Blackberry Pie, Nanny’s

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Blackberry Pie, Nanny’s

For many years, my grandmother, Nanny, had a dozen or so large blackberry bushes thriving in her sunny backyard. Growing up, it was such a treat when the "season" opened as my sister and I would race out with a big bowl, eating and collecting from bush to bush. Those we didn't eat we brought inside to store or to dip in sugar and savor. Those we stored were most often turned into this pie, a sure hit and favorite of everyone I've ever made it for. The crust is a family tradition too and is both easy and superb. This freezes beautifully! 

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Aunt Da’s Tea Cakes, reimagined

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Aunt Da’s Tea Cakes, reimagined

My maternal great aunt, Aunt Da, made wonderfully simple tea cakes that seemed simultaneously substantial and light. She always made huge batches and stored them in a silver canister that seemed bottomless. Here, I've reimagined them to be even lighter (using a combo of cake and whole wheat pastry flour) and slightly spiced with Irish Breakfast tea, Meyer lemon zest and a nice dose of marzipan (rather than the originally called for vanilla). These are absolutely delightful, subtly flavored pillows of comfort. 

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