Monthly Archives: May 2008

Hibicus Buttercream Macarons and their cousins

Macaron, French Macaron, Mad for Macarons, Food blogging event, Food PhotographyMacaron, French Macaron, Mad for Macarons, Food blogging event, Food PhotographyMacaron, French Macaron, Mad for Macarons, Food blogging event, Food PhotographyMacaron, French Macaron, Mad for Macarons, Food blogging event, Food PhotographyMacaron, French Macaron, Mad for Macarons, Food blogging event, Food Photography

we really are mad for macarons, at least the French variety. When we are in Paris, we usually eat them at least once a day. When we hit the Ferry Plaza it is a must to have them at Miette. As well, I like to make them every chance I get or at least whenever, I remember. When I saw that Minko from Couture Cupcakes was hosting an event dedicated just to Macarons, I knew we were going to be there!

Feeling very confident I ventured into two different varieties this time around: one using blanched ground almonds to create a very smooth and white palette, this is the one I normally always use. The other batch I would be using whole almonds ground with the skins on, to give them a speckled palette.

The flavors I chose for the “smooth palette” were Pandan with Kumquat buttercream (light green), Vanilla Bean specks with Hibicus buttercream (white with black specks) and Matcha with Verbana buttercream (dark green).

The flavors for the “speckled palette” were: Chocolate with Blood Orange buttercream and  Traditional  Macaroons with Burnt Caramel buttercream.

As always I gave MEM, our faithful macaron testers a couple dozen to taste for us – chocolate was voted as the best they have ever had, even better than the Ferry Plaza ones, which they love!  The adults who tested for us said they liked the Pandan and the Traditional the best.  Lenny & I loved all of them but felt the Matcha should be cut down, little too much Matcha Matcha!

Daring Bakers: Opera Cake

Those Daring Bakers are at it again! Our challenge this month was hosted by Lis of La Mia Cucina and Ivonne of Cream Puffs of Venice, the ever so talented creators of the DB cult, as well, there were two honor hosts, Fran of Apples Peaches Pumpkin and Shea of Whiskful. As well this challenge has been dedicated to honorary Daring Baker member, Barbara of Winos and Foodies as well. WOW, that was a lot, huh?

Now onto the unveiling …. drum roll please! A very “tradition” and very “French” desert, one that I have loved on too many occasions when in France. The Opera Cake! You are asking yourself, what exactly is an Opéra Cake? Well it’s a cake that is made up of five components: a joconde (a cake layer), a syrup (to wet the joconde), a buttercream (to fill some of the layers), a ganache or mousse (to top the final cake layer) and a glaze (to cover the final layer of cake or of ganache/mousse). Traditionally, it is made with darker flavors, ie .. such as chocolate or coffee. This particular challenge we were instructed to keep it light – no dark flavors allowed!

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All good things ….

must come to an end unfortunately!  Our first road trip of the year has come to an end.  We had to leave Palm Springs and head home today.  We had a great time with good friends new and old, it was so nice to just enjoy everyones company and really relax!  Wven luckier for us, the drive was easier than we thought it would be, we were even able to do a quick detour over in Hollywood for coffee.

Unlucky for you, that we did not photograph all of our food capers.  We had many great meals from cooking at home together to eating out and about in PS;  the bottom line is was more about the people this time around!  Next time!  Just a few highlights to share are:  making spring rolls table side thanks to Diane and Todd over at White on Rice Couple(love the JOYCOOK), grilled sliders, bbq wings and homemade mac and cheese, BOLD & SPICY Mediterranean night, everything was cooked outside including homemade flatbread and Lenny became the GRILL MASTER and mountains of wonderful pool side cocktails – great blood orange screwdrivers (thanks again D & T)!  If you would like to see some of the photos we snapped, check out a little eye candy here!

Wednesday

Being waken by the crashing surf is the best thing. Having that first cup of coffee is the next best. Which we immediately did after finding the Honeymoon Cafe in Pismo. Then we hit the road as it was going to be a huge day.

Our first stop was Solvang, little Denmark. This little hidden treasure was nothing that I thought it would be. We were transported to Denmark, all in an hour from waking up, complete with picture book houses and stores, windmills, traditional cheese danishes and danish people. Quit interesting, I would love to go back and really check it out. But, we were on a quest to meet Diane and Todd, from White on Rice Couple.

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Tuesday Night

We loaded up the car & headed to our favorite beach camping spot, Pismo Beach. It is the only place (we have found) in California where you can drive right onto the beach and camp. Since we were only staying for the night we decided to just sleep in the back of the jeep. Simple night……..

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We’re on the road, again ….

We are hitting the road for a few days and we promise there will be some culinary capers along the way.   Highlights will be:  staying at one of our favorite beach spots, visiting the only “Real Danish” town in the US, checking out the “Real Garden” over at White on Rice’s house and ending the journey with friends over in Palm Springs!

It is not dining at home; but, it will be equally, if not more fun.  Why don’t you come along!?!

Homemade Yogurt … easier than you think.

Want to learn how to make yogurt at home …. so so easy! Just click (anywhere) on the photo above, to watch our how to video!

TWD: Florida Pie

you know what that means, another drool worthy day with the talented bakers over at Tuesdays With Dorie .

This week’s challenge was the Florida Pie . It is a variation on a Key Lime Pie. I have never had a Key Lime Pie, I know, that is weird, so I was excited to try this out. As well we were having company over for dinner, so this was perfect for the meal we had planned. What was even more perfect, was that Lenny wanted to help make it – I know, he is really taking that active role in this whole “cooking” and “blogging thing”, don’t be too scared!

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