This recipe for Eton Mess is part of my self-improvement project to familiarize myself with Great Britain. You'd think I'd I know stuff from all those books and movies and TV shows. Sadly, having only spent three short days in London quite some time ago I am woefully ignorant. The little first-hand experience I gleaned was taking in the latest Alan Ayckbourn comedy followed … [Read more...]
MONT BLANC
Acclaimed blogger and urban farmer Charles Thompson introduced me to Gail Monaghan's Lost Desserts, a treasure trove of over-the-top sweet extravaganzas which was to be my initial inspiration for this Spectacularly Delicious recipe for the dazzling Mont Blanc. These first two photos are my Mont Blancs; the third is Ms. Monaghan's dazzler (paired with another of her glorious … [Read more...]
HAWAIIAN CREME BRULEE
Aloha! One should be forgiven for venturing into Tiki-tacky territory if one is, in fact, a real live Hawaiian-born native. Hence my unapologetic pride in sharing this recipe for Hawaiian Crème Brûlée, a Polynesian delight that need not wait for your next luau to prepare. Click here for the recipe for Hawaiian Crème Brûlée if you'd rather get right to it before my little … [Read more...]
BLACK FRUIT SALAD SSD #13
Time for a new entry in our series of Simply Spectacularly Delicious (SSD) recipes: Black Fruit Salad. This couldn't be any easier or more elegant. The single-color fruit salad (or crudité platter) is right out of Martha Stewart's play book. A good friend, who is an unassailable authority on all things Martha, shared the domestic doyenne's three … [Read more...]
BLOOD ORANGE CREPES SUZETTE
When all is said and done, we have that certain Cathy to thank for the enduring mystic of Blood Orange Crêpes Suzette. Sophisticated beyond her years, she embodied culture and refinement to a generation hooked on black and white after-school TV reruns. You remember Cathy, don't you? Of course I speak of the Cathy who adores a minuet, the Ballets Russes … [Read more...]
TONKA MACAROONS
These Tonka Macaroons have the elegant, lozenge- shaped Ladurée look so terribly in vogue these days. SpecD's earlier, 1.0 version, H.M.S. Macaroons had their own outsider style statement, almost punky with their spikey nugget silhouette. This Tonka Macaroon recipe was whipped up (whip being the operative word) for a fancy-dress New Year's Eve party where a true Parisian … [Read more...]
OUR TOP 10 BEST LIST FOR 2011
1. Best Meal: Our wedding party. After sharing our lives for 29 years, Steve Russell and I married in September. 125 guests (45 of whom were family, pictured) celebrated in Greenwich Village on a sunny Sunday afternoon overlooking downtown and the harbor. Highlights of our spectacular feast included four types of caviar, toasted ravioli, lobster rolls and a four foot long … [Read more...]
PEPPERMINT CREAM (SSD #12)
The good folks at OXO have made my holiday entertaining just a little bit easier by sharing their new hand-held mixer. One for me and one for Andrea at Let Loose Littell who won our little contest. I referenced this peppermint whipped cream recipe in my little chat with Julia Child -- and you'll recall she thought the whole notion splendid. So … [Read more...]
RASPBERRY SAUCE (SSD #11)
Ah Christmas, so much to plan, so much to do. Including building up your stores of tasty gifts. This Simply Spectacularly Delicious recipe for Raspberry Sauce is a sure-fire route to success. I know some of you haven't dipped into jelly and jam making yet, or tried your hand at home canned delicacies. Far be it for me to get all Judge Judy on you; it's … [Read more...]
SOPAPILLAS
Back in the day El Serape restaurant down off Grand near St. Louis U. was our special occasion restaurant. I'm sure there were many things on the menu we loved, but only one item has stood the test of time of memory: Sopapillas. Hot and crispy, dripping honey and topped with a scoop of meting ice cream, the final touch a sprinkle of … [Read more...]