tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42262566520949993252024-03-13T23:10:25.077-05:00Butter Cream & Sugara real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-9029765866489762702009-11-23T08:53:00.003-06:002009-11-23T09:35:51.544-06:00Thanksgiving is Here!Happy Thanksgiving Week!<br /><br />I wil begin by letting you know that the USB ports on my computer are shot and I cannot download/upload/whatever the photos on my computer. So I will have to be creative about my post so that you are not bored to death with out my gorgeous (cough, giggle) photos that I usually fill the page with.<br /><br />Maybe Santa will bring me a new computer? A girl can dream can't she? Well, if he reads my blog I want him to know that I want one of those adorable(and unexpensive) tiny web books that I can carry in my purse. They are perfect for me. Not too complicated. I will own that computers are not my thing...the kitchen, that is my thing.<br /><br />As you might have guessed Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday. Halloween being number one, of course! Thanksgiving is all about food and I am all about food...a perfect match!<br /><br />I tried my hand a cooking a spatchcocked turkey yesterday. For those of you who dont know: spatchcocked means that I removed the backbone and laid the fowl flat out on a baking sheet to cook. [I borrowed this photo from <a href="http://retorte.blogspot.com/2009/10/magazine-monday-52-spatchcocked-chicken.html">Retorte</a>.] I LOVE this method. I will never again cook a big rounded bird in my oven.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://retorte.blogspot.com/2009/10/magazine-monday-52-spatchcocked-chicken.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SwqlN7iKWTI/AAAAAAAAAWM/rnkwNLEmIyY/s400/Fully+Spatchcocked.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407315961349560626" border="0" /></a>12 lbs took slightly over an hour and it was perfect. So juicy and not at all sawdust like in texture. I am ready for Thursday! 20 lbs of turkey bliss!<br /><br />I am also making a potato gratin. YUM! Purple potatoes, russets and a smoky oak flavored cheddar cheese...I am salivating and it is only Monday. As to not elude the goal of this holiday and engage in full force gluttony I am also preparing sweet potatoes slow cooked in whisky, molasses and butter. To appease the Thanksgiving gods I made vanilla bean marshmallows to top these beauties. It is the tradition that just won't die. It is not so bad really, but there are so many other ways to prepare sweet potatoes that are more palatable. OH, well. Tradition it is.<br /><br />Green bean casserole..check. An embarrassment to great cooks everywhere...but I will own the fact that is just wouldn't be thanksgiving without it.<br /><br />Pull apart clover rolls....check. Making these beauties myself. I love to make bread. (and eat bread)<br /><br />Cornbread dressing...check. Less is more here, simple is best. No fancy additives for me. <br /><br />As for the sweets...I can't decide. My father in law requires a pecan pie, so that makes one part of the decision. My stomach gets so excited and filled with butterflies about all the possibilities and I cannot make a decision. More pie? A cake? Some bread pudding perhaps? Delicate cookies? Hearty cookies? Cup cakes? Mousse? Cheesecake? What the hell..gluttony here we come...<br /><br />Pecan pie<br />Pumpkin cheese cake<br />Bread pudding with whisky sauce, of course!<br />Cranberry Snickerdoodles<br />Tiny chocolate silk pies<br />Lace cookies filled with cranberry mousse<br /><br />Problem solved!<br /><br />I had better get to cleaning the house. Thanksgiving would be no fun with out stay over guests and they like to have a place to sleep. So, Happy cooking! I know I will be.a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-18470909327111536432009-11-01T10:31:00.005-06:002010-01-05T12:45:18.560-06:00To dream...Ok...so, I have been worse than usual about posting.<br /><br />This post is one that will update from time to time. I am going make a running list of the kitchen tools and items that I would like to add to my life. I am doing this because I never remember the things that I want until I need them and then it is too late. This way I can keep track of things and eventually have everything I need to whip up anything I want. Ah, to dream the impossible dream...<br /><br />1. A popover pan<br />2. <span class="title3">Cast Iron Mortar & Pestle</span><br />3. A high quality pasta maker<br />4. <span class="title3">Ravioli Stamp With Ejector</span><br />5. Restaurant Style Waffle Maker<br /> 6. Heating Core for Baking Cakes<br />7. Cream Horn Molds<br />8. Bakers' Blades<br />9. Professional French Bread Pan<br />10. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">Bron</span><span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);"> Professional Stainless Mandolin</span><br />11. Small Cannele or Bordelaise Silicone Mold<br />12. Mini Florentins & Pomponettes Silicone Mold<br />13. Non-Stick Oven Liner<br />14. <span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">Candy & All-Purpose Digital Thermometer</span><br />15. 15.5 Qt. Pressure Cooker/Canner<br />16. Porcelain Egg Coddler<br />17. Traditional Single Egg Poacher<br />18. <span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">Ceramic Butter Keeper</span><br />19. <span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">Fluted Pastry Cutter</span><br />20. Pizza Peal<br />21. Large Thick Square Baking Stone<br />22. Lets Gel Chef's Mat<br />23. Smart Stick Hand Immersion Blender in Green<br />24. Roasting Pan with a nice thick bottom and crimped edges<br />25. Macajete Stone <em>(Grinding Bowl)</em>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-46699490695203156982009-08-27T18:13:00.006-05:002009-08-27T19:19:22.994-05:00Mallorcas: A Puerto Rican Treat<!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:557017942; mso-list-template-ids:98469298;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Symbol;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >I will begin by filling you in on what I have been up to.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >Last week I had a special order for a birthday.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >Kevin, the son of a woman who works with my husband, was turning two and I was commissioned for the edible portion of the celebration.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I love to make sweets for kids.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SpcfUk-VhNI/AAAAAAAAAVY/kf97nH7dShQ/s1600-h/Kevin%27s+Chocolate.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SpcfUk-VhNI/AAAAAAAAAVY/kf97nH7dShQ/s400/Kevin%27s+Chocolate.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374799118672954578" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >They can be colorful and exciting while maintaining the simple flavors that I enjoy working with most.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >As I have mentioned before I feel that food should be simple and who better to appreciate a simply delicious snack than the most truthful of patrons, a child?</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >I made one dozen each of crème filled chocolate and confetti vanilla cupcakes.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >I iced both with a vanilla butter cream and topped them with their respectively appropriate jimmies.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SpcfTzFCCKI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/AFAWLahCFi4/s1600-h/20082009-08-20_062008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SpcfTzFCCKI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/AFAWLahCFi4/s400/20082009-08-20_062008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374799105279264930" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >The birthday boy’s cupcake was special: a vanilla cake baked with black berries inside; this cake, when cut open, was a beautiful purple color and carried in it the light flavor of the berries which balanced nicely with the vanilla.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >I iced his with the butter cream also, but I topped it with fresh fruit: a cherry, a black berry, a section of navel orange and a strawberry.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >All of this was carefully guarded by a small robot, just for fun.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here is a picture of my most handsome client, Kevin Hui, enjoying his 2</span><sup style="font-family: georgia;">nd</sup><span style="font-family: georgia;"> birthday celebration:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SpcfVHbGrqI/AAAAAAAAAVg/aHHJfJvSZ9s/s1600-h/Kevin+Hui.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SpcfVHbGrqI/AAAAAAAAAVg/aHHJfJvSZ9s/s400/Kevin+Hui.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374799127920422562" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">I think we can safely say he liked it.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">In case you wondered, there were no cup cakes left over.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The real point of today’s entry is to share with you a most magnificent discovery: Mallorcas.</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SpcVflXX3ZI/AAAAAAAAAU4/QnCspqjIm0A/s1600-h/mallorca1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SpcVflXX3ZI/AAAAAAAAAU4/QnCspqjIm0A/s400/mallorca1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374788312640249234" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I was perusing </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.tastespotting.com/">Tastespotting</a></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> looking for a dose of inspiration and, as usual, I found some.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">The picture posted on the site made my mouth water, always a nice beginning.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I clicked on over to the site, </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://thenoshery.com/2009/08/19/mallorca/">thenoshery.com</a></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">, and was delighted to find a wonderful, nix that, really really wonderful post explaining the entire process beginning to end.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I am not so great at this approach.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I always forget to take pictures and then I can only show you what is should look like if you do it right.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Not always helpful, as has been pointed out to me by friends who do not cook as much as I do.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">They want more.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Well, I am here to tell you my friends, </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://thenoshery.com/2009/08/19/mallorca/">Meseidy</a></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">, at the Noshery can give you what I do not seem to be able to.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">She not only does it, she does it REALLY well.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Spcc_5SBNeI/AAAAAAAAAVI/RxsD1pLvW0g/s1600-h/mallorca2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Spcc_5SBNeI/AAAAAAAAAVI/RxsD1pLvW0g/s400/mallorca2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374796564323710434" border="0" /></a></span> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In her words: <st1:place>Mallorca</st1:place> bread is a sweet, fluffy and buttery egg bread. It is perfect to have sliced and buttered with a cup of coffee or you can also have a savory sandwich version with a slice of ham and Swiss. <em>Pan de Mallorca</em> (mallorca bread) originates from the Ensaimades bread from the Spanish <st1:place><st1:placetype>island</st1:placetype> of Majorca</st1:place>, which is why we call it <st1:place>Mallorca</st1:place>.</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Spcc_NERSZI/AAAAAAAAAVA/lQ4wJFJjbCI/s1600-h/mallorca4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Spcc_NERSZI/AAAAAAAAAVA/lQ4wJFJjbCI/s400/mallorca4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374796552454883730" border="0" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">And as well I learned a nice little bit trivia from </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/01/sunday-brunch-pan-de-mallorca.html">seriouseats.com</a></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> ... if you go to the </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place style="font-family: georgia;"><st1:placetype>island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>Mallorca</st1:placename></st1:place></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> in the </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place style="font-family: georgia;">Balearic Islands</st1:place></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> in </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:country-region style="font-family: georgia;"><st1:place>Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">, this bread is called ENZAIMADA, because all the bread in </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place style="font-family: georgia;">Mallorca</st1:place></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> is in reality "pan de mallorca". So when you travel there do not ask for a "mallorca" ask for an "enzaimada".</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I am not going to try and improve on what I thought was a wonderful post.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I will share with you the pictures of my </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place style="font-family: georgia;">Mallorca</st1:place></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">You guessed it, the finished product only, not the process.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I did not even think of it until I was done.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">So much for that. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I will try to change, I promise.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Go to her site </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://thenoshery.com/2009/08/19/mallorca/">thenoshery.com</a></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">, you will enjoy her pictures of the process as much as I did.<br />Here is her recipe, that I followed nearly exactly: </span><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/thenosheryrecipes/mallorca?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F"><st1:place><u>Mallorca</u></st1:place></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul style="font-family: georgia;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">1 pkg dry yeast <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">3/4 cup white sugar<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">4 to 5 cups all purpose flour, divided use [I used unbleached AP & needed 1 cup more]<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">1 cup milk, lukewarm [I used almond milk because I was out of cow milk]<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">1 cup water, lukewarm<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">6 egg yolks<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">1/2 lb. butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In a mixing bowl, pour lukewarm milk and water, sprinkle yeast in add sugar and 1 cup of the flour. Set aside until the mixture starts to rise about 45 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Beat the egg yolks into the mixture, blending very well. Add the remaining flour little by little. Add 1/2 the melted butter and set aside until it has doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Dust the board where the dough will be rolled out with a little flour to prevent dough from sticking, keep some flour handy for dusting. Divide dough into 12 equal portions [mine were about 4½ oz. each]. Roll out each portion, brush with butter and roll into a long strip. Form into a coil, insert the inner end making sure it’s tucked in, same with the other end of the roll. Butter the tops. Place on greased baking sheets. Use 2 baking sheets placing 6-8 rolls on each sheet. Cover and let rolls rise until they have doubled in size.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Bake at 375 degrees F about 12-15 minutes. Cool on cooling rack and dust with powdered sugar.</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SpcT48kLRpI/AAAAAAAAAUw/uiLpbd_X4_o/s1600-h/mallorca3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SpcT48kLRpI/AAAAAAAAAUw/uiLpbd_X4_o/s400/mallorca3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374786549341439634" border="0" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I should have placed mine a bit closer together, they would have been taller instead of so spread out. </span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Next time I will do that and next time I will make ½ with meat and cheese and ½ in their simple glory.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">There will definitely be a next time and a time after that and a time after that.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">These tender breads have a light texture and a subtle sweetness.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The flavor is close to that of short bread, buttery and nutty upfront and a sweet buttery finish.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Heaven!