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Lemon Basil Tart
“Sweetness cloys. Tart fruit and tart women give life its savor.” – George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons. Amen, Mr. Martin. By the way, that quote is from book 5 in the Game of Thrones series (technically A Song of Ice and Fire series), and I have to wonder if there will ever be a book 6 or 7. The HBO show had already outpaced the books by last season and once the TV series ends in a couple of weeks we’ll all be having withdrawals. Or at least I will. Can I say hurrah for all the strong, badass women characters in both books and show? That’s not…
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Bakes That Fail
Between the idea and the reality…falls the shadow. – T.S. Eliot. It’s inevitable. The meringue is soup. The cake is lead. Your caramel burns and your cake falls. And when it happens, there might be tears. Self-recrimination. Cursing. (Definitely cursing.) As you pour $$$ down the garbage disposal because even the dog won’t eat your food, you might feel as though the baking gods* have abandoned you to your fate. I am, of course, talking about the Bakes That Fail.
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Macarons with Earl Grey Tea Buttercream
“A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt. These delicious macarons are paired with an Earl Grey tea buttercream – because I love me some Earl Grey – but you could use another tea of your choice. They are also made with the Italian meringue method and I’m not sure there’s any turning back once you’ve tried it.
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Mocha Cake with Swiss Meringue Buttercream
“As long as you have life and breath, believe. Believe for those who cannot…Never give up, never despair, let no mystery confound you into the conclusion that mystery cannot be yours.” – Mark Helprin. Coffee. And chocolate. In a cake. Life is good.
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Leek Parmesan Quiche
“If you can mock a leek, you can eat a leek.” – William Shakespeare, Henry V. Leeks? Love ’em. (Just like lemons, ginger, chocolate, and all the other beloved foods I’ve already mentioned.) Red onions, scallions, shallots, leeks – I pretty much love them all. Which is funny because as a kid, I hated anything at all piquant, like onions or mustard or peppers. I guess my taste buds have grown up, because I can seriously get down for spicy these days.
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Meyer Lemon Blood Orange Muffins with Candied Ginger
Oranges and lemons, Say the bells of St. Clement’s. You owe me five farthings, Say the bells of St. Martin’s. When will you pay me? Say the bells of Old Bailey. When I get rich, Say the bells of Shoreditch. – English Nursery Rhyme. A lovely friend from work keeps bringing in the most gorgeous Meyer lemons from her tree. Such a gift! I so love when people share food from their gardens and nothing tastes better than produce in season. It always reminds me of my beloved Grandma Evelyn, who was one of those people born with a green thumb, two open hands, and a giving heart.
