There’s a birthday party next month for one of my favorite children and collaborator on cake. She will be nine (9!) and we’re doing some things the same way and some things in a different way. Her sister’s recent birthday* taught us a bit about cake architecture and this cake will teach a bit about … More In the kitchen with juliyya: (Rocket) practice makes perfect.
This is my second new cookie* with roasted pistachios featuring in the dough, which spent the night in the fridge before being sliced and dipped into sparkling sugars and baked to a crispy confection this afternoon. Mother and my favorite cousin will be surprised with packages coming in the mail. *The first of the newly … More New! Pistachio & Honey Butter Cookies
There’s a few new pistachio cookies coming down the pike starting with this one. Bormah is my favorite Lebanese and Syrian and Turkish dessert. It is whole, peeled and roasted pistachios rolled inside of a shredded wheat pastry soaked in a honey-like syrup flavored with orange and rosewater. I sometimes went to the Seattle Center … More New! Pistachio Mini Teacakes & Patties
I didn’t want Tuxedo Cake* for my birthday this year. I wanted pie, this particular pie, with a caveat. I don’t like to make pie crusts because I don’t like the feeling of flour on my fingers, unusual for a baker, but that’s the way it is. So, I asked a former neighbor who likes … More Dark Chocolate Silk Pie for My Birthday
I was in that “What shall I make for dinner?” moment, looking through the fridge and freezer and cupboard, nothing jumping out. I’d seen a recipe for a whole wheat Dutch baby not long ago and was reminded when the egg carton caught my eye. However, I decided to skip the whole wheat and go … More Dutch Baby: Dinner in A Fry Pan; Recipe
A couple days ago one of my sweet gardening neighbors rang to ask if I would loan a couple muffin pans so she could make — for the first time! — a batch of gluten-free and dairy-free zucchini muffins for her friend’s birthday. She brought me one of the finished muffins, which had a lovely, … More It’s zucchini season in local gardens. 3 types of Garden Zucchini Muffins.
I had a day of activities with two of my favorite children last Saturday and I took the opportunity to teach them how to make peanut butter frosting and then use it in two ways instead of one. I’d made a batch of Crazy Cake cupcakes, both regular-sized and minis, and asked the girls’ mother … More In the kitchen with juliyya: Peanut Butter Frosting for Graham Cracker Sandwiches and Cupcakes
My daughter was born on August 6th some number of years ago in London during the hottest day it had been there in a long time (such that the hospital was operating on a generator due to air conditioners causing power failure.) Today (WordPress won’t admit it’s still the 6th of August) she celebrated it … More Birthday at The Block Watch Party
Pot lucks because that’s how the family does gatherings for every occasion. Everybody brings something, usually made by hand. Lots of salads and barbecue and desserts. My mother’s birthday in on July 6th, a Saturday this year and also on a day which is part of a lengthy holiday weekend so some folks may miss … More Mother’s 90th Birthday Party Potluck
These are the most labor-intensive and time-taking of my Joneses, but I knew they would be when I dreamt about making them. Using the maple pecan pralines* I made a couple days ago in the batter and the maple penuche frosting brings an exquisite cookie for a special occasion. This one is in honor of … More New! Maple Pecan Praline Joneses with Maple Penuche Frosting
Ms Chef in Seattle 