Monthly Archives: April 2010
All Fruit Cocktails are Not Created Equal
| April 29, 2010 | Posted by admin under Uncategorized |
Fruit Cocktail
Let’s talk fruit cocktail. When I was a kid every once in a while for no apparent reason in the dead of winter we would have fruit cocktail for dessert. The fruit was not fresh and thankfully not frozen, but it was canned. All I knew is that when this day came I was stoked. There was usually only one nuclear cherry in the can so endless fighting between my brother and I ensued. Flash forward to current day I still have a fascination with fruit cocktail but I do stay away from the canned variety.
Every Chance I get to do a fruit cocktail on a special menu I take it. So this past Saturday I had such an opportunity. It was a small celebratory gathering of 16 people and they would nosh on a few hors d’oeuvres then move into a four course dinner. So a light dessert was in order. I only do this dessert for groups of 20 or less due to my poor prep cook who has to produce the Mise En Place. This is how the dessert unfolds first I find my one Parisian scoop that produces balls the size of a large BB. Once I have this tool I begin looking for the ripest of fruits. Of course you go through all of the types of melons finding the ripest ones. Then I find some pineapple, strawberries, grapes and kiwis.
Now that the standard fruit has been selected its time to find some rare and exotic types. On this particular occasion I found some very nice and ripe guava, papaya and passion fruit. At this point each of the fruits are gently and precisely scooped using this miniature melon baller. That does include the strawberries and grapes. The on e twist with the grapes is that they are peeled first. Now I’m sure you’re seeing a bit of why I only do this dish for smaller groups.
With the fruit scooped ill make a light rhubarb syrup with a bit of mint, this will help to bind the fruit but also use some of the fresh fruit juices to make the syrup. I like to finish this dish with a sorbet, for this event a champagne sorbet was in order. And a bit of texture in the way of a rhubarb crisp.
Truly a delicious way to enjoy your daily serving of fresh fruits.
My Weekly Drive: In Search of Fresh Produce
| April 15, 2010 | Posted by admin under Uncategorized |
It is my goal this year to get into the local farmland every Sunday to check out hidden jewels as well as visit farm stands and get my fruits and vegetables for the upcoming week. So this past Sunday the journey took us to Tilghman Island on the Chesapeake. We unfortunately got a late start to the day but we were on a mission to have some seafood on the water.
It was a beautiful day and the drive was entertaining through windy roads as well as the high speed portion of highway driving. As we drove past Easton and through st. Michaels we decided to walk around the Inn at Perry Cabin. This inn has great views and beautiful surroundings; it was however a little dressy for shorts and a tee. Back into the car and onward. While waiting for the drawbridge to the island to come down (the only way over the water) we took some time to look around the local marina and simply enjoy the water. Drawbridge down, back in the car and off to explore. We drove to the end of the island, which was not very far, but after a short drive over unpaved roadway we happened upon a another great little inn at the tip of the island. As we drove back through town we stop at what promised to be the place I’m looking for, a gritty restaurant on the water. Pick a table outside order a beer and check out the menu. Decide to have a light snack and relax for a while in the sun.
The next stopover was in Easton. I spotted a creamery. So of course, I’m all about getting a sundae. Mine a peanut butter ripple hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and a cherry. So after I devour my cold treat we check out a little more of town and then it’s time to start making our way back home.
Now on the road home, eyes are peeled looking for farm stands, farm markets or anyone selling some freshly plucked produce. I knew it was going to be a tall order due to the early season and the time of day on a Sunday but this is part of my mission. We drove by a couple of stands that are either closed for the day or simply have no opened yet. Then as all hope begins to fade we spot a farm market. Inside the market is a small amount of produce, not much from the immediate vicinity, and a lot of items from nearby Pennsylvania. So a load up the basket with some Maryland tomatoes and a few other items that seemed to be very fresh and ripe. Pack up the car and head home.
In the end the booty was not as grand as I would have liked but the tomatoes, strawberries and pears were perfectly ripe and delicious. I can’t wait until more stands open and more products start popping up.
My Weekly Drive
| April 14, 2010 | Posted by admin under Uncategorized |
It is my goal this year to get into the local farmland every Sunday to check out hidden jewels as well as visit farm stands and get my fruits and vegetables for the upcoming week. So this past Sunday the journey took us to Tilghman Island on the Chesapeake. We unfortunately got a late start to the day but we were on a mission to have some seafood on the water.
It was a beautiful day and the drive was entertaining through windy roads as well as the high speed portion of highway driving. As we drove past Easton and through St. Michaels we decided to walk around the Inn at Perry Cabin. This inn has great views and beautiful surroundings; it was however a little dressy for shorts and a tee. Back into the car and onward. We approached the island and as we were arriving the one way onto the island is a drawbridge which happened to be opening in order to allow a boat to go through. We took this time to look around the local marina and simply enjoy the water. Drawbridge down, back in the car and off to explore. We drove to the end of the island, which was not very far, but after a short drive over unpaved roadway we happened upon a great little inn at the tip of the island. No staying over on a school night so this may be a place to come back to for a long weekend. As we drive back through town we stop at what promises to be the place I’m looking for, a gritty restaurant on the water. Pick a table outside order a beer and check out the menu. Decide to have a light snack and relax for a while in the sun.
Back on the road it only makes sense to stopover in Easton and walk around this quaint little town. While getting to know our environs we, ok I spot a creamery. So of course, I’m all about getting a sundae. Mine a peanut butter ripple hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and a cherry. So after I devour my cold treat we check out a little more of town and then it’s time to start making our way back home.
Now on the road home, eyes are peeled looking for farm stands, farm markets or anyone selling some freshly plucked produce. I know it’s going to be a tall order due to the early season and the time of day on a Sunday but this is part of my mission. We drive by a couple of stands that are either closed for the day or simply have no opened yet. Then as all hope begins to fade we spot a farm market. Inside the market is a small amount of produce, not much from the immediate vicinity, and a lot of items from nearby Pennsylvania. So a load up the basket with some Maryland tomatoes and a few other items that seemed to be very fresh and ripe. Pack up the car and head home.
In the end the booty was not as grand as I would have liked but the tomatoes, strawberries and pears were perfectly ripe and delicious. I can’t wait until more stands open and more products start popping up.
