Monthly Archives: June 2008

Almond and Pear Tart

Last weekend I attended my friend Carrie’s bridal shower in Woodstock.  Carrie lives in Costa Rica where she teaches third grade. My mother helped plan the shower and asked if I would be willing to make a dessert. Perhaps my favorite go-to dessert is this Almond and Pear Tart.  It is relatively easy, looks impressive […]

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meghan - Your tart looks beautiful (and delicious)! You have a talent for baking that I am envious of.

meghan - Your tart looks beautiful (and delicious)! You have a talent for baking that I am envious of.

Pea Dumplings

When Heidi posted her Plump Pea Dumpling recipe on 101 Cookbooks a few weeks ago, I was mesmerized by her photos.  I tried my hand at this quick and easy dish this evening with great success.  I opted to fry the dumplings rather than steam them.  They quickly turned a deep golden brown and were […]

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Amanda - The fried wrappers along with the burst of green make this dish entirely eye-catching. What a nice match up of ingredients! I must try this soon.

Amanda - The fried wrappers along with the burst of green make this dish entirely eye-catching. What a nice match up of ingredients! I must try this soon.

Recent Events

A variety of events have kept me busy over the last few weeks.  I thought I would give you a quick rundown as I plot my next post. ZAP Zinfandel Tasting: I was recently invited to the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers annual tasting. My fellow Gaper’s Block staffer, Andie, was also in attendance and posted […]

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Anali - You’ve been pretty busy lately! Good luck with your marathon training. : )

Anali - You’ve been pretty busy lately! Good luck with your marathon training. : )

Katherine - Hey, I was also at the Valrhona chocolate reception! I loved trying all of the various desserts, though I did get a bit of a sugar high. I honestly liked the passionfruit dessert better than the chocolate cake .. but it was all excellent!

Katherine - Hey, I was also at the Valrhona chocolate reception! I loved trying all of the various desserts, though I did get a bit of a sugar high. I honestly liked the passionfruit dessert better than the chocolate cake .. but it was all excellent!

Picnic

On Sunday I met Chicago food bloggers Joanna and Karin at Montrose Harbor for an early summer picnic.  I made 101 Cookbooks‘ Citrus Parmesan Farro Salad.  It turned out nicely and kept fairly well for lunch the next day.     Karin brought a rice salad with shrimp, tuna and smoked salmon from the Splendid […]

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Joanna - It was a lovely picnic. I can’t wait to do it again! And I’m definitely going to make that farro salad. It was delicious.

Joanna - It was a lovely picnic. I can’t wait to do it again! And I’m definitely going to make that farro salad. It was delicious.

Carl - Wow great pictures.

Carl - Wow great pictures.

Hillary - That looks like a beautiful picnic. I love the tandoori chicken kabobs and the tarragon butter and radish sandwiches. Hope you had a good time! I’m actually a Chicago food blogger too, I’m glad I found out about you guys.

Hillary - That looks like a beautiful picnic. I love the tandoori chicken kabobs and the tarragon butter and radish sandwiches. Hope you had a good time! I’m actually a Chicago food blogger too, I’m glad I found out about you guys.

Caroline - Wish I could have been at the park with you… just a stone’s throw from my house! Glad you enjoyed your picnic.

Caroline - Wish I could have been at the park with you… just a stone’s throw from my house! Glad you enjoyed your picnic.