tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11223216713484534802024-03-13T15:08:40.580-07:00Bake Me BlushOne girl's love for food, life, and everything in betweenNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17494037833490942839noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122321671348453480.post-73749610809515414482012-07-06T17:13:00.002-07:002012-07-06T17:45:54.589-07:00On Hiatus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">With a heavy heart, I must tell you all that "Bake Me Blush" is now on hiatus. </span><br>
<a href="http://bakemeblush.blogspot.com/2012/07/on-hiatus.html#more">Read more »</a>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17494037833490942839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122321671348453480.post-15186193152978863892012-06-02T11:17:00.001-07:002012-06-02T13:05:25.309-07:00Yes, Risotto Can Be Easy to Make<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span> I've been doing a tremendous amount of reading lately. It's tremendous to me, anyway, because I haven't read this many books in a row in a long, long while. To name a few... <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Before-Go-Sleep-S-Watson/dp/0062060562/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338660550&sr=1-1">"Before I Go to Sleep"</a>, a debut novel by S. J. Watson about a woman with an unusual type of amnesia, was (in my humble opinion) incredible. Definitely makes my All-Time <span class="GRcorrect" grphrase="6a1a08d2603566a408f15c506a356ef0f5a3e846" grtype="null" id="GRmark_6a1a08d2603566a408f15c506a356ef0f5a3e846_Favourites:0">Favorites</span> list -- I couldn't put the darned thing down. Then, after a recommendation from my Zia Nadia, I finally finished reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sarahs-Key-Special-Gift-Edition/dp/1250004217/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338660601&sr=1-1">"Sarah's Key</a>" by Tatiana de Rosnay, a work of historical fiction about the Holocaust. It was very good but incredibly sad, which is to be expected. I was almost in tears toward the ending of the book. Why did you tell me to read this, Zia, WHY?! Why couldn't I read a book about sunshine and rainbows?! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> I have some great news. I bought a new camera -- the Canon Rebel T2i. I've had my eyes on this baby for a while, and I'm so happy to call it my own. From now on, all the photographs on my blog will be taken with my new camera, including the photos of the delicious and easy-to-make risotto I have to share with you today. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy Buttery Risotto<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So, I fell off the face of the earth for a while there. I definitely missed my happy days of baking and posting, the care-free days when everything's fine and dandy and I can totally handle all the curveballs life throws at me, when I can tackle all the work and the stress and the pressure and come out of all of it okay. Things can build up over time if you don't deal with them when you should. At least, that's how it is for me. When things get <i style="font-weight: normal;">really </i><span style="font-weight: normal;">tough</span><i style="font-weight: normal;">, </i><b>not even chocolate </b>can put a smile on my face. Not even chocolate. That's saying a lot. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I have wonderful news. This " :( " is now this " :) ". That's a frowney face becoming a smiley face, in case you've been living under a rock (or in case you're my mom). My passion for food, life, and everything in between has returned... with improvements. After giving it a lot of thought, I have decided to make a few changes around here. You see, I love food, you love food, we all love food -- but I want to add more of a personal element to this blog, as well. You know, more of the "...life, and everything in between".</span></span><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;" title=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" title=""> Of course, there will still be plenty of food, sweets, and deliciousness. You can count on that.</span></span></div>
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</div></div><a href="http://bakemeblush.blogspot.com/2012/05/its-good-to-be-back.html#more">Read more »</a>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17494037833490942839noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122321671348453480.post-54168759368174007152012-02-07T14:21:00.000-08:002012-02-07T14:22:03.883-08:00Don't Forget the Chicken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I've never been the best person to remember things. Lately, my memory has been especially terrible. Either that or someone's pulling a practical joke on me, in which case he or she is probably laughing it up somewhere. </span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> See, I'll walk around with something important in my hand (i.e. my cell phone, which I lose on an almost daily basis) and then it just disappears. Vanishes. Out of thin air. I'll go to use my phone and realize my hands are empty, yet I can never remember having put the darned thing down. I <i>would</i> call it and listen for the ringtone, except it's always turned off somehow. A few days or even weeks later my phone will turn up in some bizarre place, like in my sock drawer, or in the little bag where I keep my toothbrush. How does this happen? I have no idea.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oven-Fried Chicken<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I can barely contain my excitement. Thoughts are rushing through my head, all jumbled together and confusing<i>… </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">things like "<i>oh my goodness - HOW can this BE?!" </i>and "<i>chocolate heaven <u>does</u> exist"! </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seriously. The following recipe is a real keeper, and I say this with complete conviction.</span></span><br>
