tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61247492735633444892024-03-13T12:21:35.856-07:00CaityBakessweets for every tooth.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-86161760726337131852013-02-26T23:28:00.001-08:002013-02-26T23:28:57.156-08:00Bye Byecaitybakes.tumblr.com<a href="http://caitybakes.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">caitybakes.tumblr.com</a><br />
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Yeah. I'm abandoning ship. What can I say? I like to option of tagging to draw a crowd. Slowly putting all posts there, so you can find them here or there. Then new ones will just be there. Like Bacon Part 3.<br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-6264486293166506732013-02-25T14:44:00.000-08:002013-02-25T14:44:02.399-08:00Bacon Part 2<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0LJYLeR5OGSYbw5mnK240-V8TulDA13SaYQgs_jNARcLWO0baENfvqhUq440ABLcnhVW5dwS8ghQqxnB1_qGgzbgAYmYHbOl5ZiziuSo1wkrM1Fulf7uPdCZOVEpqN9WGXcaMvvsbBg/s1600/IMG_0584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0LJYLeR5OGSYbw5mnK240-V8TulDA13SaYQgs_jNARcLWO0baENfvqhUq440ABLcnhVW5dwS8ghQqxnB1_qGgzbgAYmYHbOl5ZiziuSo1wkrM1Fulf7uPdCZOVEpqN9WGXcaMvvsbBg/s320/IMG_0584.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See all that bacon on the left?</td></tr>
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And now on to the Beer Candied Bacon. Goodness gracious this was amazing. A little intense to make (as in I singed my fingertips in the bacon flipping process), but I'll try to impart my wisdom here as to how to make it a bit easier. Definitely try to have the proper supplies. I didn't have a basting brush, so I was just brushing beer and brown sugar directly onto the bacon with my hands. This is probably where most of the burns came from. <br />
<br />
Here's what you'll need:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<i>2 pounds of Bacon (at least)</i><br />
<i>3/4 C Beer (darker is better, more if you do more bacon)</i><br />
<i>1 C Brown Sugar (more if you do more bacon)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>1. Mix the brown sugar and beer together to form a light syrup. Preheat oven to 425 Degrees Fahrenheit.</i><br />
<br />
<i>2. Set this up: shallow baking pan, covered in foil, with a cooling rack set on top of the foil. Lay the bacon slices out on the racks. Brush the bacon with the beer/sugar mixture, flip and brush the other side.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>3. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes. Remove and brush with beer/sugar, flip and brush the other side, bake for another 10 minutes. (The other side should be up this time while baking.) Go through this process until you've used up all the beer/sugar and/or the bacon is crispy enough to your liking.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>4. Remove from oven and let cool before serving. You can refrigerate overnight covered in foil or plastic wrap and serve the next day as well.</i><br />
<br />
So, my thoughts on this are...delicious but difficult. I know if I had a basting or pastry brush it would have been easier, but I'm still trying to think of better ways to do this. <b>Perhaps you could make the beer/sugar mixture in another shallow pan, and dip the bacon in it instead of brushing it? Perhaps using some nonstick spray on the racks would help with the flipping of the bacon, preventing it from sticking so much?</b> You would have to spray the rack each time you flipped the bacon. Maybe combine these two ideas...remove the bacon and put it in the sugar/beer pan, swoosh it around a bit to coat both sides, spray the rack, put the bacon back on the rack, and cook. <br />
<br />
Regardless, whatever the process of making these, it's worth it. I wanted to eat all of the candied bacon myself, but I resisted. My roommate paired it with a brownie I also made, and was in heaven. I guess bacon+beer+sugar+dark chocolate=heaven. No argument here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/4e/94/f7/4e94f70a9302d549177d29c79d986920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/4e/94/f7/4e94f70a9302d549177d29c79d986920.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my picture. Laura from<br /><a href="http://tideandthyme.com/" target="_blank">Tide and Thyme's</a> picture.<br />Also stole the recipe from her,<br />with some slight adjustments.</td></tr>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-76476849583520293772013-02-21T15:45:00.000-08:002013-02-21T15:45:52.160-08:00Bacon Part 1What follows are recipes for all the bacon-y things I served at my Super Bowl party. I think I purchased six pounds of bacon in prep for it. The whole apartment complex smelled like bacon while I was cooking. It. Was. Incredible. <br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkjqkeVHzmWWeu1f4ZEFWwxuxUdQN0PzTFLJHstZXQlKOWoZQehscDqg5S4oRdvj9Kll3usJffFR6hdtcpxyyVLSXLkvO8mGECRPfcwBiDMxZG6S6540ksofUg8tFyozeUH0hHpLu-ck/s1600/IMG_0610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkjqkeVHzmWWeu1f4ZEFWwxuxUdQN0PzTFLJHstZXQlKOWoZQehscDqg5S4oRdvj9Kll3usJffFR6hdtcpxyyVLSXLkvO8mGECRPfcwBiDMxZG6S6540ksofUg8tFyozeUH0hHpLu-ck/s320/IMG_0610.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Bacon Jalapeño Grilled Cheese</td></tr>
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I served Bacon Jalapeño Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Beer Candied Bacon, Bacon Wrapped BBQ Chicken Bites, and Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Hot Dogs. The one thing I didn't taste test was the hot dog, as I didn't want a full blown heart attack after the event, but at the rate they disappeared off the plate, I'd venture to say they were a crowd pleaser.<br />
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I'll start with the grilled cheese.<br />
<br />
Here's what you'll need:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><i>A loaf of Texas Toast, or French Toast Bread, or other really thickly cut bread</i><br />
<i>12oz Cream Cheese</i><br />
<i>2 C Finely Grated Jack Cheese (or pepper jack if you want more spice)</i><br />
<i>12 Jalapeño Peppers</i><br />
<i>Butter</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>1. Prep the peppers (this can be done in advance) - Broil the peppers on high for 4 minutes on each side, so the skins are charred and crackly. Remove from oven and immediately put peppers in a ziplock bag, or other airtight container, and close it up. Let set for 15 minutes. Remove and proceed to peel off as much skin as possible, and scrape out all the seeds. I recommend wearing plastic gloves if you don't want your hands to burn for hours after. Set aside, or refrigerate overnight if you've prepped ahead of time.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphen3Ttc02-s-MYSJdKUEv4GE_b7ePIy8ZxApgkE7IwD-w32M5swUdMn28B_JLyNrhLRGJfkfipI_ul-JCzdLojJhijySPO58m6FZHqbjeFFtncq06m-GMVlZjHa2xcdJsVfda4IJnFrPE/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphen3Ttc02-s-MYSJdKUEv4GE_b7ePIy8ZxApgkE7IwD-w32M5swUdMn28B_JLyNrhLRGJfkfipI_ul-JCzdLojJhijySPO58m6FZHqbjeFFtncq06m-GMVlZjHa2xcdJsVfda4IJnFrPE/s320/IMG_0598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked peppers, being sliced, seeded and skinned.</td></tr>
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<i>2. Prep the bacon (this also can be done in advance). Cook it. However you want to. Until it's crispy. I like cooking it on foil on a pan in the oven at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Set aside, or let cool and then wrap in foil or plastic to refrigerate over night if you've prepped ahead of time.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>3. Slightly soften the cream cheese in the microwave. Mix in grated cheese. Spread cheese mixture on one side of all pieces of bread. Put a layer of peppers and a layer of bacon on half of the slices. Top with an additional slice. Thus making a sandwich. Do I need to elaborate?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>4. Melt a bit of butter in a pan. and fry the sandwiches for about 4 minutes on each side, until the cheese is all melty and the bread is browned. Helps if you press down on the sandwiches periodically as they're frying.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>5. Eat.</i><br />
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Thoughts: Why are they called grilled cheese sandwiches instead of fried cheese sandwiches? Were they traditionally made on a grill? Google search is imminent.<br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-66903498041178645212013-02-15T23:11:00.001-08:002013-02-15T23:11:15.197-08:00Ummmmm...Beignets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEpok2sUErPDZiLBDzWQe8KXzccRCVGzJAHtA5-KYQY_8F66_JP8AwS30XVjzFsqQJTYDLfJ-eQo1ZOfVv7MX_ZLEsClqV6N1RbzfyJalWXEXAnBTB_c-IINCFwLgh0WGkZqgCcW7EGc/s1600/IMG_0620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEpok2sUErPDZiLBDzWQe8KXzccRCVGzJAHtA5-KYQY_8F66_JP8AwS30XVjzFsqQJTYDLfJ-eQo1ZOfVv7MX_ZLEsClqV6N1RbzfyJalWXEXAnBTB_c-IINCFwLgh0WGkZqgCcW7EGc/s320/IMG_0620.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
Caity, I told myself, beignets sound really time consuming, you have a menu planned with like 5000 items that all pretty much need to be cooking at the same time, you have 25 people coming over, you still haven't finished decorating, and you think on top of all that you have time to essentially fry up beignets to order since everyone knows they need to be served fresh? <br />
<br />
But who am I to not overdo things? Who am I to stick to the food budget I said I would stick to? Who am I to only spend 4 hours cooking when I could spend 10? <br />
<br />
Yep. I made beignets. From scratch. Because I've had the real thing from Cafe du Monde in New Orleans and I didn't want to do them injustice by making something out of a box. (Though all the Pinterest recipes for crescent roll dough turned into cinnamon dusted doughnut holes are really tempting me.) Thank you Paula Deen for the recipe. (Come on, was there any doubt who I got this recipe from?)<br />
<br />
Here's what you'll need:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<i>1 1/2 C Lukewarm Water</i><br />
<i>1/2 C Sugar</i><br />
<i>1 Envelope Active Dry Yeast</i><br />
<i>2 Eggs, slightly beaten</i><br />
<i>1 1/4 tsp Salt</i><br />
<i>1 C Evaporated Milk</i><br />
<i>7 C Bread Flour</i><br />
<i>1/4 C Shortening</i><br />
<i>Lots of Oil, for deep frying</i><br />
<i>2-3 C Powdered Sugar</i><br />
<i>A Paper Bag</i><br />
<br />
<i>1. Mix water, sugar and yeast in a large bowl and let sit for 10 minutes. In another bowl, beat the eggs, salt and evaporated milk together. Add egg mixture to the yeast mixture</i> (after the aforementioned 10 minute sitting time) <i>and stir. Add 3 cups of the flour to your mixture and stir well. Add the shortening and continue to stir</i> (you can do this with a bread hook in a standup mixer if you don't want an arm workout) a<i>s you then add the remaining 4 cups of flour. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>2. Remove dough from bowl and knead on a lightly floured surface </i>(I find a plastic cutting board works well if you don't have nice counter tops) <i>until smooth. Spray a large bowl with nontstick sprac, put kneaded dough in the bowl, and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let rise in a warm place for at least two hours.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>3. After those two hours have passed, preheat oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Or put a lot of oil in a deep pot over medium heat, and use a meat thermometer to sort of take the temperature of the oil. Have faith that it's hot enough.</i> (Yeah, this is what I did.) <br />
<br />
<i>4. Tear chunks of dough off the giant heap of risen dough you have. Chunks should be about the size of a doughnut hole, maybe a little bigger. Drop into the oil</i> (carefully!) <i>and deep fry, flipping constantly, until your beignets are a beautiful, golden color.</i><br />
<br />
