Some time ago, I went a little overboard in a gourmet food shop, buying up all sorts of little French and Italian goodies – the kind of things that tend to linger on a shelf waiting for the “right” time to use them. More often than not, they go bad before the “right” time comes. I bought a tiny little tube with tomato shortbread batons from France. Only after I left the store … [Read more...] about Tomato Sablés
Holiday Cooking
Hot Honey Brown Butter Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are an absolute staple on the southern Thanksgiving table, and the general preference seems to be for very sweet sweet potatoes. I’ve never been a big fan of the marshmallow topped variety, but I do go for Candied Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Streusel or a casserole with cider, maple and orange. A few years ago, I veered over to the savory side (to … [Read more...] about Hot Honey Brown Butter Sweet Potatoes
Cranberry Chess Pie
I am a chess pie fanatic. It was a frequent dessert at my grandmother’s house and a fond childhood food memory for me. That sweet, soft filling with a slightly grainy texture from a tiny dose of cornmeal. I love it. And I have produced many iterations over the years, from Sweet Potato Buttermilk, to chocolate in a chocolate crust to salted honey. Some … [Read more...] about Cranberry Chess Pie
Sweet Potato Curry over Black Rice
Black rice isn’t just about the drama, it has a wonderfully nutty taste with a slight chew that holds up to rich toppings like this curry. Sometimes called forbidden rice, I easily find it at stores like the Fresh Market, Whole Foods, Sprouts or in the Asian section of larger groceries. There are different varieties, so cook it according to the instructions on the package. Of … [Read more...] about Sweet Potato Curry over Black Rice
Strawberry Coconut Tres Leches Cake
Tres Leches Cake is a favorite of mine, ever since a friend from Nicaragua shared a family recipe many moons ago. Tender cake drenched in rich milks that add flavor and richness. At its essence, it is a very simple sweet, but one I always order if I see on a menu. But tres leches is ripe for interpretation – I make a perfectly autumnal pumpkin version and a seasonally … [Read more...] about Strawberry Coconut Tres Leches Cake
