TWD: Fresh Ginger and Chocolate Gingerbread

This week's Tuesdays with Dorie is the Fresh Ginger and Chocolate Gingerbread and was chosen by Sherry Trifle. Unfortunately as delicious as this looked, I didn't make it. I was sick last week and we had a family party to attend over the weekend and I today I have too much last minute stuff to do for our trip and my mom is on a diet and wouldn't appreciate being left a plate of deliciousness. Be sure to check everyone's out though!

I apologize for posting this a day early, but tomorrow I'm leaving on a jet plane..... and don't know what kind of computer access I will have tomorrow.

TWD: Berry Surprise Cake

This week's Tuesdays with Dorie was chosen by Mary Ann of Meet Me in the Kitchen. A lot of people reported problems with the diva eggs not cooperating and causing their cakes to fall quite a bit. When mine first came out it was actually a bit domed and then fell the tiniest bit to be completely flat on top. It was almost perfect, except that I don't think it got quite tall enough to really "nest" it out. I think this is probably one of the best cakes (as far as look and skill go) I have ever made.


After the cake cooled, I cut off the top with no problems. It stayed completely intact. I cut out the nest and brushed on my syrup and filled it with my filling. The only thing I did different on the filling was add 1/2T more sugar since it seemed too tart. I added my raspberries and the other half of the filling and replaced the top of the cake. I made my frosting after I finished assembling the cake and finished it off.


Everything was delicious! I loved the cake, it was light and airy. Really though, I think it would be better in the spring or summer. Fresh berries are easier and cheaper then and because it is so light and airy it feels like more of a summer dessert.

TWD: Savory Corn and Pepper Muffins

This week's Tuesdays with Dorie is Savory Corn and Pepper Muffins chosen by Rebecca of Ezra Pound Cake. This was a little different then I am used to. My corn bread usually comes out of a Jiffy box and is always plain Jane Corn bread. But this is The Year of Trying New Things, so I was excited. They were SOOO easy to make. And they were really good. A little more kick then I am used to, but then again I have a very sensitive tongue to spiciness. I am trying to work on that, so this was a help. These would be fabulous with chili, which I was going to make but we didn't have the stuff, and TJ couldn't eat it from his tonsil surgery, so I skipped it.

TWD: French Pear Tart

This week celebrates the one year anniversary of Tuesdays with Dorie and in honor of that Dorie herself chose this week's recipe. She chose one of her favorites, the French Pear Tart. When I first read through the recipe and saw the almonds and the pears, which Gabby doesn't like and thought about when I would be able to make this since TJ had his tonsils out, I considered skipping this week.


But then I thought, wait this is DORIE. Of course I have to do it! And I am sooooo glad I did!


Since Gabby informed me she wouldn't be eating any of it, I decided to just do it as it read with the almonds. I went and bought all my ingredients and dug out my mini tart pans and got to work. I'm pretty sure that I had never made the crust before. I think I would remember this heavenly crust. It tasted like a shortbread cookie. It was sooooo good! I gobbled up my mini tart for dessert last night. Tim doesn't like almonds, but he did try a bite and said the crust was awesome. So I will be polishing off these babies today. I did powder sugar and whip cream last night. Today might be vanilla ice cream if I have any.

Happy New Year!

I am a little bit late, but Happy New Year! We had an uneventful New Years Eve night. TJ had his tonsils out that morning. He is still recovering, but everyday is a little bit better. I don't usually do resolutions and am not calling these resolutions per se, more like goals. Back around my birthday I decided it would be the year of trying new things and I am going to keep that going. Just last night I had Greek Roasted potatoes at the restaurant we ate at instead of the typical mashed potatoes. I tried cactus a few weeks ago. I am determined to try at least 1 new thing a week--whether it be food related or non-food related. I am also determined to exercise more and eat better. So what are your resolutions?