Saturday, August 26, 2006
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
EVENT: Summer Salad Recipes Round Up #1
It has been a scorcher of a summer all over the globe. Well except for where it is winter. And looking at the weather report it is going to be summer for quite a while longer. So there is plenty of time to try many of these Summer Salad Recipes. There are 33 recipes in the round up from different blogs and websites around the world.
It has been so much fun hosting my first food blog event. I want to thank everyone who helped promote the event for me. And of course I want to thank all of the many participants who this event would not have been such a success without.
My Life As A Reluctant Housewife will be having a Fall Salads event coming up so when the wind starts to rustle up the leaves and bring the cooler breezes to your door, start to think about all the fall produce that you can use to make a Fall Salad.
Blog: Spitoon Extra
Recipe: Goat's Cheese and Quince Jelly Salad
Andrew was inspired by his friend's salad. And I am glad he was because this looks wonderful and I really want to try it. Andrew really knows wine so he suggests a lovely wine to go along with. Now I am thirsty and hungry.
Blog: Kitchen Parade
Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad
Alanna has made a scrumptious salad. This is a take on the old-fashioned sandwich but today it is in a salad with orzo pasta!
Blog: Odelices
Recipe: Mixed Salad with Snap Peas and Hard Boiled Eggs
Marie-Laure shares a delicious mixed salad that helps her to cling to the warm days of summer while the cool breezes of England begin to drift in.
Blog: 1x Umruehren Bittefront
Recipe: Lemon Potato Salad
Zorra is sharing a delicious potato salad. The lemons in this salad are from her own tree. It also has a little bit of cognac in it and I am not sure that I have ever had that in a potato salad but look forward to trying it.
Blog: Confessions of a Food Nazi
Recipe: Brown Rice Salad with Canned Salmon
Another Outspoken Female who has a Significant Eater in her life and he is quite picky about what foods should and should not be combined with eachother. It all sounds way too healthy for me. Although, Australia is slowly coming out of the doldrums of winter, there are some signs of spring in the air.
Blog: Eat Drink Talk
Recipe: Baby greens, with avocado, parma ham and cacao nibs and vanilla-spiked dressing
Jennifer does not have a blog but does have a small cooking school in London, England. So, I am going to share her recipe with you here. It looks really wonderful and creative.
Serves 2
Salad
1 bunch baby greens (I like lambs lettuce or baby spinach)
1 ripe Haas avocado
8 slices of parma ham
2 tbsp cacao nibs
Dressing:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 vanilla bean
3 tsp balsamic vinegar
Wash and dry the greens with a tea towel or in a salad spinner. Spread them out on two plates.
Cut open the vanilla bean and scrape the seeds from the pod. Warm the olive oil up on a very gentle heat and add the vanilla seeds and pod. You don't want it to get hot, just to warm up enough to infuse the vanilla flavour into the oil. Turn off the heat and leave the vanilla to infuse for a few minutes.
Half the avocado and remove the large pit. With a butter knife, cut the avocado while still in its skin into slices, and then lift the slices out with a spoon. Arrange the avocado slices on top of the greens in a fan. Tear the each slice of parma ham into 2 or 3 shreds and nestle in amongst the
salad. Sprinke the cacao nibs over top.
Remove the vanilla pod from the olive oil. Add the balsamic vinegar and whisk to combine. Drizzle over the salad and serve.
Blog: Kuechenlatein
Recipe: Warm Potato and Bacon Salad
Ulrike's potato salad is exactly the type of potato salad I grew up with. This is mostly because this is how my dad likes it. So Mom made it this way. No mayonaisse. Ulrike lives in Germany and potato salad made this way is what most Americans call "German Potato Salad". Imagine that! Actually, her version has much more greens than I am used to but it looks really wonderful.
Blog: What's For Lunch Honey?
Recipe: Veal "Vilanese" and a Peas and Lettuce Salad
Meeta was experimenting in the kitchen again and that can only mean one thing. . . YUM. This time she crossed Wiener Schnitzel with Piccata Milanese. Wait... There was a salad too. Peas and Lettuce in a creamy vinaigrette dressing. She also suggests listening to Nelly Furtado's Man Eater while cooking this dish.
Blog: What We Are Eating
Recipe: Summery Veggie Salad
Amand and Tyler got into the spirit of things and packed up a delicious meal and took it to the beach at La Jolla, California. Along with a stuffed bread (drool) they made this mixed vegetable salad with a lemon vinaigrette. This type of salad is right up my alley with artichoke hearts, zucchini, grapes, tomatoes and asparagus.
Blog: Saffron Trail
Recipe: Indian Carrot and Peanut Salad
Nandita shares a this vibrant Carrot salad. She says that most Indian salads don't have dressing on them. They either have yogurt or a simple seasoning on them making them nice and healthy and light.
