Bakers Love

Coconut Cream Pie

Stop by A News Cafe , today I share my recipe for coconut cream pie!  

Apricot Tart

I had a little leftover pie crust so I decided to make one of my favorite treats.  A fresh apricot tart.  This is so simple, yet just amazing.  Roll out pie crust or tart dough.  Set on cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.  Cut up a few apricots and toss with a little bit of corn starch.  Spoon fruit on crust.  Sprinkle generously with sugar.  Roll up the sides of the crust.  Bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees.  Save one for the morning if you can, it is perfect with coffee!

Ummmm...RIBS!

Who could pass up a platter of ribs?  Apparently my kids can.  Felex,  the vegetarian who only eats burgers and ribs, informed us that he only like OUTBACK ribs.  Interesting.  I suppose I could scrap this amazing dry rub that I lovingly prepared for our slow cooked ribs.  Instead I could just slather a bottle of Bulls-eye and call it a day, but no can do. 

Andreas dry rub

3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons salt, kosher or sea
1 teaspoon paprika(don't tell Wes)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin

Mix it up, shake it up, and rub all over your ribs.  No, the ribs from the meat market, okay, the ribs from the butcher!

Smoke, bake, or barbecue your ribs.  Enjoy!

Real Cowboys Recycle

The guys participated in Redding's annual Rodeo Parade on Saturday.  They were the first crew of recycling percussionists that have ever walked in this parade.  I was quite proud of my little guys, walking along with horses, cowboys, giant trucks hauling kids in cowboy regalia, and of course what is a parade without the tiny car driving Shriner's.   I am not so sure if the kids presence in the parade had any impact on the attendees recycling practices, but I KNOW that the impact my kids felt by participating will last a lifetime.

A spectacular start to a day

 Living in Redding has a few challenges.  We have days when the thermometer reaches 120 degrees, there are no real Mediterranean restaurants, and if you just want to run into the store to grab milk on the way home from the gym, you WILL run into at least five people you know.  Despite those  minor challenges, Redding does have many charms.   One of my favorites is Rodeo Week.  Rodeo Week kicks off with a Bank robbery.  Yes, a bank robbery.  A group of men swarm into a local bank 'rob' the bank and then drive away shooting blanks into the air.  For people new to town this can be a frightening sight, I just say, "welcome to Redding." The bank robbers then hide the loot for someone to find.  During the week clues are give to the whereabouts of the loot.  On Friday, the community then comes together for a pancake breakfast that surpasses the imagination.    The Redding Pancake Breakfast has a history of serving over 10,000 plates of pancakes and sausage. 

 

My kids think this is one of the best days.  They wake up at 6am to be in line by 6:30.  Talking to the cowboys serving breakfast is a favorite activity for Dexter.  Felex looks forward to standing next to a Clydesdale horse to see how far he has to go to be as tall as one.  Indeed a spectacular start of our day.

Here is a link to my pancake recipe on A News Cafe.

Bowling with the guys

My guys took me bowling for Mothers Day.   They are now begging me to put them in the junior bowling league for their 'sport.'  I just can't do it.  I had a great time with the guys, but I don't see myself sitting in the stands with the other Bowling Mom's bonding over our children's abilities to knock out a split or drive a strike.  The entire time we were bowling I was hopeful to run into someone who at least resembled Jesus Quintana.  See, that is my point of reference with bowling.  John Turturo's character from The Big Lebowski. 

 

Felex bowled an incredible 38 and Dexter's score was an amazing 42.  I am somewhat confident that the career bowling circuit will be save from the wrath of the Charroin boys.

Not Hostess Cupcakes

 

A friend recently celebrated a milestone birthday, turning 50.   I thought that the only appropriate cupcake to serve the old guy would be something a little retro.  Enter my recreation of the childhood lunchbox favorite, Hostess cupcakes.   Simple to recreate.  For the cupcake just use your favorite chocolate cake recipe.  When the cakes are cooled dig out the center.  Whip a little fresh cream and then spoon into cupcakes.  Make an easy glaze of melted chocolate and a few tablespoons butter.  Spoon glaze on top of each cake.  Voila!   So celebrate your childhood memories and make some lunchbox treats from scratch, it really is a blast! 

Happy Mothers Day

My amazing Mother is traveling this Mother's Day, spending a few days visiting old friends at her College reunion and basking in some good ole Oklahoma fun.   To celebrate  I hope Mom is enjoying an amazing day surrounded by her brother, sisters, nieces, and nephews on the houseboat with a night on the town, probably at Ardmores finest Mexican restaurant. 

We miss you Mom, and are thankful everyday that we won the Mom/Grandma jackpot.  You have three daughters that adore you,  5 grand kids that think you rock, and a world full of friends.  Love to you on Mother's day, but importantly, love to you everyday.

Enjoy Mom!  We love you!

When life gives you cherries...make a calfoutis!

My husband brought the family a giant bag of cherries last week.  I have to admit, a 5 pound bag of cherries has its appeal,  but I would prefer a 2 pound bag of PITTED cherries.   Pitting cherries is about as fun as seeding a pomegranate in my book, so I gave the kids a job.  After they were finished I had about 2 cups of cherries left, plenty for one of my favorite quick desserts.

Calfoutis is fun, easy, and can be made with any fruit.  It resembles a bread pudding to me in texture, but is warm and homey.  A giant hug of a dessert.  Enjoy!

Cherry Calfoutis

2 cups fresh cherries, pitted

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup almonds

4 eggs

Pinch of salt

1 cup milk

a little grated lemon peel

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

To get ready, preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Butter a shallow 1 1/2 quart baking dish, use glass or ceramic.  Toss cherries in a small bowl with corn starch and 1 tablespoon of the sugar.  Arrange the cherries in the baking dish. In a blender or food processor blend flour and almonds until nuts are nicely chopped.  Whisk eggs, salt, and sugar in bowl to blend.  Whisk in the flour mixture, and add the milk, peel, and extracts until smooth.  Pour custard mixture over cherries.

Bake calfoutis until center is set and golden, about 40 minutes.  Slightly cool before sprinkling powdered sugar over the top.  Enjoy warm.