Project Food Blog #6: Voting Opened!
It's challenge six already! It's gone by in a blur, but I'm now past the midpoint in Project Food Blog and I couldn't be happier! Well actually that's not true. I'd be happier if you helped me get to challenge seven! Check out my lovely picnic and cast your votes!
If you're not already a member of Foodbuzz all you have to do is...
1. Head on over to foodbuzz.com and click on “Join Foodbuzz” at the top.
2. Create an account with a username, email and password. Painless right?
3. Then go here and vote for me by clicking that purdy little heart above my banner.
Voting will be open from Monday, October 25th until Thursday, October 28th. You only get to vote for me once, but if one vote just doesn't feel like enough then you could go a step further and “like” my entry, for those of you on Facebook, and even “tweet” about it, for those of you on Twitter. Those buttons are right next to the little heart.
To keep up to date with my future entries to Project Food Blog and my goings on at Foodbuzz then become my friend. We can be BFFs. Or you can check out my official contestant profile here.
Thank you everyone for helping me get this far! Let's go all the way!
The Picnic: Inside Out.
I'd like to thank everyone who helped me get this far in Project Food Blog. I appreciate all your support in all its forms! Thank you!
“For this challenge, you're tasked with creating a delicious meal that will travel well and still look great. From picnics and school lunches to bento boxes, or any other meal on the go, you need to whip up an entree, side, drink, and dessert to enjoy after hitting the road. Be sure that your meal fits inside the Project Food Blog Road Trip Cooler.”
Have you ever wistfully watched a sunset stained with roses and violets while sipping a glass of wine? Have you ever savoured a simple chocolate bar on the waterfront, salty breeze in your hair and sand beneath your feet? Have you ever bitten into an apple and let the juices run down your chin on a lazy afternoon absentmindedly swaying on a creaking porch swing?
Twitterpated birds are the best dinner companions. Fresh air is the sweetest spice to add to any meal. A park bench is the perfect table setting. The fading glow of the sun rivals any candlelit dinner. Food is best enjoyed in the presence of nature, humbling and beautiful.
The picnic is the traditional way to bring the inside out and eat at nature's table. There's nothing traditional about this picnic. I've expanded on simple picnic food to elevate your experience. The plain sandwich has been spiced up and transformed into the Curried Egg Salad Sandwich. Chips and dip have been revamped into sweet and spicy Peach Salsa with baked Pita Chips. The simple glass of juice has been stirred into a bubbly frenzy and become Sparkling White Grape Peach Juice. The average Rice Krispies square has been reinvented into a nutty and flavourful Brown Butter Maple Pecan Crispy Treat.
Nature is in a constant state of flux and I've pulled my inspiration for this meal from that fact. Nature's ever changing landscape offers a unique and beautiful tablescape. Go outside and enjoy the fresh air. I think you'll find your food tastes a little bit sweeter, a little more satisfying.
Project Food Blog #5: Voting Opened!
It's that time again! Voting time! Please take a moment to check out my Project Food Blog fifth challenge entry and vote for me. It's about pizza and love and all that fun stuff. I'm sure you'll like it!
If you're not already a member of Foodbuzz all you have to do is...
1. Head on over to foodbuzz.com and click on “Join Foodbuzz” at the top.
2. Create an account with a username, email and password. Painless right?
3. Then go here and vote for me by clicking that purdy little heart above my banner.
Voting will be open from Monday, October 18th until Thursday, October 21st. You only get to vote for me once, but if one vote just doesn't feel like enough then you could go a step further and “like” my entry, for those of you on Facebook, and even “tweet” about it, for those of you on Twitter. Those buttons are right next to the little heart.
To keep up to date with my future entries to Project Food Blog and my goings on at Foodbuzz then become my friend. We can be BFFs. Or you can check out my official contestant profile here.
Thank you so much for your votes and lovely comments!
That’s Amore!
I am so grateful to have advanced to the fifth round of Project Food Blog! Thank you everyone who voted for me! I appreciate the support of my loyal readers and new friends.
