earthlydelightsblog.com

I had the pleasure of tasting some Figenza fig vodka recently – and liked it so much that I decided to make some truffles out of it. This vodka, deeply infused with fig flavour, possesses a smoothness and sweetness that makes it much like a liqueur, and worked perfectly paired with the delicate scent of lemon zest and the gentle bitterness of dark chocolate. 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 tbsp lemon zest (from one lemon) 8 ounces good quality dark chocolate, chopped 1 ounce Figenza fig vodka More dark chocolate, for enrobing the truffles In a small pot, combine the heavy cream and lemon zest. Melt additional dark chocolate in a bain-marie, and working quickly, dip each truffle in the chocolate, then place back on the foil lined sheet.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I received in the mail a hefty box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Blasted Shreds, a new cereal from General Mills consisting of bite-sized shredded wheats, “blasted” with a delicious coating of powdered cinnamon sugar. Between snacking on handfuls and enjoying bowlsful with milk for breakfast, I managed to save some of these crunchy delights for the topping of an apple crumble pie. 1/3 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp sugar 1/2 cup chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2″ cubes 3 tbsp ice water (more if necessary) Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until there are small, pea-sized pieces blended into the flour, then mix gently with fingertips into a coarse meal.

If you guessed these steamed buns, stuffed full of hearty barbecued beef short ribs and refreshing vegetables, you’re correct! I had the privilege of sampling a bottle of Jay Ducote’s Louisiana BBQ sauce, and decided to try my hand at making steamed buns. The soft, tender texture of the buns perfectly complements the juicy meatiness of slow-cooked beef short rib and tangy BBQ sauce. Corn kernels, cilantro, red onion, and julienned cucumber add freshness and crunch, making for a delightful sandwich.

1 cup chunky peanut butter (the regular kind, not fresh-ground or all-natural) 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 1 teaspoon baking soda Pinch of salt 1 large egg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 tablespoons granulated white sugar Preheat oven to 350F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. In a bowl, combine peanut butter, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, egg, and vanilla. Working one by one, drop small balls of dough (about a tablespoon size) in the white sugar and roll around to coat, before placing on baking sheet.