Category: Baking

Sweet treats, desserts, quick breads, and yeast breads

Healthy -ish Carrot Cake

It’s always fun when I’m watching a cooking show and I think, “I can do that.” Of course, how often do I really “do that?” Well, I did this time — “that” is this carrot cake.

This carrot cake was inspired by a recipe developed by Matt Sinclair on Master Chef Australia 2016. We have an anti-sweet-tooth in the family who’s not usually one to request desserts, but once he saw this beauty on the telli, it was an immediate birthday request. So, I did my research, figured out how to tweak a few ingredients, and made this “less-guilt” version of the decadent original.

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How to Make Homemade Bread – Tips & Tricks

I love love love making bread. Love it. I love the way the yeast smells as it ferments. I love the way the dough feels when I’m shaping a loaf. I love the smell of fresh bread right out of the oven. And most of all I love the taste and texture of good homemade bread.

I’ve been experimenting lately with different breads. I’m not going to lie, it can be hard, time consuming, and tiring. But these experiments are well-worth it in my opinion. So, I wanted to put together a few tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. Below are links to a few of my stand-by, basic (read: easy/cheats guide) bread recipes as well.
French Bread Loaf

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Pineapple Cake

The inspiration for this recipe simply came from some leftover pineapple. I had bought pre-packaged, pre-sliced pineapple and had about a cup of it left — just sitting there in its own juices. So I figured I may as well make something out it instead of letting it go bad.

I’m calling this “pineapple cake” because, although I did follow steps similar to that of a pineapple upside down cake, the cut of pineapple I used as well as the batter I created resulted in a light, fluffy, yet moist cake with the juicy fruit scattered throughout. (more…)

Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta

4 ingredients and a little gelatin, and you’ve got what contestants on MasterChef struggle with almost every episode — a beautifully light panna cotta. Don’t get me wrong, this seemingly simple dessert isn’t without its complications, but with a little bit of practice and experimentation (and isn’t that what cooking is all about anyway?), you’ll wow your family and friends with this recipe.

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Easy Raspberry Coulis

Sometimes, the glamour of a dish is in the details. It’s that extra 10% you give a plate of food that takes it from “yum” to “wow.” It’s what will make your guests feel special because you’re serving them something that tastes special. And it doesn’t have to be technical, or even fancy. And that’s the beauty of a coulis…

Raspberry Coulis

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