CROQUEMBOUCHE: Cream Puffs, Sour Lemon Cream filling and Caramel recipes Not required but nice to have: Copper caramel saucepan Pastry bag decorating Set Croquembouche form NOTE: Make three batches of this cream puff recipe to provide an ample supply to build an impressive croquembouche. Freeze extra cream puffs for profiteroles with ice cream and chocolate … [Read more...]
CORN RELISH
This recipe for corn relish is a flagship of Springy Banks Cannery (a.k.a. my kitchen). Rather than elaborate with frills and filigrees, as is so often the case when I repeat recipes year after year, this minimalist treatment is the Mies van der Rohe of corn relish recipes. Hey let's drag in another pretentious reference! Coco Chanel is on record … [Read more...]
NECTARINE HONEY JAM
This summer we've pledged our allegiance to Balsam Farms: freshness, variety, organic, pick-to-order. Doesn't get any better. So natch they provided the goods for this recipe for Nectarine Honey Jam. How could one resist? My bounty at home. In a … [Read more...]
FRIED OYSTERS
Spectacular treats need not always be complicated. This recipe for Fried Oysters is simplicity itself. You can (and I have) purchase oysters already shucked in refrigerated containers. But fresh from the sea and opened moments before a brief swim in a hell's cauldron of boiling oil, the results soar miles above what … [Read more...]
SALLY STOTT’S “SHORT FORM” BREAD-AND-BUTTER PICKLES
The New Putting Food By was my gateway drug to home canning. "The New" part is relative, as my copy is dated 1982. While there may well have been updates since then, no matter, the 1982 PFB is tried and true. While all the recipes and techniques are meticulous explained, the titles and origins often are not. So Sally, who … [Read more...]
LONG ISLAND BOUILLABAISSE: A CHOICE MEAL
Even though Bouillabaisse fits the criteria of Spectacularly Delicious -- proper name, special equipment (food mill), and unusual taste and presentation (break out that soup tureen!), I didn't put this at the top of my list as a choice meal. Seemed like there were enough bouillabaisse recipes already out there until I found this recipe for long island … [Read more...]
DULCE DE LECHE de EVITA PERON
It won't be easy / you'll think it strange / when I try to explain how I feel / that I still need your love after all that I've done. So sings María Eva Duarte de Perón in the legendary Broadway hit Evita. Well Eva dear, you do have some explaining to do regarding a certain dulce de leche recipe... One of the highlights of Buenos … [Read more...]