“One recipe, 100 variations! We're challenging each of you to put your own spin on the same recipe. How you do it is up to you. Will you try out some molecular gastronomy techniques? Share a super-secret trick? Or re-envision the dish from a different perspective? You'll be asked to put your own spin on pizza. For the purpose of this contest and challenge, we are defining pizza as having a solid base, a sauce and at least one topping.”
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie... That's amore!
Everyone knows that song. It's about finding love in the unlikeliest of places. It's about being suddenly seized by love. Some people find love in a darkened movie theatre, at the bottom of a box of chocolates, between intertwined fingers or in a perfect slice of pizza.
Some people might not consider pizza classy or romantic like flowers, chocolates, jewelry or fancy dates. Don't get me wrong. I love roses, cordial cherries, diamonds and filet mignon as much as the next girl. But it's pizza that holds a special place in my heart.
When my boyfriend and I were separated by 3,373 km (2096 miles) the telephone was our only connection. One evening after a long day of work, tired and just a little lonesome, I was talking to my honey over the distance when there was a knock at my door. I wasn't expecting anyone. Intrigued, I swung open the door.
There in my doorway was a pizza delivery guy holding a pizza. For me. My pizza. Free of charge. Lee had called my favourite pizza place and ordered my favourite pizza. Even two provinces away he was still doing such sweet and thoughtful things for me.
Now that miles have shrunk to inches and everyday is filled with reasons to fall deeper in love, I thought I'd learn to make his favourite pizza.
This is my first attempt at making pizza. Oh sure, I've had a lot of experience eating them. Ordering them. Burning them. Even accidentally baking a frozen one with the cardboard still under it then proceeding to violently and vehemently slice through it. Gives a whole new meaning to cardboard crust, doesn't it?
This time I had motivation. This time it was perfect. I love that man, he loves me and we both love this Chicken Pesto Pizza.
Love Muffin: Peach Cheesecake.
Could someone please tell me why it is that I can have grey hairs and acne breakouts at the same time? That doesn't seem fair does it?
It should be one or the other. Not both. At the same time.
It's like my body can't decide what age I am. One minute I'm thirteen with a book report due on Of Mice and Men and the next I'm sixty-five dashing out to Denny's for the early bird special. Make up your mind!
It seems like the general public can't decide what age I am too. I get carded all the time when the rest of my table doesn't even get a second glance. Door to door salesmen ask me when my parents are going to be home. True story. So I tell them six, maybe seven o'clock so they leave me alone to wallow in my self-pity.
The one that bothers me the most is the wide-eyed looks I get from perfect strangers when my boyfriend of thirty-three introduces to them his girlfriend of twenty-four. Age is just a number. I've known people far older than me that are also far less mature. Lee and I are on the same level mentally, why do we need to be the same age?
I know. I shouldn't complain. It's a compliment. It will be useful when I get older.
For now I'm going to keep dying my hair and washing my face.
This topic really doesn't segue into muffins. At all. So I'm not going to try.
I made muffins. So there! They're awesome. They have peaches and cheesecake in them. Did I mention they're awesome?
Project Food Blog #4: Voting Opened!
You remember that pretty cake I baked for you? The one with the chocolate filigree and orange mousse? It was only yesterday. Yes that cake! I would be so appreciative if you could be so kind to vote for me to advance to the next round of Project Food Blog! You've been so good at it so far!
If you're not already a member of Foodbuzz all you have to do is...
1. Head on over to foodbuzz.com and click on “Join Foodbuzz” at the top.
2. Create an account with a username, email and password. Painless right?
3. Then go here and vote for me by clicking that purdy little heart above my banner.
Voting will be open from Monday, October 11th until Thursday, October 14th. You only get to vote for me once, but if one vote just doesn't feel like enough then you could go a step further and “like” my entry, for those of you on Facebook, and even “tweet” about it, for those of you on Twitter. Those buttons are right next to the little heart.
