While Visions of Sugar Plums Danced. . .

While Visions of Sugar Plums Danced. . .

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Chocolate Cake, a poem

I love chocolate cake.
And when I was a boy
I loved it even more.

Sometimes we used to have it for tea
and Mum used to say,
‘If there’s any left over
you can have it to take to school
tomorrow to have at playtime.’
And the next day I would take it to school
wrapped up in tin foil
open it up at playtime
and sit in the corner of the playground
eating it,
you know how the icing on top
is all shiny and it cracks as you
bite into it,
and there’s that other kind of icing in
the middle
and it sticks to your hands and you
can lick your fingers
and lick your lips
oh it’s lovely.
yeah.

Anyway,
once we had this chocolate cake for tea
and later I went to bed
but while I was in bed
I found myself waking up
licking my lips
and smiling.
I woke up proper.
‘The chocolate cake.’
It was the first thing
1 thought of.

I could almost see it
so I thought,
what if I go downstairs
and have a little nibble, yeah?

It was all dark
everyone was in bed
so it must have been really late
but I got out of bed,
crept out of the door

there’s always a creaky floorboard, isn’t there?

Past Mum and Dad’s room,
careful not to tread on bits of broken toys
or bits of Lego
you know what it’s like treading on Lego
with your bare feet,

yowwww
shhhhhhh

downstairs
into the kitchen
open the cupboard
and there it is
all shining.

So I take it out of the cupboard
put it on the table
and I see that
there’s a few crumbs lying about on the plate,
so I lick my finger and run my finger all over the crumbs
scooping them up
and put them into my mouth.

oooooooommmmmmmmm

nice.

Then
I look again
and on one side where it’s been cut,
it’s all crumbly.

So I take a knife
I think I’ll just tidy that up a bit,
cut off the crumbly bits
scoop them all up
and into the mouth

oooooommm mmmm
nice.

Look at the cake again.

That looks a bit funny now,
one side doesn’t match the other
I’ll just even it up a bit, eh?

Take the knife
and slice.
This time the knife makes a little cracky noise
as it goes through that hard icing on top.

A whole slice this time,

into the mouth.

Oh the icing on top
and the icing in the middle
ohhhhhh oooo mmmmmm.

But now
I can’t stop myself
Knife -
1 just take any old slice at it
and I’ve got this great big chunk
and I’m cramming it in
what a greedy pig
but it’s so nice,

and there’s another
and another and I’m squealing and I’m smacking my lips
and I’m stuffing myself with it
and
before I know
I’ve eaten the lot.
The whole lot.

I look at the plate.
It’s all gone.

Oh no
they’re bound to notice, aren’t they,
a whole chocolate cake doesn’t just disappear
does it?

What shall 1 do?

I know. I’ll wash the plate up,
and the knife

and put them away and maybe no one
will notice, eh?

So I do that
and creep creep creep
back to bed
into bed
doze off
licking my lips
with a lovely feeling in my belly.
Mmmmrnmmmmm.

In the morning I get up,
downstairs,
have breakfast,
Mum’s saying,
‘Have you got your dinner money?’
and I say,
‘Yes.’
‘And don’t forget to take some chocolate cake with you.’
I stopped breathing.

‘What’s the matter,’ she says,
‘you normally jump at chocolate cake?’

I’m still not breathing,
and she’s looking at me very closely now.

She’s looking at me just below my mouth.
‘What’s that?’ she says.
‘What’s what?’ I say.

‘What’s that there?’
‘Where?’
‘There,’ she says, pointing at my chin.
‘I don’t know,’ I say.
‘It looks like chocolate,’ she says.
‘It’s not chocolate is it?’
No answer.
‘Is it?’
‘I don’t know.’
She goes to the cupboard
looks in, up, top, middle, bottom,
turns back to me.
‘It’s gone.
It’s gone.
You haven’t eaten it, have you?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘You don’t know. You don’t know if you’ve eaten a whole
chocolate cake or not?
When? When did you eat it?’

