Peace O Cake

"What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide..."

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:22:00 -0500

““What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It...

Freeman Park Pier at Sunrise Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:27:00 -0500

Freeman Park Pier at Sunrise

Carolina Beach, North Carolina

"There is no sincerer love than the love of food."

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:28:00 -0500

“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” - George Bernard Shaw

These look so good (and festive)! gastrogirl: chocolate oatmeal...

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:13:28 -0500

These look so good (and festive)!

gastrogirl:

chocolate oatmeal cream pie footballs.

Iced & Decorated Sour Cream Sugar Cookies—Time...

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:19:39 -0500

Iced & Decorated Sour Cream Sugar Cookies—Time consuming but so pretty!

Italian Wedding Soup (w/turkey meatballs instead of pork) recipe...

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:40:22 -0500

Italian Wedding Soup (w/turkey meatballs instead of pork) recipe courtesy of my Food Network Magazine. And it was sooooo good : )

gossipchef: Potato Skins Ingredients 3 organic...

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:52:51 -0500

gossipchef:

Potato Skins

Ingredients

3 organic russet baking potatoes, scrubbed

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons olive oil plus more for rubbing on potatoes

1 pint (12 ounces) grape tomatoes, halved

fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 large yellow onions (about one pound), thinly sliced

1 5-ounce container baby spinach

1 large garlic clove, finely chopped

1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese (about 2 ounces)

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Rub potatoes lightly with olive oil and arrange on a sheet pan. Roast potatoes in lower thirds of oven until skins are crisp and potatoes are very tender, about 1 hour. Arrange tomatoes in one layer and drizzle with 1 teaspoon oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in upper thirds of oven with potatoes, shaking pan occasionally, until slightly blackened and wilted, about 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over moderate heat and cook onions, stirring occasionally, until very golden brown and caramelized, about 15 minutes. Reserve skillet and transfer onions to a bowl. Wilt spinach with garlic over moderate heat, stirring constantly, about 1 1/2 minutes until just tender.

Halve cooled roasted potatoes lengthwise and scoop them out, leaving 1/4inch shell and reserving potato pulp (about 1 3/4 cups) for another use. Top potatoes evenly with onions, spinach, tomatoes and cheese. Roast in lower thirds of oven, until bottoms are crisp, filling is hot and cheese is melted, about 7 minutes.

This is definitely the prettiest cookie in my shop, so far. ...

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:03:11 -0500

This is definitely the prettiest cookie in my shop, so far. Naturally Gluten-Free Macaroons. #Nomnomnom

I have never been twitterpated by a cookie dough…until...

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:14:18 -0500

I have never been twitterpated by a cookie dough…until now. With highlights of fresh lemon zest and cardamom: this dough is what I think sunshine would taste like.

: ) I can’t wait to show you the finished product!

Tonight I made Venison, Bean and Barley Stew (...

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:31:29 -0500

Tonight I made Venison, Bean and Barley Stew ( http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Beef_-Bean-And-Barley-Stew-Allrecipes ) for dinner. I also made my go-to Parmesan Ale Bread to accompany it. I’ve included photos. If you want to try the bread for yourself - it’s available on my Etsy page ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/peaceofcakebakeshop ). I think I might be starting to get a bit better at this food photography stuff. Either way, it sure is fun.

Best Basics for Baking - A Gift Card Spending Guide

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:07:00 -0500

Don’t wander into the malls and stores all willy nilly with a wallet full of gift cards to...

Holiday Gift Guide: Cookbook Corner - via The Atlantic

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:29:33 -0500

Holiday Gift Guide: Cookbook Corner - via The Atlantic: Great last minute gifts for every foodie! ...

Oh my! Cookie Monster cookies…I think I’m in <3!

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:43:11 -0500

Oh my! Cookie Monster cookies…I think I’m in <3!

This is completely awesome. My three loves (photography, coffee...

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:23:13 -0500

This is completely awesome. My three loves (photography, coffee & baking) all in one. Must. Have!

Making Homemade Premium Vanilla Extract Last year I was given...

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:55:00 -0500

Making Homemade Premium Vanilla Extract

Last year I was given the gift of a Vanilla Infusion Kit by Rose & Ivy (www.bellbuckle.com) for Christmas. Inside the corked glass bottle were 3 beautiful Madagascar premium vanilla beans. The instructions told me to split the beans lengthwise and fill the bottle with premium vodka. I was then to wait 4-6 months and store the bottle in a cool, dark and dry place. The wait was well worth it! As a do-it-myself kind of foodie, I can honestly say this was a great present. I’m now addicted to making my own delicious vanilla for my baking.

It’s easy to make your own vanilla extract for yourself or as a gift to a friend. All you’d need is an airtight glass container (sterilized ball jar would work), some premium vanilla beans, and some premium vodka. To make this vanilla exactly as you want I’d choose whatever vanilla beans smell the best to you. I’d also use your favorite premium vodka (Stolichnaya for me) to ensure your perfect vanilla. As I mentioned before, you’ll want to split the vanilla beans lengthwise to expose the flesh. You then add them back to the bottle and fill the bottle with vodka. Cork it tightly and keep it in a cool, dark and dry place for 4-6 months. I would shake it up gently about once a week just to make sure it all blends well and it’s also fun to see how it develops that gorgeous amber color over the months. Once you begin using your vanilla, you can keep adding more vodka to it to replenish for up to 7 years. I hope you decide to try this neat do-it-yourself recipe. It’s honestly the most fun I’d had with vodka in a long time. : )

Do You Want To Be My Friend? Or Is That Too Facebook?

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:43:24 -0500

So I’m learning the ropes of this whole Tumblr platform, and a few others. There seems to be...

"To eat is a necessity, to eat intelligently is an art."

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:20:05 -0500

““To eat is a necessity, to eat intelligently is an art.”” - La Rochefoucauld

Whether you are a pizza dough pro or this is your first venture...

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:29:35 -0500

Whether you are a pizza dough pro or this is your first venture into the wonderful world of pizza-making, this crust will not disappoint. You can make, dress and bake this pizza in the time it takes to wait for delivery. And it’s so much more hearty and delicious! The whole process is very easy and I will break it down, including a few delicious tips that you can build on to suit your taste. Ready, set, bake…

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

1 1/4 Cup Warm Water (approx 110 degrees)

2 TB Honey

1 Pkg Active Yeast

2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

Pinch of Salt

In a small bowl, combine the warm water, honey and yeast packet. In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour and pinch of salt. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and stir til combined. Place dough on a floured surface and knead in 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour until the dough is elastic. Butter a bowl or spray a bowl with butter Pam spray. Place dough in bowl and coat with butter/spray. Punch down the dough for a couple minutes in the bowl. When you are done lift the dough out and place it on a pizza pan that has been buttered/sprayed and then sprinkled with cornmeal. The dough will already be in a perfect round shape, just press it into the pizza pan and build up an edge. I brush my crust with butter on the edges and then sprinkle with grated parmesan, sea salt, and pepper…you can flavor your crust to your tastes. Now just add your sauce, cheese and selected toppings, then set it in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. When it’s done the crust will be golden brown. Let it cool for a few minutes and voila…nutritious, delicious homemade pizza! Enjoy!

"Cooking is like love; it should be entered into with abandon or not at all. "

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:04:30 -0500

““Cooking is like love; it should be entered into with abandon or not at all....

nickthejam: Mostly, I just sit around all day being fantastic.

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:28:07 -0500

nickthejam:

Mostly, I just sit around all day being fantastic.