Almond Joy Cookies

It’s “Pump Day Hump Day”; Wednesday morning when the Annapolis Pump Out Boat is in Spa Creek. We’ve been teased with some warm spring-like weather last week, but now it’s back to reality. Cold and cloudy all week…so what better day to make cookies. And just in time to share with the pump out team.

Limoncello Tiramisu

  If you want to treat your valentine to something unforgettable this Sunday try making this tangy, citrusy twist on an old-time favorite. Tiramisu seems so elegant and sophisticated that we hardly ever think to MAKE it. But it’s crazy easy with the help of a few off-the-shelf items such as packaged ladyfingers and pre-made…

Almond Rum Balls

No, it’s not Friday. It’s Wednesday. Pump out day. Everyone knows it’s a good idea to tip the pump out crew well, especially on cold, blustery mornings. But hand them a bag of Almond Rum Balls along with their tip and you’ll have them believing in Santa again! And these aren’t your typical vanilla wafer…

Holiday Toffee

For whatever reason I thought it’d be a good idea to make toffee while I waited for the Wednesday pump-out boat. Cooking and pumping your heads is not an easy association to make* but timing is everything, and this time of year there’s no time to be wasted. This is such an easy recipe. I’m…

Plum Cornmeal Cake

On the hook in Pelican Bay — a remarkably beautiful 85% protected anchorage on the southeast corner of Dauphin Island at the mouth of Mobile Bay — this was supposed to be dessert at dinner our first night.  But the incredibly long and harrowing passage (getting INTO a narrow-inlet barrier island anchorage in a boat…

Haystacks (no-bake chocolate peanut cookie)

These are the perfect cookie for autumn on the Gulf Coast.  We get a distinct change of seasons here — not least of all because there’s a noticeable arrival of cool air that the locals pray for as the end to hurricane season.  And, particularly if you’ve lived in more New England-y climes, this meteorological shift…

Peachy Pound Cake with Rum Glaze

I’m a little late with this post. Peaches are about to be replaced by persimmons in your supermarket, if they haven’t already. But this is a solid pound cake recipe, so substituting any firm tree fruit such as pears or apples will work well. And of course a rum glaze is oh-so yummy on pretty…

Lemon Chess Pie

Chess Pie is a southern thing. The name assumably derives from verbal auto-correct. “It’s just pie” in the south comes out “Jes’ pa” which auto-corrects to “Chess pie.” It’s one of those pies that’s delicious, but unless you are familiar with it, you really have no idea what’s actually in it. The original Chess Pie and…

Clafoutis aux Framboise

Clafoutis aux Framboise. The name sounds so elegant, but this classic French dessert is easily made with the most basic of ingredients. Originally from Limousin in central southwest France, clafoutis are traditionally prepared with cherries but most any fruit can be substituted. Today we’re are using beautiful fresh raspberries.

M’Hencha (Coiled Snake Pastry)

M’Hencha (translates to “coiled snake”) recipes are as varied as the Moroccan chefs that create them. But they all do seem to have one thing in common: the instructions start out with “…combine in an electric food processor…” So you think I would be smart enough not to challenge that. Smart enough to realize that…