</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">They are time consuming, but oh so worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-61143128671680010792009-07-26T21:12:00.016-05:002009-07-31T17:13:18.309-05:00Strawberry Balsamic Sorbet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Sm-rcDRUTMI/AAAAAAAAAUg/2d6wkncH7Mk/s1600-h/strawberry6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Sm-rcDRUTMI/AAAAAAAAAUg/2d6wkncH7Mk/s200/strawberry6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363694179624176834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Sm0PrEoiw4I/AAAAAAAAAUI/3MvDX-4oHBs/s1600-h/Strawberry+Balsamic.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 270px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Sm0PrEoiw4I/AAAAAAAAAUI/3MvDX-4oHBs/s320/Strawberry+Balsamic.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362959963920712578" border="0" /></a>1 lb Frozen or Fresh Strawberries<br />1/2 Cup Turbinado Sugar<br />1 - 2 teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar<br />1 oz vodka<br /><br />To begin I have to tell you that this stuff is awesome. I dont always feel that way about my creations but this one is worth bragging about.<br /><br />The first step is to puree the strawberries. I used a food processor and completed this stage while my berries were frozen; you could just as easily use a blender frozen or not.<br />At this point you will have to decide whether your sorbet will have seeds or not. I am lazy and so I left them in. If you wish to remove them simply strain your puree through a bit of cheese cloth or a fine mesh colander.<br /><br />Now you will prepare your puree for maceration. This is the process where you will leave the berries to sit and release their own juices; this process makes the sorbet more rich in flavor. Place your puree into a large bowl and add the sugar, vinegar and vodka stirring to combine thoroughly. You will need to let your mixture rest, covered, for at least a hour on the counter top or it may rest as long as over night in the fridge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Sm0QBrjq9RI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/3CJ4lnIMrEI/s1600-h/Strawberry+Sorbet1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Sm0QBrjq9RI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/3CJ4lnIMrEI/s400/Strawberry+Sorbet1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362960352326382866" border="0" /></a><br />From here you are only a few short moments away from enjoying the fruits of your labor (a bad pun, but simply irresistible). Ha!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Sm0RIY2um4I/AAAAAAAAAUY/EhHNnOT-Vcs/s1600-h/Strawberry+Sorbet+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Sm0RIY2um4I/AAAAAAAAAUY/EhHNnOT-Vcs/s400/Strawberry+Sorbet+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362961567076752258" border="0" /></a><br />I used an ice cream freezer for the freezing process but there is no reason you need one. If electing not to use one simply place your mixture into the container you will be storing it in while in the freezer and place it into the freezer; you will need to stir or shake it about every 20 minutes for the first hour. If your are using an ice cream freezer do so and then place it into the freezer to harden.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Sm-riJz7bYI/AAAAAAAAAUo/kzAkW85PyUc/s1600-h/strawberry5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 326px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/Sm-riJz7bYI/AAAAAAAAAUo/kzAkW85PyUc/s400/strawberry5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363694284459175298" border="0" /></a>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-25717651898945912632009-07-26T17:06:00.012-05:002009-07-26T17:30:38.908-05:00Alright...I have been in a blogging coma...<br /><br />To make a long story short: I hated where we were living. We moved. I am happy again and thusly baking again.<br /><br />I will begin again by introducing to you my new home...<br />First I will sum up where we were living with a picture, you know they say it is worth 1,000 words:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzUKmzeCSI/AAAAAAAAATI/83yW-nbh4BQ/s1600-h/20082009-06-16_102008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzUKmzeCSI/AAAAAAAAATI/83yW-nbh4BQ/s400/20082009-06-16_102008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362894534971623714" border="0" /></a>I know what you are thinking...that is a lot of beige...you would be correct in that...<br /><br />Now shall we begin the tour of my happy home (i.e. definately NOT beige):<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzVSXWrmlI/AAAAAAAAATQ/dWo_0e1Kyug/s1600-h/20082009-06-19_012008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzVSXWrmlI/AAAAAAAAATQ/dWo_0e1Kyug/s400/20082009-06-19_012008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362895767774927442" border="0" /></a>The living room.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzVubA_c3I/AAAAAAAAATY/hGzA414baNw/s1600-h/20082009-06-19_022008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzVubA_c3I/AAAAAAAAATY/hGzA414baNw/s400/20082009-06-19_022008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362896249794032498" border="0" /></a>The dining room.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzWH5HgUBI/AAAAAAAAATg/XImSbTWrjjk/s1600-h/20082009-06-19_032008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzWH5HgUBI/AAAAAAAAATg/XImSbTWrjjk/s400/20082009-06-19_032008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362896687371145234" border="0" /></a>1/2 of the kitchen.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzWef85nVI/AAAAAAAAATo/tYlcoLbymkE/s1600-h/20082009-06-19_052008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzWef85nVI/AAAAAAAAATo/tYlcoLbymkE/s400/20082009-06-19_052008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362897075752770898" border="0" /></a>1/2 of the breakfast nook & 1/4 of the kitchen.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzW6nJ8BzI/AAAAAAAAATw/LyAx021f1BU/s1600-h/20082009-06-19_222008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzW6nJ8BzI/AAAAAAAAATw/LyAx021f1BU/s400/20082009-06-19_222008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362897558722840370" border="0" /></a>1/4 of the kitchen & 1/8 of the Dining room.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzXbc4zCxI/AAAAAAAAAT4/eEMvUSHSssU/s1600-h/20082009-06-19_192008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzXbc4zCxI/AAAAAAAAAT4/eEMvUSHSssU/s400/20082009-06-19_192008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362898122902276882" border="0" /></a>The facilities.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzYDR5VstI/AAAAAAAAAUA/80gEXeAk77Q/s1600-h/20082009-06-19_312008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SmzYDR5VstI/AAAAAAAAAUA/80gEXeAk77Q/s400/20082009-06-19_312008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362898807146525394" border="0" /></a>And finally...my herb garden.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As you can see there is no beige in my new home and I am happy homemaker once again. I will be back soon to share with you the goodies I make. I have lovely new neighbors to share the bounty with and have been baking up a storm as we have been getting settled in. <br /><br />Thank you for being patient with me...I'm back!<br /></div><br /><br /></div>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-39118576171556156342008-11-13T16:50:00.004-06:002008-11-25T21:55:38.555-06:00Happy Birthday VirginiaVirginia is my mother in law and I could not possibly have a better mother in law. Forget everything you've heard about that awful, snarl toothed, bother some creature that all brides fear. She is genuine and loving (in just the right proportions) and I could not have asked for a better candidate for grandmother of my (not-yet-in-existence) children. Don't get me wrong, we have our differences, but all in all I am thrilled to call her family.<br /><br />This last month she officially added one year to her tally which brought her closer to that all elusive idea - retirement. I will not break my oath of womanhood and reveal her age to you, but she does look fabulous regardless of her "ahhhmmm" odd years on this earth. The happiness she finds in life is written on her face and the joy she finds in living emanates from her even in the middle of the night. I have never met a woman who so can be so graceful and welcoming at any odd hour of the night as she can.<br /><br />Happy Birthday to the beautiful and graceful woman who raised my charming husband!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRywWwtZ5MI/AAAAAAAAASs/e_lGSt5jpCc/s1600-h/20082008-11-02_022008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRywWwtZ5MI/AAAAAAAAASs/e_lGSt5jpCc/s400/20082008-11-02_022008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268279569195590850" border="0" /></a><br />To celebrate, the family gathered and sang as she said a prayer (I just know this is what she does!) over the candles. I made her the cake and carried it across the state without so much as on icing accident along the way. Hooray!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRywWs1dlOI/AAAAAAAAASk/z1Xic1E5nas/s1600-h/20082008-11-01_042008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 182px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRywWs1dlOI/AAAAAAAAASk/z1Xic1E5nas/s400/20082008-11-01_042008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268279568155645154" border="0" /></a><br />Rich cake and skim milk...?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRywWTfQPkI/AAAAAAAAASc/ANwb41y2ZME/s1600-h/20082008-11-01_062008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRywWTfQPkI/AAAAAAAAASc/ANwb41y2ZME/s400/20082008-11-01_062008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268279561351609922" border="0" /></a><br />A pink lemonade cake...mmm....it was over all too soon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRywA782RRI/AAAAAAAAASU/QV5UL2wXDYY/s1600-h/20082008-11-01_132008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRywA782RRI/AAAAAAAAASU/QV5UL2wXDYY/s400/20082008-11-01_132008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268279194256033042" border="0" /></a><br />To continue our celebration she and I had a lovely ladies lunch at the Menger in down town San Antonio. A beautifully presented buffet lunch with a supremely cute tea pot atop the dessert display.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRyv_1GtcOI/AAAAAAAAASM/31iyQeVovNM/s1600-h/20082008-11-07_032008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRyv_1GtcOI/AAAAAAAAASM/31iyQeVovNM/s400/20082008-11-07_032008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268279175238480098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRyv_sVPEdI/AAAAAAAAASE/NTLAWPJR6rs/s1600-h/20082008-11-07_022008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 132px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRyv_sVPEdI/AAAAAAAAASE/NTLAWPJR6rs/s400/20082008-11-07_022008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268279172883485138" border="0" /></a><br />Strawberry mouse, cheese cake, carrot cake, hummingbird cake...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRyv_epNjcI/AAAAAAAAAR8/SucajK7Uil4/s1600-h/20082008-11-07_052008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRyv_epNjcI/AAAAAAAAAR8/SucajK7Uil4/s400/20082008-11-07_052008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268279169209175490" border="0" /></a><br />Creamy champagne tartlettes and rich chocolate iced brownies...maybe we should celebrate un-birthdays this way every month!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRyv-4vrXhI/AAAAAAAAAR0/oKan3IWqiBs/s1600-h/20082008-11-07_042008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SRyv-4vrXhI/AAAAAAAAAR0/oKan3IWqiBs/s400/20082008-11-07_042008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268279159035747858" border="0" /></a>Good thing my birthday is next month! I am brainstorming about celebration treats already!a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-42901319517615378872008-10-29T12:33:00.013-05:002008-11-01T08:54:54.082-05:00Halloween FunHappy Halloween!<br /><br />Ladies and Gents I have been a busy girl. Since Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year I always dive in with great gusto. This year has been lacking a bit of the gusto because we lost a rather special woman very near the holiday that she taught me to love so much. My childhood Halloweens were always hosted by Debbie and I will always carry her with me in spirit as I think of and prepare for this, my most favored and haunted, holiday of the year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQihNMjcQfI/AAAAAAAAARs/HABJ5-qjxDo/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_192008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQihNMjcQfI/AAAAAAAAARs/HABJ5-qjxDo/s400/20082008-10-28_192008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262633412662673906" border="0" /></a><br />I got the chance to use that wonderful new serving stand that my mother in law recently gifted to me. It was perfect for holding my special Halloween candies. Who says that kids should have all the fun? I made candy for the adults in my life this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQihMn2N7tI/AAAAAAAAARk/-x0NrTYap74/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_172008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQihMn2N7tI/AAAAAAAAARk/-x0NrTYap74/s400/20082008-10-28_172008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262633402809315026" border="0" /></a>I started with my Grandmother's recipe for peanut brittle. We are in the south, after all. This recipe is as traditional as it gets and has a beautiful honeycomb pattern when you break it apart because of the addition of baking soda at the end of the process.<br /><br />When you give this recipe a go for yourself remember that you must be able to hear the peanuts popping and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">thusly</span> you must not have on the television or radio to keep you company in the kitchen. The scent of the browning peanuts and caramelizing sugars should do nicely to keep your senses occupied in the absence of audible entertainment.<br /><br />Also, take note that it is cooked without a thermometer and in a cast iron skillet; I do not recommend using another type of pan. If you only have a small pan you might half the recipe, but please do not try to make this recipe in a regular pan. You will surely burn the nuts and that would be such a shame.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Peanut Brittle</span><br /><br />1 Cup White Sugar<br />1 Cup White Corn Syrup<br />2 Cups Raw Peanuts<br />1 Tsp. Baking Soda<br /><br />Line a cookie sheet or sheet pan with parchment paper and spray with oil or rub with butter.<br /><br />Combine the sugar, corn syrup and peanuts in a large cast iron skillet; do not add the baking soda, measure it out and then set it aside for later.<br /><br />Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the peanuts begin to pop.<br /><br />Add the baking soda and mix thoroughly.<br /><br />Quickly spoon the candy onto prepared sheet to cool, smooth it out as much as you can manage.<br /><br />Once cooled break into pieces to be enjoyed.<br /><br />There are absolutely no redeeming health qualities within this candy. Hence the word, candy; no self respecting kid at heart would want it any other way. This recipe is as easy as it sounds so, be careful making it could become a habit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQihMCYmlLI/AAAAAAAAARc/ZeW2skouawA/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_112008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQihMCYmlLI/AAAAAAAAARc/ZeW2skouawA/s400/20082008-10-28_112008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262633392752989362" border="0" /></a><br />Next up, or shall I say down, on my three tiers of Halloween happiness is honey caramel.<br /><br />I am from Texas and we pronounce that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cair</span>-ml, not car-ml; just as we say <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">cain't</span> instead of can't and ain't is most certainly a word in my vocabulary. You can take a girl out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas out of....well, you get the gist.<br /><br />Oh yeah, just for future reference, in Texas we pronounce pecan, Pa-con, as opposed to those from Georgia, and the like, who pronounce it Pee-can. Next time you visit you'll know just how to ask for that pecan pie you love or how to find a delicious piece of caramel when that is what you are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hankerin</span>' for.<br /><br />As for the tasty morsels of caramel that I doled out, they were some of the best I have ever made. I did three things differently than the recipe from 101 Cookbooks.<br /><br />First I doubled the recipe, after all who doesn't love caramel?<br /><br />Next, I split the sugar portion of the recipe into 3/4 cup evaporated sugar cane and 1 1/4 cups honey; I did this because I am not the greatest lover of honey and was trepidations about the flavor being too pronounced in the candies. I needn't have worried because the honey was very subtle by the time the cooking process was complete and next time I will use all honey.<br /><br />The third thing I did differently was to add 1/2 tsp dried <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">chipotle</span> powder. This idea came from the most wonderful caramel I have ever purchased; the <a href="http://www.bequetconfections.com/products.html"><span class="homepage"><b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Béquet</span></b></span></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">chipotle</span> caramel had a bit of a pepper bite to it, which was lovely, but I added the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">chipotle</span> only for flavor enhancement and boy was it a gamble that payed off. It added only a slightly smoky flavor that paired perfectly with the cream and honey. Yummy! Why didn't I save more of these for myself?