Yummr

Today I was reminded of my limitations as a cook with a limited time and area and what ever else limits me.

Well, let me start at the beginning. I had decided about a week and a half ago that I was going to make the best little cupcakes ever, to memorialize all the courageous acts of our forefathers and military troops. OK, in retrospect I can see how lame that is, but mind you at the time it really sounded great to me. I had it all figured out. I was going to make red velvet cupcakes with white vanilla cream-cheese frosting, covered with a layer of white (homemade) marshmallow fondant, then covered with a layer of blue fondant with little star cut outs. It would be my tribute to all the glory America has to offer. I even went out and bought those crazy square silicone cupcake liners so that I could have perfect little blue boxes with white stars peeking thru and a decadent red velvet interior. Yes, it would have been something. But I should have seen the signs of failure long before today.

First of all I had to buy the cupcake liners. This should have been the first sign that I was in over my head. Considering that I'm only making these for my husband (who has an appetite for all things over-cooked) and my 4 year old (who has an appetite for all things noodle). I should never have to buy specialty equipment for this group. They are just has happy with round food as square. Actually changing the shape of the food may actually discourage this particular crowd.

Anyways the next waring came two days ago when I started to prepare my fondant. I have done this once before with beautiful results. I don't know what happened, maybe a bad batch of mini mallows. All I can say, was the fondant was less pliable and more like spackle that had been left in the sun with it's lid off for a week. But did that stop me NO! I'm proud of my country and people die(d) for my freedom. Was I gonna let a few bucks and a dried out frosting stop me on my mission of taste? NO way, not this girl. I soldiered on.

That brings us to today. The day before Memorial Day. I was to have all my little cakes lined up on a beautiful tray by now. Just sitting there. Looking magnificent. Waiting untill after the BBQ to be looked at, praised and then merrily devoured. But this is not how the story went. Oh no, I made the batter, no problem there. Then I lined up my cute little square liners filled them beautifully and baked them to perfection... Where upon I realized that I had forgotten to spray them with cooking spray. And I had at least one more batch to go. Undaunted I let them cool, carefully pried them loose (I only lost the bottom corners of 2). And then had to SCRUB all 12 liners clean and dry them in order to fill them again. You would think I would have thought to spray them this time. But not me oh no. I still didn't quit... So I figured I'd just fill the rest of the batter into a mini muffin tin for later. Problem solved. Ummm... well as many of you may know fondant covered cakes have to stay out of the fridge because they will get condensation spots on them. So I had to ditch the traditional combo of red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and whip up some butter cream. When the whir of my mixer ceased I turned around to see that my sweet, kind, lovely daughter had taken random bites out of the tops of many of my red squares. I'm really starting to loose faith now. I snatch away the cupcakes (I'm not getting mother of the year this go round), and continue in my journey of self-realization. Only to find that as I spread my frosting to try to make the smoothest possible surface to lay my fondant, crumbs are getting everywhere and the harder I try to control it the more they spread. It is at this point that I just pick up a nibbled cupcake plop on a dollop of frosting and start eating.

Let me tell you why I love this country and why I love cooking, I love this country because it was built on the idea that given the opportunity if one seeks success and is driven by good will and spirit, they will either reach their goal or help lay the foundation for those who come after to reach the goal set before them. Some will make fortunes and others will make mistakes that will lead to their children's fortunes. I found out today that thru cooking, I can make lots of mistakes, but at least it's fun to eat them. And the frosting on my daughter's chin is one of my greatest success stories. Tomorrow we will not be eating picture perfect star cakes, but wonderful, tasty home-made American success stories. And to me that is worth it.

Have a Happy Memorial Day and thank you to all who have fought for our freedom and the families that support them!

I totally received my "A Great American Cook" cookbook in the mail today!!! Thank you Yummr for being the first contest I've ever won. I can't believe it still.

I love the book. Luckily it came while I was eating lunch or I think I would have been in big hungry trouble. I think I'll have to make the Vidalia Onion and Sweet Corn Soup. I can find all the ingredients at the farmers market here. Heck that should be a staple dish for the Northwest, considering that's the majority of our crops (plus potatoes).

Anyways I wanted to send a big shout out to Yummr for making me feel and cook like a winner.
 

The Kitchen Aid KFP750BL Food Processor!!!!

This may seem like no big deal to some, but for me this is huge.  The end of cutting in butter by hand (scones will abound), no more uneven slicing, no more shredding 10 lbs. of cheddar by hand.  It's a new day full of promise and intrigue.  How many recipes have I glossed over once the instructions tell you to pull out the processor? 

I've had a little 2 cup Black & Decker for about 4 years, but it was not meant to do the things I put it through.  I have to say to the folks at Black & Decker that it's amazing the machine lasted as long as it did.  I was  doing batches of pastries, hummus, veggies, and more.  I had that thing going all the time.

But now the world is mine I can make what ever my heart desires (and my budget allows). For my first performance I sliced strawberries. This may seem silly, but I was supposed to make a strawberry pie today and since I was out buying this machine, I was in a time crunch. If I had to slice all the strawberries by hand it would have been cutting the time really close for the pie to set up. But now ALL the work is done and I'm just left with a sink full of parts to clean. But don't get me wrong, I would have a sink full no matter what way I sliced the berries.

I'm just so dang happy.  I'm off to go make something. I think some scones will be nice for breakfast.

Happy cooking and eating everyone!!!