What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than to give someone you love—including yourself—healthy, home-baked treats. Valentine’s Day is synonymous with chocolate. However, when you bake for someone else—romantic partner, friend or family member(s)—don’t assume that they want chocolate just because it’s Valentine’s Day! As a die-hard dark chocolate lover, myself, I learned the hard […]
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Chip Almond Cookies Adapted from Elizabeth Barbone’s Gluten-Free Baking Yield: 16 cookies 2 cups finely ground almond flour, sifted (8 ounces) 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/3 cup dark maple syrup (it will be labeled Grade A, dark color with robust taste) 2 teaspoons organic vanilla extract 2 tablespoons unsweetened chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350°F. Adjust oven rack to the middle position. Line […]
Ginger-Pear Clafoutis
Our Bartlett pear tree yielded a frugal bounty this year. What we were able to reap went straight into this pear-ginger clafoutis. A clafoutis is a rustic French country dessert that traditionally calls for eggs, milk, sugar, flour and seasonal fruit. My version is a cross between a souffle and a custard; it’s also dairy-free, […]
Plum Clafoutis
I was first introduced to clafoutis at a dinner party hosted by a British friend. I instantly fell in love with this warm, eggy dessert, with a generous scattering of pitted cherries, and its custardy cake texture. After coaxing the recipe from my friend the next morning, clafoutis became one of my signature dinner party […]
Cherry Clafoutis
Clafoutis, a rustic French country dessert that originated in the south-central Limousin region of France, traditionally featured black cherries baked in an eggy, crepe-like batter. Many variations have evolved since, often featuring seasonal stone fruits, like sweet red cherries, plums and pears. I have a little confession. I LOVE cherries. As a child, I used […]
Chilled Ginger Custard
Creamy and cool with a gingery bite, this dairy-free dessert is ideal for a steamy summer night! Chilled Ginger Custard 6 servings 16 oz. (2 cups) full-fat coconut milk* *To one 13.5 oz can of coconut milk, you can add up to 1/4 cup filtered water for 16 oz. coconut milk. 1 heaping tablespoon fresh gingerroot, […]
Braised Rabbit in Almond Sauce
In my past life as a food and lifestyles writer, I remember a trip to Catalonia, Spain (which hugs the Mediterranean coast in northeast Spain) with great fondness. I spent time at an olive oil estate, learning their production methods, and also took a side trip to Barcelona. Catalan home cooking demonstrates a real affinity […]
Pear Clafoutis
There are many variations of clafoutis (sounds like: kla-foo-tee), a classic French country custard-and-fruit type of dessert. Essentially, it consists of an eggy batter poured over fresh fruit. Fresh cherries are a traditional fruit used in clafoutis, but you can use any fruit, from berries and peaches, to plums and pears. My version is both […]
Makeshift “Ratatouille”
How often have you bought produce from the farmers’ market only to get busy at work, and later discover that once beautiful produce has “died”, untouched, in your crisper?! Same with leftovers…how often have you stored leftovers in the fridge, with the intention of eating them, then promptly forgotten about them—until their pungent stink smacks […]
Dark Chocolate, Love and Your Health
Chocolate and The Love Connection The symbolic connection between chocolate and love was originally established by the Mayans of Mexico where, in addition to serving chocolate as a celebratory beverage at betrothal and marriage ceremonies (much like expensive French champagne), the bride and bridegroom exchanged cacao beans during their wedding vows to signify their bond. […]