Coffee Brined Chicken with Smoky BBQ Sauce

strong hot coffee kosher salt brown sugar 1 1/2 cups cold water 2 1/4" thick lemon slices 2 tsp black peppercorns 2 tsp mustard seeds 1/2 ground coriander 2 chicken breasts 1 slice bacon, diced 1 shallot, minced 3 tbsp cider vinegar 2 tbsp dijon 1 tbsp heavy cream 2 tsp worcestershire sauce Combine 1/4… Continue reading Coffee Brined Chicken with Smoky BBQ Sauce

Rosemary Chicken Breast

2 chicken breasts 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tsp dry rosemary 2 garlic cloves, crushed juice of 1/2 a lemon cracked pepper sea salt Combine the olive oil, rosemary, garlic, lemon, and cracked pepper. Pour over the chicken and marinate overnight. Heat the grill.  Grill the chicken. Season with salt and serve.

Marble Cheesecake

16 oz. small curd cottage cheese 3 tbsp cocoa 1/4 tsp instant coffee powder 1 cup sugar 3 tbsp water 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice 8 oz. cream cheese 3 eggs 1 tbsp vanilla 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 cup oreo crumbs Line a sieve with several layers of paper towels folded.  Top the layers with… Continue reading Marble Cheesecake

Baked Banana

2 bananas, peeled, halved lengthwise juice of half a lemon 2 tbsp butter, melted 2 tbsp rum brown sugar pecans, chopped vanilla ice cream Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the bananas, cut side down in a baking dish. Squeeze with the lemon juice and then drizzle on the butter. Sprinkle on the rum, brown… Continue reading Baked Banana

Spedini

1 loaf italian bread, cut to 1" slices, crust removed 1 lb mozzarella, cut to 1/4" slices 1 cup milk flour 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup olive oil lemon juice capers Skewer the bread, alternating with cheese slices, beginnging and ending with the bread. Dip the skewers into the milk until moist but not soggy. … Continue reading Spedini

Spinach Bacon Salad

1/4 lb mushrooms, sliced thin 4 slices bacon 1/2 lb spinach leaves, fresh 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tbsp olive oil lemon juice to taste salt and pepper Fry the bacon until crisp and then toss with the mushrooms and the spinach leaves. Try and garlic in the bacon fat with the olive oil.  Remove from… Continue reading Spinach Bacon Salad

Lavender Tea Cakes

3 cups flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup almonds 1 1/2 cups sugar Finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons (1/3 to 1/2 cup juice) 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature 6 eggs, at room temperature 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and… Continue reading Lavender Tea Cakes

Banana Tartlets

 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup sugar Pinch of salt 1 stick plus 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces and chilled 1 large egg 1 tablespoon water FILLING  4 tablespoons butter   8 bananas, 4 mashed 3 tablespoons honey   1/4 cup fresh lemon juice Pinch nutmeg 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon icing sugar 1/2 cup… Continue reading Banana Tartlets