My Dad's favorite tree, the Japanese Maple - leaves, tho wet, are still intact. As we speak, Mother Nature is busy in the midst of her "cooking up a storm" efforts. Mine, alas, will come a little later today as the energy rises here in NJ. Storm energy initiates a wide array of responses in people, doesn't it? Some people panic, some burrow, some nest, some respond by attaching to the surges in environmental energy with bursts of creative … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2012
Crazy for Scones: The Toasted Coconut, Lemon-Almond Scone
Some of you may know that my Twitter name is "Crazy for Scones" and I am sure none of you who read this blog on a regular basis would be surprised at that. I don't frequent Twitter on a regular basis as I am still a novice at trying to figure out the relative value of all of these social networking vehicles. I am firmly a member of the dinosaur generation and am barely treading water in this regard. One day I hope to get the Twitter thing down … [Read more...]
Biscotti Binge – Apricot, Almond and Toasted Coconut Biscotti
Well, ever since I wrote the post last week about wanting to open a Biscotti Shop in Florence I have had Biscotti on the brain. It's too far away from Christmas, so that can't be it. Today is a good day for experimentation, so I got to work. I had my recipe for Lemon-Almond and Toasted Coconut Scones on my mind so I decided to try this combo in a biscotti - and add dried apricots for fun. Here is what I did: The Apricot, Almond and … [Read more...]
Gluten Free Cranberry-Ginger-Spice Biscotti – courtesy of Nancy Baggett
From Simply Sensational Cookies: 3/4 granulated sugar 5 tblsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled finely grated zest of 1 large orange 2 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp baking powder 1 1/4 tsp ground cardamom, or ground allspice 3/4 tsp (real) lemon extract (not artificially flavored) 1/2 tsp salt 3 large eggs, at room temp 1 1/2 cups sweetened dried cranberries 1/2 cups finely chopped crystallized ginger 1 cup … [Read more...]
Step One….My First Gluten-Free Biscotti
No, it's not Christmas, just a raw, rainy day here.......so fire in the fireplace! Ever since I was in Florence in July 2011, I have had a dream of opening up a Biscotti Shop there. My husband thinks I am crazy, but every morning as the kids slept in the hotel room on the Piazza Repubblica, I went out strolling around the immediate environs alone, experiencing, what for me is the most enticing time in a big city, when it is very early … [Read more...]
Apple Mania and My Favorite Pork Chops with Apples
Everywhere you turn, food writers are talking about the apple crop - and why not? Desserts, Savory Dishes and Condiments??? Not to mention, puff pancakes for breakfast and all the other major breakfast treats like streudels, turnovers, muffins, scones and coffee cakes....... and I'm going to Roseann Tully's Intermezzo Class next Friday in Boston on Cooking with Fruit - I can't wait to visit the Intermezzo Test Kitchens! Yesterday … [Read more...]
Pecan-Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts and Baker’s Challenge – Gluten-Free
I can't think of anything quite as frustrating than finding that you are basically gluten-intolerant when the number one thing you love to do is bake. Having struggled over a long period with some symptoms, I am now certain that I should avoid eating anything with gluten in it and reap the rewards given to my body and psyche. A lovely, long-overdue Valentine's Day dinner at La Grenouille on Saturday night was the last straw. Two lovely rolls … [Read more...]
Sunday Morning – The Incredible Gift that is Store-Bought Puff Pastry
The Honey-Enhanced Quick Cinnamon Roll (sans nuts because of you know who) and the Quick Pain au Chocolat with Orange In Pastry School we spent days and days making Puff Pastry from scratch. This is a noble endeavor - one not to be forgotten. I was crushed when the two batches which I brought home and froze were ruined last October in our freak storm - our power was out for a week. I have dreams about making puff pastry from scratch … [Read more...]
The Pear and Ginger Cake
For the Cake: 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 4 tblsp room temperature unsalted butter 1 tsp almond extract 3/4 cup non-fat, plain greek yogurt, drained 2 large eggs at room temp 1/2 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger 1 tblsp pear brandy 1 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1 tsp ground ginger 2 ripe, fragrant bosc pears, peeled, cored and sliced into 1/4" slices … [Read more...]
Pears and Ginger – Perfect Together; the Importance of Intoxication
This is my definition of perfectly ripe pears! Typically in Fall, apples get most of the attention, with the other seasonal fruits falling below on the totem pole. I adore apples and use them in a wide variety of sweet and savory dishes. However, I mentioned a few posts ago that I have been researching a lot of recipes with Pears - to indulge in the fruit itself and to work with the best of the best matches - like the ubiquitous Pears … [Read more...]