Blog: Anne's Food
Recipe: Quinoa Salad with Two Cheeses
Anne is offering up another salad with lots of leeway. If you don't have halloumi, well then use something else. And feel free to add bacon or chicken if you would like!
It has been so much fun hosting my first food blog event. I want to thank everyone who helped promote the event for me. And of course I want to thank all of the many participants who this event would not have been such a success without.
My Life As A Reluctant Housewife will be having a Fall Salads event coming up so when the wind starts to rustle up the leaves and bring the cooler breezes to your door, start to think about all the fall produce that you can use to make a Fall Salad.
Blog: Spitoon Extra
Recipe: Goat's Cheese and Quince Jelly Salad
Andrew was inspired by his friend's salad. And I am glad he was because this looks wonderful and I really want to try it. Andrew really knows wine so he suggests a lovely wine to go along with. Now I am thirsty and hungry.
Blog: Kitchen Parade
Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad
Alanna has made a scrumptious salad. This is a take on the old-fashioned sandwich but today it is in a salad with orzo pasta!
Blog: Odelices
Recipe: Mixed Salad with Snap Peas and Hard Boiled Eggs
Marie-Laure shares a delicious mixed salad that helps her to cling to the warm days of summer while the cool breezes of England begin to drift in.
Blog: 1x Umruehren Bittefront
Recipe: Lemon Potato Salad
Zorra is sharing a delicious potato salad. The lemons in this salad are from her own tree. It also has a little bit of cognac in it and I am not sure that I have ever had that in a potato salad but look forward to trying it.
Blog: Confessions of a Food Nazi
Recipe: Brown Rice Salad with Canned Salmon
Another Outspoken Female who has a Significant Eater in her life and he is quite picky about what foods should and should not be combined with eachother. It all sounds way too healthy for me. Although, Australia is slowly coming out of the doldrums of winter, there are some signs of spring in the air.
Blog: Eat Drink Talk
Recipe: Baby greens, with avocado, parma ham and cacao nibs and vanilla-spiked dressing
Jennifer does not have a blog but does have a small cooking school in London, England. So, I am going to share her recipe with you here. It looks really wonderful and creative.
Serves 2
Salad
1 bunch baby greens (I like lambs lettuce or baby spinach)
1 ripe Haas avocado
8 slices of parma ham
2 tbsp cacao nibs
Dressing:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 vanilla bean
3 tsp balsamic vinegar
Wash and dry the greens with a tea towel or in a salad spinner. Spread them out on two plates.
Cut open the vanilla bean and scrape the seeds from the pod. Warm the olive oil up on a very gentle heat and add the vanilla seeds and pod. You don't want it to get hot, just to warm up enough to infuse the vanilla flavour into the oil. Turn off the heat and leave the vanilla to infuse for a few minutes.
Half the avocado and remove the large pit. With a butter knife, cut the avocado while still in its skin into slices, and then lift the slices out with a spoon. Arrange the avocado slices on top of the greens in a fan. Tear the each slice of parma ham into 2 or 3 shreds and nestle in amongst the
salad. Sprinke the cacao nibs over top.
Remove the vanilla pod from the olive oil. Add the balsamic vinegar and whisk to combine. Drizzle over the salad and serve.
Blog: Kuechenlatein
Recipe: Warm Potato and Bacon Salad
Ulrike's potato salad is exactly the type of potato salad I grew up with. This is mostly because this is how my dad likes it. So Mom made it this way. No mayonaisse. Ulrike lives in Germany and potato salad made this way is what most Americans call "German Potato Salad". Imagine that! Actually, her version has much more greens than I am used to but it looks really wonderful.
Blog: What's For Lunch Honey?
Recipe: Veal "Vilanese" and a Peas and Lettuce Salad
Meeta was experimenting in the kitchen again and that can only mean one thing. . . YUM. This time she crossed Wiener Schnitzel with Piccata Milanese. Wait... There was a salad too. Peas and Lettuce in a creamy vinaigrette dressing. She also suggests listening to Nelly Furtado's Man Eater while cooking this dish.
Blog: What We Are Eating
Recipe: Summery Veggie Salad
Amand and Tyler got into the spirit of things and packed up a delicious meal and took it to the beach at La Jolla, California. Along with a stuffed bread (drool) they made this mixed vegetable salad with a lemon vinaigrette. This type of salad is right up my alley with artichoke hearts, zucchini, grapes, tomatoes and asparagus.
Blog: Saffron Trail
Recipe: Indian Carrot and Peanut Salad
Nandita shares a this vibrant Carrot salad. She says that most Indian salads don't have dressing on them. They either have yogurt or a simple seasoning on them making them nice and healthy and light.
Blog: Anne's Food
Recipe: Quinoa Salad with Two Cheeses
Anne is offering up another salad with lots of leeway. If you don't have halloumi, well then use something else. And feel free to add bacon or chicken if you would like!
