Happy New Year! Sorry to have slipped away for so long. I really have no excuse but that I unconsciously decided to take a little vacation from cyber-land. However, I’m back and ready to take on the blogging world once again! Although I’ve been absent from Jessica’s Dinner Party for (gasp!) over a month, I’ve actually been pretty busy in the kitchen. The cookie boxes were a success. Despite all the setbacks, I was able to give a box to everyone on my Christmas list and possibly a few more. I do think I’ll make cookie boxes again, but I don’t think it’ll happen annually. I knew it would be a challenge, but the time commitment and stress level were a bit overwhelming at certain times. However, overall I enjoyed the whole experience and next time I will know exactly what I’m getting myself into.
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January 18 2010 | Thoughts | 11 Comments »
It’s been a bit quiet around here, but I haven’t forgotten about this little space! I’ve been baking like a mad woman for a little cookie project I decided to undertake for the holidays. I’m making cookie gift boxes to give as presents and to hand out as favors at various parties. It’s been a lot of fun trying out new recipes, as well as disastrous. I seriously thought I was cursed by the cookie gods, because everything I baked was either too difficult to work with, ugly, or ruined. Luckily, my frustrations didn’t keep me from trying harder, because I did find a few solutions and good recipes that I think are keepers for the years to come.
Instead of a recipe, I thought I’d post a series of photographs showing my failures and mistakes. This is for those who have become discouraged, exhausted, angry, and frustrated, or are in any other emotional turmoil because of baking. Feel encouraged! Holiday baking is so easy feat!
Langues de chat, more like blobs de chat.
Does anyone else find Dorie Greenspan’s shortbread extremely difficult to handle?! Am I the ONE person in the whole world that just can’t follow Dorie??? continue reading »
Tags: christmas, Cookies, holiday
December 16 2009 | Thoughts | 9 Comments »
I knew home baking was starting to become popular in Korea, but I had no idea it had become such a big trend. I realized this when I went to a bookstore last week and found dozens and dozens of books devoted to the art of baking. Everything from cutesy cupcake books to healthy vegan alternatives, I was really surprised and delighted to find such a large variety. I was tempted to buy a few of them, but I decided to fight my book glutton instinct and just buy one.
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Tags: vanilla hazelnut pound cake tea
December 07 2009 | Cake and Dessert and Recipe and Thoughts | 10 Comments »
It’s cookie season right now, which means smells of chocolate and peppermint or green and red sprinkles should be filling the kitchen counters. Instead, I decided to make the most spring inspired cookie in the book. Maybe my head skipped Christmas and I fast forwarded to Easter. These purple dotted shortbread took me to warmer days and sunny skies, where the smell of grass is fresh and pastel hued flowers have just started to bloom.
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Tags: cookie, lavender, shortbread
December 04 2009 | Cookbook and Cookies and Recipe and Thoughts | 8 Comments »
It’s finally the end of the month. When I think back to the beginning of November this day seemed so far away, but somehow four weeks went by in a flash. I’m actually really surprised at how comfortable I became with blogging everyday. Not saying that I didn’t have slumps or one liners, but I sort of enjoyed the panic that comes with meeting a deadline. It kept me motivated and pushed me to try more daring recipes outside of my comfort zone. I want to thank all you readers, whether this is your first time here or your 30th, but knowing that somebody is reading my site is so rewarding and a great encouragement. Thank you!
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Tags: bagels, Bread, cream cheese, lox, NaBloPoMo, yeast
November 30 2009 | Bread and Recipe and Thoughts | 11 Comments »
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