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Fruit

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Oven Roasted Red Wine Strawberry Focaccia

2025/05/09 By Melinda 1 Comment

When I decided to re-shoot the photos for my roasted strawberry ciabatta I realized two things- I’m in a focaccia phase right now and I don’t have any balsamic vinegar in the house. But red wine and strawberries are a delicious combination- there’s a reason why it’s a dessert all on its own- go ahead […]

Filed Under: Breads Biscuits Buns, Cast Iron, Fruit, Recipes, Yeast Breads Tagged With: focaccia, red wine, strawberries

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candied citrus slices for all your citrus needs

2020/01/13 By Melinda Leave a Comment

I made these sticky tart little jewels without a clear purpose other than a citrus glow for a grey day.  As I experiment I will share possibilities include cake toppings, cookie topping, fancy sticky cocktail garnish (no teeny tiny clothespins though please!) .  You can use grapefruit, oranges, regular lemons, or limes. I like the […]

Filed Under: Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: candied fruit, citrus simple syrup, grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange

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Easy Squeezy Caramel Apple Pie baked in cast iron

2019/12/23 By Melinda Leave a Comment

this post was originally made as a sponsored post with 2towns cider, you can use their cider or any off dry hard cider (or just regular cider of the non alcoholic variety) Perhaps you’re over pie (how can that be? every day should be pie day!) and onto Christmas Cookies and perhaps I should have […]

Filed Under: Cast Iron, Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: 2towns, hard cider

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small batch boozy cocktail cherries- better than maraschinos

2019/12/05 By Melinda Leave a Comment

homemade marchino cherry in a martini glass

It’s cherry season. Okay so it’s not actually cherry season but it is Manhattan drinking season and so I’m finally diving into the cherries I made when it was actually cherry season and yum! And in a Brandy Manhattan they are so good and you can use frozen which will be better that the day […]

Filed Under: Fruit, Recipes, Sides and such Tagged With: booze, cherries, cocktails, garnish, luxardo, marachino

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Cast Iron Pear Blueberry Clafoutis

2019/09/10 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Combining fresh ripe pears and blueberries in a lightly spiced clafoutis batter this dessert, or breakfast, or even breakfast for dessert has all of the best things from summer and fall. This classic French dish is easily modified to suit your whims and likes- brighten it with lemon, make it gluten free, make it with […]

Filed Under: Cast Iron, Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: blueberries, custard, eggs, flan, pears

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Two Thorns Hard Cider Raspberry Sorbet

2019/07/02 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Three ingredients- one amazing sorbet. The perfect summer weekend treat to beat the heat that’s not too sweet. So get up on your feet and raise a spoon to two thorns raspberry rose hard cider raspberry sorbet.  This sorbet, packed as it is with fresh raspberry flavor, is excellent on its own or try it […]

Filed Under: Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: ad, fresh raspberries, hard cider, ice cream, raspberry sorbet, sorbet

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Sweet and Tart Rhubarb Crumble

2019/05/24 By Melinda 2 Comments

Overhead Shot of Rhubarb Crumble topped with whipped cream

If you don’t like your rhubarb adulterated by other fruit this is the dessert for you. A tart tangy rhubarb filling still hot from the oven topped with a dead simple and marvelously crispy buttery crumble topping. Add a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and the trifecta is complete.  want a little […]

Filed Under: Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: baking, crumble, Rhubarb

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Rhubarb Cream Scones with fresh grapefruit glaze

2019/05/16 By Melinda 2 Comments

Tiny tart flecks of garden fresh rhubarb macerated overnight and baked into easy food processor cream scones baked to golden brown and topped with a quick pink grapefruit glaze. What to do when the rhubarb arrives? Just a few short weeks ago I actually purchased Rhubarb at the farmers’ market and the rhubarb gods said […]

Filed Under: Breads Biscuits Buns, Breakfasty Brunchy, Fruit, Quick Breads, Recipes Tagged With: grapefruit, Rhubarb, scones

