Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Thanksgiving Dessert Spread


(I know this is a bit late but better late than never).

For the first time this year, I was in charge of part of my family’s Thanksgiving feast- dessert, of course. My mom is a big fan of traditional pumpkin pie, so I figured I would try out Paula Deen’s take on this classic dessert. Unlike Paula’s version, I  made a homemade pie crust, since I think homemade crust tastes better. In addition, I had mini pumpkin spice cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting and molasses spice cookies. The dessert spread went over rather well, and I’m pretty sure I’m now in charge of the task for life.



Classic Pumpkin Pie (modified from Paula Deen)

What you need…

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional
  • 1 piece pie dough (homemade or store bought. I used this recipe, which I’ve used before)
  • Whipped cream, for topping

What to do…

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place pie crust in bottom of a pie plate and bake in oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until crust begins to color.

For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, half-and-half, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, if using, and beat until incorporated.
Pour the filling into the warm prepared pie crust and bake for 50 minutes, or until the center is set. Place the pie on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Cut into slices and top each piece with a generous amount of whipped cream.

Pie!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Pop-Up Shop Pictures and New Event Announcement

I'm pleased to say that {Sweet Fancies} Pop-Up Shop in the Park was a success! We had an amazing time and thank the family and friends who came out to support us and hang out with us at our first pop-up shop! Once the weather warms back up, we are definitely planning on doing more. If you missed {Sweet Fancies}, fear not! Gypsy Dust Vintage and I will be selling our goods at Glenview Elementary's Holiday Bazaar in Oakland. The event will take place at the school on Friday, December 9th from 3:00-7:00pm. I have not finalized my menu but we will definitely have some brownie bites, cookies and mini cupcakes. Hope to see you there!

Also, be sure to like Bombshell Baking on Facebook and follow @BombshellBaking on Twitter!


Delicious baked goods in a beautiful park? Yes, please!

With Katie-Lyn of Gypsy Dust Vintage

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Molasses Spice Cookies, Sea Salt Brownie Bites and Mini Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Flowers, flour, butter and sugar

Our two shop set up

Gotta be cute


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

{Sweet Fancies} Pop-Up Shop in the Park: This Saturday!



Ever wanted to try some of the delicious things I've made here? Put in an order for the holidays? Check out some amazing vintage and handmade gifts? Come to {Sweet Fancies} Pop-Up Shop in the Park! My friend, Katie-Lyn (of Gypsy Dust Vintage) and I will be selling our goods in Codornices Park in Berkeley this Saturday, November 12th from 12-4pm. We will also be have some delicious samples. Hope to see you there!


Friday, October 7, 2011

My Version of the Family Spaghetti Recipe

Most families have those recipes—the ones that are passed down from generation to generation and remind you of your childhood. This is one of my favorites from my family’s cookbook. Like many family recipes, much of it is to taste, which means it will come out slightly different each time (which is part of the fun). As a kid, my mom made this recipe as a casserole, baking the contents with cheese and olives. For my version, I try to health it up a bit by using extra-lean ground beef (ground turkey is another healthier option) and whole wheat spaghetti. I also skip the cheddar cheese (although I do sometimes add fresh grated parmesan to the top). It’s hearty, delicious and easy to put together. It also tastes great the next day, as the noodles get a chance to absorb the flavors of the sauce…my ultimate comfort food.



What you need…
  • 1 lb. extra-lean ground beef (or turkey)
  • 1lb. whole wheat spaghetti
  • 1 large can crushed tomatoes
  • 1-2 small can(s) tomato sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Chili Powder
  • Cumin
  • Garlic Powder
  • Oregano
  • Basil
  • Freshly grated parmesan (optional)

What to do…
  • Cook pasta by directions on package, drain and set aside
  • In large skillet, brown and crumble meat
  • Drain grease from skillet
  • Add crushed tomatoes to skillet and simmer
  • Add bay leaves
  • Add salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano and basil to taste
  • Simmer sauce for about an hour. When sauce starts to become too thick, add one or two cans tomato sauce and continue simmering until desired texture and taste are reached
  • In a large pot, combine sauce and pasta
  • When serving, top with freshly grated parmesan (optional)
All the ingredients that make the sauce so tasty


Round of spices

Simmering sauce

Ready to eat!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Baby D's Eggless Chocolate Cake

So, I know it’s been awhile (miss me?) but I have my energy and creative juices up and ready to start working again.

