Yummy small cakes!

I'm not sure what my favorite thing to bake is but cupcakes are pretty high on the list! A few months ago. This cupcakes came from Elinor Kilvans book. So simple to make!

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fried chicken!!

A few Sundays mornings ago I was being lazy watching tv and Sandra Lee of the Food Network was on doing her semi homemade thing! To be honest I'm not the biggest fan of hers but she made this delicious fried chicken. That got me thinking of it so that's what we had for dinner that night. I made it a bit different than she did. I let some chicken thighs soak in buttermilk, hot peppers, and garlic. Dredged the chicken pieces in a little flour and fried till golden yummyness!!

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cupcakes!

My friend Rosemary had a birthday last week and I asked her what kind of cake she wanted. She responded no cake this year. That was not the answer I was looking for! So a few days later I asked again; she responded coconut cupcakes. So I found a recipe that used coconut milk in the batter. I had never baked with it. It turned out really delish!

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Brownie Bites

 

I love making treats for the kids I babysit. It brings me such joy to see them smile. Here was a fun idea to make brownies on a stick. My original plan was to frost them pink and decorate, at least I got them pink! YUMMY!

Halloween

 

WOW! Again it's been awhile! 2011 is off to a great start! Over the past several months I have not had a lot of free time. With my part time job at the American Land Conservancy, my part time job working with a Realtor, my babysitting and being a Stylist with Stella and Dot there is not a lot of time to bake! During the last few months I have found out what is important to me and baking really is! One of my 2011 goals is to bake more and learn more about the art of baking! For Halloween I made really yummy vanilla cupcakes with a spider web decoration! Take a peak!

Home Made Raviolis

 

Last weekend I went to my friend Janine's parent's house to help make the yearly batch of home made raviolis for the holidays. Janine explained that every year her grandma and the sisters made raviolis for the holidays. Since her grandma is in her late 80's she didn't feel like making them this year. So, Janine's dad wanted to carry on the tradition and make them. I had such a blast learning how to make these yummy filled pillows of heaven! We made three kinds, acorn squash, spinach with ricotta cheese and a meat version. Being able to make your own pasta a rolling it out on the table in the garage was so much fun. Using a rolling devise with the square cut out's on it made me feel like I was in Italy! The end product turned out so yummy and now I can't imagine eating anything else than freshly made raviolis!

John's Birthday!

 

I can't believe it's already October! Where did time go?? So, because time has been flying past me, I didn't have time to make a elaborate cake for John's birthday. So, I ended up using a recipe that I go to a lot when there is not a lot of time! It was just John and I for his birthday dinner and then home for a little cake celebration. I thought the cake turned out really yummy. I also didn't want it to be too rich so I just poured the chocolate ganache over the top of the cake. The cake recipe is from Alice Medrich's book, "Chocolate Holidays"

I love Alice Medrich not only because I use to go to her chocolate store, Cocolat on Fillmore when I was growing up but because her recipes are easy to follow and ALWAYS taste great!


4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) all-purpose flour
1 oz. (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) unsweetened natural cocoa powder (not Dutchprocessed)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. table salt
4 oz. (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted and warm
1-1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup hot water
1 cup warm Ganache

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat the oven to 350 F. Grease the bottom of an 9x2-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment.

In a small bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Sift only if the cocoa remains lumpy after whisking. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Add the eggs and vanilla; stir until well blended. Add the flour mixture all at once and stir just until all the flour is moistened. Pour the hot water over the batter; stir just until it’s incorporated and the batter is smooth. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes for a 9-inch pan; 35 to 40 min. for an 8-inch pan. Let cool in the pan on a rack for 10 min. Run a thin knife around the edge and invert the cake (peel off the parchment if necessary). Invert it again onto the rack and let cool completely.

Once cool, set the rack over a baking sheet or foil. Pour the warm ganache over the cake and use an icing spatula to spread it over the top of the cake and down the sides. Let set for about an hour before serving.