WHAT’S CRUNCHY, only slightly-sweet, and perfect for dunking in a cup of hot coffee? The Almond Biscotti you see pictured above. If I can make these awesome Italian biscuits on a busy gardening- and housekeeping-day, I’ll wager you can, too. Here’s the super-simple recipe: Read more » Awesome Almond Biscotti
May 17, 2013
WHAT’S CRUNCHY, only slightly-sweet, and perfect for dunking in a cup of hot coffee? The Almond Biscotti you see pictured above. If I can make these awesome Italian biscuits on a busy gardening- and housekeeping-day, I’ll wager you can, too. Here’s the super-simple recipe: Read more » Strawberry Souffle
April 23, 2013
I LOVE THIS STRAWBERRY SOUFFLE. It's airy and light. It's sinfully delicious, but not too sweet. And best of all, it's pink! My easy recipe for this fabulous French dessert: Read more » Afternoon Tea: Victoria Cake
March 29, 2013
TAKE GOBS OF THICKLY-WHIPPED CREAM AND SWEET RASPBERRY JAM, spread them between rounds of sponge cake, sprinkle the works with confectioners sugar, and what do you get? Why, none other than Queen Victoria's favorite tea-time "sandwich." I've made this Victoria Cake for Afternoon Tea today. Promise you'll join me? Read more » Chocolate Layer Cake with Milk Chocolate Frosting
March 15, 2013
I HOPE YOU'RE HUNGRY, because I've made you a chocolate cake. A chocolate cake that is naturally-moist, euphorically-dense, and decadently-delicious. One bite and you'll hear angels sing. I certainly did. Here's the recipe in photographic steps, followed by a copy-and-paste version: Read more » Recipe: Glazed Apple Tart
March 9, 2013
WHAT CAN YOU DO with a little pastry dough, two apples, and a jar of apricot preserves? Why, you can turn them into a French apple tart. Folks, I'm talking about a tart with major crunch-appeal. A tart with a sweet, glistening glaze. A tart that is elegant to behold...yet is surprisingly easy to make: Read more » Charlotte Almondine
February 12, 2013
CHARLOTTE ALMONDINE is a variation on the famed "Charlotte Malakoff" dessert. It's a deliciously-decadent thing, a fortress of Cointreau-dipped cookies protecting a soft, almond-, chocolate- and orange-liqueur- flavored mousse. Shall we make this bit of poetry together? Read more » Chocolate Ganache Tart
January 3, 2013
I MADE TWO CHOCOLATE GANACHE TARTS LAST NIGHT. The first one, based on a recipe from a well-known cooking-personality, was surprisingly disappointing. The short-bread crust was as tough as plywood, and the chocolate filling was as dull as dust. The next tart, based on...well, my own instincts, used a pate brisee crust, and a ganache filling enriched with orange liqueur. Can you guess which version I'm going to share with you? Read more » 
