I consume a lot of figs when they are in season. I get to the farmers market early to make sure I get them – and I have been known to buy them all! One of my favorite uses is Fig, Bourbon and Vanilla Bean Jam, which I give as gifts and get many, many requests for. It is fantastic on a cheese or charcuterie board! So when I set out to make a lovely fig cake, I knew adding … [Read more...] about Fig, Bourbon and Vanilla Bean Upside Down Cake
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Tarte à la Bouille (Cajun Custard Pie)
Years ago at some restaurant in New Orleans, I honestly cannot remember where, I had a dessert of Tarte à la Bouillie . I ordered because I was intrigued by the name and that it was billed as a creole custard tart. I like to order anything that smacks of a local specialty. That one was fanicied up with fruit sauce and whipped cream and what not. It was lovely, … [Read more...] about Tarte à la Bouille (Cajun Custard Pie)
Fresh Fig Flaugnarde
Flaugnarde is a regional variation of the classic French clafouti, and similar to a more American Dutch baby. A simple vanilla and nutmeg batter surrounds the seasonal fruit and comes out of the oven puffed and golden, but settles into a lovely custard-y base for the juicy figs. And let’s face it fig flaugnarde is fun to say (it’s pronounced Flo-nyard). Nutmeg highlights the … [Read more...] about Fresh Fig Flaugnarde
Swedish Waitress Apple Cake with Vanilla Custard
A recipe developer asks a lot of questions. It’s the best way to learn the secrets of cooking – the little tips and hints and tricks people use, things they learned from mothers, grandmothers and aunts, secrets from fathers, advice from magazines, cookbooks and the back of boxes, or lessons learned from failure. So I ask questions. In restaurants, stores, markets, from … [Read more...] about Swedish Waitress Apple Cake with Vanilla Custard
Chocolate Dutch Baby with Vanilla Roasted Strawberries
It is hard not to want to eat something called a Dutch Baby. It’s such a sweet and inviting name. The puffy oven pancakes have experienced something of a renaissance in the last few years, with lots of recipes showing up on the internet for sweet and savory versions with all sorts of flavorings and toppings. I, however, sometimes find a plain Dutch baby a little too plain, so … [Read more...] about Chocolate Dutch Baby with Vanilla Roasted Strawberries
