Cream 1 stick butter (room temperature) and 1 cup sugar, then add 2 large eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract until lightly beaten. Separately, sift together 2 cups flour, 1 tsp each baking powder and baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ½ tsp. Little by little, fold the dry mixture and 1 cup sour cream (here, 7 oz plain… Continue reading Cinnamon pear tea bread
Tag: fruit
Cheesecake tarts
Using an electric mixer, beat 32 oz cream cheese (or, to reduce fat, 16 oz cream cheese and 16 oz Neufchâtel cheese) until fluffy, then add 2 tsp pure vanilla extract and 2 cups sugar (here, I used homemade vanilla-infused sugar). Slowly mix in 4 eggs, one at a time. Separately, place 24 cupcake liners… Continue reading Cheesecake tarts
Mixed berries with limoncello
Toss berries (here, about 2 cups sliced strawberries and blueberries) with 2 Tbsp each julienned spearmint, julienned basil, and limoncello. Let flavors meld for a few mins, then serve. This recipe is by Giada de Laurentiis and available on Food Network. (May 2014)
Banana-egg pancakes (gluten free)
I finally tried this recipe from Briana, and it was tasty. Mix 2 ripe bananas with 2 eggs, then add a dash each cinnamon and nutmeg. Using a nonstick pan, heat a little almond oil, then ladle out one pancake’s worth of batter. Cook until browned on each side, and continue until you use up… Continue reading Banana-egg pancakes (gluten free)
Grilled stone fruit skewers
Cut peaches and plums in half and remove pits. Alternately thread on metal skewers, with cut side facing up. Sprinkle white sugar on cut side and let sit for a few minutes. Coat a BBQ grill with cooking spray, then grill skewers (cut side down) on medium-high heat for about 5 mins. Serve immediately. This dish… Continue reading Grilled stone fruit skewers
Oven-roasted strawberries
Preheat oven to 375. Hull 1 pint strawberries and place, cut side down, in a baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp brown sugar. Bake for 30 mins. This recipe is from Cooking Light. (July 2014)
Oven-roasted stone fruit with cherries
Preheat oven to 450. Cut 6 peaches (here, white nectarines) and 6 plums into quarters (removing pits), then place cut side up in a large baking dish. Sprinkle ½ cup sugar (here, I used homemade vanilla sugar) over the stone fruit. Garnish with 2 small containers of pitted cherries (or raspberries), then place in the… Continue reading Oven-roasted stone fruit with cherries
Cider-poached pears
Combine 2 ½ cups apple cider, ¾ cup white sugar (here, vanilla-infused sugar), ½ cup orange juice, the zest of one orange (here, a lemon), 3 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 vanilla pod (split lengthwise) in a large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves, and then immediately reduce to a simmer. Separately,… Continue reading Cider-poached pears
Oven-roasted plums in spiced syrup
In a small sauce pan, mix ½ cup sugar (here, vanilla sugar), ¾ cup water, 1/8 tsp each nutmeg and allspice, and a small cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat, then pour over 2 ½ lb red plums (stems removed, placed stem side down). Roast in… Continue reading Oven-roasted plums in spiced syrup
Bananas Foster (without the booze)
This is an alcohol-free version. Using a large wok, heat ¼ cup unsalted butter. When melted, add 2/3 cup light brown sugar, 3 ½ Tbsp lemon juice, 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract, and ½ tsp cinnamon. Once sauce starts bubbling, add 3 large or 4 medium bananas (sliced on a diagonal) and ¼ cup pecan… Continue reading Bananas Foster (without the booze)
Cooking Adventures 