<br /><br />I got the recipe for honey caramel <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/print/caramel-apples-recipe.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQihL_88QJI/AAAAAAAAARU/OR7YiTvtlkk/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_062008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQihL_88QJI/AAAAAAAAARU/OR7YiTvtlkk/s400/20082008-10-28_062008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262633392100098194" border="0" /></a><br />On the third and largest tier of my hallowed eve delights rest my, first ever, batch of marshmallows. These were a delight to make, albeit a bit of a sticky delight. Ironically as I was making these I had the Food Network on to keep me company and the Barefoot <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Contessa</span> was making her own version of these soft delights; she termed the process as magical and I do quite agree.<br /><br />Magically you go from the most simple of ingredients to the sweetest, lightest treat in my kitchen. I know your thinking, what about meringues? They are light and sweet and also somewhat magical in their transformation, but today I am enamored of my newest friend, my fluffy, serendipitous marshmallows.<br /><br />I am quite excited to play with the flavor and color possibilities that this treat has to offer. These orange goodies were a basic vanilla that I dyed to celebrate the season. I have plans for red cranberry, blue coconut, swirled strawberry cream, chocolate and orange...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">oooh</span>, the possibilities abound.<br /><br />I found the marshmallow recipe <a href="http://www.browniepointsblog.com/wordpress/wp-documents/2006/04/basic_vanilla_marshmallows.pdf">here</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQihLAOS4sI/AAAAAAAAARM/tH82y-HF3Vo/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_022008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQihLAOS4sI/AAAAAAAAARM/tH82y-HF3Vo/s400/20082008-10-28_022008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262633374993015490" border="0" /></a><br />I used the caramel to make caramel apples. The tart little green lovelies first went for a dip in the seductive warm caramel followed by a quick roll with either pecans or hazelnuts. I tucked them in for the night with a thick blanket of dark chocolate. Isn't fall the most fabulous season of all?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQif6BkpkeI/AAAAAAAAAQc/ZO9BCKU37iA/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_242008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQif6BkpkeI/AAAAAAAAAQc/ZO9BCKU37iA/s400/20082008-10-28_242008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262631983785808354" border="0" /></a>Tart number one out for the evening with a revealing hazelnut ensemble....<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQifWP2oQnI/AAAAAAAAAP8/3cHRtZC6p2c/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_262008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQifWP2oQnI/AAAAAAAAAP8/3cHRtZC6p2c/s400/20082008-10-28_262008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262631369144025714" border="0" /></a>Tart number two has graced us with her chocolate clad, pecan adorned presence...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQifWS5HGfI/AAAAAAAAAQE/ty5DPFYc9xk/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_272008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQifWS5HGfI/AAAAAAAAAQE/ty5DPFYc9xk/s400/20082008-10-28_272008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262631369959741938" border="0" /></a>A night out always deserves a gossip session the morning after, don't you agree?<br /><br /><br />Moving on, to the south we have one of the holiday season's brightest shinning stars, the decorated cookie. These lovely ladies can be seen here in a melange of spooky colors and in two delectable varieties.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQif7QKtakI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/o8xeN2Xo8io/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_362008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQif7QKtakI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/o8xeN2Xo8io/s400/20082008-10-28_362008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262632004883409474" border="0" /></a><br />The sugar cookies are ones that I love and I have posted the recipe before, you can find it <a href="http://buttercreamandsugar.blogspot.com/2008/09/sugar-cookies.html">here</a>.<br /><br />While their darker cousins are called Light Spice Cookies and have a delightful crunch; I got them <a href="http://thespicedlife.blogspot.com/2008/09/rolling-out-harvest-sunflower-cookies.html">here</a> and so can you.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQif7DWuy2I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/_lLD08TOSgU/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_332008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQif7DWuy2I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/_lLD08TOSgU/s400/20082008-10-28_332008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262632001444170594" border="0" /></a>Accompanying their seasonal frocks are some 'cookie <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">tattoos</span>.' Found in the seasonal aisle at my local Target these inexpensive adornments made decorating a snap. You just peel them off of thick paper and place them onto wet royal icing. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Voi</span>-la, your cookie is decorated. No excuses from those of you who use the less than creative excuse any more. These are so simple and too easy to be overlooked by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">über</span> busy bakers out there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQif6vZ4b7I/AAAAAAAAAQs/9Z2hPQ-sK64/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_322008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQif6vZ4b7I/AAAAAAAAAQs/9Z2hPQ-sK64/s400/20082008-10-28_322008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262631996088676274" border="0" /></a>For your viewing pleasure...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQif6Wf6PcI/AAAAAAAAAQk/5TJqNvJXL0I/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_312008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQif6Wf6PcI/AAAAAAAAAQk/5TJqNvJXL0I/s400/20082008-10-28_312008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262631989403073986" border="0" /></a>I do hope you are pleased...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQifW0mBERI/AAAAAAAAAQU/wFRJR9A4Bj0/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_302008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQifW0mBERI/AAAAAAAAAQU/wFRJR9A4Bj0/s400/20082008-10-28_302008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262631379006460178" border="0" /></a>Bear with me, almost done...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQifWtp2iNI/AAAAAAAAAQM/42ku3VjKOIo/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_292008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQifWtp2iNI/AAAAAAAAAQM/42ku3VjKOIo/s400/20082008-10-28_292008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262631377143498962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Halloween!</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQigCIaF56I/AAAAAAAAARE/CpawPBqzBR0/s1600-h/20082008-10-28_392008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SQigCIaF56I/AAAAAAAAARE/CpawPBqzBR0/s400/20082008-10-28_392008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262632123059529634" border="0" /></a>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-56796521924611110632008-10-21T13:38:00.004-05:002008-10-21T14:21:10.647-05:00Lovely new things...Due to some terribly unfortunate circumstances I have not been in the kitchen for yet another week. That obviously does not mean that I have not been eating, drinking and generally consuming.<br /><br />I have a few new things to share with you before I head back to the kitchen:<br /><br />First is this lovely new beer that I have welcomed into my life. It is brewed with pecans and has a nutty and sweet finish that I will surely miss when it goes out of season. It is a seasonal brew much like the pumpkin ales and other fall inspirations. I have outlined in the past my true love of pecans and the ingenious people at Abita have combined that love and my true affection for good beer into their simply named Pecan Harvest. I strongly urge you to give it a go before it is gone for the year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4iq5Z5BhI/AAAAAAAAAOY/4uiEo2IqzkE/s1600-h/20082008-10-10_012008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4iq5Z5BhI/AAAAAAAAAOY/4uiEo2IqzkE/s400/20082008-10-10_012008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259679535174583826" border="0" /></a>The pictures could be better, but that wont hurt the flavor one bit....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4irNCxh7I/AAAAAAAAAOg/rk1P92MwXrI/s1600-h/20082008-10-10_062008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4irNCxh7I/AAAAAAAAAOg/rk1P92MwXrI/s400/20082008-10-10_062008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259679540446332850" border="0" /></a><br />Next is the most fantastic of gifts from my mother in law. I am a rather clumsy person and thusly have broken all of the delicate glass pieces that were so lovingly given to my husband and I for our wedding. Knowing this and my love for cake and cookie stands my magically in touch mother in law presented me with this three tiered stand that I had been coveting for weeks. How does she do it, I just dont know, but she always finds the things that I want most and gets them for us without even a hint from me. Her ability to do this is uncanny and I could not have a asked for a more intuitive and caring addition to my life and family.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4irlR59SI/AAAAAAAAAOo/JsbmLIg5wmk/s1600-h/20082008-10-20_062008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4irlR59SI/AAAAAAAAAOo/JsbmLIg5wmk/s400/20082008-10-20_062008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259679546952250658" border="0" /></a>Please ignore the grass, dead as it is, in the last throes of its dance with the summer heat. Yes, I said summer heat in October...apparently we live in hell. Hence the pink brick house baking in the disastrous heat ... did I mention that they, the little pink houses, are all in a row ... and my Stepford-esk neighbors cut their grass twice a week ... I can feel my soul dying with the withering grass ... the Stepfords will never taste the yumminess from my kitchen, oh no.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4ir6cOHZI/AAAAAAAAAOw/q1oCAWZMYXo/s1600-h/20082008-10-20_092008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4ir6cOHZI/AAAAAAAAAOw/q1oCAWZMYXo/s400/20082008-10-20_092008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259679552632659346" border="0" /></a><br />One last addition to my list of lovelies ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4ix96ZLRI/AAAAAAAAAPA/7wazphj9NWo/s1600-h/Bacon+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4ix96ZLRI/AAAAAAAAAPA/7wazphj9NWo/s400/Bacon+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259679656643734802" border="0" /></a>I so look forward to making fragrant pots of beans and chilies with this salty slab of pork deliciousness. I will make fresh green beans slick with the salty flavor hugging tight to each crisp bite. I will make refried beans that no self respecting dieter would think of touching as they delight in the pork induced coma that will set in unawares after a few mouthfuls of the thick satisfying concoction...oh yes I love salted pork! I will swirl tiny bits of it through my holiday fudge and bake tasty morsels of it into my chocolate chip cookies; salty and sweet my fans will never know what hit them as they rip through the box of goodies they discover on their doorstep...are you one? You could be...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4isOsRPFI/AAAAAAAAAO4/7qZiJhrbpnA/s1600-h/Bacon+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SP4isOsRPFI/AAAAAAAAAO4/7qZiJhrbpnA/s400/Bacon+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259679558068681810" border="0" /></a>Off to the kitchen...a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-26614744263739457082008-10-10T12:17:00.007-05:002008-10-10T12:54:19.102-05:00Virginia<a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-QMDw7KFI/AAAAAAAAAMY/qZLGAU6QfUE/s1600-h/20082008-10-05_572008.JPG"><br />No, I didn't drop off the face of the earth...so sorry for the delay in posting.<br /><br />I was visiting a friend in Richmond, Virginia. I had a great time and did something altogether new for me: I hiked in the mountains. I drove up into the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside Waynesboro, VA. I parked the car and got out...yep, me in the out doors, a shocker, I know....I took lots of pictures and had fun. I took this excursion alone, but I wished that my father in law could have been there. He would have loved it, maybe I can convince him to travel there with us soon.<br /><br />Pictures will do a better job of explaining the view and the gorgeous weather, so....</a><br /><br />{I should mention that I have a penchant for moss and trees, you see...}<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-R6BN5bLI/AAAAAAAAANw/mru16HEv9Ig/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_642008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-R6BN5bLI/AAAAAAAAANw/mru16HEv9Ig/s400/20082008-10-06_642008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255579716109823154" border="0" /></a>Moss<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-R6UOPdgI/AAAAAAAAAN4/YitPN2v7O18/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_692008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-R6UOPdgI/AAAAAAAAAN4/YitPN2v7O18/s400/20082008-10-06_692008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255579721211540994" border="0" /></a>Leaves and berries<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-R6i3xO8I/AAAAAAAAAOA/9UkpHlysjwY/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_802008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-R6i3xO8I/AAAAAAAAAOA/9UkpHlysjwY/s400/20082008-10-06_802008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255579725143817154" border="0" /></a>The view at 3,000 feet...a small homestead below.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-R64bEyXI/AAAAAAAAAOI/aVWp3ur-1n8/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_822008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-R64bEyXI/AAAAAAAAAOI/aVWp3ur-1n8/s400/20082008-10-06_822008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255579730929043826" border="0" /></a>Could this be why they are called the Blue Ridge Mountains?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-R7Kn0LuI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/DTKa3c6vMzI/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_852008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-R7Kn0LuI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/DTKa3c6vMzI/s400/20082008-10-06_852008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255579735814319842" border="0" /></a>A country road and an old home.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Re32pf4I/AAAAAAAAANI/-pLCLbb2omA/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_402008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Re32pf4I/AAAAAAAAANI/-pLCLbb2omA/s400/20082008-10-06_402008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255579249739923330" border="0" /></a>Moss...two kinds!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-RfHAq8uI/AAAAAAAAANQ/Rpw-GSjGk7U/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_472008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-RfHAq8uI/AAAAAAAAANQ/Rpw-GSjGk7U/s400/20082008-10-06_472008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255579253808493282" border="0" /></a>A beautiful tree anchored to the rock with arthritic looking roots.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Rfczvx5I/AAAAAAAAANY/-QDa6vQcEzw/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_492008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Rfczvx5I/AAAAAAAAANY/-QDa6vQcEzw/s400/20082008-10-06_492008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255579259659863954" border="0" /></a>Blue Ridge in the back and berries in the front...beautiful.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-RgGjAnaI/AAAAAAAAANg/KVkpIVa726w/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_552008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-RgGjAnaI/AAAAAAAAANg/KVkpIVa726w/s400/20082008-10-06_552008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255579270863953314" border="0" /></a>Moss and some sort of succulent...nice color variation.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-RgdTm2wI/AAAAAAAAANo/Pa_7YvJNeZo/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_622008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-RgdTm2wI/AAAAAAAAANo/Pa_7YvJNeZo/s400/20082008-10-06_622008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255579276973366018" border="0" /></a>Fall is here! (or rather there)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Q5LbmN2I/AAAAAAAAAMg/ihbGSNvoHAU/s1600-h/20082008-10-05_762008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Q5LbmN2I/AAAAAAAAAMg/ihbGSNvoHAU/s400/20082008-10-05_762008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255578602160142178" border="0" /></a>A lovely fence in colonial Williamsburg.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Q5pfXMwI/AAAAAAAAAMo/GGF1SCHgAJQ/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_012008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Q5pfXMwI/AAAAAAAAAMo/GGF1SCHgAJQ/s400/20082008-10-06_012008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255578610228998914" border="0" /></a>A mountainous view...