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Quince Tarte Tatin
…these fallen hazel-nuts, stripped late of their green sheaths, grapes, red-purple, their berries dripping with wine, pomegranates already broken, and shrunken figs and quinces untouched, I bring you as offering. – H.D., “Orchard.” There are few fruits more aromatic than quince. Though harder work than an apple or pear, to which quince are related, this fruit has an indescribable lovely spiciness that makes for a gorgeous tarte tatin. Try something different this Thanksgiving – you can even make this the day before, no problem.
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Pomegranate Curd and Orange Tarts
And her sweet red lips on these lips of mine Burned like the ruby fire set In the swinging lamp of a crimson shrine, Or the bleeding wounds of the pomegranate, Or the heart of the lotus drenched and wet With the spilt-out blood of the rose-red wine. – Oscar Wilde, “In the Gold Room – A Harmony.” Two posts on pomegranates in a row but I couldn’t resist. Not while these beautiful fruits are in season, and not with Thanksgiving around the corner. (And I love working with the arils – they’re like little jewels.) Speaking of fall fruits, I’ve been having some fun with quince, too, which I…
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Oatmeal Pomegranate Chocolate Chip Cookies
No doubt you have forgotten the pomegranate trees in flower, Oh so red, and such a lot of them. – D.H. Lawrence, “Pomegranate.” These cookies…oh my goodness. Take an oatmeal cookie (already a fan), add pomegranate seeds (crunchy goodness), and semi-sweet chocolate chips (duh), and you have heaven in a cookie. This is one of my favorite recent creations and I will be making them again. Very soon. As long as pomegranates are in season.
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Berlin, Prague, and Vienna
“…and schnitzel with noodles.” – Rogers & Hammerstein, “My Favorite Things.” I love the big open squares and cafes in Europe, which we took full advantage of for people-watching (and wine-drinking) while on our trip. And I love the little blankets the cafes provide – so perfect to take a break from all the sightseeing and cozy up under a heat lamp with some nibbles, especially when it was raining. (Another favorite travel thing for me is sorting out the subway systems in different cities. Is that weird?) My favorite things from the trip? I’d have to include hearing the church bells of St. Stephen’s in Vienna, the astronomical clock…