It’s been a banner year for peaches in Massachusetts. That isn’t always the case — was it last year that the entire crop was lost due to a hard frost right as the blooms were coming out? While I went to the orchard for apple picking, in the store they had all these beautiful yellow peaches, so I decided to buy some and have a few things planned. First off these Bourbon Vanilla Peach Cobbler Bars. Simply delicious. I think the bourbon and vanilla pair nicely to give it a little bit extra too.
I went apple picking yesterday and of course that means it is the season for Apple Cider Donuts, so I was inspired to make a slightly healthier version of said doughnut in muffin form (so baked not fried). They do have that special cider donut taste though, so overall a big success. Warning though, if you make this recipe, if feeds a crowd — it’s enough batter for 18 standard sized muffins, so come hungry or be able to pass them out to friends and neighbors.
Last Chanterelles of the season picked last weekend. Actually, the photo is from last weekend too, because there is another downside of foraging your own mushrooms (in addition to that you shouldn’t do it unless you know what you are doing!) and that is that foraging involves walking in areas that you share with other “things” — you know, other mammals not enthusiastic about your presence, creepy-crawly-slimy things like snakes and then run in that I had with a tick carrying the borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, that bit me and now I am battling lyme disease. It’s not been a fun week and I have spent most of it sleeping. I’ve described the illness as is triple mono with a side of cellulitis and a helping of meningitis. Wednesday, I slept for 22 hours. Moral of the story: wear long pants and gaiters, literally applied with permethrin. If it’s not one thing, it another with me this year, right? Thanks for sticking around and listening.
But on to more fun stuff: The chanterelles did make a lovely Savory French Toast with Chanterelles. I know that most people think of French Toast being a sweet thing, but add a bit of mustard, salt, pepper and herbs and you have a majestic savory version. Even if you don’t add the mushrooms, you could have a great version with ratatouille.
I am a big fan of plums — all kinds really, but if I can find Mirabelle plums (the little yellow, or pinkish one, not much larger than a cherry), I am in plum heavy. I found some of them the other day, organic ones no less, so I made this Mirabelle Plum Crumble Tart, with a Pâte Sucrée. What’s a Pâte Sucrée? It’s a pie crust that is more like shortbread, one that you don’t have to roll out, you just “pat” it into the pan. Lovely cake, just tart enough to make your mouth tingle a bit and just sweet enough to make you smile.