Apple-Apple Bread Pudding

Apple-Apple Bread Pudding

For this week's Tuesdays with Dorie selection, Elizabeth of Cake or Death? decided on Apple-Apple Bread Pudding on pages 408 and 409 of Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home to Yours. Have you visited Liz's blog? It is filled with lovely, absolutely beautiful yumminess. See the wedding cake she made for her brother's wedding!

Layer of brioche, layer of caramelized apples and more brioche. Did I mention the custard infused in all this? Yeah. It's like apple pie AND bread pudding. I know...Shut up! It rocks.

I was really good at math growing up. The only part of chemistry that I liked was converting kilograms to whatchamacallit-grams. I've spent years doing accounting work so Microsoft Excel and I are good friends. But this recipe? I just winged it. I think I made 1/8 or 1/12 or 1/4 of the recipe, but I'm not sure. Anyway, this is yummy so I suggest you make the full recipe! :)

(left) I'm sure some bakers made their own brioche or challah bread. But me? Pressed for time and I really can't have that much bread lying around the house. I picked up these brioche buns at Trader Joe's. (right) Caramelized apples are the filling of this bread pudding.

Apple butter is spread on the bread to give the second "apple" in the Apple-Apple Bread Pudding. Los Angeles Farmer's Market shoppers may recognize Ha's Apples. Ha's Apple Farm of Tehachapi has great apples and pears. And the son looks like a clone of his dad...seriously! Have you seen them? Anyway, you won't be seeing Mrs. Ha dragging anyone on the Maury Povich show.

I knew I wanted to make one large serving in this cute Kings Arthur Individual Pie Slice pans. I got these for my birthday and this was my first time using them! Thanks J for these awesome cute pans!

Be sure to check out the other Tuesdays with Dorie bakers!

Recipe:
Check out Liz's blog: Cake or Death?
Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home to Yours, page 408

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

SoNo Bakery Brownies - John Barricelli

SoNo Brownies

The nice guy on Everyday Food and Everyday Baking, John Barricelli has a new cookbook, The SoNo Baking Company Cookbook, named for his South Norwalk, Connecticut bakery.

My friend, Mary of Popsicles and Sandy Feet has even been to the bakery! Since it is a little far for me to drop in, I made the SoNo Brownies on page 86 of his book.

This is a really easy recipe. Quick and easy. You make it in a pot, not a KitchenAid. I love making stuff on the stove. It makes me feel like I'm actually cooking...since I do very little real cooking. :)

Made with cocoa and chocolate chips, this is a nice and rich brownie.

These were a big hit at work. I really liked them and will make them again for sure.

Recipe:
Click here for printable copy
Adapted from The Sono Baking Company Cookbook: Amazon or WorldCat (see if your library has it)

SoNo Brownies
1/2 c all purpose flour
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Penzy's Dutch cocoa)
1/2 t salt
1/4 t baking powder
Pinch of baking soda
1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 c sugar
1 T light corn syrup
2 large eggs, room temp (To bring them to room temp quickly, place in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes)
1 T vanilla extract
1 C semisweet chocolate chips (I used Nestle semi-sweet chocolate chips)

1. Use an 8-inch square baking pan. Butter or spray. I lined mine with parchment paper.
2. Preheat over to 350 degrees.
3. Whisk together flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder and soda.
4. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the sugar and corn syrup, whisk to combine. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time. Whisk in vanilla.
5. Fold in the dry ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips. Don't overmix.
6. Pour into pan, smooth the top. Bake until toothpick comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
7. Cool in pan and then eat!! Enjoy!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Coffee With Jeff - The last half-hour show

There is no theme to this weeks show, just fun. We have a couple of new features including ads and, Cinema Cheese and Anklebone Stories.

PART ONE


PART TWO


PART THREE

Hit and Run - The Hi-Tones To find out more about David the Dim Bulb, Check these links out!
Man Killed In Robbery Attempt Officer In Store Shootout Identified Inquiry Ordered In Man's Death At Gun Store Inquest: Officer Didn't Fire Fatal Shot -- Jury Rules In Slaying Of Gunman In Renton Dead Stupid

To Purchase COFFEE WITH JEFF merchandise, click here

Broken Hearted Toy - Terry's Rock and Roll blog

The Free Sound Project - A lot of sounds we use come from here!

