Tag Archives: baking

wishlist: books.

Bookstores with comfy chairs and coffee shops are my favorites. No, I do not drink coffee, but that does not mean that I do not love the smell. I do enjoy a cup of Chai or vanilla Rooibos though.

When a there is a magazine stand that you can browse through, while sitting in the comfy chair with a steaming hot, cup of Chai tea it will feel like you are at home.

There are bookstores like that? Yes, I have been there. A few times.

If you can sit in a comfy chair, with a steaming hot cup of Chai tea – in a bookstore – why do you even bother going to the bookstore? Stay at home. It is different, but if I had to stay at home, I would like to have these books, please.

Wishlist alert.

Earth to Table by Jeff Crump & Bettina Schormann

Do not worry, the chicken is only used for eggs.

“… not only does it educate readers regarding the concept of Slow Food and the importance of supporting local farmers, it gives them a wealth of recipes to make the most of their bounty. Not only does it educate readers regarding the concept of Slow Food and the importance of supporting local farmers, it gives them a wealth of recipes to make the most of their bounty. Recipes are grouped by season, highlighting ingredients at their peak in concoctions. Peppered with tips on planning an herb garden, composting and getting the most out of a visit to the local farmers market, this is a true stand-out among a growing crowd of books for novice locavores.”


Spilling The Beans by Julie Van Rosendaal & Sue Duncan

Right, now I feel bad about posting the picture of the chicken. If it makes you feel bad too, then I will suggest beans.

“Spilling the Beans covers it all, from how to cook up beans and grains, to how to add healthy fibre to your favourite desserts. An entire section on baking delicious desserts with beans amps up cakes, bars, and cookies with flavour and fibre. With so many delicious desserts with beans as the hidden ingredient, this book is sure to be the talk of many a dinner party. And it’s a surefire way to get more healthful foods into children’s diets, as well.”

Beans and dessert. I might have to be convinced, but that is another good reason to buy this book.

 

Gordon Ramsay’s Family Fare by, you have guessed it, Gordon Ramsay.

You have heard all about him, you have watched his shows and maybe even ate at one of his restaurants. I have not been to his restaurants, but have watched his shows and at times I have been left feeling very hungry and always wondering what the food tastes like.

“Drawing on different traditions he features home cooked dishes that range from traditional roasts to lighter summer fare, from easy 30-minute meals to Italian, Indian, and Moroccan-influenced family feasts. As always, Ramsay is there to help the home cook at every stage, buying the right ingredients, preparation and serving, and helping coordinate the cooking of several dishes to arrive on the table simultaneously.”

With this book you will definitely get to know Mr Ramsay’s taste buds. Scallops anyone?


Flavour Thesaurus by Niki Segnit

A what?

“Ever wondered why one flavour works with another? Or lacked inspiration for what to do with a bundle of beetroot? The Flavour Thesaurus is the first book to examine what goes with what, pair by pair. Beautifully packaged, The Flavour Thesaurus is not only a highly useful, and covetable, reference book that will immeasurably improve your cooking – it’s the sort of book that might keep you up at night reading.”

Beautiful indeed. Look.

 

Paper + Craft by Minhee Cho & Truman Cho

“Minhee and Truman Cho founders of popular stationery company PAPER + CUP offer 25 unique paper projects: vintage-inspired frames, hanging bird mobiles, pretty flower hair clips, personalized place cards, and many more. With simple instructions, lovely color photographs, and downloadable templates, Paper + Craft makes it a cinch to turn a blank sheet into a pretty paper treat.”

Yesss, creative therapy. Also, there is a dog on the cover.

chocolate, peanut butter, cookie dough, toasted marshmallow and cupcakes.

Did you read the title twice? I read it 3 times, yes t-h-r-e-e.
Ten minutes after reading it, I had to read it again.

Then I had to picture it, because it is too much to take in.
Especially when you realize it is all one thing. Yup, all of that makes 1 little cupcake.

Yes, of course Joy made it. I like to promote Joy, because her name is ‘Joy’, she is funny and she likes to eat and she makes me want to eat too. Too much, all at the same time. Why not?




Drooling yet? Print the recipe and eat. It is nice to share (if you can).

daniela’s.



Who needs Easter eggs when you can have tasty treats from Daniela’s?

This is how you spoil yourself, and everyone else for Easter.
The macarons are in the box. Tasteh, tasteh!

Yes, that is a proper* red velvet cupcake with red frosting and a dash of gold, with a purple ribbon.

That – is how you do it. Take note bakers, take note.

Thank you Daniela for making pretty food.

* Red velvet cake does not mean vanilla cake with food coloring – no no no.

apron guide.

