RECAP! Then 'FORWARD!!!'

Whew. So I've been baking and cooking like a maniac. Writing about ALL of it in DETAIL just makes me shudder. I'd rather bake some more than spend 2 hours writing up what I've been up to so I'll keep it short and sweet... no pun intended..initially. I like it though. Any who.

Within the last couple of weeks I've managed to squeeze in a few good and bad attempts.  I ended up saving the plums my mom bought and made a Plum tart based on a Jamie Oliver recipe in a cook book my brother had. I was all out of vanilla ice cream to go with it but it was still delicious. Heck, I almost ate all the plums when I...marinated... them in sugar! They were like, uh Heaven? Yeah. At work we had a going away party for a Nurse and I brought Peanut Butter and Coffee Brownies. I made them the morning of and was almost late to work! They weren't firm enough in my opinion so I served them cold since I didn't have time to fix the problem. Surprisingly they were actually really good that way! It cut the richness of the brownie and peanut butter mix. I'm told they were a hit but unfortunately I couldn't see for myself since I got off before the party started. Farewell KAT!  I am 100% sure there is one if not two other things i've made in the last week but my early on-setting Alzheimer's must be kicking in. I can't remember.

Though it has nothing to do with baking I made some pretty tasty Ramen recipes during the week. One using the honey ham leftovers my  mom made and dates. We still have a bunch of Ham leftover so I  made a riff on Hawaiian Pizza. It was my first time making a pizza dough that didn't have to rise before I shaped it and baked it. It ended up perfect. Crunchy and fluffy at the same time. Not to thick, and tasty as well.  The dough that is, because the pizza was not so much a fail but could have been better. Too salty or something, the whole family agrees. Of course I have absolutely  this many __0__ pictures to show for all my work : (   I need to get better at that. Maybe I'll duct tape a camera to my forehead before I start cooking. In honor of some K-dramas I've been watching tonight I've got some Korean BBQ marinating in the fridge. YUM. In respects to baking I have leftover pie crust and blueberries looking to be made into a simple (yet scrumptious) Blueberry pie. Hey, has anyone seen the roll of duct tape?

Fruit Craze

So my mom went crazy for fruit on her trip to Michigan this weekend with her girlfriends. And when I say crazy I mean there are only four people living in our house but we have 20 peaches, a large container of blueberries, 8 of 3 different types of plums, 3 lbs of mini tomatoes (hey, they are fruit!), a half busshel of apples, 1 watermelon, 1 cantelope, and 1 honeydew melon. All already perfectly rippened. I have to admit the fruit is the best i've had all season long and if I came along we might have gotten more.  She also came home with some local wine and sparkling juices. What does this mean? It means I have a great excuse to try out some of the fuit based desserts I've been dying to try, and wine to go with it. The cleaning guy comes today but after that I am going to make a mess in the kitchen. Can't wait. 

White Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookies (aka. The Rattles)

Okay so I couldn't rest until I got something real up here.

Since this blog is supposed to follow me on my culinary baking journey I'm going back in time and starting were my dream really started.  I mentioned in my introduction that my 1st real baking commission was favors for a baby shower.  (That was not even 4 months ago!) I thought it was only right to start with what made me believe I could actually do this. White Chocolate covered Oreos.  YUM! Unfortunately four months ago I wasn't thinking strait so there are no pictures. But Fear Not! I promised pics in the intro so you shall get pics!!  I'm busting out the leftover sticks and stealing my brothers bag of Oreo cookies to bring to you The Rattles.  Once you know the tricks these treats are easy to assemble and sooooo delicious...cute too.

What you'll need :

•  Double Stuf Oreo cookies

•  White Chocolate 

•  Lollipop Sticks   (at least 5 in long)       

•  Patience

• Sprinkles or Oreo crumble

• Parchment Paper

Step 1.  Prep the cookies 

First things first, we need to separate the Oreo cookies. Use the classic twist (shown above).  After you've set out all the cookies in each cream side make a space for the stick to go using one of the sticks.  Melt a small amount of chocolate, about 1/4 of a cup, in a small bowl. This is our glue. Without this 'glue' the Oreo is not going to stay on the stick to dip. This step also prevents cracking.  Dip the lollipop stick into the chocolate then shake off any excess and insert it into the hole we made.

 

 Follow this up by spreading a layer of chocolate on the matching side of the cookie and sandwich lightly.  If a cookie cracks don't worry. Our glue will save us.  Just apply to both sides of the break and hold for a couple seconds. Very lightly spread the chocolate layer and proceed as normal.

Keep going until you have the desired amount of cookies and then make 5 more. Trust me.
Set them in the freezer for 30 seconds to set the chocolate and viola!