<i>5. Drain fried beignets on a paper towel for a few seconds, then toss them into the paper bag with a good amount of powdered sugar, shake, and serve!</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pjbie10Ex27EOBDf95PJsKEMgWf-U1NEmJGu84uzY8fQ5MhTVkzfhaivvEWlys5lJz6QUbHDDjy8I09DF0f5RYNd5-UEhqlZzgGt8jgsvouLau6wX584kS2eI8Gv-FuWx21gBZGVB2o/s1600/IMG_0604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pjbie10Ex27EOBDf95PJsKEMgWf-U1NEmJGu84uzY8fQ5MhTVkzfhaivvEWlys5lJz6QUbHDDjy8I09DF0f5RYNd5-UEhqlZzgGt8jgsvouLau6wX584kS2eI8Gv-FuWx21gBZGVB2o/s320/IMG_0604.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kneading the dough.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2RnN9K-G-e3sH0RlSsGcoxOeDNpxmrQoQ-Jqkonopzl1kMyhZmsiSqaOulnpvMoE3ZLafHEOdeX6xzwgDGaXpNarxrax9EsxGu3-Bn4GC7AoxA7Z80hMEKOXbMx93R6BPCV-8YUTXkU/s1600/IMG_0607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2RnN9K-G-e3sH0RlSsGcoxOeDNpxmrQoQ-Jqkonopzl1kMyhZmsiSqaOulnpvMoE3ZLafHEOdeX6xzwgDGaXpNarxrax9EsxGu3-Bn4GC7AoxA7Z80hMEKOXbMx93R6BPCV-8YUTXkU/s320/IMG_0607.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dough has risen!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5S96lLA5k6F8VobOAEPK-A4fQec9H9aracA5xClnlniH7BURS7YNSFTDd7pvptQZOnUMejn0muT-jY70eybDb2dzLfsd66fs9LlrCY1nkL2l3KUzN7ncg79C5b5cNWLy8yJpKcjXHzk/s1600/IMG_0611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5S96lLA5k6F8VobOAEPK-A4fQec9H9aracA5xClnlniH7BURS7YNSFTDd7pvptQZOnUMejn0muT-jY70eybDb2dzLfsd66fs9LlrCY1nkL2l3KUzN7ncg79C5b5cNWLy8yJpKcjXHzk/s320/IMG_0611.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the beignets are frosted.</td></tr>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-2289256486216689982013-02-06T15:22:00.000-08:002013-02-06T15:28:39.578-08:00New Orleans Style (specifically, Vegan Jambalaya)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g-nh8ikBIXfP0uuaBfTcR-SFwuRftvbbx-pHg5uzlt9CY73EF8nYgxiZWah79Wg7UJylfYRFQMoXiO7fP-OgUk233rtaoHce6vP4FdYP_V8a-nZEoCEhk3n-H3KwCHpPAXmF4qhI-5Y/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g-nh8ikBIXfP0uuaBfTcR-SFwuRftvbbx-pHg5uzlt9CY73EF8nYgxiZWah79Wg7UJylfYRFQMoXiO7fP-OgUk233rtaoHce6vP4FdYP_V8a-nZEoCEhk3n-H3KwCHpPAXmF4qhI-5Y/s320/IMG_0615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much artery clogging food.<br />
Calories don't count on Super Bowl Sunday.</td></tr>
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<br />
I'm still recovering from a deep depression that set in late Sunday night as all the questionable officiating, inexplicable play calling, and inexcusable turnovers culminated in the first Super Bowl I've ever been truly upset over. After all, we've never lost one until now. And really, I was probably still a little young to fully care about our last one (albeit a positive outcome), and was probably at some swim meet staring down an opponent across a lane line instead of staring down an *ahem ahem* PED user through a television anyway.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh0DdD72SFVflxlijN7g-8VlN-38SCut070VrqzqmJq041Npzwise6MA6eX5Oii4cC3v7w7ptX-V1LQI0MuSvyN7AbJsNN2k3iOeWXIqb40SeR0pXSiwpp3yN4KTCPqpjf-vhtBaCqlQ/s1600/IMG_0606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh0DdD72SFVflxlijN7g-8VlN-38SCut070VrqzqmJq041Npzwise6MA6eX5Oii4cC3v7w7ptX-V1LQI0MuSvyN7AbJsNN2k3iOeWXIqb40SeR0pXSiwpp3yN4KTCPqpjf-vhtBaCqlQ/s320/IMG_0606.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The healthy breakfast I ate.<br />
Because that's totally going to counteract<br />
all the above-pictured food.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
To fend off the depression, I've decided it's probably best to focus on the good things that happened Sunday, namely the New Orleans inspired dishes that were served alongside your standard "don't think about the ingredients just eat it" American football fare (read: cheese stuffed bacon wrapped hot dogs). This menu included Vegan Jambalaya (to appease my two roommates who somehow survive without eating eggs, cheese, butter, bacon...), freshly fried Beignets, and Hurricanes, aka that red drink that everyone stumbling along Bourbon Street has in their hand.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hdO4ywL4njX6yeJwWiTbf_zYFb19a5YY24wgJ1QzkDlUHyso9Kv0FOtXDaeZMNj0Dqm-xAPkoPifEvrYhNTCHb3NGO2TVnPJSqgxA4dhbACqFX4L6nm1e7xgIxh7Pa-fDvTrk7z86EE/s1600/IMG_0595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hdO4ywL4njX6yeJwWiTbf_zYFb19a5YY24wgJ1QzkDlUHyso9Kv0FOtXDaeZMNj0Dqm-xAPkoPifEvrYhNTCHb3NGO2TVnPJSqgxA4dhbACqFX4L6nm1e7xgIxh7Pa-fDvTrk7z86EE/s320/IMG_0595.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh hi Jambalaya.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVO-vqi_aGp2Zrii4fMTjw-YepfzLxuS5KhRQoGLp39pm-wUb_Hk6wHh76se4gTRoQ4-t55WOzCvxL7kaAdqvXTq_5CoxcUxH1dbacmVgElOL5itN1MLxiJpt_5BbNbQFGkgJ_vTqOGM/s1600/IMG_0621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVO-vqi_aGp2Zrii4fMTjw-YepfzLxuS5KhRQoGLp39pm-wUb_Hk6wHh76se4gTRoQ4-t55WOzCvxL7kaAdqvXTq_5CoxcUxH1dbacmVgElOL5itN1MLxiJpt_5BbNbQFGkgJ_vTqOGM/s320/IMG_0621.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh hey there beignets.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMndMIFpZefONG2_yXblWo_zUiNXmHk36p3rhDttAf20HhnhzDVZfVXduSBWx4AvD2iZpDQ1kbbQJ_JCNPVzxsHdi-ULzWHUEvP0QDriUZDYGXNYFldOzHlvyy6niPtzC1rme8OdVon3s/s1600/IMG_0617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMndMIFpZefONG2_yXblWo_zUiNXmHk36p3rhDttAf20HhnhzDVZfVXduSBWx4AvD2iZpDQ1kbbQJ_JCNPVzxsHdi-ULzWHUEvP0QDriUZDYGXNYFldOzHlvyy6niPtzC1rme8OdVon3s/s320/IMG_0617.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well look at you, <br />
you rum-filled Hurricane, you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'll give you the low-down on the Jambalaya here, with Beignet and Hurricane posts to follow.<br />
<br />
This Jambalaya was a crowd pleaser, and I didn't tell anyone (except the vegans) that it was vegan, so until they all noticed the vegans consuming it, they thought it was normal people food. That's the sign of a good vegan dish, my friends. I initially fell upon this recipe because I wanted a Jambalaya that didn't require a slow cooker. Because I don't have one. I also wanted one that didn't include super obscure ingredients. Because I'm poor. So I found one that sort of fit those requirements, then tweaked it to make it, well, better, and the result was effing fantastic. My friend from Louisiana even gave her approval.<br />
<br />
Here's what you'll need:<br />
<a name='more'></a><i>4 Vegan Sausages, sliced (try to go sausage instead of hot dog, I think it adds more flavor)</i><br />
<i>1 Large Red Bell Pepper, chopped</i><br />
<i>1 Large Green Bell Pepper, chopped</i><br />
<i>1 Large Yellow Onion, chopped</i><br />
<i>4 Stalks of Celery, chopped</i><br />
<i>4 Garlic Cloves, minced</i><br />
<i>1 tsp Dried Basil</i><br />
<i>1 tsp Dried Oregano</i><br />
<i>1 tsp Dried Parsley</i><br />
<i>1 tsp Cayenne Pepper (or more if you like it hot)</i><br />
<i>1 15oz Can Fire Roasted Tomatoes (with green chiles if you want, to add heat)</i><br />
<i>1 1/2 Cups Vegetable Broth</i><br />
<i>3 Cups Cooked Brown Rice (so dry, that's about 1 to 1 1/2 cups)</i><br />
<i>Salt and Pepper to taste</i><br />
<i>Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning to taste (If you have it. If not, pick something else with a kick to it.)</i><br />
<br />
<i>1. Place a large pot over medium-high heat on the stove. Spray with cooking spray. Add sausages and cook until they begin to brown, about 5 minutes.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>2. Add peppers, onions, and celery, and cook until vegetables begin to get tender, stirring frequently, about another 5 minutes. Add garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, cayenne, and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>3. Stir in tomatoes and broth and bring to a low boil, then turn heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>4. Add cooked rice and stir over low heat for about 15 minutes, allowing rice to absorb most of the liquid. Season with salt, pepper, and Tony Chachere's.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>5. Now you can either serve the jambalaya, keep it over low heat until you're ready to serve, or put a lid on it, pop it in the fridge, and let the flavors mix for a few hours or overnight, then reheat over low heat to serve the next day. I did the latter, cooking this at about 8pm Saturday night, then reheating and serving at 3pm Sunday. It's amazing what a little time can do for the flavoring of a dish made in a pot.</i><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><br /></a>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31z4XKJsQa3PYTnW3zmQ-utGhyOePRHWo5IuMaJopkyXQipd7KJVFIOb-SI9yn7v7rNrmmRPPs75NYzr4-3la0Irtu0_5Tvr5bupd3jyROsqm8p5MUti1UnIb_Q_KYh4PaD-exBLe5gg/s1600/IMG_0591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31z4XKJsQa3PYTnW3zmQ-utGhyOePRHWo5IuMaJopkyXQipd7KJVFIOb-SI9yn7v7rNrmmRPPs75NYzr4-3la0Irtu0_5Tvr5bupd3jyROsqm8p5MUti1UnIb_Q_KYh4PaD-exBLe5gg/s320/IMG_0591.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sizzling "sausages"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pdP8RRAJ-LPXuz0wXM7aoJGg1dPyhp9gWtEyZfnAoFec_q8ojLEhuVH_CAStbkhQMc61s-ssdo-BI6l9xaAb9ITIS5UZpV3jAf_k9cP8UksfyVE9wNF-U5pgWqdCj2woLmI6q1Q8t0U/s1600/IMG_0592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pdP8RRAJ-LPXuz0wXM7aoJGg1dPyhp9gWtEyZfnAoFec_q8ojLEhuVH_CAStbkhQMc61s-ssdo-BI6l9xaAb9ITIS5UZpV3jAf_k9cP8UksfyVE9wNF-U5pgWqdCj2woLmI6q1Q8t0U/s320/IMG_0592.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding in the veggies<br />
(feel free to add even more)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdnOVq0flM9oNtZNef1Uz11xtLp3pikE4Bww65-gSvW1DIVZS5T1BvBnaMszChhD4vcS7k50jFxhmM4ph1UqU7hzGcYSGbsP8qW6PhggEqRfJNatWLzXo5nVigcozdMa_h7z92_Jakak/s1600/IMG_0593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdnOVq0flM9oNtZNef1Uz11xtLp3pikE4Bww65-gSvW1DIVZS5T1BvBnaMszChhD4vcS7k50jFxhmM4ph1UqU7hzGcYSGbsP8qW6PhggEqRfJNatWLzXo5nVigcozdMa_h7z92_Jakak/s320/IMG_0593.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now the spices</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE3iBast3rC3iUVfeCdOnEC1GAKj7Uliy5YUkO-W4Hpn_Ra2fVgyVf4T_pHtM2WxhTCdB6kqrwBnGhlhtoIlDMm5MWpC-fi-Og72WwTjtUpOIZsgJHi0qkciPkcdNb9zFVIb2nnA0DwI/s1600/IMG_0594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE3iBast3rC3iUVfeCdOnEC1GAKj7Uliy5YUkO-W4Hpn_Ra2fVgyVf4T_pHtM2WxhTCdB6kqrwBnGhlhtoIlDMm5MWpC-fi-Og72WwTjtUpOIZsgJHi0qkciPkcdNb9zFVIb2nnA0DwI/s320/IMG_0594.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now the liquids</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hdO4ywL4njX6yeJwWiTbf_zYFb19a5YY24wgJ1QzkDlUHyso9Kv0FOtXDaeZMNj0Dqm-xAPkoPifEvrYhNTCHb3NGO2TVnPJSqgxA4dhbACqFX4L6nm1e7xgIxh7Pa-fDvTrk7z86EE/s1600/IMG_0595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hdO4ywL4njX6yeJwWiTbf_zYFb19a5YY24wgJ1QzkDlUHyso9Kv0FOtXDaeZMNj0Dqm-xAPkoPifEvrYhNTCHb3NGO2TVnPJSqgxA4dhbACqFX4L6nm1e7xgIxh7Pa-fDvTrk7z86EE/s320/IMG_0595.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the rice! So much rice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><br /></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-43223375414943074932013-02-04T16:13:00.000-08:002013-02-04T16:14:02.096-08:00No Milk No Eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KQzP-P_CqvBEiuEUMJEN6kRSEdcna_9jQNcSEGz6y2tTbCMsCmGg-cHb-X_7dhiop7kND2m7EJABgJ6duVx3YRqo2KH0cJDkiEFm14AhAhiERXk4lQdABs9P04XB4GTZFwUJrEsCJ-I/s1600/IMG_0566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KQzP-P_CqvBEiuEUMJEN6kRSEdcna_9jQNcSEGz6y2tTbCMsCmGg-cHb-X_7dhiop7kND2m7EJABgJ6duVx3YRqo2KH0cJDkiEFm14AhAhiERXk4lQdABs9P04XB4GTZFwUJrEsCJ-I/s320/IMG_0566.jpg" title="" width="239" /></a></div>
Emily and Doug threw a huge dinner party last week. Maybe two weeks ago. I don't know. Time blends together when you're having fun. Anyhow, Doug cooked enough ribs for a small army, Emily made some great salads from the ingredients in their first CSA box, all the guests brought wine, and I made dessert. But if you'll recall, Emily has quite a few allergies that make many desserts off limits to her. So I did my best to create and Emily-safe dessert that was just as exciting as the rest of the meal. I think my Bourbon Apple Crisp and Vanilla/Soy/Almond Ice "Cream" did the trick.<br />
<br />
Here's what you'll need:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<i><b>THE CRISP</b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>TOPPING</i><br />
<i>1 C Flour</i><br />
<i>1 C Old Fashioned Oats</i><br />
<i>1 C Brown Sugar</i><br />
<i>1/2 C Chopped Almonds (why hello there, new food processor that chops like a beast)</i><br />
<i>1/2 C unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces (for Emily's sake I used a vegan butter substitute)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>FILLING</i><br />
<i>1/2 C Unsalted Butter (for Emily's sake I used a vegan butter substitute)</i><br />
<i>1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract</i><br />
<i>6 Large Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored, and very thinly sliced</i><br />
<i>1/3 C Brown Sugar</i><br />
<i>1 tsp Cinnamon</i><br />
<i>1 Tbsp Bourbon</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>1. Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8x8 baking dish and set aside.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>2. Make the topping. Combine 1 C flour, oats, 1 C brown sugar, and almonds in a large bowl and mix well. Add the pieces of butter and use your hands to squeeze and combine until the mixture is crumbly. You can also use a pastry cutter or the pulse setting on a food processor to combine everything. Refrigerate topping while making filling.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>3. Place 1 C butter and 1/2 tsp vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat and start whisking. After a couple minutes, the butter will begin to crackle and foam. Keep whisking. After another minute or two, the butter will start turning a slight brown color on the bottom of the saucepan. Keep whisking. Remove from heat when the butter starts giving off a nutty aroma. Transfer the butter to a bowl so it doesn't burn, and allow to cool for a few minutes.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i>4. Place apples, 1/3 C brown sugar, cinnamon and bourbon in a large bowl and toss well. Add the brown butter and toss again. Toss a heaping 1/2 Cup of the topping mixture with the apples.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>5. Pour apple mixture into prepared baking dish and sprinkle evenly with topping. Your pan will be really full at this point, but it all cooks down to the perfect amount.</i><br />
