Berry my heart in a galette
There is so much to be said for simple food. This scrumptious galette took no more than 20 minutes to make, not counting the time I left it in the refrigerator to rest. The crust is crisp, flaky, and of course, buttery, and the berrys are tender, succulent, and sweet.
I think I started making this pie about 8 years ago and I’ve not changed my recipe at all, though I have changed my technique. Before I owned a food processor I used my mixer to create the dough. It did a good job but once I switched to the food processor I realized it was a much better machine for the task. Its quick, sharp bade cuts the cold butter better and the results are flakier and butterier. The recipe came from Baking with Julia, by Julia Child and Dorie Greenspan and it is perfection. I do enjoy a typical american pie with a top and bottom crust cooked in a pie pan but the crust is usually soggy, at least on the bottom. Since you only have one crust to roll out it is so much quicker and because it bakes on a cookie sheet it gets that toothsome, delicious crust I always crave. Right before I put it in the oven I brush it down with cold water and sprinkle it with sugar…I love sugar.
Here’s the recipe for an apple galette.
Chocolate amaretto torte…and 5 sordid facts
I’m a lucky girl, I bake my birthday cake and when I turn it out onto the rack I discover a heart-shape on the bottom of the cake. Yep, that’s right…it’s my birthday weekend. I’ll actually turn 47 on Monday but in this family we celebrate for a whole weekend. It usually involves a movie, dinner, bookstore, scones…all the delights of our modern world, and all with my 3 favorite people on earth. As an added bonus my best buddy Teresa came for a visit and we yakked and giggled and shopped…it was great.
Speaking of great, this torte is fabulous. It reminds me of the See’s dark chocolate, marzipan…my first/second favorite See’s in the world (it’s involved in a mortal deadlock with my other favorite, the scotch mallow). If you love dark chocolate and almonds this cake is for you. It’s moist and dense, and full of flavor. I actually followed the recipe exactly and it really does take only 15 minutes to put it together and worth every single second. Look it up in Dorie Greenspan’s book, Baking, From My Home To Yours and give it a try. But ignore the part about whipped cream for a topping…this cake just cries out for a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream.
Leena over at Leena Eats tagged me for the 5 sordid facts meme and since it’s my birthday I will comply…her wish is my command…mostly because she wants to name her first child bacon and I wish my name was bacon. Here goes…
- I love the smell of fresh money…literally. When we lived in SF in the 80’s the ATM’s would be filled every Friday with brand new fresh $20s and I’d make a withdrawal and then take a moment to inhale the sweet scent of fresh money…good times!
- Brett who??? I live in Wisconsin, but I’ve never watched the Green Bay Packers play football…it’s just not my deal.
- Kozy Shack Rice Pudding is fabulous and I love it. When I made my own rice pudding it just sucked.
- I love earthworms…not to eat, but to hold in my hand, and for the great work they do in my flower garden.
- I absolutely adore the concept of time travel. As a result I’m an avid fan-girl of Dr. Who and I can’t count the number of times that I wished for my very own Tardis.
Cheers my friends…have a good weekend.
Yes we can
What does politics have to do with food? Everything. For instance, our agricultural policy impacts international trade, food and nutrition assistance programs for the poor and elderly, environmental preservation, food safety, and the well-being of rural communities. The Farm Bill includes billions of dollars of subsidies that often go to huge mega-farms, not farmers. Here in Wisconsin we get to vote on Tuesday, if you live elsewhere and haven’t had your primary yet then check out this list to see when it’s your turn.
Vote in your state’s primary election:
- Tuesday, February 19: Hawaii, Wisconsin
- Tuesday, March 4: Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont
- Saturday, March 8: Wyoming
- Tuesday, March 11: Mississippi
- Tuesday, April 22: Pennsylvania
- Saturday, May 3: Guam
- Tuesday, May 6: Indiana, North Carolina
- Tuesday, May 13: West Virginia
- Tuesday, May 20: Kentucky, Oregon
- Tuesday, June 3: Montana, South Dakota
- Saturday, June 7: Puerto Rico
Check out Obama on the issues.
Check out the NY Times Election Guide 2008 for full coverage of the voting and issues.
Check out the Yes We Can video:
Here’s a double chocolate, pecan muffin that screams “yes we can” have chocolate for breakfast. Choose the chocolate for your audience…I made these specifically for Dexter so I used milk chocolate, but semisweet or bittersweet would be even more fabulous. They got rave reviews form everyone and they’re the perfect match for a cup of coffee.
Yes We Can Muffins
printer-friendly recipe
4 ounces milk chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 12 cup muffin tin or line it with paper muffin cups.
Melt the butter and the chocolate. Add the milk, egg, sugar, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold the liquid and the dry ingredients together, add the pecans and gently, and minimally stir them in. Fill the muffin tin and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes and then remove the muffins from the pan.
