With so many apple desserts in New England, where does Apple dumplings for breakfast just can’t be beat, or how about a warm and crunchy oatmeal apple crisp, or perhaps a bubbling-hot apple cobbler right out of the oven, served with cinnamon ice cream. The standard by which all else is measured is, of course, the apple pie. New England…
In spite of its name, Indian pudding was not adopted from American Indians by the settlers. The name came from the use of “Indian meal,” another name for corn meal, which, of course, was adopted from Native Americans. When you think of the top five New England desserts, Indian pudding is at the top of the list. You also have…
For the best flavor read labels and look for pure ingredients. In tough times – when food prices are through the roof, and labor and healthcare costs are at an all-time high – many restaurants and food service establishments look to cut cost. But the best operators know that “quality drives profit” and the simplest way to keep costs low…
Take a walk in the woods for a tantalizing snack or a sophisticated condiment Over 20 years ago I remember hiking in northern New Hampshire just outside of Errol and stumbling upon the famous wild blueberry bushes that decorate the landscape. These tasty little treats are indigenous to Maine and Canada, and are usually called wild Maine blueberries. But I…
Lemon prices are rising along with gas prices. Here’s an easy guide to switch over to the more reasonably priced lime. Move over lemons – limes are getting a second look. Cooks all over are finding more interesting ways to use limes, especially now that lemon prices have gone up. The other day at the supermarket I saw lemons priced…
This recipe for brandied nut cream is one of my all time favorites. The combination of peanut butter and brandy sounds a bit odd but they really do taste so good together. Other flavor combinations that have worked well, but sounded questionable, are strawberries and crushed pink peppercorns or maybe ice cream flavored with balsamic vinegar or chocolate combined with…
J-E-L-L-O can be made at home along with simple cookies to re-imagine your childhood, but even more tastefully. Several recipes come to mind when I start reminiscing. Shortbread cookies were all the rage for years until butter had to take a back seat to margarine and shortening. Like I said several months ago, butter is back, and so is the…
It’s a Yankee tradition. You just need clean snow and a good supply of March gold. Does anyone eat sugar-on-snow anymore? I must say the first time I had the opportunity to sample sugar-on-snow I just didn’t get it. Eating a candy-like confection (made by pouring boiling hot, extra thick maple syrup over powdery snow) served with dill pickles and…
Dulce de Leche, cajeta, majar or milk jam – this sweet sauce made from caramelized milk is a treat in any language. Milk jam or milk candy just doesn’t sound as fancy or intriguing as confiture de lait from the Normandy region in France or dulce de leche from Latin America or cajeta from Mexico or manjar from Chile. But…
Chocolate pudding is a great nostalgic dessert at home or finish at the finest restaurants. Chilled chocolate pudding isn’t just for snack time anymore. It belongs on menus in the finest of restaurants if it’s made with passion and quality ingredients. Most of us grew up eating chocolate pudding made from a box and it was the consistency that everyone…
