Pussy Willows

The pussy willows have been budding out for a couple of weeks. I went for a walk with Mark and the dogs  yesterday and these little pretties were growing close to the road. I didn't want to wade through the deep snow. A true sign of spring!

pussy willows

Irish Oatmeal Cake

As I promised, here is the recipe for the oatmeal cake I baked yesterday for Marks birthday. This recipe is from Moosewood Restaurant Book of Desserts. Everything I have baked from this book has been fabulous!

Irish Oatmeal Cake

Cake:

2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 1/4 tsp baking soda

1 cup rolled oats

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Butterscotch Frosting: ( I made 1 1/2 times the recipe, we like a lot of frosting)

6 tbsp butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 tbsp milk

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Butter and flour two 9" cake pans.

Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. In a blender, whirl the oats to a consistency of cornmeal. Stir them into the flour mixture and set aside.

With an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until light. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the vanilla and buttermilk and add alternatively with the flour mixture. Mix until well blended.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes, until a knife tests clean and the cake begins to pull away from the side of the pan. Cool in the pans for about 5 minutes and then turn out onto racks to cool completely. 

For the frosting, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the brown sugar and simmer on very low heat for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Cooking the brown sugar creates a smoother frosting, so don't cheat on the time.)

Transfer the butter-brown sugar mixture to a bowl. With an electric mixer, beat in the confectioners sugar and vanilla. Add the milk a little at a time until the frosting is smooth and creamy. While the frosting is still warm, fill and frost the cake.

Serves 12 to 16.

Purple Plums

I was very excited this evening to have one of my treasuries grace the front page of Etsy!! It will always be a thrill! It is such great exposure for the fabulous artisans whose work gets up there.. on the front page! Congratulations to everyone!

purple plums.. my treasury, with alternatives

purple plums ... the front page!

Happy Birthday To Mark!

Today is.. almost was, Mark's birthday! He asked me not to post his photo up, like I normally do, so here you go, a slice of his cake instead. I asked him the other day what kind of cake he wanted.. he replied oatmeal. I do believe he was kidding but that is what I baked him, an Irish Oatmeal Layer Cake! It is delicious, very much like an old fashioned oatmeal cake his mom bakes. I will try to post the recipe tomorrow, I am too tired tonight.

We had a delicious dinner, he picked it out of the March issue of Gourmet.. I will also post those recipes tomorrow too!

So, Happy Birthday to you Mark!! It was a quiet birthday but very nice!!

Bircher Muesli

Tomorrow is Mark's birthday. I just made muesli for our breakfast, a little treat. We have been watching our pennies since he was laid off a few weeks ago, so this is a splurge. We all know how much I love birthdays!! A time to celebrate life, as well as the first day of spring!

I will give the recipe for one serving.. I just made it times 8... extra is always good, and we eat big... especially when it is this  yummy!

Bircher Muesli

1 heaping tbsp rolled oats

3 tbsp water

1 tbsp cream

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 apple

 1 tbsp strawberries 

Soak the oats and water in a bowl. (The recipe says to let this soak overnight, and then do the rest in the morning. I just mix everything together at night, so it is ready as soon as you get up. You can do it either way, up to you.)

Stir the cream, honey and lemon juice into the oat mixture. Grate the apple and quickly mix it into the oats. Chop strawberries finely, or if you are like me and used the grater of your food processor to grate the apple, you can just grate the berries too. Add to the oat mixture. 

You can add blackberries, raspberries, raisins or chopped nuts if you would like. 

The recipe says to serve with brown sugar nd cream, but it really isn't necessary, it is delicious just as it is!

Serves one.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Rose Pink

I am still playing with pearls and vintage lucite beads. I am really loving them both!

Funky carved lucite flowers in a soft rose peachy pink, with chocolate brown pearls, faceted Czech glass beads and copper. So pretty!

chocolate rose pink ... earrings

chocolate rose pink ... necklace

Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

I made this chicken recipe for dinner tonight. The recipe is from Bonnie Stern's Heart Smart Cookbook, it is delicious and easy!  I served it with brown rice. A very simple dinner.

Sweet Chili Chicken

1 lb (500 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3 tbsp (45 ml) hoisin sauce

3 tbsp (45ml) sweet Thai chili sauce

2 tbsp (25 ml) soy sauce

1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil

1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh ginger root

2 green onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 cups (500 ml) fresh baby spinach (I used 4 cups)

2 tbsp (25 ml) cilantro .. (I did not add this)... 

1. Pat chicken dry and cut into cubes.

2. To prepare sauce, combine hoisin, sweet chili sauce and soy sauce.

3. Heat oil in a large, deep skillet or wok on medium high heat. Add ginger, onions and garlic and stir fry for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add chicken and stir fry for 2 minutes, or until browned.

4. Add sauce and combine well. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Add spinach and cook for 1 minute longer. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Makes 4 servings.