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Strawberry Cider Quick Bread w/ fresh strawberries and balsamic

2019/03/11 By Melinda 2 Comments

This strawberry cider quick bread is the taste of spring made as simple or as fancy as you’d like. Baking with strawberry cider adds an easy and delicious layer of flavor.  My favorite variation of Strawberry Cider Quick Bread w/ fresh strawberries and balsamic Want to get fancy? This recipe calls for one cup of […]

Filed Under: Breads Biscuits Buns, Fruit, Quick Breads, Recipes Tagged With: 2towns, hard cider, sponsored, strawberry cider

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Upside-down Caramelized Orange Chocolate Tart

2019/01/18 By Melinda 1 Comment

a one pan cast iron orange chocolate tart perfect for two, perfect for date night, also perfectly acceptable for one or four

Filed Under: Cast Iron, chocolate, Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: cast iron, dessert, orange, tart

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Cider Poached Pears with honey whipped cream

2018/11/08 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Cider Poached Pears with honey whipped cream

Dead simple and delicious, marionberry or blackberry hard cider poached pears served with luscious honey whipped cream.

Filed Under: Fruit, gluten free, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: cider, gluten free, hard cider, marionberry cider, pears, poached pear, whipped cream

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Pear Pomegranate Amaretto Cocktail

2018/11/03 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Pear Pomegranate Amaretto Cocktail

A little nutty, a little tart, smooth and somewhat sweet. This is a frozen drink for cold days, it’ll give you chills in the best sort of of way. Because you love it, and because you want more. The only problem with this Pear Pomegranate Amaretto Cocktail is that is that if you’re not careful […]

Filed Under: Cold Drinks, Drinks, Fruit, Recipes Tagged With: amaretto, autumn, cocktail, fresh fruit, frozen drink, pear, pomegranate molasses

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Cast Iron Winter Squash Pie w/a honey whole wheat crust

2018/10/08 By Melinda Leave a Comment

overhead shot of cast iron winter squash pie in cast iron skillet

An autumn squash pie made with fresh roasted kuri squash (or your favorite pumpkin type winter squash), a not quite pumpkin spice blend of spices, and a don’t ask don’t tell one hundred percent deliciously graham cracker like honey whole wheat flaky pastry crust. Best of all this bad boy bakes up in an 8” […]

Filed Under: Cast Iron, Fruit, Recipes, Sweet, Winter Holiday Tagged With: cast iron, kuri squash, pie, thanksgiving dessert, winter squash

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Campari Orange Slushy with triple sec and orange blossom water

2018/05/14 By Melinda Leave a Comment

This is the grownup slushy that I’m willing to wash the blender for. Refreshing, red, laced with a hint of orange blossom, and just a little bit boozy so, as long as you can manage to sip slowly, it’s the perfect hot afternoon yard beverage. Campari Orange Slushy with triple sec and orange blossom water […]

Filed Under: Cold Drinks, Drinks, Fruit

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Not too sweet Rhubarb Refrigerator Jam

2018/04/28 By Melinda Leave a Comment

close up of Not too sweet Rhubarb Refrigerator Jam

A rhubarb jam where rhubarb is the star. With half the sugar of the recipe that inspired it this not too sweet rhubarb refrigerator jam is addictive on toast or waffles and is the perfect filling for pop tarts or a slab pie. You would think by now I would learn to always write things […]

Filed Under: Fruit, gluten free, Recipes, Sides and such, Sweet Tagged With: ginger, jam, jelly, Rhubarb

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Rhubarb Pop Tarts with a cardamom glaze: ravioli style

2018/04/27 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Rhubarb Pop Tarts with a cardamom glaze: made ravioli style