So I told her,

and she said
well what could she say?
‘That’s the last time I give you any cake to take
to school.
Now go. Get out
no wait
not before you’ve washed your dirty sticky face.’
I went upstairs
looked in the mirror
and there it was,
just below my mouth,
a chocolate smudge.
The give-away.
Maybe she’ll forget about it by next week.


--Michael Rosen

Friday, July 17, 2009

sorting hat cake


sorting hat cake, originally uploaded by pastrybitch.

I want one of these!

Photo note:

"from Harry Potter - the sorting hat. All covered in fondant. I made the wand and Harry's glasses from fondant also, as well as a golden snitch and a bag of Bertie Bott's every flavor beans, which are both around the back of the cake so you can't see them. This is being donated to the children's hospital, so I hope it makes some kids happy!"

Yes, I think so! Beautifully done, and such a great destination for this cake.

harry potter cake


harry potter cake, originally uploaded by sugrdva.

Wow! This is fantastic!!!

Photo note:

"Hogwart's sits atop a stack of very important schoolbooks. included: Harry's scarf, magic wand, glasses, and the golden snitch."

Colt's Harry Potter cake


Colt's Harry Potter cake, originally uploaded by RebeccaSutterby.

Photo note:

"this was for a shared birthday party for my middle son, Colton, and my nephew, Sage"

Harry Potter Birthday Cake

'Tis the season!

Photo note:

"A cake I made for my brother's birthday with fondant cut outs of the Potter Puppet Pals"

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Red Velvet Cake (photos)




Two days later, we made this cake again.

On Sunday, I made the cake, while my daughter made the frosting. Today, she made the cake, and I used the left-over frosting. Instead of frosting the middle layer, I used my home-made (from yesterday) raspberry jam. While this blends in with the layers and looks far less dramatic, it does taste quite good.

To top it all off, we added a generous sprinkling of coconut flakes to the outside.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Cherry Dessert


And here's how the dessert turned out. . .














Cherries baked with biscuit topping. . .

Cherries in July



The beauty of cherries. They are awaiting baking. . .

Rusticus Cherry Pie'us


Rusticus Cherry Pie'us, originally uploaded by foooooey.

This is beauteous~

Photo note:

"Et voila! Cherry pie. Breakfast of champions.

A rustic cherry pie. Crust and filling taken from Rose Levy Beranbaum's "Pie & Pastry Bible" (ISBN 0684813483): Basic Flaky Pie Crust Pastry for a Two-Crust 9-inch Pie (p. 23), (filling from) Cherry Lattice Pie (p.93). Rose recommends an egg wash (heavy creme + egg yolk), but I prefer the color of Pierre Hermé's egg wash (egg + egg yolk + sugar) from "Desserts by Pierre Hermé" (ISBN 0316357200, p. 40)."

Cherry Jello Dessert


Cherry Jello Dessert, originally uploaded by binnur.

Wow! A bright dessert to put on the table!

Photo note:

"Go to www.turkishcookbook.com for the recipe."

Dessert - Quick Cherry Dessert A

I just picked cherries. We didn't get as many this year as we usually do, but they are exceptionally beautiful. Glowing and perfect. So now, I just need to find the perfect dessert to make the most of this picking.

Red Velvet Cake Without Food Coloring

This baker says:

"After baking about ten different versions of this cake (seriously) I finally found a recipe that was actually red without using any red food coloring."

Link to recipe and discussion regarding natural dye (beet powder, in this case):

http://baking-decorating-cakes.suite101.com/article.cfm/naturally_colored_red_velvet_cake

Red Velvet Cake


Red Velvet Cake, originally uploaded by Cheneworth Gap.

For my daughter's 17th birthday, we made a Red Velvet (aka "Waldorf Astoria") cake. It turned out well, and we added coconut flakes on the top of it. So good!

What we liked about this little gem (aside from the great taste) was the fact that it is iced in white, concealing the rich red interior of the cake itself.

Here are the notes the photographer put with their image:

"For years Mom made me a red velvet cake each year for my birthday. She made it using the original recipe supposedly from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel that included a butter cream icing instead of the now-traditional cream cheese icing.

