baked
cherry almond torte.
Memorial Day is a month away, and I am starting to think about pies and tarts. I first made this (recipe is from Food52.com) a couple of years ago, and not only has it become a summer dessert staple, but it has inspired a blueberry version that is far less time-consuming. For July 4th or Memorial Day, consider using star shaped cookie cutters.
sourdough and digestibility.
Interesting article on the benefits of Sourdough from Sustainable Food Trust by Vanessa Kimbell of Bakery Bits, UK.
Photo Credit: arbyreed
cooking terms.
As I dive into this new world of baking, I am often surprised and delighted by the discovery of new ingredients, as well as learning more about ones that I thought I knew everything about. I’ll keep adding terms as I go along.
Toast related:
easter bread.
I was invited to an Easter potluck at my friend Anna’s home, and thought it would be a great opportunity to try a sweet Easter-type bread. I did a little research and found Julia Child’s Finnish Pulla recipe in my Baking with Julia cookbook.
new & improved charcoal sourdough.
My second attempt, and this time I added the salt. Huge improvement over my first try. Also, I add a few tablespoons of infused olive oil now to every basic sourdough, and I like the results. My only issue this time was that the egg wash turns the crust a bit brown. Next time, no egg wash.
rosemary infused olive oil sourdough.
And a fancy new design.
yet another. rosemary sourdough.
my sister’s birthday. deluxe cheesecake.
My baby sister, Elizabeth, turns 21 this weekend, and asked if I would bake my Rosemary Sourdough Bread for her party. I will also make cheesecake, one that my mom used to bake (recipe & directions included), when I was young.
hazelnut sourdough. dried fruit with orange peel. orange butter.
I still have the homemade candied orange peel from the Christmas Pannetone, so I figured I would make a dried fruit breakfast bread with some of that lovely, gooey sweetness. For the other bread, I pan-toasted some hazelnuts before kneading them into the dough. 
Toast 