<br />
<i>6. Put dish on a baking pan (to catch anything that may bubble over) and bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes, until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbling. Remove from oven and cool at least 10 minutes before serving with...</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<i><b>DAIRY FREE VANILLA ICE "CREAM"</b></i><br />
<br />
<i>2 Cups Silk Creamer (original kind)</i><br />
<i>1 Cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk</i><br />
<i>3 tsp Vanilla Extract</i><br />
<i>1/2 Cup Maple Syrup</i><br />
<i>Pinch of Salt</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i>1. Mix all ingredients together. Pour into ice cream maker and follow the directions of the maker. For me, I froze the bowl overnight, then poured the ingredients in, pressed go, and thirty minutes later had ice cream!</i><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">And here's a slideshow of all the culinary amazingness of the night:</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcC2jTSAuHBrLjUXXNvbJ19Sgmm8cTQO67Kn-H2PAzEq0Ey_GgwkKybhoumAnTjk7FnROBNeXtQcVrCf1BiKm9_3HB2nuV7L4z97FWKs3CUpOfuUAqnJqNhHpk8fThJGi3EhHA0cDee0/s1600/IMG_0559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcC2jTSAuHBrLjUXXNvbJ19Sgmm8cTQO67Kn-H2PAzEq0Ey_GgwkKybhoumAnTjk7FnROBNeXtQcVrCf1BiKm9_3HB2nuV7L4z97FWKs3CUpOfuUAqnJqNhHpk8fThJGi3EhHA0cDee0/s320/IMG_0559.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream Maker at work</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrT5kkEqbg_VR3JVEllNfmmRDvx08j-AwQnvQvAuP-YSQFZWKD5RlOgX1cl4OvyIKRYmzvMrip5GEU0DlfO6s-DZFlKtv3SkG2gxrB-nK-R_G1V736onv7x-dWEODCsW5Uw3JGzfNp3g/s1600/IMG_0560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrT5kkEqbg_VR3JVEllNfmmRDvx08j-AwQnvQvAuP-YSQFZWKD5RlOgX1cl4OvyIKRYmzvMrip5GEU0DlfO6s-DZFlKtv3SkG2gxrB-nK-R_G1V736onv7x-dWEODCsW5Uw3JGzfNp3g/s320/IMG_0560.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Browning the "butter"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIQ8KRgopA60iLfoOdUCU9cOMOgWJL6B3gIqsUcGnem_bqpTHOWoKB18G5lsJ0G25AbhO3m671rsmd4JgsI7ShKDSgxLMLg4t1DE-uVwb3_MF9vYEd-zvLLrVg6EEnfkqp85aH3rPnUY/s1600/IMG_0564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIQ8KRgopA60iLfoOdUCU9cOMOgWJL6B3gIqsUcGnem_bqpTHOWoKB18G5lsJ0G25AbhO3m671rsmd4JgsI7ShKDSgxLMLg4t1DE-uVwb3_MF9vYEd-zvLLrVg6EEnfkqp85aH3rPnUY/s320/IMG_0564.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all those ribs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs7VpLbWJpDbK7dNncKqu-c4GUlxko6G8JLOcMuX8VC9LqYvHnGAldGqfPlFHsuYyIbBZfoVCqbuy1C4sFPLjTVHfZKf9xl1eTfhD6sEIGHokbNnyDiiuMYVlJqbDZWJ196KcTkfpc2Q/s1600/IMG_0565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs7VpLbWJpDbK7dNncKqu-c4GUlxko6G8JLOcMuX8VC9LqYvHnGAldGqfPlFHsuYyIbBZfoVCqbuy1C4sFPLjTVHfZKf9xl1eTfhD6sEIGHokbNnyDiiuMYVlJqbDZWJ196KcTkfpc2Q/s320/IMG_0565.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all that ice "cream!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79YRTKZnNLR5JMMu5PXL2j60YS2JgV_8Q4h6KGxzVJyZqw-3GWhfd_Uodv0CXdRG1S4bXua6FBwl4vClM5FeQ_56Y5lmtBs1E4EjnDMoUztqKsANQ2PrrQ2MEI1DQgshxQJMQwD3_vvM/s1600/IMG_0569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79YRTKZnNLR5JMMu5PXL2j60YS2JgV_8Q4h6KGxzVJyZqw-3GWhfd_Uodv0CXdRG1S4bXua6FBwl4vClM5FeQ_56Y5lmtBs1E4EjnDMoUztqKsANQ2PrrQ2MEI1DQgshxQJMQwD3_vvM/s320/IMG_0569.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all that cobbler!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6GZJ-DimNcB6NREDrmfhZiAG3TbwZTL3RKT61xJ_Wt6wfIYtZ6t4WEhtVbisI9tNHAmH6yFdV1f3qptk9LIyS5-bPKNA2nIh6w5ONEFHeIeWyq6o9WHToe5PPH7GKvdW6CNq67BZ9Uk/s1600/IMG_0567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6GZJ-DimNcB6NREDrmfhZiAG3TbwZTL3RKT61xJ_Wt6wfIYtZ6t4WEhtVbisI9tNHAmH6yFdV1f3qptk9LIyS5-bPKNA2nIh6w5ONEFHeIeWyq6o9WHToe5PPH7GKvdW6CNq67BZ9Uk/s320/IMG_0567.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops. Gone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()"><br /></a>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-83553963082924797422013-01-01T22:24:00.000-08:002013-01-01T22:38:51.312-08:00New Year's Eve Bakey Baking<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mIemcTx5WuBKHzQdmtYdQmBxccQsyy8EreBpqTKW7rK4OM69f22jhbew49t4iSHCda7MitY9C-gMksxo991l5YDTELBqcK36Jp2jvJyXxClCLINENDB5r9DFJ6DjHOUjAwLYPR59Plo/s1600/IMG_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mIemcTx5WuBKHzQdmtYdQmBxccQsyy8EreBpqTKW7rK4OM69f22jhbew49t4iSHCda7MitY9C-gMksxo991l5YDTELBqcK36Jp2jvJyXxClCLINENDB5r9DFJ6DjHOUjAwLYPR59Plo/s320/IMG_0502.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Chocolate Raspberry Mini Cakes, or Cakettes, if you will.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><br /></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Step 1. Get invited to New Year's Eve dinner by your friend who is serving homemade enchiladas and sangria.</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Step 2. RSVP Yes Yes Yes. You never turn down enchiladas.</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Step 3. Realize you should probably bring something.</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Step 4. Notice a text from said friend asking you to bake. Preferably chocolate.</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Step 5. Find out she loves the combination of chocolate and raspberries.</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Step 6. Purchase necessary ingredients. At 6pm. The party starts at 7pm.</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Step 7. Text that you'll be a little late.</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Step 8. Make these Dark Chocolate Raspberry Mini Cakes, neglect to clean the kitchen because you have a party to get to, go to the party, walk in to oohs and ahhs, clean the kitchen the next day as you're watching the Rose Bowl.</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><br /></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Here's what you'll need:</a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>THE CAKE</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>Nonstick spray or paper muffin cup liners</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2 Eggs</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 2/3 Cups Flour</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 tsp Baking Soda</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1/2 tsp Baking Powder</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1/2 tsp Salt</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2/3 Cup White Sugar</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2/3 Cup Packed Brown Sugar</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 Cup Buttermilk</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2 Cups Raspberries </i>(two 6oz boxes should do it, and an extra box for garnishing)</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Coat two 12-cup muffin tins with nonstick spray. If your muffin tins are old and tend to have things stick in them, or you are concerned about removing the cakes at all, then just use paper muffin cup liners. Simple simple.</i></a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2. Beat butter on medium for 30 seconds. Add in sugars slowly, continuing to mix for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in the eggs and mix well. Mix in vanilla.</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>3. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to sugar mixture, beating on low until just combined. Once all has been added, beat on high for 20 seconds more.</i></a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>4. Divide half of batter between prepared muffin cups. Add 3-4 raspberries to each muffin cup. Spoon remaining batter over the top of the raspberries.</i></a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>5. Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in cakes comes out clean. Allow to cool in pans on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and continue to cool. </i>(I personally enjoy this dish served hot, so if you can, eat dinner, make the following ganache, and serve these soon quickly.)</a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>THE GANACHE</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1/2 Cup Whipping Cream</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>3/4 Cups Semisweet Chocolate Pieces</i> (chips work)</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1. In a small saucepan, heat whipping cream over low heat until just simmering. Stir continuously. Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate and vanilla, whisking until all chocolate has melted. Transfer to a bowl and allow to set for 5 minutes before spooning over inverted cakes (yes, these cakettes are simply upside down cupcakes). Store the extra covered in the fridge. Add a raspberry on top as a garnish. Serve soon </i>(I served about 45 minutes after garnishing, and the cakes were still a bit warm).<i> If you prefer a thicker ganache, you can cover and chill the ganache for about 20 minutes before spooning over the cakes.</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>Also, if you like a LOT of ganache, use these measurements: 1 Cup Whipping Cream, 1 1/3 Cups Semisweet Chocolate, 3/4 tsp Vanilla, and follow the same instructions as above.</i></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EMdO4Wvv0x4Gt83xedJ3ZO9X6ZONJ2ty1Py6CuDL5UZut6CP0elsa1UjQHN6oSEIzWNpy0NK_zNj3Wlr6mR4FwnrVJFh17Z5DrXUSsL7yg4m4X1zfgbibdql0EpYxTSLzowRD5vTSwg/s1600/IMG_0503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EMdO4Wvv0x4Gt83xedJ3ZO9X6ZONJ2ty1Py6CuDL5UZut6CP0elsa1UjQHN6oSEIzWNpy0NK_zNj3Wlr6mR4FwnrVJFh17Z5DrXUSsL7yg4m4X1zfgbibdql0EpYxTSLzowRD5vTSwg/s320/IMG_0503.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you were wondering, here's what <br />
the enchiladas and sangria looked like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-22894850232604427462012-12-10T16:21:00.000-08:002012-12-10T16:21:34.546-08:00Brown Sugar!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPedGZCCCWPls6VCpIhaE6lSBd-HR-O-vMtR3folEfsFMtX-6XKC4LokdK8Ztoxr_KIbh-1neSn-_CQIOZnQgJIucgpOGYI4HmjGkqaIP8Z3rbenyhc7DOC1L5LMOHXh8-_LSvAF4-Fs/s1600/IMG_0403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPedGZCCCWPls6VCpIhaE6lSBd-HR-O-vMtR3folEfsFMtX-6XKC4LokdK8Ztoxr_KIbh-1neSn-_CQIOZnQgJIucgpOGYI4HmjGkqaIP8Z3rbenyhc7DOC1L5LMOHXh8-_LSvAF4-Fs/s320/IMG_0403.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
Yeah, I ran out of white sugar again. I think this has happened twice in my life. Probably going to happen more often now that I'm not actually eating any of it myself. I just pawn sweets off on other people at this point. But I wanted to make cookies anyway, and thank goodness for <a href="http://joythebaker.com/2011/09/brown-sugar-cookies/" target="_blank">Joy the Baker</a>, as she had exactly what I was looking for - a recipe for cookies that calls for only brown sugar, no white sugar. And you know a cookie is going to be delicious when the first two ingredients are brown sugar and butter. So get ready for some rich, sweet, chewy cookies that will have those who do enjoy consuming sugar running back for more.<br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Here's what you'll need:</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"></a><br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 1/4 Cups Dark Brown Sugar</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 1/2 Sticks (3/4 Cup) Unsalted Butter, room temperature</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 tsp Vanilla Extract</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 Egg</i></a><br />
<i>2 Cups Flour</i><br />
<i>2 tsp Baking Soda</i><br />
<i>1/2 tsp Salt</i><br />
<i>1/2 tsp Cinnamon</i><br />
<i>1/2 tsp Ginger</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qgbODgiSVwIBaw3FM6bJc82GuXy0NX0gJZ7kLbAaItf5GH6O0-7XjdmDzsmxml7ZX1gvbRhvd9WutHZ_4752d_Ggwfu8708mZZAES_YNk1U5pgbrw_F31R3w7DmaMI_tS24bwbxhh-c/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qgbODgiSVwIBaw3FM6bJc82GuXy0NX0gJZ7kLbAaItf5GH6O0-7XjdmDzsmxml7ZX1gvbRhvd9WutHZ_4752d_Ggwfu8708mZZAES_YNk1U5pgbrw_F31R3w7DmaMI_tS24bwbxhh-c/s200/IMG_0394.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<i>1. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, scraping down sides of the mixing bowl, and beat again for another minute or so. Sift dry ingredients (flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger) together and add to sugar mixture. (If you want to be a little more generous with your cinnamon and ginger allotments, it couldn't hurt.) Beat slowly until the flour seems incorporated. Complete mixing by folding batter with a spatula a few times.</i><br />
