Archive for January, 2010
You are currently browsing the Bake & Bloom blog archives for January, 2010.
27
Jan
2010
Carrot, Sage & Thyme risotto with Ashen Goats Cheese
This is one of my girly recipes that only comes out when Mr Bake and Bloom is away on business or I have a girlfriend coming over, it’s just too pretty for men to appreciate. (And Mr Bake & Bloom tells me off about the insane amounts of butter I use when I cook, that’s why he is so cute & skinny nowadays) If you’ve always been scared of preparing risotto as many people are don’t be…I mean, if you can work a spoon you can make risotto. The key to making it nice & smooth is not to break apart the rice (which makes the rice gluggy), I tend to never lift my spoon from the bottom of the saucepan that way I am not smashing up the little pieces of rice, merely massaging the starch from them.
25
Jan
2010
Eh Canada! Pear & Maple tarte tatin with Praline Pecans & my conclusions on the Pacific Northwest
O.K I have no intention of re-inventing the wheel here, classic tarte tatin is beautiful, perfect. This is simply cheeky twist on the theme, get it? French Canadian?
I had something similar at a restaurant in Whistler on Christmas eve, it was full of promise but failed to deliver. I can’t understand for the life of me why though, tarte tatin is such a simple desert for even the most unskilled of home cooks to prepare when given the time & attention it needs.
22
Jan
2010
G’day U.S.A. Chocolate Brownie Pie & a few observations about my travels in America
Look at it, stare into it’s velvety darkness. (& ignore my rudimentary crust making skills)
I wracked my brain with ideas for my American inspired recipe. I just had too many things I wanted to do…peanut butter cups, BBQ ribs, red velvet cake, rice krispie treats. I needed to simplify.
What do you think of when you think of classic “Suzie homemaker” style American baking? For me it was pie and brownies, and then lightning struck. Pie crust- brownie filling…YUM. I googled it & it turns out that brownie pie is a real thing so I can’t take all the credit but I decided to wing the whole recipe. (Generally not an advisable way to go about the science of baking) So I started with a chocolate cookie crust & filled it with a decadent brownie filling. The resulting pie is hauntingly chocolaty with a delicious crust on top.
15
Jan
2010
I’m Baaaack!
Well I have some bruises, a sprained thumb & a broken tailbone but I also have a lot of great memories.
This little Aussie has just spent nearly a month in Canada & America (& I have the cellulite to prove it!) I saw some amazing things like a semi naked man lady in L.A. Did some things I never thought I would do in my life, like shoot a Beretta assault rifle at the Gun Shop in Vegas & ride a segway in Santa Monica. I ate some things I never thought I would eat, like Hooters deep fried pickles.
I have begrudgingly now resumed my ordinary life as a receptionist/undercover baker/floral design student/blogger/wingnut
Always the optimist though (HA!) I have decided my travels will make me a much better foodie/blogger & indeed human being. Coming next week will be my nod to Canada & North America in some kind of splendorific foodie way. I brought back maple syrup guys & I am making my own BBQ sauce (not WITH the maple syrup…duh!)
For now, here are a few happy snaps. I am glad to be back guys, I missed you too much.
A frightfully good piece of halibut I had for my 25th birthday. Thank you to Diva @ the Met hotel Vancouver
Me & my birthday cake
Diva @ The Met made me a divine chocolate mousse & pear cake
The best breakfast I have ever eaten. Vanilla bean french toast & bacon. (are you beginning to see what I spent most my time doing on my vacation?)
Granville Island Farmers Market. I would kill for a market like this at home
Our concierge @ the Vancouver Hyatt got us tickets to the sold out Canuks game. I had never seen ice hockey before & it was wicked good.
From our balcony & Whistler where we spent a merry little Christmas
The view from our room @ the Paris casino Las Vegas where we spent NYE
They let us eat cake in Paris
The Disneyland "Love O Meter" told Mr Bake & Bloom how it really is
Remember that cellulite I was telling you about?
I dub these pickles...DELICIOUS!
Could this fella be any cuter? *swoon*
We shopped @ Johnny Cupcakes L.A which was total radness
& ended the trip with a segway tour of Santa Monica & Venice Beach on a perfect sunny Californian day
The end.
