We're sitting down with our favorite writers and cooks to talk about their upcoming cookbooks, their best food memories, and just about anything else.
Today: Faith Durand, executive editor of The Kitchn, is discussing her latest cookbook, her job, and dinner tonight. Want to get your hands on a copy of Bakeless Sweets? Leave us a comment -- we're giving away 3 copies!
When summer's heat intensifies, our desire to bake disappears, but our sweet tooth persists. Which is why bakeless desserts are so crucial. Thankfully, Faith Durand, executive editor of The Kitchn, has written an entire cookbook dedicated to these sweets, from fools to puddings to icebox pies. Today, she's sharing her tips for summer desserts, and giving away books to five lucky readers!
Strawberries are finally in season here in New York. What's your favorite way to use them?
One of the things I love about panna cotta is the way you can substitute fresh fruit purée for some of the milk. This gives the pudding an intense fruit taste, and strawberries are my first choice. Made with fresh, in-season strawberries, strawberry panna cotta is one of my favorite desserts of all time. The fragrance and sweetness comes through just as if you were biting into a ripe strawberry.
What are the ingredients you should always have on hand for bakeless desserts in the summertime?
Whipping cream! Fresh cream is the base of so many no-bake desserts, from panna cotta to whipped cream fools to icebox cakes. Milk helps out too, and fresh fruit. The simplest no-bake dessert, after all, is fresh strawberries or peaches with a touch of whipped cream. It doesn't get better than that.
More: Get Faith's recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Fool.
What are the most important tools to have on hand for bakeless sweets?
Whisks. I'm obsessed with them. They come in so many sizes and shapes! You only need one good balloon whisk for making a smooth custard, but I also have great affection for my sauce whisk, and the tiny whisk that makes my vinaigrette in a mug, and the Joseph Joseph whisk that twists flat for storage…you get the picture.
What will you be making for dinner tonight?
Chicken stir-fry with shiitake mushrooms and leeks, with brown rice, and the spicy, tangy coconut kale from Vij's cookbook.
And finally, of course: chocolate or vanilla?
If I can't have butterscotch, then it'll have to be vanilla.
We're giving away five copies of Bakeless Sweets! Tell us in the comments: what's your favorite no-bake treat? We'll choose three lucky winners on Friday, June 14 at 3 PM EST.
Written by: Marian Bull
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