ganache-dipped orange madeleines

I love France, and I love cookies, and I’m extremely happy that the two come together in the form of plump, buttery madeleines.

perfect, golden madeleines

in the hen house

little chickens. one for each of us.

You probably know by now that I’m a sucker for anything cooked in the smoker. And if it’s a bird of some kind, it’s heaven. So if you’re fortunate enough to have a smoker* please give these cornish hens a try. Enjoy!

open-face falafel burgers and tomato cucumber salad with lemon honey poppyseed dressing

falafel ain’t awful

mother nature is confused [recipe: asparagus blue cheese chicken rouladen]

I think I’m losing my mind. Popping out to the patio while the sun is tucked behind the low-hanging Gulf clouds, wearing only shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops, is morning routine. I say hello to our tiny green tree frog and give the plants a drink, not bothered one bit by the cool water trickling onto my bare toes. The rising sun is already intense, bringing a gentle flush to my cheeks. Stepping back into the air-conditioned apartment is a welcome reprieve.

showy hibiscus out our front door

pumpkin maple mousse

A passport home through dessert tonight. Pumpkin maple mousse from the Fresh Market Wisconsin cookbook — a delicious collection of recipes celebrating the food of my home state’s farm markets and roadside stands.

From Halloween to Thanksgiving I happily ride the pumpkin wave. This recipe has been hanging around my recipe box for a few years, waiting for an autumn when I’d finally remember it was there. Prompted by leftover pumpkin puree I dusted off the recipe card and set to moussing.

whisk for licking