</div></div><a href="http://bakemeblush.blogspot.com/2012/01/calling-all-chocoholics.html#more">Read more »</a>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17494037833490942839noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122321671348453480.post-12479104383075599572012-01-21T10:25:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:30:01.338-08:00When "Easy as Pie" Makes Sense<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span id="goog_829031609"></span><span id="goog_829031610"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a> Sometimes I wonder who coined the phrase, "<i>easy as pie</i>." I've mulled those three words over in my mind countless times when working with pastry. Pastry, like pie crust for example, isn't too hard once you get the hang of it<i>, </i>but it's <i>far</i> from easy when you're just starting out. At least, it was for me. It took a long time before I knew what I was doing, but I loved homemade pie crust too much to simply purchase it store-bought.</span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Then came puff pastry. Making your own puff pastry is supposed to be very time-consuming -- it can take <i>over five hours</i> of prep-time. There are some days when I'm perfectly willing to spend that amount of time in the kitchen. There are other days when I want to pop into the kitchen for only a few minutes, throw a few ingredients together and into the oven, be on my way, and pop back in half an hour later to find… magic. I love to find a meal that seems to defy logic -- so little time and effort is needed to produce it, yet the meal itself manages to be incredibly delicious.</span></span><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Not too long ago, I realized something -- I realized that I have never before posted a recipe countdown. I'm talking about a countdown of <b>the top 10 most popular recipes I have ever shared with you. </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your favorite recipes, readers. There is no time more fitting for counting down the best of 2011, as chosen by you, than now -- just after the year's conclusion. So, erm... prepare for a lot of scrolling. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Just click on the name above the picture for the recipe. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Here we go…</span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">#<b>10</b>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><u><a href="http://bakemeblush.blogspot.com/2011/09/brownies-knock-my-socks-off.html">Peanut Caramel Brownies</a></u></span></span></td></tr>
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</div></div><a href="http://bakemeblush.blogspot.com/2012/01/your-favorite-recipes-of-2011.html#more">Read more »</a>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17494037833490942839noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122321671348453480.post-35159258813486546832012-01-10T04:15:00.000-08:002012-01-10T04:15:13.641-08:00The Holidays and the Aftermath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It was sad to see the holidays pass. I do look back at them with a smile when I remember the highlights -- the family get-togethers, the parties, the fun, the laughs, and the food. Holiday baking always comes to mind because it promises an entirely new range of seasonal baked creations. Think Christmas cookies, for example.</span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I am now living in the aftermath of Christmas and New Year's. This part is not so fun, for me, at least. All that heavy eating never sits well with me, and it can take a while to fall back into healthier eating habits once again. Even so, I can look back on a wonderful year and welcome a new one.</span></span><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> Of your holiday highlights, which do you remember most? Did you eat anything especially delicious? I know I did. Many times. Many cookies.</span><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I have good news and bad news. First, the good news: I finally get off school for Christmas break tomorrow. What a relief -- I could <i>really </i>use a holiday right about now. Now, the bad news… <i>I can't find the snow.</i> It's hiding somewhere. I don't know about you, but it just doesn't feel like Christmas without that beautiful blanket of pure white covering the roads and sidewalks outside. Those beautiful snowflakes -- where have they gone? Geez, come on, weather. You have only a few days to redeem yourself.</span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> My most recent baking venture was for a potluck my math class is holding tomorrow. "Potluck" is a word I have seen over and over again for the past few years, but I only just learned its meaning a couple of days ago. It's a party where each of the guests contribute by bringing food. </span></span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oreo Biscotti<br>
</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><a href="http://bakemeblush.blogspot.com/2011/12/biscotti-for-my-first-potluck.html#more">Read more »</a>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17494037833490942839noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122321671348453480.post-35599201470218835522011-12-13T19:48:00.000-08:002012-01-15T16:04:22.629-08:00The Best Combo Since PB & Chocolate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> My life has been nothing short of hectic lately. School's a killer, I tell you. I've been working on three major end-of-the-semester assignments, each due one after the other. They keep telling us students that we're supposed to have a maximum of one per week for the next few weeks, yet here I am somehow with three in one week. This kind of stress makes me want to scream into a pillow.</span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Thankfully, I now have one of those three assignments out of the way… which means more time for a personal assignment. My own two-part assignment was as follows. Part 1: <i>make cookies. </i>Part 2: <i>eat the cookies.</i></span></span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malted Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I have at least five gift cards to Chapters bookstore in my wallet at the moment. Bookstore gift cards are one of my two favorite things to receive as gifts for the holidays, the other being baking tools and equipment (yes you, beloved Kitchenaid mixer).</span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> What do I do with these gift cards? I buy books, of course -- especially baking cookbooks. I read regular books too, but I have one of those nifty Kindle e-readers for my regular reads… meaning I have lots of room left to spend money on cookbooks, which I absolutely <i>insist</i> be printed in full-color, large-photo brilliance. </span></span><br>
