BACON!

Dear Megs,

http://www.baconsalt.com/

!!!

Loves!

L

Dear Lindz,

Our weekend upstate was good, but it didn't include enough cooking!  I'm itchin' to go to CT and make bacon cookies or pulled pork or gnocchi.  All of which are on my to-do list.  Here's a picture of my brother-in-law and me during my most recent trip home:

My sister bought an entire branch (?) of brussels sprouts at the store, so Andrew and I decided to help my mother overcome her lifelong distaste for the little cabbage.  My mother loved it, but Molly was wholly uninterested in the process:

As to Alex's cake, I think all of your ideas sound great.  I tend towards the traditional, so I would probably make a blackberry filling or use Cook's Illustrated's recipe for foolproof chocolate frosting (I can email it to you).  The recipe is pretty basic, but the results are impressive (the secret is corn syrup because it creates a beautifully glossy frosting that doesn't harden or deflate) .  I wish I could celebrate with you!

Loves!

ME

Dear Megs,

Alex has requested a yellow cake for his birthday, but as to frosting, he has said I should "surprise him." Should I put some poo in there? That would surprise him.

No, really. Ideas for jazzing it up? I had been planning a flourless chocolate with bacon praline crumble, blueberries, and whipped cream, but that will have to be for another day. I was also going to make a skull and crossbones stencil and confectioner's it on there (he's turning 40), but that, too, will wait. Anything over 40 is fair game for fatalistic symbolism, if you ask me. I'll probably feel different about that in 8 years or so, though...

How was upstate? Miss you, and LOVES!

L

PS Your "poor" pickles look beautiful, and so do the cookies. When I use my cookie cutter, the messages will no doubt be rude. :)

Third time's the charm

Dear Megs,

I believe I have perfected the Orange Mocha Cupcake. Perhaps this is ridiculous; I'm sure there already exists a perfectly lovely recipe for this exact thing. That said, I made this up and am terribly proud of myself. Before I get into that, though, here are some new things in my life that brightened up this rainy day for me.


So, the cupcakes. This time I followed the rules. I was foolish not to do so before, as I think I overmixed the batter. These guys are light and airy - almost too light, if there is such a thing. They just melt in your mouth. The flavor is not as chocolaty as #2, but a little more mocha-y than #1. A lovely balance. I decided on dark chocolate ganache to frost, which is not only a less in-your-face flavor than buttercream, but is also SHINY!



Orange Mocha Cupcakes 3

2c all-purpose flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 c cocoa
1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c oj
2 t instant coffee
1/2 c oil
1 t vanilla
1 c cream
1 T orange zest

1) pre-heat oven to 350
2) whisk dry ingredients (minus sugar) together.
3) cream butter and sugar; add eggs and vanilla.
4) dissolve instant espresso in OJ. on low speed, mix dry indredients into wet, alternating flour mixture with oil/oj/milk. stir in zest.
5) bake in standard muffin tins for 20 minutes.

Dear Linds,

Here's a poor picture of my poor pickles. The first bite was good (to be honest, it was a little exciting), but the aftertaste of the vinegar was too strong. Maybe next time I'll buy good vinegar and ingredients that are "supposed" to go together.

Moving on - Tonight I made some of my very yummy butter cookies for Justin's mom's birthday. They say "HAPPY BDAY," and I bought her a cookie cutter to go with them (she expressed that she wanted one after my "MERRY XMAS" cookies this December). Do you ever use the one I sent you? You should. It's fun. When I'm not making them for other people I like to write little messages like "EAT ME" or "BITE ME." I know it's childish, but I've always been a sucker for a good pun. . . I'll probably make you some that say "CONGRATS" when you finish your orals. I hope this one will do for now:

Dear Megs,

Well, you are just going to have to make Justin do it for you, because I want pictures of those pickles.

We did not make ravioli...yet. That's for after the orals.

Today I bought this book, which holds the secrets to the science of baking. First thing I'll read, um, after the orals. And then I will be queen.

Loves!

L