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<i>2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>3. While dough is refrigerating, position oven racks near center/top of oven and preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>4. After dough has cooled, drop by the tablespoon-full on baking sheets, about an inch and a half apart from each other. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, until edges of cookies are lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to finish cooling.</i><br />
<br />
Makes about 30 cookies.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM7EEIgx8iwynvQZ8eIH67gIKEhCJk7iGBA6xnQOIYxXUtqZyEpuNZPOAK23GCnM2zFkQERuUH886Mo1pXBuyYPRxFQ7WLmWlYdIJWKT0LdkPAdkQU90h_3Ed8pU6PEZM7Oqket59dG4/s1600/IMG_0399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM7EEIgx8iwynvQZ8eIH67gIKEhCJk7iGBA6xnQOIYxXUtqZyEpuNZPOAK23GCnM2zFkQERuUH886Mo1pXBuyYPRxFQ7WLmWlYdIJWKT0LdkPAdkQU90h_3Ed8pU6PEZM7Oqket59dG4/s320/IMG_0399.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feel free to make a mess.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-27607673038461559182012-12-08T17:29:00.000-08:002012-12-08T17:29:19.803-08:00Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">I'm not saying I'm a hoarder, I'm just saying I have a lot of closet space.</a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">And I'm not saying I'm poor, I'm just saying that sometimes cash is tight when you are attending a destination wedding in 3 days, have a bunch of Christmas gifts to buy, and pay rent in Los Angeles.</a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Put two and two together, and you get one big, fancy (ok, semi-fancy), yard sale!</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgnidsCLJZTzyApPtWwm7OszGnv_Ud4WNMldZY7ywFl1bGeUPYQ-ecWSRhxqZ3OVOTF-prZnEvE1XzMdKeZKRvjtIrN5lXekqe6WoC96a1C3z01Pye6PiFrZjHzKcEeJoQc7j3CwctTQ/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgnidsCLJZTzyApPtWwm7OszGnv_Ud4WNMldZY7ywFl1bGeUPYQ-ecWSRhxqZ3OVOTF-prZnEvE1XzMdKeZKRvjtIrN5lXekqe6WoC96a1C3z01Pye6PiFrZjHzKcEeJoQc7j3CwctTQ/s320/IMG_0406.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at everything beautifully displayed off the ground!<br />It's all about presentation, people.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Let me tell you, if you want to meet some interesting people, throw a yard sale. I met a hilarious ex-Navy Petty Officer, his wife who was born in a Japanese Concentration Camp, a girl who lost most of her clothes when her car was stolen, a nanny with the cutest, most energetic German Shepard puppy (he wanted in on the baked goods), a man who pulled out a wad of Franklins and asked if I had any gold or silver, and the list goes on.</a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">And who am I to have people over at my place without baking for them? Yes, this post has a baking element. I wasn't lying when I titled it Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. I also made brown sugar cookies for the bargain-seekers enjoyment, look for that post to follow.</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><br /></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Here's what you'll need:</a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BPaLYjxpksin4oI-x_bkZAP0L-6pv2dmQdC3E9xwM17g5DKuAOJHQkBbXpuYbXLQz_4NaUtwP471IR1aNpLQbV427uIfcWM1-6vLaOmVPuzEu6ZGH_5ilQeAjBzAk3fy6LQzV217ilU/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BPaLYjxpksin4oI-x_bkZAP0L-6pv2dmQdC3E9xwM17g5DKuAOJHQkBbXpuYbXLQz_4NaUtwP471IR1aNpLQbV427uIfcWM1-6vLaOmVPuzEu6ZGH_5ilQeAjBzAk3fy6LQzV217ilU/s200/IMG_0404.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The normal muffins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>4 Eggs</i></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2 Cups Sugar</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>15 oz Pumpkin Puree</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 1/3 Cups Canola Oil</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>3 Cups All-Purpose Flour</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2 tsp Baking Soda</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 tsp Baking Powder</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 tsp Cinnamon</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 tsp Salt</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2 Cups Mini Semisweet Chocolate Chips</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1. Preheat oven to 400 Degrees Fahrenheit. Line or grease muffin tins (makes about 24 normal sized muffins, or 45 mini muffins.</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i><br /></i></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2. Beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda, powder, cinnamon and salt in a separate bowl and stir together. Gradually add dry mixture to wet mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop batter into prepared muffin tins, filling about 3/4 full.</i></a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>3. Bake muffins at 400, 10 minutes for mini muffins, 15-18 minutes for normal sized muffins. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick and seeing if it comes out clean. When done, cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.</i></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJu3w0jx6qfzuu6YuKQyiAM2eAXW5oJ7CWPk5TBfVi9mANM1S3MzBEH8ymG7-4DADKv8HCaqUyHeTaWARP_f9iYKZBRwALEZdzoqI0xXCGzM76osj2CocA3O8F7bA5ZQeGmIc50wBZuo/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJu3w0jx6qfzuu6YuKQyiAM2eAXW5oJ7CWPk5TBfVi9mANM1S3MzBEH8ymG7-4DADKv8HCaqUyHeTaWARP_f9iYKZBRwALEZdzoqI0xXCGzM76osj2CocA3O8F7bA5ZQeGmIc50wBZuo/s200/IMG_0396.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The baby muffins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-32324815318280718402012-11-25T20:43:00.001-08:002012-11-25T20:43:27.838-08:00Just Add Molasses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexvZW552K79olnMhyphenhyphenOhtQw0ZbTT1pfHkdmjGsXK6SWO1MzjIsxFEHrS4jB2DgGR7rM5NzkH23gUGsaU4K6YrR7BxhLW_wEhxFm4voB-iylj8u_RCesNu0ele4ptSZK6LQJs_sxdA7YtQ/s1600/IMG_0233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexvZW552K79olnMhyphenhyphenOhtQw0ZbTT1pfHkdmjGsXK6SWO1MzjIsxFEHrS4jB2DgGR7rM5NzkH23gUGsaU4K6YrR7BxhLW_wEhxFm4voB-iylj8u_RCesNu0ele4ptSZK6LQJs_sxdA7YtQ/s320/IMG_0233.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<a href="javascript:window.print()">I've made my oatmeal cookies so many times I'm starting to get tired of them. Not of eating them, just of baking them. I like a little variety! So, while they remain my most requested cookies in their chocolate chip form, I wanted something different. Enter molasses. Or rather, enter whatever random ingredient is in my pantry that might go well with oatmeal, butter and sugar. Enter molasses.</a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Here's what you'll need:</a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><br /></a>
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 Cup Sugar</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 Cup Brown Sugar</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened (save the butter wrapper for greasing)</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2 Eggs, beaten</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6124749273563344489"><i>1 tsp Vanilla Extract</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1/2 Cup Molasses</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2 Cups Flour</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1/2 tsp Salt</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 tsp Baking Powder</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 tsp Baking Soda</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1/2 tsp Cinnamon</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1 Cup Shredded Coconut</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>3 Cups Old Fashioned Oats</i></a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>1. Preheat oven to 375 Degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease baking sheets by rubbing butter wrapper over tem. Or put parchment paper on the sheets. Either way, don't want your cookies sticking.</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>2. Blend sugars and butter until smooth. Add in eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add in molasses and mix . Sift together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Slowly add to butter mixture, mixing until well incorporated. Add in coconut and oats and mix until well blended. Mixture will be very stiff.</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>3. Drop by the Tablespoon-full on baking sheets at least one inch apart. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes, until edges just begin to appear crispy. </i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>4. Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet for two minutes. Transfer to cooling racks.</i></a><br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()"><i>5. Pour milk, dunk, consume.</i></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71peNCO3lmZ_KLFKjwopBbzOufUnKCrquu3WjNRJld2-_24Hawl9AZwP9jD352IoNK7C5CSj3B9hAbI_tZ36ezb-TA7EvZ3qii8ndBvno6EaT8W1Njsvgv0WNUD_89KfQJwpbQCoquQ8/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71peNCO3lmZ_KLFKjwopBbzOufUnKCrquu3WjNRJld2-_24Hawl9AZwP9jD352IoNK7C5CSj3B9hAbI_tZ36ezb-TA7EvZ3qii8ndBvno6EaT8W1Njsvgv0WNUD_89KfQJwpbQCoquQ8/s320/IMG_0232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-34005376145361760882012-09-16T14:03:00.001-07:002012-09-16T14:03:25.944-07:00If this heat wave continues...I'm going to have to make <a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/drinks/frozen-hot-chocolate-2/" target="_blank">this</a>. Even though that's way more sugar, chocolate and dairy than I usually have in a day. I don't care.<br />
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<a href="http://static.tastykitchen.com/recipes/files/2010/02/IMG_2303.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://static.tastykitchen.com/recipes/files/2010/02/IMG_2303.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-33778542349790031312012-08-24T16:44:00.002-07:002012-08-24T16:48:14.839-07:00Chocolate Chip Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihlT6VZGMLAV0cjpLaNIY-yHBz_5R_zosNlF0S_HttFymjRlPxZdkX27oFEdKOnyFXO0HPPt_Zr0IbYMB6y40l-wlyckPo2SzuI8x4NKx4OmmyRnCNwM0fLreULPargaEdqogA4dTEnQ/s1600/IMG_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihlT6VZGMLAV0cjpLaNIY-yHBz_5R_zosNlF0S_HttFymjRlPxZdkX27oFEdKOnyFXO0HPPt_Zr0IbYMB6y40l-wlyckPo2SzuI8x4NKx4OmmyRnCNwM0fLreULPargaEdqogA4dTEnQ/s320/IMG_0057.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
Just that simple.<br />
<span id="goog_1845327736"></span><span id="goog_1845327737"></span><br />
A Chocolate Chip Cookie.<br />
<br />
But a darn good one.<br />
<br />
I've made many in my day, and this one takes the cake. Just as delicious the next day, too, which is saying a lot seeing as how I buy the generic brand of ziplock baggies that tend not to do the best job at keeping things fresh.<br />
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<br />
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<br />
Here's what you'll need:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>1 Cup Brown Sugar, packed<br />
1/2 Cup White Sugar<br />
1 Cup Unsalted Butter, room temp<br />
1 tsp Vanilla Extract<br />
2 Eggs<br />
2 1/4 Cups Flour<br />
1 tsp Salt<br />
1 tsp Baking Soda<br />
2 Cups Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips<br />
<br />
1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a couple large cookie sheets with the butter wrapper.<br />
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2. Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add in eggs and vanilla and beat until well combined. Add in flour, salt and baking soda <i>(You can sift them in if you're fancy, I was lazy last night and didn't sift. Cookies came out fine. Just stir the dry ingredients up a bit so all the salt's not in one place in the batter.)</i> and blend until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips.<br />
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3. Drop by the Tablespoonful (or larger) onto prepared cookie sheets, about an inch apart. <i>These guys really don't spread out that much.</i><br />
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4. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes until edges are just starting to turn golden. <i>If you like your cookies crispier, press down on the balls of dough to flatten them a bit before placing in the oven, and cook for a couple minutes longer.</i><br />
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5. Let cool one minute before eating while you finally watch The Hunger Games for the first time after making it through your first live, offline, fantasy football draft, which is oddly enough rather similar to the Hunger Games.<br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-28853811962197045212012-07-29T18:34:00.000-07:002012-07-29T18:34:21.452-07:00America!It all happened.<br />
<br />
