I learned how to make this Greek Tzatziki Sauce Recipe while I was visiting Athens – everyone who tries it tells me that it’s the authentic tzatziki recipe they were looking for and it only takes 15 minutes!
It should come as no surprise that I like to end my days with something sweet. And this sweet thing usually goes through phases. Last month it was microwave mug cakes--scant spoonfuls of flour, sugar, and spice whisked with an egg and zapped just long enough to produce a tiny hot, spongy little cake. The weeks before that, I was into homemade dark chocolate bark studded with bits of cracked espresso beans. (Delicious, but an unwise evening snack as it usually left me up all night thinking up projects.) Now, with sunny warm days upon us, it's berries. Strawberries, in particular, washed in cold water and served alongside a bowl of tangy crème fraîche and crunchy, toasty coconut palm sugar. It's the sort of treat that seems and tastes gloriously indulgent, and yet is not something that would be out of place on the breakfast table. I rediscovered my love for creme friache just a few weeks ago when I attended a reception hosted by the folks at Vermont Creamery. For dessert, they served rich flourless chocolate cakes topped with a cloud of the silky sour cream, and I was blown away by how perfectly it worked to balance out the sweetness of the rich cake. The flavor, if you've never tried it, is a bit of a cross between mascarpone and sour cream. It's got the cultured tang you might know from yogurt or buttermilk, but there is also a very lovely sweetness like that you get from good heavy cream. And the texture is thick and a bit gooey, like marshmallow fluff. When my gifted container finished, I bought another and then a third, and then this weekend I was dismayed to find that the container was nearly empty yet again. I wanted to serve it along with dessert at the Mother's Day lunch I was preparing for my mom and mother-in-law, but I didn't have time to buy more. That's when I remembered a long ago article that mentioned how incredibly easy it is to make creme fraiche at home. I got online and found that it really was easy. As easy as whisking together good heavy cream and a few tablespoons of buttermilk or yogurt or even just some storebought creme fraiche. I happened to have a small unopened bottle of Ronnybrook cream (the best around here), so I poured it into a bowl and stirred in equal parts Greek yogurt and what was left of my Vermont Creamery container. I covered the bowl with a piece of the plastic (poking in a few holes to allow air to travel), and left it on top of the stove overnight. By Sunday morning, the bowl of cream had turned thick and silky. I was so excited that I brought it into the bedroom where Eugene was still sleeping. "Look at this! I made creme fraiche!" I exclaimed. "That's nice," he mumbled, then rolled over back to sleep. I left the room hugging my bowl then placed it in the fridge to chill and thicken a bit more. I served my homemade creme fraiche to the moms along with fresh strawberries, blackberries, and coconut palm sugar. They loved it. The bowl is nearly empty again, and I think I just may have to make another batch. This is definitely a dangerous skill to have acquired... **** Love Always Order Dessert? Let's connect! Follow me on Twitter or Pinterest, become a fan on Facebook, or sign up to receive my once-a-week e-mail updates. And if you ever need any entertaining or cooking advice, please don't hesitate to e-mail me. Thanks for reading! Homemade Creme Fraiche Recipe Ingredients 2 cups good quality heavy cream (not ultra-pasteurized) 1/3 cup buttermilk, yogurt, or creme fraiche (or a combination of these adding up to 1/3 cup) Directions Whisk the heavy cream and buttermilk together in a glass bowl. Cover with plastic wrap that's been poked several times to allow air to pass. (You can also use cheesecloth.) Leave at warm room temperature for 12 to 24 hours, or until the cream has thickened into the texture of loose whipped cream. Give it another stir, cover tightly with a new piece of plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator for at least 8 hours. It will thicken and set completely. You can now serve this with both sweet and savory dishes, or use for cooking. (Just as you would use sour cream or store-bought creme fraiche). You can also sweeten or flavor the creme fraiche after it's ready--some good additions are lemon or orange zest, vanilla beans, dried herbs, or sugar. Keeps well 1 week to 10 days when stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
Notes: Fillo (or phyllo) comes in all shapes and sizes these days. The variety I can find, Athens brand, weighs 1 pound and contains two 8-oz bags of 20 sheets each measuring 9 x 14-inches. If your fillo comes in the larger sheets, cut it in half so that it’s roughly 9 x 14-inches. After you cut it, gently roll it up and place it in a ziploc bag.