EVENT: Summer Salad Recipes Round Up #2
Blog: Catching Points - a food blog
Recipe: Black Pudding Salad
Well this is the newest salad to me. Lexi must be quite adventerous. I actually have never had blood sausage nor have I have I ever had sausage on a salad. Two new things to try!
Blog: Chez Megane
Recipe: Mixed Arugula Salad with Ham and Cheese Toasts
Megan says this is the perfect salad for those days when you need a great meal but can't go outside when it is pouring rain. Of course there are a gazillion different variations making it a great place to start off from. Just look in your pantry and see what you have!
Blog: What's The Recipe Today Jim?
Recipe: Watermelon, Feta and Pumpkin Seed Salad
Rosie has come up with a salad that could only be found in the summer. Watermelon and feta is such a great combination and I bet the pumpkin seeds add a great crunch. She says that she saw it in a magazine and passed over it at first but then happened to have the ingredients on hand and it was a total success!
Blog: all kinds of yum
Recipe: Jicama, Nectarine and Cucumber Slaw
Tannaz had about 10 friends over and had a great party this summer. A fun time was had by all and I think she should invite me the next time she has a soiree. She made this refreshing summer salad along with Pita Triangles with Labneh and Mashed Garbanzo Beans and Cucumber Spa Tonic with Minty Sugar-Salt which is one of my favorite drinks except I have never had it with vodka which sounds even better!
Blog: Kitchen Inferno
Recipe: Seafood Slaw
Mickey has been making this seafood slaw for years and I can see why. Just add some cabbage and onion slaw to crab or any other shellfish and you have a perfect meal.
Blog: The Omnivorous Egg
Recipe: Georgian-Style Beet Salad
Jen had a whole bunch of beets but was not in the mood to make borscht and was tired of goat cheese and beet salad (one of my favorites) so she went hunting for a new recipe and she found this intriguing recipe that combines beets with walnuts and prunes. She thought the end result was delicious since the bitter walnuts paired reall well with the earthy beets and sweet prunes. And who can beet the color?
Blog: Field to Feast
Recipe: North African-style Dried Nectarine and Apple Salad
Carolyn got this recipe from Cooks Illustrated. Cooks Illustrated is one of her favorite magazines because of its Puritan minimalism and meticulously tested before being published. These are the exact reasons I like that magazine so much too. Oh, I want to know about her obsession with L.L. Bean, I may or may not understand it completely. Back to the salad, I love idea of dried nectarines. I have only have had dried apricot and dried peaches and I love them. Then the spices - cumin and coriander are among my favorites. A great one to try!
Blog: Culinary Concoctions by Peabody
Recipe: Apple, Dried Cherry and Walnut Salad with Maple Dressing
Peabody is sharing this delicious variation on a Waldorf Salad and it looks fantastic. I would like everyone to take a moment and console Peabody who seems to be allergic to too many foods. But she still finds plenty of foods to make very delicious meals. Because of the apples, dried fruit and walnuts this is more of a fall salad but she is allergic to most of the food that make up most summer salads. Oh Peabody - I am going to have a Fall Salad event too so you will have to come up with something really "Fally".
Blog: Foodfreak
Recipe: Szechuan Cucumbers
Petra got this recipe a while back but when she got a big delivery of organic cucumbers she knew it was the time to try it out. Could anything look more refreshing? And there is not oil in the dressing so you only get fat from the peanuts.
Blog: Running with Tweezers
Recipe: Savory Cantaloupe Salad
Tami is from Atlanta. Hotlanta. Ovens should not be turned on. Well this is the perfectly refreshing and cooling salad for the heat. Sweet Melon and tangy Goat Cheese and salty Soppresseta sounds like something I should to add to my list this week because I hear it is going to be a hot one.
Blog: Veggie Friendly
Recipe: Long, Green and Pointy Salad
Adam who posted this fresh salad on his friend's blog loves this salad because it is so simple and fresh. Asapargus, green beens and snow peas with a little bit of balsamic vinegar sounds perfect.
Blog: The Passionate Cook
Recipe:Panzanella - more than bread salad
Johanna made a Panzanella, bread salad, which is becoming quite popular once again. I have had it in two restaurants this summer so I can attest to its revived popularity. It is very easy to assemble but tastes of all the rich flavors of summer. Johanna describes it as a "gazpacho before the invention of the blender" which I think is a great description.
Recipe: Black Pudding Salad
Well this is the newest salad to me. Lexi must be quite adventerous. I actually have never had blood sausage nor have I have I ever had sausage on a salad. Two new things to try!
Blog: Chez Megane
Recipe: Mixed Arugula Salad with Ham and Cheese Toasts
Megan says this is the perfect salad for those days when you need a great meal but can't go outside when it is pouring rain. Of course there are a gazillion different variations making it a great place to start off from. Just look in your pantry and see what you have!
