July 15, 2007

I Can Change Your Life Too


When in doubt, close your eyes, open up Baking: From My Home to Yours and make whatever you see. Trust me on this one, Dorie wouldn’t steer you wrong and neither would I. No matter what you choose, it will be good. Don’t be afraid to make something you wouldn’t usually or to try something new. This extends beyond baking to all eating adventures. Trying something new won’t hurt you, especially if it’s something I suggest. Although I may be biased, I think everyone should heed my food suggestions. Ideally I’d have each one of you sitting in front of me and I would force you to take a bite of whatever I was making, whether you thought you’d like it or not. In fact, I would be even more impressed if you tried it even if you were confident that you would hate it. I won’t ever be offended if you don’t like something new, (well, maybe a little) but I will be offended if you refuse to at least take a little bite.



It always amazes me when a friend tells me they’ve never tasted certain foods that I consider common, (like grapefruit or mango!). And it frustrates me to no end when people say they never try anything new because they’re happy with their old standbys. If you tell me you don’t try new things I will make it my mission to corrupt your flawed way of thinking and sway you over to the dark, er, tasty side. It thrills me to no end to be the person who introduces others to a novel flavour or texture. I love watching their face as they bite into something unknown and the surprised look on their face as they discover they actually like what I’ve given them. How could anyone not delight in standing over the kitchen sink, sucking on a mango pit with juice running down their arms? And how could you forget the first time you bit into a hot sesame bun, only to realize that the inside is not “light and cakey” but rather chewy and bursting with sweet red bean? What about your first sushi experience when you’re shocked to realize that not only do you like sushi, (which was previously believed to be icky) but you like sashimi even better than the westernized California roll. Once you start listening to me you’ll be asking yourself life altering questions like: Why have I been eating greasy fast food chicken when I could have been eating a delicious, freshly made chicken empanada, at no additional cost and requiring no additional time? Yes folks, I have the power to change lives.



If you’d like to try something new and start to change your life for the better, any of these recipes are a good beginning.


Classic Brownies, Page 88: I added a smidge of espresso powder because I’m currently loving it in all things chocolate.


Granola Grabbers, Page 82: I didn’t have almonds so I subbed in some skor toffee bits. I also didn’t have the full quantity of raisins that were required so I topped it off with craisins.


Ginger Jazzed Brownies, Page 101: Despite the lavender in the picture, there is none in the brownies, these are chocolate and ginger through and through.


Chocolate-Crunched Caramel Tart, Page 355: There was nothing I could do to improve this tart, it was fabulous. And although I don’t have a photo to go along with it, the Soft Chocolate Raspberry Tart from the opposite page is also quite lovely.




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31 comments:

K and S said...

I hope to get this book soon, so I can try many of these recipes! You make them look drool-icious!

Anne said...

I now own the book as well and I agree that Dorie's book is a must have.

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

You are over the top but you are also right on about Dorie.
Those are each one better than the last beautiful.

Meeta K. Wolff said...

You are incredible!! So is the book and I have been thinking about that chocolate crunched caramel tart too. Now I think I have to stop thinking and just make it.

Nic said...

This book is becoming one of my favourites too.
That Chocolate-Crunched Caramel Tart has got me licking my screen!

Jerry said...

Thanks for confirming that Dorie's book is awesome. I've been contimplating buying it, now its a must with Perfect Scoop!

Amy said...

I must get this book! I'm guilty of eating a mango pit over the sink, gotta get every last bit!

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

This book really did change our baking life -- my husband used to be a Toll House cookie guy, but he's been working his way through Dorie's book and I am the lucky beneficiary of his efforts.

Helene said...

That last tart almost did me in...oh man!!

Anonymous said...

It is an awesome power you wield. Use it wisely. And your baked goods are incredible!

Elizabeth said...

I know what you mean about being perplexed at people's refusal to try new things (although I confess that I too have refused to try a few things myself - I'm embarrassed to admit that I have a texture problem and am really not keen on things that shudder on the plate.)

Even though my favourite things are savoury, I do love the idea of ginger in brownies!

-Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Those brownies do look good! I'm into chocolate cakes at the moment. :)

Anonymous said...

Way to go Bril, those brownies look delicious. Yes, i agree people need to try new things. Especially if they have not tried mango, they don't know what they are missing.

Joe said...

I agree - everything we've done out of her book has been spectacular so far!

Anonymous said...

I completely trust you! Everything you made looks delicious and I wish that I had a bit of it all right now.

Cynthia said...

I like posts like these, some delicious food and words to ponder.

Belinda said...

Everything looks amazing! I keep reading about these Dorie books on everyone's blogs, and I started coveting a copy for myself. It will be the very next book I acquire, and I can't wait to try some of the recipes. Chocolate caramel tart will be way up at the top of the "to try" list. :-)

eatme_delicious said...

I keep on seeing people recommend this cookbook! It must be one of the next ones I get. Your baked goods look delicious. :)

Anonymous said...

I am in Dorie heaven!! I just love that book, you can never go wrong! Great photos!

Carla said...

I checked this book out of the library today, all because of your post. I was going to photocopy the recipes I liked, but damn that's almost every page! haha Thanks for sharing your love of this cookbook :)

Cheryl said...

Oh I wish I had this many archives to pull from. One awesome creation after another. I hope to get this book soon.

Deborah said...

Some times when I can't decide what to make for dinner, I'll pull out a cookbook and just open it up - whatever I land on is what is for dinner!! I need to do that with Dorie's book because I know I'll love it!

Mercedes said...

I think you should do Dorie infomercials :-) Really though, everything looks wonderful!
Do you have 'Baking with Julia'? If not, I'd highly recommend it, as it's another book you can open make just about anything from.

Elle said...

Drool, drool, drool and drool. Yes, you can change my life anytime if it involves Dorie recipes.

Peabody said...

Trying to convert more people to your Dorie cult? :)

Patricia Scarpin said...

Last time my sister flipped through the book she had her eyes on this tart, Bri - if she sees this, she'll crave it even more!

Kelly-Jane said...

They all look wonderfil Brilynn. Ginger jazzed brownies, I'm not sure I have these marked - will have to look, they sound like just my thing!

Gemma said...

I have had this book in my Amazon basket for ages, maybe it's time to purchase. I'll just have to do a little rearranging of the groaning shelves to try to disguise that I am buying yet more books!

Anonymous said...

Brilynn is incredible. one of a kind. a gem amongst people who can't cook. I thrive off of the crumbs she scatters in her wake.
And I would also really like it if she made me something delicious for work this Saturday.

Virtual Frolic said...

After reading your blog and making all of these wonderful Dorie recipes, I totally need to get this book! It looks like there's no going wrong with any of her recipes!

Nabeel said...

the last picture is mouth watering, let me go and get some sweets now, "Siwyaan" actually, don't know the English for it.