Tuesday, October 20

Almond Financiers

Almond Financiers

A patisserie staple, almond financiers are a favorite and a treat that is easily made at home. These buttery little cakes deceive. Their delicately crisp texture hides a melting crumb of deliciousness. Yes, I have my weaknesses, and these are among them.   Blanched almond flour softens the crumb in these tender cakes. Browned butter gives them their rich flavor and melt-in-the mouth quality. If you’ve never made browned butter before, give it a try. 

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Wednesday, July 22

Almond Romesco Sauce

Almond Romesco Sauce

Hot weather means cold food. We cook early in the day before our kitchen heats up. And we rely on a rotation of dishes to beat the heat including this Almond Romesco Sauce. Spanish romesco sauce is made from charred tomatoes and almonds or walnuts, which give it a dark undertone. Almonds in place of walnuts and roasted red peppers in place of tomatoes changes the flavor profile, lightening the sauce. There’s not much to

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Wednesday, June 17

Apricot Cherry Frangipane Tart

Apricot Cherry Frangipane Tart close up with fork

Anytime I see ripe fresh apricots I buy them.  Apricot growers have upped their game. New storing techniques help preserve their flavor.  Now they entice enough to inspire me to make desserts like this Apricot Cherry Frangipane Tart. Jump to Recipe To make this tart, I adapted the sweet tart dough recipe from On Baking, the textbook I co-author. Sweet tart dough bakes into a crisp shortbread-like crust. Use it when you are making a

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Tuesday, May 05

Asparagus, Roasted Almond and Poached Egg Breakfast Salad

Asparagus, Roasted Almond and Poached Egg Breakfast Salad

When the world is upside down, something bright, fresh and green starts my day.  You barely need a recipe for this Asparagus, Roasted Almond and Poached Egg Breakfast Salad. I wrote it down because it is a combination that always satisfies. The recipe serves only one because my other half religiously eats his poached egg with an English muffin. And this recipe serves as a little primer on eggs and labeling. Buying Eggs Poaching requires

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Saturday, April 04

Orange and Almond Chiffon Cake

Orange and Almond Chiffon Cake

Our Easter gathering will be a party of two this year.  But I know someone who will really enjoy this Orange and Almond Chiffon Cake, especially if I serve it with fresh raspberries and coconut sorbet. A moist chiffon cake combines the lightness of angel food cake with some of the richness of a butter cake.  Instead of butter, oil gives the cake its tender crumb. This gluten-free cake is ideal for Easter or Passover.

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Friday, April 03

Toasted Bread and Almond Crumble

Toasted Almond and Bread Crumbles

Looking for a home made pantry staple to brighten up an everyday meal? Think savory granola. Toasted Bread and Almond Crumble is the topping you’ve been craving. It gives zip to soft creamy foods.  Sprinkle it on salads, of course.  But also use it as a topping for soups, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.  One thing you should not do, eat it with a spoon from the jar. You won’t want to stop.

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Sunday, February 16

Almond Sablé Cookies

Almond Sablé Cookies

Some sweets deceive. These Almond Sablé Cookies among them. They require few ingredients.  Finely milled blanched almond flour and cultured butter prime among them. The almond flour adds to the sweetness and the cultured European-style butter gives the cookies their rich flavor.  The trick is finding the best quality ingredients. And baking the cookies low and slow to develop caramel notes. You can bake these sandy-textured cookies plain.  (Sablé means “sandy” in French.) Or you

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Thursday, November 21

Pumpkin Cherry Pear Cake with Cinnamon Almond Streusel

Pumpkin Cherry Pear Cake with Cinnamon Almond Streusel

What do you look for in a snacking cake when the temperature dips? Pumpkin, naturally. And warm spices in a cake that is studded with fruit. This moist Pumpkin Cherry Pear Cake with Cinnamon Almond Streusel delivers just that and is what I’m making right now. We serve it for breakfast or for dessert when we have houseguests. I originally developed this recipe for American Almond Products Company. I used their cinnamon filling in the

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Roasted Vegetable, Almond Butter Hummus and Feta Pita

Roasted Vegetable, Almond Butter Hummus, Feta Pita

As the seasons shift and local produce becomes scarce, I look to supermarket staples such as bell peppers and zucchini to get my vegetable fix. This Roasted Vegetable, Almond Butter Hummus and Feta Pita satisfies the craving for a sandwich with some the freshness of a salad. The combination of Almond Butter Hummus, feta cheese and a blend of warm spices give the sandwich some substance. You’ll find the recipe for Almond Butter Hummus here.

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Sunday, November 17

Roasted Almond Butter Hummus

Hummus has become a staple, a high protein snack that makes eating carrot sticks a pleasure. Prepared hummus will do in a pinch but making it at home means I get the exact flavor I like. This Roasted Almond Butter Hummus uses dark roasted almond butter in place of tahini. A generous dose of lemon juice brightens the flavor of this addicting spread. Roasting transforms the personality of the elegant almond. As the temperature increases,

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"Let no man fancy he knows how to dine
Till he has learnt how taste and taste combine."

-Horace, Satires, 2.4

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