The edible gold medal peach pie:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDd0m6jh_zvsLfileuCK1gMnV28-JDb2bwd5DF6bHnQ1eSJRwEx-yenDfM58pmn01TtOjyUzIKsFJ7gy8f6jwqVe1TaAgHO50845gBHKkcDHjcXacTBccCYItYHlRh6UMTLfBMKvEQzM/s1600/IMG_1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDd0m6jh_zvsLfileuCK1gMnV28-JDb2bwd5DF6bHnQ1eSJRwEx-yenDfM58pmn01TtOjyUzIKsFJ7gy8f6jwqVe1TaAgHO50845gBHKkcDHjcXacTBccCYItYHlRh6UMTLfBMKvEQzM/s320/IMG_1105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The dipped strawberries:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCu2izuGuMpYmLYNin3FDMNPVmm2HlXU1NZSz6SpFYPwMid0fBDV24J30TBaksCcWhota7XU6XcoMGZ0EENQQBjPut1w0-dTLTkg58E9z82zYE57gbNTXiuOCsT_8VEAUWO-AI0H92So/s1600/IMG_1112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCu2izuGuMpYmLYNin3FDMNPVmm2HlXU1NZSz6SpFYPwMid0fBDV24J30TBaksCcWhota7XU6XcoMGZ0EENQQBjPut1w0-dTLTkg58E9z82zYE57gbNTXiuOCsT_8VEAUWO-AI0H92So/s320/IMG_1112.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The RWB punch:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h95Le7cvSTmQdyYFlQCjRbIUerBvxBf1W6ueomZZKb3Pt991u8Xby7GHvWQ9zNBuoM2OU47pGNTsSwzZfoplI5K8Q867d70ig19GjSlJX9zWzIoCAX5Zi7FjcztawlX1ErxxICy8XSo/s1600/IMG_1115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h95Le7cvSTmQdyYFlQCjRbIUerBvxBf1W6ueomZZKb3Pt991u8Xby7GHvWQ9zNBuoM2OU47pGNTsSwzZfoplI5K8Q867d70ig19GjSlJX9zWzIoCAX5Zi7FjcztawlX1ErxxICy8XSo/s320/IMG_1115.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The RWB cobbler:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq26p6QuRQnQMM_tSSsbjwjYa4F0K0nSUHA7cClfoRh4a5diA-QMoA7h4fosTgFtKs2Gp9T2CW8bUSc0tOCZ9pDl2Kcw0_bcgva7mb5-jej3Sk3L34duDYjghEtiHuh4nAMx9RpH3Ibg/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq26p6QuRQnQMM_tSSsbjwjYa4F0K0nSUHA7cClfoRh4a5diA-QMoA7h4fosTgFtKs2Gp9T2CW8bUSc0tOCZ9pDl2Kcw0_bcgva7mb5-jej3Sk3L34duDYjghEtiHuh4nAMx9RpH3Ibg/s320/IMG_1107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The RWB punch:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h95Le7cvSTmQdyYFlQCjRbIUerBvxBf1W6ueomZZKb3Pt991u8Xby7GHvWQ9zNBuoM2OU47pGNTsSwzZfoplI5K8Q867d70ig19GjSlJX9zWzIoCAX5Zi7FjcztawlX1ErxxICy8XSo/s1600/IMG_1115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h95Le7cvSTmQdyYFlQCjRbIUerBvxBf1W6ueomZZKb3Pt991u8Xby7GHvWQ9zNBuoM2OU47pGNTsSwzZfoplI5K8Q867d70ig19GjSlJX9zWzIoCAX5Zi7FjcztawlX1ErxxICy8XSo/s320/IMG_1115.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The RWB Jello shots:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgfIZykmZLX5FY-t2DjxDcSahR3Y3bM9vq2_KXpNcbTL4FkwGCdHcx6Xp4GrxJqtxLr_NoQobO5kdgfiRTyJ6C3vgvx0QCofJktkoWfYgHwejAJplNZOwQwNjL_3IRsluEkRo1a1Lfyw/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgfIZykmZLX5FY-t2DjxDcSahR3Y3bM9vq2_KXpNcbTL4FkwGCdHcx6Xp4GrxJqtxLr_NoQobO5kdgfiRTyJ6C3vgvx0QCofJktkoWfYgHwejAJplNZOwQwNjL_3IRsluEkRo1a1Lfyw/s320/IMG_1126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The flag cake:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqy3zi3RWUgw602LY3dbGtcG3QEMqVGVV4egAQV_HKkR8miaJ2FsQiDQNCdLXiKX-OyZNuH_DWTz6zIViUaTZUTOL9bD-wdEKPkHeaHZ6f1yv7MKhGKdwGvAdrPU25-S2Yc1vOruGwW0/s1600/IMG_1124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqy3zi3RWUgw602LY3dbGtcG3QEMqVGVV4egAQV_HKkR8miaJ2FsQiDQNCdLXiKX-OyZNuH_DWTz6zIViUaTZUTOL9bD-wdEKPkHeaHZ6f1yv7MKhGKdwGvAdrPU25-S2Yc1vOruGwW0/s320/IMG_1124.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The Time wall:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEWoFYCQuDT0T9410U75-TGuG0ugdtdNte7RvxzVMCtcE_yEzB0BbabQti_q1XF0CpcmsEwvMLHBZsdnHd5gR0gJxYLIoI08Z0oB1jo2wMIWiJGo9KzpEbNI8BvdChtxlW58LrOwjnhk/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEWoFYCQuDT0T9410U75-TGuG0ugdtdNte7RvxzVMCtcE_yEzB0BbabQti_q1XF0CpcmsEwvMLHBZsdnHd5gR0gJxYLIoI08Z0oB1jo2wMIWiJGo9KzpEbNI8BvdChtxlW58LrOwjnhk/s320/IMG_1121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And the Royal Couple:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1siKY1X1_F-80YBGeWTyzPbi1IgD8rnExn8qJ5-vSyJeRUBN6D3ViOxsp35CnF27rXrmueCM7prVtdaCa6TIKbuLGdI7u713xngEbxgadqkkEr7eTEnbctuw5JjUpmAABOeE17Amuuw/s1600/IMG_1133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1siKY1X1_F-80YBGeWTyzPbi1IgD8rnExn8qJ5-vSyJeRUBN6D3ViOxsp35CnF27rXrmueCM7prVtdaCa6TIKbuLGdI7u713xngEbxgadqkkEr7eTEnbctuw5JjUpmAABOeE17Amuuw/s320/IMG_1133.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Recipes to come. When I'm not watching the Olympics.<br />
<br />
<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-30025254213023069412012-07-26T16:47:00.003-07:002012-07-26T16:47:54.406-07:00AmericaTonight I am making this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTL4-3I_KezQ1W4yl9DgPA96xGyKX4axE9HezG_MH4b34ZeRoAchCw7xk5aMHtvEbEskKzgdqqFDMvZibEzM7-8rZMuV2gByQ6htXV_OHjtJxptN2xOxdH29bm0GuW3ixtu-vwVbXJBV4/s1600/82824080616946711_CpCLdhAh_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTL4-3I_KezQ1W4yl9DgPA96xGyKX4axE9HezG_MH4b34ZeRoAchCw7xk5aMHtvEbEskKzgdqqFDMvZibEzM7-8rZMuV2gByQ6htXV_OHjtJxptN2xOxdH29bm0GuW3ixtu-vwVbXJBV4/s320/82824080616946711_CpCLdhAh_f.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
<br />
This:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcvocmcE309QYXGXlKeUebcc4wJDiAhyphenhyphenkB1emmxzP5kw8LNXlnVEZTpELJFUaR_ex19suOertJP592tCzSCgvk7zcqzq3AoHCvcFVAtWO1sk4l8WKBEj0gOwINyTV52x2XXJL4pqFtSg/s1600/pieimagecopyrighted4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcvocmcE309QYXGXlKeUebcc4wJDiAhyphenhyphenkB1emmxzP5kw8LNXlnVEZTpELJFUaR_ex19suOertJP592tCzSCgvk7zcqzq3AoHCvcFVAtWO1sk4l8WKBEj0gOwINyTV52x2XXJL4pqFtSg/s320/pieimagecopyrighted4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(it's like an edible gold medal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And these:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Uwv4PbsZCC1L5xMs7C6o44NpR_fXNCPvPFRIKf5UnGh_RRf8-qvLcD9u3DqfdPN_lst0PpJXkn1i-zUEeF-iRN5qCfF4IU6gXdhf3kSiDpfG81CsvRQJ8UF1PRm9mrAZ7btkKltf3b4/s1600/White+Chocolate+Dipped+Strawberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Uwv4PbsZCC1L5xMs7C6o44NpR_fXNCPvPFRIKf5UnGh_RRf8-qvLcD9u3DqfdPN_lst0PpJXkn1i-zUEeF-iRN5qCfF4IU6gXdhf3kSiDpfG81CsvRQJ8UF1PRm9mrAZ7btkKltf3b4/s320/White+Chocolate+Dipped+Strawberries.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Because tomorrow, this is happening:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvohVJuctI7D0PUDJGGPpk7Dvhog9vEQ7Nf9A_PtpIhCs3dX7U6fu35gknw5TxVuV-j9tK2ALuPMefTAZqfJSnm4bxd4q2lEv26sUCfq8umlZfyHaHrP4AoMNzG8PwzL6w2KLDDJrGb4M/s1600/london-olympic-torch-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvohVJuctI7D0PUDJGGPpk7Dvhog9vEQ7Nf9A_PtpIhCs3dX7U6fu35gknw5TxVuV-j9tK2ALuPMefTAZqfJSnm4bxd4q2lEv26sUCfq8umlZfyHaHrP4AoMNzG8PwzL6w2KLDDJrGb4M/s320/london-olympic-torch-2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And I like to watch (and eat) in style.<br />
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Recipes and photos of my actual creations (and all the people enjoying them) to come. Apologies for slacking in the baking and blogging world as of late. But hey, I was just cast in a new show, and you know I like to bake for my cast mates, so that's bound to change.<br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-23624893572836339002012-05-15T00:09:00.000-07:002012-05-15T00:09:23.175-07:00Well this is just fantasticSeriously it is. If you've ever made a mistake while cooking or baking, chances are it's on this list. And then the list tells you how to fix it. Never again will I have burnt pancakes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/techniques/cooking-questions-tips-00400000064986/print-index.html">http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/techniques/cooking-questions-tips-00400000064986/print-index.html</a><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-6604674370651398232012-05-07T15:32:00.000-07:002012-05-07T15:37:59.554-07:00Don't tell your guests what's in this dessert.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5O297D_tYbyHxf8v5ilQhIjTSGpVhczZI1dRMwcgfZBGllamtIR-2rNJKqMWxB_y-mUSEUIhRqIMY9eXMAEyVpMYhe1Z_e6sDCncH-btoRJUnerTlCerX3q3lpGDHVlpBsT0Uw30E3Y/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5O297D_tYbyHxf8v5ilQhIjTSGpVhczZI1dRMwcgfZBGllamtIR-2rNJKqMWxB_y-mUSEUIhRqIMY9eXMAEyVpMYhe1Z_e6sDCncH-btoRJUnerTlCerX3q3lpGDHVlpBsT0Uw30E3Y/s320/IMG_0799.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This one is better eaten with an air of ignorance. Just focus on the fact that you're getting a serving of fruit from all the bananas. That cancels out everything else, right? Yes, yes it does. Same way calories don't count on your birthday or during finals week. If you've never had this dish before, you've been missing out. It's my favorite thing about Magnolia Bakery, so either <a href="http://www.magnoliabakery.com/find_us.php">get yourself over there now</a> or whip up a batch of the below.<br />
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By the way, walked into the office this morning and announced that I now know how to replicate Magnolia Bakery's Banana Pudding, and from the response I got, I assume I'll be making this many more times. MBBP is the go-to dessert for birthdays around here, and now that we can supply it ourselves and not have to spend $$$ on an order from the bakery itself, things might get crazy.<br />
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Here's what you'll need:<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<i>1 (14oz) Can Sweetened Condensed Milk</i><br />
<i>1 1/2 Cups Ice Cold Water </i>(stick a measuring cup of water in the freezer for a few)<br />
<i>1 (3.4oz) Package Instant Vanilla Pudding</i><br />
<i>3 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream</i><br />
<i>1 (12oz) Box Nabisco Nilla Wafers </i>(Go name brand here! The others just get oddly soggy.)<br />
<i>4 Cups ripe, sliced Bananas </i>(this was 6 large-ish bananas for me)<br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQd_vjOoKqW0cNMK9YfzgO2nnIfyczdgSmYm3p_gpkEkeBqGj4unRijdxM_BJXDxQ0_2yc4oBKopgwo1TrZcV6kdn39URUZS-BfmOPge26a2kJt1_bJKxeYeK3ft-MIYGQdj1wsqwTLe8/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQd_vjOoKqW0cNMK9YfzgO2nnIfyczdgSmYm3p_gpkEkeBqGj4unRijdxM_BJXDxQ0_2yc4oBKopgwo1TrZcV6kdn39URUZS-BfmOPge26a2kJt1_bJKxeYeK3ft-MIYGQdj1wsqwTLe8/s200/IMG_0790.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wonderfully-set pudding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>1. In a stand-up mixer, beat together water and sweetened condensed milk on low speed. Sprinkle the pudding mix on top and let settle for about 30 seconds, then beat on low until well combined, about 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. </i>(Very important! Pudding must set! If you're in too much of a rush to devour the pudding and can't wait, then put it in the fridge for 15 minutes, then the freezer for 15 minutes. Don't over-freeze though, or you'll have icy pudding. No fun.)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVSdCfyRip7LEiRG7JZkMaHL6Ozd8lxLuZ8HjmrvQQbzqGMHfPW-qnqEEGsExbnTqVJxXF-q2V-z2nRxwgTBVpeZJDQCMuP9tR6RyCGiGoQhw0CvVjCNlYSXKjNrACIpgfYUlalHKZ3g/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVSdCfyRip7LEiRG7JZkMaHL6Ozd8lxLuZ8HjmrvQQbzqGMHfPW-qnqEEGsExbnTqVJxXF-q2V-z2nRxwgTBVpeZJDQCMuP9tR6RyCGiGoQhw0CvVjCNlYSXKjNrACIpgfYUlalHKZ3g/s200/IMG_0791.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All folded in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>2. In stand-up mixer, whip heavy cream on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the set pudding mixture into the whipped cream </i>(which is now technically Chantilly Cream because it's been whipped, if you want to sound all fancy)<i> until well blended and no streaks of pudding are visible. (Folding is best done with a large spatula. You basically just don't want to stir the ingredients as that takes all the air out. Instead scoop under one side, and fold over to the other side, rotating where you begin scooping as you go.)</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>3. Assembly: Arrange about 1/3 of the wafers in the bottom of a large bowl </i>(glass if you've got it, for a beautiful presentation, obviously from the photos I don't own a big glass dish)<i>. Arrange 1/3 of the bananas on top. Scoop 1/3 of the pudding/cream mix on top of that. Repeat two more times and you're done. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, max 8 hours, before serving. Best served cold.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxkwPr3dPW7voH07c2fNuBJfqhtNQGg7gZP9D9Hmeb7eBGcCfGbBbaVLwf9VF8pC4IMmeV93qenZ7g_Kx1g0N4v_80DmB6-mcVTrc8XbUMLGBh_lLi6UrtnJfEpYoPxQngD_j2xuwZ68/s1600/IMG_0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxkwPr3dPW7voH07c2fNuBJfqhtNQGg7gZP9D9Hmeb7eBGcCfGbBbaVLwf9VF8pC4IMmeV93qenZ7g_Kx1g0N4v_80DmB6-mcVTrc8XbUMLGBh_lLi6UrtnJfEpYoPxQngD_j2xuwZ68/s320/IMG_0793.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add some 'Nillas...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zswYfr-llU4hO_IhL_6HXiYc6X3PNlKEeS3pfNIUaiai_FeANp-Xa77vwruMJb197spsxMm5_HaNNJdPtfzUi7UJVZi9UXu4FPOFrv41LOr1Yz0jGMIfOTXFqLSNV8dl7domM_20X3k/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zswYfr-llU4hO_IhL_6HXiYc6X3PNlKEeS3pfNIUaiai_FeANp-Xa77vwruMJb197spsxMm5_HaNNJdPtfzUi7UJVZi9UXu4FPOFrv41LOr1Yz0jGMIfOTXFqLSNV8dl7domM_20X3k/s320/IMG_0794.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...then some 'Nanas...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX7Sk9gEtc4X98nHXfsgvvjlWO7jbCN4s4vgS3YNPGt1jaDi_gQRAFN1lOXo1P0e1LACkg0XU9U8dUACv1EpcJksoI_esP4Pad4zhYxHNBcC5jvaOdYWPCcoYgokCTSaTbLDm6OcHBB8/s1600/IMG_0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX7Sk9gEtc4X98nHXfsgvvjlWO7jbCN4s4vgS3YNPGt1jaDi_gQRAFN1lOXo1P0e1LACkg0XU9U8dUACv1EpcJksoI_esP4Pad4zhYxHNBcC5jvaOdYWPCcoYgokCTSaTbLDm6OcHBB8/s320/IMG_0795.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...then cover with Puddin'...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4wldpz6XNEslSOEJyEi5ucsFFkzc8t0bqp2fKEL94ATu950iNlOUhvZsdrCOVUYqZCcAqJ9JehE8XIfhXZ2gXY-GvgL1q9J0RuFwkV6GYGRYJ_PCOTfT78JW9JyMmkCztX0CUbegyHE/s1600/IMG_0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4wldpz6XNEslSOEJyEi5ucsFFkzc8t0bqp2fKEL94ATu950iNlOUhvZsdrCOVUYqZCcAqJ9JehE8XIfhXZ2gXY-GvgL1q9J0RuFwkV6GYGRYJ_PCOTfT78JW9JyMmkCztX0CUbegyHE/s320/IMG_0800.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and have a party!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><br /></i><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-69171298258476406862012-05-07T14:09:00.000-07:002012-05-07T15:32:57.690-07:00Monkeys!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w4n9rSWkmbeFcL5ofgzh4DBV-GourYBOCXFGsvfMbMnYmr4T0PH9X4jWZ5ZcD5NdjG0bl-__ZU2b3qo3-Q4bF_GZDbii66DcPFpm99odLM1_Do3wbeTSBUBXEITVvkn0fq6aZ9lyASo/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w4n9rSWkmbeFcL5ofgzh4DBV-GourYBOCXFGsvfMbMnYmr4T0PH9X4jWZ5ZcD5NdjG0bl-__ZU2b3qo3-Q4bF_GZDbii66DcPFpm99odLM1_Do3wbeTSBUBXEITVvkn0fq6aZ9lyASo/s320/IMG_0797.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the only photo I captured.<br />
