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Recipes that include vanilla extract

Cheesecake Brownies

Saturday, March 16, 2013

As a blogger, I’m often asked to explain, “Why do I blog?” Frequently people assume the goal is to get a cookbook deal.  That’s not why I blog and I’m not working towards a cookbook deal nor have I pitched one to a publisher. However, I have said that should one ever fall in my lap, I would certainly take it. I have said that to so many people over the years and I can still hear my voice saying that. It’s always been more of a joke and I was sure that would never happen.

Here I am in total shock. Last week, I was offered a cookbook deal! By a really lovely editor!! And… I didn’t take it!!!

Cheesecake Brownies with Text

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Bullseye Cookies

Friday, December 9, 2011

I couldn’t decide what to make for #NYCookieSwap 2011. It’s a big deal with cookie greats like Dorie Greenspan attending! Lon saved the day and came up with an idea I loved: a way to combine three classic cookies that everyone loves. What’s better than your favorite cookie? Three of your favorite cookies in one! It’s a Chocolate Chip Cookie in the center with a ring of Chocolate Cookie around it, with another ring of Peanut Butter Cookie around that.

Bullseye Cookie and Tower 4

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Connecticut Cheesecake

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

People are always amazed at how much Jessica and I have in common.  From being born in the same hospital to sharing the same ice skating instructors (years apart), some coincidences are uncanny; another is our mothers’ birthdays. Caya’s Wai Po and Grandma are the same age, born a day apart. We have celebrated together and separately, this year we did separate. On Saturday we celebrated my mom’s birthday and Jessica wanted to showcase the sugar flower work she’s practicing with Sophia.  What better canvas than a very white cheesecake?

Decorated Cheesecake with Sugar Flowers 1

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Plum and Brie Bites

Monday, December 20, 2010

We love that our new condo building has a sense of community. It’s something our old apartment building really lacked. Now, we have a yahoo groups message board where people try to meet up for doggie play dates, share info about our developing area, or voice concerns happening in the building.

Yesterday, my condo had a little holiday party in the lobby so we got to meet some more of our neighbors, now surpassing the number of people I knew in my old building after a few years. It felt so nice and festive with the glowing fireplace and big red poinsettias. Everyone brought treats to share, cookies, beer, champagne, fruit…I brought these Plum and Brie Bites.

Plum and Brie Bites

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Black & White Kisses

Saturday, December 11, 2010

I’m not usually a fan of meringue and meringue cookies. The main components being egg whites and sugar, I often find them too sweet. With these cookies, I’m going to call Black & White Kisses because it sounds so sophisticated. The use of 70% dark chocolate really balances out the sweetness. What I once thought of as a sugary, kiddie treat is now transformed into a light and airy adult indulgence. The bite size treat releases a puff of chocolate air that dissolves into the corners of your mouth.

cup of Black & White Kisses

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Easy Fresh Peanut Butter Frosting in your Food Processor

Friday, November 19, 2010

We finally moved back in to our apartment and the kitchen is almost done. I’d say 94% finished and we’re hoping to share pictures soon. It dawned on me yesterday that I haven’t cooked, really cooked, since March, when we moved out of our old apartment. First, we didn’t have a kitchen. Then, I had morning sickness. Since March! Can you believe that?

When we moved back in, I was so eager to cook but we quickly realized it was going to take about a week to unpack all of our kitchen equipment, dishes, and pantry. It wasn’t till Wednesday night that I broke out cutting boards and turned on the oven. I experimented with a sausage and eggplant lasagna looking forward to making dinner for Lon for the first time in so so long. Alas, it was a decent dinner but needed work before it could be published. My heart sank. What if I forgot to cook after all this time?

No time to fret. We had already invited guests over for Thursday night to celebrate our friend Janny’s Birthday. (Happy Birthday Janny!) I made Bacon and Kimchee Sliders, a Chicken Pasta Salad (Janny’s request), and Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce. For dessert, I served a Devil’s Food Cake with Fresh Peanut Butter Frosting! My fears were calmed and dinner seemed to please everyone. Lon, who I can always count on to tell me the truth, loved the peanut butter frosting to death!

Fresh Peanut Butter Frosting 2

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Blueberry Coconut Cream Cake

Sunday, January 17, 2010

It was Angie’s birthday and Angie is a Taste Bud, a term I’ve given to friends who share my love of food and have impeccable taste. I get restaurant recommendations from her all the time. You can thank her for introducing us to Degustation, Eletarria (closed now), The Red Head, and many more. She’s no stranger to the bakery scene either, so my brain was cranking. What would it take to impress her?

Blueberry Coconut Layer Cake 6

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My Black & White Cookies

Thursday, January 7, 2010

You may be thinking that this does not look exactly like the Black & White Cookie you just bought at the deli/bakery/bagel shop. You are right. I’ve changed this long time classic.

bitten black & white cookie 8

You see, I made classic Black & White Cookies from Carole Walter’s Great Cookies book. These big waist busting beauties were very good. I love the lemon oil that brightens and lightens the simplicity of vanilla and chocolate. But, the best part is the middle. I tend to like the thicker parts and not the thinner edges. I like that these are cakey cookies.

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Pancake Inspired Cupcakes: Banana Nut

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

One of my favorite childhood memories was going to IHOP (International House of Pancakes) with my family. My mom and I both loved Banana Nut Pancakes (which I don’t see on their menu anymore these days but you can ask for it). For some reason, as a 6 year-old, I thought I was cooler than my brother, just for the sheer reason that I had the same favorite pancakes as my mom. I would share a giant stack with my mom, smiling all the way through the meal, because I just knew my mom liked me more. Yup, purely because my brother would order something else.

Maple Cupcakes with Whipped Cream, Bananas, and Pecans 2

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Double Chocolate Truffle Cupcakes

Friday, November 20, 2009

It was another day for experimenting, and again, things did not come out quite as expected, but just like the Cloud Topped Pumpkin Loaf (which I hope to be famous for one day), these cupcakes were a hit, and will remain in my repertoire.

Double Frosted Cupcakes  5

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