Category Archives: Dessert

Banana Frozen Yogurt with Rhubarb Swirl

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Danguole| 18 Comments

Do you remember the last time you initially hung out with a person you met through a mutual friend, without said mutual friend? No buffer, no safety blanket! Chaos! I (being a bit of a recluse) squirm just thinking about it. This platonic situation is scarier than a first date in my opinion–no doubt.

It usually works out well in the end though, doesn’t it? Your friends have good taste in human companionship–duh.

And… That’s kind of what this situation is. Strawberry-banana? Everywhere. Strawberry-rhubarb? Classic. Banana-rhubarb? Say what?

Yes, I know. It’s a bit strange without strawberries in the mix, but there’s no reason it should be. Sweet meets tart, all embedded in a cool, tangy frozen yogurt. The flavor combination is interesting, but not exactly challenging. It makes sense and most importantly, it tastes dandy. I suggest making this. I suggest taking it to your next friend date.

(Actually, scratch that, that’s weird. Keep it all for yourself. SOCIAL CRISIS AVERTED.)

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Posted in Dessert, fruit, Healthy (?), Spring, Vegetarian

Tagged banana, dairy, froyo, frozen yogurt, greek yogurt, rhubarb, rhubarb swirl, yogurt

Basil Chip Ice Cream

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Danguole| 17 Comments

I had a very serious conversation with the family at Easter dinner… About our favorite ice cream flavors. It seems every human being is obligated to have one, but if you asked me about my mom’s go-to, I really wouldn’t know. Turns out, she doesn’t know either, and none of us has a definitive one, really–what might have been a simple Q&A in other families became us just naming flavors. Yeah… I’m related to these people.

I should also add that we were eating ice cream. Before eating cake. Again–these people are definitely my people.

However, I think my maybe-favorite, the one I would pick if you held a gun to my head (which you wouldn’t do, because that’s dumb) is mint chip. There is so much to like: the freshness, the balance of sweet with bitter dark chocolate, the crunch… I am a fan.

But why don’t we branch out today? You may not think of basil as dessert-appropriate, but why not? Mint is only used in desserts because we’re used to it. There are so many other green, fragrant, delightful things that grow in the dirt on our planet. Let’s play with them.

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Posted in Dessert, Spring, Summer, Vegetarian

Tagged basil, chocolate, dairy, herbs, ice cream, milk

Lemon and Vanilla Bean Rice Pudding with Blueberry Compote

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Danguole| 12 Comments

I swear, sometimes I can’t handle the excellence that is this time of year (I’ll be saying the same thing again in six months–mark my words). The daylight, the jacketless afternoon walks to the coffee shop, the daffodils and tulips everywhere, and the impulse buys of mint-green shorts at Target (I REGRET NOTHING). So good.

Now, the downside to this time of year (well, this time of every odd-numbered year) for me is that I’m working a lot. By “a lot,” I mean 80 hours a week, sometimes. I try not to talk about it too much, just as I try not to talk about the weather, for the same reason: it’s boring. ”You’re busy? Oh really? FASCINATING.”

But, I wanted to give you a heads up. In case you wondered why I’m not posting as much–because if you like this thing enough to wonder, I owe you an explanation, and probably dessert.

Such as… Comforting dessert. Creamy and somewhat rich, but zingy and fruity at the same time–because I like you THAT much. True facts.

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Posted in Dessert, fruit, Spring, Vegetarian, Winter

Tagged berry, blueberry, cream, creamy, dessert, Fruit, lemon, milk, rice, rice pudding, vanilla

Pistachio-Chocolate Tart with Potato Chip Crust

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Danguole| 9 Comments

Okay–I know this isn’t pink. It’s also not heart-shaped. But romantic? Perfect for your Valentine’s Day? Yes and yes! Hear me out.

First of all, chocolate. Deep and dark and luscious. This tart is practically a giant truffle, shaped like a pizza. If you’re not into that, I can’t help you.

Second of all, a tart crust made from potato chips–say what? To me, there’s quite a bit of romance in the strange, offbeat, the path less traveled, etc. If you want a bit of novelty with your dessert, or if you want to put potato chips and pistachios in something just because you’re a quirky goose like that, this is a winner.

Also, salted desserts are all the rage, you heard? Highbrow/lowbrow is also a thing. Sometimes it’s okay to try and be just a little trendy… I’ll admit: trends can be delicious, too.

In short, whether you make this for chocolate lovers, kooks or food hipsters, you will have fans old and new. There’s a good chance that your Valentine (or the person you’d like to be your Valentine… wink, nudge) is one of the above. So let’s make magic things happen together! (1) Make tart, (2) be adored, (3) invite me to the wedding/50th anniversary if that’s how you roll.

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Posted in Baking, Dessert, Entertaining, Holidays

Tagged chocolate, dessert, highbrow lowbrow, nuts, pistachio, potato chip crust, potato chips, salted dessert, salty, sweet and salty, tarts, valentine's day dessert

Orange-Ricotta Pop Tarts

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Danguole| 16 Comments

Holy crap, I am obsessed with Weeds. These things tend to happen in the winter: Netflix streaming and dark evenings somehow make me extraordinarily motivated… To sit on my couch and catch up on pop culture. Watch all the things! Yes!

I’m not doing so hot; Weeds premiered in 2005, you know? I would have an easier time forgetting just how late I am to the party if it weren’t for the cell phones. Old-school flip phones with that familiar greenish-grey/black display. Shows about drug dealers feature phones A LOT.

On this schedule, I’ll be ready to discuss Girls and Downton Abbey in 2021. Let’s make it a date, okay?

I’ll bring homemade pop tarts.

This has been on my to-do list for a while. First thanks to the ever-brilliant and inspiring Deb from Smitten Kitchen. Then I had this killer homemade sweet potato pop tart at Dottie’s True Blue in San Francisco. I guess I tend to get around to baking projects slightly more quickly than I catch up to cool TV shows. Slightly.

And so, here they are! And they’re beauties. Tender, buttery pastry crust, and zesty, slightly sweet, citrusy, creamy-dreamy-cheesy, slightly vanilla-scented filling. A swirl of powdered-sugar icing on top. Pop tarts! Made from real food!