Happy Spring!!!

 The day before Spring was so nice we ate dinner on the deck!

After a summer and winter of abandonment, 

the deck was covered in dirt and construction dust, 

but Jordan cleaned it up nicely for us. 

Out came a table and chairs and a table cloth! 

The following morning we woke up to a blizzard. Go figure. Calgary Spring! 

                   

Now that I am the proud owner of an upgraded phone, I have the ability to take panorama photos. Here's my first attempt from Nose Hill. It shows the airport to downtown. 

The weather leading up to Spring really was stellar. Then it changed for the worse.

It got so bad I left for BC, cherry blossoms and all...

Soup and Dessert

Doesn't it feel great eating homemade food? 

I know it can be time consuming, but in the end I believe it's totally worth it!

Heck you might even impress your potential in-laws...!

(Even the one who doesn't normally care for chocolate.)

Here are a few recipes I'd like to share because I know several others 
and I certainly enjoyed the tasty results.

Dinner first, then dessert.

Roasted Cauliflower Soup

(Apparently even cauliflower-haters like this - Just don't tell them what's inside!)

*********

If you need any sweet European inspiration, look no further than KOKO Patisserie in Regina. 

Find their website here. Their treats are intensely fabulous and they are quite reasonably priced, 

too, so make sure to stop by and try something on your next visit to Regina. 

...Their drinking chocolate is amazing!...

They are located in the lobby of the Radisson Hotel. 

The dessert I had last time needed to be recreated in my kitchen, so here's my version of this decadent square - or should I say triangle ;)

Brownie Cheesecake Triangles

Make brownies, then cheesecake, cut, then dip. 

Or make the brownie and cheesecake at once, then cut and dip.

I used the following two recipes, plus chocolate to melt for dipping and chopped pistachios.

Brownie Base - Martha Stewart Living

• 6 Tbsp Butter
• 6 Ounces Baking Chocolate, Chopped
• 1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
• 3/4 Cup Flour
• 1/4 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1/4 Tsp Salt
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 2 Large Eggs
• 2 Tsp Vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Use two pieces of parchment to line 8"x8" pan, crossing each other so you have at least 2 inches coverage up each side of the pan.

In a double boiler, melt the butter together with the chocolate and cocoa. Stir until smooth. Let cool.

Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Beat sugar, eggs and vanilla with whisk attachment, on medium speed until pale, about 4 minutes. Add chocolate mixture and beat until combined. Add flour mixture and beat until completely incorporated.

Pour into pan. Baking time approximately 35 minutes.

Cheesecake Layer - Adapted from Philadelphia 

• 1 Package Cream Cheese
• 1/4 Cup Sugar
• 1 Scant Tbsp Flour
• 1 Tsp Vanilla
• 1/4 Cup Sour Cream
• 1 Egg

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Use two pieces of parchment to line 8"x8" pan, crossing each other so you have at least 2 inches coverage up each side of the pan.

Beat cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla until well blended. Add sour cream, mixing well. Add egg and mix until blended. 

Pour into pan. Baking time approximately 40 minutes.

Assembly

• Baking Chocolate
• Nuts

Either bake each layer separately, or together (I'd use the lower temperature and the longer baking time... be very sure to insert a toothpick to check center for done-ness... It may need longer.) Let cool on counter, then refrigerate for 4 hours, or so. 

Heat chocolate for dipping in a double boiler, chop nuts of your choice and prepare a sheet of parchment or wax paper to rest the pieces once dipped. (I used a 2 cup Pyrex measure as it made the liquid chocolate deeper and about 1/4 cup pistachios) 

Stack the layers if needed, cut into whatever shape you like. Dip, drizzle with chocolate using the tines of a fork, and sprinkle with nuts. 

Allow to harden and store in the fridge, though best eaten once nearly at room temperature.

Enjoy :) 

Stitching Forward

I'm usually pretty good about having only one project on the go, 

finishing it and then beginning something new, but due to running out of yarn, 

and resisting crocheting edging, I've got three projects going simultaneously: 

another toque, a baby sweater/bootie/hat set and a scarf... 

YIKES!

 I need to find some Koigu KPM which is becoming harder me harder to come by 

and I'd prefer to get it in Canada if possible since it's Canadian in the first place! 

The KPPPM sure looks pretty, but it's the KPM hand painted 

shade deepening and paling that I really am in love with... Check Koigu out here. 

I'm hoping I can get some from Toronto. 

Here is my latest project off the needles. A toque. 

It's a slight variation of the pattern called Hamish published in a book by the name of Aran Knits. 

Mine is a West Coast version, which we fondly refer to as the 'rain hat'.  

For warmth this toque could really have come down further over the ears,

however, I do rather like the tuft of hair that pokes out the front!

I'm actually pretty impressed that I could make something so interesting which would still suit a man, (of course that is my opinion, but Jordan wears it, or so I think so that should be proof) 

though it was meant to be in a shade of blue, which will eventually be knit up in the form 

of a second toque - which has been cast on - and will cover the ears more. 



*****

Manos Del Uraguay
490 yards - DK - 30% Silk 70% Extrafine Merino

I also bought this spur of the moment... Any suggestions on what it should become? 

I was thinking maybe this or this with another colour, or??? 

*****

Also, by good luck I drove by a shop I read about last year. It's called Silk Road Spice Merchant. 

I didn't have a chance to stop then, so I went back recently on a lazy day out with my darling :)

This is what I bought:

 

So fresh, so nice, so delicious. Just the right size for my little kitchen.

