Prudence Pie & Celebrating Birthday's

We went to my mom's last week to share our Thanksgiving meal. We had a good time.
Naturally, we all ate more than we needed to and the kids got to play a game or two with their grandmother.
My only regret of going there was that I didn't really get any leftovers of my own.
On Sunday I decided to cook a turkey with all it's fixings so that I could enjoy the many leftovers.
I think I have done well to utilize the 'bird'. You could say I have been prudent.
On Sunday there was the traditional turkey meal. On Monday I made a Turkey Soup and served it with grilled cheese sandwiches. On Tuesday I made Turkey Enchilada's.
I chopped the turkey fine and sauteed it with garlic and olive oil before rolling it with cheese and tortilla's then placed them in a baking dish and topped with a spicy red enchilada sauce. I baked it for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Later today I may see if there is enough left to bake a turkey and vegetable pie to freeze for a later date.
As for celebrating, today is my husband's birthday. The kids and I have decided to take him to an early dinner at Cafe Vilaggio--a fancy Italian restaurant in town. We saw in the paper that they have $9.99 early bird specials during the week. You could call us cheap--but I'd like to think of it as simply being prudent!

Cranberry Biscotti dipped in White Chocolate

I recently filled orders for Cranberry Biscotti. I put white chocolate chips into the batter and I drizzle a bit of melted chocolate on top. It is such a simple and delicious treat to have on hand. I made sure I had a bunch left over (pictured here) to keep around the house. It's perfect with a hot cup of coffee or tea. The kids like it to dip into hot chocolate.

Fresh Baked Cranberry Muffins & Banana Bread

Is there such a thing as scent overload?
If there is I must be suffering from it!
In an effort to save time this morning I am baking cranberry muffins with a hint of orange peel while I am also baking banana bread.
My nose is kind of like 'Emeril' from those toothpaste commercials-Bam!
It smells scrumptious in my kitchen. With the holiday coming I have extra baking to do so I am simply trying to save time. My nose doesn't seem to mind.

Chasing Rainbows & Perfect Pecan Pie

Did you see the rainbow (actually there were two) extending over the Upper Cape this past weekend?

We had to head off Cape on Saturday to bring Nathan to his Basketball Tournament in Bridgewater. It had been dark and rainy earlier in the day and then the sun suddenly decided to pop out and help create an amazing rainbow.

The drive on 28 between Falmouth through Bourne felt as if we were chasing a rainbow.

I suggested to Sophia that she make a wish--I heard her say very quietly, "I wish that this rainbow will always stay in my heart". She is four! It was one of the biggest and brightest rainbows I have ever seen. There was even a smaller, fainter one just behind it.

On Sunday I baked a perfect pecan pie. Traditional pecan pie is basically light Caro syrup, butter, sugar, egg and pecans. I made a double layered crust on the bottom. I mixed an egg with a package of cream cheese and brown sugar and a hint of vanilla. Then I layered a cup of pecans. I topped it with a whipped mixture of light Caro syrup, butter, eggs and a bit more vanilla. I baked it at 350 degrees for fifty five minutes.

Nathan said, " This is de--licious"! Bella said, "You have to make this for thanksgiving". I am pretty sure they liked my new dessert as much as Sophia liked catching the rainbow on Saturday.

Baking Life into the House

People often comment that I seem to really enjoy baking. I do. It's kind of a long story. The short version is that I have always wanted to give to the people around me and I have always wanted my home to be filled with life. Baking has been a quick route to satisfy both for me.

The smells, the heat from the oven, the textures and tastes of all the ingredients come together and turn my house from an ordinary structure into a really great home.

Over the summer we often have quite a few house guests--people who are just dying to see us--oh, and Cape Cod in the summer!

Last summer an old family friend came to stay with us for a week. They were a family of four coming from California and had never really been to New England. It's always a lot to have people stay in your home. Yet I wanted this particular group of guests to have an extra special memory of Cape Cod and their time with us.

