Desserts

Stay Calm and Carry Strawberry Basil Crumb Bars (in your purse “for later”)

Stay Calm and Carry Strawberry Basil Crumb Bars (in your purse “for later”)

  In the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, news sources are filled with colorful anecdotes about her life. One such story describes wild strawberry picking in the pine forests that surround Balmoral Castle. (No. Wait.  That sentence didn’t come out right. “Wild strawberry picking”…

From Breakfast to a Late Night Snack, This is An Exceptional Spice Cake

From Breakfast to a Late Night Snack, This is An Exceptional Spice Cake

  This is a spectacular little spice cake for just about any time of the day. (I’ve done personal research.)  The spices in the cake really sing, reminding me of the spicing in a good cup of chai. The cake is moist with a fine texture.…

Blueberry Cornmeal Shortbread Tart: It’s a Cinch!

Blueberry Cornmeal Shortbread Tart: It’s a Cinch!

Pie crust.   Let’s see a show of hands from those of you who love love love the taste of a crisp and flaky homemade crust but find making  it challenging–particularly during these hot summer months when those pea-sized balls of butter that are critical…

Lemon Raspberry Cornmeal Cake

Lemon Raspberry Cornmeal Cake

This Lemon Raspberry Cornmeal Cake is a sweet little dessert. It’s easy to prepare and I can personally attest to the fact that it is delicious any time of the day.  It’s pretty, too, with tart jewel-red raspberries suspended in the pale yellow cake. It’s…

Raspberry Shortbread Bars

Raspberry Shortbread Bars

These Raspberry Shortbread Bars are sublime! The shortbread melts in your mouth and the raspberry jam is, well, raspberry jam.  This recipe comes from Joanne Chang’s cookbook, Flour. You can buy the cookbook at your local bookstore or on Amazon here. Chang is also the author…

America Doesn’t Have a Monopoly on Chocolate-Chip Cookies: Chocolate-Chip Oatmeal Cookies With a Middle-Eastern Twist

America Doesn’t Have a Monopoly on Chocolate-Chip Cookies: Chocolate-Chip Oatmeal Cookies With a Middle-Eastern Twist

Every place in the world deserves a good chocolate chip cookie. Am I right? These Chocolate Chip Cookies With Ras el Hanout are right out of the Middle East. The recipe comes from New York Times Food Writer Nargisse Benkabbou and can be found on…

Strawberry Season!!!  Strawberry Almond Flour Cake

Strawberry Season!!! Strawberry Almond Flour Cake

I know. It’s another cake. This Strawberry Almond Flour Cake is just too delicious (and interesting) to delay sharing. And, anyway, it is finally strawberry season here in Southern California.  Interestingly, no wheat flour is involved here. It’s just almond flour and a small amount…

Syrian Nutmeg Cake

Syrian Nutmeg Cake

  Nutmeg has long been highly valued–sometimes commanding astronomical prices. In 14th century Europe, a pound of nutmeg could set you back seven fat oxen! Wow! Nutmeg’s story begins early. According to food historian Harold McGee (On Food and Cooking), nutmeg is known to have…

Oldies But Goodies: Almond Cake

Oldies But Goodies: Almond Cake

Every month Blue Cayenne features recipes from our archive of more than four hundred recipes. These recipes are our “Oldies But Goodies.”Here is a recipe for a sweet little almond cake. Here is the link: Almond Cake. You don’t want to miss this great recipe…again. Want…

Tequila Lime Cake

Tequila Lime Cake

This little Tequila Lime Cake is wonderful. With generous amounts of tequila and lime juice in the batter, it’s a Margarita with all the flavor and none of the guilt. This recipe also is interesting for its inclusion of masa harina ( flour made from…