Friday, October 31, 2014

Banana Salted Caramel Pie at Anthology & Chef Frank and Pardis Stitt for The Local Palate


Happy Halloween! If regular trick or treatin' isn't your bag, consider this magical pie. I didn't realize at the outset that I'd be willing to fight over it. Share it (and covet it)! This banana salted caramel pie is that good.

The combination of salty, crunchy pretzel bits and the brown sugar crystalized crumbs of digestive biscuits comprise the crumb crust. That's where the magic begins. I used Martin's Pretzels, a Pennsylvania Dutch style which is crisp, airy, and perfectly salty. Having made this pie once before and knowing I needed the win of a similar experience this time around, they shipped me an awesome package of pretzel bags. They'll do it for you too. Reason #11 (or 28, or 35…..) why You Need to Make This Pie.

Plus, with any leftover pretzels you may have, you can enjoy them with grain mustard and a nice beer….



Back to the pie.

Making [salted] caramel is so easy, and it, paired with the creamy bananas and tangy creme fraiche-cream mixture is pretty damn great. It's not really possible to imagine how good the combination of all this is. You just have to do it and experience it for yourself.




The story is now available - recipe here - as this month's Anthology feature. I hope you love it. When you've made it, come back and thank me….. :)




In the October Local Palate Magazine - still available! - is this wonderful story of an all-together different magic. It shares the story of Chef Frank and Pardis Stitt, and some insight to their beautiful hamlet in the country, Paradise Farms.

Here are some favorites from that day together -



adorable pooches, Fernando and Fiona



This gentleman, Freddy, is a former professional polo star and coaches Frank, as well as takes care of the horses and farm


Some very well-taken-care-of and happy horses

kitchen banter while prepping the dishes for shooting



a new drink created on the spot, incorporating one of my favorites, dry curaƧao - recipe here

sardines and skordalia

a most delicious kuku sabzi - Persian herb frittata

a plate of everything good - click here for the recipe

pear and almond tart 


We had a fantastic day together and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you Amy, Carter and the whole Local Palate gang! And a special thanks to Frank and Pardis, for welcoming me into your world with such authenticity.

I'm off to create some more magic with The New York Times. Think turkey…...

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Perfect Cheese Straws, My Trip to Norway (part 1), and a Giveaway


The sweet team at Cup of Jo asked me to guest blog during their month of easy-peasy appetizer features, and when I thought about fantastic-tasting treats to whet the appetite, puff pastry inevitably entered my brain. Especially because the results are SO good without a huge amount of effort (unless you made that puff pastry yourself…next week).

This version is seasoned with cayenne and nutmeg and finely shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. YUM. I made a quick harissa mayonnaise for dipping, but these cheese straws are just as good all by themselves. Full recipe and more drool-worthy images, here.




With only a few tools needed and many options for toppings, making these cheese straws is a cinch. Let the party begin!


As detailed in this story's title, there's also a giveaway going on. Please scroll down for more news on that….

You may or may not know that I just returned from a breath-taking trip through Norway. And, a way-too-brief stop-off in Amsterdam. Seriously, you cannot imagine the intense beauty of the landscapes in Norway until you have seen them for yourself. Now I can knowledgeably mark the must return to points when I have more time to get lost and explore, as well as offer solid recommendations should you find yourself going that way!

I've been quite busy since the return. Sorting the gajillion images will take time, but here is a first glimpse -

this quiet, mesmerizing abode, on the coast in Aurland

first night's stay during my solo tour, in Voss
hairpin turns along a fjord hike in Aurland

rainy day means a gorgeous still life at the Oslo bric-a-brac market

beautiful spent fern stems

I fell in love with the austere wildness of Finse. At 1222 meters above sea level, it's the highest elevation in all of Norway

from a train window, passing through Finse
later in the trip...see that little red cottage off to the left? that's the same as the above from the train window
long blown grasses, wet with raindrops 
wild tundra blueberries, juicy and sweet
a kind of chanterelles, chosen by Ilse at the market for that night's dinner
Reviewing these brings me back a little. How wonderful it all was. I plan on writing about each aspect of the adventure, so stay tuned for more photos and their stories…

And now for the giveaway. Which is actually THREE giveaways, so everyone has a greater likelihood of winning something! :D


The folks at GIR gifted me a variety of their just-released and not-yet-released (!) kitchen tools, and I am pairing them with a few latest yummy books sent my way. The ladle and handy spatula speak for themselves, but the geometric-patterned lid in the center is new and super cool. It makes cellophane or other means to seal a bowl or other container unnecessary, creating its own vacuum to preserve and store food. And comes in all kinds of cool sizes. I'm using a few right now and I'm liking the results.

Mason Jar Salads is great for anyone on the go who doesn't feel like compromising on real food's flavor and nutrients. Great tips, attractive and delicious mixes to add to your repertoire, there's a lot to love here.

100 Days of Real Food brings kids to the proverbial table, sharing whole food recipes which score points with both kids and adults alike. Lisa also guides readers on how to source real foods - for seasonality, too - at your local grocery.

Camille Styles is hot off the presses - today is the launch, in fact! In her self-titled book, find inspiration page-after-page, with beautiful photography of food, home, garden, and more.

Which set speaks to you?

In order to win, please follow me on Instagram if you're not already, and leave a comment below telling me 1. What foods from my blog inspire you most (whether you've made them or not isn't as important, but I would love to know that too!) and, 2. Which set here you'd like, should you win! If you tag me in comments on Twitter or share on Facebook, your name will be added again for each extra mention. Thanks!

To be eligible, you must live in the US and add your comments by 11:59 EST, Monday November 17th.

I cannot wait to send these goodies to new homes!

It is wonderful having you join me along the adventure. Stay tuned - my newest story with Anthology arrives Friday, and a there's a bunch of work in print to share. And Norway. More divine and wild Norway….. xo