So much of recipe development is taking an ingredient and manipulating its texture without diluting the flavor. This is a good example. I have always liked the texture of puffed-rice cakes but not the flavor, which seems bland to me. So I’ve developed a cracker that highlights the nutty flavor of rice.

　　

Ingredients

makes about 15 pieces

　　1 cup (100g) arborio rice

　　5 cups (1,200g) water

　　Canola oil for frying

　　Coarse salt

　　

Step 1

Heat the oven to 150°F. Line a 9 x 12-inch rimmed baking sheet with a Silpat.

　　

Step 2

Put the rice and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is very tender and starting to get mushy, about 20 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Drain the rice and put it in a food processor. Pulse a few times to make a very coarse puree, but make sure it retains some texture.

　　

Step 4

Scrape the rice out onto the Silpat and spread it out evenly, filling the baking sheet. Put it in the oven to dry completely, about 3 hours.

　　

Step 5

Pour about 3 inches of oil into a large saucepan and heat to 365°F. Break off pieces of the dried rice and fry, a few pieces at a time, until crisp and golden, about 2 minutes. Drain and sprinkle with salt.

　　

Step 6

These are best served right away, but you can store leftovers, once cool, in an airtight container, between layers of parchment, for up to 2 days.

　　Reprinted with permission from Dessert Fourplay: Sweet Quartets from a Four-Star Pastry Chef by Johnny Iuzzini and Roy Finamore. Copyright © 2008 by Johnny Iuzzini and Roy Finamore. Published by Crown Publishing. All Rights Reserved.Johnny Iuzzini,, executive pastry chef of the world-renowned Jean Georges restaurant in New York City, won the award for Outstanding Pastry Chef from the James Beard Foundation in 2006. This is his first book.Roy Finamore, a publishing veteran of more than thirty years, has worked with many bestselling cookbook authors. He is the author of three books: One Potato, Two Potato; Tasty, which won a James Beard Foundation award; and Fish Without a Doubt.__