During my college semester abroad in London, I was determined to visit Austria on winter break. I am not sure where this notion came from, maybe too much Sound of Music as a kid, but I set out alone to discover whether the hills were truly alive. After a trying time in Vienna, I moved on to Salzburg, a lovely place I found charming and comforting and manageable. I think it … [Read more...] about Spiced Fruitcake Bars
Fruit
Meyer Lemon Curd
For awhile there, Meyer lemons ranked as one of those items that featured in all the food magazines and cookbooks, but not on the shelves of stores outside major cities. So when the slightly orange-tinted lemons started popping up here a few years ago, I bought them like crazy, often without really knowing what to do. I’m still guilty of that impulse buying, out of some … [Read more...] about Meyer Lemon Curd
Apple Pie Bars
Once upon a time there was a beautiful apple tree. When I was maybe 10, my dad took me to the plant nursery and let me choose whatever kind of tree I wanted to plant in the backyard, to replace one that had died. My family had just enjoyed some magnificent apples, bright red with little red capillary-like veins running through the creamy white flesh. At the market, they were … [Read more...] about Apple Pie Bars
Candied Figs
I love figs. Fresh and dried, black, brown or green. But I admit I am not that creative with their use. I snap them up when I see them, but often can’t seem to move past wrapping them in prosciutto or roasting them draped with bacon. But eventually, one batch of figs ended up, after much thought, candied. I was, if I may say, quite pleased with the result. Sweet, treacly, … [Read more...] about Candied Figs
Tennessee Blackberry Jam Cake
My grandparents lived on a farm in Middle Tennessee. It was a wonderful place for grandkids, and my brother and I made great use of it. Lots of rolling, verdant land to run around on, cows mooing in the background. There was a creek running through the property, shallow enough that we could wade around in it, or play pooh sticks or search for arrowheads and … [Read more...] about Tennessee Blackberry Jam Cake