Blog: What's The Recipe Today Jim?
Recipe: Watermelon, Feta and Pumpkin Seed Salad
Rosie has come up with a salad that could only be found in the summer. Watermelon and feta is such a great combination and I bet the pumpkin seeds add a great crunch. She says that she saw it in a magazine and passed over it at first but then happened to have the ingredients on hand and it was a total success!
Blog: all kinds of yum
Recipe: Jicama, Nectarine and Cucumber Slaw
Tannaz had about 10 friends over and had a great party this summer. A fun time was had by all and I think she should invite me the next time she has a soiree. She made this refreshing summer salad along with Pita Triangles with Labneh and Mashed Garbanzo Beans and Cucumber Spa Tonic with Minty Sugar-Salt which is one of my favorite drinks except I have never had it with vodka which sounds even better!
Blog: Kitchen Inferno
Recipe: Seafood Slaw
Mickey has been making this seafood slaw for years and I can see why. Just add some cabbage and onion slaw to crab or any other shellfish and you have a perfect meal.
Blog: The Omnivorous Egg
Recipe: Georgian-Style Beet Salad
Jen had a whole bunch of beets but was not in the mood to make borscht and was tired of goat cheese and beet salad (one of my favorites) so she went hunting for a new recipe and she found this intriguing recipe that combines beets with walnuts and prunes. She thought the end result was delicious since the bitter walnuts paired reall well with the earthy beets and sweet prunes. And who can beet the color?
Blog: Field to Feast
Recipe: North African-style Dried Nectarine and Apple Salad
Carolyn got this recipe from Cooks Illustrated. Cooks Illustrated is one of her favorite magazines because of its Puritan minimalism and meticulously tested before being published. These are the exact reasons I like that magazine so much too. Oh, I want to know about her obsession with L.L. Bean, I may or may not understand it completely. Back to the salad, I love idea of dried nectarines. I have only have had dried apricot and dried peaches and I love them. Then the spices - cumin and coriander are among my favorites. A great one to try!
Blog: Culinary Concoctions by Peabody
Recipe: Apple, Dried Cherry and Walnut Salad with Maple Dressing
Peabody is sharing this delicious variation on a Waldorf Salad and it looks fantastic. I would like everyone to take a moment and console Peabody who seems to be allergic to too many foods. But she still finds plenty of foods to make very delicious meals. Because of the apples, dried fruit and walnuts this is more of a fall salad but she is allergic to most of the food that make up most summer salads. Oh Peabody - I am going to have a Fall Salad event too so you will have to come up with something really "Fally".
Blog: Foodfreak
Recipe: Szechuan Cucumbers
Petra got this recipe a while back but when she got a big delivery of organic cucumbers she knew it was the time to try it out. Could anything look more refreshing? And there is not oil in the dressing so you only get fat from the peanuts.
Blog: Running with Tweezers
Recipe: Savory Cantaloupe Salad
Tami is from Atlanta. Hotlanta. Ovens should not be turned on. Well this is the perfectly refreshing and cooling salad for the heat. Sweet Melon and tangy Goat Cheese and salty Soppresseta sounds like something I should to add to my list this week because I hear it is going to be a hot one.
Blog: Veggie Friendly
Recipe: Long, Green and Pointy Salad
Adam who posted this fresh salad on his friend's blog loves this salad because it is so simple and fresh. Asapargus, green beens and snow peas with a little bit of balsamic vinegar sounds perfect.
Blog: The Passionate Cook
Recipe:Panzanella - more than bread salad
Johanna made a Panzanella, bread salad, which is becoming quite popular once again. I have had it in two restaurants this summer so I can attest to its revived popularity. It is very easy to assemble but tastes of all the rich flavors of summer. Johanna describes it as a "gazpacho before the invention of the blender" which I think is a great description.
EVENT: Summer Salad Recipes Round Up #3
Blog: Veggie Friendly
Recipe: Red Capsicum, Parsley and Chickpea Salad
KP says that this is her favorite Summer Salad. Well, I am so glad that she decided to share it with us! Chickpeas, red capsicum and parsley in a sesame and lemon dressing.
Blog: Champaign Taste
Recipe: 95 temp + 110 heat index = 2 salads
Lisa made two salads for this event. Bringing two pots of water at the same time has to create less time of any heat than doing one at a time at different times. Italian Basil Potato Salad has a delicious sounding pesto dressing and the Fresh Corn Salad tells a story of a hot August day.
Blog: Start Cooking
Recipe: Washing Lettuce
Kathy, gives us a step by step guide on how to wash lettuce. This may sound like a funny thing to explain but this simple task is super important. You want it clean. Nothing ruins a salad like crunching down into dirt. Ick. And then you also don't want to keep the leaves too wet or that yummy salad dressing is not going to cling to the leaves.
