shiras's Profile

Perhaps a flourless chocolate cake (too many recipes to list--claudia roden has, if memory serves, one with cocoa and/or nondairy chocolate) with a chocolate raspberry or marmelade glaze. alternatively, an orange-almond-egg cake (also claudia roden) with a citrus glaze.

I just came home with some a few hours ago. I usually make compote, using elderflower cordial instead of sugar for sweetening.

I've made a pesto with the greens (pine nuts, parmesan and olive oil) which I've spead on crackers with goats cheese and tossed with pasta and/or beans. I also made a soup with a base of leeks and potatoes. The recipe is here: http://lespetitpois.blogspot.com/2008/02/encore-potage-et-encore-ail-more-soup.html

Shira

Are these pictures from Borough Market, London? The Estremoz honey, to the far right of the picture, is one of my favourites. And the prices at this Portuguese stand aren't bad, either.

A suggestion that I read a while ago--I think in the Art of Braising--that has proved really helpful. Dry (sometimes labelled extra-dry) white vermouth doesn't oxidise like wine and will keep for months in the fridge, so it's great for adding a splash to a soup, braise, risotto, etc. Martini brand is good, though the best I've found is Noilly Prat. And they make a wonderful aperitif too, plain, with gin or vodka, or with creme de cassis!

In my last life, I spent a few months selling knives in a cookery store. What we were missing--and what I haven't seen before this--is a knife that combines the weight of the "classic" European brands with the blade style of the Japanese ones. I would have sold a lot of these--and probably bought one too!
I just read Melissa Clark's ode to the summer tomato in yesterday's NYT. And my boyfriend, who loves tomatoes so much that he mentioned them in his online dating profile, is showing up for a good stint tomorrow. Armed with recipes, a vociferous eater and (finally) some worthy specimens in my local market, I'd love to take a spin with the tomato knife.