When my daughter showed me a photograph of The Bojon Gourmet’s gorgeous Black Sesame Kumquat Financiers, I knew I needed to make them as soon as I could get my hands on some kumquats. Kumquats are the darlings of the citrus family, are the size of oblong marbles and are fun to … [Read more...]
Meyer Lemon Curd
I could eat lemon curd by the spoonful. It is that good. Made with Meyer lemons, it is sublime. Though I like it on a scone with a bit of clotted cream, I like it best in a tart, as a cake filling, or best of all, in a nest of billowy meringue. Over the years I … [Read more...]
Caramel Sauce
You can make caramel sauce with just sugar and cream--and it will be wonderful. Those two ingredients are all you need to make an excellent topping for ice cream, or for a sauce poured over slices of cake, pie, or profiteroles. However, if you are going to swirl caramel sauce … [Read more...]
Za’atar Cashew Brittle
A few weeks ago I was up to my eyebrows in chocolate, caramel, and peppermint, making candy for a corporate holiday party. The party was candy-themed, a sensory explosion of the sweet and the playful. I made a Curry Cashew Brittle (thank you Bon Appétit!) that was beautiful to … [Read more...]
Apple Cranberry Crumble Tart
Mercedes Rick Apple Cranberry Crumble Tart Named in honor of our good friend and very first paying customer -- what a fitting name! This tart is the S Class of apple tarts: 4 wheel drive Sweet Tart Crust for reaching every corner of your pallet, twin turbo charged with 2 … [Read more...]
Cranberry Lemon Verbena Sherbet
On our Thanksgiving table we have an abundance of pies. Last year we had seven—for eleven people. I’m not the only one who likes “a little of each”, which adds up to a lot. … [Read more...]
Lemon Snap Snaps
Lemon verbena is like cilantro, either you love it or you don’t. My feet are firmly planted in the love it camp. Verbena is citrusy, herbaceous, and perfumey. In the opposing camp, some think it smells like Lemon Pledge. I don’t experience it in that way. … [Read more...]
Gingerbread
I love to read cookbooks! AND, I love to read books (fiction and nonfiction) that have recipes in them. A dear friend recently gave me a copy of Delicious! by Ruth Reichl. The novel features a gingerbread that the heroine makes for her prospective boss—she gets hired on the spot … [Read more...]