Because the bread literally disappeared in 30 seconds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ok, not real monkeys, but coming in at a close second...Monkey Bread! So easy to make, so easy to please a crowd. I made mine nice and plain because I don't like extras in desserts like raisins and nuts, but you can add a handful of either or both if you so please. Or you can add bananas and make it even more monkey-ey. I didn't add bananas because I also made Banana Pudding for the gathering at which the Monkey Bread was served. Didn't want people to suffer from banana overload. Especially since there was also banana-flavored Laffy Taffy in the pinata we attacked.<br />
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Here's what you'll need:<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<b><i>Half Batch</i></b><br />
<i>1/4 Cup Sugar</i><br />
<i>1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon</i><br />
<i>1 Can (16oz) Pillsbury Grands-style Buttermilk Biscuits </i>(Feel free to buy generic. Sorry Pillsbury, I'm poor)<br />
<i>1/4 Cup Walnuts and 1/4 Cup Raisins </i>(if you feel like it)<br />
<i>1/2 Cup Brown Sugar</i><br />
<i>1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Generously spray an 8x8" pan with cooking spray.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>2. Combine white sugar and cinnamon in a large plastic bag. Separate biscuits (you should have 8) and cut each into four pieces. Add pieces to bag and shake until all biscuits are evenly coated in cinn/sug. Lay pieces in a single layer in prepared pan. </i>(If you want nuts and raisins, this is where you add them. Squish them in between the pieces of dough.)<br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>3. Put butter and brown sugar in a bowl and microwave 30 seconds, or until almost melted. Remove from microwave and stir until all butter is melted. Pour mixture evenly over layer of sugary biscuit pieces.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>4. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, until center no longer appears doughy. Let cool for 10 minutes. Consume.</i><br />
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<b><i>Full Batch</i></b><br />
<i>1/2 Cup Sugar</i><br />
<i>1 teaspoon Cinnamon</i><br />
<i>2 Cans Biscuits</i><br />
<i>1/2 Cup Nuts and 1/2 Cup Raisins</i><br />
<i>1 Cup Brown Sugar</i><br />
<i>3/4 Cup Unsalted Butter</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
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<i>1. Follow the same directions as above, but you can use a fluted tube pan instead of an 8x8. Whichever pan you use, you'll be making two layers instead of one of sugary biscuit pieces, and baking for 30 minutes instead of 20.</i><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-54413513023441853532012-05-04T23:51:00.001-07:002012-05-04T23:51:02.968-07:00Magnolia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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You've heard of the place, right? The famed Magnolia Bakery that Carrie hit up frequently in SATC?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPz1s9vpdtf9cz1mx0G0CnsXdfZqZIsCEprorCocRI4c9Tkf1dnh3aEELL22nUnmZTknb5LhJryQADE2xze5oJjhLKK9TLBgxcr7hr_8RV97fmUDhcyg0nbBxQZEG_EtVfnVhECwqF6U/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPz1s9vpdtf9cz1mx0G0CnsXdfZqZIsCEprorCocRI4c9Tkf1dnh3aEELL22nUnmZTknb5LhJryQADE2xze5oJjhLKK9TLBgxcr7hr_8RV97fmUDhcyg0nbBxQZEG_EtVfnVhECwqF6U/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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And you've heard of their banana pudding, right?</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2U_njrPTaK483o2s2XZMSZJw8tj231JagoE6AGADwZ3G4vSG9fbSfEX8L29dxWwwU7MFuY8fZUN7sJ_P5J47u-yti6mqXTgkf8X0YvxQrThkI60jGeazHQtAhGsHoOHb_ZF8RFscLcc/s1600/Banana+Pudding.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2U_njrPTaK483o2s2XZMSZJw8tj231JagoE6AGADwZ3G4vSG9fbSfEX8L29dxWwwU7MFuY8fZUN7sJ_P5J47u-yti6mqXTgkf8X0YvxQrThkI60jGeazHQtAhGsHoOHb_ZF8RFscLcc/s200/Banana+Pudding.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Well I'm making it. Right now. The first step is in the fridge ready to chill overnight. And tomorrow I will make the guests at my Cinco Fiesta muy muy satisfechos.<br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-24276987553431841932012-04-29T23:23:00.000-07:002012-05-07T15:34:02.105-07:00C x 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6LiNO-3AoNC-rP0fvJNnrybCDLXJL-k0Y_yUPB31rS5Q3AjoRwHh2VW-xGIC44RftRZuDUDaio0sZu3arsxOj7myB7KCyx21eWGKzzWJbaJ3ZbXkPn3hLCbX4uWE9JUbxaFHKgjIXUY/s1600/IMG_0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6LiNO-3AoNC-rP0fvJNnrybCDLXJL-k0Y_yUPB31rS5Q3AjoRwHh2VW-xGIC44RftRZuDUDaio0sZu3arsxOj7myB7KCyx21eWGKzzWJbaJ3ZbXkPn3hLCbX4uWE9JUbxaFHKgjIXUY/s320/IMG_0675.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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C x 5. Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. Yep. Made these for a birthday party, took the leftovers to set the next day (never hurts to win over a director with a cupcake), and left the extra frosting in the fridge for myself.<br />
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Here's what you'll need:<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTsAdo7912DZ0lCgcMmQSDXiChwGWe9aGA_RwN6KH6uE3L_0UpYw3K4OoEjXBO2n-yjkEo6jBzDO5RbdWD9lKh9spmSw58HTbSQ3QgtcolVnzYXPDNw-OhE8URL1nNRKw7gruSYKKy5w/s1600/IMG_0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTsAdo7912DZ0lCgcMmQSDXiChwGWe9aGA_RwN6KH6uE3L_0UpYw3K4OoEjXBO2n-yjkEo6jBzDO5RbdWD9lKh9spmSw58HTbSQ3QgtcolVnzYXPDNw-OhE8URL1nNRKw7gruSYKKy5w/s200/IMG_0640.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all those grated carrots!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>The Cupcake</b> (makes 24)<br />
<i>1 Cup Brown Sugar</i><br />
<i>1 Cup White Sugar</i><br />
<i>1 Cup Canola or Vegetable Oil</i><br />
<i>4 Eggs</i><br />
<i>2 Cups Flour</i><br />
<i>2 teaspoons Baking Soda</i><br />
<i>2 teaspoons Baking Powder</i><br />
<i>1 teaspoon Salt</i><br />
<i>2 teaspoons Cinnamon</i><br />
<i>1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg</i><br />
<i>3 Cups Grated Carrot (use the fine grating side)</i><br />
<i>16oz Crushed Pineapple, drained</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Line muffin tins with paper cups.</i><br />
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<i>2. Beat sugars, oil and eggs until well blended. Add in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix well, once again. Really, I'm never going to tell you not to mix well, unless you're making a pie crust. Add carrot and pineapple and mix well.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>3. Fill muffin cups almost full. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.</i><br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZHziNNZle6ddj0jWkheo3BpGvMefj6xFwmnRAMKeD2BjYqn14w8-mT7_d83N6tzIn2PZhw6MjnHFVrkwY0nLKBXOUPo_rkBqTaTLG4TQ8ZwcslQFezYwLMXZqiHq-OLHl6rK8WhxSmw/s1600/IMG_0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></i></div>
<i><br /></i><br />
<b>The Frosting</b><br />
<i>16oz Cream Cheese</i><br />
<i>1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, room temp</i><br />
<i>1 3/4 Cups Powdered Sugar</i><br />
<i>1 teaspoon Vanilla</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>1. Put everything in a mixer and blend to your heart's desire. Yeah. It's that easy.</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRpYMzJI-3URbu-RkpHi0vGbE56VbRC4Xrzuc_LR0Iq2p028htPgN083ZMN7bq0YpaoHscqjdDdejjuKLyyxMVJ-BgA8yc_azXIXDXONOop413INZRpjtQzGpwgiVXJzVHb21LyQY0Vo/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRpYMzJI-3URbu-RkpHi0vGbE56VbRC4Xrzuc_LR0Iq2p028htPgN083ZMN7bq0YpaoHscqjdDdejjuKLyyxMVJ-BgA8yc_azXIXDXONOop413INZRpjtQzGpwgiVXJzVHb21LyQY0Vo/s320/IMG_0646.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creepy cupcakes at the birthday bonfire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_zcUDiNQ0awkpD2zqBz24LtUaSXN_d8C9iH77u6yb5wTIVsnVcREilDH2yYkuuT_J0w0vmHQajPZqHKchWNWjLsiNqUUBGSkalvPL_XZ5GN2jYJkAqZIuNRbZnynbRAy7nUWMykd2Wo/s1600/IMG_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_zcUDiNQ0awkpD2zqBz24LtUaSXN_d8C9iH77u6yb5wTIVsnVcREilDH2yYkuuT_J0w0vmHQajPZqHKchWNWjLsiNqUUBGSkalvPL_XZ5GN2jYJkAqZIuNRbZnynbRAy7nUWMykd2Wo/s320/IMG_0651.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Less creepy cupcakes, once I've adjusted the light setting<br />
on my camera.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZHziNNZle6ddj0jWkheo3BpGvMefj6xFwmnRAMKeD2BjYqn14w8-mT7_d83N6tzIn2PZhw6MjnHFVrkwY0nLKBXOUPo_rkBqTaTLG4TQ8ZwcslQFezYwLMXZqiHq-OLHl6rK8WhxSmw/s1600/IMG_0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZHziNNZle6ddj0jWkheo3BpGvMefj6xFwmnRAMKeD2BjYqn14w8-mT7_d83N6tzIn2PZhw6MjnHFVrkwY0nLKBXOUPo_rkBqTaTLG4TQ8ZwcslQFezYwLMXZqiHq-OLHl6rK8WhxSmw/s320/IMG_0642.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And if you have extra batter...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwy_ndWBQkWG4Jx5J_51KMTy5JatjqmB999uwOQv0NZxHNkuzplwXR-BP9_jL0dGrhpV4rQyUzmTk5RoeBI7oXYq-wYxDelkf7C4GoV-O9WAVG75NbgKxwM9k7DDuqoNKD0RP2FoQlvFA/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwy_ndWBQkWG4Jx5J_51KMTy5JatjqmB999uwOQv0NZxHNkuzplwXR-BP9_jL0dGrhpV4rQyUzmTk5RoeBI7oXYq-wYxDelkf7C4GoV-O9WAVG75NbgKxwM9k7DDuqoNKD0RP2FoQlvFA/s320/IMG_0643.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...fill up a ramekin or two for mini cakes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-48797690395135726102012-04-25T15:57:00.000-07:002012-05-07T15:33:16.107-07:00Pinterest and Pumpkins<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So I realized I haven't posted in three months. Apparently I have run out of time and money to bake things all the time. Don't you worry, I will continue baking things and posting about them (coming up I'm baking for a birthday Friday, a film Saturday, and an engagement party the following week), however I think I'm going to turn this blog into more of my very own pinterest board. Because I refuse to join actual Pinterest. Because if I joined I guarantee you I would get zero things done with my day. That way I'll actually post things even when I don't have time to bake things. So I will be finding things I want to bake, or think you should bake, and putting them up here, along with ways I think those recipes could be altered, and the occasional witty commentary on said recipes.</div>
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For now, here is a cake I forgot to post during the holidays. Pumpkin Dump Cake. File it away for next Thanksgiving or Christmas, unless you like eating pumpkin desserts year round. And for that I would not blame you.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjIiAn-2g8nGysFC6QN-GK53MuQ_cwVKscy3XuhnDzwgKFn0-0K_KNzJlsfPwh-A-t4Nss0rNBjKrMjvy6WgiuCXrKPwKYAAZ3VlzidGe52nvvqwZ1jMJC3rab-T_n-cSgLCnm53_P5U/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjIiAn-2g8nGysFC6QN-GK53MuQ_cwVKscy3XuhnDzwgKFn0-0K_KNzJlsfPwh-A-t4Nss0rNBjKrMjvy6WgiuCXrKPwKYAAZ3VlzidGe52nvvqwZ1jMJC3rab-T_n-cSgLCnm53_P5U/s400/IMG_0085.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The only photo I took. We ate it too quickly/I was baking</div>
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a million things so forgot to take out my camera in the kitchen.</div>
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Excuses, excuses, I know.</div>
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Who wants to start a petition to change the name of dump cakes?</div>
