My husband likes cream in his coffee so we usually have a carton of it in the fridge. I usually
buy a larger carton because a) he likes to make whipped cream for dessert or pancakes and b) it's cheaper to buy the larger size (and often even cheaper if you buy 2). So many times I have cream near it's due date. If it's a large quantity, I'll make
ice cream with it. But if it's a cup or less, I'll make caramel sauce.
Since trying (and loving) salted caramel sauce before, I never make regular caramel sauce. If you don't care for the salt, just add a pinch of it instead of a teaspoon as asked in this recipe.
If we have extra and I haven't eaten spoonfuls of it to depletion, then you can freeze the extras. Everyone thinks you are pretty aces if you bring out homemade caramel sauce.
...
I've been taking online Graphic Design classes and have been really enjoying it! However, none of them teach you how to make vector art. I have always wanted to do illustrations and vector art so I have been mucking about in Illustrator, trying to teach myself! I find Illustrator more difficult than Photoshop to use so there is much to learn but I really love how these salted caramels turned out! I'm looking at them like they are my babies, so proud of how they turned out! "I made that!" Haha.
...
My parents were out of town for a month during fall harvest so I pillaged their garden. Many times actually. They grow a lot of amazing produce and there was boxes and boxes of tomatoes. With so many tomatoes, I decided to make tomato sauce and can it for future use throughout the winter season.
Many sites and cookbooks recommend blanching tomatoes in boiling water and plunging them into an ice bath in order to remove the skins. I've done that before but I just didn't feel like it this time so with a sharp knife, I merely peeled the skins. I did it over a large pot so that any dripped juices were collected.
I wish I have an exact recipe for you but I didn't feel like taking down measurements. It is as complicated as you want to make it. I'll try my best to go from memory.
I haven't made a tiered cake in quite some time so I offered to make one for my mother-in-law's 70th birthday. It's not as daunting as many may think.
I break up the whole process into manageable chunks. I make the cakes, slice them into layers and then wrap them up to put into the freezer. This can be done well in advance of the event. Same goes the fondant. It can also be frozen and then thawed when the cakes are ready for covering.
I tripled up a pound cake recipe and used homemade Evan's cherry jam (sour cherry, adds a nice tang!) to use between the layers. My go-to recipe for
Marshmallow Fondant easily covered the cakes. It was my first time covering square cakes, which can be harder to cover with fondant, but it worked well.
I forgoed making my own icing flowers for fake ones. It was a time saver & I found large, pretty flowers and ribbon at the dollar store that really made the cake pop.
I always get a little nervous when making these types of cakes since I don't do it often. Thus, I'm always so happy and relieved when it turns out. It's like "icing on a cake" but when it's well received & seeing happy faces is the "cherry on top"!
My lemon tree has a wee lemon growing!
Have you been attending any celebrations for Canada's 150th Birthday? I have! See below!
But first, I thought I'd get in the mood and make some maple leaf ice cream sandwiches!
Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwiches
makes about 44 cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
0.5 tsp red gel dye, optional
2 tsp baking powder
2.5-3 cups flour
Vanilla or other favorite ice cream
Cream butter & sugar together. Add egg, vanilla and red dye. Slowly add mixture of baking powder & flour until dough gets stiff. Roll out floured surface & cut out maple leafs! Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until lightly browned, at 400F. Cool on racks and then place your fave ice cream in between 2 cookies and enjoy!
...
I attended Ultimate Canadian Patio Party at Joey Bell Tower! Joey Restaurant Group and Steam Whistle Brewing teamed up to offer a unique taste of Canada to commemorate and celebrate our nation’s 150th. The JOEY + Steam Whistle collaboration kicks off with a series of patio parties across Canada.
I had a great time catching up with fellow blogger Courtenay of Messy Little Cook! We had a hoot trying out all the different bites and sips!
I won a gift certificate ( I can't believe it!!!) but Adam took home the coveted big win! Boo ;P
...
I took in the ATB Symphony in the City, another event celebrating Canada's 150th, on the Alberta Legislature Ground. It was a gorgeous day for the event!
We will also be back to "The Leg" for annual Pancake breakfast tomorrow.
Can't wait to see the spectacular fireworks the City of Edmonton will showcase later!
Happy Canada Day to everyone!
