By Jeanne, on October 27th, 2011
The Daring Baker’s October 2011 challenge was Povitica, hosted by Jenni of The Gingered Whisk. Povitica is a traditional Eastern European Dessert Bread that is as lovely to look at as it is to eat!
There’s always something special about bread with a spiral inside. Its unassuming exterior renders it almost indistinguishable from any other loaf of bread. But far from being just any other loaf of bread, it has something special to offer. Perhaps it’s a savory, herby filling that, when surrounded by dense bread, could just about pass itself off as an entire meal. Or that classic cinnamon swirl that so many of us loved as a child. Or just maybe, an autumn treat filled with spiced pumpkin butter. No matter your filling of choice, this Povitica recipe will have you racking your brain for new flavor combinations to pair with the slightly sweet, dreamy dough.
Continue reading “Daring Bakers Challenge: Povitica” »
By Jeanne, on April 18th, 2011
Developing film at home using instant coffee, vitamin c, and washing soda (Caffenol-C) is an unpredictable process. Each time I open the developing tank and unwind the film from the spool, I am surprised to see image after image lined up along the negative. This particular roll of film had me giddy with excitement. The film developing process that I use is a black & white process, and the images above were shot with color film. I was fully expecting to see a completely blank strip of film upon removing it from the tank. Instead I found a complete set of negatives with a wide range of color and contrast. Both images above came from the same roll and the color variation is fascinating. I have more results to share from this roll so stay tuned!
Have a Monochrome Monday post to share this week? Leave a link in the comments.
By Jeanne, on January 13th, 2011
I need to prepare for the 2011 LA Cupcake Challenge. I’m not sure what it takes to prepare for such an event. Cupcake visualization? An all-you-can-eat cupcake contest? Avoiding cupcakes for weeks prior to the event? I’m open to suggestions.
Last year, I made it through almost all of the cupcakes. I have been invited to judge the contest again this year, so maybe I can improve upon my ability to put away dozens of mini cupcakes within three hours.
Continue reading “Spiced Yogurt Muffins” »
By Jeanne, on December 27th, 2010
The 2010 December Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Penny of Sweet Sadie’s Baking. She chose to challenge Daring Bakers’ to make Stollen. She adapted a friend’s family recipe and combined it with information from friends, techniques from Peter Reinhart’s book………and Martha Stewart’s demonstration.
Welcome to the Daring Bakers challenge, Monochrome Monday edition! Capturing the challenge on black and white film was a bit daunting at first but I am pleased to present the results of this month’s challenge in the context of my weekly photography project.
Developing film is not that much different from baking. The ingredients must be carefully measured, then mixed in the correct proportions. The mixture goes into a tank with the roll of film. Developing time is dependent on temperature, among other factors. And if the film is left in the tank for too long, it will be ruined! Much like a loaf of bread.
Continue reading “Monochrome Monday & Daring Bakers Challenge: Stollen” »
By Jeanne, on November 27th, 2010
The 2010 November Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Simona of briciole. She chose to challenge Daring Bakers’ to make pasta frolla for a crostata. She used her own experience as a source, as well as information from Pellegrino Artusi’s Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well.
There are still apples for sale at the local orchards, which means that they are still working their way into many of my baked goods. For this month’s challenge we were given the opportunity to choose the flavor of our crostata so I used one of my old favorite flavor combinations: apples and cranberries. I’ve always loved cranberry juice and all its varieties (straight-up cranberry, cran-raspberry, cran-grape, cran-apple, etc), though I don’t seem to drink it as often anymore. Cranberries just aren’t as popular in California as they are in Massachusetts, with all its cranberry bogs. But I can still find fresh cranberries at the store so there’s nothing to stop me from baking with them!
Continue reading “Daring Bakers Challenge: Cranberry Apple Crostata” »
By Jeanne, on November 18th, 2010
Thanksgiving is already upon us. The air has taken on the crisp, cool flavor of autumn. As the weather changes, so does my baking and my daily routine. I spend more time curled up with my cat, reading a book in the light of a sunny window. I seek out recipes that take advantage of fall fruits, filling the house with warmth and spicy aromas. Apples and cranberries fill empty space on my counter and work their way into bread and desserts. This quick bread is just as perfect for a Thanksgiving table as it is for breakfast on a crisp autumn morning.
Continue reading “Cranberry Apple Quick Bread” »
By Jeanne, on October 27th, 2010
The October 2010 Daring Bakers challenge was hosted by Lori of Butter Me Up. Lori chose to challenge DBers to make doughnuts. She used several sources for her recipes including Alton Brown, Nancy Silverton, Kate Neumann and Epicurious.
There was never a doubt in my mind about how I would interpret this month’s challenge. Apple cider doughnuts fresh off the conveyor belt are a staple of my autumn weekends. I can’t drive past the orchard without stopping for a dozen mini doughnuts. The hint of cider and spice coupled with an outer crust of cinnamon and sugar is irresistible.
As I wait in line to buy doughnuts I am hypnotized by the rows of doughnuts being churned out from the small machine, four at a time. The machine plods along, unaware that the line winds out the door. However, most of us don’t mind the wait. We know that once we reach the cash register, the doughnuts in our white paper bag will have been scooped off the conveyor belt only seconds before. There is nothing better than a fresh, hot apple cider doughnut on a crisp fall morning.
Continue reading “Daring Bakers Challenge: Apple Cider Doughnuts” »
By Jeanne, on October 4th, 2010
As summer finally begins to disappear, taking the 100 degree days with it, I look for ways to bring a bit of autumn into my kitchen. One of the first hints of fall that I notice is the steady stream of weekend tourists driving up the hill to pick apples. The cool weather is still elusive but the apples are starting to mature on the trees. Cider is pressed in the barn, and apple cider donuts are rolling off the conveyor belt. Autumn has definitely arrived.
Continue reading “Slow Cooked Applesauce” »
By Jeanne, on November 18th, 2009
By day, I am a cartographer. I edit geographic data, perform analyses, design map layouts, and provide my coworkers with baked goods.
Every year, The National Geographic Society sponsors Geography Awareness Week. GIS Day is on the Wednesday that falls within Geography Awareness Week, which makes today GIS Day! GIS and geography lovers all over the world celebrate in different ways, from holding an open house to working with local schools to raise awareness about how GIS makes a difference in our world.
Continue reading “Celebrating GIS Day with Apple Cake!” »
By Jeanne, on November 3rd, 2009
I bake muffins every weekend. Then I stash them in the freezer and eat one each day at work. This challenges me to make healthy ingredient substitutions, and also to keep trying new flavors!
Continue reading “Maple Apple Muffins” »
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