The Course Series: Dessert

Ok.

Get excited.

It's time for the best part of a meal.

You know,

DESSERT.

Sugar, cookies, cake, chocolate, ice cream, pie, tarts -

though the real stuff is best enjoyed in moderation,

go ahead and feast your eyes on these pics to your heart's content.

Sweeeeet.

Idylwilde Farm, Acton, MA - Fresh apple cider donuts

Tatte, Boston, MA - Vanilla-fig-hazelnut biscotti

Mike's Pastry, Boston - Chocolate chip ricotta cannoli

Mike's Pastry, Boston - Oreo cream pie

Waiola's, Honolulu - Lychee and haupia shave ice

Waiola's, Honolulu - Push Up Pop

Ice Garden, Aiea - Milk shave ice with condensed milk, mochi balls, and caramel custard

Betty Ann Food Shop, East Boston - Sugar raised doughnuts

Robeks, Aiea - Acai bowl with granola and banana

Agnes' Portugese Bake Shop, Aiea - Chocolate raspberry cakelet with raspberry jam, vanilla frosting, and chocolate drizzle

Homemade - Meltaway cookies drizzled with milk chocolate

Somewhere in Chinatown, Boston - Dan ta (sweet egg tarts)

Homemade Oreos with milk

Henrietta's Table - Chocolate (white chocolate chip?) cookies

Homemade - Craisin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

Before baking:

After baking:

After icing:

Homemade pumpkin shortbread Halloween cookies with royal icing

Homemade lady fingers

for:

Homemade - Tiramisu with mascarpone, homemade ladyfingers, semisweet chocolate, and Bailey's Irish Cream

Happy Day, Honolulu - Jin dui (deep fried rice balls rolled in sesame seeds filled with sweet red bean paste)

Chuck & Augie's, UConn, CT - Coffee espresso crunch sundae with hot fudge, whipped cream, and maraschino cherry

Homemade - Bananas, vanilla ice cream, CC Brown's hot fudge, cacao nibs, and maraschino cherries in miniature bath tub from Bubbies

Fenway Park, Boston - Vanilla and chocolate swirl soft serve

Dole Plantation, Wahiawa - Dole Whip (pineapple soft serve) with fresh pineapple skewer

Gargoyles on the Square, Davis Square - Nutella smoothie with blackberries, whipped cream, and dry ice

Cupcapes, Falmouth, Cape Cod - Vanilla cake with raspberry jam filling vanilla frosting and fresh blueberry and strawberry topping

Homemade - Mini red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting

Homemade - The "803" Cupcake: Secret recipe pound cake with milk chocolate macadamia kiss center and homemade vanilla frosting

Homemade - "Cupcake Pop": Red velvet cake mixed with cream cheese frosting, dipped in dark and white chocolate and topped with sprinkles

The next four cupcakes are from Kickass Cupcakes in Davis Square, MA:

Super Chocolate - Chocolate brownie cake with bittersweet chocolate ganache topped with chocolate shavings

Cookies & Cream - Vanilla cake with cream filling and Oreo topping

"The Green Monster" - Chocolate cake with chocolate beer ganache filling and chocolate beer frosting

Mojito - Rum soaked cupcake with sugar cane lime frosting and fresh mint

Ted's Bakery, Haleiwa, HI - Pineapple upside-down cake

Homemade - Pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream

Cafe Miro, Honolulu - Green tea ice cream in tuile with ladyfinger, créme brûlée, raspberry cheesecake, raspberry coulis, and fresh fruit

Clear Flour Bakery, Boston - Pain aux raisin

Homemade - Mocha créme caramel

Homemade - Dark chocolate and honey-roasted macadamia nut covered apples

Homemade - 12-layer guava cream cheese-sour cream cake encrusted with honey-roasted macadamia nuts

Mmmmmmm.

So my father - who loves a good dessert - always says,

"Anything with chocolate in it has no calories."

But I say,

"Anything that tastes good is worth the calories."

And I am a firm believer that you can bake your cake and eat it too.

So go ahead and say YES to dessert.

The Course Series: The Plated

Mmmmm tapas. And bread. These come on plates, but you can get away with eating with your hands.

Toro, Boston: Maíz Asado con Alioli y Queso Cotija (grilled corn with cotija cheese, aioli, pepper, and lime)

Toro, Boston: Patatas Bravas (Fried potatoes with alioli and spicy tomato sauce)

Betty's Wok and Noodle, Boston: Rangoons stuffed with mushrooms, cream cheese, ginger and scallions with chili sauce



Homemade: Cheddar cheese pull-apart rolls


Fluffernutter: Peanut butter and strawberry marshmallow fluff on toasted potato bread

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, Haleiwa: Garlic shrimp with white rice and lemon

The Clam Shack, Cape Cod: Fried clam bellies on shredded lettuce with fries

Homemade: Cinnamon chex fried chicken with applesauce, corn, and salad

You'll need a plate and some sort of utensil for these - at least if you want to avoid the disgusted looks from nearby diners or getting yelled at by your mom.

Taranta cooking class, Boston: Butternut squash ravioli in a fried sage butter sauce

Homemade by Mama Noel: Potato latkes

The Border Cafe, Cambridge: Mesquite grilled chicken breast with grilled tomato and fries

Homemade Thanksgiving dinner #2: Braised steak in red wine sauce with carrots and onions, sauteéd garlicky green beans, baked beans, and fully loaded baked potato

Homemade: Leftover-Thanksgiving-turkey pot pie with corn, carrots, potatoes, red pepper, and peas

Duk Kee, Honolulu: Duck pho with green onions and rice noodles

Homemade: Oyakodon (chicken and egg omelet on rice with furikake)

Homemade: Baked extra sharp cheddar mac n' cheese with panko topping

Somewhere in the North End, Boston: Chicken parmesan on linguine in a red sauce

Hungry yet? Go eat something that'll keep you cool in this ridiculous summer heat - salads, chilled soups, sushi, cold sandwiches, and salsa are my go-tos. Freshly-squeezed lemonade, popsicles, and sorbets are always perfectly refreshing and just scream summer to me.
Next up: desserts. Get excited!