The vivid colours and flavours of cherries and summer berries dazzle both the eye and the palate.
There's nothing better than a chocolate chip cookie — unless it's a very large one! Home economist Susan Van Hezewijk created this cookie for kids to bring along to class parties or to give as a gift. It's quick to make, uses only one bowl and will keep youngsters busy writing the message or decorating with purchased icing.
To serve this fairground treat as a fun appetizer, cut the hotdogs into four or six pieces and serve with ballpark mustard as a dip. You can find nitrate-free hotdogs in the organic section of the grocery store or at specialty food shops. You will need about 1/4-inch (5 mm) thick wooden skewers, cut in 6-inch (15 cm) lengths.
These crisp triangles are elegant and not at all difficult to make. You can dip the cookies in white chocolate and drizzle them with bittersweet chocolate.
A tender, cheese-flavoured topping gives plain old chili a lift. Though it's a bit of work, the effort will be well appreciated.
The sharpness and piquancy of eggplant and Romano cheese are mellowed with pine nuts and dotted with the sweetness of raisins — a blend of flavours characteristic of Italy's south, particularly Sicily. You can easily double these attractive eggplant packets to serve a crowd.
Pitting these special little plums is more work than it's worth, so we cook them whole. (Warn your guests that there will be pits.) Be sure to use the tiniest of the many sizes of pearl tapioca for the best results.
Baking white chocolate causes the sugar to caramelize, which elevates its rich toffee flavour. Finished with a tart cherry balsamic reduction, this dessert is seriously satisfying.
If you love the taste of classic sweet and tangy lemon squares, you'll love this lime version. The green food colouring darkens as the squares bake, so make the shade of the lime curd slightly lighter than your desired final colour.
Fudge ice cream and mini chocolate chips pack a chocoholic punch, while vanilla ice cream and mini coloured candies appeal to the young at heart.
