Spring has (almost) sprung

Posted on March 16, 2008 by chatty

It is beginning to smell like spring around here. We’ve got our rhodies beginning to bloom in the front yard, and we’ve cut some of the hyacinths that recently blossomed in our yard as well.

What better dish to celebrate spring than Pasta Primavera?

The husband treated us with this light pasta dish for dinner tonight. Whole-wheat rotini tossed with olive oil, peppers, broccoli and garlic.

I had a splitting headache, from what I believe was missing my coffee/caffeine fix this morning. So I stopped by the MM for a short latte and came home with dessert, a chocolate-dipped macaroon.

MWC from MM

Posted on March 14, 2008 by chatty

Mexican wedding cakes from MM. Rich, dense and buttery.

Cupcake Mania

Posted on March 5, 2008 by chatty

Cupcakes have been on my mind lately, especially since my trial-run of the Banana Cupcake recipe (hint: if you want to be super-popular at the office, go with chocolate. People look at you funny when you say ‘banana cupcake with amaretto buttercream”).

I watched with fascination this past weekend an episode of “Throwdown with Bobby Flay,” where he went head to head with a cupcake baker/rocker from LA. I was disappointed with the outcome, mainly because sometimes I think Bobby is a boob and I appreciate a good cupcake baker. Especially in HD. The rocker made a moist, decadent Red Velvet cupcake with sky-high cream cheese frosting. I felt cavities forming just watching. I also felt the drool dribbling out of the corner of my mouth as I watched. Mmmmmm …. frosting ….

The other cupcake news to inform you of is this recent article from MSN.com about the best cupcakes in the country. Sure, they mention the CR. And I’m happy and all, but I would love to try some of these other treats, liks the Fluffer Nutter from “Cake Fetish” and the Fat Elvis from “Saint Cupcake”. What is that commandment again? Thou shalt not covet another man’s cupcake.

And for a little dessert … a girl scout cookie story

Posted on March 1, 2008 by chatty

As I was making noodles for lunch today I stood in the kitchen and watched the husband go into the freezer and take some Thin Mints from an already opened box. The only box of Thin Mints I have. Then, he closed the box and put them back in the freezer.

What the frak?

They’re in the FREEZER so we can save them for LATER. That’s what everyone says. Buy a lot of cookies. Support the Girl Scouts. They freeze really well. You can enjoy them a month from now.

Noticing my shock, the husband replied that he would have had some All Abouts but since I hid them he went for the Thin Mints. Nevermind that he also said the night before, “Out of sight, out of mind” and that having the All Abouts hidden would assist in getting his cycling training plan back in motion. He told me to hide them, then punished me by digging into the reserves.

So, I unhid the All Abouts (simply in the pantry/cupboard, on a lower shelf) so that he would stop eating my Thin Mints. Too little too late, though. I tell ya. You just can’t win.

One of the last All Abouts:

Girl Scout Cookies Time

Posted on February 26, 2008 by chatty

The niece is a Brownie, and so this is the second year in a row we’ve purchased cookies for her Troop. Last year it was about eight boxes. This year, we reduced, to six.

Missing from this photo: a box of Tagalongs, which I brought to the office. Tomorrow I’ll bring in the Samoas. Must share the sugar and calories with as many people as possible.

thank you card from emily via chattycha on flickr

Meanwhile, this bit from ICHC made me LOL …

And the Oscar goes to …

Posted on February 24, 2008 by chatty

Well why would I spoil it for you? Truth be told, the only nominated movie we saw this year was “Michael Clayton” and we watched that on PPV about four days ago. But if you were curious to know what classic Hollywood food we ate to commemorate the evening, it was beef stir fry.

And then there’s dessert. I’ve been meaning to test out the new silicone muffin tins I received for Christmas (if they are made from silicone, they aren’t really tins anymore, now are they). I’ve been carrying around a grocery list for the ingredients of “Lemon Cream Cupcakes” for some time now, though each time I mentioned them to the husband he would look like he was going to throw up. So today I recycled that list and started new … Banana Cupcakes with Amaretto Buttercream. It was the amaretto that made the decision for me. Great excuse to pick up a bottle of my favorite liqueur.

Really great and fun to make. I don’t make frosting very often. And, after seeing the ingredients I combined to make the Amaretto Buttercream I remember why. I had a sugar headache for 20 minutes after finishing my cupcake. But my, does it make a difference. What makes a banana cupcake a cupcake, and not a banana muffin? It’s the frosting, stupid. As the “too cool for school” kids at Cupcake Royale are known to say, Legalize Frostitution!

(banana muffins)

(banana cupcakes!)

Valentine’s Day. Sweet!

Posted on January 26, 2008 by chatty

Just a day or two following New Year’s everything in the local grocery store turns red for Valentine’s Day. You could moan and groan and curse Hallmark for the commercialization of love, or you could just go with the flow and pick up some heart-shaped cookies. I chose the latter.

Last week, I tried a berry jam-filled cookie from Ambrosetti. It wasn’t actually filled as much as it was spread. Delicious:

Then, last night, the husband and I shared this indulgent treat (always tastes better when you can share it with someone you love), also from Ambrosetti:

Why wait for February 14? Enjoy one tonight.

A shout out

Posted on January 15, 2008 by chatty

Belinda asked me to give her a shout out. So here it is. One of the greatest things I remember from Bel & Nick’s wedding back in 2003 (besides the amazing reception site, tears … oh and the fun ‘bachelorette’ party…) was the reception food! Two amazing buffets. One, to be honest, I can’t remember what it was. Maybe prime rib? But the other one was filled with southern goodness: chicken, mac and cheese, those comfort foods that are every bit a part of Bel and her southern upbringing.

She also presented Nick with a super-fun groom’s cake, shaped like a golf bag, clubs and all. It was very impressive, and the surprise and amazement Nick showed was precious. Bel, if you’re out there, send me a photo of the groom’s cake. I’d love to post it.

A Cupcake Cake is better than just regular cake

Posted on January 12, 2008 by chatty

Got the email that there was a Happy Birthday cake outside Scott’s office. You can’t wait too long to take the photo, because cake waits for no one. This was a swell cupcake cake (don’t know the official title, though I’m sure Cupcake Takes the Cake has a title for it). Anyway, half of it was chocolate, the other half was vanilla. There’s nothing like some refined sugar and flour to really wake you up on a Friday afternoon. There’s also nothing like a sugar headache to make the day go much s-l-o-w-e-r.

Visit this tasty Web site

Posted on January 1, 2008 by chatty

Cupcakes Take The Cake features cupcakes from around the world.

They also list cupcake bakeries around the U.S., including our local cupcake eatery in Seattle, Cupcake Royale.

Now, I am most definitely known to enjoy a cupcake from CR when I’m hanging out in Ballard, however I must admit. The CR folks. They show a little bit of attitude. Not really needing that with my sweet treat. I’m just saying.

Yum. Cupcakes. Considering I received new muffin tins for Christmas as well (not really tins … it is the new silicone baking stuff) … perhaps perfecting the homemade cupcake could very well be my other new year’s resolution.

Chatty Cha

dessert first

Category Archives: baked goods