Daring Baker Challenge #3 - March 2009

The March 2009 challenge is hosted by Mary of Beans and Caviar, Melinda of Melbourne Larder and Enza of Io Da Grande. They have chosen Lasagne of Emilia-Romagna from The Splendid Table by Lynne Rossetto Kasper as the challenge.

I waited for the absolute last minute for this challenge because I was terrified. Make my own pasta???? Bechemel, huh? After 2 days, it was finally done and I dare to say quite tasty... Bring on April!

Daring Baker Challenge #2 - February 2009

Flourless Chocolate Cake and Homemade Ice Cream

The February 2009 challenge is hosted by Wendy of WMPE's blog and Dharm of Dad ~ Baker & Chef.
We have chosen a Chocolate Valentino cake by Chef Wan; a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Dharm and a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Wendy as the challenge.

I really liked making this one! The cake was easy and fun to make. It got mixed reviews from tasters though. There were those that really enjoyed it (my husband and co workers) and those that just thought it was weird (my mother in law and nieces). The ice cream (from Wendy) was a hit those on the "weird" side and just so so by my husband. I think... hey at least I brought people enjoyment on something!
Fun stuff! I can't wait for the next challenge. See you next month.

Daring Baker Challenge #1 - January 2009

So, I recently joined a club called the Daring Bakers. In this club, I am given different recipes to bake, along with many other adventurous people, and I do my best to create something delicious or at very least something edible from this recipe. This month's challenge is brought to us by Karen of Bake My Day and Zorra of 1x umruehren bitte aka Kochtopf. They have chosen Tuiles from The Chocolate Book by Angélique Schmeink and Nougatine and Chocolate Tuiles from Michel Roux.

Tuiles are cookies that are supposed to be all light and bendable upon removal from the oven. We were asked to try pair them up with a something light and fruity.

My first challenge came pretty close to disaster several times. But it definitely was an adventure.
Some of my problems were as follows...

1. Idea- I hope I get more creative as these challenges go. I could not for the life of me think of anything fun or different as to how I would shape these little buggers. I looked at the pictures some of my other 'Bakers' have posted and they are amazing. I am so happy that this club will get me thinking outside the box.
2. Sifting- I need a better way. I tried my little mesh thingy and I ended up with confectioners' sugar all over my face and counter. Then I used my hand held sifting contraption and I felt as if I was getting a wrist injury from the constant pulling... help
3. Shaping- bending tuiles is not an easy task. Mine kept snapping in half. On the bright side, my husband was thrilled with the reject plate.
4. Pairing- I decided to pair my tuiles up with a custard. This was my first time making custard as well as tuiles. What started as a creamy custard ended up as something resembling a chunky clam chowder. However, my husband said that even with the lumps it was still tasty.
5. My Mom- I finally got a couple cookies in a shapes I thought I could work with and I put them to the side to photograph with my custard later. Unfortunately, my mother came over for a visit and proceeded to eat my favorite models! Who just randomly eats things in a person's kitchen without an invitation????

Luckily, she spared my spiral shaped tuile. It ended up looking like a crepe or cannoli once I put the custard in it. Below are a few pictures of my adventure. I can't wait until the next challenge. See you next month.