TIP OF THE DAY: Fiori di Sicilia, Fior Di Sicilia

Fior di Sicilia, an Italian essence that translates to “flower of Sicily,” was used by our friend Ruth’s mother to flavor almost everything she baked. Biscotti, brioche and sweet breads, cookies, cheesecake, angel/pound/sponge cake, pie, macarons, meringues, yellow and white cakes got the fior di sicilia treatment, especially during the holidays. Ruth’s mom no doubt…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Fiori di Sicilia, Fior Di Sicilia”

TIP OF THE DAY: Make Mulling Spice Sachets

TOP PHOTO: Individual sachets are best if only one or two people want a cup. Larger sachets are used to make a 6- or 8-cup pot. Photo courtesy McCormick. BOTTOM PHOTO: Empty tea bag “sachets,” used to fill with loose tea, are easier to make although less festive than muslin or netting. You can get…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Make Mulling Spice Sachets”

Pumpkin Custard Baked In A Pumpkin & The First Thanksgiving

We’ll soon celebrate Thanksgiving, a remembrance of a harvest feast that took place 394 years ago. Pumpkin may have been served at the Pilgrims’ first harvest feast, but it wasn’t pumpkin pie. The pumpkin pie we know and love first appears in cookbooks in the early 19th century. After a horrific first winter that saw…
Continue reading “Pumpkin Custard Baked In A Pumpkin & The First Thanksgiving”

TIP OF THE DAY: Make Apple Cider Salted Caramels

We love salted caramels: plain sea salt, fleur de sel, gray sea salt, smoked sea salt (see the different types of sea salts). They aren’t inexpensive: A box of seven smallish squares, chocolate coated and garnished with salt, is $14.00 at Fran’s. So how about a project for a lazy Sunday: homemade salted caramels? It…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Make Apple Cider Salted Caramels”

Bananas Foster Recipe: Use It As A Topping & Garnish

As a lover of both chocolate cake and Bananas Foster, we were inspired by the creative use of Bananas Foster at Davio’s Italian Steakhouse in Boston (see photo). It’s traditionally used to top ice cream. It’s a most delicious addition. At Davio’s, a slice of flourless chocolate cake is topped with a slice of caramelized…
Continue reading “Bananas Foster Recipe: Use It As A Topping & Garnish”