Well it's a special day today, I'm sharing my blog with a few others who are writing about Valentine's Day. Please take a peek at their blogs here:
Andrea Davis: Pure Food Nutrition: Valentine’s Day Chocolate: Good & Good for You?
Ann Mehl: A Man and His Word on Valentine’s Day
Artists & Fleas: Gift Guide: From Brooklyn-Tough Love, Show Your Love, and Lovely Little Licks, Bites & Nibbles
The Bitchy Waiter: Fuck Cupid
Brooklyn Flea: You Gotta Have Heart
The Experimental Gourmand: Valentine’s Day Special Dinner
Markets of New York City: Love is in the Air: Three Great Valentine’s Dates at the Markets
The NewNew: What Makes Valentine’s Day Sweet to Me
And now a little something I 'cooked' up:
Well, I've come to realize something about myself lately. I'm a terrible cook, but a fantastic baker. Cooking is for people who can experiment and taste soup and know exactly what spice to add that will make it better. Baking is for people who like to follow directions. And eat yummy sweets. I say yes to both of these things, hence I am a fantastic baker. My apple pies are tender yet crisp. My breads are chewy with a crunchy crust. My cookies are buttery-licious. And I don't say this because I'm a baking egomaniac, I say it because my husband rates my baking as 'restaurant quality' good. This from a man who has eaten at places like Per Se, Bouloud, Babbo, etc.
With Valentine's Day coming up, I've also come to realize that I like to bake to show my love. It's also a great DISTRACTION for my 6-year-old and I while my 1-year-old sits at my feet alternately yelling up at me and pulling out all my tupperware bowls from the lower cabinets. Stinker. Not only does it keep us all from pulling out each other's hair during the winter months, but we end up having something delicious to share with my husband when he gets home after dinner.
Here is Asher and our concoction from last year's baking event. Red velvet cupcakes with vanilla frosting. Not restaurant quality but totally fun to make! And yes, I used a box mix for these.
This year, however, we are going for the gold: red velvet chocolate chip cookies with cream cheese frosting. From scratch. I have to admit, I've already made them once and my husband deemed them the 'most amazing restaurant quality cookie sandwiches and you need to sell these people will want them' good. So we're going to make them again.
What are you making/baking/cooking/buying/giving/getting for Valentine's Day this year?
4 comments:
I am the exact opposite- I hate following the directions, and am always convinced I can substitute baking soda for baking powder, or just use whatever flour I have... But I am a damn good cook!
I love to cook, and I love not following the recipe. But since baking is so much of a science, I get nervous about deviating from the recipe, but I'm usually not happy unless I change something, so I end up psyching myself out and heading to the bakery.
That being said, ahem, one my valentine's favorites is a pistachio cream filled tart with raspberries on top. it's super yummy and red, which is perfect for valentines day. it's not difficult to make, but it looks like it is, so mr. persuede doesn't expect it but once a year.
I meant to add that your red velvet cupcakes look AMAZING and I'll be rooting for your cupcakes and icing from scratch extravaganza. I'd probably stop after the icing, cause I'd be too busy eating it.
Oh man - I'm coming to your house on Monday!!! I love the picture of Asher. :)
Post a Comment