Thanksgiving weekend has arrived here in Canada and it feels a little too soon. It was practically summer here in Toronto this past week, so I’m not exactly in the mood for turkey and all the fixings. I would happily take a Caprese salad instead. But alas, the calendar and the weather report don’t coordinate with each other, so I’m trying my best to get jazzed about mashed potatoes and roast squash. But thankfully, this year, I at least won’t have to preheat the oven for my dessert. Nope, this year I am making this no-bake wonder – London Fog Tiramisu. This beauty delivers the flavor profile of the cozy tea latte in a classic tiramisu format. This is such a fun little riff, so let’s get into it.
Blueberry Coconut Cream Tart
One last summer dessert for the road. Well, technically you can make this Blueberry Coconut Cream Tart whenever you want. Frozen blueberries are truly a gift. But there is something so wonderful about making a blueberry anything when they’re at their peak. And I’m talking about those sweet little ones, not those huge honking ones that whisper “blueberry” onto your palette. No, give me those small but mighty blubes any day of the week. But I digress. This Blueberry Coconut Cream Tart features a golden pâte sucrée crust, a bright lemon-kissed blueberry filling, a rich coconut pastry cream, and a lid of airy whipped cream dotted with fresh blueberries and mint. This beauty is the answer to my dessert daydreams and maybe, just maybe, it’s the answer to yours as well.
Labneh Mousse with Melon Confetti Salad
Summer is fading fast here in Toronto. There is an unmistakable chill in the air and some of the leaves are starting to change. Fall is right on our doorstep it seems. But the calendar insists that summer is still here. So regardless of the weather forecast, we’re going to keep the good time rolling with refreshing and light summer desserts like this Labneh Mousse with Melon Confetti Salad. These delicate little cups feature an airy labneh mousse flavored with honey and vanilla caviar and topped with a melon salad dressed with a mojito-inspired simple syrup. This dessert is elegant, effortless, and unabashedly summery, so let’s make it.
Strawberry Matcha Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake is one of the most nostalgic desserts for me. My grandmother’s rendition was legendary in my family and she always served it during the first long weekend of the summer alongside lobster boiled in seawater and potato salad. I grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada so while lobster was still considered a special occasion food, it was far more accessible and plentiful in our backyard. In honor of these memories, I bring you this small twist on a timeless classic. This Strawberry Matcha Shortcake boasts alternating layers of buttery soft green matcha cake, airy strawberry whipped cream, and fresh strawberries macerated with rosewater and Cointreau. It’s got a little more going on than the classic but I promise it retains all its charms.