Lisa on June 15th, 2011

Creme fraiche has been popping up in stores more and more lately — you can find it everywhere from well-stocked local grocers to national chains like Trader Joe’s.  Talk about a well-timed appearance!  This silky, rich cultured cream is the perfect pair for fresh fruits and cool summer desserts.  It used to be a French [...]

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Lisa on June 30th, 2010

Even though the simmering action of making a compote might make you think of winter, what goes into a berry compote is all summer: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, even rhubarb.  All you need is some fruit, some liquid — wine or water works best — some sweetener, and some spices.  You’ll have a refreshing fruit [...]

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Lisa on March 10th, 2010

Even if it’s a frigid mid-winter day and you’re hunkered down inside watching a blizzard blow by outside, opening a coconut will make you feel downright tropical.  Once it’s open, you can drain the water and then notch out chunks of fresh, sweet flesh to eat out of hand.  (They’re particularly good frozen.)  You can [...]

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