These Cider Masala Poached Pears are fragrant and elegant, but simple. A light not-too-sweet dessert, they take just a few ingredients and a bit of time to let the spices steep. Although I made them for an Indian-themed meal, they would go well at the end of just about any dinner. A grocery display of lovely Bosch pears began my poached pear adventure. I bought a few and poached them, using a mish-mash of various "American" recipes. They were good, but too plain for my taste. So I went ... read more
How to Identify Real Saffron & Avoid Fake Saffron
When I needed saffron recently, I pulled out the three different batches from my pantry. Why did I have three when saffron is not a common ingredient? The short answer is that I am too acquisitive. I could not resist stocking up on this exotic spice. I bought two on vacation (in Hungary and Spain) and the third at Trader Joe's. Before deciding which one to use, I was concerned about figuring out how to identify real saffron and avoid any that was fake or adulterated. But how to test the ... read more
No-Bake Mascarpone Lemon Cheesecake
I discovered this No-Bake Mascarpone Lemon Cheesecake at the Creevagh Heights B&B, during our summer vacation to western Ireland. Although I used to be partial to heavy, New York-style cheesecake, ... read more
Sweet Potato Streusel Cake
I'm always looking for new and wonderful ways to use streusel. You might even say I'm streusel-obsessed. So when I picked up Miranda Crouse's Easy Cake Cookbook, the Sweet Potato Streusel Cake ... read more
Easy Mediterranean Bruschetta Appetizer
When friends host parties, I always offer to bring a dish. Because I am perennially late (and love chocolate), I tend to bring dessert. But recently, my beloved offered to bring an appetizer to a pot ... read more
Authentic Guinness Irish Brown Bread
This past summer my beloved and I traveled to the west coast of Ireland. He searched for family while I sought great Irish food. Let's begin with bread. Now I wouldn't ever turn down excellent challah ... read more
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