September 2010
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Perfect Butter Cream Frosting

Cupcake topped with Buttercream

Plate of Cupcakes topped with Butter Cream Frosting

Sterling turned 21 on July 26 and I planned a large meal for the celebrations. Admittedly, I grew tired and chose to make cupcakes rather than an elaborately decorated cake. Keeping in mind that Sterling likes his cake frosted gently rather than with excess I chose the simpler, classic standby butter cream rather than the more elaborate cream cheese frosting I usually like to pile high upon a cake. [...]

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Clarified Butter or Ghee

Clarified Butter or Ghee

I am a firm believer in using Olive Oil for most sautéing because of the wonderful health benefits. Sometimes however butter is needed in some recipes. When a recipe calls for sautéing with butter it is better to use Clarified Butter as it does not burn easily. Ghee can be purchased in specialty markets but is easily made at home using fresh butter.

Clarified Butter is used in making pastry such as Baklava or in Indian Curries; and while butter will easily smoke and burn, Ghee has a very high smoke smoke point and is even used for deep frying in some cultures. Clarified Butter is also served with Lobster as a dipping sauce.

Because the solids and water have been removed, Clarified Butter can be kept for extended periods of time outside of refrigeration in an airtight container.
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Almond Butter Cake

My French Almond Butter Cake is a wonderful pastry with a delicate crumb, perfect with coffee or tea, delightful fresh from the oven or served room temperature later in the day. All by itself or with freshly whipped cream and berries or cherries the delicate crumb lingers on the tongue with the sweetness of freshly ground almonds and butter. [...]

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Creamy Chocolate Pudding

Creamy Chocolate Pudding

Sterling wanted to learn how to make my Chocolate Pudding. I love homemade pudding and find it very easy to make. Honestly, I think it is no more difficult to make it from scratch than from a box. But when I started to work with my son I did realize many people cannot make puddings or they turn out badly. Some people even have to toss the pot out! :)

When it comes right down to it, pudding is about the simplest collection of ingredients you can have so why would it be difficult? Patience is the key! If you have patience, you can make pudding. Simply stir the ingredients together and cook over a low heat, stirring constantly and you will have pudding.

Sterling made the pudding from start to finish, he kept in mind that good things come to those who wait and very honestly his pudding was perfect. His pudding turned out better than I have seen from the kitchens of seasoned cooks. Not because of the recipe, but because he used quality ingredients like fresh milk, cream and butter along with good quality chocolate.
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Fresh Raspberry Tart or Tarte aux Framboises

Raspberry Tart or Tarte aux Framboises

Mia and I recently had some friends for brunch, one of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. It was nearing the end of Summer and I found some beautifully ripe, fresh, vibrant, red raspberries at the market. As the price was good I picked up several boxes as [...]

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