Fully Prepped Cookies

Step 2. Dress the Cookies

This is where the fourth ingredient on our list is most needed.  We have deliciousness on a stick. Now it's time for Epic Deliciousness. 

Oreo Crumble, Cinnamon Gram-cracker, Assorted Sprinkles

Everything in these next couple steps has to happen pretty quickly. Be sure your stations are set up in a way that works for you.  A cookie sheet lined with parchment paper is a must. And whatever you'll be decorating with should be standing by. 


Melt about one cup of white chocolate chunks in a mug or bowl (the mug is deeper and easier for dipping but harder to keep from burning). This step sounds easy enough but can be a nightmare if you are not melting the chocolate right.  If there are melting directions on whatever chocolate you are using follow them to the tee. If not, there are two common ways to melt.

• My preference is the Microwave. Set your microwave to 50% power and cook it for 1.15 min. Stir the chocolate until its smooth and liquid-y enough to pour. Melt for 15 to 30 sec increments if it's still not melted. 

•  The Second way to melt is the classic double boiler.  Place the chocolate in a bowl on top of a simmering pot of water. Stir until all the chocolate is melted. Remove from the stove top and keep stirring till the bowl cools down a bit and is no longer a danger for burning the chocolate. 

This next step takes some finesse.  Dip your cookie into the chocolate making sure its coated on all sides and the bottom. I found the best technique for this is to tilt the mug and dip covering the face side first by pressing (lightly) down until the overflow coats the bottom rim of the cookie.  Flip and do the same on the other side.  If you need to, rotate the cookie and get some extra on the rims. The chocolate should be runny enough that you can slide the excess using gravity around the cookie to cover whatever didn't get a good coat during the dip. 

Place the newly coated cookie on the cookie sheet or dip into one of the crumbles. DO NOT DIP INTO THE SPRINKLES! It looks tacky when it dries. For decorating with the sprinkles pour on whatever colors you like.  Make shapes or patterns by using a pointed spoon. Creativity is your friend in this. (My favorite decor for these are hearts) The thing to remember is that you have a limited amount of time before your chocolate cools and stiffens.  Don't worry if this happens to the chocolate in the mug, just pop the mug back in the microwave for 15 to 30 second increments till it's melted again, adding more chocolate if you need it.    

Once all the cookies are decorated flash freeze them for 30 sec to 1 min. They should peel right off the paper and be ready to serve or wrap up like I did for my client!

   

Now you have Epically Delicious treats to give away or eat!  They go pretty fast and as with plain ol' Oreo cookies... are best with milk. Enjoy!

I Belive Introductions are in Order.

In a world where blogging is the new Journal (otherwise known as a Diary) I thought to myself. Aphrodite! Why are you suffering hand cramps and wasting ink! It's time to upgrade and suffer back pain while wasting electricity!  That was about 2 years ago.

As I have stated above introductions are in order. Hello. My name is Aphrodite. Yes thank you, its a wonderful name, as long as it's not your own.  I will spare you the woe me details because, what the heck! Intros are not where you want that garbage. I am a student at a college. The details are blurry.  I've been wanting to start a blog for a couple years now. I really like to bake and thought I should share this passion.  I hesitate to say love because it's new.  I'm just not the causal  'love' type of gal (You'd think it with the name and all).  I'm fairly new at the whole baking thing. I mean in a professional sense. I have never been to school for baking. I didn't even take foods as an elective in high school. But I've been folding filo since I could walk and rolling cookies in powdered sugar since I could tell the difference between it and flour. My family has had a huge baking influence on me but I can't lie. They are Cooks not Bakers.  About 3 months ago I read a quote that opened my eyes to why my mom and me clash in the kitchen.  It was about a baker's soul vs. a cook's soul. If I ever find it again I'll share.  So you are not confused this blog is going to follow my creations and growth as a baker. I might share a meal I whip up in enthusiasm but the sweets and bread is where it's at.  Recently I have been juggling the idea of a catering thing. I even had my first client and they seemed very happy with the treats. : ) Nothing big just favors for a baby shower. The process was thrilling. And as soon as I can I'll get some pictures rolling with easy to follow instructions and tips to save you a headache. I almost took on my second job but had to pass due to school/work conflict. I did however get as far as making samples. Which means I can share! And I will.     

If you have read this far I'd like to thank you. As this blog grows, I hope to grow, and bring whoever feels like following along with me. I have dreams and aspirations that spread in so many different directions it feels as if I'll never choose one, and maybe I won't. Maybe I'll choose two or three. I don't see anything wrong with that.