With that, my first offering is the lovely (pink) cake I made for my nieces birthday. As I’ve mentioned before, the little princess can’t eat eggs but a little thing like that is certainly not going to keep Ms. D from getting her dream birthday cake. DeeDee requested a chocolate cake with whipped cream frosting. And she wanted it pink. Needless to say, Auntie delivered.

The cake is very moist, but a little lacking in flavor. Next time I make this cake I’m going to add some cinnamon and chili powder to help make the flavor a little more interesting. The cake itself is vegan, so feel free to leave off the whipped cream or substitute a different frosting for a lovely vegan option. 

 

Recipe and more pictures after the jump 

Friday, January 14, 2011

Strawberry Scones


This is one of those recipes that I’ve made before and keep returning to. I have made them as a great addition to morning meetings (everyone needs a little help in the AM), or a treat at family breakfasts (they’re eggless and my niece adores them). They’re easy, fruity, moist and not too sweet. Mine definitely don’t look as pretty as the ones on Confessions of a Tart, but I trust that in time, I will become a master of the scones.

Strawberry Scones (From Confessions of a Tart)
(makes 6 large scones or 12 minis)

What you need…

1 cup strawberries (or other fruit)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, in cubes, slightly softened
2/3 cup half-and-half or cream or cold buttermilk

Topping:
1 tablespoon sugar

What to do…

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet.

If using larger fruit, cut into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle fruit with 1/2 tablespoon sugar; set aside. Be sure to make the pieces small, or they tend to fall out of the dough. They'll still be plenty prominent in your finished scones.

Combine remaining sugar with flour, baking powder and salt. Add butter, using a pastry cutter or 2 knives to cut in butter (you may want to use your fingers to be sure butter is evenly mixed into flour). Stir in fruit; then add cream/half-and-half/buttermilk all at once. Use spatula to gently stir dough until it holds together.

Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times to incorporate dry ingredients. Be gentle so you don't break up the berries and don't overwork the dough. Sprinkle dough with flour if it gets sticky.

Press (pat) the dough into a circle 3/4 inch thick. If any berries peek out, push them into dough. Cut circle into 6-8 wedges, then transfer wedges to the cookie sheet, leaving at least 1/2 inch of space between them. Bake 15 minutes.

Sprinkle with sugar and bake 5-10 more minutes or until the tops are beginning to brown and spring back when you push them. 

Sprinkling the part-baked scones with sugar on Christmas Eve

Super pretty? No. Delicious? Yes.


Thursday, January 6, 2011

70th Birthday Cupcake Duo

Back in November, my mom threw a 70th birthday party for a family friend. Although the guest of honor requested no big cake, I decided that cupcakes were an appropriate way to mark the occasion. The birthday girl decided on lemon and pumpkin, so I brought out a recipe for Lemon Cream Cupcakes I had made before and loved and tried a Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes recipe she had found online, topped with a basic Cream Cheese Frosting. Although the two flavors were not, perhaps, the most expected pairing, both got rave reviews at the party.



More Pictures and Cupcakes after the jump...


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Holiday Cookies!

Today my mama and I made several different types of cookies for Christmas: Thumbprint Cookies, Fairy Drops (no, I have no idea why they are called that) and Oatmeal Crispies. The Thumbprint cookies have always been a holiday treat in my family, we made the Oatmeal Crispies for my niece who cannot have eggs, and I don't know where the Fairy Drops came from, but they have a cool name.

Thumbprint cookies (no nuts)

Fairy Drops topped with sprinkles and sugar & crushed candy canes

Oatmeal Crispies dough...the first cookies I've ever made in a pot over the stove

Completed cookies while still baking

Holiday spread










Recipes after the jump...

Friday, December 17, 2010

Return from hiatus with a childhood favorite


Between moving and having my computer die, I have been M.I.A. from here longer than I was expecting. However, with my return I would like to share with you my absolute favorite thing (and pretty much the only form of veggies I would voluntarily eat) as a child. Serbian Spinach Casserole is warm, comforting and delicious. It pairs nicely with ham for a holiday meal or makes a good vegetarian main dish. It also keeps well and is tasty both hot and cold. As a bonus…it’s super simple!

Serbian Spinach-Cheese Casserole

What you need…
2 one-pint cartons cottage cheese (I use low-fat)
6 eggs
6 tablespoons flour
1/8 lb. salted butter in coarse pieces
1 block cheddar cheese (I use low-fat), grated
1 package frozen chopped spinach, cooked and drained
What to do…
Mix all together in a large bowl. Bake in well-greased baking dish at 325 degrees for one hour. 
Yummy :)