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
Snacks And Starters
Strawberry Chocolate Crumble Bars
Is there a better combination than strawberries and chocolate? And when those strawberries are fresh, in season, local and at peak sweetness, I mean! I’ve made a simple strawberry crumble bar for years, a sugar cookie base with matching crumble. I’ve added herbs and spices to jazz it up, even a little liqueur. But recently, with a punnet of berries on hand a need for a sweet, … [Read more...] about Strawberry Chocolate Crumble Bars
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
St. Patrick’s Day Grazing Board
I love a good snack board and I love a good theme, so creating a St. Patrick’s Day themed board was a perfect fit. I came up with this while standing in the grocery store trying to find something to nibble on for a book club outdoor gathering. It’s a nice combination of traditional St. Patrick’s Day fare and Irish products, all with a little touch of green. Deli corned beef is … [Read more...] about St. Patrick’s Day Grazing Board
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