  Jam packed with fruit and flavor- I was delighted to “have” to test this recipe more than once. The first batch was just the right amount of tender and perfectly balanced between rhubarb, pastry, and sweet cardamom glaze, in short, amazing, once I finally got it together, but handling the dough, measuring out rectangles, […]

Filed Under: Breakfasty Brunchy, Fruit, Quick Breads, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: cardamom, pastry, pop tart, Rhubarb, toaster strudel

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Tajin Chile Lime Seasoning and Chocolate Marbled Banana Bread

2018/03/28 By Melinda 3 Comments

Close up of Tajin Chile Lime Seasoning and Chocolate Marbled Banana Bread resting on a light wooden cutting board with one slice removed to show marbled interior

Tajin Chile Lime Seasoning and Chocolate Marbled Banana Bread: whew that’s a mouthful. I’m addicted to this not too sweet combination of dark chocolate swirled with a subtly spiced banana batter, the result is tender and flavorful without veering too far into dessert territory. Even the Mr. who, maddeningly, can take or leave most desserts […]

Filed Under: Breads Biscuits Buns, Breakfasty Brunchy, chocolate, Fruit, Quick Breads, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: banana bread, chocolate, quick bread, spice, Tajin

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Mizuna Citrus Salad w/ avocado and jicama

2018/03/12 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Overhead shot of white platter filled with dark green Mizuna Citrus Salad w/ avocado and jicama

Mizuna Citrus Salad w/ avocado and jicama A simple refreshing salad, lightly dressed, and studded with tropical flavors and textures. Do you remember when there were only three brands of tequila and three kinds of greens?  Now I can barely keep up. Yes kids ,there was a time when Patron and Arugula were considered fancy/exotic/unusual. […]

Filed Under: Fruit, Recipes, Salads, Veggies Tagged With: avocado, gluten free, japanese mustard, jicama, mizen, Mizuna kyona, pink grapefruit, salad, satsuma, shui ca, tangerine, vegan

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Mango Colada with banana and grapefruit

2018/03/10 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Hand slipping grapefruit garnish on the Mango Colada with banana and grapefruit

  Mango Colada with banana and grapefruit It’s not even that warm today but just seeing temperatures above sixty in the forecast has me in a mad scramble for drinks laden with rum and blended with tropical fruit. Bring on the mango, the banana. I’m ready for sun naps and warm toes. Even without the […]

Filed Under: Cold Drinks, Drinks, Fruit, Sweet Tagged With: banana, cocktail, frozen drink, mango, pink grapefruit, Rum, tropical drink

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Wild Blueberry Cornbread Muffins

2018/03/06 By Melinda 1 Comment

Not too sweet and loaded with blueberries these muffins, if I’m honest, are really just my favorite cornmeal pancakes made into easily storable/snackable muffin form. Looking for a more straight up fruit muffin? Try these strawberry ones instead (You can sub out blueberries 😉 I grew up on the west coast so I was raised […]

Filed Under: Breads Biscuits Buns, Fruit, Quick Breads, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: baked, blueberries, cornbread, cornmeal, muffins, wild blueberries

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not your momma’s meyer lemon amaretto sour

2018/02/15 By Melinda 4 Comments

not your momma’s meyer lemon amaretto sour Amaretto sours are one of those drinks with “origin unknown” stamped across their back side. I’ve never been able to decide whether this is because it’s a basic variation of a classic or if the inventor is ashamed and unwilling to take credit. Given that the amaretto sour […]

Filed Under: Cold Drinks, Drinks, Fruit Tagged With: amaretto, bitters, citrus, cocktail, drink, egg white, meyer lemon

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Spiced Apple Bundt Cake w/maple cream cheese frosting

2017/11/09 By Melinda 2 Comments

Spiced Apple Bundt Cake w/maple cream cheese frosting

Spiced Apple Bundt Cake w/maple cream cheese frosting I love apple pie, and pumpkin pie (and key lime pie, blueberry pie, cherry pie, and pie! pie! pie!) but as the time of leftovers approaches I’ve come to appreciate a dessert that gets better on the second day and is still really good on days three […]

