candies and creams Archives - East of Eden Cooking

2016/07/152018/01/03

Nectarine Buttermilk Popsicles

Summer Things

“It was a part of his policy always to be busy and occupied. He had supper alone in the Abbot House. After a considered time he walked around the corner on Central Avenue and rang the bell of Adam Trask’s house.

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

They patiently waited for me. I was amazed. I’d think of them and quickly move on. Now and again, I’d check in. Setting a date and picking a spot to rendezvous was more of a commitment than I was ready to make. I get so distracted with summer things. I want outside. When the coastal fog melts into sunshine I want to be there, floating on the rays, devouring every single day. Hopeful, like an old friend left waiting, they grew older. Beautiful, in a way that youth can not understand. Sweet, when flavor leads the dance and sugar follows along. The fiery red nectarines waited. READ MORE . . .

2015/02/092018/04/07

Candy Bar Cookies

An Irresistible Adventure – Baked Elements

“How are you? Charles asked. Fine. Did you get the book? No. I wonder what happened to it? It had pictures.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

dipI’ve been haphazardly baking my way through Baked Elements by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito and every recipe I try has been wonderful. It all started with their famous Brooksters. The combination Brownie and Chocolate Chip Cookie is quite amazing. I added the Pumpkin Almond Cake with Almond Butter Frosting to my fall must-bake list. (There are only two other items on my fall baking list, this Brown Sugar Pear Cake and a Cranberry Bundt with lots of orange.) The Sunrise Key Lime Tarts are coveted by all the citrus lover’s I know. It’s almost impossible to eat only one of the Bale Bars. If you like cinnamon, the Cinnamon Spritz Sandwich Cookies are spectacular. The soft meringue filling is just fabulous. The Poppy Seed Cake with Brown Butter Glaze is phenomenal. Speaking of brown butter, don’t miss the Brown Butter Snickerdoodles. And then I made the Candy Bar Cookies. READ MORE . . .

2013/06/242017/12/31

Rose Panna Cotta

Grace with Thorns

“He’s got a garden laid out with spring water running through it, and he’s set a place apart for flowers, roses and the like, and some of the bushes are coming clear from Boston.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

The fourth Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House was a day spent immersed in vivid color framed by every hue of green. The thriving flower industry of Santa Cruz County was almost lost to imported flowers in the1990’s and has made an extraordinary comeback. Consumers are purchasing locally grown flowers in a trend that mirrors the “farm to table” food trend. A highlight of the day was meeting Debra Prinzing, author of Slow Flowers and The 50 Mile Bouquet. Her demonstration made flower arranging seem effortless. Debra remarked that in addition to supporting the local economy, locally grown flowers arrive to market sooner and will last longer. I was surprised to learn that floral foam contains formaldehyde and was excited to hear that my vintage floral frogs are back in style! READ MORE . . .

2013/06/182017/12/31

Olallieberry Ice Cream

Sliding into Summer

“You’re smart Joe. Where will you go first? Watsonville, he said.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

If you can push away from work, the digital world and all those expectations and demands you’ll find summer is waiting for you. Find a moment to breathe deeply. It’s such a small gesture; do something just for you. It’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves, isn’t it? Inhaling sunshine will warm your soul and calm your spirit. We are sliding into summer. Inhale the vivid bright light and be seduced by it’s radiance. READ MORE . . .

2013/03/182017/12/31

Coconut Graham Ice Cream with Toasted Marshmallows

Marshmallow Time

“He lost track of time and he did not know how long he had been standing in the doorway.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

March arrived with a jolt of awareness that time was passing, quickly. The days of the calendar flirted with me. Pay attention to me now or I will pass you by. We hurl down the freeway of time as the miles melt away in the rear view mirror of yesterday. Just a tease, a fleeting glimpse as the calendar marks the miles traveled. A quarter of the year will soon be gone and there is so much I still want to accomplish. READ MORE . . .