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I get that it's called that because you just dump all the ingredients in, but I think it makes the whole dish sound very unappetizing, when in fact it's very delicious. Thank you <a href="http://www.cookiesandcups.com/">Cookies and Cups</a> for the introduction to this lovely dish. I've listed recipes for both a 9x13" and 8x8" version, depending on how hungry you are. You're basically halving the recipe, but not quite for all the ingredients, so I listed it so you don't worry. I've baked both versions. They both work. Promise.</div>
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Here's what you'll need:</div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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<b><i>The 9"x13"</i></b></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>15 oz Pumpkin Puree</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>10oz Evaporated Milk</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>1 C Brown Sugar</i></div>
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<i>3 Eggs</i></div>
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<i>3 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (or a mix of cinnamon, ginger, )</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>1 box yellow cake mix</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>1 Cup unsalted butter, melted</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>1 Cup coarsely crushed graham crackers</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>1/2 Cup Toffee bits</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9x13 pan lightly with cooking spray. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>2. Combine pumpkin, milk, sugar, eggs and spices in a bowl and mix until well combined. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkly entire box of cake mix on top, followed by graham crackers and toffee chips. Pour melted butter evenly on top. </i></div>
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<i>3. Bake 45-50 minutes until center is set and edges are lightly browned.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><i>The 8"x8"</i></b></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>8 oz Pumpkin Puree</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>5 oz Evaporate Milk</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>1/2 Cup Brown Sugar</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>2 Eggs</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>1 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice</i></div>
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<i>1/2 box yellow cake mix</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, melted</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>1/2 Cup coarsely crushed Graham Cracker Crumbs</i></div>
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<i>1/4 Cup Toffee Bits</i></div>
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<i>1. Follow all the directions listed above.</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6124749273563344489">Print Page</a><a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-6951644815519686712012-01-02T16:28:00.000-08:002012-01-02T16:28:27.442-08:00New Favorite ThingThe<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/seasonalingredientmap"> seasonal ingredient map</a> at Epicurious: pick the month and state you're in and immediately know what produce is in season. Use it. Eat seasonally. Be happy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/seasonalingredientmap"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-48brmDj1qdQ/TwJLYWnWc4I/AAAAAAAAA3k/Z-rpTs4UK8E/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-01-02+at+4.26.17+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Print PageUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-79426445490000335692011-12-18T23:29:00.000-08:002011-12-19T00:10:02.664-08:00Lemon Shortbread Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36Yaph-HyWI2KLyXwqfsBTqlRIBxQbaJB8VLG-ahX4SBDd2GBZWmz2oC2U7otdTIqB4cwDw8xAj0aR2xuLGgu0n7E9PI-k9eSqGd8qdcnl121YTXiUoXVlRtISKqgeKYVSkVIwbWrHpg/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36Yaph-HyWI2KLyXwqfsBTqlRIBxQbaJB8VLG-ahX4SBDd2GBZWmz2oC2U7otdTIqB4cwDw8xAj0aR2xuLGgu0n7E9PI-k9eSqGd8qdcnl121YTXiUoXVlRtISKqgeKYVSkVIwbWrHpg/s200/IMG_0020.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
More from Bon Appetit, this magazine is seriously making me happy this holiday season. No story here, just saw the recipe for Lemony Slice-and-Bakes and wanted to make 'em. Oh, and I finally got a new camera, so enjoy the photos. Also, these tasted like shortbread to me, and I like people to know what they're getting, so I renamed them Lemon Shortbread Cookies.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
Here's what you'll need:<br />
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<i>2 1/2 Cups Flour</i><br />
<i>1/2 tsp Salt</i><br />
<i>1 Cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature</i><br />
<i>3/4 Cup Sugar</i><br />
<i>2 Tbs finely grated Lemon Zest</i><br />
<i>1 tsp Vanilla Extract</i><br />
<i>4 Egg Yolks</i><br />
<br />
<i>1. Whisk flour and salt in a medium bowl. In a mixer, beat butter, sugar, lemon zest and vanilla, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg yolks, beating just to blend. WIth mixer on low speed, add flour mixture and beat just until blended, scraping down sides as necessary.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>2. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 10-inch long log, about 1 3/4" in diameter. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, about one hour. (You can make the dough a few days ahead of time; if tightly wrapped in plastic, it keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week.)</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIeGcbFJ-8q1oyKRdzYFewtziMhtUejkDCnfy_AOo5coWLBIR3TuNWWksBliy-bkPxOY9X9Kj1CtxxoynJcwFPQHQSYAp09nCmv1CU1DHBScAujR3PlBa26pa10cSDblYml0a9UNn7w0/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIeGcbFJ-8q1oyKRdzYFewtziMhtUejkDCnfy_AOo5coWLBIR3TuNWWksBliy-bkPxOY9X9Kj1CtxxoynJcwFPQHQSYAp09nCmv1CU1DHBScAujR3PlBa26pa10cSDblYml0a9UNn7w0/s200/IMG_0013.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<i>3. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap dough logs and slice into 1/4"-thick rounds. (Use a sharp knife, warm the blade by running it under hot water or setting it near your pre-heating oven.) Place on prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Bake at 350 for 16-18 minutes, until cookies are firm and edges are just starting to turn golden brown. Remove from oven, cool on baking sheets for 1 minute, then transfer to cooling racks.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT15ZMjeUcmcMP5OCgTw2bOxonxIxGeJsyD47VOTbIVkzZfi4Rygspw2AmzVbc_2bbn5d6t5ssiNIuIYVJmr2stcoWA0OEjEpBtGAUhVhRvWnOFuEDm4Bn3wyuyyVcCbi42GhBM14FoDY/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT15ZMjeUcmcMP5OCgTw2bOxonxIxGeJsyD47VOTbIVkzZfi4Rygspw2AmzVbc_2bbn5d6t5ssiNIuIYVJmr2stcoWA0OEjEpBtGAUhVhRvWnOFuEDm4Bn3wyuyyVcCbi42GhBM14FoDY/s320/IMG_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>4. Optional: Make a lemony icing. Whisk 3/4 Cup Powdered Sugar and 2 Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice until blended, adding more lemon juice if necessary. If you're in the holiday spirit, add a couple drops of red or green food coloring to the mix. Spread, drizzle or pipe the icing over the cookies and let stand for about 10 minutes until icing sets.</i><br />
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-7758354773065057402011-12-13T18:03:00.000-08:002011-12-13T18:03:17.292-08:00Sometimes you just need to bake.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8Gn2vK4PjfuPaqdNNONPiAzETXejebqgFRBF9nobbiKmn90pWEjUU63Vrz6DdeOCrGT9jrhK6jQQlq2ftzNWXEmvSZmIpQYtQpuu52a9Nenf-pEMy55tbNJNEQ1CBl_kOA3hnp7bS8U/s1600/IMG00348-20111212-2336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8Gn2vK4PjfuPaqdNNONPiAzETXejebqgFRBF9nobbiKmn90pWEjUU63Vrz6DdeOCrGT9jrhK6jQQlq2ftzNWXEmvSZmIpQYtQpuu52a9Nenf-pEMy55tbNJNEQ1CBl_kOA3hnp7bS8U/s200/IMG00348-20111212-2336.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This post will eventually be<br />about these cookies.</td></tr>
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I drive a 1997 VW Jetta. I love this little car, but this little car should probably not be on the road anymore. My little bank account, however, is just that. Little. So the Jetta remains. She's been relatively good to me; expensive repairs, yes, but no breakdowns on the side of the road leaving me stranded.<br />
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Until last night.<br />
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Los Angeles is a warm place, in case you haven't heard, but on the first night that made it evident it's actually winter, my car oil pressure light started blinking at me and making loud noises out of the blue. So I pulled over, read what that meant in my manual, waited 10 minutes for the engine to cool down, then checked the oil to find that there was none.<br />
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So I called a tow truck. Even though my mechanic was only 4 blocks away. Can't drive without oil.<br />
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Cut to two hours later and I'm still waiting in the dark, can't feel my toes, and am listening to "Let It Be" on hold trying to figure out where the tow truck is. Note to tow truck companies: People calling you are probably not in the brightest state of mind. Playing music that tends to be tear-inducing as listeners envision the terrible riot scene in "Across the Universe," despite theoretically uplifting lyrics, is probably not your best bet.<br />
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So now that that's out in the open, I eventually made it home, three hours after pulling off to the side of the road, and decided I needed to make cookies. Cookies make the house smell good, cookies make me feel like I am useful when my circumstances render me useless, and cookie dough is just about the most delicious thing in the world.<br />
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So I made cookies.<br />
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Then I delivered some to my commercial agency this morning which made them incredibly happy (happy agent=happy actor) because I was the first actor to bring by a gift. I'm sure by the end of the week they'll have many more, but it certainly doesn't hurt to be the first. <br />
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And now I feel much better than I felt last night.<br />
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Oh, wait, this is a baking blog. I guess I should tell you what I baked. Chewy Ginger Cookies. This is the gingeryest cookie I've ever had, probably on account of the fresh grated ginger in there, and is an absolutely perfect holiday cookie. Thank you to <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/">Bon Appetit</a> for making my day (and my agent's and my coworkers' and my roommates') with this recipe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb9P7zKprIVVUl_w1LfTC2kMAFc5ZtdVuRQaf9LfJuyeI215IIoxGz1RU3rhnnfTcwgbJsB_I_vPye9pVe3PL8T9Mtpw0b9mpBGpY_EGKXx4p3u6ZXHBuS_daNloAP__-7EQbctieOuw/s1600/IMG00347-20111212-2334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb9P7zKprIVVUl_w1LfTC2kMAFc5ZtdVuRQaf9LfJuyeI215IIoxGz1RU3rhnnfTcwgbJsB_I_vPye9pVe3PL8T9Mtpw0b9mpBGpY_EGKXx4p3u6ZXHBuS_daNloAP__-7EQbctieOuw/s200/IMG00347-20111212-2334.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, now it's cookie time.</td></tr>
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<i>Here's what you'll need:</i><br />
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<i>2 1/4 Cups Flour</i><br />
<i>2 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger</i><br />
<i>1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda</i><br />
<i>1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon</i><br />
<i>1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg</i><br />
<i>1/2 tsp Salt</i><br />
<i>1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper </i>(Yep. Pepper in a cookie.)<br />
<i>3/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar, packed</i><br />
<i>1/2 Cup Vegetable Shortening </i>(I don't like shortening. I'll excuse it this once. So frickin' delicious.)<br />
<i>1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature</i><br />
<i>1 Egg</i><br />
<i>1/2 Cup Molasses </i>(Apparently there's this really good stuff, blackstrap robust molasses, I think any molasses will work. I used what I had in my cupboard.)<br />
<i>2 tsp Finely Grated Peeled Ginger</i><br />
<i>1 tsp Vanilla Extract</i><br />
<i>1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Crystalized Ginger</i><br />
<i>1 Cup Raw or Sanding Sugar</i><br />
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<i>1. Arrange oven racks on upper and lower thirds of oven. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Line four baking sheets with parchment paper.</i><br />
