Beignets- for Mardi Gras or Anytime
There are few treats more closely associated with New Orleans than beignets, and these are the best beignets I have ever had.
read moreWinter Fruit Gratin
This delicious, yet simple, fruit gratin with Lovoka Caramel Liquer is a perfect ending to rich meal.
read moreMom’s Tiny Tim Fruitcakes
Tiny Tim Fruitcakes One of the regular holiday treats Mom made during my childhood were what she called Tiny Tim Fruitcakes. Sounds perfect. I mean, really- one bite of fruitcake is about all most people want, right? So I thought it would be an ideal treat to include here this month. When I went looking through her boxes and notebooks of recipes, though, the mini-fruitcake recipes (Mom had at least two- up to several recipe versions of almost everything she clipped) I came across ingredient lists of things like packages of spice cake or date nut bread mix, canned applesauce and even canned mincemeat filling- yuck! I don’t know if I will eventually come across more fruitcake recipes, or if Mom improvised her own. That’s what I decided to do (having never made a fruitcake before), taking a basic tea bread recipe and adding raisins and candied fruit to it. So here it is, my first attempt. Not bad, and a couple of people told me I liked it, although next time I will add more candied fruit, and perhaps some molasses or honey. Try coming back next year, but until then, my Tiny Tim Fruitcake recipe 2012 follows on the next page… Tiny Tim Fruitcakes 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup light brown sugar 2 eggs, beaten 2 tablespoons bourbon, plus more for brushing fruitcakes 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup milk 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup mixed light and dark raisins, soaked in bourbon overnight 1 1/4 cup mixed candied fruit, diced 1/2 cup candied pineapples and cherries, diced fine 1 cup chopped pecans, plus additional toasted pecans for topping fruitcakes @ 1 cup Ateco 482 16-Ounce Fondant Mix Stir together with a whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, bourbon and vanilla. Alternately add flour and milk in three additions. Stir in raisins, candied fruit and nuts. Scoop into mini muffin cups. Bake for @ 25-30 minutes at 325 degrees. Brush the warm fruitcakes with about 1 cup of bourbon, and allow the cakes to cool completely. You can do this again on the day if you like- extra bourbon always helps! Heat the pouring fondant over a low temperature, adding a bit of simple syrup if neccessary to thin. Pour one about one teaspoon of fondant over each fruitcake to ice, then top with a toasted pecan quarter. Happy New Year! ...
read moreMom’s Apple Nut Cake- Cupcakes this time!
This Apple Nut Cake was my mother’s go to choice for potlucks when I was young. I’ve made them into cupcakes for a Christmas season potluck.
read moreNoodle Kugel
Noodle Kugel, an old favorite, can easily be adapted to “small plate” or tray passed portions.
read moreFestive Bar Cookies- First in a Series of Mom’s Holiday Treats
I started making these holiday”Festive Bars” – a recipe I found in American Girl magazine – with my mother when I was about 10 years old.
read moreCranberry Pear Chutney- Just in Time for Thanksgiving!
This sweet, spicy and tart relish is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, and a favorite of my family and clients.
read moreAnother Stop on the Way to Wine Country- Bocanova and the Very Best Strawberry Scones
A stop in Oakland on my way to Sonoma brought a wonderful brunch with friends at Bocanova where I dined on zingy Shrimp Ceviche and the best Strawberry Scones ever!
read morePeach Ice Cream
Got an abundance of peaches on a hot summer’s day? Make my grandmother’s favorite- peach ice cream.
read moreBlenheim Apricot Upside Down Streusel Cake
The last Blenheim apricots of the season deserve this moist, upside down cake.
read more