So I decided to bake for them every day or at least as much as I could while they were visiting. I had jumbo chocolate chip cookies made for them when they arrived. Cranberry Biscotti dipped in white chocolate, peach and pecan empanadas and fresh baked lemon cake ready for them to wrap up and take with them when they headed into the City or over to the Vineyard for the day. They woke to the smells and tastes of fresh baked banana bread in the morning.

The last I heard the mom (a good friend of mine) took to the art of baking herself and that the rest of her family have been quite happy with her new found passion.

Sisters, Cookies & Cakeballs

I was chatting with one of my sisters on the phone the other morning. I casually mentioned that I had a fire in the kitchen the other day while I made pancakes for the kids and baked some cookies to fill an order.
"How terrible, what happened?" she asked anxiously.
You have to know my sisters. I love them, always will.
Although this particular sister takes most things quite literally.
I said, "it was in the fireplace".
Here is a picture of bite-sized cake balls so you can see what they look like.

Bite-sized Cake Balls and Party Dresses!

I can always test the longevity and success of a new product through my daughter Bella. She could make a fortune as a taste-tester! Late yesterday afternoon I decided to make a batch of Cake-balls. It is another recipe passed to me by my mother in law.
Bella and I have been tossing holiday gift ideas around that we could make together and share with friends and family. We wanted to whip up a batch just to see if they tasted as good as they looked and were as fun as they sounded.
What a fun treat!
First, you bake a basic cake. This time we used chocolate. While it is still warm you break it apart in your mixer to which you blend in a tub of frosting. Chill for about two hours. Pull it out and roll into small balls. You can use a melon ball or an ice cream scoop.
Place balls on a cookie sheet cover with wax paper and freeze for up to six hours or more. Melt chocolate and roll the cake balls in, let harden. Optional, you can also roll them in sprinkles or other small candy before it hardens.
You can use vanilla cake and white frosting, even color the frosting pink or red!
These are not only delicious, they are so fabulous! They almost make me want to throw on my high heels and put on a pretty dress just to eat them!

Chilly Mornings with Chocolate Chip Pancakes

The morning was chilly so I decided to build a fire in the living room fireplace. Summer on Cape Cod is gone-at least for now!
Bella had a couple of girlfriends sleepover last night so I decided to make them Chocolate Chip Pancakes with fresh melon for breakfast. I was hoping they weren't going to sleep all day so I tried to rouse them out of bed with warmth and fresh smells.
I wanted to use buttermilk but realized I was out. Did you know you can make buttermilk with a cup of regular milk to which you can add a teaspoon of either vinegar or lemon juice? You simply whisk them together and voila! Buttermilk.
As soon as I placed a tray of warm pancakes on the table and was about to call them for breakfast they emerged from their room-hungry!

Back to Baking

Sophia had a friend over from her preschool class yesterday. We were looking for something to do so I whipped up a batch of my 'Nana's no-fail Sugar Cookies' and we rolled and cut them into pumpkin shapes and dipped them in colored sugars.
This morning I am baking a Chocolate Crown Cake and a Lemon Cake for a new client.
The other night I brought Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies to my women friends in my writing group. I have an order for multiple packages of cranberry biscotti that are going to be used in Cape Cod themed holiday gift baskets.
In November I am scheduled to do a baking demonstration at Highfield Hall. I have been asked to make empanadas. I have some creative ideas for flavor combinations. It should be fun because it's hands-on and participants will get to sample the empanadas.

Frosting 'Shots' & Helping Out Around the House

Thanks to an article recently published in the Dallas Morning News sent to me by my mother in law I have added a really fun treat to my menu repertoire. Today I made a batch of frosting shots. They are for people who mostly like the frosting side of a cake or cupcake.
First, I made a super creamy chocolate whipped (totally sugar induced) frosting. I scooped the mix into my pastry bag and swirled large dollops into little white paper cups.
They sort of just glide onto your tongue and slide down your throat!
My son told me when he was done trying his that he would help with anything I needed done if I'd just make some more.
Frosting 'shots' are definitely a 'hit' at our house.