The Pear Frenzy: Part II

        Pears. We poached them, we stuffed them, we ate them, we loved them. There was a time not long ago when I was unable to say I'd eaten poached pears, but now that time has come and passed. I just had my first encounter with a poached pear. It ended with a prediction of events to come, and what does my future hold? More poached pears, of course.
        Earlier this week, I shared with you a batch of pear crisp minis, and today: wine-poached pears.

Chocolate-Stuffed Poached Pears

The Pear Frenzy: Part I

        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.
        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.

Pear Crisp Minis

The Cake You'll Dream About

        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 ecstatic. 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.
         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. 

The Whiteout Cake

The Thanksgiving Feast

        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.

        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.

Classic Pecan Pie

Pecan Priority Mode

        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. 
        I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving at my cottage this weekend and, of course, a pecan pie is present in my menu plan. Here's the thing… I couldn't wait that long. I needed something to carry me through to the weekend. Alas, I found my solution in the form of an individual, bite-sized pecan pie. Meet the Pecan Tassie.

Pecan Tassies

Finding Time for Cupcakes

        Homework, tests, assignments, responsibility, procrastination… all words commonly associated with school. 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.

        I always find time for things I want to do, though. I find time for cupcakes.

Marshmallow Cream Cupcakes