This Honey-Roasted Shiro Plum dessert is pure summer simplicity — ripe, golden plums caramelized in honey, brown sugar, and butter, infused with fresh thyme for an herbal note that balances the sweetness. The high-heat roasting transforms the fruit into tender jewels bathed in amber syrup, perfect for spooning over with cool, tangy crème fraîche. Elegant...Read More

These Vanilla Amaretto Figs are a luxurious celebration of late-summer sweetness. Fresh California Mission figs are gently steeped in a fragrant syrup of Amaretto, vanilla, and sugar, creating a rich, boozy preserve that’s elegant and deeply aromatic. Each fig becomes tender and honeyed, infused with nutty almond liqueur and warm vanilla—perfect spooned over desserts, paired...Read More

Elegant and aromatic, this dessert captures the essence of late summer and early autumn in every spoonful. Fresh, ripe figs are gently simmered in ruby port with honey, citrus zest, and warm spices—cinnamon, star anise, and cloves—until tender and infused with deep, complex flavor. The result is a luxurious, jewel-toned compote that pairs beautifully with...Read More

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of pears, spices, and rum wafting from the oven on a crisp fall day. This simple yet elegant dessert transforms ripe pears into something extraordinary, bathing them in a buttery brown sugar and rum sauce that caramelizes as they bake. The warm, spiced pears are tender but not mushy,...Read More

Elegant yet surprisingly simple, these Vanilla Port Poached Pears with Blue Cheese and Walnuts strike the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic. The pears are gently simmered in port with vanilla, rosemary, and citrus until tender, then filled with a creamy blue cheese and mascarpone blend studded with toasted walnuts. Serve them as a...Read More

This elegant yet simple dish was first served to me at The Elms, a charming bed and breakfast in Napa Valley that has since closed its doors. The baked pears were presented as a delicate first course while guests waited for the main breakfast to arrive. With their soft texture, buttery caramel sauce, and nutty...Read More

Poached quince is a classic fall dessert that turns this humble, often-overlooked fruit into something truly elegant. Slow-simmered in a fragrant syrup of cardamom, cinnamon, citrus, and vanilla, the quince transforms into tender, jewel-toned pieces that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Served with a drizzle of the spiced syrup and finished with creamy...Read More