Since becoming pregnant I've been in mass smoothie making gear, mostly because I know I don't drink enough milk and don't consume enough calcium. Smoothies are a good way for me to have something sweet that's full of fruit and dairy, while still being effortless enough for me to make on my "I'm way too fatigued to move" days. I personally like my ( Read more... )

1 cup sugar
4 egg whites
lavender and rose simple syrups

1. Whisk the egg whites and sugar over a water bath in the standing mixer bowl until it reaches a temperature of 110 degrees fahrenheit. This only takes only a couple of minutes.
2. Transfer to standing mixer and whisk using whisk attachment at high speed until soft peaks form.
3. Remove half of ( Read more... )

Simple syrup can be made with any herb, edible flower or spice and is great to add to other things, like frosting or merengue.

Lavender Simple Syrup

1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon lavender flowers

1. Add sugar and water to a small saucepan set over medium high heat.
2. Heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves, stirring ( Read more... )

 
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makes about 36 mini cupcakes

Pear and Honey Cupcakes
1 1/3 cup finely diced pears
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
¼ cup oil
½ cup honey

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium sized bowl and whisk to combine.
3. Crack the eggs into a separate, medium sized bowl and beat with a ( Read more... )

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 I'm not sure how I feel about the basil cream, but the mint sounds wonderful. I used to add a reduced mint infusion to pancakes when I was first starting to cook, and I loved it. I guess I was inspired by the monster patch of mint that grows in my mom's backyard. If they wanted to get rid of that stuff they'd have to tear up the whole yard.
I'm ( Read more... )

Kevin and I sampled a wonderful lava cake last year in our own home, baked in our toaster oven in a ceramic coffee mug. We didn't make it. Elizabeth scooped it out of a Pyrex in Olympia and it rode home in the cup wedged between my knees, where we eagerly danced about waiting for the little ding the toaster oven makes when it's done cooking. Her ( Read more... )

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Okay. More cupcakes from the same pretty lady as the honey ones. I must be hungry, as everything looks good!

1/2 Recipe of Cupcakes
makes 12 cupcakes / 350 degree oven

1/2 stick butter
3/4 cups sugar
1 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large egg whites

1. soften butter in the ( Read more... )