Gravlax with Mustard Cream Cheese

Gravlax takes some advanced planning but it’s worth it.  I like to take a plate of gravlax with crackers and mustard cream cheese to holiday potlucks.  I always make extra to eat for breakfast with cream cheese and bagels. Start this recipe 4-5 days in advance. For this recipe you’ll need: 1 pound salmon filet […]

Stocking Stuffer Ideas

I love silly little gifts.  Stocking stuffers are best when they are goofy but they should be practical too.  Here are a few fun stocking stuffer ideas. Cocktail Bitters Perfect for cocktail lovers.  The more unusual the better. Challenge the bartender in your family to find a use for chocolate bitters.  Yum! Truffle Oil or […]

Pepper Jelly

This is one of my all time favorite recipes!  The cumin seed adds an unexpected hit of spice to this sweet pepper jelly. Since the book containing this recipe is out of print I think it’s OK to reprint the recipe here.  BTW, if you ever see “Preserving the Taste” by Edon Waycott at your […]

Limoncello

Homemade limoncello is so much better than what you can buy in the store!  It’s sweet and lemony and isn’t the color of antifreeze.  Best of all, it’s really easy to make limoncello at home. For this recipe you’ll need: lots of lemon peel – but you only need to start with one lemon, you’ll […]

Warm Persimmon Compote

This warm, sweet sauce is great with pancakes or french toast.  The lightly cooked persimmon tastes like apricot and apple.  Yum! For this recipe you’ll need: 1 pound Fuyu persimmons juice of 1 lemon (don’t forget to save the peel for limoncello!) 3 tablespoons or more honey 2 pinches of cinnamon pinch of nutmeg pinch […]

Fuyu Persimmons

There are two types of people out there – those that like persimmon and those that don’t.  When it comes to fresh persimmon, I’m on the “don’t like” side.  This is problem since we have a lovely and bountiful Fuyu persimmon tree in our backyard. Cooked persimmons are a different story.  When gently cooked, Fuyu […]

Scotch Custard

This yummy baked custard uses real scotch.  I like to use a strongly flavored scotch for maximum impact. For 6 servings you’ll need: 2 1/2 cups heavy cream 1/3 cup dark brown sugar 5 egg yolks pinch salt 1-2 tablespoons scotch 1 teaspoon sugar The custards will bake in a water bath so start boiling […]

Triple Ginger Cranberry Sauce

I make this sauce every year, I love the spiciness ginger adds to cranberry sauce. For this recipe you’ll need 12 ounces whole cranberries 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger 1/4 cup candied ginger, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger pinch of salt Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan.  Add 3/4 […]

Bourbon Molasses Cranberry Sauce

I love cranberry sauce and serve way too many different flavors at Thanksgiving.  This bourbon based sauce will be a new addition to this year’s meal. For this recipe you’ll need 12 ounces whole cranberries 4 tablespoons molasses 3/4 cup brown sugar pinch of salt 2 tablespoons bourbon Combine all ingredients except the bourbon in […]

Poached Egg with Truffle Toast

This decadent yet easy dish works as a hearty appetizer or as part of a fancy breakfast.  Serve it with a salad for lunch or a light dinner.  We first tried this combination at Bar Bambino in San Francisco. For each serving, you’ll need 1 egg 1″ slice crusty bread olive oil 1/2 teaspoon Parmesan […]