Filed Under: Breads Biscuits Buns, Fruit, Recipes, Sweet, Winter Holiday Tagged With: apple, baked, Cake, cream cheese, dessert, granny smith, maple

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Fresh Blackberry Daiquirinha: a Daiquiri Caipirinha muddle

2017/09/07 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Fresh Blackberry Daiquirinha: a Daiquiri Caipirinha muddle

Scars and Stains Blackberry brambles, thorned arches. Dark clusters of berries, smaller and seedier than their domesticated cousins. But so much better, worth dodging webs and thorns. Free, if you count stains and scratches as rewards. Yesterday we went blackberry picking in a friends backyard. Forty five minutes in the dimming August light to bring […]

Filed Under: Cold Drinks, Drinks, Fruit, Recipes Tagged With: Caipirinha, cocktail, Daiquiri, Fresh Blackberry, muddle

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Roasted Blueberry Ice Cream with Raspberry Swirl

2017/07/05 By Melinda 1 Comment

Roasted Blueberry Ice Cream with Raspberry Swirl close up with spoon

This homemade icecream is the best of both berry worlds, summer blueberries roasted to flavor perfection and a bright swirl of raspberry just barely processed to give all the bright best raspberry flavors. Roasted Blueberry Ice Cream with Raspberry Swirl Why should you listen to me of the sporadic posts who can’t even get the […]

Filed Under: Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: dessert, frozen, ice cream, raspberry, Roasted Blueberry, summer

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Cast Iron Rhubarb Upside Down Cake with fresh strawberries

2017/06/20 By Melinda 2 Comments

Cast Iron Rhubarb Upside Down Cake with fresh strawberries and real whipped cream

Summer snuck up on me. The long hot days, fruit ripe and heavy on the vine, roses in full bloom- all clues I missed. Graduation ceremonies, squirrels doing mad dashes and dances on branches dappled green and shadowed, the sun high in the sky, the hum of air-conditioners, and the intermittent buzz of sirens. My […]

Filed Under: Breads Biscuits Buns, Cast Iron, Fruit, Quick Breads, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: Cake, cast iron, Rhubarb, strawberry, summer fruit, Upside Down Cake

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“Old Fashioned GF Experience” fresh grapefruit pomegranate prosecco cocktail

2016/12/21 By Melinda Leave a Comment

The longest night is behind us now, a foggy morning giving way to sun. Holiday lights glimmer in the afternoon’s glow, my fingers stained red from squeezing pomegranate seeds between my eager fingers. I have made no preparations for christmas, made no preparations for the new year. I am without hope and brimming with the […]

Filed Under: Cold Drinks, Drinks, Fruit, Recipes, Winter Holiday Tagged With: bubbly, champagne, cocktail, drink, grapefruit, holiday, mimosa, Pomegranate, prosecco

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Cranberry Pomegranate Relish- quick, low sugar, no cooking

2016/11/19 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Cranberry Pomegranate Relish

Persephone leaves the underworld with four pomegranate seeds in her belly. Seeds of winter. She can still taste the fruit, remember how she struggled to stop at just four, licked the bright juice from her fingers, tasted the red stain on her lips. But without fall there can be no spring, without bare branches there […]

Filed Under: Fruit, gluten free, Recipes, Sides and such, Winter Holiday Tagged With: cranberry, mandarin, no cook, orange, pomegranate molasses, quick, satsuma, Thanksgiving

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Cast Iron Peach Clafoutis

2016/08/17 By Melinda 4 Comments

Cast Iron Peach Clafoutis

A soft vanilla scented batter, buttery crisp around the edges and loaded with sweet summer peaches.

