Check out These Peepers! Try a Houston Chef's Winning Food Network Dessert

Check out These Peepers! Try a Houston Chef's Winning Food Network Dessert

HOUSTON’S OWN RUCHIT Harneja, executive pastry chef of Musaafer, won this week’s episode of Spring Baking Championship on Food Network. And foodies have a chance to try his winning dessert at the Galleria restaurant, now through Easter Sunday!


Harneja’s playful creation is an innovative spin on a honey-glazed ham. He translates all the flavor profiles of the classic Easter dish — hickory smoke, honey, pineapple, cherry, cloves, and even the ham itself — into a sweet treat. The dessert highly impressed the professional judges on episode three, which aired March 20.

He used his experience with heterodox food pairing — a yin and yang theory in which two opposing ingredients are combined to create a harmonious dish — in the dessert. A surprising blend of hickory-smoked honey cake, pineapple-and-clove Peeps and cherry pâté de fruit is topped with a ham crumble (there’s a plant-based version available, too). “I enjoy pushing the boundaries to explore more interesting flavor combinations, and this dessert is no exception,” he says. Jaipur-born Harneja is known for interesting flavor combinations and presentations as seen in a few of his signature — eye-popping and beautiful — desserts at Musaafer.

Harneja and contestans on 'Spring Baking Championship'

Food
Elevate Dining in and out this Summer with Steam Cooking

MAKE THE MOST of every delicious bite this summer with the benefits of steam cooking. Whether you’re reviving leftovers from Houston’s hottest foodie hangout or hosting memorable gatherings at home, integrating steam into your cooking repertoire can take your food to the next level.

Keep Reading Show less

JUN is hosting a special Lunar New Year dinner (photo by Luke Chang)

THE CHILLY WINTER months aren’t slowing Houston chefs down from hosting hot events. Grab some friends, your appetite and a calendar and plan on attending one of these fetes for foodies.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Snacks and apps at 1891 (photo by Andrew Hemingway)

WE ARE A couple weeks out from Super Bowl LIX, and it's not too early to be thinking about parties, food, and party food. We rounded up some of the most unique and bang-for-your-buck eats to make the event memorable.

Keep Reading Show less
Food