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Q505oZOI/AAAAAAAAAMw/QgOrDDPYOOw/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_282008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Q505oZOI/AAAAAAAAAMw/QgOrDDPYOOw/s400/20082008-10-06_282008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255578613291967714" border="0" /></a>Sticks and moss!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Q6a9XfoI/AAAAAAAAAM4/OJp8T-cRCIQ/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_342008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Q6a9XfoI/AAAAAAAAAM4/OJp8T-cRCIQ/s400/20082008-10-06_342008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255578623508184706" border="0" /></a>I will return...such a splendid day.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Q66B6CcI/AAAAAAAAANA/9MCSgQ8c5-Y/s1600-h/20082008-10-06_382008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-Q66B6CcI/AAAAAAAAANA/9MCSgQ8c5-Y/s400/20082008-10-06_382008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255578631848724930" border="0" /></a>Moss and leaves...I warned you.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-QLo0Vo-I/AAAAAAAAAL4/ucWNH9J1jH8/s1600-h/20082008-10-05_042008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-QLo0Vo-I/AAAAAAAAAL4/ucWNH9J1jH8/s400/20082008-10-05_042008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255577819774559202" border="0" /></a>For my mother, a wild Canadian goose.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-QLvcwS1I/AAAAAAAAAMA/O2t6V1MRhBg/s1600-h/20082008-10-05_062008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-QLvcwS1I/AAAAAAAAAMA/O2t6V1MRhBg/s400/20082008-10-05_062008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255577821554690898" border="0" /></a>Just a nice house I would not mind living in.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-QL4nSi0I/AAAAAAAAAMI/575AGwMTUo4/s1600-h/20082008-10-05_502008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-QL4nSi0I/AAAAAAAAAMI/575AGwMTUo4/s400/20082008-10-05_502008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255577824014797634" border="0" /></a>My definition of pastoral.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-QLzjHN6I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/mokLqTVfOkA/s1600-h/20082008-10-05_552008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-QLzjHN6I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/mokLqTVfOkA/s400/20082008-10-05_552008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255577822655100834" border="0" /></a>Someday I will have a lovely old fence to call my own...someday.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-QMDw7KFI/AAAAAAAAAMY/qZLGAU6QfUE/s1600-h/20082008-10-05_572008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SO-QMDw7KFI/AAAAAAAAAMY/qZLGAU6QfUE/s400/20082008-10-05_572008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255577827007998034" border="0" /></a>A lovely church in honor of the friend I was visiting...she is attending seminary.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I returned home feeling inspired and quite refreshed. I am so glad I took this trip! I also made a new feline friend, her name is Sugar. She is snow white and sweet as...well, you know. I am missing her since my arrival home, but am glad to be back with my four furry children...oh, and my husband too! Hee, hee...<br /><br />I'll be back cooking soon, but a change of pace is always nice from time to time.<br /></div></div>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-66640605811215469072008-09-30T15:23:00.005-05:002008-09-30T16:02:58.031-05:00The Chocolate Zone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SOKL_V5rVCI/AAAAAAAAALo/ghcsADSrzkA/s1600-h/20082008-09-30_042008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SOKL_V5rVCI/AAAAAAAAALo/ghcsADSrzkA/s400/20082008-09-30_042008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251914035794498594" border="0" /></a><br />Some days I need chocolate. Yes, I said, need. Not want, not desire, but need. For those of you who can relate to this problem I have found an easy solution. A 90 second cake. Yep, one and a half minutes in the microwave and you , too, can be in the chocolate zone. <br /><br />The chocolate zone is what happens when all of your senses are engaged: you smell the rich aroma of chocolate and sugar as you watch through the window as it rises to meet you, you hear the timer buzz, you plunge into the moist , fragrant goodness and savor the feel of it under your spoon, finally you inhale deeply after your tingling taste buds have been satiated with the first bite of sweet chocolate cake.<br /><br />Oh, did I mention that you don't have to share? This is just enough for one.<br /><br />You can thank my grandmother for sending this recipe on to me, she is always on the hunt for fabulous new things! I played with the recipe a little and made my version healthier...I couldn't resist, sorry! You can make this in a coffee mug or a small bowl; I opted for the bowl because it seemed easier to mix the ingredients in it. I inverted it onto a plate to take pictures, but you can enjoy it straight out of the microwave. Because, really, what is better than warm cake?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SOKMG7QiiXI/AAAAAAAAALw/ZQB5bpy2mzQ/s1600-h/20082008-09-30_022008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SOKMG7QiiXI/AAAAAAAAALw/ZQB5bpy2mzQ/s400/20082008-09-30_022008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251914166081587570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">90 Second Chocolate Cake</span><br /><br />2 Tablespoons AP (or whole wheat flour)<br />2 Tablespoons Sugar (or Splenda)<br />2 Tablespoons Baking Cocoa<br />1 Egg White<br />1 Tablespoon Milk (2 TBLSP if using whole wheat flour)<br />1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil<br />Dash of Vanilla<br />Dash of Salt<br />1 Tablespoon Chocolate Chips<br /><br />Combine the flour, sugar, salt and cocoa in a bowl or mug.<br /><br />Mix in the egg white, milk, oil and vanilla until completely combined.<br /><br />Sprinkle the chocolate chips onto the top and cover slightly with batter, try not to push them down to the bottom.<br /><br />Pop it into the microwave on high for 90 seconds, or until you can smell it and it is firm when touched in the center. It should not take more than 2 minutes.<br /><br />Aaah, chocolate cake! Enjoy ASAP!a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-27835347814917329772008-09-28T14:08:00.003-05:002008-09-28T14:34:03.365-05:00My first Daring Bakers Challenge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SN_b3unB7KI/AAAAAAAAALY/BTXxaxFdcwA/s1600-h/20082008-09-28_142008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SN_b3unB7KI/AAAAAAAAALY/BTXxaxFdcwA/s400/20082008-09-28_142008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251157440988310690" border="0" /></a><br />Ok... so, I was really excited to join the Daring Bakers, who will hence forth be called the DBers, it is a group of folks on the web that enjoy new and challenging baking endeavors. I found the group by randomly flipping through other blogs, like my own, about their love of, and adventures with, food. I looked over many of the old challenges and contacted with site administrator about joining. Most of the past challenges I had viewed were sweets and covered all sorts of things that people often shy away from because they think the task is too complicated for them.<br /><br />When I received the September challenge, my very first one, I was disappointed. I love to bake sweets, but generally don't take as much enjoyment in baked goods of the savory persuasion. I put off this challenge until the very last minute... I wouldn't want to make too good of an impression with my new friends...ha!<br /><br />I am a day late in posting, and I have n really fabulous excuse. My husband and I went out to see a movie yesterday after noon and didn't get back home until late into the evening. We were spontaneous, which we never are, and decided on a whim to head off to the Greek Festival. It was fun and the food was really great; but it detained me from posting...many apologies.<br /><br />I will try to be more excited next month, but this recipe still isn't my favorite and I would have rather been baking cookies. My first batch burned and the second batch, possibly because I was nervous from the first mis-hap, took f-o-r-e-v-e-r! I rubbed the dough with white truffle oil, only a tiny bit, and sprinkled it with fresh cracked pepper and Maldon salt. They tasted fine, but nothing to write home about. I also made them with whole wheat flour, which is not what the original recipe calls for. As for rolling them out I rolled the dough out directly onto my sil-pat baking mat that goes onto a baking sheet. It worked so perfectly and so easily, if you are apt to give this a go i highly recommend rolling them out this way.<br /><br />We also had to make a dip to go with them and being from Texas I decided just to make a ranch dip, but I spiced it up with cilantro and jalepeno...yummy!<br /><br />This challenge was vegan or gluten free....my crackers were vegan, but my dip was gluten free...is that legal? Oh, well too late now. Here it is...my fist DBers challenge:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SN_b-pvHtPI/AAAAAAAAALg/CR3c6-53p5o/s1600-h/20082008-09-28_062008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SN_b-pvHtPI/AAAAAAAAALg/CR3c6-53p5o/s400/20082008-09-28_062008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251157559939151090" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Makes 1 sheet pan of Lavash crackers<br /><br />* 1 1/2 cups (6.75 oz) unbleached bread flour<br />* 1/2 tsp (.13 oz) salt<br />* 1/2 tsp (.055 oz) instant yeast<br />* 1 Tb (.75 oz) agave syrup<br />* 1 Tb (.5 oz) vegetable oil<br />* 1/3 to 1/2 cup + 2 Tb (3 to 4 oz) water, at room temperature<br />* Truffle oil, cracked black pepper, and kosher salt for toppings<br /><br />1. In a mixing bowl, stir together the flour, salt yeast, agave, oil, and just enough water to bring everything together into a ball. You may not need the full 1/2 cup + 2 Tb of water, but be prepared to use it all if needed.<br /><br />2. Sprinkle some flour on the counter and transfer the dough to the counter. Knead for about 10 minutes, or until the ingredients are evenly distributed. The dough should pass the windowpane test (see <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-if-Bread-Dough-Has-Been-Mixed-Long-Enough">http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-if-Bre … ong-Enough</a> for a discription of this) and register 77 degrees to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. The dough should be firmer than French bread dough, but not quite as firm as bagel dough (what I call medium-firm dough), satiny to the touch, not tacky, and supple enough to stretch when pulled. Lightly oil a bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl, rolling it around to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.<br /><br />3. Ferment at room temperature for 90 minutes, or until the dough doubles in size. (You can also retard the dough overnight in the refrigerator immediately after kneading or mixing).<br /><br />4. Mist the counter lightly with spray oil and transfer the dough to the counter. Press the dough into a square with your hand and dust the top of the dough lightly with flour. Roll it out with a rolling pin into a paper thin sheet about 15 inches by 12 inches. You may have to stop from time to time so that the gluten can relax. At these times, lift the dough from the counter and wave it a little, and then lay it back down. Cover it with a towel or plastic wrap while it relaxes. When it is the desired thinness, let the dough relax for 5 minutes. Line a sheet pan with baking parchment. Carefully lift the sheet of dough and lay it on the parchment. If it overlaps the edge of the pan, snip off the excess with scissors. <span style=""> </span><br /><br />5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit with the oven rack on the middle shelf. Mist the top of the dough with water and sprinkle a covering of the spices on the dough.<br /><br />5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crackers begin to brown evenly across the top (the time will depend on how thinly and evenly you rolled the dough).<br /><br />6. When the crackers are baked, remove the pan from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. You can then snap off shards and serve.</p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-53090682371973068942008-09-26T16:57:00.006-05:002008-09-26T17:19:37.333-05:00Gingerbread Woman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SN1fWTSxqaI/AAAAAAAAALA/BANGfkzlWCE/s1600-h/20082008-09-26_052008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SN1fWTSxqaI/AAAAAAAAALA/BANGfkzlWCE/s400/20082008-09-26_052008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250457577324652962" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">I am so eager for the holiday season to begin. I love having family around and holidays always ensure the delivery of my loved ones into the chairs around my dining table. I decided to try a new recipe or two to give at Christmas this year and here is the fist of the winners for your enjoyment.</p><p class="MsoNormal">This spicy bread has a bit of a bite that hangs on from the ginger but is lightly sweet and has a nice deep flavor from the molasses. The addition of the stout gives the bread just a touch of bitterness that, from here on in, I will find missing in other gingerbread recipes.</p>This is a dark bread, if you tend to shy away from the intense flavor molasses this is not the cake for you, but for those of you, like me, who enjoy that depth of flavor this cake will compliment your upcoming season perfectly. It is hearty and will gift, oh, so nicely when the time comes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SN1fe0dRulI/AAAAAAAAALI/mGuowMBVg-0/s1600-h/20082008-09-26_182008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SN1fe0dRulI/AAAAAAAAALI/mGuowMBVg-0/s400/20082008-09-26_182008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250457723666020946" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Gingerbread</p><p class="MsoNormal"> 1 cup Guinness Stout<br />½ cup dark molasses<br />1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />1 cup whole wheat flour<br />¾ cup all-purpose flour<br />1 ½ teaspoons baking powder<br />2 tablespoons ground ginger<br />1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />1/4 teaspoon ground cloves<br />1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg<br />1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom<br />3 large eggs<br />1 cup evaporated cane sugar<br />1 cup Splenda<br />3/4 cup vegetable oil<br />½ cup buttermilk<br />¼ cup oats <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Preheat oven to 350°F. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Generously butter bundt pan and dust with flour; knock out any excess flour.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mix stout and molasses and whisk in baking soda. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sift together flour, baking powder, and spices in a large bowl. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In a separate bowl whisk together eggs and sugars then whisk in oil, buttermilk and molasses mixture; add to flour mixture and whisk until just combined.<span style=""> </span>Fold in oats.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pour batter into bundt pan (I used multiple mini bundts) and tap pan on counter to eliminate air bubbles. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bake in middle of oven until a tester comes out with just a few moist crumbs adhering, about 50 minutes (15-20 minutes for mini bundts). </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool completely. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SN1fjrBs6FI/AAAAAAAAALQ/FenZtlcmXhw/s1600-h/20082008-09-26_192008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SN1fjrBs6FI/AAAAAAAAALQ/FenZtlcmXhw/s400/20082008-09-26_192008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250457807033788498" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Confectioners Sugar Glaze</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">2 Cups Confectioners Sugar</p><p class="MsoNormal">1 Teaspoon vanilla</p><p class="MsoNormal">5-6 Tablespoons Milk<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Combine all ingredients until smooth.</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>MMMM....I love gingerbread!<br /></o:p></p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-79977212105449624742008-09-23T13:21:00.004-05:002008-09-23T13:55:44.406-05:00Carrot Cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SNk7HIgxqQI/AAAAAAAAAK4/zFehW6xRLe0/s1600-h/Carrot+Cake+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SNk7HIgxqQI/AAAAAAAAAK4/zFehW6xRLe0/s400/Carrot+Cake+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249291834407102722" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I apologize to those of you who check out my blog regularly, I have not been on top of my game these last few weeks. Time seems to be rushing past me; where it is going I have no idea.</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">As you can tell from my blog, I love to bake. I consider myself quite good at it and generally don't shy away from a challenge. I do, however, have a baking nemesis. I seem to be at constant odds with, are you ready...here it comes... carrot cake. It's a shocker, I know. It is a simple cake with reliable ingredients that does not require any special equipment, or delicate processes. Why carrot cake and I cannot make amends remains a mystery. This problem is terribly unfortunate because this happens to be my husband's favorite cake.