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</div></div><a href="http://bakemeblush.blogspot.com/2011/12/cookbook-for-avid-baker.html#more">Read more »</a>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17494037833490942839noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122321671348453480.post-41895501891002563362011-11-25T14:31:00.000-08:002011-11-26T07:59:23.408-08:00Dearest Pumpkin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="font: 16.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> Fall is my #1 favorite season. I love everything about it -- the gorgeous colors, the little trick-or-treaters showing up at my door on Halloween, the distinctive tastes and smells of spices like cinnamon and nutmeg… and pumpkin. Dearest pumpkin.</span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> I have made new best buddies this year: pumpkins and scones. I was very eager to hop on the bandwagon and eat 'em as one. Pumpkin Scones... my weakness. </span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Scones<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The days have just been whipping by for me lately. I get home from school and a few hours later the sky outside is pitch black. It will definitely take me a while to get used to this. How did this happen? When did this happen? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Where have the days gone? Madness, I tell you.</span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I decided to make something quick and simple that would be ready before night hits, but something that I could eat on a regular basis. So, I made a wholesome, hearty loaf of bread -- no yeast, no kneading, and no rising time involved. It's the perfect bread for busybodies such as myself. Here it is: Spelt Sesame Bread.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spelt Sesame Bread<br>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> That's amore...</span></i><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Pizza. While dessert is often incredibly hard to pass up for most people (deep down, we all know we should), there are still delicious savory foods that succeed in having the same effect on us. For me, one of these foods is pizza. Particularly homemade pizza. Even more particularly, my Mom's homemade pizza. Pair that with a from-scratch pizza dough made with love, and you've earned my heart.</span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> </i>During the summer I went to Italy with my family -- an experience I had anticipated for years. Italy was too beautiful to be described in words and every meal was incredible. By the end of the trip, I thought I had eaten enough pizza (plus gelato <i>every day</i>) to last me a lifetime. As it turns out, I didn't, because here I am again in the same position… eating pizza.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinach Goat Cheese Pizza<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Earlier this week, I shared with you a batch of pear crisp minis, and today: wine-poached pears.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate-Stuffed Poached Pears<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> When I was younger, pears were my favorite fruit. I ate them all the time and especially when I was over my Nonna's, as she would always cut the pears into slices for me. It was my favorite way to eat them. Even better, she'd hand me a juice box filled with my favorite drink--pear juice. That stuff was my reason for living.</span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> After all these years, I'm still very fond of pears. The difference between then and now is the fact that pears share my heart with apples, which I've admittedly come to love just as much. One thing hasn't changed, though: sometimes all I want to do is bite into a good, juicy pear.</span></span><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I love eating food, looking at food, and taking pictures of food. I just purchased a new lens for my camera and I'm completely <i>ecstatic</i>. I chose the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. Here's my first impression: it takes beautiful shots. Everything is sharp and stunning, with great focus-- I know this lens will make my food photography experience even more enjoyable. I practically did a happy dance after seeing my first shots with it.</span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I didn't waste any time-- the moment I returned home I opened up the package, screwed the lens onto my Canon Rebel XT, and started snapping away like mad. The first food subject I introduced to my new lens was a cake. The Whiteout Cake. </span></span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Whiteout Cake<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I went up to my cottage last weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving with my Dad's side of the family. Thanksgiving Day arrives a bit earlier here in Canada than in the United States, which is fine by me (I'm terrible at waiting). Unsurprisingly, I ate a mountain of food. Perhaps I have mentioned this before, but nearly all of my relatives on my Dad's side--and myself, of course--are big eaters. We love food. We live to eat. It's only natural that we had a large menu planned for Thanksgiving.</span></span><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I, my friends, was in charge of the dessert. Determined to make my favorite, I knew one single pie wouldn't be enough to feed so many of us. We eventually decided on three pies. I set to work with my cousins as helpers and together we tripled my favorite pecan pie recipe.