This is my attempt to duplicate her work using her recipe.

According to Mom, a lady had enjoyed a piece of the cake while visiting New York and wrote to the hotel upon her arrival back home to ask for the recipe. They sent her a copy along with an enormous bill. She paid the bill and for spite she distributed the recipe far and wide."

For the recipe this baker used, just click on the image.

We unfortunately ate our cake too quickly, so I couldn't take a photo of it. We plan to make one more for tomorrow. ; ) With it, I'll include the recipe I used.

Enjoy!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Strawberry Dumplings


Strawberry dumpling (III), originally uploaded by beyondramen.

Ah - lovely~

I just made strawberry dumplings last night - and they were so good! (This isn't my photo. . .unfortunately, we ate it all before I could snap a picture.)

For the recipe I used, visit this link:

http://southernfood.about.com/od/dessertrecipe1/r/bl30605u.htm

It was terrific!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Grand Finale Wedding Cake

Photo note:

"Grand Finale Wedding Cake

Wedding cake for Ralph Archbold and Linda Wilde, who portray Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross in Old City Philadelphia. July 3, 2008 - Independence Hall.

Top two tiers are chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream, bottom tier is vanilla buttermilk cake with lemon buttercream. White fondant with gingham ribbon trim. Decorations are made of layered paper, pinned to the cake."

www.whippedbakeshop.com
zoe@whippedbakeshop.com

Tee & Cakes 4th of July Cupcake

Delightful photo!

our 4th of july hamburgers cake

Photo note:

"i made that cake for the 4th of july and everyone loves it."

4th of July Menu


4th of July Menu, originally uploaded by Gigi & Big Red.

This is perfect! Great image. Looks like things really haven't changed that much. . . at least where I'm going tomorrow! Only my kids are bigger, and my hair isn't quite as neat. =)

Photo note:

"Have a safe happy holiday weekend everyone!
We're BBQ'n all the way!

APPETIZERS:

Relish Tray
Chips & French Onion Dip
Homemade Salsa & White Corn Chips

MAIN COURSE:

Turkey Hot Dogs w/ Wheat Buns
Green Salad
Macaroni Salad
Potato Salad
Vegetarian Baked Beans

DESSERTS:

Mini Donut Holes
Coconut Cake w/ Fresh Strawberries

WHISTLE WETTER:

Hand Muddled Mojitos"

4th of July - BBQ Pulled Pork Cupcake

Just goes to show you - you really *haven't* seen it all!

Love this!

Photo note:

"Cornbread Cupcake - Maple Butter Frosting - Topped w/ BBQ Pulled Pork.
Please heat for about 5-10 seconds before eating to get the full flavor!!!

Limited time only . Please call 773.327.6937 for availability

Michelle Garcia - Co-Owner/Executive Pastry Chef
Vinny Garcia - Co-Owner/Executive Cake Crusader

Follow us on Twitter !! twitter.com/Bleeding_Heart

The Bleeding Heart Bakery
1955 W. Belmont ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60657
773.327.6937
www.thebleedingheartbakery.com"

Fourth of July Fruit Cake

Photo note:

"Fourth of July fruit cake with strawberries and blueberries. Instead of regular Cool Whip like most of these cakes have, I made my own whipped cream- with cream cheese whipped right in. Super yummy with fruit!"

4th of July cake


4th of July cake, originally uploaded by Jeff the Trojan.

I am all over that chocolate! Mmm, mmm!

Photo note:

"At our 2nd annual neighborhood 4th of July party somebody brought this cake which was both patriotic and delicious!"

Fourth of July Present Cake

This is so cool! Nicely done~

Photo note:

"One of my mom's friends was born on the fourth of July, and so I made an Independence Day themed present cake. I was proud of the bow, above all else, and have yet been able to make a bow as good as this one. Oh, and that is paper towels inside of the bow loops to keep it looking fluffy until it was time to be presented."

4th of July Cake


4th of July Cake, originally uploaded by wickedcakechick.

