I know I’ve arrived as a novelist when I get a request to contribute a recipe for a cookbook by authors sharing their favorite recipes....

I can write a lot better than I can cook. However, my creativity must be spilling into this area because I managed to concoct a dish all on my own!

Here is the recipe I submitted—a no-bake Jewish holiday dessert.

 Moses’ Land of Milk and Honey

While my recipe contains neither milk nor honey, it is inspired by the report of the two spies whom Moses sent to check the Promised Land. Upon their return, they testified that it was a land rich with fruit.

This recipe may be adjusted for Passover and for non-dairy requirements.
You may add leftover cake, or skip one or two ingredients.

Ingredients:

1 round doily
1 dozen plain macaroons
½ cup crushed or slivered almonds
1 cup diced dates
½ cup Frozen strawberries
2/3 halva bar– cut into very thin slices
½ cup diced dry apricots (brandy & cinnamon flavored)
½ cup crushed pecans
½ cup chocolate chips
1 slice cheese cake *
1 cup diced figs
½ cup raisins
½ cup crushed walnuts pecans
2-3 oz. light whipped cream *

Optional:
½ cup Brandy, Sherry or Grenadine
1 T cinnamon

*(Use non-dairy products for meat meal)

Soak the figs and the dates (separately) in water for 1-2 hours or until soft. Dice each to very small pieces. (Do not mix them.) Similarly, soak the dry apricots in Brandy, Sherry or Grenadine and cinnamon.

Arrange the macaroons in the serving plate over the doily and, using a potato masher, flatten them to create a circular base.

Sprinkle and layer each of the ingredients on top of one another in the order suggested in the above list of ingredients. For the cheese cake, use a wet spatula to drop thin dollops rather than spread it, which might lift the pieces underneath.

When done layering, use a wet spatula to cover the desert with the whipped cream, including the sides.

Wipe clean the rim of the serving plate with wet paper towel.

You can decorate with fresh strawberries or one of the ingredients leftover.

Refrigerate until serving.

Talia Carner is the author of PUPPET CHILD and CHINA DOLL. Her new novel, JERUSALEM MAIDEN, will be published in 2010.  www.TaliaCarner.com