Fancy Food Show: Top 10 Sweets

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C. I was there to present Cissé Trading Co. for the first time. Good news–we were a big hit! Everyone loved our products and said we had the BEST brownie at the entire show. I really couldn't ask for more. The icing on the cake was getting to check out everyone else's sweet treats. Here's a gallery of my top 10 favorites:

That Indian Drink's Mango Lassi

Steve's Ice Cream- Banana Pudding Flavor

Flavored syrups from Morris Kitchen

Bonnie's Jams–Black & Blue flavor

Veggie Mama's Sweet Potato Pie Pop

Luna Pops–Rhubarb Lime!

Lark Fine Foods–Black Olive Shortbread

Madyson's Marshmallows

Sarabeth's Strawberry Syrup

Big Picture Farm–Goat's Milk and Chai Caramels

And a savory bonus:

Average Joe Artisan Bread Kit

What's In Season: Cherries

June marks the beginning of fresh fruit heaven. And if you're like me, the dizzying array of berries and stone fruit–in season at the same time!–is cause for celebration. I wait all year long for this. But for cherries, I slow down and take pause. Could there be a more perfect fruit? Plump, ripe cherries eaten fresh out of the bowl need no adornment. And when baked, cherries go to even sweeter heights. Classic sweet cherry varieties such as the Bing and the golden Rainer are in season now. Sour cherries, ideal for pies, come into season later in the month.

Pairs well with:

• Almonds
• Black Pepper
• Chocolate
• Vanilla

What to make/eat:

1. Rinse, pile high in your prettiest bowl, and eat!
2. Bake a pie. Second only to apple, cherry pie is a classic American dessert.
3. Make brandied cherries. Macerate cherries in brandy, sugar, and a bit of lemon juice. Use the fruit to embellish cocktails or to top an ice cream sundae.
4. Go French and make Clafoutis, a simple baked custard studded with cherries.
5. Mix cherries into your favorite bundt cake or muffin recipe.

What's your favorite way to eat cherries?