This dessert was created on a day when I promised my children a fancy dessert after dinner, but didn’t have time to run to the store. Using leftover Trader Joe’s vanilla meringues from my daughter’s birthday party (they were a hit by the way), frozen berries, freezer jam and homemade whipped cream, an easy eton mess came together in a cinch!
Springtime in France means white asparagus–a local delicacy that never loses its allure, despite its annual appearance. Considered a real treasure, these thick, white stalks are coveted by chefs abroad and nearby–the bigger the better. In France, white asparagus runs about $3 or 4 a pound, but in the States, you’ll see it selling for around $10. If you can find it!
This variety of asparagus is white because unlike its green counterpart, it grows entirely unexposed to sunshine. The moment it begins peeking out of the ground, it starts turning violet at its tips. Given the sensitive nature of this vegetable, it’s often harvested at dawn, before the sun rises.
When I start seeing beautiful tomatoes popping up at the market, I get really excited as I see this change as indicative of higher temperatures ahead. Right now, I am in France and enjoying the bounty of produce that exists in the warmth of the south. And how grateful I was to discover delicious, cherry tomatoes available this past week. I decided to buy a bunch of stems and then roast them for adding to pasta, omelettes and salads. They were incredibly simple to make and the payoff was certainly worth the five minutes of effort.
One of my favorite breakfasts is a bowl of hearty oatmeal, full of chunks of fruit and nuts. The more “stuff”, the better. This recipe calls for chopped, dried Bleinheim apricots (the best!), which you can find at your local Trader Joes. This variety has outstanding flavor and is delicious paired with pistachios! Read on for the recipe~
Although I love to cook, my kitchen arsenal is quite minimal. I enjoy the idea of a 20-piece stainless steel set from Williams Sonoma, but find that I actually do pretty well with just a handful of pans–and one in particular. For those of you with limited kitchen space or budget, I have one suggestion that will change the results of your cooking (for the better!) and will add more fun in the kitchen.
Our friend Vince introduced us to this fantastic dessert recently and we simply cannot stop making it during our quiet, cool evenings. A spin on the classic Italian affogato of gelato and espresso, this hot chocolate version is a rich way to end any meal. Since there are only a few ingredients required in this sophisticated dessert, you’ll want to make ‘em good; i.e., don’t scrimp on the chocolate! If you cannot locate a bag of Guittard dark chocolate chips, go ahead and substitute in the Ghirardelli 60%. It’s not quite as good as the Guittard, but it’s pretty darn close.
I used to feel rather intimidated by the concept of composting. Because I knew little about it, the idea seemed daunting. In my mind, I imagined composting to be a complicated and only for individuals who frequently garden. How I was wrong! Through my city’s “yard waste” program (a.k.a. your new compost bin!), I have become learned in the ways of composting and now it’s an absolute cinch. Here is how I do it:
If you need a protein-packed lunch in under 10 minutes, this simple but dressed up egg salad sandwich is the perfect solution. The addition of sourdough rye bread complements the flavors of the egg salad nicely, while adding depth to the sandwich. It’s the new favorite around here, for both kids and adults!
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When a child, I remember seeing a box of Celestial Seasonings in my mother’s pantry and thinking how boring it looked (and tasted). Now as an adult, I realize how soothing a cup of herbal tea is in the evening, just before bed when the house is still. And even though my views on tea have changed since then, I was right about one thing; not all herbal teas are created equal. Today, I’d like to share my favorites with you; hopefully it will enhance your afternoon or nightly ritual of cozying up with a mug.
I’m on a bit of a granola kick lately, as you may have noticed. Days are becoming more hectic and I find myself often in need of a quick, hearty breakfast. This is my solution! You’ll enjoy the toasted flavor of the hazelnuts mixed with juicy, flame raisins. Considered the sweetest variety on the market, these dried fruits definitely up this recipe a notch. I found mine–as well as most of the other ingredients listed here–in the bulk section at Whole Foods. Buying in bulk is a great way to control quantities and save money. One last note, be sure to use rolled oats and not instant or quick-cooking for this homemade granola recipe. Enjoy!
Toasted Hazelnut and Flame Raisin Granola
makes about 6 cups of granola
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