...there's nothing wrong with that, right?
It calms and soothes me - relaxes me in the way the beach relaxes most people...ok, ok, so I'm a bit off, but if it makes me happy, is it so wrong?
For instance, tonight I made about a dozen mini cheesecakes for my friend's Italian deli (see the link over there on the left side of this blog?) - all varieties, from plain to kahlua to peanut butter...was that enough? Oh no! Then I decided to whip up a chocolate chip angel food cake (yeah, I know - the chocolate chips kind of defeat the whole non-fat angel food cake concept). And will I stop there? Probably not - I'll drizzle the angel food cake with chocolate to finish it off. It was a modification on what Marshall wants for his birthday - hey, creative freedom! And depending on how motivated I feel this weekend, I might even make another cake - a white wine cake...why? just for the hell of it - why not?
The humorous part of my whole love of baking (particularly desserts) is that I very rarely eat anything I make - I carry it into work and let my co-workers gobble it up! I don't ever hear a complaint from them and it keeps me from gaining any weight...a win-win situation!
People tell me that I should start my own bakery (I've even been told by one that *if* she ever gets married again, I can create her wedding cake), but I think I'm just not ready to do that - to take that leap...maybe do custom desserts for a local independent bakery? That's pretty much what I do for my friend's deli - it allows for a more flexible schedule...maybe one day, though, I just might try my hand at a dessert shop - who knows?
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Can you dance?
I am *so* glad that So You Think You Can Dance is back on! I missed watching the auditions where people think they can dance and get offended when they're told they can't and shouldn't. It's like American Idol auditions, but oh so much better! There's the physical comedy factor added on this show. And then to see the ones that truly can dance - they are amazing!
So You Think You Can Dance
I like to think that I have some talent - after all, I did take ballet when I was younger...but that probably just means I can fall gracefully now! Oh well, I'll just live vicariously through the dancers on the show and try to pick who will be the big winner.
I like to think that I have some talent - after all, I did take ballet when I was younger...but that probably just means I can fall gracefully now! Oh well, I'll just live vicariously through the dancers on the show and try to pick who will be the big winner.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Poor Man's Whipped Frosting
I don't normally share recipes, but this one is such a favorite when I make it that it deserves to be passed on (and I can't take the credit of creating it). Though I will warn you - it is by no means the healthiest of recipes. Enjoy!
5 Tablespoons flour
1 Cup milk
1/2 Cup butter
1/2 Cup Crisco
1 Cup sugar
2 Teaspoons vanilla
Mix flour and milk in a saucepan; cook over low heat until thick (paste-like), stirring constantly - this is a slow process, don't rush it! Remove from heat. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cooled completely. Cream butter and Crisco for 4 minutes with an electric mixer. Add sugar and beat for 4 more minutes. Add cooled flour paste and beat for 4 more minutes.
It produces a nice whipped frosting that is "soft" when at room temperature, but stiff when kept chilled. This is a fairly touchy recipe - hopefully if you try it, it works out for you because it's incredible frosting. For a standard 9" 2-layer cake, I double the recipe. It can be used for pretty much anything. I've even mixed peanut butter in it to make a (well, duh!) peanut butter frosting - though adding to the recipe tends to thicken the frosting more.
5 Tablespoons flour
1 Cup milk
1/2 Cup butter
1/2 Cup Crisco
1 Cup sugar
2 Teaspoons vanilla
Mix flour and milk in a saucepan; cook over low heat until thick (paste-like), stirring constantly - this is a slow process, don't rush it! Remove from heat. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cooled completely. Cream butter and Crisco for 4 minutes with an electric mixer. Add sugar and beat for 4 more minutes. Add cooled flour paste and beat for 4 more minutes.
It produces a nice whipped frosting that is "soft" when at room temperature, but stiff when kept chilled. This is a fairly touchy recipe - hopefully if you try it, it works out for you because it's incredible frosting. For a standard 9" 2-layer cake, I double the recipe. It can be used for pretty much anything. I've even mixed peanut butter in it to make a (well, duh!) peanut butter frosting - though adding to the recipe tends to thicken the frosting more.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
the Korean steakhouse experience...
