Showing posts with label desserts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label desserts. Show all posts

Friday, August 29, 2008

Make Haste

Basil-Blackberry Crumble

I love basil.
I love blackberries.
So when I saw a recipe for Basil-Blackberry Crumble on The Bitten Word, I had to try it.

The recipe actually comes from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Originally a book by Barbara Kingsolver, this recipe can now be found on-line.

The recipe calls for:
Filling
2-3 apples, chopped **
2 pints of blackberries
2Tbsp Balsmic vinegar +
1 large handful of basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup honey

Preheat oven to 400. Combine the above ingredients in an oven-proof casserole dish, mix and set aside.


Topping
5 Tbsp flour
3 heaping Tbsp brown sugar
1 stick cold butter *+*

Cut butter into flour and sugar, then rub with your fingers to make a chunky, crumbly mixture. Sprinke it over the top of the fruit, bake 30 minutes until golden and bubbly.

*
I used 2 Braeburn apples, mostly because that's what the store had in organic, and I thought I'd remembered they were good baked. I was right!! They baked to tender perfection, not too sweet and not too tart.

+ I forgot to add the vinegar. I may add it the next time I make this recipe and see how it tastes. But it was fabulous without it.

*+*I chose to use Earth Balance Organic Buttery Spread, original whipped, instead of the butter. I was a little concerned as to how this would work, but I really wanted something lower in fat and cholesterol. It worked wonderfully. I used my hands to mix the topping and I got a lovely crumbly texture:)

Before Jack Frost has his way, and the fresh summer delights of basil and blackberries are but a memory, I will make this recipe again!!



Saturday, August 2, 2008

S'more Please


National S'mores Day
I was cruising the web about a month ago when I stumbled upon the fact that August 10th is National S'mores Day. I was surprised. I don't know why, since it seems that there is a holiday for almost everything.

Recovering quickly from my stunned state, I became quite delighted by this discovery. I haven't had a s'more in a while and now I had the perfect excuse. I would not let this holiday go by without a proper celebration.

I cruised the web a bit more on the topic of s'mores. It appears that I've been cluelessly munching away on s'mores for years. So before I took another unenlightened bite I read the history behind s'mores.

Not surprising to me at all, is the idea that s'mores were probably started by the girl scouts back in the 1920's. The name coming from the excited requests for 's'more' of the delightful treats.

S'mores Recipes
I also discovered that there is more than one way to stack a s'more. This site has all sorts of recipes for s'more similar treats, and so does this one. From the broiler to the freezer, there's an idea here to assure that you won't be caught s'more-less on August 10th. I even found a vegan version.

With so many tempting options it would be a shame to just pick one. So, I'm contemplating trying a few recipes over the next week leading up to the big day.

I'd be delighted to have some company in this venture. If you have a recipe to share or if you try one of the recipes listed in the links please let me know. I'd love to hear from you.

S'mores Day Sale

And what's a holiday without a sale.
From now through August 10th, I'm offering 25% off the items in my Etsy shop. Please mention the word S'mores in the notes to seller to receive the discount.

Provide me with a favorite S'mores recipe and I'll add free shipping.
Happy S'mores Day!!