Autumn Fruit Chutney

“THY BOUNTY SHINES IN AUTUMN UNCONFINED AND SPREADS A COMMON FEAST FOR ALL THAT LIVE.”  James Thomson

Autumn Fruit Chutney | From My Sweet Heart

There is a different kind of simplicity that I search for in the fall.  While in spring and summer, I am content to eat some strawberries off the vine, or a fresh peach flavorful all on it’s own; in autumn I look for more comfort.  For a blending and melding of fruits and flavors.  And warmth!  And this union of fruits and spices does not need to be complex.   Crisp apples, pears and cranberries melt together with the warmth of cinnamon and brown sugar and curry.  This chutney takes little time and effort to make, but seems to simmer for the longest hour of my life!  And I could almost be content with the lovely scent which begins to waft through my kitchen.  This fall fruit chutney was created to…… [Read more...]

Chocolate Pear Pouches

“IT IS, IN MY VIEW, THE DUTY OF AN APPLE TO BE CRISP AND CRUNCHABLE, BUT A PEAR SHOULD HAVE SUCH A TEXTURE AS LEADS TO SILENT CONSUMPTION.”  Edward Bunyard, ‘The Anatomy of Dessert

Chocolate Pear Pouches | From My Sweet Heart

There is a restaurant in Middleburg, Virginia called The French Hound, which offers a wonderful stuffed pear dessert, served with a creme anglaise.  I wanted to try to recreate this dessert.  But I wanted to include a pastry that would lend itself as a delicate crust to absorb all the luscious flavors.  Kind of like a lighter version of pie.  I added dried cherries to the poaching wine, and reduced it to a wonderful syrupy sauce.  And the center of the pears?  They are filled with….. [Read more...]