A Symphony of Spices

Where did the summer go? This was an especially enjoyable one for me, not the least because of the weekly magic of our Spicy Sunday blog parties. It's hard to say goodbye, but the parting is just a little bit easier when you can drink, dance and party (underwear optional) at a good farewell bash. I can tell you the secret now--our grand finale involves a trip to Europe for some spicy surprises from a truly passionate cook. So put on your wings and fly on over to Germany where Danielle de Santiago has put together an amazing buffet of homemade chutneys, flavor-infused oil and home-doctored vinegar, that both preserve summer's sweetness and challenge your palate with plenty of complex spice. (I know I'll be trying the pear thyme chutney, pictured above). As you nibble on these palate-piquing delicacies, you can also enjoy some evocative and sensual snippets of erotic prose that feel just like stepping into a sexy foreign film--and will leave your imagination gasping for more. I can't think of a better way to finish up a fabulous feast. Thank you to all the hosts (I'll recap all of the feasts in a post very soon) and to Marina St. Clare for inspiring the party and for helping keep the fire hot all summer long!