How ’bout them apples?

So it is time for the Daring Bakers to reveal the tasty treat for the month. I almost didn’t do it this month as we photographed 7 weddings, and one of them was my big brother’s. Here are some pics of my bro’s wedding that my fabulous photographer husband took for anyone out there interested! I now owe hubby a weekly batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies for the next few months. He’s quite the bargainer!

Luckily, I had a few free hours and a well stocked pantry to make the challenge. I just happened to have all of the ingredients required to make this apple strudel. Oh other than fresh breadcrumbs… I used panko and don’t think that was the right choice. Still turned out tasty, however. I also used almonds, as I always have them on hand. The May Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Linda of make life sweeter! and Courtney of Coco Cooks. They chose Apple Strudel from the recipe book Kaffeehaus: Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Cafés of Vienna, Budapest and Prague by Rick Rodgers.

As usual with all of my Daring Bakers challenges, I don’t include the recipe. They are just too darn long and I am too OCD to just copy and paste it into my blog. It wouldn’t look like the rest of my recipes, and that is sadly upsetting to someone anal retentive like yours truly. You can find the full recipe at one of the host’s blogs above. You can also see all of my past Daring Baker Posts here. I served it with Creme Anglaise (Vanilla Sauce.)
Read more about this entry >>

May 27, 2009 | Filed Under Bakery, Daring Bakers, Sweet Tooth

21 Critiques

Bulls Eye!

The daring baker challenge this month was cheesecake. We were given total creative freedom in this challenge, which I love! The April 2009 challenge is hosted by Jenny from Jenny Bakes. She has chosen Abbey’s Infamous Cheesecake as the challenge.

I ended up using a slightly different recipe, as I prefer to add sour cream instead of heavy cream to my cheesecake. Also, I wanted to make the bulls eye design that results from two different colored batters. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a pic before I cut into it… duh! But it still looks really cool with the layers. Lastly, I always bake my cheesecake at a low temperature (325 degrees) in a waterbath. I detest overcooked cheesecake!

Read more about this entry >>

April 27, 2009 | Filed Under Bakery, Daring Bakers, Sweet Tooth

43 Critiques

A Different Daring Baker

This month’s challenge was much different than most of the other challenges. Not only is it savory, it’s an entree. It is “real” Italian lasagne… not the ricotta laden version that most of us are used to. The March 2009 challenge is hosted by Mary of Beans and Caviar, Melinda of Melbourne Larder and Enza of Io Da Grande. They have chosen Lasagne of Emilia-Romagna from The Splendid Table by Lynne Rossetto Kasper as the challenge. The recipe is VERY long… you can find it on one of their blogs. Check out the other Daring Baker’s Lasagne here, and all of my past Daring Baker posts here.
Read more about this entry >>

March 31, 2009 | Filed Under Daring Bakers, Dinner, Italian

11 Critiques

Oh, Sweet Jesus

This is what said when I took my first bite of this decadent flourless chocolate cake that was our Daring Baker challenge this month. I plated up one serving before dinner (when the light is still good) for photo purposes only. We planned on eating it after we ate dinner, but I was compelled to take just one bite. We ended up eating the whole beauty plate instead. Talk about ruining your dinner!

The February 2009 challenge is hosted by Wendy of WMPE’s blog and Dharm of Dad ~ Baker & Chef. We have chosen a Chocolate Valentino cake by Chef Wan; a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Dharm and a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Wendy as the challenge. Check out the other Daring Bakers here and all of my past challenges here.

I’ve made other flourless chocolate cakes, but this one turned out so light and yet so flavorful at the same time. I used a combination of dark and milk chocolate for my husband… He’s not a big fan of the bittersweet chocolate that I love so much. The combination was very tasty… not too sweet for me, and not too bitter for him. Marriage is all about compromise. This is one of the easiest desserts to make and yet so sophisticated, and I plan to make it again. Can you believe that only 3 ingredients go into it??? Crazy, eh? I served it with homemade vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce and chocolate piped filigrees.

Read more about this entry >>

March 1, 2009 | Filed Under Bakery, Daring Bakers, Sweet Tooth

24 Critiques

Tuile Cookies

When I saw the Daring Bakers challenge this month, I was stoked! As much as I enjoy the occasional time consuming multiple step dessert like last month, I knew this month would not be possible for such a feat. These tuile cookies were just up my alley. This month’s challenge is brought to us by Karen of Bake My Day and Zorra of 1x umruehren bitte aka Kochtopf. They have chosen Tuiles from The Chocolate Book by Angélique Schmeink and Nougatine and Chocolate Tuiles from Michel Roux.

