Lemon Curd and Brioche à Tête for Mother’s Day!
Posted on May 8, 2008
Filed Under bread, dessert, recipe, breakfast | 2 Comments
This weekend is Mother’s Day and I will get breakfast in bed from my two wonderful young boys. It is a tradition that always ends up with the duvet and my children wearing a significant portion of food. The menu is a list of their favorite things to eat, prepared by their dad. Waffles smothered in syrup, whipped cream, berries and a side of bacon (because my husband Graham loves bacon). I adore it all! They generally give me about two bites before climbing into bed to inhale the rest. I’m sure someday when the boys get older and more civilized we will go out for brunch and I will actually get to eat something. But, there is a part of me that will sadly miss this display of loving savagery. Read more
Chocolate Soufflé Cupcakes
Posted on May 6, 2008
Filed Under cake, dessert, recipe | 14 Comments
This is a great little hit of chocolate and coffee for when you need a fix. They are my two favorite vices. Well, the two that come to mind right now. My day ALWAYS starts with a cup of coffee in the morning. About midday I open up my chocolate drawer and have a little square of some treasure I’ve been hiding. Yes, I have a drawer just for chocolate. Actually it shares space with tins of tea, but they are just a foil to throw my boys off the scent. If you lift up the tins there are about a dozen different chocolate bars to choose from. If the boys start reading my website I’ll have to find a new hiding spot. Read more
The Ultimate Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting! (how to assemble the cake)
Posted on April 27, 2008
Filed Under cake, dessert, recipe | 20 Comments
“This is the best cake I’ve ever eaten!” was the reaction from my husband Graham to my latest creation. He has tasted many cakes during our 21 years together, so I pay attention when he makes a proclamation like this. I have to agree, this one is a winner! The recipe comes from Carole Bloom’s book The Essential Baker
A Bowl of Marzipan Cherries!
Posted on April 21, 2008
Filed Under dessert, recipe | 21 Comments
These cherries topped a carrot cake* I made for a friend’s birthday party this weekend. Cherries were the theme of her party, because her name is Carolyn Cherry! Her birthday happens to fall at a time of year when there is not a fresh fruit to be found. Not even those grown in South America. So what is a pastry chef to do? Make her own, of course! Read more
English Breakfast Tea Angel Food Cake!
Posted on April 11, 2008
Filed Under cake, dessert, recipe | 19 Comments
My second venture into Carole Bloom’s baking book resulted in a new household favorite. English Breakfast Tea Angel Food Cake (p. 590) from The Essential Baker
I was so taken with this cake and its unique twist on a traditional and often dull recipe, that I am going to share it with you. I’ve mentioned that I am in the process of baking my way through many of the cakes in this book for the Edesia cookbook group on May 19th. In fairness to Carole Bloom I will not share all of the recipes I make. I’ve decided to pick 2-3 that are exceptional in my modest opinion. If any of you have suggestions please share them with me!
English Breakfast Tea Angel Food Cake by Carole Bloom: Read more
Dark Chocolate Madeleines
Posted on April 8, 2008
Filed Under dessert | 10 Comments
Over the course of the next month I am going to be preparing recipes from Carole Bloom’s latest baking tome The Essential Baker which came out last year. Kim Ode from the Star Tribune hosts a wonderful cookbook review at the Barnes and Noble in Edina called Edesia (it means the Roman Goddess of Food). On May 19th I’ll be one of the “guest experts” and will give my opinion, along with some sample goodies of the recipes I’ve tested. Along the way I thought I would share some of my findings with you. Read more
Chocolate Caramel Matzo for Passover (or any other time!)
Posted on March 30, 2008
Filed Under dessert, recipe | 19 Comments
Every Passover I make this recipe from Marcy Goldman’s classic book A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking
3 Citrus Fruit Pâtes (French Fruit Jellies)
Posted on March 25, 2008
Filed Under restaurants, dessert, recipe | 10 Comments
Last week Graham and I went to dinner at Cosmos restaurant in Minneapolis where my friend Khanh Tran is the pastry chef. She is a brilliantly talented woman and all of the desserts were breath taking. I am not generally this liberal with my praise of sweets. I’m often disappointed and rarely quiet about it. Khanh has managed to balance the art of beautiful presentation with deep and true flavors. The last thing we ate that night was a plate of mignardises (small bite sized desserts) and on the platter were two of my all time favorites; French macaroons and fruit pâtes. Read more
Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Pâte (Fruit Jelly)
Posted on March 25, 2008
Filed Under dessert, recipe | 6 Comments
Meyer Lemon and Rosemary is one of the 3 French Fruit Pâtes I made this week:
Kumquat and Vanilla Bean Pâte (Fruit Jelly)
Posted on March 25, 2008
Filed Under dessert, recipe | 8 Comments
Kumquat and Vanilla Bean is one of the 3 French Fruit Pâtes I made this week: Read more
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