</p><p style="text-align: left;">So, I had to give it a go, just one more time.</p>It just so happens that I have been collecting carrot cake recipes, because it is my husband's favorite, and stuffing them into the back of my recipe book; I have been doing this so long that I had amassed quite the collection, as I discovered recently. I believe that I have been collecting them to find the most basic one, so that the margin of error on my part could be reduced as much as possible.<br /><br />You'll be thrilled to hear that I have found a winner. I don't know where it came from, if I got it from you let me know and I'll give credit where it is due. This cake is had wonderful flavor, I got a thumbs up from two carrot cake connoisseurs. The texture and crumb were what you would hope for from a cake filled with carrots and the moisture was all a cake maker could ever hope for...moist and delicious!<br /><br />It is simple and even I did not mess it up!<br /><br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Carrot Cake</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong><br />1 1/2 cups evaporated cane sugar<br />1 tsp molasses<br />1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce<br />2 large eggs<br />1/4 cup orange juice (fresh is better)<br />1/2 tsp orange extract<br />1/2 tsp vanilla extract<br />1 tsp cinnamon<br />1/4 tsp allspice<br />1/4 tsp nutmeg<br />1/4 tsp salt<br />1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour<br />1 tsp baking soda<br />1 1/2 cups shredded carrot (2-3 large carrots)</p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;">Preheat the oven to 350F.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Lightly grease and flour your baking pan.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> In a large bowl, beat together sugar, molasses and eggs until smooth.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Beat in applesauce, orange juice, orange extract, vanilla extract, spices and salt.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">When combined, sift in the flour and baking soda and gently stir it into the batter until no streaks remain.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Fold in shredded carrot, then scrape into prepared pan.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> Cool before icing.</p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cream Cheese Icing<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>8 oz. Cream Cheese<br />1/4 cup butter, softened<br />1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice<br />1/2 Teaspoon Salt<br />1 lb. Powdered Sugar<br /><br />Cream together the cream cheese and butter.<br /><br />Mix in the lemon juice and salt until combined.<br /><br />Slowly incorporate the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy and spreadable.<br /><br />Depending on your location and humidity level you may need to add a teaspoon or two of water to full incorporate the sugar; don't add the extra liquid unless completely necessary.<br /><br />Frost away!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-77015535175789518892008-09-18T21:08:00.003-05:002008-09-18T21:49:01.945-05:00Omnivore’s Hundred<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">I’m late to get around to this; the <a href="http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/uncategorised/the-omnivores-hundred/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/uncategorised/the-omnivores-hundred/');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Omnivore’s Hundred</span></a> has been making its way around blog world and I have been meaning to see to it myself. Time is always getting away from me. The hundred-item list is featured here and it looks like I still have a bit of a way to go, how about you? <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span id="more-677"></span>Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p><span style="">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Bold all the items you’ve eaten.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Optional extra: Post a comment at <a href="http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/uncategorised/the-omnivores-hundred/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/uncategorised/the-omnivores-hundred/');"><span style="color: windowtext;">www.verygoodtaste.co.uk</span></a> and/or <a href="http://feedingmaybelle.blogspot.com/2008/08/vegetarian-100.html" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://feedingmaybelle.blogspot.com/2008/08/vegetarian-100.html');"><span style="color: windowtext;">feedingmaybelle.blogspot.com</span></a>, linking to your results.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Omnivore’s Hundred:</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";">Venison</span></strong></span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";">Nettle tea<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huevos_rancheros" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huevos_rancheros');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Huevos rancheros</span></a></span></strong></span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steak_tartare" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steak_tartare');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Steak tartare</span></a></span></strong></span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";">Crocodile</span></strong></span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Black pudding</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";">Cheese fondue</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Carp<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borscht" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borscht');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Borscht</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_ghanoush" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_ghanoush');"><span style="color: windowtext; font-weight: normal;">Baba ghanoush</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">11.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamari" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamari');"><span style="color: windowtext; font-weight: normal;">Calamari</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">12.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pho" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pho');"><span style="color: windowtext; font-weight: normal;">Pho</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">13.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_butter_and_jelly_sandwich" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_butter_and_jelly_sandwich');"><span style="color: windowtext; font-weight: normal;">PB&J sandwich</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">14.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloo_gobi" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloo_gobi');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Aloo gobi</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">15.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hot dog from a street cart</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">16.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89poisses_de_Bourgogne_%28cheese%29" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89poisses_de_Bourgogne_(cheese)');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Epoisses</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">17.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Black truffle</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">18.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Fruit wine made from something other than grapes</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">19.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Steamed pork buns</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">20.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Pistachio ice cream</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">21.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heirloom_tomato"><span style="color: windowtext;">Heirloom tomatoes</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">22.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Fresh wild berries</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">23.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foie_gras" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foie_gras');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Foie gras</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">24.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_and_beans" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_and_beans');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Rice and beans</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">25.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brawn/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brawn/');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Brawn</span></a>, or head cheese</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">26.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">27.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulce_de_leche" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulce_de_leche');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Dulce de leche</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">28.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Oysters</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">29.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baklava" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baklava');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Baklava<span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">30.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagna_cauda" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagna_cauda');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Bagna cauda</span></a> – Any thoughts on where I could try this?<span style=""> </span>Soon?</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">31.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Wasabi peas<span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">- Wasabi peanuts are better, in my opinion.</span></span></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">32.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">33.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Salted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lassi" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lassi');"><span style="color: windowtext;">lassi</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">34.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauerkraut" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauerkraut');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Sauerkraut</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">35.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Root beer float</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">36.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><st1:city><st1:place>Cognac</st1:place></st1:City> with a fat cigar- Cognac, yes; fat cigar, yes...together, soon!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">37.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Clotted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cream_tea" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cream_tea');"><span style="color: windowtext;">cream tea</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">38.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Vodka jelly/Jell-O</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">39.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumbo" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumbo');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Gumbo</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">40.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Oxtail</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">41.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Curried goat</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">42.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Whole insects – Not in a really big hurry on this one…</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">43.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaal" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaal');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Phaal</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">44.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Goat’s milk</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">45.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more- Not a big fan of whisky, so I wont be springing for this one, but I’ll take a sip if I’m not buying.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><s style=""><span style="">46.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></s><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><s style=""><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugu" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugu');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Fugu</span></a><o:p></o:p></s></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">47.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tikka_masala" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tikka_masala');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Chicken tikka masala</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">48.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Eel</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">49.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Krispy Kreme original doughnut – YUCK!<span style=""> </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">What a waste of sugar!</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">50.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Sea urchin</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">51.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prickly_pear" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prickly_pear');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Prickly pear</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">52.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeboshi" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeboshi');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Umeboshi</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">53.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abalone" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abalone');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Abalone</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">54.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paneer" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paneer');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Paneer</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">55.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">McDonald’s Big Mac Meal</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">56.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaetzle" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaetzle');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Spaetzle</span></a>- Soon I hope!</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">57.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Dirty gin <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martini_%28cocktail%29" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martini_(cocktail)');"><span style="color: windowtext;">martini</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">58.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Beer above 8% ABV</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">59.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Poutine</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">60.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carob" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carob');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Carob</span></a> chips</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">61.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetbreads" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetbreads');"><span style="color: windowtext;">S’mores</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">62.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetbreads" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetbreads');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Sweetbreads</span></a> – always wanted to, when the opportunity presents itself I will</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">63.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geophagy"><span style="color: windowtext;">Kaolin</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">64.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currywurst" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currywurst');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Currywurst</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">65.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Durian</span></a>- When I see one I will!</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">66.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Frogs’ legs</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">67.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake-<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">How about all of the above?</span></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">68.