Me and my friend, Shanette, decided to grab dinner at a new Korean steakhouse that opened up down the street - it was either that or Jamaican, but the cute guy that opened the door for us sealed the deal! It was her first time to try Korean - as for me, well, my mom is Korean, so it's a pretty good guess that I've eaten Korean food before (ya think?!?!)
So we did the whole Korean BBQ-thing, where you cook at the table - yes, amazing how you pay a restaurant for food and end up cooking for yourself! But hey, it supposed to be all about the "experience" - kind of like fondue. I got the beef bulgogi and she got the chicken bulgogi - that with miso soup and all the side dishes made for a fairly good meal. I particularly liked the rice they served with the meal - it wasn't the normal sticky white rice - it had red beans (even though they really look purple) mixed in with it...quite yummy! I've never been served rice that way...
I even chose to partake in some alcoholic experimentations...the first item to catch my attention was called a pineapple upside-down cake - vanilla vodka and pineapple juice (?) - it was good enough, but I expected it to be more pineapple-y. For my second choice, I picked out the German chocolate cake...I know, sounds more like I'm pigging out on desserts rather than drinks, but I didn't name them! The German chocolate cake was coconut rum, Godiva chocolate and some creme liquor (I just can't remember exactly). I did like that one better than the first. The bartender (I assume - either that or some random man - I do tend to attract those) came by our table and asked how I liked the drinks - so I told him...the first was ok, but the second was better. He said they were still in the process of stocking the bar and when done right, the pineapple drink would have mashed pineapples in it and the chocolate one would have coconut flake around the rim of the martini glass. Sound good to me!!!
Over all, a well laid out meal - probably a little pricey for regular visits at about $20 per person, depending on what you order, and $7 mixed drinks...but it's not out of range compared to the other Korean restaurant I frequent a few miles away (and this one has a bar). What surprises me the most is what are the odds that in Raleigh, North Carolina, there are 2 (and maybe more) Korean eateries within 5 miles of me? Maybe the cuisine is catching on? a fad? who knows, but I'm not complaining considering my mom is in Texas so no home-cooked meals from her any time soon.
In the end, a good dinner with a good friend - perfect to finish off a pretty decent day!
So we did the whole Korean BBQ-thing, where you cook at the table - yes, amazing how you pay a restaurant for food and end up cooking for yourself! But hey, it supposed to be all about the "experience" - kind of like fondue. I got the beef bulgogi and she got the chicken bulgogi - that with miso soup and all the side dishes made for a fairly good meal. I particularly liked the rice they served with the meal - it wasn't the normal sticky white rice - it had red beans (even though they really look purple) mixed in with it...quite yummy! I've never been served rice that way...
I even chose to partake in some alcoholic experimentations...the first item to catch my attention was called a pineapple upside-down cake - vanilla vodka and pineapple juice (?) - it was good enough, but I expected it to be more pineapple-y. For my second choice, I picked out the German chocolate cake...I know, sounds more like I'm pigging out on desserts rather than drinks, but I didn't name them! The German chocolate cake was coconut rum, Godiva chocolate and some creme liquor (I just can't remember exactly). I did like that one better than the first. The bartender (I assume - either that or some random man - I do tend to attract those) came by our table and asked how I liked the drinks - so I told him...the first was ok, but the second was better. He said they were still in the process of stocking the bar and when done right, the pineapple drink would have mashed pineapples in it and the chocolate one would have coconut flake around the rim of the martini glass. Sound good to me!!!
Over all, a well laid out meal - probably a little pricey for regular visits at about $20 per person, depending on what you order, and $7 mixed drinks...but it's not out of range compared to the other Korean restaurant I frequent a few miles away (and this one has a bar). What surprises me the most is what are the odds that in Raleigh, North Carolina, there are 2 (and maybe more) Korean eateries within 5 miles of me? Maybe the cuisine is catching on? a fad? who knows, but I'm not complaining considering my mom is in Texas so no home-cooked meals from her any time soon.
In the end, a good dinner with a good friend - perfect to finish off a pretty decent day!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Farmer Wants a Wife
well, I'm really not sure what to think - it's like watching some grotesque surgical procedure - you want to look away, try to look away, but...you...just...can't...
