Tequila Lime Swordfish

• This recipe is based on Ina Garten's recipe for Tequila Lime Chicken. The flavors are wonderfully fresh and zingy. This recipe can definitely be halved for smaller amounts of fish.
• 1/2 cup tequila
• 1 cup lime juice
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp minced jalapeño pepper
• 1 Tbsp crushed garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 lbs swordfish steaks
• 1 cup of chopped cilantro (half for the marinade, and half for serving)

Mix together the tequila, lime and orange juice, chili, jalapeno, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl, and then add the swordfish. Cover and chill overnight in the fridge. I have also put the marinade and the fish in a plastic bag, which allows you to easily rearrange and massage the marinade into the fish.
You can either cook the sword fish on a barbecue grill, or a George Forman grill if you prefer. Remove the fish from the marinade, and season well with salt and pepper. Grill for about 10 minutes, until nicely seared. Serve with a slice of lime and sprinkle generously with chopped cilantro. This is a really clean tasting and fresh combination of flavors for a summer supper.

Ashfield Lake House, Ashfield, MA

Ashfield Lake House is quite the little gem, tucked away down a side street overlooking a gorgeous lake. It's a magical place especially as the sun begins to set and the light shimmers on the water.

We tried the fiddlehead quiche which was very tasty, and of course it's wonderful to eat local produce. I wonder what the next special is going to be?

Ashfield Lakehouse
141 Buckland Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
(413) 628-0158

Easter on the New England coast!

We had an invigorating day visiting southern Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire this Easter Sunday. It was quite blustery and we needed all our hats and mittens that's for sure! I love going on a beach or cliff walk before lunch, the sea air gives me a wonderful appetite! And of course, there's nothing quite like the sound of waves crashing to wash away any worries.

York Harbor, Maine

York Harbor, Maine

We had the whiskey garlic mussels at the Irish pub in Portsmouth called Ri Ra. It's a converted bank and has a wonderful interior with sky lights, stained glass and a converted safe. The mussels were super, and went perfectly with a portion of the hand cut chips. Next time I'll try the Bloody Mary special!

Definitely stop by Ri Ra next time you visit Portsmouth and check out their menu. There are so many choices in town you're bound to find something you fancy!

Ri Ra

22 Market Square 

Portsmouth, NH 03801

(603) 319 1680

Indian Pudding

This is one of those old-fashioned puddings (from the Fannie Farmer cookbook), that you just can't rush. It has a wonderful nutty, almost gritty texture from the corn meal, and a distinct sweetness from the brown sugar and molasses. It's delicious on its own, or served with a nice big dollop of whipped cream. This pudding is definitely a keeper!
4 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/3 cup dark-brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1 tsp salt
4 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Gently heat 2 cups of milk, and then when it's quite hot pour it slowly over the cornmeal. Stir the mixture well and crush out any big lumps with the back of the spoon. 
Cook in a double boiler over simmering water for about ten minutes, until the mixture is creamy. Add the other  ingredients and mix well. Pour into a buttered 1 1/2 quart Pyrex baking dish, then pour the last 2 cups of milk over the top. Put the dish into a large pan of hot water and bake for 2 1/2 hours. 
This pudding is delicious on its own, or served with whipped cream.

Red Velvet Easter Cupcakes

My friend Sheila made these delicious red velvet cupcakes for Easter! The grass is made from coconut which gives the frosting a wonderful chewiness, and the eggs are jellybeans. What's more perfect than that?! And of course they look fabulous!