I made several different shapes; long triangles that I shaped over a (washed) can, spirals that I shaped around a thin wooden spoon handle, spoons that I shaped on (obviously) spoons, and butterflies that I bent in half and set in a baking dish. I served them with home made raspberry and mango sorbets.

For this plate, I piped a few thin lines of melted chocolate in a crisscross pattern. After the chocolate set, I filled the center diamond with mango sauce that I slaved over. By slaving over, I put a spoonful of sorbet into a ramekin, set it on the counter… and let it melt. Voila… easiest mango sauce, ever.

Read more about this entry >>

January 29, 2009 | Filed Under Daring Bakers, Sweet Tooth

62 Critiques

Fancy Pants

One of my “themes” for this blog is simplicity. I like to make simple food and simple desserts. From working as a pastry chef, I have the experience to make over the top desserts, but I just don’t have the time or energy to do it. This dessert is not like one of my usual desserts as it is fancy. Uber fancy… but I truly enjoyed making it. Thank you Daring Bakers for choosing it! To see more Daring Baker’s posts go here or go here to see all of my past Daring Baker posts.

This month’s challenge is brought to us by the adventurous Hilda from Saffron and Blueberry and Marion from Il en Faut Peu Pour Etre Heureux. They have chosen a French Yule Log by Flore from Florilege Gourmand. As with most challenges, we had many options for this dessert, but had to have the 6 elements of the yule log. This is not to be confused with the other version of a Yule Log, that we did last year.

Read more about this entry >>

December 29, 2008 | Filed Under Daring Bakers, Sweet Tooth

42 Critiques

When the Moon Hits Your Eye

Like a Big Pizza Pie…. That’s Amore!

Today you will be seeing homemade Pizza popping up around the blogosphere, as it is the Daring Baker challenge this month. The recipe came from Rosa’s Yummy yums, one of my favorite blogs that I check regularly. She chose this Pizza Napoletana from Peter Reinhart’s “The Bread Baker’s Apprentice” which is a book I’ve been considering buying, and now really want. You can find the recipe on Rosa’s Blog. The big challenge wasn’t to make the dough, but to learn how to toss the dough, and try to get a photo of yourself doing so. Check out the other Daring Baker’s pizzas here, and my past Daring Baker Posts here.
Read more about this entry >>

October 29, 2008 | Filed Under Bakery, Daring Bakers, Italian

30 Critiques

Choux Whore

I love choux (pronounced shoe, for those that are confused.) Its a fascinating thing… you cook it on the stove first and then bake it. When it bakes, it magically puffs and becomes hollow. Then you fill the hollow pastry with whatever your heart desires. Make them sweet by filling with whipped cream, pastry cream or even ice cream… or make them savory with a cheese filling. You can even deep fry the dough to make beignets or churros. What’s not to like? Choux is insanely versatile and a delicious vehicle for your favorite filling.

When I saw that Meeta and Tony chose eclairs for our Daring Baker Challenge this month, I was elated! If you can’t tell from my ode to choux above, its one of my favorite things to make/eat. The versatility of this pastry is what makes it so fabulous. The recipe came from Chocolate Desserts By Pierre Hermé. This recipe is over the top decadent, with a rich, dark chocolate pastry cream and dark chocolate glaze.

Read more about this entry >>

August 31, 2008 | Filed Under Bakery, Daring Bakers, Sweet Tooth

31 Critiques

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.
Read more about this entry >>

July 31, 2008 | Filed Under Bakery, Daring Bakers, Sweet Tooth

37 Critiques

Memories… All Alone in the Moonlight….

This Daring Baker challenge brought back memories of working at the Four Seasons Hotel in Houston. Waking up at 3:00, (yes, that is AM) being alone in the huge kitchen at 4:00 and baking off the Danish and muffins for the day. Good times… good times. Well, not so much. I can honestly say I don’t miss that! Plus I had to listen to the creepy overnight cook ask for the 100th time… Time to make the donuts? No you idiot. I don’t make donuts. Stop asking me that! Sheesh!
Read more about this entry >>