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The inspiration for the table setting came from an $8.00 green dish I found at a flea market. I turned the dish over and saw that it was made by Bordallo Pinheiro, a type of Majolica ceramics. I loved the rich green color and started buying them whenever I found them. If you want a […]
Because peaches were so ripe and juicy, I included them throughout the menu, especially in the drinks. The Peach Old-Fashioned is a riff on a Classic with a few changes. While most Old-Fashioned recipes include some version of a simple syrup, this recipe omits this and uses muddled fresh peaches in its place. It’s important […]
This makes a wow presentation. As good as it looks, it tastes even better. The combination of savory (pesto) and sweet (figs) combine for a magical taste. This recipe makes a large 10-inch torte so it’s great for a big party. Also it’s better if you make it at least 2 days ahead. You can […]
I really love meringue cookies. These are some of my favorites because they are so easy to assemble and quick to bake. Unlike a traditional meringue which is usually baked for 1 1/2 – 2 hours, these are done in approximately 30 minutes. When first made, they are crunchy on the outside and a bit […]
I always include fresh fruit in my dessert selections. I use what’s in season and whatever has the most succulent juicy flavor. Mouth watering white peaches were in the market when I was shopping for this party. They were great on their own but became totally delectable when macerated in a divine but delicious peach […]
I always include cookies as part of my desserts. They are fun to make and perfect for guests who just want a bite of something sweet. I usually have them out on the sideboard, in my dining room, from the start of the party so people can sneak a nibble whenever they want. These are […]
I fell in love with pignoli cookies while in Italy. Pignoli is Italian for pine nuts. In Italy, they make them very tiny, the size of a nickel or a quarter. Make sure the almond paste you buy is soft. If you get it home and it is really hard, you may have difficulty getting […]
When I was thinking about the perfect desserts for the Apps & Alcohol Party, I wanted small individual desserts just like the appetizers themselves: small bites that were absolutely delicious. Really good dark chocolate pudding seemed like the perfect idea. So the next question was which recipe to use. I was reading lots of recipes […]
Once I had the biscuit recipe perfected, I turned my attention to the pork tenderloin. This cut of pork is very lean so you can’t rely on fat for flavor. So you need to use assertive spices. These spices and the sweetness of the peach jam compliment each other beautifully. The tiny touch of caramelized […]
When I was planning this menu, I thought about all those seductive looking Southern food spreads that always include homemade buttermilk biscuits topped with a slice of country ham or pork and served with a yummy sweet-savory spread. I have to confess that I’ve never made biscuits. I’ve eaten my share but never actually made […]