Jerusalem A Cookbook

This cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi is like a work of art.  The pictures are beautiful,  makes me want to cook everything in the book.  I checked this out from the library, waited 6 months on the list, and this is what we made from the 3 weeks we had it.

Spice Cookies

 Semolina, coconut and marmalade cake

Also made from this cookbook, baby spinach salad with dates and almonds.  It was a big hit for everyone.  Roasted potatoes with caramel and prunes.  I served it with roasted chicken and it was delicious.  Michael made me falafel and it turned out perfect, beginners luck.  We made turkey and zucchini burgers with green onion and cumin.  We loved them, would make them again.  Highly recommended cookbook.  http://www.amazon.com/Jerusalem-Cookbook-Yotam-Ottolenghi/dp/1607743949/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394301310&sr=1-1&keywords=jerusalem+a+cookbook

Smitten Kitchen Cookbook Round up

Olive oil ricotta cake was a big hit at work with recipe requests.

Chocolate chip brioche pretzels.  Butter and chocolate, what could be better.  It has inspired me to make more brioche.  Jacob and I would eat these for breakfast but Michael seems to have some rules about not eating chocolate for breakfast, silly man.



October Baking Adventures

New season, new foods.  

S'more cupcakes.  I can't believe it has been a year since I made these last.  I blogged about these last October.  Just as good as ever.  Also made them for some friends that came into town.  A crowd pleasing dessert.

Chocolate for breakfast?  Chocolate chip scones.  Jacob discovered chocolate chip scones while we were on vacation.  Micheal doesn't like chocolate for breakfast, so I made these for Jacob and I when he was out of town.

I wanted to make these owl cookies last year but I didn't get around to it so I was determined to make them this year.  Cut out cookies are a messy job especially when you have junior help.  Jacob did do a great job decorating them.  http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/owl-cookies-10000001110264/

Cranberry orange cornmeal cake has become a new favorite in our house.  I have had this recipe for 4 years and I can't believe I waited this long to try it!  It reminds me of Thanksgiving and I can't wait to make it again.  http://www.latimes.com/features/la-fo-sos29-2008oct29,0,2405072.story

So Long Summer

I finally finished my last summer dessert, Plum Knuchen, on the Fall equinox, is that timing or what?  I managed to make everything that I wanted to this summer, I have lofty goals huh.

As a sign of a true professional, I forgot to take a picture of my cake.  This is from the Cooking Light website where I got the recipe  http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/plum-kuchen-50400000113763/ .  We had our priorities correct, we ate the cake first.

On Sunday we took a family bike ride with our synagogue on the Ballona bike path to the Ballona creek.  In total we went about 8 miles but if felt longer for me due to the heat and humidity. Jacob took no notice of such things and said "let's go faster".  Most of the ride I was by myself.

Michael's Birthday

We left France and headed over to Germany for Michael's birthday.  We ate at Wurstkuche in Venice Beach http://www.wurstkuche.com/index.html.  The adults enjoyed the exotic grilled sausages but Jacob wasn't too keen on them.

Jacob enjoying his first sarsaparilla soda.

I made Michael a Coconut Southern Comfort Layer Cake from Bon Appetit.  http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/02/coconut-southern-comfort-layer-cake

It was 8 layers of sweetness and we all decided that it was too decadent.  It had great coconut flavor but just a little too over the top.  Happy Birthday Michael!  Two birthdays down, one to go.

Strawberry Cream Cake

The summer fruits have been calling to me.  I have centered my baking around summer fruits these days.  This is a Strawberry Cream Cake from Cook's Illustrated.  Looking forward to more baking with summer fruits.

Cocoa Layer Cake

Best homemade chocolate cake I have ever made, it came out perfect. Jacob who doesn't like chocolate cake has even had 2 slices. I have had this recipe for a year and finally got around to making it and I am so glad that I did. You should try it too:)

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/02/cocoa_layer_cake

Official Start To Summer

I made this 8 layer gelatin dessert for Jacob's last day of school.

Saturday we went to our annual Santa Monica Fireworks show. We celebrated Scott's birthday.

We made a Tennessee jam cake with caramel frosting that was a big hit with the crowd.

On Sunday we went Kayaking with some friends in Sunset beach. The weather was perfect, we learned a new skill and everyone managed to stay in their kayak.
Happy Summer!

Happy BrEaster

Banana cake and caramel frosting. Wearing the new necklace that Thea gave me.
Michael and Jacob colored eggs again this year.

Happy Birthday and Easter.
Thank you for all your generous gifts.

Birthday Party

We had a space themed birthday party for Jacob's 7th.

Making Origami rockets. Jacob led the group and did a great job.
Origami

Planets. We are all holding fruit representing the relative size of plants.


Stomp rockets.


The big kids liked it even more than the little ones.

The space shuttle cake.

Space shuttle cake.

Jacob received a Zhu Zhu pet and he was very excited.

Jacob received an Ant farm. We generally try and keep ants out of the house so we will see how this one works out.

Lego Star Wars Visual Dictionary. Cool book.

Jacob's Scientist Birthday Party

Enjoy the pictures of Jacob's 6th birthday party.

Making scientist glasses.
Oscilloscope, looking at sound waves.

Making sparks.


Making slime.

Jaclyn, the teen driver.

Friend, neighbor and all around helper Linda.

Making the cake was a group effort.

A smoking good cake, dry ice was the key. Jacob didn't miss the candles.

Oh, presents, thanks Grandpa.

Thank you Auntie Thea.

Oh, goody Lego. Thank you Gehringers.

I think the scientist birthday party was a great success. I am not sure how we are going to top this one.