Swoon ... it's hard not to at the first glimpse of the season's figs. If you've never eaten fresh figs, make this the summer to do so. (Sorry, fig newtons.) This fruit somewhat remains an unsung hero – one often has to hunt around
the produce area to find them. But both impressive and luxurious, they’re worth
seeking out for both sweet and savory recipes.
Fresh fig season starts around mid-May and continues through
late fall, with varieties like black mission, brown turkey, calimyrna, kadota
and sierras. And while we do our best to source things locally, know that 98 percent of
fresh figs come from California, and 100 percent of dried.
A sleek,
glowing interior of all whites and neutrals warmly welcomes diners at the brand
new Avenue Kitchen in Villanova. So much so that we hesitated to bring our
two-year-old … but it was Mother’s Day after all. However, as trendy as this
restaurant is in look and in menu selections, the space exudes all the elements
of a warm and welcoming neighborhood restaurant. Avenue Kitchen fulfills a
definite void in the restaurant scene along this particular area of the Main
Line.
Hot nights are
here. And we’re afraid to turn on the air conditioner in our beautiful new home. (It may
not work, you see. It's new to us.)
This is just one of
the reasons we’re turning to one of my family’s favorite summer dessert recipes
for Memorial Day weekend. It’s so easy I’m almost embarrassed to share it with
you! But, it’s a sure winner for barbecues, picnics, and family dinners when
it’s blazing hot … make this Lemonade Ice Cream Pie, stat.
Cooking has been on the back burner this winter. After
buying a new house on a whim, we put our current home on the market. And that
meant keeping a sparkling kitchen day-in and day-out as long as the open houses
and impromptu visits persisted.
We are blessed to have our house under contract now though
(fingers-crossed) so out tumbled the flour this weekend, to make these light carrot cupcakes for my daughter and her toddler classroom.
Finally,
a restaurant has arrived in Berwyn that truly has it all. Meridith Coyle has transformed her former restaurant Aneu into Binni
& Flynn’s, resurrecting the
restaurant concept created and successfully run by her parents for so many
years.
If
this is the first time you’ve heard about the B&F’s reopening, then I’ll be
shocked. Ever since Coyle made the announcement over a month ago, the buzz
has been constant around town. Apparently, this is the place for fun and drinks.
