East of Eden Cooking

2018/02/18

Lemon Marmalade

Every shiny scoop of Lemon Marmalade is the collision of sweet and tart. An explosion of lemon flavor captures the season of citrus in every jar of Lemon Marmalade.

“Liza was a good plain cook, and her house—it was always her house—was brushed and pummeled and washed.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

When it comes to cooking and baking my rebellious streak is tempered by “Is this something we will eat? With enthusiasm? Is this good use of resources, my time and food?” Bonus, if I can be creative and find joy in the making. Lemon Marmalade checks all the boxes. The collision of sweet and tart is in every shiny scoop. Using up an array of lemons, big and small, thick and thin skinned, Lisbon and a few Meyer, is what makes Lemon Marmalade so appealing. Canning with what’s in season always brings the best flavor and least cost. The joy of filling the pantry with homemade is not to be underestimated. READ MORE . . .

2018/02/06

Salted Peanut Butter-Pretzel-Chocolate Chip Cookies

With bittersweet chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels and flakey sea salt, Salted Peanut Butter-Pretzel-Chocolate Chip Cookies is a fast, easy recipe that jumps right into cookie magic territory. This is a cookie that is impossible to resist.

“Even as a little girl she hungered for learning as a child does for cookies in the late afternoon.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Salted Peanut Butter-Pretzel-Chocolate Chip Cookies is a stellar recipe from The Perfect Cookie by America’s Test Kitchen. Did you pick up a copy? Before the holidays there were stacks at everyone’s favorite big box store, Amazon has it too. If you are a cookie maker I highly recommend adding The Perfect Cookie to your cookbook collection. The recipe for Salted Peanut Butter-Pretzel-Chocolate Chip Cookies is fast, easy and jumps right into cookie magic territory with bittersweet chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels and flakey sea salt. This is a cookie that is impossible to resist. READ MORE . . .

2018/01/252018/01/29

Citrus Shortcake

Citrus Shortcake is a vibrant winter dessert, bright with big flavor and a glamorous presentation. A rainbow of colorful citrus is layered between buttermilk shortcake and finished with lush whipped cream.

“Adam sat looking at the mountains to the east of Salinas, with the noble point of Fremont’s Peak dominating. The air was crystalline as it sometimes is when rain is coming. And then the light rain began to blow on the wind although the sky was not properly covered with clouds.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

The path from winter to spring can seem to last forever. We’re got our boots and jackets, the heat is on. Crock pots are simmering, Instant Pots are steaming. The first berries are months away and we’re dreaming of spring desserts. Take the bridge between winter and spring with Citrus Shortcake. We can have shortcake in winter too! Its peak citrus season, a perfect time to enjoy Citrus Shortcake. READ MORE . . .

2018/01/16

Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake

Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake is an indulgent Bundt cake from Ina Garten. Lush chocolate chunks and whispers of orange are suspended in a buttery cake soaked in orange syrup and then covered in chocolate ganache.

“ At John Street the road angled and became Main Street. Adam stamped the mud off his shoes when he reached the pavement. The buildings cut the wind from him and almost instantly he began to shake with a chill. He increased his speed. Near the end of Main Street he turned into the Abbott House Bar.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It takes awhile to grasp it’s a new year. The stroke of midnight feels like a party, I need quiet and time for reflection. To come to terms with this crazy world and myself. This is the new year, we let go of the past, gifted another chance to start again. To do our best with this life, be better, do better, to be grateful. Walking our dog Fred in the rain, it was cold, windy and wet. Leaves are still falling from the neighborhood trees. It’s no mystery, all that blowing and swirling, floating to the ground. If you take the time, pause, you can watch them. The leaves don’t wait, when the time is right, they let go. And so it is with baking. Easy, scrumptious, all the components fall together, Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake is a grand way to begin the new year. READ MORE . . .

2017/12/232018/12/11

Triple Gingerbread with Easy Caramel Sauce

Dizzy with holiday warmth, three kinds of ginger update this old-fashioned Gingerbread recipe. An Easy Caramel Sauce completes this classic dessert.

It was a good time for Adam, the best time. He was the king of his wide and spacious life. East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Triple Gingerbread with Easy Caramel Sauce was inspired by an unassuming tray of gingerbread samples at Gayle’s Bakery in Capitola. The dark chunks of cake were heaped in a pile near the ultra busy checkout. Until I read the gingerbread sign I thought the samples were a chocolate something. I wasn’t interested in chocolate or gingerbread, I was waiting on a bear claw. I read the sign again, Triple. Ginger. Bread. Since everything at Gayle’s is wonderful, I tried a sample. What a revelation in flavor, the backdrop of dusky molasses gives way to cascading layers of gingery warmth from ground, fresh and candied ginger. I had to make my own Triple Gingerbread.

While I was searching through The Fannie Farmer Baking Book I stumbled upon the introduction to “About Sauces” and found that early American cakes were served with sweet sauces rather than frosting. That was all the momentum I needed to try the recipe for Easy Caramel Sauce with the Triple Gingerbread. The soothing sauce is silky smooth, sweet, divine. The recipe is super easy, melt the butter, then whisk in the brown sugar and cream, done. Easy Caramel Sauce will keep in the refrigerator, gently warm the leftovers. READ MORE . . .