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haggis" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haggis');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Haggis</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">69.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Fried <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantain" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantain');"><span style="color: windowtext;">plantain</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">70.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitterlings" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitterlings');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Chitterlings</span></a>, or andouillette</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">71.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazpacho" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazpacho');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Gazpacho</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">72.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Caviar and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blinis" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blinis');"><span style="color: windowtext;">blini</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">73.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Louche <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe');"><span style="color: windowtext;">absinthe</span></a>- YUCK!</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">74.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gjetost" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gjetost');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Gjetost</span></a>, or brunost . .. looking for it now…</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-weight: bold;">75.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Roadkill. . .</span>how embarrassing!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">76.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baijiu" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baijiu');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Baijiu</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">77.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Hostess Fruit Pie</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">78.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Snail</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">79.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapsang_souchong" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapsang_souchong');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Lapsang souchong</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">80.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellini_%28cocktail%29" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellini_(cocktail)');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Bellini</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">81.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_yum" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_yum');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Tom yum</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">82.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggs_Benedict" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggs_Benedict');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Eggs Benedict</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">83.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocky" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocky');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Pocky</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">84.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Tasting menu at a three-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_Guide" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_Guide');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Michelin</span></a>-star restaurant…when we win the lottery<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">85.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_beef" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_beef');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Kobe beef</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">86.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Hare</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">87.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goulash" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goulash');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Goulash</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">88.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible_flowers" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible_flowers');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Flowers</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">89.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Horse- I'd have to be excessively, extremely starving.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">90.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Criollo chocolate – if Amazon gets them in stock I can check this one off.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">91.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Spam – mmmm!</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">92.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_shell_crab" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_shell_crab');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Soft shell crab</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">93.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Rose <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harissa" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harissa');"><span style="color: windowtext;">harissa </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">94.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Catfish</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">95.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_%28sauce%29" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_(sauce)');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Mole</span></a> poblano- Mole chicken yes; mole poblano, no</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">96.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">Bagel and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lox" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lox');"><span style="color: windowtext;">lox</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">97.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobster_Thermidor" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobster_Thermidor');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Lobster Thermidor</span></a>- asap</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">98.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polenta" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polenta');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Polenta</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><span style="">99.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_Blue_Mountain_Coffee" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_Blue_Mountain_Coffee');"><span style="color: windowtext;">Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee</span></a></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-weight: normal;">100. Snake<span style="font-family: times new roman;">- I didnt grow up in Bandera, TX for nothing!</span></span></strong><em><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><a href="http://www.hotdougs.com/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/http://www.hotdougs.com/');"><span style="color: windowtext;"><br /></span></a></span></em><span style="font-family: "Arial Black";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-21380679145525517442008-09-17T16:58:00.005-05:002008-09-17T17:20:08.607-05:00Banana Chocolate Chip Bread<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SNGCF8pt4II/AAAAAAAAAKo/2J_ErFYE_1c/s1600-h/Banana+Choc+Bread.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SNGCF8pt4II/AAAAAAAAAKo/2J_ErFYE_1c/s400/Banana+Choc+Bread.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247118079555395714" border="0" /></a><br />I really dont like Banana nut bread. The smell of it, while some people love it, makes me feel sick to my stomach. Why? Could be bad banana flavored meds when I was a kid or too many banana candies or I could just simply not like banana flavored things.<br /><br />I dont put bananas in smoothies and anything short of an almost green banana turns my stomach. Why am I sharing this with you, you ask. Because I have found the very best banana bread recipe ever. It is so good even I, the hater of all things banana, love it!<br /><br />I found the recipe in some magazine years ago and have tweeked it so much since then that I am certain the barely resembles the original, where ever it may have come from. I tried the recipe only because I had a friend who, somehow, came into ownership of three large boxes of ripe bananas and since one man can only eat so many bananas he decided to share.<br /><br />This bread is moist and has the faint taste of banana, but somehow retains the flavor of fresh bananas, not overly ripe and extra sweet smelling ones. I added the chocolate chips because when I made the recipe the first time I discovered, mid recipe, that I had no walnuts. I never intended to like these, or even eat them. I had to try one, just on case they were awful...I wouldn't want to make anyone sick. I planned to give them away as fast as possible, but kept almost all of them for myself because they were so damned good.<br /><br />I have gotten rave reviews from true banana bread lovers and from others, like myself, who normally abstain from all things banana. I promise you will not be disappointed and the extras freeze beautifully!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SNGCKR1DLbI/AAAAAAAAAKw/SkoGz33D3eI/s1600-h/Banana+Muffins.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SNGCKR1DLbI/AAAAAAAAAKw/SkoGz33D3eI/s400/Banana+Muffins.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247118153959550386" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chocolate Chip Banana Bread</span><br /><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">1 ½ cups all-purpose flour</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">¼ cup whole wheat flour</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">2 teaspoons baking powder</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">1 teaspoon baking soda</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">½ teaspoon salt</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">5 tablespoons butter (you can use applesauce here to reduce fat)</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">¾ cup buttermilk</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">¾ cup brown sugar</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">1 egg, beaten</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">1 teaspoon cinnamon</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ground</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">3 mashed, ripe bananas</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Chopped walnuts to top</li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">Preheat oven to 350F; Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan or 4 mini loaf pans.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">In a large bowl, sift together the flours, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and powder. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in buttermilk, eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">Fold the banana mixture and chocolate chips into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">Pour batter into prepared loaf pan, or scoop into muffin tins. Top with chopped walnuts.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes for bread or 18-22 minutes for muffins or mini loaves, just until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SNGCAQk4tqI/AAAAAAAAAKg/L9BTaDSZZ5s/s1600-h/Banana+Loaf.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SNGCAQk4tqI/AAAAAAAAAKg/L9BTaDSZZ5s/s400/Banana+Loaf.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247117981824628386" border="0" /></a> </p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-78166061366996834662008-09-09T14:02:00.003-05:002008-09-10T14:07:30.937-05:00Sugar Cookies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SMgaEROEKcI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/WlfiZghZzVE/s1600-h/Sugar+Cookies+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SMgaEROEKcI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/WlfiZghZzVE/s400/Sugar+Cookies+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244470426717137346" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Baking inspiration comes from everywhere and today my inspiration comes from a truely pleasurable read from <a href="http://www.joanmedlicott.com/index.html">Joan Medlicott</a>, a book called, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love</span>. It is the story of three ladies who meet in a retirement/boarding house that none of them belong in; they have all ended up there by some twist of fate and choose to venture out to a new home, together, in Covington, North Carolina.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">It is a story of growth, healing and love for themselves, their families and their new lives. There is a whole series of books about these ladies: Grace, Amelia and Hannah; you can bet I am reading the whole series as you read...thank you Grandma for sending these ladies into my life!</p>The cookies today are from Grace, the nurturer of the three. She makes these cookies throughout the book and by the end it was all I could do to finish the last page before springing up to try my hand at these cookies.<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I loved them!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>Grace's Sugar Cookies<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">2/3 cup Butter<br />¾ Cup Evaporated Cane Sugar<br />1 Teaspoon Vanilla<br />1 Egg<br />4 Teaspoons Milk (I used buttermilk)<br />2 Cups AP flour, sifted<br />1 ½ Teaspoons Baking Powder<br />¼ Teaspoon Salt</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pre-Heat oven to 375F.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Thoroughly cream the butter, sugar and vanilla.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Add the eggs and milk; beat until light and fluffy.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Sift together the dry ingredients and blend into the creamed mixture.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Divide the dough in half and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">On a lightly floured surface, roll to 1/8 - ¼ inch thickness and cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bake on an un-greased cookie sheet for 5-7 minutes; allow cookies to cool slightly before removing from the pan.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SMgaPe9z7RI/AAAAAAAAAKY/2SbaRTxEV6Q/s1600-h/Sugar+Cookies+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SMgaPe9z7RI/AAAAAAAAAKY/2SbaRTxEV6Q/s400/Sugar+Cookies+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244470619385621778" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <div style="text-align: left;"><o:p>I topped them with royal icing:</o:p><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">Wilton Royal Icing</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">3 tablespoons Meringue Powder<br />1 pound (4 cups) Confectioners' sugar<br />6 tablespoons warm water <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Beat all ingredients until icing forms peaks (7-10 minutes at low speed with a heavy-duty mixer, 10-12 minutes at high speed with a hand-held mixer). Recipe makes 3 cups.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Keep all utensils completely grease-free for proper icing consistency.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Allow to dry on cookies over night before handling.<o:p></o:p></p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-31168327241453385902008-09-05T12:18:00.003-05:002008-09-05T12:36:13.608-05:00Red Velvet Cream Cheese Loaf<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SMFtmXaDAZI/AAAAAAAAAJg/Jh_EchUnzOA/s1600-h/red+velvet+loaf+4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SMFtmXaDAZI/AAAAAAAAAJg/Jh_EchUnzOA/s400/red+velvet+loaf+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242591947121688978" border="0" /></a><br />Every occasion where it is appropriate to bring a gift of food is not necessarily an iced cake kind of situation. I created this bread to fill in on those occasions. It is a comforting bread that has a heady texture and a light bite. Not too sweet this bread works nicely at adult affairs as well as kids friendly ones.<br /><br />As is true with all red velvet, the red food coloring is not necessary, it just makes it more fun!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Red Velvet Loaves</span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'position:absolute;" wrapcoords="-58 0 -58 21511 21600 21511 21600 0 -58 0"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\COMPAQ~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg" title="red%20velvet%20loaf%20%203" gain="74473f" blacklevel="5898f" grayscale="t"> <w:wrap type="tight"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><br /><p class="MsoNormal">2 Cups All Purpose Flour (1 cup)**<br />1 Cup Evaporated Sugar Cane (1/2 cup)<br />1 TBLSP Molasses (1 ½ tsp)<br />4 TBLSP Unsweetened <st1:city><st1:place>Cocoa</st1:place></st1:city> Powder (2 TBLSP)<br />2 Tsp Baking Soda (1 tsp)<br />¼ Tsp Salt (1/8 tsp)<br />1 ½ Cups Buttermilk (3/4 cup buttermilk)<br />½ Cup Butter (1/4 cup)<br />4 Eggs (2 eggs)<br />1 TBLSP Apple Cider Vinegar (1 ½ tsp)<br />1 Tsp Vanilla (½ tsp)<br />1 oz Red Food Coloring<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">**1/2 recipe in parentheses</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Filling: <p class="MsoNormal">1 Package Cream Cheese<br />¼ Cup Evaporated Sugar Cane<br />1/8 Tsp salt<br />½ Tsp Lemon juice<br />1 Egg<br />2 TBLSP All purpose flour</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><br />Preheat oven to 350F.