posted by admin on Dec 31
Hi, friends. Tonight is New Year’s Eve and most of you will be busy celebrating with friends and family and, much like last week, I’m sure no one will be reading blogs. So, Happy New Year to all. Be safe, be well, and be joyful. I hope that 2011 brings everyone all good things.
Peace on earth. See you next year.
posted by admin on Dec 24
Hi, all. Today is Christmas Eve and I know that many of you are busy making and/or eating your special holiday meals, so just I want to wish everyone who celebrates Christmas a happy and safe one. For those who don’t, have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the season for what it is. See you all next week.
posted by admin on Dec 17
What can I say about a holiday with a name like that? I mean, how can you go wrong? Unless you have something against chocolate, this is a holiday—celebrated on December 16—that appeals to a wide cross-section of people. No matter what your snack preference is, it can be found in this category. What can be covered in chocolate? I think the better question would be, what can‘t be covered in chocolate. Hmm, let’s see what some favorites are…
posted by admin on Dec 10
Hi, gang. I really can’t believe that the holiday season has come round again. Time is flying by, faster and faster as I get older and older. Anyway, with everyone firing up their ovens for the baking frenzy to come, I thought I’d address the subject of gluten-free substitutions.
Okay, here’s the deal. Substituting gluten-free flours for wheat flour is a tricky thing. I’ve been very successful with various flours in baking cakes, muffins, and cookies, but certain concessions must be made. Recipes must be tinkered with to come up with a combination of ingredients that work together. Even whole-wheat flour must be blended with other ingredients to keep you from getting overly dense, heavy, strongly flavored baked goods.
posted by admin on Dec 4
Photo by: Brian Leatart
Hi, all. I hope everyone had a fun, delicious Thanksgiving. Now, with the turkeys out of the way, the baking season begins and, as you can imagine, every day in December is some food holiday, most of which are for baked goods. December 3 was National Apple Pie Day. Practically an official national dessert, apple pie can be found everywhere, from small, out-of-the-way diners to fancy bistros. (In fact, Farmer’s Almanac readers voted apple pie as the national dessert.) I can’t imagine that there is anyone in this country who has not had apple pie at least once in their life. It’s like a rite of passage to sample a piece of the soft, sweet apples dusted with cinnamon and nutmeg and blanketed in a flaky, buttery double crust. It is on the list of American comfort food.
Apple pie also the kind of dessert that has no season or holiday associated with it—people will bake and eat apple pie any time of year. You will find it served just as readily at a Fourth of July barbecue as on a Thanksgiving table.
