Hello Baby!

While I was putting back the jar of almonds to the top shelf of the pantry, I found this baby:

HOW GREAT IS THAT?

It may not be the classic pastry bag set I wanted but it's better than nothing. Right? I can't wait to bake a cake now. Hooray!

Progetto Undici: Tracy Friendly Pancakes

My friend Tracy is not a fan of milk and butter, sooo I found this recipe online, tried it out this afternoon.

Ingredients:
2 cups of flour
4 tsp of baking powder
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 Tbsp oil
1 1/2 or 2 cups water

Procedure:
1. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar into a medium sized bowl.
Stir dry ingredients with a fork or spoon.
2. Add in the vanilla extract and the oil.
3. Add in the water to the batter until the batter is the right consistency. I add in 1 1/2 cups first and then gradually add a bit more as needed. Not too thin or not too thick.
5. Now you can add extras like fruits or chocolate chips. (I went for old fashioned pancakes)
6. Spoon the batter onto your heated pan.
7. Flip when the bottom side is firm. Then there you have it!

Progetto Dieci: Classic Almond Lace Cookies

Aside from the fact that there's a kilo of almonds sitting in the pantry, I told my best friend's sister I'd try baking this.

It was pretty okay, but I'm still after the uber thin result. Next time!

I modified the ingredients by the way.

Ingredients:
2 ounces almonds (to yield 1/2 cup ground almonds)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 sugar
1/8 cup of milk
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Procedure:
1. Grind the almonds using a food processor, measure 1/2 cup and set aside.
2. Over low heat, allow the butter and sugar to melt. By the time the sugar dissolves add half of the milk bring it up to a boil and add the salt and flour.
3. Remove pan from the heat then fold in the almonds,vanilla extract and left over milk.
4. Have your cookie tray lined up with parchment paper. And simply drop the batter on the tray. Mold it to the desired size you want. (I'm a fan of big cookies)
5. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until your cookies are brown enough.

This recipe is good for 7 big cookies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wishlist

No, I can't celebrate my birthday once every month and Christmas is way too far away. So, if anyone out there would like to give me a gift (as a token of appreciation, or whatever purpose you may have) here's a couple of gift ideas:

As most of you know, I've fallen in love with Baking. Aside from the fact that it eats up my time and I make a lot of people happy with my concoctions. Baking is fun, plus I get to practice my first love: Photography, in the process. So, don't be surprised by seeing kitchenware in this list. I've got pretty much everything else I want anyways. ;)

I can't seem to find the whisk my mom got me, so yeah. I need a whisk. If you want to know how I get away with baking without a whisk, well that's efficiency for you. I'm VERY resourceful.

I'm a big Rachel Ray fan so I have grown accustomed to not measuring things when I cook, but baking... that's a different story. With baking every single detail is important, especially the measurements. Since I'm a fan of color, I'd love to have these adorable collapsible measuring cups and just for sake of having it; I want a Pyrex measuring cup as well. It's like the shit, classic.

 As you may have noticed, I didn't use a pie plate for my pie. I used a spring-form pan. Why? I didn't have pie plate, but I love making pies. Pushing Daisies inspired me, yes I am in love with the Pie Maker.

Ever since I was little, I had a thing for cookie cutters. You know those toy clay cutters we had back then? My my, I was completely obsessed with them. So yeah, I love cookie cutters! If anyone can find me a Stitch Cookie Cutter, I will by all means love you until the day I die!

Ah yes, I remember the days when my Mom would bake a cake and slap icing on it. She wasn't a fan of pastry bags and fancy scallops, but her cakes looked great! So this is one of my frustrations, I will forever want this set. Even if I am not much of a cake baker, I desperately want this!

That's all I've got on my list for now. Oh yes, I can think of other things in a couple of days, just wait. :)

Progetto Nove: Banana Muffins

I was supposed to make Banana Bread, but then I saw muffin molds and they look fun. I didn't get to photograph the process. I'm sort of down and multitasking isn't my strong suit today.

Ingredients:
4 Large bananas
1/2 cup white sugar (original recipe calls for 1 cup, but I don’t like them too sweet)
1 slightly beaten egg
1/3 cup melted margarine or butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven up to 350 degress

1. It doesn't really require much. I just pop everything into the food processor. Do the wet ingredients first though, then combine.
2. Place your cupcake cups into the cupcake mold. Just fill it half-way.
3. Bake for 20 minutes, you're done!

Progetto Otto: Vanilla Custard Pie

There was a huge container of graham crackers in the pantry, so what's the next best thing to a cheesecake with a scrumptious graham crust? Vanilla Custard! Aside from that; I fell in love again with the Pie Maker in Pushing Daisies.

Ingredients:
Graham Crust:
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/...3 cup butter, melted
Filling:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Meringue:
2 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.

Procedure:
1. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and butter; press onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9-in. pie plate. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned then cool on a wire rack.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, flour and salt. Stir in milk until smooth. Cook this over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly.
3. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer.
4. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks (Yes, just the yolks. I suck at separating the yolks from the whites by the way); return all to the pan. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. (It will help a lot if you use a whisk with this)
5. Remove from the heat then gently stir in vanilla. Pour into crust.
6. Beat the egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. Spread over hot filling, sealing edges to crust.
7. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

Progetto Sette: Oatmeal Revel Bars

I was supposed to bake this around Thursday, but I got so bored and I decided to do it today instead. The reason why I'm baking these delish chocolatey treats is because my mom sent me way too much Oatmeal in hopes that I'd eat them. Blech. I can't stand oatmeal, but when they're baked in cookies and bars... that's a different story. I don't really have a big sweet tooth but baking is one of the things I can do to keep me busy in this state I'm in.

Ingredients:
1 of cup butter
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups of oats
1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips (again according to preference I like a lot of chocolate)
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Procedure:
1. Lightly grease your baking tray. Just so that your bars won't stick to it.
2. Cream the 1 cup butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, one and a time, and beat until fluffy. Blend in vanilla. Add flour and baking soda, and mix well. Being the lazy ass that I am, I used my mom's food processor to do the job for me. :)
3. Once your mixture is ready; place it in a separate bowl and add your 1/4 cup of milk. Just so that it's easier to stir. Believe me, it's tiring to mix.
4. Stir in (by hand this time) the 3 cups of oats.
5. Spread 1/2 to 3/4 of the mixture into the jelly roll pan, and pat down evenly.
6. In small heavy saucepan, combine chocolate chips, condensed milk, and 2 tablespoons butter. Stir over low heat until the chocolate is melted.
7. Pour chocolate mixture evenly over the oat mixture in the pan. Dot with reserved oat mixture.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are browned and the center feels firm.
9. Cool in the pan, then cut into small bars.