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cream together the cream cheese, sugar, salt and lemon juice.<span style=""> </span>Mix in one egg until smooth.<span style=""> </span>Whisk in the flour until smoothly combined and place in pastry piping bag; promptly refrigerate to firm up the mixture.<span style=""> </span>This can, and ought to, be done ahead of time.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>In a separate bowl cream together the butter, sugar, molasses and salt until smooth.<span style=""> </span>Add eggs and then vanilla, mixing until smoothly combined.<span style=""> </span>Mix in the butter milk and vinegar.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Sift together the cocoa powder, flour and baking soda.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Add dry mixture to the wet, stirring until completely combined.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Grease and cocoa a full size bread pan.<span style=""> </span>Spoon or scoop slightly more than ½ of the batter into the pan.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Pipe 3 thick cords of the chilled cream cheese mixture onto the center of the batter in the pan.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Spoon the remaining ½ of the batter around and on top of the cream cheese, making certain to cover it completely.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Place in 350F oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Cool on a rack in pan.<span style=""> </span>Do not remove it early, it will lose shape.<span style=""> </span>Allow to cool completely.</p> <br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>You can drizzle the top with a cream and powdered sugar glaze, or just slice and eat.<span style=""> </span>It is delicious and has a lovely texture.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SMFtwp6lrWI/AAAAAAAAAJo/3emt7wlER40/s1600-h/Red+Velvet+Loaf+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SMFtwp6lrWI/AAAAAAAAAJo/3emt7wlER40/s400/Red+Velvet+Loaf+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242592123888708962" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-47681624868449241522008-09-04T12:51:00.002-05:002008-09-04T13:13:15.928-05:00Meat Man Cookies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SMAlHLf0KQI/AAAAAAAAAJY/E5Zaln0cgX8/s1600-h/Meat+Man+Cookies.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SMAlHLf0KQI/AAAAAAAAAJY/E5Zaln0cgX8/s400/Meat+Man+Cookies.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242230771534801154" border="0" /></a><br />I love to put my own twist on something that is generally familiar to people, I enjoy their reactions to the new flavor in an old favorite, or their surprise at how familiar they are with a recipe that they did not recognize in its new clothes.<br /><br />I got to have that moment last night when I shared some of my experimentations with my favorite taste tester, my friend P. I brought her a thick chocolate cookie that she knew was familiar, but couldn't quite tell me why.<br /><br />It was a chocolate version of a snickerdoodle!<br /><br />I learned how to make these cookies in 7th grade at school, but I can quite recall why we learned this. I did retain the recipe for all of these years, but the recipe uses a box cake mix and I try extremely hard not to use those.<br /><br />For years I didn't share this recipe with others because it was my ace in the hole. Everyone loved them, but had never tasted them before. I always kept a box of cake mix in the pantry in case I needed to impress someone on the fly.<br /><br />I finally stopped being lazy and figured out how to make these from scratch about a year ago.<br /><br />I re-named them for a friend of mine's husband who has a meat distribution business and who also LOVES these cookies.<br /><br />So here they are:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meat Man Cookies</span><br /><br />1 Cup + 2 Tablespoons All purpose flour <p class="MsoNormal">¾ Cup Evaporated Cane Sugar</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1/3 Cup Cocoa Powder</p> <p class="MsoNormal">¾ teaspoons baking soda</p> <p class="MsoNormal">½ Teaspoon Salt</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1/8 Teaspoon Baking Powder</p> <p class="MsoNormal">¼ Cup Vegetable Oil</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2 eggs</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Sugar or sprinkles for coating</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Pre-heat oven to 350F.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, baking soda and powder into a medium bowl.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>With a spatula or large fork, combine the flour mixture with the vegetable oil and eggs until just combined.<span style=""> </span>The mixture will be thick, but should fully combine.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Scoop into large balls, about 3 tablespoons, and roll the top of the cookie into coarse sugar or colored sprinkles.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Place about 2 inches apart onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bake 14-18 minutes; the centers will still be fairly soft but the edges and bottom will be done.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Remove from cookie sheet and place on a wire rack to cool.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Makes 8 large cookies.</p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-79756343388484336592008-09-02T09:24:00.005-05:002008-12-11T08:09:57.040-06:00Buttermilk Biscuits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SL1WDO-J7fI/AAAAAAAAAJI/VOXOzSgrO1A/s1600-h/Buttermilk+Biscuts+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SL1WDO-J7fI/AAAAAAAAAJI/VOXOzSgrO1A/s400/Buttermilk+Biscuts+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241440154887515634" border="0" /></a><br />I always look forward to weekday holidays, like yesterday, because my husband has time to share a leisurely breakfast with me. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day to indulge in. I would never eat a helping of sugar and flour for dinner, but for breakfast...bring on the pancakes and syrup!<br /><br />I have been fantasizing about biscuits for weeks and yesterday was the perfect day to make those fantasies a reality. I have mentioned before that I have to watch my food intake very closely because I would rather cut off my arm than gain back all of the weight I worked so hard to lose.<br /><br />That being said biscuits are really a special occasion in our house.<br /><br />I really have not made many biscuits since my restaurant baking days, but it was like riding a bike...I just got right back on again; and man oh, man was I on! I baked from Betty Crocker's Cookbook and these biscuits were tender and flaky, not a single chewy bite. They browned perfectly and I buttered the tops...just like the old days when I didn't bother to count calories...and I sprinkled them with sea salt. I wish I had a rewind button...I would go back and enjoy them again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buttermilk Biscuits</span><br /><br />1/4 Cup Crisco, or other shortening<br />1 Cup Unbleached All Purpose Flour<br />1 1/2 Teaspoons Evaporated Cane Sugar<br />1 Teaspoon Baking Powder<br />1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda<br />1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt<br />1/2 Cup Buttermilk<br /><br />Garnish<br />1 Tablespoon Butter, melted<br />1 Teaspoon Sea Salt<br /><br />Pre-Heat oven to 450F.<br /><br />Sift together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and soda.<br /><br />Cut in the shortening until the mixture looks like fine crumbs.<br /><br />Stir in buttermilk and mix until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl, the mixture will be soft and sticky.<br /><br />Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Sprinkle the top of the dough with flour and knead once or twice to bring together and flatten out slightly to prepare for rolling.<br /><br />Dust the top again with flour and roll into a 1/2 inch thick disk.<br /><br />Flour your biscuit cutter and cut out as many biscuits as you can fit from the dough.**<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEGpvI5wJqM/RaK5YrVp_jI/AAAAAAAAADU/HkFQEoNYXCk/s400/biscuits+and+square+1+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SL1Y03csTpI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/yBW8b1j84m4/s400/biscuits+and+square+1+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241443206589861522" border="0" /></a><br />Reshape the left over dough and cut again.<br /><br />You will have a small amount of dough left that cannot be cut into a biscuit. Either bake it as is, or throw it away.<br /><br />Place cut biscuits in a pan to bake. To make them rise higher have them touch on the sides, if not, place them about 1 inch apart on a baking sheet.<br /><br />Bake for about 10-12 minutes, until golden on the tops.<br /><br />Remove from the oven and brush the tops with butter and sprinkle with salt for flavor and shine.<br /><br />This recipe makes about 4 biscuits, 3 inches in diameter.<br /><br /><br /><br />**I borrowed this picture from another blog, <a href="http://breadnjamforfrances.blogspot.com/">Bread and Jam for Frances</a>, and the picture links back to where it came from. I forgot to take pictures of the process, sorry.a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-57201287055990208962008-08-30T09:30:00.005-05:002008-08-30T09:57:58.328-05:00Perfect Pumpkin Muffins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLlZwgRTZgI/AAAAAAAAAIo/ffhRx_ry3Y4/s1600-h/Pumpkin+Muffin+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLlZwgRTZgI/AAAAAAAAAIo/ffhRx_ry3Y4/s400/Pumpkin+Muffin+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240318331253384706" border="0" /></a>It is not quite fall, yet....but, I hate the summer and am ready to usher it in. I love the scent of pumpkins, fresh and baked, it makes me feel like a kid. The scents of fall leave me feeling so very happy that I could not wait one more day to bring them about. I decided to make pumpkin muffins, striped through the center with cream cheese. Yummy! These delightful muffins even look like fall to me and do not need any icing for decor, they are that good.<br />As I said before I love to share my goodies with others, but there is no one around this week to take these off my hands. I guess I'll just have to suffer though it. If you decide to try these and after a day or two there still some left try cutting them in half, buttering them and toasting them, butter side down, in a pan on the stove top. Yuuuummm!<br />My taste tester is in Mexico this weekend, P- I hope your having fun! Maybe by the time she gets back here it will be fall...yeah I know, I live in Texas...summer goes on and on and on...and on. It has to end some time....in my house it is today.<br />Welcome fall!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLlfKgt4kkI/AAAAAAAAAIw/9i8G4t8PC4E/s1600-h/pumpkin+muffin+6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLlfKgt4kkI/AAAAAAAAAIw/9i8G4t8PC4E/s400/pumpkin+muffin+6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240324275607999042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pumpkin Muffins</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLlfdQSgVSI/AAAAAAAAAI4/ZHe5ZepS4Pk/s1600-h/Pumpkin+Muffin+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLlfdQSgVSI/AAAAAAAAAI4/ZHe5ZepS4Pk/s200/Pumpkin+Muffin+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240324597615711522" border="0" /></a><br /><br />1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree<br />4 eggs<br />½ cup vegetable oil <o:p></o:p><br />½ cup butter<br />2/3 cup buttermilk<br />3 cups evaporated cane sugar <o:p></o:p><br />1 teaspoon molasses<br />3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour<br />2 teaspoons baking soda<br />1 1/2 teaspoons salt<br />1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />1 teaspoon ground nutmeg<br />1/2 teaspoon ground cloves<br />1/4 teaspoon ground ginger<o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal">Filling:<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">8 oz. Cream Cheese<o:p></o:p><br />¼ Cup Evaporated Sugar Cane<o:p></o:p><br />1/8 Tsp salt<o:p></o:p><br />½ Tsp Lemon juice<o:p></o:p><br />1 Egg<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cream together the cream cheese, sugar, salt and lemon juice.<span style=""> </span>Mix in one egg until smooth.<span style=""> </span>Whisk in the flour until smoothly combined and place in pastry piping bag; promptly refrigerate to firm up the mixture.<span style=""> </span>This can be done ahead of time.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Line two muffin/cup cake pans; spray with flour and oil or just oil (which ever you have).<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, butter, oil, buttermilk, molasses and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Pour about 2 tablespoons of the batter into each muffin cup. Pipe about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of the prepared cups. Spoon another 1 1/2 -2 tablespoons of the batter on top of the cream cheese, just enough to cover the cheese mixture, it must not be showing when the pans go into the oven. Sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar, if you want to, this is not necessary-just tasty.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bake for about 30-40 minutes in the preheated oven. Muffins are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLlfwYUeO_I/AAAAAAAAAJA/KtJhH8jMANM/s1600-h/pumpkin+muffin+4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLlfwYUeO_I/AAAAAAAAAJA/KtJhH8jMANM/s400/pumpkin+muffin+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240324926188960754" border="0" /></a> <o:p></o:p></p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-40339161261760327412008-08-28T17:49:00.006-05:002008-08-28T18:13:55.607-05:00Breakfast To-GoOk, so...every morning, before I wake up, my husband scavenges through the kitchen in search of something tasty for breakfast. I have tried buying him granola bars and pre-made breakfast items, to no avail...he wants flavor! Imagine that! And substance...how dare he?!<br />A few days ago I mentioned that using the Irish Soda Farl you could easily make up sandwiches that would be convenient for those on the go. He came home that day and said, 'Why cant you do that?"<br />So, of course I did. Here are the results; they turned out really tasty (if I do say so myself).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLcu9A3OFdI/AAAAAAAAAIY/-sv46HORbFc/s1600-h/breakfast+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLcu9A3OFdI/AAAAAAAAAIY/-sv46HORbFc/s400/breakfast+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239708317207369170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I sliced the wedges in half and then split them open.<br /><br />On one side I dressed the bread with spicy brown mustard and on the other I slathered on a healthy dose of a tofu and pea spread that I will share with you further down the page.<br /><br />On the mustard side I placed an egg slice that I made by baking 5 egg whites and one whole egg in the oven at 350F, in a greased cake pan. I sprinkled the egg with some chili flakes and chives before sliding it into the oven for 15-20 minutes.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLcvLKm2V0I/AAAAAAAAAIg/UecsE9UbnYw/s1600-h/breakfast+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLcvLKm2V0I/AAAAAAAAAIg/UecsE9UbnYw/s400/breakfast+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239708560341227330" border="0" /></a><br />On the pea side I places one slice of bacon...oooh, we love bacon!<br /><br />I closed them up and packages them in wax paper for quick re-heating in the microwave.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLcuy08qo4I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/S87EmnqLY34/s1600-h/breakfast+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLcuy08qo4I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/S87EmnqLY34/s400/breakfast+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239708142210294658" border="0" /></a><br />Ta-Da...breakfast for hubby!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tofu and Pea Spread</span><br /><br />1/2 Cup Frozen Peas<br />1/2 Cup Extra firm Tofu<br />1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese<br />1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt<br />1 Tablespoon Olive Oil<br /><br />Add all ingredients to a food processor, starting with the peas and tofu. Pulse until a spreadable texture is achieved.<br />Will store in airtight container in fridge for up to 10 days.a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-76258608197232229872008-08-27T13:15:00.003-05:002008-08-27T16:41:31.454-05:00Extraordinary Shortbread<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLXIR8Ho04I/AAAAAAAAAH4/8QrP34yEtB4/s1600-h/shortbread+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLXIR8Ho04I/AAAAAAAAAH4/8QrP34yEtB4/s400/shortbread+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239313952036934530" border="0"></a><br />I have shared with you my love of shortbread, so now I will share with you my most beloved shortbread recipe. The result is crisp, slightly sweet, very buttery and exactly as shortbread should be. To quote Mary Poppins, it is "practically perfect in every way." <br /><br />It is so simple there is no reason not to make it. It saves well and I have never given a gift of shortbread to anyone who did not enjoy its natural nutty flavor and satisfying bite. I don't feel the need to say more because this recipe will speak for itself. I suggest you give it a go right away.