Orange Tian
The March 2010 Daring Baker's challenge featured homemade orange marmalade, pate sablee and caramel sauce in a French dessert called an orange tian. My variation used sweet Cara Cara oranges, a buckwheat-tinged crust, and a…
Category Archives: Fruits
Tart Party, Sans Vicars
The June 2009 Daring Bakers challenge featured a traditional British "pudding," the Bakewell Tart, a dessert simply comprised of shortbread crust, jam, and almond frangpane. I tried my hand at homemade strawberry freezer jam, with…
Cream-colored Ponies and…
The May 2009 Daring Bakers challenge featured traditional Viennese apple strudel, made with dough stretched tissue-thin.
Paul’s Party, Part 3: Peach-Boysenberry Crostata-Galette
This peach-boysenberry crostata didn't make it to the going-away party, but the guest of honor enjoyed his sample. Any combination of fruit could be highlighted in this rustic pie; the key is the flaky, versatile…
Paul’s Party, Part 1: Bits and Bobs
An overview of some of the food I prepared for a friend's going-away party: Spreads with fresh bread, roasted chickpeas, fried zucchini roll-ups, and watermelonade.
Beating the Heat
A perfect summery treat, this creamsicle ice cream pairs orange (actually, clementine) zest and juice with vanilla for a classic flavor.
What a Flake
The June 2008 Daring Bakers challenge featured the Danish braid, a gorgeous pastry of homemade laminated dough. I filled my braid with apples, and set about making a host of smaller pastries with a variety…
Apple Dumplings for Faux-Fall
A homey, comforting dessert, these apple dumplings take a bit of prep time, but can be individually frozen to pull out whenever your loved ones start hinting for something like apple pie.
If You Like Piña Coladas…
The May 2008 Daring Bakers challenge featured an almost "albino" version of the traditional dark chocolate opéra cake. My variation had a piña colada theme, involving pineapple curd and mousse, coconut buttercream, and a garnish…
What Almanzo Liked Most
Pan-roasted brats with a creamy, sweet-tart compote of apples and onions; these are equally at home served over noodles, spaetzle, polenta or potatoes, and I have paired the compote with all manner of pork products.
Cara Cara Creamsicle Cake
The March 2008 Daring Bakers challenge was Dorie Greenspan's Perfect Party Cake. My variation, served at my baby shower, was a creamsicle cake with cherry preserves, Cara Cara orange buttercream, and candied orange slices for…
Getting the Hang of Lemon Meringue
The January 2008 Daring Bakers challenge featured the classic lemon meringue pie. My first encounter with making a meringue topping ended well, with no weeping (me or the pie)!
Cashew Pancakes with Bananas
An adaptation of my favorite praline-ricotta pancakes, using honey-roasted cashews and sauteed bananas.
Poifect
The perfect apple crumb pie, redolent of cinnamon and with just the right levels of crunch and tenderness.
Birthday Waffles
Fluffy buttermilk waffles topped with maple cinnamon apples make a decadent birthday breakfast.
The Purple Piewoman
A favorite childhood recipe for crayon-purple Concord grape pie with a simple sugary streusel.
A Mediocre Menu (and My Ultimate Comfort Food)
Noil's Noodles---a straight-up Americanized version of what was once a Thai noodle dish---may not be much to look at, but always hits the spot when I'm feeling low.
Icy Olive Oil and Upside Down Apricots
An apricot-almond upside down cake with olive oil ice cream, both of which I found attractive but remarkably unpalatable. Good thing my husband enjoyed them!
Strawberry Mirror Cake: The Challenge
The July 2007 Daring Bakers challenge featured a strawberry mirror cake, layers of genoise buried in strawberry Bavarian cream and topped with a show-stopping strawberry gelatin mirror.
Strawberry Mirror Cake: The Prequel
The July 2007 Daring Bakers challenge featured a strawberry mirror cake, layers of genoise buried in strawberry Bavarian cream and topped with a show-stopping strawberry gelatin mirror. I barely reached the farmer's market in time…