Magic Beans.
As promised, here is the most amazing thing you could possibly do with your homemade Dulce de Leche. Ok, maybe not the most amazing thing, but certainly the most amazing thing that I'm currently aware of. If you have any other ideas I'd love to hear them!
I recently bought a bulk pack of fifty bourbon vanilla beans. I haven't used extract in months and I'll never look back. Vanilla beans are far sweeter with a brighter, potent flavour without the alcohol aftertaste and they have those adorable little specs to decorate your food. Like built in sprinkles! These truly are the magic beans Jack was talking about.
We bought an entire case of peaches so the pie was absolutely essential. I can't have all that peachy goodness going to waste now can I? It was fate. A match made in heaven. Sweet peaches with velvety Dulce de Leche, flaky vanilla bean crust and top it all off with fresh vanilla bean whipped cream. It's a triple vanilla experience! My mind is blown!
Peachy Keen.
I have to apologize for a serious lack of yummy posts in the past few weeks. I have been busying myself with preparations to visit Ontario in less than two weeks. It's been almost two years since I've visited my family and friends and I can't be more excited!
What makes this trip extra special is that I'll be maid of honour and dessert caterer for my friend, Lisa's wedding. Lots and lots of cupcakes. Three different flavours. Three different cakes. Three different fillings. Three different frostings. And adorable toppers and baking cups to tie them all together. I'm having dreams about cupcakes to say the very least. Don't worry, I'll keep you all up to date as the deliciousness unfolds!
For now, let's switch gears. I thought it was fate when I saw these Ontario peaches at the store begging me to buy them. It seemed only right that I get a little Ontario preview and share it with all of you. There's nothing better than a fresh Ontario peach, fuzzy and bursting with bright flavour.
I've been on such a peach kick lately. Peaches in my yogurt, peaches in my hand, peaches and whipped cream, peach smoothies, peaches in my mouth. Then suddenly I remembered, oh yeah I have a food blog don't I? So why not share some of the peachy goodness with all of you?
Here is the first of a few peach installments to come. Honey Peach Smoothies!
The Picnic: Inside Out.
I'd like to thank everyone who helped me get this far in Project Food Blog. I appreciate all your support in all its forms! Thank you!
“For this challenge, you're tasked with creating a delicious meal that will travel well and still look great. From picnics and school lunches to bento boxes, or any other meal on the go, you need to whip up an entree, side, drink, and dessert to enjoy after hitting the road. Be sure that your meal fits inside the Project Food Blog Road Trip Cooler.”
Have you ever wistfully watched a sunset stained with roses and violets while sipping a glass of wine? Have you ever savoured a simple chocolate bar on the waterfront, salty breeze in your hair and sand beneath your feet? Have you ever bitten into an apple and let the juices run down your chin on a lazy afternoon absentmindedly swaying on a creaking porch swing?
Twitterpated birds are the best dinner companions. Fresh air is the sweetest spice to add to any meal. A park bench is the perfect table setting. The fading glow of the sun rivals any candlelit dinner. Food is best enjoyed in the presence of nature, humbling and beautiful.
The picnic is the traditional way to bring the inside out and eat at nature's table. There's nothing traditional about this picnic. I've expanded on simple picnic food to elevate your experience. The plain sandwich has been spiced up and transformed into the Curried Egg Salad Sandwich. Chips and dip have been revamped into sweet and spicy Peach Salsa with baked Pita Chips. The simple glass of juice has been stirred into a bubbly frenzy and become Sparkling White Grape Peach Juice. The average Rice Krispies square has been reinvented into a nutty and flavourful Brown Butter Maple Pecan Crispy Treat.
Nature is in a constant state of flux and I've pulled my inspiration for this meal from that fact. Nature's ever changing landscape offers a unique and beautiful tablescape. Go outside and enjoy the fresh air. I think you'll find your food tastes a little bit sweeter, a little more satisfying.
Love Muffin: Peach Cheesecake.
Could someone please tell me why it is that I can have grey hairs and acne breakouts at the same time? That doesn't seem fair does it?
It should be one or the other. Not both. At the same time.
It's like my body can't decide what age I am. One minute I'm thirteen with a book report due on Of Mice and Men and the next I'm sixty-five dashing out to Denny's for the early bird special. Make up your mind!
It seems like the general public can't decide what age I am too. I get carded all the time when the rest of my table doesn't even get a second glance. Door to door salesmen ask me when my parents are going to be home. True story. So I tell them six, maybe seven o'clock so they leave me alone to wallow in my self-pity.
The one that bothers me the most is the wide-eyed looks I get from perfect strangers when my boyfriend of thirty-three introduces to them his girlfriend of twenty-four. Age is just a number. I've known people far older than me that are also far less mature. Lee and I are on the same level mentally, why do we need to be the same age?
I know. I shouldn't complain. It's a compliment. It will be useful when I get older.
For now I'm going to keep dying my hair and washing my face.
This topic really doesn't segue into muffins. At all. So I'm not going to try.
I made muffins. So there! They're awesome. They have peaches and cheesecake in them. Did I mention they're awesome?
Turn That Frown Upside Down.
There are some things in the world that are better when turned upside down. It's just a fact.
Frowns for example. You saw that one coming right?
Bats too. When they're upside down they're sleeping instead of flying around in your hair giving you rabies.
Our cat Misty. She loves to lay on her back and look at you funny with her little paws all pulled up and cute. When she's right side up she's kind of a jerk.
A squeeze bottle of honey. Preferably open while upside down over my greedy mouth.
Cake. That's pretty obvious right?
It's peach season. Did you know? Peaches are my favourite fruit. Figures I'd choose a fruit with one of the shortest growing seasons in Canada. I'm sure you can tell I like honey.
I'll stop insulting your intelligence and just get to the point.
It was only a matter of time until I combined two of my very favourite things. Honey and peach. Together at last. And what a lovely cake they made.
Heebee Jeebees.
Popsicles. Is there anything better on a hot Summer day? But it's not all fun and games. There's evil lurking in your popsicle. Splintery, wooden, spongy evil.
Is it just me or does the thought of biting into a refreshing popsicle down to the wooden stick give you the heebee jeebese? It not only ruins the whole experience it also incites a physical reaction in me that is most unpleasant.
You know that feeling when you drag your fingernails across a chalkboard or when you accidentally touch a bug? It feels like you need to chop your fingers off to get rid of the weirdness. Either that or run your fingertips across an SOS pad until the pain replaces the icks.
I used to chew on popsicle sticks when I was a kid then promptly hide them in the basement couch because I was too lazy to take them upstairs to throw them out. The thought of doing that now makes me cringe for a few reasons.
Sorry to make you think of bugs, amputation and skin abrasions while setting eyes on this rainbow of Fruit Punch Yogurt Popsicles. These have plastic sticks so no worries.
Enough of my neurosis. Let's get crack-a-lackin of some popsicles.
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