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Raspberry Brownies

Raspberry Brownies

More than just Brownies

I remember the five-fingered ferns growing under the waterfalls, bobbing their green fingers as the droplets struck them. And I remember the smells of the hills, wild azalea and a very distant skunk and the sweet cloy of lupin and horse sweat on harness.
East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Brownies, why yes! Summer raspberries, of course! Yes to summer bliss in every bite. With such an unassuming recipe title it might be easy to ignore this compelling summer treat. This is a brownie with just enough chocolate to share the stage with in-season raspberries. A bittersweet chocolate glaze drizzled over the brownie takes these brownies from snack worthy to dessert. This is such an easy recipe to make, well worth the results. Just fantastic with summer berries. We went berry picking at Live Earth Farm, coming home with red and golden raspberries, a flat of blackberries too. I took a few photos for Instagram, made lots of jam and these brownies. Walking around the house barefoot is a favorite part of my summer, but intensely flavored summer berries might be even better.

Essentials

I thought the recipe was light on the chocolate, but this is not a dusky, dark chocolate brownie. This brownie is perfectly matched to complement sweet, summer raspberries. A drizzle of bittersweet chocolate adds the pop of flavor I crave in my favorite recipes. READ MORE . . .

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Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

Tomatillo Salsa

The Hot Pack Challenge

“She was gay and frightened about the visit to Salinas. She liked the idea so well that she felt there must be something bordering on sin involved in it.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

We’re deep into July and the Food in Jars Mastery Challenge is in the seventh month. Seriously how is it the end of July? It’s that time of year when canning projects explode with the momentum of summer. Here along the central coast of California local tomatoes and peppers will peak late next month. Our summers are later than most, September and early October bring the most heat. It’s then that I’ll make huge batches of traditional salsa with local, dry-farmed Early Girl tomatoes. For this month’s canning challenge I tried something new, Roasted Tomatillo Salsa. READ MORE . . .

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Lemon Lavender Pound Cake

Lemon Lavender Cake

Baking with Lavender

“Samual went on, After we’ve visited Olive for maybe a month or two, there will come a letter from George. And his feelings will be hurt if we don’t visit him in Paso Robles. And after that Mollie will want us in San Francisco, and then Will, and maybe even Joe in the East, if we should live so long. ”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

The Lemon Lavender Pound Cake is laced with floral notes from the dried, culinary lavender. There is just a hint of lavender which is nicely balanced with lemon and vanilla. It’s a wonderful snacking cake, every bite brings summer thoughts of lavender fields in full bloom. Making lemon-lavender sugar is how the recipe for Lemon Lavender Pound Cake from Bon Appetit begins. As the food processor whirls and chops a sensory experience unfolds. The explosion of aromas is divine. The combination of lemon, lavender, vanilla and sugar bring thoughts of boutique candles and fancy bath scrubs. My kitchen smelled like an upscale vacation spa. I couldn’t wait to bake with the sugar. READ MORE . . .

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Old Fashioned Apricot Pie

Old Fashioned Apricot Pie

Blenheim Apricot Season

“When the match went out the night was blacker than before. Charles moved slowly on and struck another match, and on and struck another. He searched the road for signs. At last he gave up. His right hand rose and he threw the hatchet far off into the field. He walked rapidly away toward the pinched lights of the village.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It’s almost the 4th of July. We celebrate our America. I think back to a year ago, before the presidential election. I was filled with hope, so many promises. So many words. We have no way of knowing what’s fake news and what’s not. We see and believe whatever suits us personally. I suppose it’s always been this way. The stories are stark, the future is portrayed as dim. I am ambivalent about our country. But not about pie, the quintessential American dessert. I was raised by a pie and quilt maker. The older I get, the more I understand. There’s not much that can be done to change the narrative but one can make the best of what we’ve got. It’s almost the 4th of July and we will have pie. READ MORE . . .

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Olallieberry Jam

Olallieberry Jam

The First Berries

“You’re smart. You think she might be in Watsonville? There or maybe Santa Cruz. Anyways, I’ll give it odds she ain’t further away than San Jose. She caressed her fingers tenderly. Would you like to make five hundred dollars Joe?”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

The Food in Jars Mastery Challenge for June is jam! Homemade berry jam is sublime. Use the freshest, sweetest berries for the best tasting jam. Berry jam is easy too, there is no pitting or chopping. This isn’t something that can be purchased at the farmers’ market or upscale grocery store. This is your jam, something you made with local, seasonal ingredients. Six months from now this summer’s jam will be the best thing in your pantry. It will be winter, every scoop of berry jam will bring thoughts of summer. It doesn’t get any better than this. READ MORE . . .