Nice presentation~ Great looking cake~

4th of July Cake!


4th of July Cake!, originally uploaded by Nate4s.

Perfect for the season, and the day~

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Green Bean Salad, Somtum style


Green Bean Salad, Somtum style, originally uploaded by chez pim.

Talk about color-popping! This is simply gorgeous~

Photo link:

"http://chezpim.typepad.com/blogs/2006/09/green_beans_sal.html"

Green Bean and Nasturtium Salad With Tarragon Dressing

Now why didn't I plant nasturtiums this year?! I love them in a salad, and with green beans the colors just pop, Quite beautiful.

Photo link:

"Green Bean and Nasturtium Salad With Tarragon Dressing
www.foodista.com

green bean and hazelnut salad


green bean and hazelnut salad, originally uploaded by heidi33.

This salad is approaching the one I made, only mine doesn't have hazelnuts in it. The hazelnuts sound like a great addition, so I'll have to play.

Here the link that goes with the photo:

"http://33flavors.org/trials/2008/05/green-bean-and-hazelnut-salad.html"

Green Bobby Bean Salad


Green Bobby Bean Salad, originally uploaded by tedesco57.

I was just looking for photos of green bean salad, as I made one today, and never got a chance to photograph it. I found this photo in my Flickr travels, and the ingredients look intriguing.

Photo note:

"Selfridges Oxford Street Green Bobby Bean Salad pomegranate seeds"

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

short strawberry cake


short strawberry cake, originally uploaded by petitvacherin.

Photo note:

"a different spin on a beloved classic: strawberry shortcake with whipped chocolate cream."

Stawberry Frangipane

I have to say, this does look good to me, and I'm beginning to wonder if I should really make jam today, or try this instead!

Photo note:

"I really like baked strawberries although they don't look massively appestising one of my first ever birthday cakes was a sponge with strawberries baked into it . Then more straberries and fresh cream... Totally yummy so in tribute . However if you prefer the strawberries uncooked you can bake the Frangipan and put fresh strawberries over the top

300g of Short Crust pastry ( made using 200g of flour to 100g of butter add approx 30ml water)
20 strawberries halved

Frangipane
100g unsalted butter
100g caster sugar
2 eggs, beaten
75g of ground almonds
4tsp tbsp plain flour

Preheat the oven to 200C/
2. Roll out the pastry and line a rectangular tart tin ( actually weekend guest didn't have one so used a cast iron pan that can go in the oven , prick the base lightly with a fork. Cover and chill.
Make the frangipane beat together the butter and sugar until pale and creamy , then beat in the eggs
Stir in the brandy, almonds and flour.
Spread the frangipane evenly over the base of the pastry case.
Place the strawberry halves into the frangipane.
. Place the tart in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the pastry is beginning to brown. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/gas 4 and continue to bake for 30 minutes.
. Remove the tart from the oven and leave to cool slightly."

strawberry short cake


strawberry short cake, originally uploaded by makkiii.

Does this look amazing, or what? Do I detect a hint of lemon in this short cake?

Strawberry Shortcake


Strawberry Shortcake, originally uploaded by Sutanto.

So, my mouth is watering!

Photo note:

"Satura Cakes - Palo Alto, California"

Strawberry Iced Knitted Cake


wip_iced_strawberry_cake_4, originally uploaded by melissa_m.

This was so tasty-looking, I had to add it to this blog, too.

Photo note:

"Strawberry iced knitted cake - work in progress as I can't decide what colour beads should be added to the 'hundreds and thousands' sprinkles. Or maybe there are enough....?"

strawberry yogurt dessert


strawberry yogurt dessert, originally uploaded by terri_tu.

Mmm, this looks great. I have many strawberries in my yard right now!

Photo note:

"i usually have frozen strawberries in my freezer. when i get a sweet tooth i throw a bunch in my food processor with some vanilla yogurt and a little milk to get a frozen yogurt dessert. tasty and relatively good for you. well that is if you exclude the whipped cream on top."

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