Blueberry Financiers

Everyone told me that once I moved to Florida, I would never want to bake again. “Much too hot, especially in the summer” they warned. “You won’t want to do anything,” they would say with a knowing nod. Well, ok, I thought, I’ll just watch reruns of The Golden Girls and wait patiently for death – that’ll be my new raison

d’être. Plenty of folks in that club down in Florida, right? Well, happily, life (and baking) seems to continue in the Sunshine State. In fact, because almost every day is sunny and beautiful, I no longer feel compelled to rush out and “enjoy the day” while it’s fine, as I did in New York, instead of puttering around in my kitchen

dreaming up new recipes. And since my kitchen is a comfortably regulated 76 degrees F. at all times, I never even notice that it’s hot. Unless of course, I venture out to buy groceries or run an errand. Yesterday I even went for a power walk at midday (I’m still practically a tourist, so I’m allowed to make a few mistakes now

and then). Thanks to the wonder of A.C., I am also able to continue my habit of drinking hot tea everyday, preferably with a home-baked cookie or treat. Financiers, the small French almond and butter tea cake, are among my favorite tea-time sweets. This recipe comes from my friend and pastry idol François Payard

of Payard Patisserie in NYC, and it’s worth saving. Made with almond flour and fragrant browned butter, these little cakes are tender and flavorful. Here I topped each cake with a couple of fresh blueberries, but you can used raspberries or thin slices of plum or peach, if you like. If you don’t have a financer mold (and most people don’t), use mini-muffin pans. They even sell them down here...:)

Key Lime Bars with White Chocolate Whipped Cream

Here’s my piece of advice for the day: avoid moving at all costs. It really stinks. It’s as stressful as surgery and, just as honest doctors will they tell you to avoid being cut open unless absolutely necessary, I suggest you avoid relocating your domicile for the same reason: it may just kill you. That being said, I’ve arrived in Florida, the Sunshine State, and so far, so good. Though many New Yorkers turn their 

collective noses up at the thought of living in a place where residents ride their bicycles to pick up their prescriptions at the local pharmacy, I say what’s not to love? The weather’s amazing (though I may be singing a different tune towards the end of August), people are unbelievably nice, and there’s always an early bird special to be found. Paradise, non? Yes, life here has its unpleasant moments – 

this morning, for example, I found a dead lizard floating belly-up in the pool – but mostly it’s a happy environment and I embrace it.

In honor of my new home I decided to make Key Lime Bars. To be technical, they should really be called Persian Lime bars, as I couldn’t find any Key limes at my local Publix supermarket (give me some time, already). But they are still quite 

wonderful, particularly topped with White Chocolate Whipped Cream. One bite, and you may just feel a warm, poolside breeze brush your face as your stress floats away. Just like the dead lizard. You may even find yourself smiling, though not as brightly as I did when I realized I wouldn’t have to pay New York State taxes anymore.