Blog: Wino Sapien
Recipe: Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil salad
Edward made a simple summer salad. Usually this salad has large beefsteak tomatoes and thick slices of mozzarella but he changes it up a little bit by using crumbled bits of cheese and sliced cherry tomatoes with a large pile of basil chiffonade on top. Pair with a dry white wine and you are all set!
Blog: South Beach Diet for Idiots
Recipe: Yakitori Guacamole Salad
Catherine makes a Spanish style gaucomole salad but tops it with a deliciously flavored Yakitori salad. A complete meal in itself.
Blog: Je Mange la Ville
Recipe: Blueberry Pasta Salad
Michelle got this recipe from Eating Well and she was a bit skeptical about how it would turn out. Who wouldn't be? Blueberries in pasta? But it came out perfectly with the great combination of blueberry with thyme and feta with lime. Thanks for such a creative summer pasta salad!
Blog: New Yorker By Heart
Recipe: Warm Salmon Salad and Chef Salad
Birthe has blessed us with two summer salad recipes.
Blog: Once Upon A Feast
Recipe: What's In the Fridge Salad
Ruth is a very practical and healthy person. She has a refrigerator full of healthy food that she can toss together into a delicous salad. This is the way to live. She is a South Beach Diet success story and you can see why!
Blog: Cascading Flavours
Recipe: Corn Pasta Salad
Ramya made this salad early this summer to celebrate the Fourth of July. She combined two Native American ingredients, corn and green beans, in honor of the day.
Blog: Posie's Place
Recipe: Summer Salad
Pamela has madce one of her favorite salads of the summer. This is the perfect meal salad. It has mozzarella and garlic marinated turkey plus corn. I have loved having corn in salad since the summer after 11th grade when I had it in Denmark. And to top it off there is some balsamic vinegar. Yum!
Blog: Retro-Food
Recipe: Sliced Cucumber Salad
What could be more refreshing that thinly sliced cucumbers and a small onion drizzled with vinegar? A couple of summers ago I made this at least once a week. It is time to start making it again!
Recipe: Red Capsicum, Parsley and Chickpea Salad
KP says that this is her favorite Summer Salad. Well, I am so glad that she decided to share it with us! Chickpeas, red capsicum and parsley in a sesame and lemon dressing.
Blog: Champaign Taste
Recipe: 95 temp + 110 heat index = 2 salads
Lisa made two salads for this event. Bringing two pots of water at the same time has to create less time of any heat than doing one at a time at different times. Italian Basil Potato Salad has a delicious sounding pesto dressing and the Fresh Corn Salad tells a story of a hot August day.
Blog: Start Cooking
Recipe: Washing Lettuce
Kathy, gives us a step by step guide on how to wash lettuce. This may sound like a funny thing to explain but this simple task is super important. You want it clean. Nothing ruins a salad like crunching down into dirt. Ick. And then you also don't want to keep the leaves too wet or that yummy salad dressing is not going to cling to the leaves.
Blog: Wino Sapien
Recipe: Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil salad
Edward made a simple summer salad. Usually this salad has large beefsteak tomatoes and thick slices of mozzarella but he changes it up a little bit by using crumbled bits of cheese and sliced cherry tomatoes with a large pile of basil chiffonade on top. Pair with a dry white wine and you are all set!
Blog: South Beach Diet for Idiots
Recipe: Yakitori Guacamole Salad
Catherine makes a Spanish style gaucomole salad but tops it with a deliciously flavored Yakitori salad. A complete meal in itself.
Blog: Je Mange la Ville
Recipe: Blueberry Pasta Salad
Michelle got this recipe from Eating Well and she was a bit skeptical about how it would turn out. Who wouldn't be? Blueberries in pasta? But it came out perfectly with the great combination of blueberry with thyme and feta with lime. Thanks for such a creative summer pasta salad!
Blog: New Yorker By Heart
Recipe: Warm Salmon Salad and Chef Salad
Birthe has blessed us with two summer salad recipes.
Blog: Once Upon A Feast
Recipe: What's In the Fridge Salad
Ruth is a very practical and healthy person. She has a refrigerator full of healthy food that she can toss together into a delicous salad. This is the way to live. She is a South Beach Diet success story and you can see why!
Blog: Cascading Flavours
Recipe: Corn Pasta Salad
Ramya made this salad early this summer to celebrate the Fourth of July. She combined two Native American ingredients, corn and green beans, in honor of the day.
Blog: Posie's Place
Recipe: Summer Salad
Pamela has madce one of her favorite salads of the summer. This is the perfect meal salad. It has mozzarella and garlic marinated turkey plus corn. I have loved having corn in salad since the summer after 11th grade when I had it in Denmark. And to top it off there is some balsamic vinegar. Yum!
Blog: Retro-Food
Recipe: Sliced Cucumber Salad
What could be more refreshing that thinly sliced cucumbers and a small onion drizzled with vinegar? A couple of summers ago I made this at least once a week. It is time to start making it again!
