Thursday, September 15, 2011

Spontaneous Kitchen Creations #3

Dear Readers,

So these are delicious. I finally got my sh*t together and sent my cover letter, résumé and head shot into a major talent agency in Halifax so to celebrate I made cupcakes. Tasty, tasty cupcakes. These are Spiced Chocolate Orange-Almond Cupcakes with Lemon-Ginger Buttercream Frosting.

I amalgamated 2 recipes from Vegan Cupcakes Take over the World (The Basic Chocolate and the Almond Cupcakes) and added a bit of my own flare with orange extract and some spices. Then I made a half-quantity of the Vegan Fluffy Buttercream Frosting and added lemon extract, ground ginger, ground cloves, allspice and cinnamon. To decorate I added some dried rose petals and silver dragées.
I got one of those fancy display plates with a cover for a whopping $2.99 at my local Salvation Army, tossed a doily on it and now it makes my cupcakes look like dainty posh shmee-shmee delicacies. Yay!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Dear Readers,

This is a Ralph Lauren Cashmere Cable-Knit Sweater in Ruby.

When I found this online this evening it was love at first sight.
Then I saw the price. It costs 400$.

I think my fashion heart has been broken.

An Experiment: Photos and Results.

Dear Readers,

As you can see I was successfully able to create a sock bun.

(Clearly I am the epitome of class when it is formed on the very top of my head.)

But did this classy top-knot provide me with the gorgeous results that the video promised?

No. Alas I did not dampen my sufficiently and I ended up with weak, pathetic and limp almost-waves. The dreaded almost-wave plagues me. Guess there's nothing to do but learn from my mistakes and try try again. Or plug in the curling iron.

This hair is a sad story.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

An Experiment: First Installment

Dear Readers,

I happened across the following Youtube video via StumbleUpon (if you have yet to try StumbleUpon you have no idea how much joyously epic procrastination awaits you).



I was very intrigued and so I have decided to give it a try this evening. Tomorrow, if I remember, I shall post the results! If it doesn't work I can always just wash it out or haul out the straightening iron.

Francesca

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Long-Overdue Salad

Dear Readers,

About a year ago I promise to share my salad recipe with you and I just found the picture I took to show with the recipe, so I think it high time to share with you my Sweet Summer Salad.



Ingredients (I apologize for lack of measurements. I kind of just eye-ball it):

Baby Spinach
Asparagus
Blackberries
Apple (I use Royal Gala)
Pear
Red Onion
Blue Cheese (not too soft; you need to crumble it)
Candied Walnuts (I just found these at the grocery store, but you can find a recipe online here to candy them yourself if you prefer)
2 tsp Maple Syrup
1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Lemon Juice
Fresh-Cracked Black Pepper

Instructions:

Rinse all vegetables and fruit. Bring water to boil in a large pot. While water is boiling you can Chop up the apples, pears, and red onion and put them in a large salad bowl with the baby spinach.

Using tongs, so you don't burn your fingers, dip the pieces of asparagus in the boiling water for about 10-20 seconds for each stem. Place asparagus in a colander or sieve and run under cold water and place in the fridge to chill.

Put maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of the cracked pepper in a clean jar. Seal the jar with its lid and shake it vigorously until the ingredients are well-combined. Set aside.

Chop up the now-chilled asparagus and add to the salad bowl. Add the candied walnuts and crumble some blue cheese on top. Toss all the ingredients in the salad bowl and you can either add the dressing yourself or serve it separately to allow diners to put the amount they desire. (I do it myself so that no one tries to eat the salad without putting this tasty salad dressing on first).




Eat and enjoy! Try not to hurt yourself from being swept off your feet by this one!

Francesca

Monday, June 27, 2011

Spontaneous Kitchen Creations #2

Dear Readers,

Tonight I succumbed to my baking urges and made these delicious Spiced Almond & Orange Shortbread Cookies. So delicious and so much butter!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Spontaneous Kitchen Creations #1

Dear Readers,

I would like to share with you something that is most delicious. This morning I made this Havarti and Sautéed Red Pepper Omelet with Cilantro, Parsley, Green Onions, Fresh-Cracked Pepper and a bit of salt. The Peppers and Omelet were cooked in a little bit of butter. Mmmm omnomnom.