By Ari, on April 27th, 2011%
When I think about matzah, “delicious” is rarely the first word that comes to mind. It’s dry, relatively flavorless, and I always seem to purchase way more than I could ever eat. I realize this last point has nothing to do with any actual characteristics of matzah, but I still hold a grudge.
Look, it’s just not my favorite. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy other items that are traditionally served at Passover. I love charoset, kugel, horseradish, and (duh) brisket. But matzah? Until recently, I could’ve done without it.
Now. Now I will crave matzah. I will crave matzah that is covered in caramel and chocolate and (generously) sprinkled with sea salt.
You will too once you make this dessert (aka: crack) matzah. Continue reading The Best Matzah Ever
By Ari, on January 6th, 2011%
Every January, people all over the world vow to eat healthier — to make smarter decisions regarding food and exercise — as they ring in the new year.
I thought long and hard about doing the same thing, but… I decided not to.
Okay, well that’s not entirely true. Yes, I would like to lose a few pounds (who wouldn’t?). And yes, I would love to feature some healthier meals on TR. But that won’t be starting for at least another week or two. I’ve got some delightfully yummy homemade meals that are just too good not to post, and let’s be honest, they’re part of the tis-the-season-to-be-jolly mantra. AKA: good for groups, great for parties, but not at all low-calorie, low-fat, or well, low-anything.
But they are highly fun to eat.
Tiramisu is one of my all time favorite desserts. I used to order it at restaurants until I tried this version. Now it seems like nothing else compares.
Continue reading Tiramisu
By Ari, on November 4th, 2010%
Pecan pie. Is there a more perfect fall dessert? Turns out, yes.
I am a huge fan of pecan pie. And cheesecake. (For the best cheesecake you’ve ever tried, check out Two Little Red Hens Bakery on NY’s Upper East Side. Yum.) So it was only natural to combine the two into these adorable, bite-sized Thanksgiving treats.
Continue reading Mini Pecan Pie Cheesecakes
By Ari, on September 23rd, 2010%
The first time I made this coffee cake was two years ago when John and I went to visit his grandparents. It’s fitting, then, that I should blog about this as we’re on our way to Cape Cod to see them.
A trip to the Cape can only mean one thing: food. The busy season is over, so most of the tourists and summer regulars have left. What this means for me is less traffic and shorter waits at restaurants.
There will be fried seafood (I can almost taste the fresh oysters and scallops!), there will be lobstah, and there will undoubtedly be dessert.
My fiancé’s family has a soft spot for blueberry desserts and coffee ice cream. There’s a little bakery out on the Cape (Marion’s) that has the most amazing blueberry pie I’ve ever tried. They use wild Maine blueberries, which are slightly smaller and sweeter than what you might find at the grocery store. Pick up a pie, serve it up a la mode with a scoop of coffee ice cream, and relish in the simple pleasure of good food.
Today, however, is not about blueberry pie. Today is about blueberry coffee cake. The only coffee cake I ever make.
 Continue reading Blueberry Crumb Cake
By Ari, on September 3rd, 2010%
Dipped in coffee, covered in chocolate, or eaten plain, these biscotti are simply delicious.
Continue reading Lenox Almond Biscotti
By Ari, on August 19th, 2010%
I can think of multiple scenarios where a molten chocolate cake might be necessary:
(a) You have no job, you’re bored, and you’re hungry.
(b) You’re caught in a love triangle and attempting to win someone over by showcasing your outstanding baking skills.
(c) You’re on Top Chef and the quickfire is to create a dessert (gasp!) in 20 minutes.
Enter molten chocolate lava cakes.
These intense, gooey cakes could not be simpler to make or more delicious. I normally have all of the ingredients in my pantry (who doesn’t stock up on chocolate baking squares “just in case”?), so the worst part about putting this recipe together is waiting while they’re in the oven.
 Continue reading Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes
By Ari, on August 11th, 2010%
Key lime pie. Just saying it makes me think of summer. And while I’m longing for cooler weather so I can break out my fall wardrobe, I know in three or four months I’ll be daydreaming about wearing shorts and eating dinner on the balcony. Too much of summer has already slipped away; I’ve missed my chance to grow vegetables, I haven’t made it to the beach once, and most importantly, I never got up to Maine to eat lobster. I went for the first time last year, and while it was quite a trek for a day trip, I was hoping this would become an annual occurrence. C’est la vie.
Before summer fades away, before I consume hot chocolate daily to fight the cold and live in my Uggs for months at a time, let’s have some pie, shall we?
Continue reading Key Lime Pie (Tart)
By Ari, on August 6th, 2010%
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I absolutely adore red velvet. I realize that this is becoming the “trendy” thing to do, but I’ve been infatuated with this cocoa treat for years, long before Sex and The City or Magnolia Bakery made it popular. (By the way, skip Magnolia Bakery. Their cupcakes are too dry.) While I love chocolate, I find most chocolate-lovers desserts to be too over the top for me (apologies to my brother, father, and fiancé, all of whom are head-over-heels in love with, self-proclaimed chocoholics). When prepared properly, red velvet offers the perfect addition of cocoa without overpowering other flavors (e.g., vanilla). With that in mind, please welcome my delicious little treats: mini red velvet cheesecakes!
 Continue reading Mini Red Velvet Cheesecakes
|
|
|
