Galette de Rois and Balm

Making my way again through the book that may very well be the best work of literature produced in our country in the last fifty years, Gilead, the very book an attempt to answer Jeremiah’s question with blessed less certainty and blessed more sincerity than the sung spiritual. Yes, there is a balm, and there […]

Chocolate Graham Cracker Pie when the Heat gets Hot

“Well, there’s no sense in nonsense when the heat gets hot.” Favorite line from Safety Not Guaranteed, a marginal film that I loved but most everyone else did not. This line comes to mind here on the porch, where summer feels just about ready to settle in for a heavy, thick bear hug. I love […]

Saturday Pancake Pie

‘Cause I’ve got a golden weekend! I’ve got a golden chance to make my way. And with a golden weekend it’s a golden day…. A Saturday morning at home has the verve of toddlerhood possibility. Of course, such freedom and possibility must start with a homemade pancake. An homage to Festus and Pancake Pie.  Followed […]

Mini Chocolate Cream Meringue Tarts for Mardi Gras

Happy Mardi Gras! A time when an entire city wanders amongst themselves seeming to hum “What a Wonderful World” in raucous harmony. We are so delighted to be back in New Orleans to enjoy firsthand the magical experience. Because we are Midcity-ites, we had a huge party to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Endymion. So […]

Cherry Ricotta Jam Tart and Halloween 2015

And oh what a Happy Halloween it was. KP and I hosted our first party at the new soon to be Fuchsia and Lime, and we were met by an overwhelming in-pouring of loved ones and friends, new and old, silver and gold. The next morning, among the happy spoils of a good time: a […]

Caramel Tart for Mother’s Day

Regarding my mother, there is no example of her patience and grace more profound than to mention how she tolerated with relative indifference my Ewws and rolling eyes and snubbed nose at her cooking for nearly two decades—and now this: Some seeds have very, very thick coats. Trust the loyalty of sprouts—in time they break […]

Tarte Tatin

This pie, my Daring Bakers club challenge for the month, is upside down. Tarte Tatin was the delightful discovery of an overworked French woman who meant to make a regular apple pie but left the apples too long in the butter and sugar, was running short on time, so chose to throw the crust on top rather […]

Almond Toffee Tart

The classic show up to a party a week early and no one is home—that was Saturday. There is such a flurry of socializing in this three week count-down to Match Day, with all the fourth years on didactics (read: we are sleeping normal hours, or not, because we are enjoying each other’s company and […]