Lemon Zest Sugar Cookies with Citrus Blueberry Reduction & Bluth Bananas

I'm not a Californian. The beach, the pleasant weather, the cool sunshine, they don't do much for me. I know, it's unusual for California not to warm your heart, everyone loves the Golden State, right? California Girls, wine country, Hollywood, surfin' what's not to like? Well, I'm not entirely sure, it just don't really love it. But you know what (& I'll say this in a whisper) I'm starting to. That's not to say that Texas, the land of sweltering sun, cold beers, pine trees, cattle, swimmin' holes, tacos & rolling thunderstorms isn't where my heart lies, but California is growing on me -- a little bit. I guess that's what a perfect beachside picnic will do for you.

Everyone grabbed their favorite goodies & gathered beachside for an early dinner. Smoked chipotle sausages, white beans, crisp salads, tart cookie sandwiches, fried chicken, fluffy angel food cake with strawberries, red wine, frozen bananas & of course, courtesy of the Texans, cold beer, were shared. We snacked till the sun went down & that California evening chill set in. Shane & Laura (two of my painter pals in attendance -- check out their websites) were nice enough to share their sweet desert recipes with Cloves & Cream.

Lemon Zest Sugar Cookies with Citrus Blueberry Reduction, makes about 15

Courtesy of Shane Tolbert

Cookies:

1 16 oz. package store bought sugar cookie dough (or your favorite home-made)

1 lemon, zested

Reduction:

1/2 pint blueberries, crushed
2 small limes, zested
1/4 c. sugar
2 tbsp. honey
1 large lemon, juiced

Preheat the oven to 350F. Mix the lemon zest into the dough then roll into small balls (about the size of a gum ball). Flatten to 1/4" thick (the diameter should be about the size of a quarter). Bake for 10-12 mins or til golden brown.

Meanwhile, add all ingredients to a pot & bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and reduce for 45 minutes adding a bit of water if necessary. After 45 mins transfer the reduction to a bowl and refrigerate till firm (let come to room temperature prior to refrigeration). The reduction should chill for at least an hour.

Once baked, transfer cookies to a cooking rack. After the cookies have cooled & the reduction has thickened, sandwich the cookies with dollop of blueberry reduction & refrigerate until serving.

Bluth Bananas, makes 16 bananas

Courtesy of Laura Krifka

8 bananas, peeled & halved
1 12 oz. bag of semi sweet chocolate chips
2 tsp. powdered sugar
3 - 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
milk as needed

16 kebab skewers or popsicle sticks

Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper. Heat butter in small pot on low to medium heat, then add chocolate chips, stirring regularly. Careful not to let the chocolate burn (because you cant get the burn taste out ever!). If it starts to get too thick add milk as needed. Stir in powdered sugar.

When chocolate is completely melted, skewer the bananas & dip them in chocolate. Place bananas on the sheet of wax paper, place in the freezer for at least 1 1/2 hours, for the chocolate to fully harden, leave in longer if you want the bananas completely freeze.