East of Eden Cooking

2015/08/252018/01/03

Creme Fraiche Cake with Plums and Pistachios in Olive Oil

The excess of late summer

“And the books that came into the house, some of them secretly— well, Samuel rode lightly on top of a book and he balanced happily among ideas the way a man rides white rapids in a canoe. But Tom got into a book, crawled and groveled between the covers, tunneled like a mole among the thoughts, and came up with the book all over his face and hands.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

When the recipe for Creme Fraiche Cake with Plum Caramel landed in my in-box I went to my bookshelf and found my copy of the A.O.C. Cookbook by Suzanne Goin to discover what the fuss was all about. I realized the original recipe had two more components, whipped cream and pistachios in olive oil. Raves about the plum cake made with plum caramel had me wondering, what if the cake was smothered in caramel, pistachios AND whipped cream? I just had to make this cake and everything else. READ MORE . . .

2015/08/092018/01/03

Lavender Lemonade

Finding Summer

“And he lay in the sun warmed sand, counting the waves.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

We’ve been having a coastal heat wave. When it warms to eighty and above we fog dwellers start complaining about the heat. Our houses and wardrobes aren’t equipped. Then and only then, do we speak with pride and reverence about the coastal fog. We wait for the fog to return and drink ice cold drinks to replenish the moisture our bodies crave. We drink lemonade–homemade lemonade with lots of ice and a touch of lavender. READ MORE . . .

2015/07/302018/01/03

Zucchini Bread with Biscoff and Toasted Pecans

Too much of a good thing.

“And you want to know what to do about it? Sure I do.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Too much zucchini? What a wonderful problem! Let’s call it an opportunity. I’ve worked my way through more versions of zucchini bread than blossoms on a squash vine. This is where I‘ve landed, a place where Biscoff and toasted pecans transform the humble quick-bread to a memorable and requested treat. Biscoff is a version of the famous European cookie, Speculoos. The cookies are sweetly spiced with a pleasant crunch and the spread can be found in smooth or crunchy. Cinnamon and ginger flavored, Biscoff is reminiscent of graham crackers and mild mannered ginger snaps. These are flavors that pair exceeding well with zucchini or other summer squash. READ MORE . . .

2015/07/222018/01/03

Strawberry Clouds and Angel Wings

It would never be enough.

“No one who is young is ever going to be old.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

I’m chasing the sweet spot of cascading memories. Almost a year has passed since I lost my mother. I really do miss her. I haven’t written much about anything since her death. What can be said about loss that hasn’t already been said? This story and it’s recipes came together in bits and pieces, the roiling of memories all tangled with now. READ MORE . . .

2015/07/142018/01/03

Little Honeyed Apricot Cakes

Blenheim Apricots

“She led him back to her kitchen and dining-room combined, a warm little room papered with flowers. Automatically she poured a cup of coffee and placed it for him and put the sugar bowl and the cream pitcher in front of it.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Some summers it’s all about berries, other times peaches. This year might be apricots. We drove inland to Hollister for the fabled Blenheim Apricot. Their season is short, three, sometimes four weeks. Often green and scarred on the outside there is an intensely flavored, bright orange apricot hiding inside. Blenheim’s don’t ship or store well and can be elusive to find. I came home from Bertuccio’s with twenty pounds and made lots of jam, a crostata and then these little cakes. I’m convinced that apricots and honey are this summer’s best flavor pairing. Served with coffee or tea the Little Honeyed Apricot Cakes are a gift of summer. READ MORE . . .