Baked

Ah, the sun is shining. Makes it an even better hump day. How's your week going?

I was craving something not quite cake like, more like pudding, and not too sweet, so I baked some clafoutis. Have you tried it? It's so simple and delicious. Here's the recipe...

Blueberry Almond Clafoutis - makes 2 small or one large

1 half pound of fresh or frozen blueberries (I had some in the freezer)
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1 cup milk
1/3 cup raw sugar (or regular granulated)
1 teaspoon almond extract
pinch of salt
1/2 cup almond meal
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons sliced almonds for topping

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Lightly spray two 5 inch oven proof pans, or one 9 inch pan, with oil, and set aside.

Whisk the eggs and egg whites together in a large bowl, until well mixed. Keep whisking while adding milk, then sugar, almond extract, almond meal, salt and cornstarch. Mix until well combined and smooth.

Layer the bottom of each pan with blueberries, then pour batter over berries. Sprinkle the tops with sliced almonds. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until tops are golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before eating. Enjoy!

Let me know if you give this one a go - I'd love to know what you think.

Have a lovely day! Back soon.
Janis

Weekend Observations

How was your weekend? I hope you had a good one!

A little of my rain soaked weekend...

That was a little of my weekend. What did you do? Any of you getting anxious for spring, like I am? 

Back soon!

janis

The Weekend is here...

Nina may have serious face on, but I think she knows how to have a good time. Nina is a new friend we met at this great shop in Palm Desert. Have a great weekend everyone!

By the way, I did a post for Poppytalk all about Palm Springs. If you'd like to check it out, click here.

Baked

Happy hump day! It is Wednesday, isn't it? I'm a bit thrown off this week. Thanks for all the lovely comments on my last post about Palm Springs - it was quite the adventure.

If you've been reading my blog for a bit, you may have noticed that I do like a good cracker. Any kind, really. Today I offer up rice crackers with wasabi and nori. The wasabi just gives them an extra kick, and who doesn't like that?

Rice Crackers with Wasabi & Nori - makes about 24-30

3/4 cup brown rice flour
1/3 cup brown rice, cooked
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon wasabi - either from a tube or powder (I used the powder-follow instructions.)
1/4 cup chopped/crushed nori (sheets of dried seaweed)
1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Place rice flour, rice, wasabi, and oil in a food processor and process until finely ground. Slowly add the water while processor is running. Mix until a ball of dough forms. Transfer to your work surface and knead in the nori until well combined.

Roll into small balls, the size of a marble, and place between two pieces of wax paper. I used a small baking pan to flatten ball. You want to make sure you flatten the dough very thinly. 

Place on baking sheet and bake for about 5-6 minutes, then flip over with a thin spatula. Bake for another 6-8 minutes or until they start to turn golden brown around edges. Remove from oven and turn oven off. Mix tamari and honey together, then brush onto each cracker. Place in turned off oven for another 4 minutes, allowing them to dry. Allow to cool on a wire rack. These are pretty addictive - enjoy!

Have a great day. Back soon!

janis

Weekend Observations

Hello All! How was your weekend? I just got back from 5 days in Palm Springs, and despite the massive wind storm it was great. Here's some of the weekend...

After the chaos of the Saturday wind storm (to my knowledge, there were no injuries), Sunday was a lovely day of calm...

Links:

•The Backyard Oasis exhibit, at the Palm Springs Art Museum, was fantastic. Click here for more info.

•Salton Sea is a pretty crazy place to visit. Loved it. Click here for info.

•The Hideaway is mid-century hotel, with large rooms and a lovely pool. So quiet and peaceful! Check it out here.

•Would loved to have used the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, but that wind. Click here for more info.

That kind of wraps up the weekend anyway. What did you get up to? Let me know!

Much more Palm Springs fun to share with you - will be posting on Poppytalk soon!

Back soon,

Janis 

A very warm Friday

Still in Palm Springs, and the shoot is going really well.  I have to say, it is kind of nice to experience some warmth for a few days too. ;) Such a pretty place. To all of you that have given me tips on what to do here, merci beaucoup! I really appreciate it.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Back soon,
janis

Baked

It's hump day! How's your week going so far? I got a bit snowed in today (anyone who has experienced real snow would laugh at us here in Vancouver), which worked out well as it was a huge post production kind of day for me.

Here's a treat that's not too hideous for you, and it's perfect for a day like today. Oatmeal, Chocolate, Cherry bars can be made with regular flour or they can be gluten free, which is the way I went. Pretty tasty.

Oatmeal, Chocolate, Cherry Bars - makes one 8"x12" pan

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup gluten free all purpose flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)*
1/2 cup almond meal
1/4 teaspoon guar gum
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups whole oats (not quick oats)
1 cup dried sour cherries, chopped
8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
* you can use 1 1/2 cups regular all purpose flour then omit the almond meal and guar gum

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Lightly spray an 8"x12" pan with oil and line bottom with parchment paper. Beat in eggs, one at a time, blending well. Beat in vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, almond meal, baking soda, cinnamon, salt.

Gradually add dry mix to butter mixture and stir in until just combined. Fold in oats, chocolate and cherries. Place dough in prepared pan, and press down. Bake for about 25 minutes until a light golden brown. Enjoy!

By the way, I'm off to Palm Springs tomorrow for a shoot, and I'd love to get a list of shops and restaurants to check out. If any of you have some helpful hints, please pass it on. Thanks!

Back soon!
Janis