Uncle Dave and Christin came for dinner tonight and so, in the interest of defending my claim that I do indeed love the lowly bundt cake, I decided upon a Pear and Ginger Bundt cake. While the pears in the market are not at peak yet, I was game anyway. Here is what happened: PEAR AND GINGER BUNDT CAKE - adapted from Woman's Day as seen on Huffpost Taste 3/4 cup water 2 1/4 cups sugar, divided 1 2" piece fresh ginger, peeled and … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2013
Dreamy Gugelhopf – a recipe from Manuela Darling-Gansser
photo courtesy Winter in the Alps by Manuela Darling-Gansser This post, as far as I am concerned, stands on its own in terms of the validity of its subject matter - in my eyes, as an eyes-closed dreamy aroma, and thus, on my palate. However, and not an insignificant aside, it is even more exciting for me this morning to find that I may have indeed found a little link to my long lost and forever-etched memory of the Honey Loaf from The … [Read more...]
The Power of the Word Tomorrow; Mingling of Culture and Cuisine in the Alps
Slopes near Inner Arosa - (photo courtesy Trip Advisor) - not doing justice to any photos from her book furry friend discovered yesterday Truth is, I just saw a commercial which featured the word "tomorrow" in it. I immediately got to thinking about the power of the concept of tomorrow in our psyches and in our world. Tomorrow is the ultimate word of hope, as in "there is always tomorrow" - another day to try again to do something, to … [Read more...]
Fragrant Spices and Leftover Pumpkin – Pumpkin Biscotti With Ginger, Toasted Pecans and Dried Cranberries
Like a Field of Happy! - Sunday's discovery of massive fields of sunflowers in West Amwell, NJ Well, I had some of my pumpkin leftover from Sunday's scones and kept on thinking I didn't want to throw it away. I guess the Autumn bug has really bitten me because I am dreaming about Biscotti already. Biscotti are some of my very favorite cookies - mostly because I love crunchy cookies. I experiment with biscotti often - but it usually … [Read more...]
The Triple Dairy Scone – today with Blueberry and Lemon; and, the new “Secret” Step
The Triple Dairy Scone - Blueberry and Lemon Version So sorry if you are sick of Scone recipes - but I'm not. I'll try to get onto other things, I will. Yesterday, I made a batch of Pumpkin-Ginger Biscotti and I'll be publishing this later. But, you know me - just about each week I find myself experimenting in the scone department. I don't know why this is, except to say it inspires me to wake up and bake something fragrant and … [Read more...]
Seasons Change and So Do I – the most lovely Pumpkin-Ginger Scones
Trivia Time! - the Guess Who, Circa 1969 - the song? "No Time" - it came to me this morning as I was putting a batch of Pumpkin-Ginger Scones into the oven. Excerpting from the lyrics: No time left for you, on my way to better things..... No time for a Summer rain....... Distant roads are calling me.......... Seasons change and so do I, you need not wonder why........ You can look up the remainder of the song - but this was … [Read more...]
Process of Invention Circa 11th Century – Frangipane, Pithiviers and Pastry School
Martha Stewart's Pithivier Here's the video: http://www.marthastewart.com/335503/pithiviers Part of what I am doing with this little blog is using it as a vehicle of enhanced self-discovery - the fun kind. One of the biggest things I have learned about myself is that on the days that I do bake I am a much happier person. I can't really explain this except to say that there is something about the selection or creation of a recipe and its … [Read more...]
Caught My Eye – The Power of the Camera; and Lovely Challahs
I love this picture - it makes me happy! You've probably noticed that I have become quite attached to my camera - and how it inspires me. I find myself now "seeing" things as photos, before they are captured. There is an awful lot of beauty out there to be seen and, like the phrase, "stop and smell the roses", " stop and see" is a good way to appreciate and express gratitude for the beauty around us. It's a good way to reinforce what … [Read more...]
As the Seasons Change, A Plethora of Recipes
late Summer's first macintosh apples from the Orleans Farmer's Market Before I forget, I just would like to feature two great soups I had last week before I left Massachusetts. I have been trying to get these two recipes for over a year and they are closely guarded secrets!! On Nantucket, I inhaled my very favorite Gazpacho, from Straight Wharf Restaurant wonderful melon and cucumber based gazpacho with a hint of heat and garnish … [Read more...]
The Summer Side of Life and the Seeds of Autumn
on the patio today - Summer and Fall juxtaposed Today's post is about straddling the line between what is left of Summer and the early inklings of Autumn. I thought the title, "Summer Side of Life" was a good image of where I'm trying to stay right now - all the while knowing that Autumn is pulling us in, for sure. I am resisting acknowledging how early it is getting dark now. I thought it was bad on Cape Cod, where the sunsets are so … [Read more...]