SoCAL Figs

Heart-Shaped Fig (photo by Dien Nguyen)

My friend Dien of I've Got Fashionitis was visiting her family in Orange County and she let it slip that her mom has a fig tree!  Dien and I have a common love for fresh produce, especially picking our own...but that's a story for another time.  

I put in a request for a few of these SoCAL figs and Dien delivered!  She even threw in a few wild guava (sorry no pics).  I was quite lucky that there were any figs for me because Dien's mom cuts the off the tree and throws them away so the crows don't come!  I almost died laughing when I heard that.

The flesh of these figs were a vibrant reddish pink.  I used a few to make a vanilla fig syrup and macerated the rest of the figs with it.  I served it over a Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta.  It was a creamy, yet refreshing treat.

Thanks again Dien for flying home some figs for me! ♥

Chocolate Cremeux

Chocolate Cremeux
Malt Ice Cream
Chocolate Sauce // Cocoa Crumble // Chocolate Garnish

Congratulations Betty!

Photo by Betty Yu

I attended a celebratory dinner for one of my newest friends and I couldn't show up empty-handed!  Betty was making a big move from NYC to Miami to further her journalism career.  The girls and I were quite excited to catch up and celebrate with Betty on her visit home.

Macarons served in a bowl are a great idea.  It transforms this "fancy" treat into a fun pile of colorful sweetness.  Make sure you don't pile the macs up too high or use delicate macarons otherwise you'll have smashed macs on the bottom...still tasty, but not so pretty. 

Macarons in Miami Colors
Raspberry with Crystallized Rose
Mango with Cayenne Pepper

Congratulations Betty and Best of Luck on Your New Miami Adventure! ♥