9:32pm Blackberry Clafoutis

I've made this delectable little breakfast dessert for the past two nights and they both managed to make their way into the oven at 9:32pm. I found this rather intriguing so I figured it had to be part of its legacy (however shortlived it may be). Blackberries are growing absolutely out of control this time of year in Sonoma County so I've been sneakily squeezing them into just about everything I make...but this one isn't so sneaky at all. In fact, it's what makes it so remarkably delicious!

What you'll need:

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup sugar (1/3 if you want to make it more like a dessert)
• 3 eggs
• Zest of a lemon or an orange (i've been experimenting with both and I think the lemon is better but they both work, and it's a judgement call)
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/4 cup of milk
• 2 cups of fresh blackberries
• A wee bit of salt

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the flour, sugar, and salt together. Whisk in the eggs, zested citrus, milk and butter. Blend them til smooth (whip if possible).  Pour into round baking pan and topple with the blackberries. Bake for about 25-30 minutes (10:07 in my case, but my oven is a pansy). Let cool for a few minutes and serve warm or cool for a morning treat. Mmmm. Simple delight!

Fig and Goat Cheese Pastry Pizza

My dear friend Aubrey and I were desperately in the mood for figs and cheese so we found the perfect recipe, messed it up again, and douced ourselves in heavenly pastries...this is the result. 

What you'll need:

• 1 Pepperidge Farms pastry sheet (thawed at room tempt for 40 min)
• 3 fresh figs
• 4 oz fresh goat cheese
• 6-7 cherry tomatoes
• Olive tapenade
• Fresh thyme 
• Fresh;y grated parmesan cheese

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. After thawing the pastry sheet lay it out flat on your baking pan (lightly greased) and fork the perimeters. Place in preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes until it has risen and is golden brown. Cut the figs into quarters, cherries in halves, and crumble the goat cheese. Once the pastry is baked remove from over and flatten slightly. Spread a light layer of tapanade on the entire surface. Then place the tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and goat cheese on top. Sprinkle thyme and parmesan cheese in desired amount on top. Return to oven for about 5 more minutes or until the goat cheese has softened and begun to melt. And whala!