Lemon Verbena Sheep Yogurt Ice Cream
By popular request, I’m posting a variation on my Lemon Verbena Sheep Yogurt Ice Cream, which you may have tried if you came to my pop-up restaurant last Summer. Why sheep’s milk, you ask? Sheep’s milk has a higher fat content and a slightly sweeter taste than cow’s milk. If you’re like me, and sheep’s... Read More→
Stone Fruit Crostada with Rye Crust
This Stone Fruit Crostada with Rye Crust is born of many different influences. I love stone fruit season and have been waiting all Summer to do a Peach and Plum dessert. Initially, I thought you might be getting a crisp of some sort, but then I read a really lovely recipe that called for a... Read More→
Pesto Potatoes with Soft-Boiled Eggs
I love pesto sauce, like all Summer sun worshippers and Italophiles and these Pesto Potatoes with Soft-Boiled Eggs encourage pesto for breakfast. And this time of year, when basil is still abundant, but it’s time to thinking about preserving Summer’s abundance, I make lots and lots of pesto and freeze it. After all, there’s only... Read More→
Let’s Fix it: Melon Baller Tricks
It drives me nuts when I slice a perfectly ripened nectarine or peach in half, only to have the pit split. Then I’m stuck continuing to cut it in half again and again trying to get all of the stone out, only to have a tiny (but rock hard) sliver remain, which I then bite... Read More→
Cherry Almond Gluten Free Muffins
When you’re visiting two different friends with Celiac disease in a single day, you definitely bake something gluten free, and if you’re going to see them for breakfast, these Cherry Almond Gluten Free Muffins are a great place to start. If you’ve never baked gluten free before, you’re going to love it for a variety... Read More→
Mail Order Herbs
While I was home in June, I saw the very beginning of my dad’s herb garden. Things were just taking off and I cut the first of the lavender just in time for my Lavender Lemonade from my French Croquet Party. Things took off, and of course, Dad has more than he can use. So... Read More→
The September Wedding: Pineapple Sage Cocktail
The September Wedding: Pineapple Sage Cocktail is dear to my heart for a variety of reasons. A dear friend is getting married this month and she asked me to create a few signature cocktails for her. I have no clue if she’ll select this one, but I know when I drink The September Wedding: Pineapple... Read More→
Rose and Raspberry Float
Summer, Summer, Summer, wherefore art thou… Fall? Really? It’s Labor Day weekend already? But it’s not here just yet, so I’m going to squeak in a few more truly Summer recipes, like this Rose and Raspberry Float complete with fresh raspberries and a gorgeous pink color. Added bonus, it looks super fancy and elegant, but... Read More→
Chocolate Cherry Almond Cake
I promised some sour cherry recipes from my Cherry Picking in Philly post, and voila! a Chocolate Cherry Almond Cake. You’ve probably noticed that chocolate desserts aren’t really my vice. Don’t get me wrong, that’s not to say I don’t like chocolate. I do. But I’m kind of a purist about it. As in straight... Read More→
Peach Jam with Jack Crane
My friend Jack Crane wanted to make Peach Jam as a thank you gift for his teachers, and he wanted some help. Thoughtful last day of school gift, right? I planned a little field trip of my own to help Jack learn how to make Peach Jam, but I may have been more harm than... Read More→
Sunny Mary: a Bloody Good Alternative
Summer is in full swing and tomatoes are coming in by the bushel, so I’ve been busy in the kitchen conjuring weird and wonderful uses for said tomatoes. It’s hot; so hot that hot is out and ice is in. With my mind focused in on tomatoes and ice it was only a matter of... Read More→
St. Brie LT
Considering I grew up in a household that prized St. André cheese and fresh from the garden tomato and lettuce BTSs (otherwise know as Summer BLTs) above pretty much all other things epicurean, it was surprising to me when my friend Susan turned me on to the St. Brie L.T., and not the other way... Read More→
Sour Cherry Picking in Philly
My dear friend Tracey belongs to one of Philly’s lovely community gardens. I count on her for mint and other lovely things from her plot, but best of all are the sour cherries from the community tree. Not only is Tracey delightful company with access to sour cherries, but it turns out she’s a ringer... Read More→
Spicy Tuna and Avocado Tartar
Dear readers, you may have noticed that I (unintentionally) took a week off of blogging, but I’m finally back with Spicy Tuna and Avocado Tartar. Whoops. I have excuses of course: it was a busy week, I was out of town, we had lots of social obligations, the light wasn’t right for photos… But the... Read More→
Anniversary Carrot Cake
Today, Marc and I are celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary, so I made Marc a carrot cake. Not just any carrot cake, no, an Anniversary Carrot Cake with Buttermilk Glaze. And he swears it’s the best one yet; after years and years of carrot cakes, this may be “the one.” Why is this cake so... Read More→
Urban(ish) Foraging: Sumac Lemonade
One of life’s supreme joys is pretending you’re capable of living off the land. As a city dweller, we have to take our opportunities to experience that joy (delusional though it may be) as it comes. I’d been meaning to make Sumac Lemonade, or Sumac tea for years, but I’ve done a terribly poor job... Read More→
Edamame Tacos with Chipotle Mayo
I love these Edamame Tacos with Chipotle Mayo. They came about during my time teaching Public Health Law at the University of Pennsylvania. One of the easiest ways to get lunch at Penn is from food trucks, and many of us eat from the trucks almost every day. So you can imagine how exciting a... Read More→
Watermelon Saffron Cooler
I have to admit, this Watermelon Saffron Cooler is about one year in the making. It started with some saffron simple syrup and a need for a sort of sweet and savory cocktail with saffron. And I nailed it. Finally. But finding the right blend that would accentuate the saffron without masking it took awhile.... Read More→
Old Fashioned Croquet Party Décor
Full disclosure, the Old Fashioned Croquet Party started with my desire to shoot a garden party in my parent’s garden. It’s incredibly beautiful and I knew that late June would be a wonderful time in terms of the garden being in full bloom. Next came assembling my friends. It’s important to have a game or activity... Read More→
Croquet Tournament
The croquet party was a huge success. We all looked amazing in our dress whites. It was a wonderful day of family and friends, in the beautiful setting where Marc and I married, EIGHT! years ago, in my parents’ garden. We were joined by many of the family and friends who supported us then, and... Read More→