Foodie Friday : Summer lovin

I can be very picky when it comes to desserts, after all they are my passion. In the winter I tend to go for comfort foods: warm chocolate cakes and apple pies, basically any creamy, chocolatey dessert. But in the summer months I usually go for lighter, fruit based desserts that go perfectly with the weather (although the weather hasn´t been especially summery here in Iceland) as well  as most of the fruits used are in season.

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On my vacation in England this spring I ate at Prét a manger,a British fast food chain with healthy, locally sourced ingredients (it´s a shame I don´t live in England , but I would consider moving there for the amazing fresh food at Prét alone). One fateful lunchtime I decided to grab a lemon cheesecake for dessert. The result was  one of the best desserts I have ever tasted. Ever since I have not been able to stop thinking about it and considering ways how I could recreate this wonderful flavor feast in my own kitchen. Finally I´ve found a  recipe that might come close to what I tasted at Prét, although I would trade in the graham crackers for gingersnap cookies to get an extra special flavor. I´m keeping my fingers crossed that this will work. I need this cheesecake in my life!

 

 

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 David Lebovitz´s blog is one of the few that I follow religiously. I love his recipes and the tales of life in Paris ( where I too wish I would live). His recipe for the  Cherry mess  is exactly how I would envision a summer dessert.  His take on this British dessert  recipe includes beautiful cherries, meringue pieces, whipped cream and candied almonds. Sounds dangerously good. I think this dessert would be good with a little amaretto poured over it, to make it extra special. 

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Another one of his summery recipes I´ve been wanting to try for a while now is the Grapefruit Campari sorbet.  Campari is my all time favorite drink so any dessert (or drink) involving Campari wins me over.  

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At my first job, one of the finest bakeries in Reykjavík, I remember that every summer we would sell these adorable (and yummy) strawberry tartlets, just like I used to eat in in my grandparents backyard in France, after we had all shared a good meal. Having fond memories connected to this fine dessert I would have to say that this is my favorite summer dessert and I will definitely be making my variation of these at some point this summer!

Have a great weekend, hopefully the sun will come out wherever you are

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