Every person with a kitchen needs this apron. No, you do not even need a kitchen – you eat food, right? Yes? Then you need this apron.

It is the perfect food guide. Everything from conversion, roasting time, cooking time, abbreviations – everything you need to know. And of course it is printed upside down, so that you can read it while wearing it.


Thank you John Caswell for this great design. Really, thank you.

yay! it’s a birthday.


Today would have been my Dad‘s 59th birthday.
Dang boi, could have waited til you are 60.

Due to the lack of internet and a working computer, I have been getting more creative (good thing) and after a double spinning session, I felt the need to cook dinner. Oh, and why not bake cookies after 9.30pm? Sugar cookies that is.

Yes, it is strange to bake cookies for someone who cannot even eat them, but it is the thought that counts. So YAY! to my Dad.

Love you, misss you (and our Sunday scrambled egg dinners), wish you could eat at least one sugar cookie today. Sorry about the pink, but let’s call it love.

The idea was to write little messages (with more meaning), but I do not have a piping bag and forgot to buy wax paper (to make my own piping bag). The sticky frosting had to be rolled and cut. Like I said, it is the thought that counts!

These were fun and therapeutic at the same time. Yay!

roxanne floquet.

Narry likes to find the best bakeries. Today I might have found one of the prettiest.

Roxanne Floquet is definitely doing something right.
Tired of the normal looking cupcake? Roxanne had a plan.

A plan to make it look oh-so-different and oh-so-pretty and all-round good-looking-deliciously-yum.


Cakes, biscuits, cupcakes and petit fours. Something for everyone, even though I think some might be too pretty to eat. The colors are quite unique and the amazing detail is well, too amazing. I am at a loss for words.

Thank you Roxanne.

blue.


There is a rule when it comes to eating or drinking things that are blue. You simply do not do it.

Today I broke the rules. On a Sunday of all days.

But how can you walk past a box that says ‘Play Time’ and has a Spider-man-in-action on it? It has the words ‘The Amazing Spider-man®’ on it too.

Now that I took a second look, it looks like he is sitting on a cupcake. Ohhh Spidey, you.

Includes: Cupcake and Icing Mix, Paper Cups and Decorations.

No, they do not mention that the frosting is an even brighter blue, than what is being shown on the box that you just purchased.

Spider-man, for you – we will risk it.

Yes, I said blue.

Blue.

cupcakes in a jar.


Cupcakes in a jar? Yup, cake and frosting – in a jar! A glass jar which might be a little heavy if you plan on having more than one cupcake.

But when you order Red Velvet, Lemon Passion, Chocolate Nutter, Carrot Passion, Victoria Sponge or just Simply Vanilla, I am sure you will be left with that feeling of ‘just one more bite’.

“Since the jars can be reused or recycled, they are environmentally friendly.” Says the mother of three who is the creator of these G desserts.

It is after 9pm, but I think it is tea time.

to bake.

Writing this one down, because there are too many words to say out loud. A bit of a tongue twister if you ask me. No? I dare you, say it. Three times, and fast.

ChocolateGlazedBakedDoughnutMuffins.

Chocolate, glazed, baked doughnut. Muffins. Almost forgot that one part, huh?

This is probably ridiculously unhealthy and too sweet, but it might be worth it. Come on, just once.

I have been compiling a list of things to bake. Things that will make you go ‘nom nom nom’, like the hamster on YouTube.

Baking with Joy is always fun. You should try it, but please remember to use less sugar. I think she likes her sugar and she is not afraid to use it. Love you Joy!

Note to self:
*
Chocolate Glazed Baked Doughnut Muffins
*
Chewy Ginger Chocolate Cookies
*
Chocolate Dipped Cookie Dough Balls
(remember to keep a bottle of water next to you)
* More chewy!
Chewy Molasses Chocolate Chip Cookies
* Drink 2 litres of water for 3 days (important!!)

homemade is best.


IKEA has done it again. Well, this time with some help from Forsman & Bodenfors.

“We wanted to ensure a connection between IKEA’s kitchen appliances and one of the best things you can do in a kitchen, some great baking. So the main attraction in the campaign became a 140 page coffee-table baking book presented in a very visually unique and spectacular way.”

Their inspiration? High fashion and japanese minimalism.
The result? A beautiful baking book that contains 30 classic swedish baking recipes.

“The recipes are presented as graphic still-life portraits on a warm and colourful stage. And when you turn the page you see the fantastic result.”







I really wanted to post all the photos, but that will be a little crazy. You will have to take a look for yourself.

You can get the iPhone app too.

Right, the only thing that is left to do? Baka!