized amounts of greased batter onto the skillet, pressing out so the almonds are distributed evenly. Move the skillet over indirect heat and bake until the cookies bubble and caramelize, about 3 minutes.

> Remove the skillet from the grill and place the foil on a cutting board to allow the cookies to cool faster.

> Before cookies are cooled completely, while still warm, roll into cylinders.

Makes 6 servings.

(Alternatively, you can bake the cookies on aluminum foil-lined baking sheets in a 350 degrees F oven until they bubble and caramelize, 10 to 12 minutes. Then work quickly with a few recruits to roll them quickly.)

Note: I made these for my son Taylor and his wife Jess for their wedding in 2015. These were tasty, elegant, and would go amazingly well with a hot morning beverage for happy dipping and crunching.

Perfect Pizza Roll-Ups

INGREDIENTS

Several slices of white bread, crusts removed

Marinara sauce

Pepperoni slices

Mozzarella cheese

Butter

Garlic powder

Parsley

Oregano or Italian seasoning

(Use your judgment to adjust amounts of these ingredients depending upon how many roll-ups you want to make).

PREPARATION

> Flatten bread slices with a rolling pin, then fill with sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni. Roll up, and pinch ends together.

> Melt butter and herbs together, brush onto rolls, then place rolls into medium heat pan and brown slowly until cheese is melted and outside of rolls are crunchy.

Serve immediately. You could dip these roll-ups into additional marinara and you also could also sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.