Had some extra mix left so decided to make it into a Blueberry Cream Muffin Bread.
Sometimes I make good decisions. This would be one of those times.
America's Test Kitchen's Blueberry Pancakes
America’s Test Kitchen has become our go-to site for many recipes here at Helm’s Deep, even replacing some tried and true ones that we’ve used for years. We’ve been using this Blueberry Pancake recipe for the past few months (in fact, I made it for the girls this morning while we watched BOLT!), and it is super easy and really fantastic.
Here’s the thing: to access most of their recipes, you have to be a member of the site, which costs $29.95 a month. But I have to say, it is well worth it. With membership, you get access to all their recipes, plus all 13 seasons of their show to watch online, which if you’ve never seen one of their shows, they are fantastic, especially for a geek like me. It’s science meets cooking. I can’t get enough of it.
Happy Saturday, everyone.
Easy Crockpot Carnitas
Last night’s dinner could not have turned out better. I slow roasted a pork shoulder seasoned with fresh garlic, salt, cumin, chili powder, black pepper, oregano, cinnamon, and cayenne, and then added lime juice, beer, orange juice, and salsa. Then, shredded it and served it on warm tortillas with sour cream, fresh cilantro, and just a dash of hot sauce. It was outstanding.
This song is appropriate today for a very good reason.
Almost 9 years ago, Stacie and I put something on our wedding registry. It was a pretty darn expensive item, and honestly didn’t expect anyone to get it for us, but they say put down what you want, and who knows, maybe that rich uncle of yours might get it for you…or…something.
Every year around Christmas time, we have talked about getting this item, but something always seems to happen, or it doesn’t go on sale, or we decide coffee is more important and get ourselves an espresso machine, like we did last year. But this year, we set ourselves a goal, that if this item fell far enough below the $300 mark, we would call it our Christmas gift to one another and purchase nothing else but stuff for the girls, our families, and friends.
Guess what? It did.
And guess what else? It got here last night while we were on our date.
After almost 9 years of waiting, it’s finally here.
Isn’t it beautiful.
Now, if you would be so kind as to excuse me, I have a birthday cake to make for my oldest daughter, who will be turning four years old tomorrow. If you need me, I’ll be the one hugging the stand mixer in the corner and crying tears of joy.
Source: Spotify
Happy 0.5 Month Birthday, Storie!
The girls really enjoy working with us in the kitchen, and have been asking to bake something for a while. Since Storie turned 6 months old today, it seemed only appropriate that we bake a cake for her…because…you know…6 month old kids can totally appreciate and eat cake. So it was for her benefit and exactly what she wanted.
Stacie asked the girls what they wanted us to make Storie: Arwen wanted a white cake, and Greer, of course, wanted chocolate. Well, why not compromise!
What you see above you is 2 different recipes from the incredibly amazing BAKED: New Frontiers in Baking. The cake itself is the Whiteout Cake, and the Milk Chocolate Frosting is from the Malt Ball Cake. It’s amazing. Incredible. Really tasty. Yummy. It won’t last until tomorrow.
It is SO GOOD!
And, well, they don’t make 6-month-old cake toppers, so we decided to go with a decimal point.
Happy Wednesday, everyone!
Important Post
There’s been a good amount of political talk about pulling federal funding from PBS. This should be abhorrent to everyone, and not just because you love Big Bird and Elmo.
PBS brought you Julia Child. Julia Child brought you food. The idea of the at-home gourmet didn’t really exist in the United States until Julia Child appeared on scene, and she did so through PBS. If you live in the United States, Julia Child is part of why you love food—whether you know it or not. PBS did that. PBS also brings you Todd English, Martin Yan, and Mark Bittman with his cookbook that everyone should have in their home. Before there was a Food Network or a Food TV there was PBS.
PBS lets people watch and learn about cooking and baking without bombarding them with large chunks of pharmaceutical advertisements. PBS also approaches food from a “let’s do this together” standpoint as opposed to competition shenanigans that result in tears and inedible sugar sculptures.
One could go on for hours about the culinary landscape that PBS opened for Americans, but that would short the arts, the science, the history, the politics, the dramas, mysteries, and comedies that PBS brings. Oh, yes, and Big Bird.
U.S. residents, there are many things to consider when choosing a candidate to get behind. Please let this be one of them.
Oh, and PBSfood has a tumblr!
What she said.
