My cousin João’s daughter Daniela is one of those people who has a gift for making simple things feel special. When I visited João’s home in the Azores, she shared a handful of dessert recipes with me — and this one, her Quente e Frio recipe for ice cream, stopped me in my tracks. It […]
Quente e Frio – No-Churn Homemade Ice Cream – Azorean Greenbean Read More »
Arroz doce has been my favorite dessert since childhood — and this version from my Tia Lilia is the creamiest of them all. Here’s the story behind it, plus the question I get asked most about making it right.
My Tia Lilia’s Arroz Doce — and Why Sweet Rice Will Always Be My Favorite Dessert Read More »
Growing up, Pastel de Nata was always one of those treats that made any ordinary day feel a little more special — those golden, creamy custard tarts from the bakery had a way of bringing everyone together. When I started thinking about how to share those same flavors with a crowd, this Pastel de Nata
Pastel De Nata Dip Read More »
Maria Biscuits were my dad’s everyday companion — he’d break them into a cup of warm coffee or milk and call it breakfast. For many Portuguese families, they’re the first solid food babies ever taste, passed around the way other moms hand out Cheerios. I grew up with them always in the house, and I
Chocolate Tart with Maria Biscuit Crust Read More »
My Aunt Lilia gave me this recipe, and every time I make it I think of her. This Walnut Cake with Chocolate Sauce was made for very special occasions in São Miguel, Azores — most often at Christmas, when fresh walnuts were in season. It is not a showy cake. It is dense, deeply nutty,
Walnut Cake with Chocolate Sauce Read More »
This Pudim da Avó recipe has always had a special place in my heart. “Avó” means grandmother in Portuguese, and that’s exactly who this dessert makes me think of — my Avó Filomena, who had the most wonderful way of turning simple ingredients into something truly memorable. This is the kind of dessert that shows
Grandmother’s Pudding (Pudim da Avó) Recipe Read More »
This Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake has become one of the most requested recipes from my readers, and I completely understand why. It is the kind of cake that looks impressive but comes together simply, and that burst of fresh blueberries with bright lemon glaze makes it impossible to resist. I have made this more times
Blueberry –Lemon Pound Cake Read More »
It was one of those June days in New England when the temperature refuses to cooperate — hovering around 50 degrees when it should have been warm. I had fresh blueberries sitting on the counter meant for a cold fruit salad, and that plan was officially out the window. So I baked instead. These blueberry
Blueberry Biscuits with Lemon Glaze Read More »
Every year when November rolls around, I start looking for chestnuts. It’s not just a craving — it’s a ritual tied to São Martinho, the Portuguese celebration that marks the start of the chestnut season and arrives right alongside the first sip of new wine. My dad taught me to prepare them this way: boiled
This dessert is my all-time favorite dessert. Growing up, whenever my mom asked what I wanted, I never asked for cake — it was always Arroz Doce! This creamy Portuguese sweet rice pudding is a dish that holds so many memories for me, and this particular recipe is extra special because it comes from my
Arroz Doce (Sweet Rice) — A Creamy Portuguese Rice Pudding Read More »
