Recipe: Candied Cantaloupe & Cherry Almond Tart (Galapian)

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. Very rarely does a dessert glisten as brilliantly as the Galapian. She's like unlike anything I've ever tasted before - slices of candied cantaloupe enrobed with a light almond cake, studded with brilliant maraschino cherry drops and glazed with lavender honey. . This movie star of a dessert was invented in 1994 by Alain Bouchard in Apt, a region of France near to Monaco. While a relatively new invention, it has all the glitz and glamour that is so enjoyed by the Monégasque. . While … [Read more...]

Recipe: Pineapple Papaya Coco Sipper (with poll)

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It took Micronesia to get me excited about a smoothie. Don't get me wrong - I love smoothies. After a while, though, they all taste the same. Until now. This smoothie blushes, straight from the easy, breezy islands. Why? Because out of the soft, sweet flavor of papaya and pineapple comes the daring zip of fresh lime juice. Adding lime juice to a smoothie may sound strange, but Micronesians know - this is like adding a hint of key lime pie to your drink. A bit of soprano … [Read more...]

Recipe: Glazed Orange Coconut Cake

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There are times when I want to be fancy, but not fussy. When I want a pretty cake, but I don't want to decorate it with elaborate roses. When I'd rather be swimming in the sea instead of doing my taxes. Ahem. These are the days when I want (need!) a little slice of heaven to serve along side my afternoon cup of tea. I never thought I'd find my answer in Micronesia. But I did. This orange infused cake comes all the way to us from a little Micronesian island called Kosrae and a … [Read more...]

Recipe: Strawberry Almond Horchata

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There should be a rule. Whenever the weather is sunny and fine, when it is hot enough to swim in the deep seas - you should absolutely swim. Even if you forgot your bathing suit. Likewise, if you are ever offered horchata - the famous Mexican summertime sipper - consider yourself lucky and drink, drink, drink. The freedom of swimming, no matter what - that's what I taste in this drink. This is a summer's worth of happy - chilled and served with a straw. You'll taste almond and rice milk. … [Read more...]

Recipe: Mauritian Banana Tart

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Don't let the startling geometry fool you. Today's Banana Tart is for those who like mellow desserts. Big bites of health. An entire banana tree in the belly, topped off with delicate lattice goodness. I know. It's craziness. You can thank the dreamy island of Mauritius, way out in the Indian Ocean, for teaching me this ingenious way to use up ripe bananas. The ingredient list is so simple and pure, I almost can't believe it. Bananas, barely a smattering of brown sugar, a pinch of salt, … [Read more...]

Recipe: Baked Papaya with Sweet Coconut Cream

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When Ava says it, Keith comes running. "Pa pa pa pa yapa" Even for me, papaya is fun to say. Beautiful to behold. But here the thing. I never, ever buy this tropical fruit because I cannot figure out what on earth to do with it, aside from enjoying fresh, cool slices. Preferably poolside. Enter our week at the Marshallese Global Table, where I learned that these easy, breezy, island people bake papaya with a bit of sugar and enjoy with warm coconut milk. Hello. Okay. Let's just say … [Read more...]

Recipe: Sweet Macadamia Pie

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For some reason I'm having a hard time telling you about this pie. It's so familiar and yet so exotic. So comforting, yet so classy. Something so obvious and lovely, yet nothing I'd ever heard of before. . Think pecan pie, but more toothsome. Think honey sweetened, and coconut enriched. Think clouds of whipped cream spiked with coconut milk. Think tropical elegance. . I take a bite. I shut my eyes and feel a breeze. And, just like that, I'm in the Marshall Islands. . Like most … [Read more...]

Recipe: Marzipan Easter Cookies from Malta (Figolla)

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Each week, when I sit down to pick recipes, I am surrounded by a mountain of cookbooks, web sites, and emails (this week I'd like to thank Maltese reader, Jym B. for all his help).  I scan through dozens, if not hundreds of ideas before settling on my selections. Not today. Not with this recipe. I ran across Figolla almost immediately and knew, without a doubt, this sweet treat was a keeper. Reader, Jym, simply confirmed my selection, stating it is a "wonderful" cookie from his Maltese … [Read more...]