To keep up to date with my future entries to Project Food Blog and my goings on at Foodbuzz then become my friend. We can be BFFs. Or you can check out my official contestant profile here.
I am so grateful for you all! I couldn't do this without you!
Paint With Chocolate; Sculpt With Orange.
I made it! Challenge four! Thank you so much to my loyal readers and new friends who took the time to vote for me. I appreciate all your support and words of encouragement.
“Sure, you can take a pretty picture. But your task here is to go above and beyond and use photography to create a step-by-step, instructional photo tutorial. It could be anything from how to bone a chicken to how to make your favorite recipe, but your photos need to guide the reader through the steps. For this challenge, you'll want to go well beyond the 2 photo minimum with at least 6 photographs.”
More often than not food blogs are salt and peppered by impossible yet beautiful photographs. Fantastically layered slices of cake. Intricately detailed lattice pie crust. Perfectly frosted cupcakes. Food bloggers present their subjects in such a way that they transcend food and transform into art.
Edible art.
Like any art form it can be broken down into steps and taught. As an artist I've always believed that art is both a talent and a skill. Those that aren't born with the ability can learn it.
Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali and Leonardo da Vinci. Helene Dujardin (Tartelette), Heather Baird (Sprinkle Bakes), and Hannah Queen (Honey & Jam). All artists with different styles and subjects.
For those of you who bitterly complain that you can't draw a straight line or sculpt mashed potatoes I give you this tutorial. Follow these step-by-step photos to create your own masterpiece.
Last But Not Least.
These Apple Chips are possibly the easiest thing I've ever baked. Four ingredients. That's all you need to make your own chips. It would be interesting to play around with the seasoning to create savoury or sweet combinations. I may keep that in mind for the future. This may not be the last time you see these crispy things.
And they're baked, not fried, so you don't have to feel guilty about stuffing your face. Which is good because they're insanely addictive. As long as you have cinnamon, sugar and a little time to waste you'll be rewarded with the most delicious snack.
If you're lazy, as I am sometimes, you could always buy Apple Chips but, be warned, they're pretty pricy for a tiny little bag. Plus if you buy them you won't be able to perfume your house with the amazing scent of apple and cinnamon. Possibly the greatest smell in the world.
Last, but certainly not least, here is the appetizer recipe from my Autumn Dinner Party. These Apple Chips are perhaps the most anticipated item on the menu so I hope I didn't leave you in suspense for too long.
Apples and Cranberries and Pears! Oh My!
I must have The Wizard of Oz on the brain or something. Imagine if Dorothy, Scarecrow and the Tin Man had encountered these fearsome fruits on their journey along the yellow brick road. I'd say that's preferable to lions, tigers and bears.
But then again, that would probably make for a pretty lame movie. More like Veggie Tales than the story we all know and love.
Maybe if Dorothy could have tasted this Pear Walnut Salad or this Apple Cranberry Chicken she wouldn't have been in such a hurry to get back to Kansas. I'm betting Auntie Em didn't know how to make Apple Cheese and Potato Cakes like me. Just saying...
As promised here are my recipes for the entrée of my Autumn Dinner Party. I could have separated them into three different posts, but why leave you in suspense? I'm not a cruel person. Also they're best enjoyed altogether, so here you go!
Tarts and Trees.
As if my Autumn themed dinner party marked some sort of turning point in the season, all the leaves have fallen from the trees and the weather is growing even cooler.
The trees are beginning to resemble those spindly claw-like hands grasping urgently for what could only be small children to snack on. Nature has become a skeleton of it's former self. Reminds me of those apple trees in the Wizard of Oz that attacked Dorothy. Trees with attitude.
Before I start quoting the scene word for word then cackle shrilly like the Wicked With of the West let's move on.
As promised, here is one of my recipes used in my recent Autumn Dinner Party. I know you're hungry for more so I will post the dinner and appetizer recipes soon! For now I thought we'd start with dessert and work our way backwards.
We all know dessert is the best part right? Right!
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