Dare to Bake without a Kitchen

Yeah yeah… better late than never, right?  Yesterday was the official posting day for Daring Bakers to unveil their top secret pastry… Unfortunately, the universe was against me, and posting on time was just not an option.  This month was Filbert Gateau with Praline buttercream, chosen by Mele Cotte.  The recipe came from Great Cakes by Carol Walter.

I was actually going to skip this month as it was a very busy one, and my kitchen is being remodeled.  This was a true challenge for me, because I assembled the cake without a kitchen.  You don’t realize how important counters and a kitchen sink are when you’re trying to fill and ice a cake.  Not easy… and quite the mess.
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July 31, 2008 | Filed Under Bakery, Daring Bakers, Sweet Tooth

36 Critiques 

My New Kitchen

For the next two weeks, I won’t be cooking much, as I’m getting a brand new kitchen!!! I’m just beside myself with excitement. I currently have an ugly white builders grade kitchen that is sadly only 9 years old. The microwave looks like something exploded in it and the dishwasher is so loud you can’t hear anything else when it is running. Also, for some strange reason, the fridge is white and the stove and dishwasher are black.  It appears some of the cabinets were made of cardboard, or maybe something slightly stronger than cardboard… absolute crap. So needless to say, I’m ready for a new kitchen.

We decided to do an Ikea kitchen, as they have very nice looking cabinets for great prices. It’s not the highest quality, (not solid wood) but that’s ok, since we’re hoping to be in a new house in the next few years anyway. I’ll keep uploading pics for anyone interested. Here are before pictures:
This is what I came home to yesterday. Demolition… check!  Isn’t my new fridge sexy?  :P
My Guest Bedroom is now the “kitchen”  Why the heck do I have not one, but TWO crockpots when I don’t use them???  Thank god I have a large pantry for all my food and other stuff because I have a ridiculous amount of dishes, pots, pans etc… Some girls buy shoes, I buy pots and pans.   
Stay tuned for more pics of my new digs!

July 25, 2008 | Filed Under Kitchen Gossip

25 Critiques 

Dark Chocolate Madeleines

Yes, I know… I’ve been slackin lately with my blogging. I have good reason, though! I spent the weekend up in Tallahassee with the folks. That is where I’m from and where all of my family still lives. I ate like a piglet all weekend and have had my quota of fried food for the rest of the year. My mom and I spent several hours on Friday making egg rolls. We had guests coming, and were running late so it was just like an episode of Iron Chef. Well, except we had no bizarre ingredients like black chickens. Anyone ever see a black chicken? Looks like its rotten… or perhaps was a heavy smoker during its life. Even the bones are black… blechhh!! Anyway, I digress… I had a fabulous time in Tallahassee, hanging out my family.

Also, one my dearest friends had a baby yesterday! Stephan took his professional camera to the hospital and took pictures of Baby Brock Anthony when he was just an hour old. You can see the documentary style newborn pictures here. Instead of taking a balloon that said “ITS A BOY” he stopped at Cheesecake Factory and bought Godiva cheesecake for the new mommy. Didn’t I say recently he was a good man? Well he is! Kristine (the mama) is a huge fan of chocolate and I think she will love these Dark Chocolate Madeleines from The Essential Baker by Carole Bloom. They are so chocolaty, they are almost brownie like. I’m sure the purists out there will frown upon these, but they are so tasty… I don’t even care!
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July 14, 2008 | Filed Under Bakery, Sweet Tooth

17 Critiques 

You can’t-a-have-a de Mango!

This is true… you cannot have the irresistable, belly t-shirt wearing, ass slapping Mango from Saturday Night Live. If you haven’t seen any of these skits on SNL, you are missing out! Chris Kattan is a male (but certainly not manly) erotic dancer that frolics around wearing gold lame hot pants, driving all the men (and strangely, women) crazy. My favorite skit was when Garth Brooks fell for da Mango. He played the part a little too well.

Unlike that Mango, this mango sorbet is very easily attainable. Its simply mangos, sugar and lime. Its the perfect thing for a hot summer day. Even better, it’s very low in calories and yet has fabulous bright flavor. I made this over the 4th of July weekend, which I am so glad is over. My poor dog Rocky is even happier the holiday weekend is over. He is absolutely terrified of loud noises like thunder and fireworks, and the idiots in the neighborhood were lighting them ALL.WEEKEND.LONG. The only time the village idiots were not lighting them, there was major thunder. Poor little bugger… maybe I should get this thunderstorm phobia cape for him? That way, he could simply cower in the corner and die of embarrassment before the fireworks or thunder start. I assume that is the purpose of this cape, right?

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July 8, 2008 | Filed Under Sweet Tooth

13 Critiques 

Poop Tart

I’d like to say that everything I cook or bake turns out perfectly. Like there are little blue birds that bring my apron to me, and then sing their sweet little birdly songs… not unlike Cinderella. Of course, I’m also wearing a lovely floral print dress and my best pearls and heels. Well, here’s a shocker… it’s not quite like that. I generally cook in old pajama pants, tank tops and flip flops. I do like to wear my apron that proclaims “What’s Not to Like” that Stephan custom made for me.

I saw this tart in Chocolate Snowball by Letty Halloran Flatt. This is really a great book, with gorgeous photos and fantastic recipes. It is a Zinfandel Pear Tart with Maytag Blue Cheese Crust. The photo of this tart was gorgeous and the savory crust sounded a bit quirky, but pears + blue cheese = yum, right?
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July 4, 2008 | Filed Under Bakery, Sweet Tooth

22 Critiques