Welcoming Ciarán with Brownie Cheesecake

Posted by Gisele Perez on Jul 5, 2012, 1:02 pm in Family Celebrations, Food and Drink, Recipes-Sweet | 3 comments

This dessert may not exactly be an All American classic, but it’s certainly a dessert that only could have grown out of American excess-and I mean that in the very best way. Got a really good thing? Make more of it!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake- An American Classic for the 4th of July

Posted by Gisele Perez on Jul 2, 2012, 12:39 pm in Food and Drink, Holiday Entertaining, Recipes-Sweet | 1 comment

A great recipe for Pineapple Upside Down Cakes – one of America’s most beloved cakes and a favorite dessert to carry along to potluck dinners.

Bananas Foster Pain Perdu

Posted by Gisele Perez on Feb 21, 2012, 10:37 am in Food and Drink, Personal Reflection, Recipes-Sweet | 4 comments

In honor of Mardi Gras and venerable New Orleans restaurants, I’ve combined two traditional New Orleans desserts, Bread Pudding and Bananas Foster, for one decadent treat.

Meeting John Besh, Eating at Restaurant August and Recipe for Brown Butter Fig Tart

Posted by Gisele Perez on Oct 7, 2011, 9:34 am in Food and Drink, Recipes-Sweet, Restaurants, Travel | 4 comments

Keeping Cool on St. Anthony Street, New Orleans Sno’ Balls and Pineapple Sherbet

Posted by Gisele Perez on Sep 4, 2011, 11:31 am in Personal Reflection, Recipes-Sweet | 0 comments

Childhood summer memories in New Orleans and recreating my Aunt Leticia’s Pineapple Sherbet.

Rosé Fest 2011- Part 5 Olive Oil Cake with Sautéed Brandied Peaches

Posted by Gisele Perez on Aug 24, 2011, 10:13 am in Food and Drink, Recipes-Sweet | 1 comment

As I thought about desserts to serve at the Rosé Fest, this Olive Oil Cake, from a recipe of Suzanne Goin’s, seemed a perfect choice for a Mediterranean style menu.

Santa Barbara Getaway- Part 4 – Foley Wines and Ollalieberry Cobbler

Posted by Gisele Perez on Jul 24, 2011, 2:59 pm in Food and Drink, Recipes-Sweet, Travel, Wine | 3 comments

A drive up coastal 101 to the wine country, where I’m treated to the sight of rolling green hills with occasional grazing horses to my right, and the vast Pacific to my left, leads to at the blue highway, 246, and Buellton to visit Foley Wines and search for ollalieberries.

Summer Jazz Sunday Brunch Menu-Plum Frangipane Tart

Posted by Gisele Perez on Jul 11, 2011, 12:23 pm in Food and Drink, Recipes-Sweet | 0 comments

This prize winning tart Plum Frangipane Tart, showcasing Prune plums and almonds, both Sonoma produce is perfect for a late summer picnic.

A First Birthday Party- and Italian Cream Cake

Posted by Gisele Perez on Jun 21, 2011, 11:30 am in Family Celebrations, Personal Reflection, Recipes-Sweet | 15 comments

In May of 1994, my father celebrated his 70th birthday at a grand party. It was the first and last birthday party of his life. I made this wonderful Italian Cream Cake, a recipe I thought it would be perfect for a New Orleans crowd, chocked full if pecans and coconut, and as I suspected, it was a hit.

Strawberry Frangipane Tart- a Perfect Spring Dessert

Posted by Gisele Perez on Apr 25, 2011, 12:21 pm in Food and Drink, Recipes-Sweet | 2 comments

This beautiful tart, showcasing spring strawberries paired with almond paste, just conjures up the essence of spring.