Monday, August 21, 2006
PHOTOGRAPHS: Family Wedding
View from Stryker Vineyards
Bridal Bouquet
Another View
Wisteria Vine over an Arbor
Wisteria Vine Seed Pods
Flowers at the Wedding Area
Ceremony Area
Flowers at the Cocktail Reception
Fried Green Olives
Fried Artichoke Hearts
Seating Chart
Dining in the Vault
The Wedding Cake
Bridal Bouquet
Another View
Wisteria Vine over an Arbor
Wisteria Vine Seed Pods
Flowers at the Wedding Area
Ceremony Area
Flowers at the Cocktail Reception
Fried Green Olives
Fried Artichoke Hearts
Seating Chart
Dining in the Vault
The Wedding Cake
EVENT: Summer Salad Recipes - Round Up Coming Soon
Hello everyone!
I am going to be VERY busy on this round up this week. I am so excited because I think there are 30 entries for my Summer Salad Recipes! I can't wait to share them all with you.
xo Gabriella
I am going to be VERY busy on this round up this week. I am so excited because I think there are 30 entries for my Summer Salad Recipes! I can't wait to share them all with you.
xo Gabriella
Saturday, August 19, 2006
FOOD FOR TODDLERS: Blueberries and Cheese
Well well well!! Timmy at some fruit that was not a banana or a pineapple. Miracles never cease. Oh, I should mention he at 4 halves of a blueberrie for a total of two blueberries. The rest contributed to the large stain on the carpet below his high chair. But he loves the arrowroot cookies and monterey jack cheese. I am not sure I could handle snack time with these two without cheese.
Friday, August 18, 2006
ON FOOD: Ace of Cakes - A New Foodtv Show
Oooh. A new show to become addicted to!!! Ace of Cakes on the Food Network.
Duff Goldman and his team create some of the most fabulous cakes out there and now we get to see all about what goes on behind the scenes. They can have twenty cakes a week and barely be able to get them all done because they are so intricate and detailed.
He has had cooking jobs with Thomas Keller, Todd English among others. But for Duff needed his own shop to create what he wanted to. He used to be a grafitti artist so you can guess that he is not tied down to any traditional concepts of cake decoration. He would love to be able to accept commissions for only the most creative cake decorating projects.
He quickly outgrew his home kitchen and smaller kitchens. Now, he and his friends have taken up residence in a 6,000 foot space. He only hires people he knows and likes. And of course Duff is in an Indie band.
His website is City Cakes and his show appears on Food Network
Here are some of the cakes I think are great
PHOTOGRAPHS: Little Pink Tea Roses
Most people know I like pink. A LOT. and I like roses A LOT. So can you guess how much I like Pink Roses? A LOT A LOT.
These were in the yard of a neighbor down the block and I boldly crossed their lawn to inspect them closely. Perfect little roses. I am sure they could not possibly mind me admiring their roses.
These were in the yard of a neighbor down the block and I boldly crossed their lawn to inspect them closely. Perfect little roses. I am sure they could not possibly mind me admiring their roses.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
FOOD FOR TODDLERS: Avocado and Cheese
Well I made this lunch for myself. Guess who ate it? Xan Man loves avocado. Luckily I had a few more all nice and ripe in the kitchen. Timmy of course rejected it but quickly decided that the bread was perfectly acceptable.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
ENTERTAINING: Teletubby Birthday Decorations
I made some Teletubbie activities for the kids. I painted one of each of the Teletubbies and then cut out the faces so the kids could put theirs in and get their photos taken. I also made a tubby custard and a Noo-Noo. The Tubby Custard board had a big hole in it so that the kids could toss in bean bags. I made bean bags out of brown felt that I cut into circles, filled with rice, sewed up and then drew on a happy face. For the Noo-Noo (not pictured), I cut out pink paper in splats and they were the tubby custard and put tape on them so they could pin the custard on the Noo-Noo.
Tubby Custard
La-La
Po
Tubby Custard
La-La
Po
ENTERTAINING: Teletubby Birthday Cake
I made this birthday cake for the boys' birthday party. It is a Teletubby Birthday Cake!
It is a two layer sheet cake. The bottom layer is chocolate cake and the top layer is white cake and the Teletubby House Mound layer is also chocolate cake.
I made all the figures out of gum paste. Yes, they do look like a child made them with play dough. No, I will never be Sylvia Weinstock. But it was great fun to make and everybody loved it! My fingers were died a reddish purple for a few days after I finished making them up.
I used toothpicks to give the Teletubbies a little support. I also used them to help their antennaes stand up. And I used a toothpick for Po's Scooter. Then I used wooden kabob sticks to give support to the speaker, sun and windmill. I was glad that the cake was two layers thick because it helped support the windmill.