Filed Under: Breakfasty Brunchy, Cast Iron, Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: baked, cast iron, clafoutis, custard, easy, Flaugnarde, forbidden fruit orchard, peach

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Rosé, White, and Blue-ish Grown Up Jello

2016/06/28 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Rosé, White, and Blue-ish Grown Up Jello

Turn that water into wine. Add sweet summer berries, and you have a warm weather dessert that’s just a little sweet and just a little boozy. A palette cleanser if you will, something to wash away the memory of potluck desserts or that hangover in a Dixie cup disguised as a childhood snack. For the […]

Filed Under: Cold Drinks, Fruit, gluten free, Recipes, Salads Tagged With: blueberry, chilled, dessert, fourth of july, jello, raspberry, rose, strawberry, wine

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Cherry Amaretto Sidecar Cocktail

2016/06/09 By Melinda 5 Comments

Almost sidecar, almost amaretto sour, this cocktail beautifully balances the cherries’ sweetness with the subtle nutty notes of amaretto and the citrus tang of fresh lemon. This drink isn’t boozy, it is- as it should be- mostly about the cherries. When the first cherries arrive they seem so grand, so dark and decadent, a reminder […]

Filed Under: Cold Drinks, Drinks, Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: amaretto, brandy, cherries, cocktail, fresh cherry, fresh lemon juice, summer drink

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Blackberry Spice Scones

2015/08/10 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Blackberry Spice Scones

Not too sweet and subtly spiced, these scones aren’t going to win any beauty pageants. The tender, almost cake like crumb, and a generous portion of fresh blackberries means either using a fork or getting your fingers stained with berry juice, but what’s summer without a bit of berry juice? I adapted my recipe from […]

Filed Under: Breads Biscuits Buns, Breakfasty Brunchy, Fruit, Recipes Tagged With: blackberry, cardamom, scones, spice, summer

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Individual Blueberry Pies w/ vanilla shortbread crust

2015/07/03 By Melinda 1 Comment

Individual Blueberry Pies with vanilla shortbread crust

A blend of cooked blueberries and fresh nestled in a crisp vanilla shortbread crust that you can make ahead. Very little prep but oh so much reward. You can bet that anytime I’m on dessert duty this summer this is what you’ll get (unless you ask for chocolate). Guess what I had for breakfast? I […]

Filed Under: Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: blueberry, pie, shortbread, tart, vanilla shortbread

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Peach Granita and Vodka Ice Tea Fizz

2015/07/02 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Peach Granita and Vodka Ice Tea Fizz

Peach Granita and Vodka Ice Tea Fizz: Real peaches, real tea, real vodka, real good. This not too sweet ice-cold cocktail is both fancy and backyard casual. Call it a fizz or call it a float. Have more than two, call a cab. If I had company coming over I would make this in a punch […]

Filed Under: Cold Drinks, Drinks, Fruit, Recipes Tagged With: cocktail, float, ice tea, peach, summer, vodka

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Easy and Refreshing Ginger Peach Granita

2015/07/01 By Melinda Leave a Comment

easy and delicious peach ginger granita

  A deliciously easy peachy frozen treat that comes together in minutes but can last in the freezer for weeks. The perfect fruity ending to a summer barbecue or a wonderfully cooling mid day treat. Are you drowning in superlatives yet? ‘Cause I’m sorta hot and cranky and so it’s hard for me to get […]

Filed Under: Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: cardamom, frozen, ginger, granita, peach, summer

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Fresh Cherry Cheesecake Tart

2015/06/22 By Melinda 5 Comments

Fresh Cherry Cheesecake Tart

This mix up of all my favorite desserts- cherry pie, cheese cake, any and all tarts is the perfect showcase for gloriously sweet fresh summertime cherries. Fresh Cherry Cheesecake Tart Because I know what pan I baked this in I’m insisting on calling it a tart even though everyone at dinner last night kept complementing […]

Filed Under: Fruit, Recipes, Sweet Tagged With: cheesecake, cherry, cherry pie, dessert, fresh cherry, pie, tart

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