When I asked what she wanted the cake to look like, Fi's mom handed me a graceful pink invitation with a Celtic Cross. The fondant knots made me crazy dizzy.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Fi's First Communion Cake
When I asked what she wanted the cake to look like, Fi's mom handed me a graceful pink invitation with a Celtic Cross. The fondant knots made me crazy dizzy.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Strawberry Shortcake
A trifecta of perfection.
The shortcake is made with a barely blended dough. The chunks of butter are what gives it the flakiness. As my chef-instructors used to say, "an ugly dough is the best dough." In fact, the dough should be near impossible to work with. Thats how you know it will be perfect. Muffins, short cake, scones, quick breads and biscuits all fall into this category. Under mix!
The strawberries are gently macerated with sugar. The best strawberries need no further embellishment.
Then there is just enough creme fraiche (mixed with vanilla and demarara sugar) to drizzle around it all. Sure, whipped cream would make it more photogenic. But trust me, the tang and ooze here tastes much better.
The shortcake is made with a barely blended dough. The chunks of butter are what gives it the flakiness. As my chef-instructors used to say, "an ugly dough is the best dough." In fact, the dough should be near impossible to work with. Thats how you know it will be perfect. Muffins, short cake, scones, quick breads and biscuits all fall into this category. Under mix!
The strawberries are gently macerated with sugar. The best strawberries need no further embellishment.
Then there is just enough creme fraiche (mixed with vanilla and demarara sugar) to drizzle around it all. Sure, whipped cream would make it more photogenic. But trust me, the tang and ooze here tastes much better.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Lemon Meringue Pie
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On the first glorious day of spring everyone I knew headed outdoors, but I just wanted to be in my kitchen with all the windows open. The answer was Lemon Meringue Pie. These were made with wonderfully fragrant Lisbon Lemons that grow on thorny trees--be careful! They have about ten segments, and few and small pits. They were just beautiful. This is a great pie when kids want to help out. Kids all seem to love to juice lemons. Don't forget to brush the pie crust with some beaten egg when there are about five minutes left during blind baking. This helps seal out any moisture from the filling and will keep the bottom crust crisp.
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Friday, October 2, 2009
Pie Fest '09
Oh how I love Fall produce!!! I was lucky enough to take my family to a beautiful pick-your-own farm last weekend. Ostensibly for apples, but I'm in it for it all: Concord Grapes, Squash, Rhubarb! When I returned home and took stock of my trunk, I realized that my enthusiasm far outweighs my free time! I've found ways to squeeze out a batch of pastry crust in 15 minutes here and there, and prepared a batch of grapes, while the kids were sleeping. I've been trawling for a good old fashioned apple peeler to deal with this fine peck. The first pie off the line is rhubarb. It is such a simple and beautiful pie fruit.
Rhubarb is pretty enough to display on its own.
Rhubarb is pretty enough to display on its own.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
My little peanut wanted a ten-layer cake for his fourth birthday. That's what happens when he holes up with his big sister and a sketch pad. "Ten Lay-ERS, Mommy!" So I whipped out my own sketch pad and sold him on a simple race track. I couldn't do anything more elaborate, what with the entire preschool class coming and the forecast calling for rain! Peanut was very happy with is cake. Ka-CHow!
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