For the windmill and the center of the speaker, I had to make a gold color. This was the hardest dye job to fabricate. I obviously used yellow and added some black and maybe a dab of red. Then I found out I had some pearlized white powder so I brushed the areas and that helped give them a gold sheen. I was excited about that.
I used black foodoodler pens to draw in the pens and the cow pattern on Dipsy's hat. The black on the hat ran and spread into a green color but it was okay. I had made these figures a couple weeks before the party so I am not surprised it ran. It was also very hot and humid during that time so I am sure that contributed to it.
I made the little brown rabbit by molding it in a chocolate mold. It was actually the first one I made of all the figurines. I thought it would be an easy introduction to the world of gum paste.
Tinky Winky and La La
Dipsy and Po
Po's Scooter
Dipsy's Hat, La La's Ball, Tinky Winky's Bag, and the Speaker
It is a two layer sheet cake. The bottom layer is chocolate cake and the top layer is white cake and the Teletubby House Mound layer is also chocolate cake.
I made all the figures out of gum paste. Yes, they do look like a child made them with play dough. No, I will never be Sylvia Weinstock. But it was great fun to make and everybody loved it! My fingers were died a reddish purple for a few days after I finished making them up.
I used toothpicks to give the Teletubbies a little support. I also used them to help their antennaes stand up. And I used a toothpick for Po's Scooter. Then I used wooden kabob sticks to give support to the speaker, sun and windmill. I was glad that the cake was two layers thick because it helped support the windmill.
For the windmill and the center of the speaker, I had to make a gold color. This was the hardest dye job to fabricate. I obviously used yellow and added some black and maybe a dab of red. Then I found out I had some pearlized white powder so I brushed the areas and that helped give them a gold sheen. I was excited about that.
I used black foodoodler pens to draw in the pens and the cow pattern on Dipsy's hat. The black on the hat ran and spread into a green color but it was okay. I had made these figures a couple weeks before the party so I am not surprised it ran. It was also very hot and humid during that time so I am sure that contributed to it.
I made the little brown rabbit by molding it in a chocolate mold. It was actually the first one I made of all the figurines. I thought it would be an easy introduction to the world of gum paste.
Tinky Winky and La La
Dipsy and Po
Po's Scooter
Dipsy's Hat, La La's Ball, Tinky Winky's Bag, and the Speaker
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
FOOD FOR TODDLERS: Cantaloupe Pieces
Well today Xander and I shared a big bowl of cantaloupe. Timmy on the other hand will not eat them. He tosses them as far as he can in case they might attack him. He is a VERY picky eater. He has no idea what he is missing.
PHOTOGRAPHS: Pink Hydrangea
I was walking down the block the other day and came across this beautiful Hydrangea. Luckily I had my camera on me. I adore this color pink. I just wanted to share.
Monday, August 14, 2006
ON FOOD: At the Farmers Market - Tomatoes, Corn, Beans and More
I took the boys to the local Farmer's Market in Seal Beach today. We went early so we could get our top picks. If anyone is in doubt that California has rich soil then they are not shopping for produce at the right places.
Tomatoes and more Tomatoes! Heirloom in every shape, size and color. They are bursting with juices. When I get them home and cut into them I can barely believe their skins held them together. Then one my kids, jumps up and down and squeals at me until I give him as many pieces as he can shove into his hands and mouth. From the look on his face I think he is wondering if he has even had anything like it before. He loves tomatoes but freshly picked heirlooms are nothing like tomatoes you buy in a grocery store, even if that grocery store is a specialty store. Just wait until you see my Heirloom Tomato Sauce Recipe coming soon but not lasting long.
Of course I found all my other summer favorites like sugary sweet fresh corn that is so fresh that none of it has started to turn starchy.
And then I head for the potatoes which I could eat every single day of my life. I chose the tiniest of the little fingerling potatoes in this big batch. I want to make a little salad.
I honestly have paid little attention to the name of the different green beans out there except for the skinny haricot verts which are my favorite but these Blue Lake Beans look too good to pass up.
I will say that there are some signs of the end of summer with huge bunches of parsnips for sale. I just took a picture and passed them by and told them that I would see them a little later on when I have relinquished my grasp on hot summer days.
Tomatoes and more Tomatoes! Heirloom in every shape, size and color. They are bursting with juices. When I get them home and cut into them I can barely believe their skins held them together. Then one my kids, jumps up and down and squeals at me until I give him as many pieces as he can shove into his hands and mouth. From the look on his face I think he is wondering if he has even had anything like it before. He loves tomatoes but freshly picked heirlooms are nothing like tomatoes you buy in a grocery store, even if that grocery store is a specialty store. Just wait until you see my Heirloom Tomato Sauce Recipe coming soon but not lasting long.
Of course I found all my other summer favorites like sugary sweet fresh corn that is so fresh that none of it has started to turn starchy.