Steak pizzaiola is a classic Italian dish made from simple ingredients. This hearty recipe is a comforting meal that is perfect for a weeknight meal or when you entertain guests.
This dutch oven garlic rosemary bread recipe is one of my new favorites, and it’s so simple. There is seriously nothing more comforting than homemade bread.
Nothing says comfort food more than our Sunday best Dutch Oven Pot Roast recipe. Start it in the early afternoon or before you leave for church and your house will smell amazing by the time dinner rolls around a few hours later. The leftovers are even better the next day.
A step by step guide to making a succulent juicy roast pork with crispy crackling every time!
This delicious homemade soft pretzel bites recipe is easy to make in about 1 hour with ingredients you likely already have on hand. See notes above for possible variations you can make too.
Summer on a plate...simple to throw together, but so fresh and flavorful!
Super tasty, delicious Italian recipe for cacio e pepe pasta. Step by step guide to making the perfect spaghetti cacio e pepe and a perfectly smooth Italian cheese sauce every time. A tasty, cheap and quick to make Italian dish perfect for a family dinner, solo meal or entertaining friends!
Learn how to make the perfect Yorkshire puddings with Jamie Oliver's easy Yorkshire pudding recipe – it's the perfect accompaniment to any Sunday roast!
This rich and creamy vegan risotto brings all the umami flavour. It's simple enough to make for a mid-week dinner, yet decadent enough for entertaining.
Mom's best ever slow cooker beef stew recipe cooked to perfection with dry red wine, plenty of garlic & herbs and tender carrots and potatoes. This easy beef stew recipe is just like the classic one you grew up with and makes a delicious, protein-packed dinner the whole family will love!
The best burrata recipe and ideas, including prosciutto arugula pizza, carbonara, tartines and more.
This simple recipe is made with roasted eggplant and a few simple ingredients.
This cheese quesadilla recipe is a quick and easy way to enjoy a simple Mexican dish. Learn how to make perfect cheese quesadillas in just 5 minutes in a pan on the stove or in the air fryer with these step-by-step instructions.
Recipe video above. "The secret is the bacon..." It really takes this sausage roll to another level! Also, sautéing the onion and celery before mixing into the filling makes it sweet and more moist than the usual, and using panko instead of normal breadcrumbs also contributes to making the filling of this sausage roll so moist.The addition of fennel adds an extra burst of flavour but it's optional. Pork and fennel are great mates and though most everyday suburban bakeries won't use it, you'll find better bakeries use it (like Bourke St Bakery). If you're wary, drop it to 1/2 teaspoon. Or just skip it!
Learn how to make a vodka martini with a twist - a true classic! Find 100s of cocktail recipes, entertaining ideas and party ideas at The Sweetest Occasion.
Learn how to make sushi rolls (maki rolls) with this easy homemade sushi recipe! Feel free to use whatever fillings you love best, and see notes above for extra tips and possible variations.
This overnight sausage, vegetable, and egg casserole can be baked right away, made up to a day in advance, or frozen for easy entertaining. Completely customizable and great for feeding a crowd!
Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Tomatoes Recipe The recipe that took the internet by storm! Try my Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Tomatoes recipe below. Not only is this dish super flavourful, but it is also easy and quick to make! PRO TIP: Use the toasted baguette to make this dip into Crostini’s! Check out
Learn how to make a frittata with this step-by-step guide, including a few smart hacks to make the process even easier.
Try this Ultimate Beef Stew recipe from Ina Garten's new cookbook, Modern Comfort Food.
This easy pinto beans recipe is the perfect side dish to serve with any Tex-Mex-inspired supper. Thick and creamy, gluten free, low fat, and vegan, too!
