Best Fruit Now

Fruit Buying Guide – July 2010

This month is the clearly the best overall quality month for fruit in years! Really, I mean that, of the last 30 months I have written the Fruit Buying Guide THIS is number 1! Highlights for July’s Fruit Buying Guide are that Peaches are sweet and juicy, Plums are fantastic, and all the Berries are perfecto! Watch Chef Melissa and Chef Theo whip up a couple of very timely recipes; Amaretto Peach Parfait and Mixed Berry Crostada! Make a point of enjoying this month as the quality and values are awesome!

Fruit Buying Guide – June 2010

Check out the Fruit Buying Guide for June and celebrate the arrival of fresh locally grown berries and melons, Flavorosa pluots and the long awaited New Crop of grapes! Read on to learn how to navigate the many produce departments armed with landmines of antique and immature fruits. Finally explore the arrival of Golden Kiwi and the only healthy DONUT, the Donut PEACH!

Fruit Buying Guide – December 2009

This month’s Fruit Buying Guide offers a wide variety of delicious fruits that are BEST NOW. Easy to peel, and Oh so convenient Clementines top the list, followed by not so convenient or easy to peel Florida Navel Oranges – Both at their peak of flavor and freshness – these are Mother Nature’s original Flu Shot – go get yours today! Don’t miss the recipe for a Meyer Lemon Drop Martini, tips on what to AVOID ( like the expensive and rare Mangosteen), and suggestions of some less common fruits that are peaking this Holiday Season! Enjoy the site and have a happy and healthy holiday!

Fruit Buying Guide – July 2009

Check out July’s Fruit Buying Guide and you will learn of a once in a decade deal on a real favorite, CHERRIES! Other fruits noted as timely and delicious are California nectarines, and most professional melon experts favorite melon, the Crenshaw! Be careful to avoid old plums, pluots and apricots. And you’ll learn to keep an eye out for the rare and delicious MANGO NECTARINE.

French Toast with Blueberry Syrup

Source: Gourmet, June 1999; modified by Chef Melissa, A la Maison Personal Chef Service

This recipe originally appeared in the June 1999 issue of Gourmet magazine. I prefer not to strain the syrup. I’ve also used the syrup, unstrained, as a sweet sauce over savory grilled chicken.

24-inch baguette 6 large eggs 3 cups whole milk 1/2 [...]