Hiatus

Fellow Baking Beauties I just wanted to let everyone know that I will be on a little hiatus and won't be able to participate for the next couple of weeks. I was planning on baking the blueberry muffins, but my dear son has just come down with a nasty virus and I will be working all hours of the night to keep up with work, not to mention trying to fit in some packing. The family is heading down south for a glorious two week vacation - but I promise I will be back to bake the Buttermilk Scones which sound divine!

I'm looking forward to checking out all your results. The mint night caps look incredibly delicious and I have promised myself that I will make them in the near future.

Until then Beauties...Happy Baking!

Galettes

Galette is a general term used in French to designate various types of flat, round or free form crusty cakes (Definition courtesy of Wikepedia).

I can't tell you how much I loved to make and eat this delicious recipe. Not to say that I didn't have some issues along the way. My mini processor started to smoke (literally), which is making me question if I should indeed buy a larger one. As well, my dough was extremely sticky so I called Tina for some advice. It turns out the recipe I found on the Internet was phrased a little differently that Julia's. My recipe directed to me to pour all of the sour cream and water mixture into the dough. A little more flour solved that culinary issue.

I think next time I make this dish I will mix the dough by hand instead of using the mini processor. Oh, and yes I used a measuring tape again. Such a strange tool to use in the kitchen.

The end result was delicious. Jerry and I both ate one each for dinner one night. Next time I think I will experiment with different cheeses, i followed the recipe using Monterrey Jack and mozzarella. I can't imagine how good this dish will be when using fresh summer ingredients.

Overall, I love the rustic look of this dish and the divine taste. This will definitely be part of my future repertoire!

Till next time, happy baking!

The "X" Factor

I had mentioned in last week's entry, I was quite apprehensive in trying these cookies. But since I have signed up for this challenge, I thought that I should at least give it a shot. I read over the recipe a number of times and I was still not sure and asked my dear sister a few questions. You see, I am completing these weekly challenges without the aid of the cookbook. Tina, sent me a few pictures that brought it all together for me.

I halved the recipe because I definitely do not need 5 dozen cookies in my house...I was also happy since I found these cookies a tad labour intensive with all the kneading, rolling, and cutting. I had to use my mini food processor to blend all the ingredients (I don't own anything larger), so I had to make two batches of the dough, and luckily only one batch of the filling. I did not use the candied orange and used white rum instead of dark. I also used a tape measure to cut the cookies into 3 inches each (yes, a little anal of me). I also found I had quite a bit of wasted dough, which I suppose I could have kneaded into more cookies.

The reduced recipe yielded approximately 2 dozen cookies. I brought them to our Friday night dinner at the in-laws and they went over quite well. Truman even seemed to like them, probably because they are not too sweet. I didn't mind the cookies, but I doubt I will make them again.

Can't wait to try next week's challenge. Till then, happy baking!

First Challenge - Pound Cake

It's done! I've completed my first Baking Beauty Challenge! I was a little skeptical at first, since I don't own a stand mixer with a paddle attachment but had called my sister for advice who told me to use my stand mixer at a lower setting to get the same results. I was again concerned when my sugar and butter mixture kept balling...but eventually after I added the egg the mixture seemed to be doing what it was suppose to. I baked the cake for approximately 60 minutes. Since I had tried Tina's cake I knew what to compare mine to....Tina's was a little darker on the outside, so I think I could have baked mine for a little longer. Regardless, the result was a moist, delicious cake that Jerry and I have been enjoying all week.

I had cheated and used a butter spray for the pan (I can just hear Tina sighing), and I think next time I will use real butter as I had some difficulty getting the cake out of the pan. Although, I borrowed the pan from my parents, and it looks as though they must have bought it in the 70's. So, maybe the pan is to blame? Doubt it, but worth the try!

I too made a strawberry sauce for the cake (I've made three batches to date). I also served the cake for dessert on Friday night for my in-laws. Praises all round. I have some left overs which I plan to freeze and eat with ice cream at some later date. Looking forward to it!

I have just read through the next challenge and am feeling very intimidated by it and am thinking of passing on this one. I'll have to read through the recipe a few more times before I make my decision. Nevertheless, I will be making the gallette!

Baking Beauties

The two people I am closest to in my life have convinced me to join Baking Beauties. Now, just so that all the other Baking Beauties realize that even though I do love cooking and baking, but I don't come close to comparing to my dear sister or best friend. So, I apologize now for any culinary mistakes or baking blunders. Above all I am looking forward to the challenge!

Best of luck Baking Beauties! Looking forward to the first challenge!