Best Homemade Tastes in 2009

The things we made in our teeny little Napa or even teensier Vero kitchen that were so delicious. I say 'we' because husband is the best sous chef anyone could ever ask for, or as of late, the only chef around here.


Silky chestnut soup (recipe here)

Toasted pasta with duck leg guazzetto (A Mingling of Tastes)

Caramelized tofu (101 Cookbooks)

Roasted asparagus with walnut crema and pecorino (Orangette)

Plum sorbet (from Sunday Suppers at Lucques)

Watercress soup with gentleman's relish--buttery anchovy heaven--toast (from Sunday Suppers at Lucques); part of our St. Patrick's week eating in March

Slow-cooked brisket sandwiches with blue cheese coleslaw, part of our July 4th feasting (from the September 2008 issue of Bon Appetit)

Leche merengada with a shot of espresso poured on top (from the bible of ice cream books, The Perfect Scoop)

ridiculously easy Nectarine sorbet (also from The Perfect Scoop)

apple tart cake (here, from Orangette)

olive oil cake with creme fraiche and candied tangerines (from Sunday Suppers at Lucques)

potimarron soup -- via Chez Pim (we couldn't find potimarron or kabocha squash, so we went with butternut. Simple. Amazing.)