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<i>2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Using an electric mixer, beat brown sugar, shortening and butter in a large bowl on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy, periodically scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. With mixer on low speed, add in egg, molasses, grated ginger and vanilla. Mix until blended. Add flour mixture slowly, beating just to blend. Mix in crystalized ginger.</i><br />
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<i>3. Place raw sugar in a shallow bowl </i>(I used a pie tin)<i>. Scoop cookie dough by the tablespoon-full into raw sugar, rolling dough into balls and coating evenly with the sugar.</i><br />
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<i>4. Place coated cookie dough balls on prepared baking sheets, 1 1/2" - 2" apart </i>(This is important. They spread out. I didn't listen to this advice on my first batch, trying to fit all the cookies on two cookie sheets, and they baked unevenly. So listen to the advice.)<i> Bake at 350 for 12 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are firm and centers of cookies appear cracked. Remove from oven, let cool on cookie sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer cookies to cooling racks.</i><br />
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And now, for a photographic journey through the making of this cookie. AKA Dear Santa, Please bring me a nice new camera for Christmas so people don't have to suffer through blurry blackberry photos anymore. AKA Dear Blackberry, Please make your photos as awesome as those of an iPhone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0m9iyOsk29J8j_zGPC6GdKMZpl8TxsrwUh7mFcxHp4HVjZFl24pu4WF2Ui1gDzcUDEBr7Lkk294dzBxodlwdm4hGQIv3Hw6wfokzG_x0dxuR_OvLP38D25e31vm9ANjY44DnGnUfKRY/s1600/IMG00340-20111212-2200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0m9iyOsk29J8j_zGPC6GdKMZpl8TxsrwUh7mFcxHp4HVjZFl24pu4WF2Ui1gDzcUDEBr7Lkk294dzBxodlwdm4hGQIv3Hw6wfokzG_x0dxuR_OvLP38D25e31vm9ANjY44DnGnUfKRY/s200/IMG00340-20111212-2200.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a ginger root. <br />You'll need about as much as that<br />smaller piece on the bottom.<br />Peeled and grated.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dgJzjxAL3UTkmJvCihdw5qFR6IZ_wUMbJNNYT28Xz4adL4KYt-WT7TtHBPYv3sNUxwTpxlgRL5xd3MBTgobNR0RMYXTkjXJxFMajjty6z_7i5Hwel9QUOcyYQqfzo9lqArzd9nr4W_c/s1600/IMG00341-20111212-2211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dgJzjxAL3UTkmJvCihdw5qFR6IZ_wUMbJNNYT28Xz4adL4KYt-WT7TtHBPYv3sNUxwTpxlgRL5xd3MBTgobNR0RMYXTkjXJxFMajjty6z_7i5Hwel9QUOcyYQqfzo9lqArzd9nr4W_c/s200/IMG00341-20111212-2211.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look! There's pepper in the cookie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuP-9nfOlUU6Vg36Yq6J0GgRwegpDFhCDh0e-k06avw_V6nvtp8TWo3Csg7MDJd5emkOwFYgv0fvM1_jhA1eBUcpmS49vWG_vyqhKxm-6pBQkWBOekl59FyM72NnMDvuJmqfVIIZZFuM/s1600/IMG00343-20111212-2220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuP-9nfOlUU6Vg36Yq6J0GgRwegpDFhCDh0e-k06avw_V6nvtp8TWo3Csg7MDJd5emkOwFYgv0fvM1_jhA1eBUcpmS49vWG_vyqhKxm-6pBQkWBOekl59FyM72NnMDvuJmqfVIIZZFuM/s200/IMG00343-20111212-2220.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful butter and sugar.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ubnEuTxxICOogo6glBEF8n-x0DHOfqQVA_mBfep3pSfmHoWFVCtDj4v0CvW1NuE2UE_BF6ReWdTfc94nu73RltLEbzlPhgeLYbL6U2wBRvnLDb2b1b4kvy0bBpTMHSnJtnZsl0mZt4o/s1600/IMG00344-20111212-2227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ubnEuTxxICOogo6glBEF8n-x0DHOfqQVA_mBfep3pSfmHoWFVCtDj4v0CvW1NuE2UE_BF6ReWdTfc94nu73RltLEbzlPhgeLYbL6U2wBRvnLDb2b1b4kvy0bBpTMHSnJtnZsl0mZt4o/s200/IMG00344-20111212-2227.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After adding the dry ingredients.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa_RbAkuGLbAChSJwkIUX-V6zYefcuikPEZhVdlrH6W-jX9ZYvlsxzxZWhigeGBbF1vSfpNhHhEyZgQRlWKHPlH-CwbF_HlBB-iVSiB3F35hubfYW9xFPSFCizZkLzzyCcJIXDPCmz9Y/s1600/IMG00342-20111212-2216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa_RbAkuGLbAChSJwkIUX-V6zYefcuikPEZhVdlrH6W-jX9ZYvlsxzxZWhigeGBbF1vSfpNhHhEyZgQRlWKHPlH-CwbF_HlBB-iVSiB3F35hubfYW9xFPSFCizZkLzzyCcJIXDPCmz9Y/s200/IMG00342-20111212-2216.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is crystalized ginger.<br />I put these chunks in a plastic bag<br />and smashed them up.<br />You can also dice with a knife.<br />But smashing is fun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_bfslPPelgrzIcr-OoDamtXFxqBnzz10ApHjEdeCVw2lP7x5KzC331Ag4xb2lJ2-MqXVOotk3Yfwne3Wqhu-zBJXBKEdRubv73uDDyvxPJsaz6yoChxf4fj88DoQ3wDLFYa9kFslvco/s1600/IMG00345-20111212-2230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_bfslPPelgrzIcr-OoDamtXFxqBnzz10ApHjEdeCVw2lP7x5KzC331Ag4xb2lJ2-MqXVOotk3Yfwne3Wqhu-zBJXBKEdRubv73uDDyvxPJsaz6yoChxf4fj88DoQ3wDLFYa9kFslvco/s200/IMG00345-20111212-2230.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roll, roll, roll in the sugar.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx9IR0EIiglA9P2dVx3JJTsJbvr0Z5dbXWbKJokhcUJmWDcy6OhXHVw7U0q7oP7mFwiDoSyP6uhAAKRPJFALigFxe2aBi2yeExAxRae3DlcdBgFxw_DWlYjGejs5IAOTjWnowvSdB6nQ/s1600/IMG00346-20111212-2245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx9IR0EIiglA9P2dVx3JJTsJbvr0Z5dbXWbKJokhcUJmWDcy6OhXHVw7U0q7oP7mFwiDoSyP6uhAAKRPJFALigFxe2aBi2yeExAxRae3DlcdBgFxw_DWlYjGejs5IAOTjWnowvSdB6nQ/s200/IMG00346-20111212-2245.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please space your cookies out<br />more than I did.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb9P7zKprIVVUl_w1LfTC2kMAFc5ZtdVuRQaf9LfJuyeI215IIoxGz1RU3rhnnfTcwgbJsB_I_vPye9pVe3PL8T9Mtpw0b9mpBGpY_EGKXx4p3u6ZXHBuS_daNloAP__-7EQbctieOuw/s1600/IMG00347-20111212-2334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb9P7zKprIVVUl_w1LfTC2kMAFc5ZtdVuRQaf9LfJuyeI215IIoxGz1RU3rhnnfTcwgbJsB_I_vPye9pVe3PL8T9Mtpw0b9mpBGpY_EGKXx4p3u6ZXHBuS_daNloAP__-7EQbctieOuw/s200/IMG00347-20111212-2334.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasn't me.</td></tr>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-44060269234942118872011-12-06T17:18:00.001-08:002011-12-06T17:34:08.801-08:00Natalie wanted these (aka Merengue Gone Wrong)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnabjX_agDsrOkUBV7v_iysmaw2EvelExyxUW3Hy42Jx_X8iy0IXkGIN0lsoa92w3-fVHtnWsqYUxoxEPBp1Zwk92du5RtkU0WkhQ6wAtCfIOc2nR7YqGGKuLOXvBrwXT5fYRLJ2BkQA/s1600/IMG00325-20111203-2345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnabjX_agDsrOkUBV7v_iysmaw2EvelExyxUW3Hy42Jx_X8iy0IXkGIN0lsoa92w3-fVHtnWsqYUxoxEPBp1Zwk92du5RtkU0WkhQ6wAtCfIOc2nR7YqGGKuLOXvBrwXT5fYRLJ2BkQA/s200/IMG00325-20111203-2345.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The odd cookies beginning to<br />disappear.</td></tr>
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I'm not a fan of nuts in desserts, but when my roommate Natalie asked me to make her <a href="http://nymag.com/restaurants/recipes/inseason/45991/">these</a> for our giant holiday party this weekend, I said yes. Then she told me she doesn't like nuts in desserts either, and I changed my yes to an emphatic yes. So it's time to try a new chocolate recipe. Don't be confused by how not-cookie-like the dough is, or how not-cookie-like the result is. Regardless, Natalie and everyone else at my place last weekend love them! It's pretty much a merengue gone wrong, since you aren't aerating the egg whites, so yeah, I think I'm going to call these Chocolate Merengue Cookies.</div>
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Here's what you'll need:</div>
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<i>3 Cups Powdered Sugar</i></div>
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<i>1/2 Cup plus 3 Tbs Unsweetened Cocoa Powder </i>(Original recipe said Dutch Processed, I used Hershey's Unsweetened Cocoa and they turned out just fine. Just don't go using some grocery store generic brand cocoa.)</div>
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<i>1/4 tsp Salt</i></div>
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<i>4 Egg Whites, room temperature</i></div>
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<i>1 Tbs Vanilla Extract</i></div>
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<i>1. Preheat oven to 320 Degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Grease the parchment with cooking spray or butter.</i></div>
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<i>2. In a large bowl, whisk sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Slowly add the egg whits and vanilla while whisking, mixing just until batter is moistened. Once the batter starts turning a little stiff, you're done.</i></div>
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<i>3. Spoon batter onto baking sheets (should make about 24 cookies). Bake at 320 for 14-16 minutes, until the tops are glossy and lightly cracked, like a shiny old sidewalk. If it looks like the cookies aren't baking evenly, swap the cookie sheets' oven positioning halfway through baking. When finished, slide the parchment paper (with the cookies on top) onto wire racks to cool. Let cookies cool completely before removing from parchment paper.</i></div>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6124749273563344489.post-237953771478002402011-12-05T21:44:00.001-08:002011-12-05T22:00:53.746-08:00Waffles sans Bisquick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByDWhzK5yk078q7EQ91LTGc5UFsGJaMeB0szX8vrdXaH4D1gru3jbZ3Jrn4Wl9q4DMFIyKnbeGRSmwtAFDYxURzsglCw5YYMjaqXq_NkEq2y1rnCHvQThz1Icul9mC9sBGs7U3OyS1B4/s1600/IMG00333-20111205-1932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByDWhzK5yk078q7EQ91LTGc5UFsGJaMeB0szX8vrdXaH4D1gru3jbZ3Jrn4Wl9q4DMFIyKnbeGRSmwtAFDYxURzsglCw5YYMjaqXq_NkEq2y1rnCHvQThz1Icul9mC9sBGs7U3OyS1B4/s320/IMG00333-20111205-1932.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
If you can't tell by now, I like to bake from scratch. But one thing I have never done from scratch is waffles and pancakes. Bisquick is just so easy! And when I'm in my gluten free mode, Bob's Red Mill has an amazing gluten free mix as well! But you know what happened tonight? We had a breakfast for dinner potluck, and I said I'd make the waffles. Low and behold, I was all out of mix. So I made 'em from scratch. And I now have no idea why I haven't done this before because it is ridiculously easy.<br />
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Here's what you'll need:<br />
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<i>1 1/2 Cups Flour</i><br />
<i>1 tsp Baking Powder</i><br />
<i>1/2 tsp Salt</i><br />
<i>2 Eggs, separated</i><br />
<i>1 Cup Milk (any kind, I used Almond since I'm a no-dairy queen)</i><br />
<i>1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter, melted</i><br />
<i>1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract</i><br />
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<i>1. Preheat your waffle iron.</i><br />
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<i>2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, milk, melted butter and vanilla extract. Add to flour mixture and stir until well combined. (Batter will be stiff.) In a small bowl, whip egg whites until peaks form, about two minutes. Gently fold egg whites into batter.*</i><br />
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<i>3. Scoop some batter onto your waffle iron and cook. My waffle iron makes 6-inch waffles and this recipe made 5 waffles, so you'll probably make somewhere from 4-6 waffles, too.</i><br />
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*If you don't want to go to the effort of whipping the egg whites, you can stir the eggs in whole, but you'll end up with a much more dense waffle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcrpZoF0KUPzbNmh5kEg364xHAyDtjHhGz9JycMF8oSIqdtZ845uIysHiFJvpjg1r5ZpYaY-YqwYCldw3KAZO70DK717AFp79FsaERJ8ultm0QuE9757hFe7rCgQStwNY96fBRTMrz7Y/s1600/IMG00328-20111205-1852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcrpZoF0KUPzbNmh5kEg364xHAyDtjHhGz9JycMF8oSIqdtZ845uIysHiFJvpjg1r5ZpYaY-YqwYCldw3KAZO70DK717AFp79FsaERJ8ultm0QuE9757hFe7rCgQStwNY96fBRTMrz7Y/s200/IMG00328-20111205-1852.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dry ingredients.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wet ingredients.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put 'em together.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFYtIHYQI57Mu2Qf1y1KwdHAKvUkFx-ebDpH-MW5j_rLGPHaAfz0yfHARI_0xqX-SzqTCc0CSGqDIVOw9YrXNsFA2yuzJx6vpgHyLCdAaD4kto_hzxdBHP4Yh6TcfpwZOOjOOawcboLw/s1600/IMG00331-20111205-1857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFYtIHYQI57Mu2Qf1y1KwdHAKvUkFx-ebDpH-MW5j_rLGPHaAfz0yfHARI_0xqX-SzqTCc0CSGqDIVOw9YrXNsFA2yuzJx6vpgHyLCdAaD4kto_hzxdBHP4Yh6TcfpwZOOjOOawcboLw/s200/IMG00331-20111205-1857.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whip up some whites and fold 'em in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pour batter on iron.</td></tr>
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<a href="javascript:window.print()">Print Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0