I know this is hard to believe, but I don’t always cook for two. Even harder to believe: I have friends! Real life friends. (of the non-internet variety!!).
And since my real-life friends have to hear about my internet friends and pretend it’s not weird, I cook for them. Quite frequently, actually. I made this stunning tray of grilled stone fruit with almond mascarpone dipping sauce and candied almonds last weekend. Even though it doesn’t serve two, it was insisted that I share it here.
I’m not sure why some of my friends say they’re too nervous to cook for me since I cook for a living. Truth be told, if anybody makes ANYTHING for me, I love it. I love it because: I didn’t have to cook it and I don't have to clean up afterwards.
Make me a bowl of microwave macaroni and cheese, and seriously, I think it’s the sweetest most delicious thing ever. That’s the thing about food people: we understand the energy and thought behind feeding someone. No one appreciates your efforts in the kitchen more than us. We want to be cooked for.
If you have a friend that loves cooking, please, do not avoid having him or her over for dinner because you’re worried they will spend the car ride home laughing at your store-bought marinades and your cooking skills. We won’t. I always spend the car ride home thinking about how wonderful the evening was with a big smile on my face.
I like to be fed.
Along the same line, please don’t expect everything you eat at my house to be chock full of hard-to-find fancy ingredients.
Not everything I make is laborious and exotic. In fact, hardly anything is. I keep a slightly more well-stocked fridge and pantry than the average non-cook, but that doesn’t mean it’s anything fancy and unattainable.
For example, you might stock cream cheese in your fridge. I hoard mascarpone instead. It’s like cream cheese that’s already been sweetened and smoothed out. It just makes it easier for me to whip up a quick dipping sauce. I’m all about easy and quick. Effortlessly impressive is my melody in life.
So, if you come to my house expecting a 4-layer chocolate cake stuffed with 3 different kinds of mousse and topped with home-spun sugar, you will be disappointed. Well, if you catch me on a weird day when I get the gumption to make something so ridiculous, yes, I’ll have that cake in my house.
But, most often, I’ll slice open half a dozen local peaches, plums, and apricots, and stir together mascarpone, almond extract and honey and serve. If I have an extra 5 minutes, I will candy some sliced almonds in sugar in a skillet. You might think it’s gourmet, but it’s so not. You'll definitely think it's scrumptious.
Grilled fruit with creamy sweet dip. If you don't have mascarpone, you can use cream cheese. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.Grilled Stone Fruit + Almond Mascarpone Dip
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 385Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 247mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 26gProtein: 5g
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
Oh good grief. Is it weird that I'd take these peaches over that ridiculous cake any day of the week? I wish we lived closer so we could cook for each other. Especially on days when one of us is just 'over it'. Though I'm warning you now, that happens a lot more here than I bet it does there. I'm completely with you on this though, lady - I love it when people cook for me. And get inspired by it too!
Kate @ Diethood says
LOL!!! Yes, everyone makes it so weird when I talk about my internet friends. What's wrong with them?!? ;-)
Looooooove your photos! Beautiful recipe, as always! xo
Molly @Doughvelopment says
People always say they are intimidated to bake for me! I feel bad because they shouldn't be! I totally appreciate just like you!
This looks fabulously summerish!
Beautiful photos!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
this is an idea summer snack! love your pictures.
Leah | So, How's It Taste? says
I couldn't agree more! Food should bring friends together, not intimidate. I have got to have this mascarpone dip in my life asap!
SHanna @ Pineapple and Coconut says
I love when others cook for me, except when it means I have to wash dishes. I hate dishes. ha ha ha
Jessica @ Sweet Menu says
What a beautiful dessert to share! And I so agree - we are far less judgmental then people think. I think its partly too because we have all had our own flops in the kitchen and understand the effort it takes to make food for others!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
I totally agree, it is SUCH a nice treat when someone else does the work in the kitchen! Beautiful, simple dessert.
Allie | Baking a Moment says
Ugh- I HATE when people make comments about not wanting to cook for me. It makes me so uncomfortable! I mean, I cook for people because I want to make them feel happy and special, not to make them feel inadequate. I'm totally with you on this- I've never, EVER eaten someone else's food and been anything less than grateful. Which is just what I'd be if I had a plate of this gorgeous grilled fruit in front of me! Love!
Happy Valley Chow says
Now that is definitely my kind of dessert, can't wait to try!
Happy Blogging!