ZoëBakes

Sweet Peach Lassi

July 31, 2008June 8, 2022 Zoë François 16 Comments

How can something so tasty be SO easy? Just throw it all in the blender, let it whirl and you have a a gorgeous sweet peach lassi! This is what I made my boys for breakfast this morning. Peaches and a bit of honey sweeten the tangy yogurt. Pour it in beautiful little glasses you can serve it as dessert after an Indian feast or a light picnic on the patio.

The recipe comes from my friend Suvir’s book, Indian Home Cooking. I switched to peaches from his traditional mango and replaced the sugar with honey, otherwise it is all his! He and I will be teaching a class at Cooks of Crocus Hill on August 30th for any of you in the area who would like to join us. It will be a wonderful evening of his incredible food and I will be creating breads and sweets to match.

Orange Scented Sponge Cake

July 27, 2008September 12, 2019 Zoë François 12 Comments

I made this fresh orange scented sponge cake from my The Fannie Farmer Baking Book. It is a classic and really nothing about it needs changing. It is light and the orange gives the cake a fresh flavor that isn’t overly sweet. I combined it with a dacquoise, strawberry whipped cream and homemade jam to make a birthday torte for my stepmother. Even though there is no butter or oil in the cake I find it moist enough that I didn’t use a simple syrup soak. But you certainly could add it for flavor. Read More

Orange Blossom Honey Cake with Fresh Blueberries

July 14, 2008February 26, 2024 Zoë François 25 Comments

Honey Cake with Blueberries | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

The strangest thing happened on my way to ordering new chefs jackets; I discovered the most amazing honey I’ve ever eaten. You see, Jeff and I have been doing a lot of TV appearances recently to promote our book. I decided that my old worn out chocolate covered chefs jackets just weren’t going to cut it on HDTV and so I decided to splurge on some new ones. I consulted a few friends and found they were unanimous on where to go shopping; Crooked Brook.

As I placed my order, the owner of the company asked me if I’d like to try some of their honey. This isn’t just any honey, it is artisan honey. Made by bees that are so carefully watched that the producers know what flowers are in every jar. They even pack up these bees to vacation in Florida so they can create honey from orange blossoms. It is pure, organic and raw, so all of the nutrients of the honey is preserved. This is the stuff I get very excited about. This honey cake recipe was inspired by these bees and their fabulous honey.

Lime-Lavender Granita with Fresh Figs

July 11, 2008September 19, 2023 Zoë François 15 Comments

I’m finally home from all of my traveling. I’ve never been so happy to be in my kitchen, despite the 94°F forecast and no air conditioner. Something frozen, tart and a little floral is exactly what I need to get through this day. I just went to the market and bought a flat of fresh, dripping-with-juices-ripe figs. The sweetness of their nectar will balance perfectly with the lime-lavender granita.

Lavender Simple Syrup

July 11, 2008September 18, 2019 Zoë François 20 Comments

This gorgeous lavender* (salvia) plant is from Stephen Durfee’s garden in Napa, CA. It inspired my to make a lavender simple syrup on a hot day and drizzle it on a honey cake with blueberries.

The following recipe can be made with rosemary, lemon thyme, star anise, cinnamon sticks, organic edible rose petals or any other aromatic that you want to flavor your syrup with. I love to have these flavored syrups around to sweeten tea, use as a drizzle over sponge cake, flavor cocktails, granitas, sorbets and lemonade. Read More

White Peach and Raspberry Pie

June 24, 2008June 9, 2022 Zoë François 24 Comments

Fresh Peaches | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

After a winter of nothing but citrus, I’m about ready to go crazy, which my husband claims I did during this past week’s trip to the market. I came home with a case of white peaches, a pile of plums and so many blueberries and raspberries that my kitchen looks like a fruit stand at the farmers market. I can’t resist, it is summer and I love fresh fruit! First I made a bunch of brioche muffins studded with the peaches, plums and berries. But the real reason I bought all the fruit was to make pies. I love all of them and pies with ripe fresh fruit are my all-time favorite summer dessert. This white peach and raspberry pie is no exception.