Puff Pastry Flowers with Vanilla Cream

These puff pastry flowers with vanilla cream look like something from a bakery, but they’re actually so easy to make at home.

Flaky layers of puff pastry bake up golden and crisp, and the center is filled with smooth, creamy vanilla custard. I love using store-bought puff pastry for this recipe, it saves so much time. The vanilla cream is easy to make and comes together quickly on the stove. It’s rich, silky, and not too sweet, which pairs perfectly with the light pastry. I like adding fresh raspberries on top for a little brightness and a beautiful finish.

These puff pastry flowers are perfect for brunch, holidays, or anytime you want a treat that looks impressive without a lot of effort.

Crispy Cod Fish Cakes with Fresh Dill

The first time I came up with this cod fish cakes recipe was when we bought a big box of smaller cod fish portions from Costco Business. Usually cod is a mild white fish with a delicate flavor, but some of the pieces were closer to the tail and tasted a bit too fishy on their own, so I had to think of a way to turn them into something delicious.

These cod cakes ended up being the perfect solution, they are one of those recipes made with the simple ingredients: fresh cod, dill, onion, breadcrumbs, and a little bit of butter that gives them a subtle buttery taste that’s a personal favorite of mine.

The fish is finely diced instead of blended, which keeps the texture delicate and flaky, while the breadcrumb coating turns perfectly golden and crispy in the pan. Adding milk helps mellow the fish flavor, so even people who aren’t usually big fish lovers tend to enjoy these fish cakes.

I especially love serving them with creamy mashed potatoes - the perfect complement. But they’re also great with a fresh salad or a simple dipping sauce like tartar sauce and lemon wedges.