Recipes & Food-Related Ramblings
Okay, so this tart was supposed to appear on the blog before Christmas but I got a little too into the merrymaking of it all. But I figure December as a whole is baking season and now that all the gifts have been purchased, and the elaborate tables have been set we actually have the time to, well, take our time in the kitchen and bake for fun. And I can tell you this Earl Grey Caramel Tart is very fun to make. It’s obviously more fun to eat but what dessert isn’t?
I realize I say this a lot on this blog but today’s Seared Duck Salad with Hoisin Marmalade Glaze is my new favorite recipe. For me, this isn’t a surprise. It has everything I love and look for in a meal. A rich piece of protein paired with a refreshing pile of greens dressed in a sharp, acidic dressing. It offers indulgent flavors that rest heavily on the palette before being ushered away by brighter, lighter notes. This dish provides contrast but is balanced. And it is surprisingly easy to prepare. No really, searing a duck breast is easier than poaching an egg. To be honest, I think everything is easier than poaching an egg. Nothing gives me the sweats more than the thought of poaching eggs for a crowd. But that’s beside the point.
These Scallop Crêpes are very near and dear to my heart. A lifetime of memories lives in this dish. This is the recipe my mom makes every year for Christmas Eve. I have no idea when or how this tradition started but I do know we’ve done it my whole life. Sure, there were a few years when these crêpes didn’t happen. Less-than-ideal holiday circumstances made the thought of frying up a stack of crêpes feel like a bridge too far. But every year that we could, we made crêpes. And I’m so excited to let you in on this little family tradition. So let’s dive right in!
This is the second dish in this year’s nostalgia-themed holiday menu. And yes, we’re skipping right to dessert. It doesn’t appear to make sense, I realize that. But I figured this was the best place to put this Chocolate and Cheese Dessert Board because this is one of two dessert options. Yes, you have another dessert coming to you and I promise it will be more appropriately placed chronologically speaking. And when it comes to dessert and sugary things in general it pays to spread them out. Plus, this is a board and the Jalapeño Cold Pack appeared on a board, so they sort of make sense as a duo. Sort of. It doesn’t matter. What matters is this Chocolate and Cheese Dessert Board delivers elegant salty-sweet bliss. So let’s talk about it!