I just happened to be scanning through the channels and somehow stopped on Farmer Wants a Wife - it was a repeat, but for some unknown, maybe even unconscious reason, I did not change the channel and actually watched the whole episode. I think it was the animals (I like animals and farms) and watching these ridiculous women trouncing around in high heels, short skirts, and bikinis on a farm, trying to impress this HOT farmer (yes, I will admit he is *very* attractive) that they are the rural type that he needs in his life. "Oh I'm definitely falling for him!" kind of made me giggle - he has a totally different view on life and love and these nutty women in the short time they spend with him are looking to be his wife (or at least a serious relationship)...I know, I know - it's a REALITY show, but where the hell did the reality go?
He's cute, yes...the experience is different and exciting, yes...but seriously, these women are willing to relocate themselves and their careers to live on a farm? Farms nowadays are much more high-tech and he's not really out in the boonies, but still - are they *really* going to give up everything to move to be a farmer's wife? I think not - lord knows I wouldn't...no matter how sexy, how rich, how wonderful the man is, and how much I loved farm life. Don't get me wrong - I do love farms and animals and have no disdain for hard work (I've put plenty of time in myself), but how can one fathom living a city life and wanting to "go country" just to be with a man? You do it for yourself. Maybe I'm just too independent of a woman (no, none of that "I am woman, hear me roar" crap) - but there are these things called identity and compromise (and just a FYI - they're really important for a healthy relationship). I can't imagine flipping my life upside-down for "love" - at least not unless I knew it was something I would have done even if there was no relationship. I can understand the dislike of the whole dating scene in the city, but they act like being in the country is being on another planet...different and strange, yes, but people are people...you have the same issues with sex, love and relationships in both places...just a change in scenery. And if these women really wanted to get out of the "city life," did they really need to sign up for a reality show to do it?
The saddest thing out of all of this is that I actually watched the whole dang thing and then had to rant about it - I never said I was right in the head - plus I'd probably watch other episodes, more so just to see which woman he picks...my parting thought - again, where did the reality go in reality tv? at least they got the shoveling manure part right...
Farmer Wants a Wife
I just happened to be scanning through the channels and somehow stopped on Farmer Wants a Wife - it was a repeat, but for some unknown, maybe even unconscious reason, I did not change the channel and actually watched the whole episode. I think it was the animals (I like animals and farms) and watching these ridiculous women trouncing around in high heels, short skirts, and bikinis on a farm, trying to impress this HOT farmer (yes, I will admit he is *very* attractive) that they are the rural type that he needs in his life. "Oh I'm definitely falling for him!" kind of made me giggle - he has a totally different view on life and love and these nutty women in the short time they spend with him are looking to be his wife (or at least a serious relationship)...I know, I know - it's a REALITY show, but where the hell did the reality go?
He's cute, yes...the experience is different and exciting, yes...but seriously, these women are willing to relocate themselves and their careers to live on a farm? Farms nowadays are much more high-tech and he's not really out in the boonies, but still - are they *really* going to give up everything to move to be a farmer's wife? I think not - lord knows I wouldn't...no matter how sexy, how rich, how wonderful the man is, and how much I loved farm life. Don't get me wrong - I do love farms and animals and have no disdain for hard work (I've put plenty of time in myself), but how can one fathom living a city life and wanting to "go country" just to be with a man? You do it for yourself. Maybe I'm just too independent of a woman (no, none of that "I am woman, hear me roar" crap) - but there are these things called identity and compromise (and just a FYI - they're really important for a healthy relationship). I can't imagine flipping my life upside-down for "love" - at least not unless I knew it was something I would have done even if there was no relationship. I can understand the dislike of the whole dating scene in the city, but they act like being in the country is being on another planet...different and strange, yes, but people are people...you have the same issues with sex, love and relationships in both places...just a change in scenery. And if these women really wanted to get out of the "city life," did they really need to sign up for a reality show to do it?
The saddest thing out of all of this is that I actually watched the whole dang thing and then had to rant about it - I never said I was right in the head - plus I'd probably watch other episodes, more so just to see which woman he picks...my parting thought - again, where did the reality go in reality tv? at least they got the shoveling manure part right...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
I think I'm Addicted...
