Roasted sweet potatoes are easily taken from basic to special when smashed with a few simple additions from the spice drawer. A drizzle of honey also adds an interesting dimension. With these spare embellishments Smashed Sweet Potatoes become completely irresistible.
Pear Ginger Shrub incorporates seasonal flavors in an interesting drink mix without getting too complicated. The ginger gives this beverage a nice bite while the flavor of ripe pear adds soft sophistication. Try it with club soda over ice or experiment with a cocktail recipe of your own.
Spiced with nutmeg and bourbon this small cobbler has just enough of a sweet biscuit crust to add a pleasing texture. With a flavor that is sweet yet tangy, lusciously silky and very slightly complicated, Peach Cobbler for Two is a delicious way to end a summer meal. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a cool creamy contrast to this golden dessert.
I once had a recipe for the perfect summer dessert bar: White Chocolate Brownies. The photo was luscious 80’s elegance, a stack of pale squarely sliced bars drizzled with a grid of dark chocolate and arranged on a red plate. They looked picnic ready and utterly delectable. I swooned and clipped the page…
The flavors of Pineapple Sweet Potato Salsa are tropical and the colors are rich and warm: sunny yellow pineapple, deep orange sweet potato and crisp white flakes of coconut. Add a squeeze of lime, a touch of spice and a spoonful of honey for a lovely summer salsa.
Wonton Cups are mild in flavor and commit to neither sweet nor savory. They blow with the prevailing winds and act as a vessel, a vehicle for whatever flavor your appetite is currently inclined toward. For an appealing appetizer, fill them with a sweet or spicy salsa, sweet jam or something of your own design.
At the heart of a parsnip’s flavor there is a hint of citrus. It complements subtle notes of green grass and fresh herbs. Roasting further develops these appealing attributes lending a caramel-sweet nuttiness. A touch of honey deepens the complexity and adds a glossy finish to Honey Roasted Parsnips. Add a few carrots, if you like, to enhance the visual contrast in this simple side dish.
Lentil Soup requires little in the way of advanced planning since the lentils are small and cook quickly. As is, this humble soup tastes warm and healing. The addition of a roasted spice blend, including panch phoron, coriander seeds and Chile pepper, adds a more exotic flavor and visual interest.
Chocolate Bar Pie is a simple recipe. All you need to make it is two basic ingredients along with water, a pinch of salt and the pie shell of your choice. Still it is a crowd pleaser. Aunt Hen recognized the value of such a recipe. Classically light and sweet, it was easy to make, easy to enjoy and still made her guests feel special.
Cast Iron Salsa has a rich depth of smoky-sweet undertones. Serve it with chips or savor as a relish with eggs, meat or fresh roasted vegetables.
Simple and delicious, Warm Spiced Olives are completely delightful as a party snack or pre-dinner nibble. Wonderfully fragrant and meltingly tender these olives are infused with the lingering flavor of warm chiles and sweet fennel.
Interesting and easy to prepare, Black Rice with Gingered Sweet Potatoes is an appealing side dish. Sweet potatoes provide a colorful contrast to the nutty black rice. Ginger brings a touch of sass to the flavor profile. With rich flavor and good nutrition, this recipe is a happy discovery and one that I am eager to share.