It's confession time, I don't really like things with banana in them. Without the banana texture, the flavor by itself tastes foreign. But that changed with these Banana Bread Waffles! Banana Story Time Have you ever had a banana-flavored candy? Or used Banana extract? It smells similar to banana, but it never tastes quite like it. There's always something chemical about the flavor. That's how I taste whenever someone offers me "banana" flavored anything. You don't quite trust it. The ...
Desserts
Hibiscus Tea Creme Brulee for Spring
Using Spring as inspiration: the flowers blooming, and Nature celebrating with bursts of life, I've been chasing the best Creme Brulee recipe to celebrate Spring. Meet the Hibiscus Tea Creme Brulee I'm making this Creme Brulee recipe for Fairchild Botanical Garden's Spring Garden Festival, this April 12 and 13, where approximately 120 people will try this dessert for the first time! In the development of this recipe, I've gone through about 4 versions of Creme Brulee this week. ...
Chilled Strawberry Coconut Soup
This is one of those dishes that deserve a second look. It's not often that you hear of a chilled soup. Hot, wintery soups, yes! But this Chilled Strawberry Coconut Soup is a summer soup. And when you live in Florida, that cool, light refreshing decadence means something. I've never seen it on a menu in the states, which is a shame! The first time I had it was on a Carnival Cruise trip to the Bahamas. Which seems to be where most people come across it. However, it's also ...
Lemon Basil Cake
When regular olive oil cake is not enough, you need this Lemon Basil Cake in your life. It pushes your palate by combining savory ingredients into a dessert. If you're looking for a showstopper for your next dinner party, look no further! Personal story time: I was conducting a client dinner a few weeks ago and the birthday girls love Italian food. Moreover, they were both well traveled, eating at the best restaurants in Europe, and knowing firsthand the food in Italy. So I ...
Blood Orange Marmalade
This Blood Orange Marmalade recipe helps you dress up whatever dish you're making. From desserts to salads, to cold cuts and bbq, it's incredibly versatile! Since it's not overly sweet and slightly tart and bitter, it feels more adult, and by extension carries a more complex flavor profile. So it's been a while.... It's so good to be back to writing! We took a hiatus because life happened, Alicia and I got engaged! And we moved out! All within 2 weeks, which required tons of planning, ...