All posts filed under: cakes and desserts

New Year’s Eve Inspiration

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In between Christmas and end of year, the plans for New Year’s Eve celebration is in full force. Here’s what I am thinking for a formal dinner setting Source Cocktails from here Appetizers Recipe for New Year’s Eve Cake I intend to bake Roast beef is on the NYE menu, with my secret recipe rub. But since I cannot share, here’s a recipe close to the one I intend to make. And for new year’s day – a reset might be in order from here. Have a wonderful celebration, stay safe, drink responsibly and enjoy your company 🙂

Weekend Thoughts

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What are you doing this weekend – is a question most of us ask in text form, or on a call with someone and even through a slack channel at work. So I thought I might ask here – what are you doing this weekend? The sun has finally decided to burst through the heavy fog along the coast of San Francisco and I am excited to report that I am actually going to spend some time walking through Golden Gate Park – without a coat and hat on and even gloves during our so called ‘summer months’ I am also going to try a new twist on chicken from a recipe here. And this cake – oh my how delicious it all sounds. Also on the list of weekend to-dos is read this novel I’ve picked up in Sonoma at my favorite tiny bookstore. I’ll be dreaming about a trip to Ireland – someday, when all is safe and sound and masks are hopefully a thing of the past. Do you ever see a …

Food: Easter Cakes To Share

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Easter being my favorite religious holiday, I tend to honor the rituals of holy week. The week between Palm Sunday and Easter. From cooking our traditional meals, to egg coloring to baking brioche from a very old family recipe which unfortunately I cannot share with anyone outside of family. (You understand :)) But I can share these amazing cake recipes I discovered here for your baking pleasure. [featured image and recipe full credit}

Thanksgiving…

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A co-worker of mine tucked away in a far far away place – somewhere in the northern hemisphere asked if I were celebrating Thanksgiving with family this year. Sure, I said, with my every day family. I’m cooking as usual, but not the traditional turkey, which for years, I’ve mentioned not a popular bird in our home. So chicken it will be, plus all the trimmings I don’t mind making enough for leftovers. Because you see the week after thanksgiving will be the busiest week at my day job. and oh before I forget – check out this handy guide to finding just about any recipe – Thanksgiving or not. What are you doing this thanksgiving? Will you be travelling to family, staying home, or not even considering the holiday for any number of reasons?

Food: Fall Recipes To Consider

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I’ve ran out of ideas, and with the weather inching more towards cooler temps in the bay area, I am craving hearty and rich foods, cakes and all things cinnamon and spice. So to share with all of you my go-to right now for ideas – yummy to the mushroom pasta here – I have included the source you’d need to dabble in all your family cooking: Just to name a few – for the rest go here Are there any recipes you found, that you’d like to share?

Weekend Wrap and This Dessert

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Normally we venture out of the city on day trips to satisfy our wanderlust. But as most of you know, we are battling fires all around northern California, which seems to be the norm in recent years, except this one adds to the already sad state of our new lifestyle. So, Saturday we did some chores, and ran errands, mostly shopping for essentials – to be out but to stay indoors if you will – and in the evening had cocktails and watched silly and surely entertaining films here and here. On Sunday we took a chance, venturing across the Golden Gate, and staying close by, in Sausalito to explore and yet be ready if need be to return home and be indoors. So, we walked as usual up the steep hills, and through the narrow streets, with me wanting to capture photographs of the smoke filled air mixed with the picturesque small town of Sausalito. The color contrast to my eye was the most fascinating.   We decided this weekend, not to ponder over …

Fog, Puff Pastry and a Cup of Tea

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I woke up Tuesday feeling out of sorts – especially when I made quick turns or bend downward. It turned out I was having a Vertigo episode – which I’ve had for several years, where the world around me turns upside down and I am unable to find a solid ground to stand on. These Seabands help for sure to alleviate some of the symptoms, but a few days of rest and calmness is best, along with this exercise, in case you find your way in the same Titanic as me. The worst I think is the inability to focus, or, in my case, sounds and quick movements around me flare up my queasiness. Nevertheless, I have responsibilities, work, caring for my mother and an aging dog – so I am doing my best to stay solid. Ginger tea and lemongrass help apparently. I read also foods to avoid during an episode. So, with that long intro, I am going to effort this puff pasty at some point, maybe tomorrow, but figured I’d share the …

Today’s Pretty Things

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It has been a week – on a personal level, with a car break in, plumbing issues lost driver’s license, and health related concerns, and yet I am buying a bouquet of flowers, and sprucing up the house, to do my best in staying positive or even optimistic. Photographs of pretty things help, especially these lovely ones. Hang in there if you are having an equally tough week. {featured image source and full credit}

Food: Will Bake Cross-Buns For Easter Sunday

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After forty minutes in line at the grocery store aiming to buy essentials, I was surprised to find a good portion of a pot roast in the meat section. Which of late has been only stocking up on ground beef, some turkey, and chicken. So I grabbed it thinking we’d have roast for Easter Sunday Dinner. Which I announced, the second I shed my outdoor clothes off in the garage, and took a hot steaming shower. It felt like a small accomplishment being able to treat the family to a special dinner – a variation of a British traditional Sunday roast I love when in England. But today – being Saturday, I will attempt to make cross-buns which I normally buy from my favorite bakery – on my way home from work on Good Friday, I stop by the bakery and grab a dozen perfectly wrapped in a cellophane bag, and tied with blue, yellow or green ribbon. Something I look forward to every year. For this year however, while we are all trying to …

Food: Carrot Cake And A Princess One Too

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I had a slice of carrot cake at a restaurant, I swear was made with almond flour instead of the usual. I could taste it, and at first I had my reservations, but after bite three, I was hooked. It was a cross between Princess Cake and a whole lot of wonderful. But I must say, I still prefer my carrot cake and a princess one with their own traditional recipes: Carrot Cake Recipe  2 2/3 cups (319 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 3/4 cup (160 grams) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) lightly packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 4 large eggs, at room temperature 4 medium carrots, unpeeled and finely shredded (about 211 grams shredded) 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, finely chopped (optional) 1/2 cup golden raisins (optional) Cream cheese frosting: 1 cup (4 ounces/113 grams) full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature 2 sticks (8 ounces/226 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature 4 cups (1 pound/454 grams) confectioners’ sugar 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon white vinegar 3 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream  {more} Recipe …