How to make a long week (despite a Monday bank-holiday) slightly more tolerable? Yes, you’ve got it: sticky sweet, very bananananana-y and gloriously delicious Bananas Foster Shortbread Bars. If you’ve ever been to New Orleans and ha Bananas Foster prepared table side, you’ll know that it can be a sugar-rush like no other. These Shortbread bars are no different. Find yourself a cold glass of milk or some whipped cream and enjoy. I didn’t, however, flambe the shortbread bars like the “real” Bananas Foster.
Have you ever heard of purple apricots? No? Me neither until about a week ago when I found some at a local green grocer. I suspect that they are actually a hybrid between apricots and small purple or black plums. They look unique but taste pretty much like apricots. This recipe works just as easily with regular apricots, so don’t let the unique ingredients throw you for a loop. It’s a dessert cake, a coffee cake or a cake for afternoon tea, take your pick. Would also be nice with a bit of custard, ice cream or whipped cream. The almonds and olive oil give it a great, subtle taste addition. When I have made this cake before (once with plums, once with cherries) the fruit stayed more on top, but this time they sunk in a little much. Not as pretty as I would have liked, but still delicious.
Here’s a quick little savory snack, appetizer or side dish for lunch or crunch: Brie, Asparagus and Prosciutto Pastries. They use store-bought frozen puff pastry and can be ready in just about 30-45 minutes, and can also be eaten hot or at room temperature. Pretty and have an “early summer” vibe with the asparagus. Don’t like brie? You can sub out swiss cheese too!
Like I said last week already, it’s getting to be strawberry season, but before I go full on into the berries (that will be next week), I was gifted an armful of young tender rhubarb, so I decided to make this jam. It is lovely and tart and not too sweet and very delicious. I know that some people can be allergic to rhubarb (and to ginger too), so be aware that this is pretty much pure rhubarb. Enjoy!
The local strawberry season will soon be here in Eastern Massachusetts — Some of the PYO places are already opening this weekend, though I suspect that it will be at least another 10 days (hopefully even 2 weeks) for my planning purposes, before they are at peak.In the meantime, I found two types of “unique” baking chips — strawberry chips and cream cheese chips, so I invented these Strawberry Cheesecake Chip Oatmeal Cookies. Almost even healthy! Definitely have some strawberry flavor and are small enough for a quick two bite snack.