<br /><p style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLXIZkqfRMI/AAAAAAAAAIA/4Nsku2pSSL8/s1600-h/shortbread+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLXIZkqfRMI/AAAAAAAAAIA/4Nsku2pSSL8/s200/shortbread+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239314083179611330" border="0"></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Shortbread</b></p>11 Tablespoons salted butter<br />½<font style=""> </font>cup evaporated cane sugar<br />½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract <u><o:p></o:p></u><br />7 tablespoons stone-ground cornmeal<br />1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour, sifted <p>Preheat the oven to 300°F.</p> <p>In a bowl, with a sturdy rubber spatula, cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add the cornmeal and mix until combined. Add the flour and process until just combined.</p> <p>Turn the dough out into an un-greased pan; there is plenty of butter in the recipe to keep it from sticking. Press the dough with the heels of your hands into the pan. Level out the surface and then prick holes all over the dough, and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until lightly golden.</p> <p>Transfer to a cutting board, cut small rectangular pieces using a sharp knife while still hot and malleable, and let cool completely. If you wait for it to cool before cutting it will crumble when you try to cut it.</p><p>Shortbread saves very well and tastes even better the second day.<br /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">42 cookies; 50 calories each cookie.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLXJbWRJ-9I/AAAAAAAAAII/RI5Y3DQrl3Y/s1600-h/shortbread+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLXJbWRJ-9I/AAAAAAAAAII/RI5Y3DQrl3Y/s400/shortbread+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239315213186628562" border="0"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-45107294430880438942008-08-26T13:45:00.002-05:002008-08-26T14:11:49.616-05:00Chocolate Hazelnut Bread<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLRUa5I5k0I/AAAAAAAAAHg/h6E3LyY6o5Q/s1600-h/Hazelnut+Zucchini4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLRUa5I5k0I/AAAAAAAAAHg/h6E3LyY6o5Q/s400/Hazelnut+Zucchini4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238905087530210114" border="0"></a><br />The addition of zucchini to recipes has begun to dazzle me. I previously would never have thought to add zucchini to breads and cakes, but now I have the bug and cannot seen to stop. I will be so sad when zucchini season is over and I have to pay an arm and a leg to make it an addition to my recipes.<br /><br />This recipe began as a chocolate cake and has, over many, many trials, manifested itself into this leaf of sweetened bread that I will suggest that you try asap. Hazelnuts and chocolate have a long history together and this recipe showcases that sumptuous relationship as well as any I have tried. It is a simple recipe that can be thrown together quickly or easily stored in the freezer for those impromptu guests that call for a delicious, hearty snack. I say hearty because this bread has a substantial weight to it that leaves you feeling quite satisfied. The nuts and meal give it a nice bite while the zucchini lends its texture and moisture to the chocolate bread that keeps it together. This bread pairs nicely with a dark coffee or even a dark tea. A nice alternative to an iced cake, this dense bread is sweet without the sugar coma that icing carries with it.<br /><br />I tried reducing the sugar by using splenda for half of the called for amount and the texture remained intact; I felt slightly less guilty for munching on it with the reduced sugar too.<br /><br />I almost forgot to mention how wonderful this bread smells...the hazelnuts roasting and the chocolate blooming... better start warming your oven, you'll thank me later.<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Chocolate Hazelnut Loaf</u></b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLRUkNX0ZBI/AAAAAAAAAHo/88ekR3IXyN8/s1600-h/Hazelnut+Zucchini3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLRUkNX0ZBI/AAAAAAAAAHo/88ekR3IXyN8/s400/Hazelnut+Zucchini3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238905247580316690" border="0"></a><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">- 1 1/2 C all-purpose flour (3/4 cup)**<br />- 1/2 C whole wheat flour (1/4 cup)<br />- 1 C Hazelnut meal (1/2 cup)<br />- 1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powder (1/4)<br />- 1 tsp baking soda (1/2 tsp)<br />- 1/2 tsp baking powder (1/4 tsp)<br />- 1/2 tsp salt (1/4 tsp)<br />- 1/2 C butter, softened (1/4 cup)<br />- 1 1/2 C Evaporated Cane Sugar (3/4 cup)<br />- 1 tsp Molasses (1/2 tsp)<br />- 1 tsp vanilla extract (1/2 tsp)<br />- 4 eggs, at room temperature (2 eggs)<br />- 2 C zucchini, grated (about 280 g, two medium) (1 cup. 140g)<br />- 1 C Chopped Hazelnuts (1/2 c)<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">**1/2 recipe in parentheses</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Preheat the oven to 350°F.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Grease 2 full size bread pans, and flour or sprinkle with cocoa powder: this is to help the bread un-mold easily, especially if you're not using a non-stick pan.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>In a bowl, sift together the flours, hazelnut meal, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>In a large bowl cream the sugar and butter.<font style=""> </font>Add in the vanilla extract, then the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly between each addition.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Spoon the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, reserving the last half-cup of it. Mix thoroughly, the batter will be thick.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Add the grated zucchini to the reserved flour mixture, and toss to coat. Fold in the batter, and blend thoroughly. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth surface.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I sprinkled the top of mine with a pinch of the nut meal, but that was not a necessary garnish.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Turn out on a rack to cool for half an hour, then un-mold, top and slice to serve.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Makes 2 full size loaves.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLRU4CXoz-I/AAAAAAAAAHw/JhGLiaSo52Q/s1600-h/Hazelnut+Zucchini1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLRU4CXoz-I/AAAAAAAAAHw/JhGLiaSo52Q/s200/Hazelnut+Zucchini1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238905588224151522" border="0"></a></p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-30290945878134736232008-08-25T11:53:00.005-05:002008-08-26T13:10:26.640-05:00Irish Soda Farl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLLqJ1FgnfI/AAAAAAAAAHA/bVFQDvdiDMw/s1600-h/Irish+Soda+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLLqJ1FgnfI/AAAAAAAAAHA/bVFQDvdiDMw/s400/Irish+Soda+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238506771175218674" border="0"></a><br />I am a reader, I read incessantly and recently I have been reading a book about the Irish country side. I found some food inspiration in the detailed descriptions of meals prepared in a small country kitchen by a sturdy woman, much like myself, that sees to a multitude of people and their culinary needs. I often find that good simple food is the very best and all of the additions made by modern chefs actually take away from the simple goodness of traditional fare. There is usually <a href="http://www.worldonaplate.org/world_on_a_plate/2007/03/irish_soda_brea.html">history</a> to go with the mouth filling flavors that will educate you as to why the recipe has stuck around for so long that it could be enjoyed by both you and those who came before.<br /><br />From the site <a href="http://www.worldonaplate.org/world_on_a_plate/">World on a Plate</a> I learned that if you're traveling around the north of Ireland, you'll find this bread which is a central accompaniment to an <a href="http://www.mrbreakfast.com/glossary_term.asp?glossaryID=136">Ulster Fry</a>. It's a hearty start to the morning but not too heart-friendly: fried eggs, fried Irish bacon, fried soda farl, fried potato farl (a 1/4-inch thick griddle-cooked potato bread), fried black pudding, fried sausages, fried tomatoes, fried mushrooms. The name, farl, originates from the Gaelic word <strong>fardel</strong>, meaning "fourth part." <p>The cross in the center is made, so folklore tells us, either to let the fairies out or to ward of evil or more practically perhaps to allow the dough to rise and for even slicing.</p>While my in-laws were visiting this weekend I made Irish soda farl for the first time. It sounded to wonderful while reading that I had to hop up and <a href="http://food.ivillage.com/recipefinder/display/0,,gb25,00.html">Google</a> it. The very next morning I made it and it baked atop the stove while I shared a cup of tea with my father in-law. It smelled wonderful and filled the house with the delectable scent of browning flour quickly since it was not contained by the oven door.<br /><br />The bread is made with buttermilk and should not be made with regular milk. The use of buttermilk reacts with the baking soda and carbon dioxide bubbles cause the bread to rise. The buttermilk also gives it a depth of flavor that would simply be lacking if made with anything else. The recipe is quite simple and I will certainly be making this again. They would make very delicious triangular breakfast sandwiches for those of you on the go. The bread is not crumbly and will stand up well for an in-car dining experience and also saves well in the fridge for 3-4 days; if you made it over the weekend for a leisurely meal you could easily have a few days worth of breakfast bread for the week.<br /><font class="recipetitle"><b><br />Irish Soda Farl</b></font><font class="recipetext1"><br /></font><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLRGrQ_mtaI/AAAAAAAAAHY/ZbVZUNDbfWM/s1600-h/Irish+Soda+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SLRGrQ_mtaI/AAAAAAAAAHY/ZbVZUNDbfWM/s400/Irish+Soda+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238889975648794018" border="0"></a><br /><font class="recipetext1">3.5 cup flour </font><font class="recipetext1"><br />1/2 tsp sugar </font><font class="recipetext1"><br />1/2 tsp salt </font><font class="recipetext1"><br />1/2 tsp baking soda </font><font class="recipetext1"><br />1 1/4 to 2 1/2 cup buttermilk </font><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><br /><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1027" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="DIRECTIONS:" style="'width:71.25pt;height:10.5pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:3.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\COMPAQ~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image004.gif" href="http://a820.g.akamai.net/f/820/822/1d/i.ivillage.com/HH/tools/recipefinder/headers/rfx4_recipe.gif"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><font class="recipetext1">Lightly grease a heavy skillet. </font><br /><font class="recipetext1"></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><font class="recipetext1">Sift the dry ingredients together into a large bowl; make sure the soda is evenly distributed. </font><br /><font class="recipetext1"></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><font class="recipetext1">Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and add about half the buttermilk. Stir until you have a raggy dough that is very squashy but which looks more or less dry. Add more liquid sparingly until you achieve this texture. </font><br /><font class="recipetext1"></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><font class="recipetext1">Blend until all the flour has achieved this consistency; then turn out immediately onto a lightly floured board and knead <i>for no more than a minute or a minute and a half</i>. Over kneading makes this bread very tough, and it's very easy to overdo it. </font><br /><font class="recipetext1"></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><font class="recipetext1">If making soda farl, shape the dough into a circle about 9 inches by one inch thick and cut into four wedges or "farls." Place in the preheated skillet, with cut edges about half an inch apart. Cook slowly on the stovetop over low-to-medium heat; it should take about 20 minutes for the farls to puff up and turn a light brown on the pan side. Turn them and cook for another 20 minutes. </font><br /><font class="recipetext1"></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><font class="recipetext1">For a softer crust on a soda farl, wrap in a dishtowel after baking. </font> <font class="recipetext1"></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><font class="recipetext1">You will need somewhere between 1 1/4 and 2 1/2 cups of buttermilk, depending on how much liquid your flour tends to absorb.<br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><font class="recipetext1">Serves 8. </font></p>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226256652094999325.post-87179621142894697632008-08-16T17:20:00.009-05:002008-08-16T18:34:35.217-05:00The Best Bloody Mary<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SKdfL3hdOmI/AAAAAAAAAGw/12_SXEnoGuc/s1600-h/BloodyMary1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SKdfL3hdOmI/AAAAAAAAAGw/12_SXEnoGuc/s400/BloodyMary1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235257749328968290" border="0" /></a><br />I only recently returned from my honeymoon with my newly acquired husband, Omar. We stayed at the <a href="http://www.monaco-seattle.com/">Hotel Monaco</a> in Seattle, WA and had a great time eating and drinking our way through the town. The first evening there we decided to head down to the in house restaurant, <a href="http://www.sazeracrestaurant.com/">Sazerac</a> , had a delightful meal and extremely great drinks.<br /><br />The food was well proportioned and had excellent flavor combinations that did not infringe of the natural essences of what the dish was supposed to be. Case in point, another dining experience in Seattle: an un-named seafood joint on the pier. The most basic of dishes here were ruined by a chef trying too hard to give things his own 'flavor'. I find that this happens often in restaurants that are too impressed with themselves and have stopped caring about the food. Very often simple food is the best food.<br /><br />This is a philosophy adhered to by the chefs at <a href="http://www.sazeracrestaurant.com/sazchef/index.html">Sazerac</a>. With items like braised artichoke complimented with a lemon sabayon; wood roasted manila clams served with a coriander lime butter and something as simple as their simplicity pizza topped with mozzarella basil and tomato how can they go wrong. They pair perfectly complimented flavors together and leave out the overly complicated and verbose combinations that often leave the diner yearning for a midnight meal at the local diner.<br /><br />If I lived in the area, I would dine there with intense regularity. Sadly I live very far away. That first evening we chose the restaurant out of convenience and barely ate at all, enjoying our drinks most of all. I have a deeply rooted love for bloody marys and I had absolutely the finest ever, at Sazerac. We returned nearly daily to have a drink and at minimum, an appetizer, and more than once a whole meal. Once we returned home I achingly missed those wonderful Bloody Marys and after many failed attempts at replication I broke down and emailed the restaurant to beg for the recipe. Very graciously Doug Logan, the general manager, responded and shared that recipe with me and now I will share it with you. Ours are still not as good as theirs and if you are in the area I suggest that you drop in, plan to have a whole meal because you will not want to resist the smells.<br /><br /><br />Sazerac Bloody Mary<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SKdfTM2oGEI/AAAAAAAAAG4/R8LHRFxyOvA/s1600-h/BloodyMary2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdIDVBWsqpA/SKdfTM2oGEI/AAAAAAAAAG4/R8LHRFxyOvA/s320/BloodyMary2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235257875313989698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />1 1/2 oz vodka<br />1 Teaspoon of Cajun Spice seasoning<br />1 Teaspoon Horseradish<br />1/2 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce<br />1/2 Teaspoon Tabasco<br />Tomato juice<br /><br />Combine all ingredients in a shaker and a few ice cubes filling almost to the top with tomato juice. Shake and enjoy.<br /><br />I garnished with green olives and a lime, but traditionally there should be a stalk of celery too.<br /><br /><br />I will return to Sazerac as often as my life permits me to, but in between I have a killer drink to pass the days.<br /><br />If you are in Seattle over the weekend drop by Sazerac to partake of their Bloody Mary Bar with all the fixins' starting at 8 am on both Saturday and Sunday running until 2:30 each afternoon!<span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:navy;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;color:navy;" ><br /></span></span>a real novel concept...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09893696107986761470noreply@blogger.com2