April 21, 2008

Fruit Compliments and Bits and Bites

Aren’t those little oranges adorable? I didn’t make anything with them, I ate them as is, but they demanded to have their picture taken and I complied. Since when do oranges call you cute? I don’t know, but I could get used to receiving compliments from fruit. I’m not choosy, I’ll take ‘em where I can get ‘em. If a pineapple wants to call me pretty or a kiwi wants to call me smart, I’m ok with that too. Of course, I would prefer if the Kiwi was tall with a cute accent, but once again, I’ll take what I can get.

Ahem, back to the food… About twice a month I write a review for Paper Palate. Sometimes I share the review here or link to it and sometimes I forget altogether. That was the case last month when I posted a review on Paper Palate of the March issue of Bon Appetit which featured that amazing Caramel Walnut Upside Down Banana Cake and then falsely thought I had also posted about it on Jumbo Empanadas. Eventually I realized this error and posted about it here too because it’s definitely a cake that deserves to be seen.

Also in that post, which was filled with bananas, I mentioned making Banana Walnut Whole Grain Muffins from the Wellfed Network and Bran Banana Raisin Muffins from Cookie Baker Lynn but I didn’t post pictures of either of those. It wasn’t because I didn’t have any, but because for some reason, (lack of organization or a Kiwi to remind me) I couldn’t find them at the time. They’re here now though, so enjoy.

And for the record, I jazzed up the Wellfed muffins by subbing the walnuts for white chocolate chips and filling the middle with bittersweet chocolate chips. On top of that, I had been seeing a lot of carrot cakes with cream cheese frosting and I really thought I wanted carrot cake, but then I realized it was just the cream cheese frosting I wanted. So I made some, ate it with a spoon, (craving satisfied!) and then topped a few of the banana muffins with it.

When I discovered the banana pictures that I had forgotten to post I also found some pics of more dishes I made at Chef School, (which were MIA at the time I was going to post about them). So the Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast and Lasagna Bolognese with Spinach Noodles both should have been in last week’s post about chef stories. Geez, this post is filled with links. You’ll be lucky if they all lead where they’re supposed to, half the time I don’t even know.

More recently on Paper Palate I reviewed my new Food & Wine magazine, (which I received courtesy of the amazing Katie) and made Reverse Chocolate Chip Cookies from that issue. They were so good that I took them in to work on my day off so that others could enjoy them, (and by ‘others enjoy them’ I mean so that I didn’t devour the entire batch myself). In my quest to make cookies an acceptable currency, (and to make everyone love me) I’m slowly gaining ground, every cookie helps.

Have you had enought yet? I’m cleaning out my closet and I’ve still got one more Paper Palate post of mine to share with you that’s all about Italian cuisine, or more specifically The New Regional Italian Cuisine Cookbook. This is a book that has a photo of every single recipe, as well as scenic shots of Italy and close-ups of ingredients.

Recipes are titled in both English and Italian and are indexed by region as well as by course which is very convenient for scatterbrains such as myself who are constantly losing things. The only reason I remember what I made from that book is that I wrote it down: Insalata al Pecorino (Salad with Pecorino Cheese), Ossobuco d’Agnello (Braised Lamb Shanks) and Crostatina di Mele (Apple Puff Pastry Cake). Which reminds me, there were a whole bunch more recipes from that book I wanted to try. I should go do that…

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23 comments:

Manggy said...

A tall accented Kiwi? My, you should just head off to New Zealand! I'm sure you'll meet thousands! :)

Nice post, Brilynn :) You're such a nice co-worker.. I hope your friends don't start to become demanding on you :p

Anonymous said...

i just had a huge dinner, and all these pictures are killing me.

The Peanut Butter Boy said...

That's a lot of great looking food! Those muffins look fantabulous. The stuffed chicken breast looks very professional too. Nice work!

- The Peanut Butter Boy

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

There's not a single dish here that I wouldn't want to devour -- everything looks so delicious.

LyB said...

You are killing me! Too many gorgeous food photos... *drool*

Pedaling said...

uhmmm yum!! everything on this blog of yours looks fabulous! what a great find for me today!

Real Live Lesbian said...

I'd like the stuffed chicken and the salad, please!

Amazing pics! Beautiful!

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

A kiwi to remind you of things! Wouldn't that be grand!
I'm wishing I could have that Lasagna Bolognese with Spinach Noodles for dinner tonight!!
Great write up Cutie!!

Deborah said...

The Kiwi comment made me laugh out loud! What wonderful things that are coming out of your kitchen! I'd take some of each of them!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Those oranges are adorable and they would be a boost in anyone's day. :)

I am soooo making those cookies, Bri.

Michelle H said...

Those bran muffins look sooo good!

Mike of Mike's Table said...

So many tasty looking dishes...

Gigi said...

aaah! I don't know what to pick or make! Too many gorgeous & delicious recipes to chose from. Nice looking food Brilynn!

Anonymous said...

your muffins look yummy! viva muffins of any kind:)

Anonymous said...

Lot's of yummy stuff on this post. I'm hungry and it's 12:08 am. Is there something wrong with me? hehe

Save me the 'Hello Cutie' stickers on the oranges, would ya? :-)

maison lobet said...

If only my fruit would sweettalk me like that...

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Tall Kiwi - do you watch Flight of the Conchords?

Your food all looks fabulous. I hope you're enjoying cheffy school. I don't know what they can teach you, though. You seem to have it all down.

Erin said...

Wow. It sounds like you've been really busy lately. I have been on a bit of a muffin kick myself, and just completed a batch of my favorite orange fig bran muffins. yum!

Peabody said...

It all looks so good.
And yes, I think fruit and be cute.

Anonymous said...

Good lord, what a gorgeous collection of food!

cookworm said...

Man, can I eat dinner at your house sometime? ;) All of that delicious food is making me into a slobbering fool....

Helene said...

The crostada and the lamb are calling my name...loud!! Everything looks awesome!

Anonymous said...

I want this on my table tonight Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast with matching Salad with Pecorino Cheese..hmmm, yum yum yum...