The shop was friendly and lovely inside with a nostalgic feel.

And just look at how sweetly packaged they are!

P.S. They are in tiny ziplock bags.

A View from Above (and Below)

Here are a few photos from my office. :) 

It was such a beautiful and clear day. 

Since I'm just down to my iPad's camera I'm afraid the resolution isn't nearly as clear posted here, 

but it should give you a pretty good idea!

Salt Lake, Utah

34,000 feet

A mine on the south side of Salt Lake

East of the Grand Canyon, Arizona

On our way north, with the low sun in the west casting shadows.

Lake Powell, Utah

Still thinking that the next investment should be a nice camera...

Cupcakes!

Here are some happy cupcakes for birthday girl, Diane! 

As with many of my cake baking endeavours, 

I've used the wisdom and recipes of Miss Sweetapolita once again. 

This time it was vanilla I was after, so I made the Bakery Style Vanilla Cupcakes. 

I wish I were there to deliver them but I had to go to work. 

Nevertheless I certainly enjoyed a cupcake. 

How could I resist?!

Happy Cupcakes for a Happy Birthday!

                 

There were a few leftovers which I shared with the two pilots 

who took me to Edmonton to begin my pairing. 

I think they were surprised to be getting cupcakes. 

But not so terribly surprised they lost their appetite! 

Perhaps I will try the Whipped Vanilla Dream Cupcakes next time, 

but maybe use the same frosting I used here as it was rather good and worked out perfectly. 

What I do know is how they will be decorated. 

Doesn't toasted coconut with a chunk of pineapple sound yummy?!

Trip to Tweedsmuir

To be honest, this trip mostly involved eating. 

My sister in law is a great cook and incidentally very organized 

(if you live almost an hour from the nearest grocery store its a good thing to be) and we ate well!

Here we are in the Super Duty, which is enormous and pretty fun to drive in.

We also ventured out into the cold which ranged from about -20 to -15 degrees Celcius 

(when were went outside) to do some of the most fun things ever. 

Cross country skiing was on a set trail about 15 minutes away in the middle 

of a forest on undulating ground that provided interest and a little speed, 

which mostly made me crash but by the end of the second day I was doing better. 

I wonder if it was due to holding my breath?! Concentration at its finest, eh? 

The most exciting and new event that took place was dog sledding, 

of which I have no photos because the best things are too exciting to remember to take pictures. 

The dogs were smaller than I expected and six of them pulled two people on a sleigh. 

I loved one little red one and wished to take him home... 

Click for info on Sundogs Sled Excursions

Another piece of joy was ripping around the lake on the snowmobile. 

It froze my face but then again it thawed later on.

I also discovered Oka cheese. It's Canadian and made in Quebec. 

I'd never noticed it before and then just yesterday I bought some Camembert and when I unwrapped it, I saw it came from the same place ... With the Agropur signature. 

Not every label falling under this title is on par with the new cheeses I've tried so far 

(ïogo for example is not actually yogurt as far as I can tell), 

but Island Farms is on the list.

Go Canada!  

French Cooking

It's what gets me every time. 

What do they know, I don't know? 

At least I know I've discovered something I love. 

And I've even found a human source to unite me with the skills 

to make French deliciousness in my own kitchen! 

We started with chocolate from Belgium. A lot of chocolate. 

Yes that entire sack is full of 60% cocoa...

We made Mousse au Chocolat first.

Then we made a casserole of spinach and bacon rolled in crêpes, 

finished off with white sauce and cheese. 

The best part is that it all went so nicely, my learning experience is not over! 

However, I am responsible for some payback. 

Canadian, or at least not French or Belgian, cooking instruction sharing is my job... Any ideas? 

All I've come up with so far is pancakes. So if you have any ideas, please, please send them my way!

Rising Jealously

What I am most jealous of is the rising perfection my father achieves. 

It wouldn't be so bad if I used another technique and didn't get the same results but the thing is, 

I could stand right beside him and do precisely the same things, 

and my loaves would rise to half the size. 

Grrrr. 

Okay, so actually we've never tried that, so I don't know that's true, but it seems that way. 

We've had many conversations about what I might be doing differently or wrong to no avail, 

but this year beginning (and hopefully end) of my quest for bread perfection.

Golden Sunflower Loaf

I've been using a basic white loaf recipe from Kitchen Aid's recipe book that came with 

my stand mixer, my Dad's Golden Sunflower loaf recipe and most recently a Baguette recipe 

from a guide book to baking bread titled Bread Making, by Lauren Chattman.

The silver lining in this cloud is the allure of warm, fresh bread. 

No one seems to mind eating it even if its a little dense :)

The Bread Making book is from the library, a few times renewed, and it is very informative 

and full of very specific recipes, which I think should be quite helpful. 

I need to master the simple breads with dry yeast, 

but I am looking forward to creating my own yeasts in the future. 

Sourdough!!!

A Fresh Baguette

 The most success I have had so far is with the baguette recipe. 

I have been informed by a connoisseur it even rips like a real baguette! 

...And then he ate it all. 

Also a good sign I'd say. 

The second attempt was even better than the first, 

though I have been too scared to ruin the beautiful rise to try slitting before baking.

Bow Valley Provincial Park

If the weather is warm enough, and Chinooks allow for this type of fun, 

a little mountain get away is so good for the soul!

  

Wind carved snow on the lake.

Mt. Yamnuska 

is my favourite feature on the horizon between the foothills and the Rockies.

And now it's mighty cold again. So glad I made time for an outing!