Who is getting pumped for Christmas baking?!
What did you have for dinner yesterday? I was short on ideas so turned to cookbooks for inspiration. I ended up tweaking a Spicy Chickpea salad from the book Totally Vegetarian
A thoughtful gift from friends returning from France.
My go-to cake for potlucks – a Williams-Sonoma recipe.
Food Photography – Pumpkin Cheesecake from Chandler’s Bakery
November 4th, 2009
by Heather (Ghost Baker)
Chomp, chomp! It’s time for some food photography.
This is a Pumpkin Cheesecake from Chandler’s Bakery in Charlottesville, VA. I get my pizza dough from Chandler’s and also satisfy my cravings for hard rolls. I’m a big fan of their breads [insert tired argument about how I’m originally from the north and you can’t find a decent roll in the south here].
The desserts I’ve had are good, but so far I haven’t been blown out of my shoes. I look forward to trying more things from Chandler’s and more bakeries in Charlottesville!
I tried a cake from Albemarle Baking Company when looking for wedding cakes a few years ago, and even though everyone tells me how great they are I swear the frosting on that cake was really Crisco. It was a gigantic disappointment, especially since they made me purchase a whole cake in order to try it – at least at that time they didn’t do samples for weddings. Somehow their bread also happens to be very good, but I’m too traumatized by my grease cake experience to return.
Have a bakery recommendation in Charlottesville? I’ll romp on over with an open mind and a hungry stomach.
Bread crumbs, thyme, Old Bay, Chesapeake Bay Seasoning and other spices combine for grilled Flounder.
I was browsing the foodie blogosphere for some outside inspiration when I came across this delicious looking recipe from Kristin over at Picky Cook. I’m quite fond of broccoli so this was right up my alley.
I upped the veggies (of course. hey, broccoli was on sale) a bit and gave up a bit more of a broil for more of a burn; what I expect from a good bar potato skin. Other than not giving the potatoes enough of an initial bake (making it harder to hollow out and mash), they turned out great! If you’re looking for more potato skin ideas, check out Heather’s recipe with rutabaga.
I’m really tempted, but anyone else find the color disturbing?
While on our way to Zion National Park, we made a much-needed stop in a little town called Kanab, Utah. The drive from the Grand Canyon was long; not just because of the distance but also because there was nothing to see. Just desert and plains with nary a town in sight. Brutal. When we drove into Kanab we had to stop.
While there we had a quick dinner at Grandma Tina’s (which was horrible. don’t eat there) and then visited an establishment called The Rocking V Cafe. They claimed to have an amazing Pecan Caramel Cheesecake, winner of many local awards, and I have to say it was amazing. Maybe it was the lousy pasta we just had, but the way the caramel worked with the cheesecake and the pecans adding a slight touch was a work of art.
So, if you’re ever passing through Kanab, get the cheesecake!