And then I head for the potatoes which I could eat every single day of my life. I chose the tiniest of the little fingerling potatoes in this big batch. I want to make a little salad.
I honestly have paid little attention to the name of the different green beans out there except for the skinny haricot verts which are my favorite but these Blue Lake Beans look too good to pass up.
I will say that there are some signs of the end of summer with huge bunches of parsnips for sale. I just took a picture and passed them by and told them that I would see them a little later on when I have relinquished my grasp on hot summer days.
ON FOOD: At the Farmers Market - Fish Cart
Scallops are on the menu this week! I can't wait. I will be cooking them up tomorrow evening but they are sitting in the fridge over a basket of ice!
ON FOOD: At the Farmers Market - Herbs and Flowers
I wanted to take this home with us.
Look at these coreopsis! They look like little suns.
I forgot what this was called so let me know!
All these herbs come from my favorite stand. They are all organically grown. I really must right down the name of the farm next time. I buy gobs of herbs from them.
I grow my own rosemary downstairs but this basket was too beautiful not to capture.
When I first started buying my herbs from this farm, I was never sure which was the parsley and which was the cilantro once I got them home. I have come quite a ways! And today I bought the flat leaf parsley.
Look at these coreopsis! They look like little suns.
I forgot what this was called so let me know!
All these herbs come from my favorite stand. They are all organically grown. I really must right down the name of the farm next time. I buy gobs of herbs from them.
I grow my own rosemary downstairs but this basket was too beautiful not to capture.
When I first started buying my herbs from this farm, I was never sure which was the parsley and which was the cilantro once I got them home. I have come quite a ways! And today I bought the flat leaf parsley.
ON FOOD: At the Farmers Market - Figs, Berries, Peaches and Plums
August has the best fruit. Hands down. This is why people spend hours and hours canning them or freezing them. No one wants to miss a bite and no one can stand to go an entire year without bursting berries. And can you imagine going down the aisles of the grocery store and not finding anyu jars of jams and preserves? Impossible.
But this is August and this is my time to buy more fruit than I think I can eat and prove myself very wrong. Berries and stone fruit. These are my favorites. Since I am not a canner and I don't have a freezer to preserve much, my only real choice is how to eat them. Fresh and raw or cooked up in some delicious dessert. Life is rough in August. Oh, don't forget about melon and figs.
But this is August and this is my time to buy more fruit than I think I can eat and prove myself very wrong. Berries and stone fruit. These are my favorites. Since I am not a canner and I don't have a freezer to preserve much, my only real choice is how to eat them. Fresh and raw or cooked up in some delicious dessert. Life is rough in August. Oh, don't forget about melon and figs.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
WEEKEND BABY BLOGGING - WBB#13
Well we were away last weekend in Sonoma Valley for a family wedding that was so much fun and so beautiful. The boys did great!
Here are some pictures from the rehearsal dinner.
oh and just in case you forgot about the terrible twos. This is Xander who did a very DRAMATIC stumble back and fall down to the ground. It was bizarelly quiet for him. Usually he screams like a wild child. This was in the middle of the cocktail part of the evening and all the adults turned looked, giggled, turned back to their conversation and fabulous wine. Xander just lay there wondering why his scene of major woah had no effect. It was a classic moment. I am sure he will really "love" that I captured it on film and shared it with everyone!
I missed last weekend but thank goodness I did not miss little Hayley from Fruit Salad eating some watermellon
Don't forget to check out the Weekend Baby Blogging Announcment!
Oh. Babies or course come in ALL AGES!! So your children of all ages are included.
Weekend Baby Blogging Archives
Technorati Tags: Weekend Baby Blogging
Here are some pictures from the rehearsal dinner.
oh and just in case you forgot about the terrible twos. This is Xander who did a very DRAMATIC stumble back and fall down to the ground. It was bizarelly quiet for him. Usually he screams like a wild child. This was in the middle of the cocktail part of the evening and all the adults turned looked, giggled, turned back to their conversation and fabulous wine. Xander just lay there wondering why his scene of major woah had no effect. It was a classic moment. I am sure he will really "love" that I captured it on film and shared it with everyone!
I missed last weekend but thank goodness I did not miss little Hayley from Fruit Salad eating some watermellon
Don't forget to check out the Weekend Baby Blogging Announcment!
Oh. Babies or course come in ALL AGES!! So your children of all ages are included.
Weekend Baby Blogging Archives
Technorati Tags: Weekend Baby Blogging
FOOD FOR TODDLERS: Cream Cheese and Jam Snacks
I made up some jam the other day. I had some berries that were going fast so I cooked them up without any sugar. I did not do the whole canning process because I am just going to use the small amount I made up really quickly. I also had some left over cream cheese. So I spread some of both on a whole wheat and nut bread for the boys' snack the other day. They loved it! Fruit, Calcium, and Whole Grains!
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
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