Yep, I believe I am hooked - I've decided that I have to get my regular fix of Anthony Bourdain, particularly his show No Reservations. I mean, how can you not love a sarcastic, entertaining, intellectual, smartass that knows all about foods, and introduces you to cuisine from around the world? Yes, I know - there's always that other guy, Andrew Zimmern - I like him well enough, but Mr. Bourdain is just so much more...well, hilarious! Maybe it's just me, actually it probably is, but I like the biting, yet complimentary dialogue better than the more "viewer-friendly" goofy approach that Mr. Zimmern provides. I really hope that someday, when I'm rich and famous (yeah, right), that I'll get to dine around the world like Anthony Bourdain - and hell, getting paid to do it would just be icing on the cake...
For now, I'll just continue to live vicariously through No Reservations like the rest of the Travel Channel-watchers.
The Travel Channel
For now, I'll just continue to live vicariously through No Reservations like the rest of the Travel Channel-watchers.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Happy Birthday! (to me)
Being from San Antonio, I'm always on the hunt for good Texas beef brisket...but I believe after tonight, my search is over!
After an exciting day at Artsplosure in Moore Square (where I happened to run into a friend I haven't seen in 10 years - I know, bad me for not keeping in touch) and then a short jaunt to the Farmers' Market, we (that would be me and Marshall - my significant other - other what, we're still debating that one) decided to get a bite to eat at Falls River Smokehouse since neither of us had ever been there. It was the best decision we made all day!
As an appetizer, we tried the BBQ nachos - gooey cheese, pulled pork BBQ, and jalapenos mounded on top of a basket-full of tortilla chips. Marshall got the standard pulled pork BBQ sandwich (which he said was very good) and I decided on the "choose 2" platter - BBQ spare ribs and Texas beef brisket, along with 2 sides (Brunswick stew and sweet potato fries) and cornbread. Yes, I was quite the pig, but it was just too good to pass up. Needless to say, when Vernon (the owner and chef) came by our table I told him I was "in love with the beef brisket!" It was so incredibly tender, it fell apart when I stabbed it with my fork. And the taste had just the right blend of seasonings and smoke flavor.
And just when I didn't think it could get any better, I had to try the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding. Now, I do like bread pudding, and anything made from doughnuts has to be tasted...it's bread pudding made from Krispy Kreme doughnuts with chocolate chips and a citrus glaze. I told Vernon that I would definitely be coming back and ordering nothing but a heaping plate of brisket and another plate of the bread pudding!
Who would have thunk it - a dinner pick on a whim turned out to be a wonderful culinary experience, all in a down-home atmosphere that really was quite affordable. And it was the perfect finish to a great birthday for me!
Falls River Smokehouse Website
Falls River Smokehouse Review
After an exciting day at Artsplosure in Moore Square (where I happened to run into a friend I haven't seen in 10 years - I know, bad me for not keeping in touch) and then a short jaunt to the Farmers' Market, we (that would be me and Marshall - my significant other - other what, we're still debating that one) decided to get a bite to eat at Falls River Smokehouse since neither of us had ever been there. It was the best decision we made all day!
As an appetizer, we tried the BBQ nachos - gooey cheese, pulled pork BBQ, and jalapenos mounded on top of a basket-full of tortilla chips. Marshall got the standard pulled pork BBQ sandwich (which he said was very good) and I decided on the "choose 2" platter - BBQ spare ribs and Texas beef brisket, along with 2 sides (Brunswick stew and sweet potato fries) and cornbread. Yes, I was quite the pig, but it was just too good to pass up. Needless to say, when Vernon (the owner and chef) came by our table I told him I was "in love with the beef brisket!" It was so incredibly tender, it fell apart when I stabbed it with my fork. And the taste had just the right blend of seasonings and smoke flavor.
And just when I didn't think it could get any better, I had to try the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding. Now, I do like bread pudding, and anything made from doughnuts has to be tasted...it's bread pudding made from Krispy Kreme doughnuts with chocolate chips and a citrus glaze. I told Vernon that I would definitely be coming back and ordering nothing but a heaping plate of brisket and another plate of the bread pudding!
Who would have thunk it - a dinner pick on a whim turned out to be a wonderful culinary experience, all in a down-home atmosphere that really was quite affordable. And it was the perfect finish to a great birthday for me!
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