Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day all!

Hope you are well and have the company to keep you warm.  In honor of the great lover's holiday, I'm going to explain one of the simplest desserts out there - yet one of the most popular - chocolate dipped strawberries.

First of all, don't be intimidated.  This is one dessert that people will dish out outrageous amounts of money for because taking on the task seems too daunting.  For instance, at my recent wedding, I wanted strawberries all over my cake; however, the lady charged me (my parents!) a dollar a strawberry - we got 150, in addition to four individual cakes.  Needless to say, she took advantage of the situation.  For those wondering, I did consider making my own cake, but no one would let me.  Family etc, believed I wouldn't have time, which they were right, but I'm still bitter about that cake (photo attached)!

Anywho, chocolate covered strawberries - much easier than you'd think.

Firstly, take fresh strawberries and rinse them.  Allow to dry completely, the chocolate will not stick to the strawberry and will ball up and taint the rest of the chocolate if you do not.

Secondly,  melt chocolate (I recommend Ghirardelli 60% cacao) in microwave in 30 second intervals or in a double broiler, stirring occasionally.  More about chocolate at a later date, but for the time being, this should be sufficient.

Take clean, dry strawberries by the stem and dip straight in the chocolate or dip and roll the edges if using a shallow bowl.  Scrape one edge along the side of the bowl or pan to remove any excess chocolate.  Place on wax paper to cool.


Drizzle with melted white chocolate and decorate to taste.  Have fun here, this is the creative part.  My recommendations: shredded coconut, nuts, toffee, sprinkles, etc.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Blueberry Coffeecake

Scrumptious and healthy (somewhat!)

3/4 c. sugar                     1/4 c. shortening
1 egg                               1/2 c. milk
2 t. baking powder             1/2 t. salt
2 c. flour                            2 c. blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Mix together sugar, shortening and egg.  Add in milk.  Add dry ingredients, stirring well.  Blend in blueberries.  Pour batter into greased 9x9 inch pan and top with the following:

Crumb Mixture:

1/2 c. sugar                    1/3 c. flour
1 t. cinnamon                  1/4 c. margarine (softened)

Mix ingredients until crumby mixture.  Sprinkle over batter.  Bake at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes.  Let cool.

Caramel Corn

4 qts. popped corn                          1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. light corn syrup                      1/2 c. margarine
1 t. baking soda

For this you'll need a popcorn maker and the kerneled corn.  Pop corn into large bowl.  Shake gently and scoop out just the popped corn (try to strain out the kernels - this will make it safer to chew without injury).  Put popped corn in paper sack (from the grocery store).

Bring to a boil the sugar, syrup and butter; stir in soda.  Mixture will foam up.  Pour sauce evening over popcorn in bag.  Microwave on high for 1 and 1/2 minutes, shake well; nuke for another 1 1/2 minutes, shake and spread out on cookie sheet or waxed paper.  Use potholders or towels when handling the hot bag - it's extremely hot!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. sugar                            1 c. brown sugar
1 c. margarine                      1/2 c. oil
1 egg                                   1 T. milk
1 t. cream of tartar                1 t. salt
1 t. vanilla                            1 t. baking soda
3 1/2  - 4 c. flour                   12 oz chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients and drop on cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Pretty fool-proof and everyone's favorite.

Introduction

Hello All!  This is the first blog post I that I have ever created and believe that I can bring you great insights into the sometimes complex world of baking.  I am going to share with you not only my hard-earned baking skills, share long lasting family recipes as well as explore the ups and downs of starting my own business.

Above all else, this site is dedicated to everything sugar!  Not only do I have a major sweet-tooth, but I think as such has made me a pickier eater and harsh critic when it comes to anything sweet.

To start things off, I'd like to formally introduce myself.  My name is in fact Deidre (as the site says!) and as the Smuckers ad on tv says, anyone who associates a name with a product is guaranteeing the quality of the item and claiming all responsibility.

I grew up in the very small ski resort community of Telluride, Colorado in the south western corner of the state.  While the scenery is absolutely beautiful and there is no other counterpart on Earth, Telluride is a very remote and secluded destination.  As such, many high end developments cater to the rich and famous who have the utmost standards.  It is here that shaped not only my exquisite taste in gourmet foods but also honed my customer service skills as part of the working class to accommodate the sometimes outrageous requests of these visitors with tact and class.  While I understand that with the baking world as diverse as it is, not everyone is going to enjoy all my items, I am confident that the large majority will!

Baking has been a past-time for me for many years.  Throughout school, from elementary bake sales to birthday parties, baking was my go-to activity of choice.  While others dedicated their after-school time to sports, studies and skiing, I spent most my time in the kitchen.  I have come out with many scars, hard learned lessons and serious skill.  I learned from the best (my mom!) and have many of the long survived recipes from the family to share.

As my resume would depict, much time has been spent studying law, international studies and spanish; however, I was finding myself in the kitchen more and more trying to channel my creative side and ease the stress that comes with that much school.  I decided that the kitchen is the place that I'd like to be and that there is no school or job that has ever given me more satisfaction than this baking business has.  While the business has been one of the most trying endeavors I have undertaken, it has also been one of the most rewarding.  I have therefore postponed any further school and 'career' moves until I take the time to establish this potential business further.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share with whomever is interested, the bits of information that I can: baking!

Some recipes you'll find here are true originals, while others have simply been adapted from recipes found from old cookbooks, family members or online.  I'd like any feedback that you'd be willing to offer!

I'd like to wrap things up by offering a 20% discount on any order placed on Etsy when you enter 'BLOGGER' at checkout and thank you for your time.  Please check back often, as I will be constantly updating with new recipes and insider tricks to the trade.  So stay-at-home moms, professional bakers and 'amatuers' - welcome!

Please checkout my main site here:  www.deidrewood.etsy.com