eat dessert first
Few things mark a special occasion like pies on the dessert table. Many of these recipes are perfect for Thanksgiving, but there is plenty to love here all year. And don’t forget about crisps and cobblers when you want something a little easier.
I think tarts are an under appreciated art form. The sweet, tender crust is the perfect frame for just about any filling. This pear almond tart features poached pears laying in a bed of almond cream and surrounded by toasted almonds. The flavor combination is classically French and looks sophisticated […]
There are many beautiful cookbooks coming out of this rich world of food blogging, but The Farmette Cookbook is special. It isn’t at all surprising considering Imen is one of those people who lives a life full of passion, creativity and grace. It isn’t luck exactly, it is a fierce curiosity […]
I love pie—all pies—but this blueberry pie stands above the rest. I’m not even a huge blueberry fan, but when they are baked up in a pie shell, with just a bit of lemon, some sugar and pats of butter, I could eat the whole thing. Blueberry Pie Tips and Tricks
The not-so-secret secret to this recipe is using sour cherries to cut through some of the sweetness. Find out why sour cherries make for the best pie and get the full recipe below! Cherry Pie Tip: Sour Cherries The key to success with this sweet, but not too sweet, cherry […]
This mixed berry cobbler is perfect for summer BBQs. I recommend using fresh berries if you can, but frozen will do just fine, too. My recipe features cheddar biscuits for a fun twist on a classic treat. I have to admit this recipe was an accident, a happy one, but […]
I met Michelle Gayer’s desserts many years before I ever met her. When I was still a pastry assistant I came to work with Charlie Trotter’s Desserts, which Michelle wrote while she was the pastry chef at Trotter’s, and convinced the team to make everything out of it. Her style […]
This lemon brown sugar meringue tart is the cousin of the Lemon Meringue Pie, an all American classic. The lemon is intense, smooth and bracing, which is the perfect contrast to the pillowy brown sugar meringue that floats on top. They sit on an almond pastry crust that is tender […]
I know I promised a tour of the spice market in Istanbul, but I had to show you the plum pie I made for my stepmother’s birthday first. When I returned home after a month away my refrigerator was bare, nothing but a jar of capers and a bottle of […]
This past weekend I NEEDED summer. The weather was vacillating between rain and sleet, my boys couldn’t even go ice skating because the rink was just a pool of slush. The Midwestern sky, that I can usually count on for an endless blue sunny backdrop to winter, was gray. It […]
This has been the summer of wild blueberries. First on my trip to Maine in August and then in the Northern most reaches of Minnesota just this past weekend. Maine is certainly known for their abundance of wild (or low bush) blueberries. In fact, they produce about 25% of all […]
A traditional (UK) Bakewell Tart is inspired by a rich baking history dating back to the 1800’s in England. It is a tart consisting of a simple shortbread crust, a layer of jam and frangipane (almond cream). Bakewell is a classic style of tart I’ve made lots of times and […]
The end of August brings a shift in everything from the weather, to the fruit and our schedules. This week we went to meet my sons’ teachers and visit their classrooms, a day filled with excitement and a touch of dread. They are excited to reunite with all of the […]