From the Orchard

I am always on the lookout for easy-to-make recipes that pack a wow factor. And this recipe I came across in an old edition of Saveur magazine definitely fits the criteria. Sophisticated yet so easy your kids could make it this tasty hors d’oeuvres will impress all of your foodie guests. When I first read the recipe I was dubious about adding a mix of herbs to the goat cheese. But the herbal blend ties the mild tanginess of the goat cheese to the sweet apricots, offering a surprisingly robust flavor profile. The pistachios give a nice bit of added...

I am a big fan of fresh figs. I love to peel the skin and see that ripe sweet, pink interior. Off the tree, these tasty fruits are wonderful in salads, mixed with yogurt, and even on white pizza. But since their season is short, figs are often available only in their chewy, dried form, which is less optimal than fresh. That’s why I am thrilled to bring you our deliciously moist dried figs. Rehydrated with just water, Fruit Bliss’ organic Turkish figs are perfect any time of year and they work great as a fresh fig substitute. So now...

I love to cook, but often fall into the trap of making the same dish often. I rely on cookbooks and recipes to execute more complex dishes and flavors for when I have a little extra time. One of my favorite go-to’s for recipes is www.epicurious.com. This site has recipes for all types of cuisine and the rating system has never let me down. If a recipe gets three or four forks and 75% or more of the respondents would make it again, I know I can trust the results.  I have learned quite a few hacks and modifications from...