Topped with Coconut Cream and a spoonful of seasonal fruit this is a wonderful dessert for a summer seaside luncheon: easy, light, delicious, and pretty. It can also be served with coconut ice cream and bittersweet chocolate sauce or warm with a little papaya or passion fruit jam for a weekend breakfast treat. Any way you slice it, …
This recipe is an homage to Sarah with a nod to the Barefoot Contessa. Who knew that Ina Garten (M.B.A. George Washington University) worked for the U.S. Government as a nuclear energy budget analyst before (taking off her shoes) to own and operate a specialty foods shop? Last month Sarah, who moved to Maine from NYC seven years ago, …
Tested and enthusiastically approved by GF and non-GF friends and family, this is one of our new favorite scone recipes. We like the combination of sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors. They’re great for breakfast or as a side for salad or soup. 4 years ago we moved from Falmouth back to South Portland (SoPo) where …
It’s strawberry season in Maine, there’s a rain delay at Wimbledon, and I’m meeting Kari and Stephanie at 11:30 to walk around Back Cove before lunch: time to bake a cake! Fresh picked local organic strawberries are fragrant and delicious, but often delicate because they’re not bred to endure cross country shipping. When you think your berries …
This outstanding banana bread is more fun to make than any other and arguably more delicious than our favorite Kona Banana Bread. Roasting the bananas takes a little extra time, but the dimension it adds to the flavor is worth every minute. Using coconut oil and almond milk make it dairy free, however substitute butter for …
Just back from an island with an organic coconut field and organic banana field. Plus there is a LOT of coconut flour in the larder. So when I was sent a link to Empowered Sustanence’s I clicked on it. Easy, satisfying, healthy, and delicious, these may become a staple in your kitchen. Our recipe is …
Late Winter Carrot Soup (Serves 8 -12) This special hearty soup is tangy and thick enough to serve over pasta. Last week I used it on pizza under arugula, feta, caramelized onions, and fig jam. Nathaniel made a ragu for vegetable “noodles” from the Paderno Spiralizer. Served as a soup it can be garnished with pesto, or a drizzle of …
28 years ago four women each had their first child within a five week span. One of those babies will have her first child in two months. The three boys, errr… men aren’t there yet, following Daphne as they did growing up. This afternoon we’re hosting a baby shower. All that stuff about time and change goes without saying. The guests have various …
I am very good at what I do – just pulled a beautiful fragrant GF Citrus Olive Oil Cake out of the oven. But, BUT, yeast is not my friend, so our successful crusty, chewy bread recipes are few. I confess to not having cultivated the relationship carefully, preferring to spend time with cookies and scones. Those of …
Read somewhere (an airline magazine?) about popular chefs’ favorite sneaky, secret ingredients. One admitted to using powdered milk in his conventional cookie recipes because it adds chewiness. Since “chewy” is a rare descriptor when it comes to gluten free cookies I was determined to experiment. Finding Organic Valley Non Fat Dry Milk at Whole Foods cemented it. I’ve …
Tandem Coffee opened a second location: a cafe in a renovated service station on Portland’s Congress Street. Briana Holt is creating excellent sweet and savory baked goods. But fair warning: gluten-free offerings are occasional and the open kitchen precludes a GF environment. However, something I had last week was worth adapting: Briana’s Birds’ Nest Breakfast Muffins. A whole …
Delicious, nutritious, easy, fast, this savory dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Even if you splurge on the nicest free range eggs, organic cheddar, heirloom tomatoes and Vidalia onions, it’s an inexpensive way to satisfy the craving for a hearty meal. Traveling to Lake Tahoe to visit Gus who is working at Stanford …
Book Group met last night to discuss The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud. The link is to a (more positive) NPR review because I suggested the book and still think it’s work reading. Have some fun and Google the meanings of the names of Messud’s characters should you delve in. As hostess I made the …
I first experienced Pastry Chef Ben Spungin’s desserts at Marinus, in Carmel Valley, http://www.bernardus.com/. His mom must be extraordinarily proud. Ben’s sweets are some of the most creative, smart, irreverent and successful I’ve experienced. The entire meal was outstanding. Run don’t walk to Marinus for your next special occasion (make a reservation first.) My dinner selections were mostly vegetarian …
Nothing says “Spring” like the scent of Meyer Lemons! This combination of white chocolate mousse and lemon curd makes a beautiful and decadent dessert any time of year, but especially now when bunches of tulips greet one at the market and long stemmed branches of pussy willows aren’t far behind. I like keeping the …
A college friend moved from France to Mill Valley a couple of years ago so I get to see more of her. Last week she served us this salad with cold chardonnay: a perfect lunch inspired by her California and Continental sensibilities. It calls for the fresh herbs that must have grown wonderfully in her … Continue reading
After the success of Uncle Howards Chocolate Ganache Tart, we have become increasingly interested in raw, healthy, gluten free sweets. They are easily made, quick to clean up, and surprisingly rich. The best part is indulging in something decadent and flavorful without worrying about one’s health. One slice of Blueberry Banana “Cream” Pie leaves us more satisfied than most desserts that are … Continue reading
My first lobster roll of the season is at Jennifer’s home in late May or early June. A couple of years ago she started serving the salad on thick slices of ripe tomato when she noticed we were leaving buns on our plates to save room for extra chips, wine, and/or dessert. Last week, bolstered … Continue reading
Several years ago Peggy used rhubarb to prepare a delicious take on lemon squares. It’s still rhubarb season; the rhubarb plant in the garden continues to produce, so here’s our version of Peg’s delicious bars. The tartness of the rhubarb plus the richness of the creamy orange scented filling and shortbread crust combine to make … Continue reading
A friend lost her father in May. At 93, he’d lived an active, long, rich, productive life, setting personal and professional examples for family and friends. Best, he died with a dinner party for the following Sunday on his calendar… which he was to have hosted! 10-15 of us weren’t able to travel from Maine … Continue reading
Nick reported that he’s tending to a friend who isn’t feeling well. I suggested one tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar plus one tablespoon of honey in hot water. Tori Ritchie, who writes an excellent food blog: Tuesday Recipe, has an equally good idea. In mid-May she offered her recipe for “Mexican Penicillin”, chicken soup … Continue reading
Yesterday we had the pleasure of trying Sweet Christine’s sandwich bread. The GF Bread “ball” has been hit outta the park! It is rare to find a gluten free loaf that is satisfactory unless it’s warm from the oven or it’s been sliced and toasted. Sweet, sweet Christine has accomplished something special. The bread from her … Continue reading
Apologies for not providing the recipe for Gus’s Crab Cakes before Oxbow won the Preakness; they would have been perfect for your racing day menu. Never mind. Make them for late spring and summer dinners going forward. We recently served them with a dollop of homemade tarter sauce on a bed of fresh pea shoots … Continue reading
Marie, who often has chocolate chips for breakfast, was disappointed when I didn’t bring a chocolate dessert to last month’s Discussion Group meeting. I’m determined to satisfy her expectations tonight. This recipe for an almond flour based cake with a ganache icing is inspired by one served at the very cool Foreign Cinema in San Francisco. Continue reading
If, IF, you have any Burnt Honey Caramel Sauce left from last week, try these scones. The slight smokiness of the burnt honey plus the brightness of the orange zest make them the perfect vehicle for a little butter and as much Blood Orange Marmalade as you like. Because we’re using (liquid) sweetener, the body … Continue reading
Gluten Free Gus 