Okemos Brewing Internet Radio - Rock and Roll Deep Cuts!

Zecom Radio Internet Rock and Roll Radio with Marty!
.
Enforcer Music - Chicago's Premiere Heavy Metal Band

Slim Rughead and the Texas Hangover - Great Music

Goin' South - Southern Rock and Roll

Willinois Nation

Wicked Whimsy Studios - The Art of Dave Mezger!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Books: Scott Rao books on Espresso and Coffee Brewing

Scott Rao has many years of experience in the world of coffee. He has in the recent past written 2 books, the first being "

The Professional Barista's Handbook" about espresso and his newest, "Everything But Espresso" about brewing techniques.

These books are well written and helpful for professionals as well as anyone who wants to better understand the art, science and best techniques for coffee preparation.

Scott Rao's Books

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

LAT 280410

A bit late, but we can't forget to post the results from the Latte Art Throwdown on April 28th.

We had a great event and everybody enjoyed themselves. It was good to see that all the people who had said they didn't want to compete ended up pouring like crazy in the throwdown.



You can see all the pictures from the event on Flickr

Each entrant had one shot of espresso in a large cappuccino cup (220 ml) brewed by Linus. There were two against each other every time, so one steam wand from each. The three judges then got the cappuccinoes in front of them, counted down from three and pointed to the one they liked the best. Simple, fun and fast!

After several rounds the winner was found:
Asger Ladefoged from Kaffebar, Elmegade




Congratulations Asger!
And we look forward to seeing everyone again for the next Latte Art Throwdown, June 3rd!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Elvis vs The Mummy

Well I hope you watch Bubba Ho-Tep last night. Bruce Campbell as Elvis fighting a Egyptian mummy with Jack Kennedy. Seriously! Here is the trailer!

I'm starting to formulate a plan for the next Coffee With Jeff. Also, I think there is going to be some major changes to the show. Stay tunes young crime fighters!

The blog of the week is one called Power Pop Criminals. It is another Rock and Roll blog that features rare and hard to find music. Recent post are titled VARIOUS - SOME SOUNDALIKESSLATERS - THE BIG BLACK BUG BLED BLACK BLOOD (1993) and EXPLODING WHITE MICE - WE WALK ALONE (1995), so you can see the blogger isn't doing you typical top 40. His name is angelo and the only thing I know about his is his favorite film is Animal House.

For all those card players out there, the podcast of the week is Poker Road Radio. This is a podcast with a strange history. Back in 2005, it was 'The Circuit" by Card Player Magazine, and then it moved to Pokerwire, and now has found a home at Poker Road Radio. That is because one of the host's, Joe Sebok (Son of Barry Greenstein) is the owner of Poker Road. The show has a revolving cast, but the main three are Joe, Gavin Smith and Joe Stapleton. The show is about poker but with humor. In fact sometimes the humor takes the place of poker talk. For poker players who want to laugh, this is the podcast for you!

That's about all I have for this week. And remember, keep watching the skies!"

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes & Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting

Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes with Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting

Sweet Valley High books started in 1983. I was 13 years old and made my mom buy countless books for me. Yeah, I've always been into chick lit and the RomCom. Anyway, in these novels, there is often the, as I call it, "electric moment." You know, when the girl sees the guy and it is electrifying. Or when their hands touch and she can feel the deep connection.

Well, I had that deep emotional connection. No, not with the Sweet Valley High guy, but with Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting.

We celebrated two birthdays at the library earlier this week and I made some mini cupcakes. The cupcake is Martha Stewart's One Bowl Chocolate cake with added espresso, and JustJenn's Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting.

The Mascarpone Frosting was divine. I'm not a fan of super sweet, buttery frosting, so this was heaven. It is light, slightly sweet and did I mention light? One of the birthday people said she could eat a whole bowl of the frosting. It is dangerous and delicious. Make it. You'll find that electric moment too.

Recipe:
1. Martha Stewart's One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcake - Make the recipe here, but add 1 T instant espresso powder (I use this brand) to the warm water to dissolve. It isn't overpowering, but it brings out the chocolate flavor. I baked the mini cupcakes for 10 minutes.

2. justJENN recipe for Mascarpone Frosting. Make this. Save some for the cupcakes and grab a big spoon and eat the rest.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad