Baked brie with fruity toppings used to be all the rage, and the real height of sophisticated appetizers. But they seem to have fallen out of fashion a little. I rarely see them at parties or in cookbooks anymore. Perhaps the trend for simple artsy charcuterie trays have taken their place, or appetizers served on individual spoons. But just because a dish isn’t trendy … [Read more...] about Baked Camembert with Pear, Cranberry and Walnut Relish
Fruit
Rosemary Pear Butter
As autumn approaches, I start to feel a little panicky about the end of farmers market season. I spend a huge amount of time in the summer preserving the bounty, through canning and freezing my favorite produce. But when I start to realize that my source for all that fresh, local goodness is going into hibernation, I fret and worry. My Saturday ritual will come to an end, … [Read more...] about Rosemary Pear Butter
Fresh Pear Vinaigrette
My favorite simple fall salad dressing was created quite unexpectedly. I was given a fancy bottle of white balsamic vinegar infused with pear. That’s what it said on the label, but I never tasted any hint of pear. It sat in my pantry for a while, unused. But at some point, I was asked to bring a salad to a dinner, and had purchased a pear to cut up on top. My forward … [Read more...] about Fresh Pear Vinaigrette
Melon Rosé Sangria
Pink and pretty and refreshing. Okay, a little girly. But this lovely summer sipper will cool you off with a little sophistication. The pink wine available in the US has come a long way from “white zin” and the eighties wine bar, and I urge you to seek it out. It is a crisp summer wine and there are great, affordable versions from France like La Vieille Ferme and South … [Read more...] about Melon Rosé Sangria
Fresh Fig Cake with Buttermilk Glaze
A friend recently posted on Facebook that she had some figs lying around and was looking for suggestions on how to use them. Almost all the comments involved wrapping them with bacon, drizzling them with honey, or slicing them on a pizza. All of which are delicious suggestions, but a little one-note. But it got me thinking about the many uses of figs. … [Read more...] about Fresh Fig Cake with Buttermilk Glaze
