Spring is a marvelous time for entertaining, and I like to make the most of the seasonal produce like fresh asparagus. This elegant little torte is delicious and unusual, but highlights the lovely flavor of spring’s best asparagus. I add just a little lemon zest and shallot to bring out that freshness because I find the addition of herbs or spices unnecessarily overpowers the … [Read more...] about Spring Asparagus Torte
Breakfast And Brunch
Pimento Cheese and Country Ham Corn Muffins
Easter and country ham go hand in hand to me. Whether it’s a large piece of ham for slicing, or sandwiched into biscuits or added to stuffed eggs. I pretty much always include it on the buffet. And of course, I pimento cheese anything. So these fun little muffin sliders are a delicious way to combine my favorite things. Moist cornmeal muffins flavored with … [Read more...] about Pimento Cheese and Country Ham Corn Muffins
Molasses Marble Cake
I love the idea of having a cake in the house to slice and serve as a snack or as a nice break with a cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon. This spiced loaf fits the bill perfectly, and it is attractive to boot. A simple buttermilk batter is swirled through with a really richly flavored molasses streak that makes this something special. Though I fantasize about afternoon tea … [Read more...] about Molasses Marble Cake
Savory Oat Skirlie
I had a little cookbook years ago titled something like A Little Book of Scottish Recipes. I assume it must have been a gift or maybe I picked it up in a gift shop on a trip to Scotland. I don’t know what happened to it, but I don’t seem to own it anymore. It had a recipe for skirlie (though honestly, I’d forgotten the name) and it became a regular dinner for me when I was … [Read more...] about Savory Oat Skirlie
Savory Tomato Frangipane Tart
At the end of summer, when the larger slicing tomatoes are beginning to fade, I still seem to find small varieties of cherry and grape tomatoes hanging around the farmers market. Not, perhaps, at their peak, but still a taste of bright summer sun. They are perfect when kissed by heat from the oven to concentrate their flavor, so I find them marvelous for sauces or for tarts, … [Read more...] about Savory Tomato Frangipane Tart
