Recipe Weekend: Thyme for Dessert: Sweets and Treats Inspired by the Flavours of the Pacific Northwest Coast by DL Acken, with Aurelia Louvet

 Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge, from Paris Communications via #edelweissplus, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it. All opinions are my own

Thyme for Dessert is a stunningly photographed and practically minded celebration of West Coast flavours for the sweet-toothed that is sure to delight locals and visitors alike.

Synopsis:

This decadent book of dessert recipes embraces the varied flavours of the West Coast, drawing from its abundant wild and cultivated plants and from its rich medley of cultures to create mouthwatering local recipes. Covering cookies, bars, breads, cakes, pies, pastries, and frozen desserts, you’ll find treats for sugar-lovers and savoury dessert fans alike in this small but mighty cookbook perfectly sized for everyday kitchen use. With ample suggestions for substitutions and a section on preserving, the home chef will find these recipes practical enough to incorporate into daily life and unique enough to impress on special occasions.

Thyme for Dessert includes every type of West Coast ingredient: from local plants like spruce tips and haskaps, and abundant introduced vegetation like blackberries and zucchinis, as well as iconic staples from vibrant local immigrant communities such as garam masala and truffles. DL Acken's latest cookbook is a gorgeous tribute to the rich flavours of her home region that showcases delicious sweets that will entice locals and visitors alike.

Recipe:

Here's a recipe from the book that shows how adding a simple herb can really take something we think of as basic and really elevate it!

Review

Obviously setting the book in the Northwest, may limit some of the local fresh ingredients that can't be found in the other regions of the country, but many can be ordered online, or can be substituted with a similar herb/flavor from local choices, making this book a treasure trove of recipes that elevate simple recipes by adding fresh berries, herbs or unexpected ingredients (fig leaves, spruce tips), to help elevate flavors in traditional dishes. The book also gives the reader a look at the different ingredients, when they bloom/flower, how they can be picked/preserved and where they can be found. It's an interesting look at an area that isn't well documented in the cookbook aisle, and perfect for gift giving!

About the Authors

Danielle (DL) Acken is a Canadian-born international food writer and photographer who splits her time between London, UK and her farm studio on Canada’s beautiful Salt Spring Island. See her work at dlacken.com.

Aurelia Louvet is a dedicated home cook and food stylist formerly based on Canada’s gorgeous Salt Spring Island. Having lived and eaten around the world, Aurelia is known for her evocative style that combines modern North American sensibility and classic European beauty. She currently resides in Spain with her family. Visit her at aurelialouvet.com.