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic Pecan Pie<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I tend to surprise myself on a regular basis. For example, I cannot believe that in all this time since I started posting I've never even alluded to one of my favorite desserts (possibly THE number one) of all time--pecan pie. While I love all pies, there's something about a nice, warm pecan pie, its sweet and gooey filling topped with toasted, russet-colored pecans... It can't be beat. Luckily the beloved dessert often goes hand-in-hand with the Fall season, meaning I have even more reason to bake one in the very near future. </span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving at my cottage this weekend and, of course, a pecan pie is present in my menu plan. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the thing… I couldn't wait that long. I needed something to carry me through to the weekend. Alas, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I found my solution in the form of an individual, bite-sized pecan pie. Meet the Pecan Tassie.</span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pecan Tassies</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><a href="http://bakemeblush.blogspot.com/2011/10/pecan-priority-mode.html#more">Read more »</a>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17494037833490942839noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122321671348453480.post-53032892835571823562011-10-02T18:27:00.000-07:002011-10-17T20:39:40.583-07:00Finding Time for Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Homework, tests, assignments, responsibility, procrastination… all words commonly associated with <i>school</i>. I've had a lot on my plate recently and I don't mean food. Every one of us can say we've had those times when we've been overwhelmed about meeting deadlines and, unfortunately, I am no exception. It's really tough for me to get work done when quite frankly I'd rather be baking. Or taking pictures. Or blogging. Or doing anything but what I should be.</span></span><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I always find time for things I want to do, though. I find time for cupcakes.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYFNkPp_1xo/TokDdXstf9I/AAAAAAAAAlg/40AblWRFyCw/s1600/Marshmallow%252BCream%252BCupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYFNkPp_1xo/TokDdXstf9I/AAAAAAAAAlg/40AblWRFyCw/s1600/Marshmallow%252BCream%252BCupcakes.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marshmallow Cream Cupcakes<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I have been so very sleepy lately. I want nothing more than to crawl into bed, close my eyes, and sleep the day away. Hour after hour of long, undisturbed and peaceful rest, the incessant beeping of my alarm clock for once silenced. Not that the silly clock has ever been particularly useful to me, as I always manage to wake up before the darn thing. You wouldn't believe how many times I open my eyes to "6:59", just one minute before my alarm's cue. It's almost like I have a sixth sense for these things, but, eh… it would be cooler to see ghosts.</span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> You're probably wondering what I decided to bake for this occasion. I'll tell you--I baked a bunch of pillows. Soft and oh-so-fluffy pillows. Okay, so they were dinner rolls, but with their unbelievable softness and fluffiness I couldn't resist giving the rolls a more fitting name.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0LoHbn66gQ/ToSGSAliTPI/AAAAAAAAAkk/qP0qL_CRpaY/s1600/Soft%252BPillow%252BRolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0LoHbn66gQ/ToSGSAliTPI/AAAAAAAAAkk/qP0qL_CRpaY/s1600/Soft%252BPillow%252BRolls.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft and Fluffy Pillow Rolls<br>
</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><a href="http://bakemeblush.blogspot.com/2011/09/like-pillow-you-wish-you-had.html#more">Read more »</a>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17494037833490942839noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122321671348453480.post-70934087157110211552011-09-24T12:08:00.000-07:002011-10-02T13:34:03.186-07:00Breathe In the Butterscotch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="font: 16.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I woke up with a strong desire for butterscotch, and when I get a craving for butterscotch I don't let anything stand in my way. It's one of my favorite flavors, as its sweetness is offset by a hint of saltiness that I love. It didn't take me long to determine I was in the mood for something thick, chewy, and with a truckload of concentrated butterscotch flavor. </span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Believe it or not, sweet-and-salty treats are a major competitor for my love for chocolate and in some cases even beat chocolate completely (gasp!). While I can somehow manage to hold myself back from sneaking a few chocolate chips during baking… I can't say the same for their butterscotch counterpart. I certainly could have practiced a little more restraint as I baked these Butterscotch Blondie Cupcakes.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterscotch Blondie Cupcakes<br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Then, I saw the light. I tried my very first scone and realized they weren't at all as I imagined. The notion in my head of a dry hockey puck diminished the moment I took the first bite… the interiors were soft and moist, apparently just as a good scone should be.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nutella Scones<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> I was quite the sight running through my kitchen with my camera after taking these chocolate soufflés from the oven, desperately trying to snap some good shots before the beautifully risen puff could begin to settle. This photo was as fast as I could manage, though I'm pleased to say they rose well past this point!</span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Chocolate Soufflés<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> I'm sure if I had agreed to try it more times than I did, I'd have taken a liking a lot sooner. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">No worries, pumpkin pie lovers--over the years I grew to like all things pumpkin quite a lot. Now, for the first time in my life, I ventured into the world of baking with pumpkin.</span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Brown Butter Cupcakes<br>
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