You'll need a blowtorch to create the caramelized brûlée top; look for one in kitchen supply stores or certain hardware stores. The flame goes farther than is visible, so use the blowtorch with caution, work slowly and always point the flame away from any flammables or people. Refrigerate the tart for at least four hours to ensure the filling is firm enough to slice neatly.
One of the pleasures of the cooking traditions of the British Isles is seafood pie, with its bounty of northern seafood in a creamy sauce topped with flaky pastry. You can make the pie a day ahead and refrigerate it or freeze it. If you prefer, use pie pastry (one double-crust recipe) instead of puff pastry.
This cake gets a whimsical touch with easy-to-make marzipan figures. Fondant is available at cake-decorating stores and some craft stores. Use your favourite ice cream flavour for the filling.
Take a break from traditional holiday desserts with these tart citrus cookies. For best results, use freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice in the icing.
This simple beginner recipe is a terrific introduction to bread baking. Conveniently, it makes two loaves, so you can serve one right away and freeze the other for later. If you freeze your bread, let it cool completely before slicing so that it stays nice and moist.
Brilliant blue icing and a fun speckled effect make this show-stopping chocolate cake look like a robin's egg. For best results, practise your speckling technique on waxed paper before tackling the cake. The speckling can get a little messy, so protect the cake plate with strips of waxed or parchment paper.
Harissa, a paste made from crushed chilies, gives these North African-inspired lamb sausages their signature kick. Find boneless lamb shoulder and sausage casings at your butcher, and make sure the meat is chilled before you work with it. For easy prep, enlist a helper for filling the casings.
The contrast of buttery cream and red wine–poached pears makes these tarts a stunning addition to your holiday spread. For the prettiest presentation, prepare the pastry, cream and poached pears in advance, then assemble the tarts just before serving. Use a small melon baller or a metal measuring spoon to easily core the pears.
Finish off a baby shower with a pretty baby-themed cake that you can personalize for the mom-to-be. To serve, remove the top block and cut it vertically into five slices, then repeat with remaining blocks. For a more colourful finish, you can pipe different colour borders on some of the blocks, as in our photo.
