Dana Slatkin

Apple Custard Gratin

03/01/2013 By Leave a Comment
winning recipe - apple custard

Announcing the winner of our February Cooking Contest! This last contest, in which I asked you to share a recipe for someone you adore, drew the Farmgirl's biggest response ever. There were cupcakes, bread puddings, tarts, chocolate French toast, a very memorable asparagus pesto, dumplings, and even a three-course dinner. I loved hearing your stories and getting to taste your delicious cooking. Thank you to every one of you who entered the contest. It was a very close call! In the end, I chose Hidemi Walsh’s Apple Custard Gratin because of its warm, comforting flavors; simplicity (it took me 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes in the oven); and originality. It didn't hurt that my kids gobbled up three batches in two days, including … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Comfort food, Cooking Contest, Dessert Recipes

Torta della Nonna, Farmgirl-style

01/28/2013 By Leave a Comment
torta giacomino drago

8-10 servings Recently I taught a class with Giacomino Drago, the charismatic owner of several high-end Italian eateries here in Los Angeles. The youngest of eight siblings from a small village in Sicily, Giacomino and his brothers have earned their turf with some of the tastiest pasta dishes in town. With his trademark Italian flair, Chef Drago demonstrated his famous Salsa di Pomodoro, Penne Arrabiata, and Melanzane alla Parmigiana to my eager students. You would think his recipes would be top secret, but Giacomino was kind enough to share some of his scrumptious intel with us. So why am I giving you a recipe for dessert here? Because if I broadcasted such classified information, there could be a horse head on my doorstep tomorrow … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gluten-Free Recipes

Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler (vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free version)

04/27/2012 By Leave a Comment
rhubarb-strawberry-cobbler-2

How often do you hear about how fast this year has gone by? Among us middle-agers (I know, but I’m owning it), the light-speed pace of life seems to have replaced the weather and traffic as the new conversation starter. I, too, find myself marveling at how Memorial Day is just around the corner, and summer will be here in a few blinks. I once had the privilege of being in the presence of a great Rabbi. He was visiting with friends here in L.A. on his way back to Israel, and he agreed to meet with a group of “seculars” to offer some of his wisdom. So I asked him if it is possible to slow down life.   And his answer has stuck with me ever since. He said, “Not possible. But if you savor each moment, time will … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dessert Recipes, Gluten-Free Recipes