Outlander Kitchen

 I went to a book signing for the release of Outlander Kitchen: The Official Outlander Companion Cookbook. I wish they had food to sample because everything in this cookbook looks delicious. They were serving Laogharie's whiskey sour at the event. This book signing was hosted by The Poisoned Pen bookstore. If you are in the Phoenix area you should stop by. They have lots of autographed books. The Poisoned Pen is a great independent bookstore. 

4014 N Goldwater Blvd #101

Scottsdale, AZ 85251 

 Each recipes has a quote from the Outlander book that inspired the dish. This is Pheasant and Greens  at Ardsmuir- inspired from Voyager, chapter 11 "The Torremolinos Gambit" 

Outlander Kitchen is fun to read yet the recipes are doable. I found the pictures inspiring.

Kitchens of the Midwest

Kitchens of the Great Midwest  is J. Ryan Stradal's first novel. The book is peppered with recipes.  I almost had to stop reading because it made me so hungry! Every chapter is a short story that adds up to a wonderful novel. Loved this book.

Maple Oatmeal Cookies

 I got Jessica Seinfeld's new cookbook form the library. The Can't Cook Book is loaded with great recipes. It has lots of direction for people who are terrified of their kitchen...Think Carrie from Sex & the City. This cookbook has only a handful of baking recipes. One of the recipes is for Oatmeal, Maple & Raisin Cookies. I am a sucker for anything maple. 

These Maple Oatmeal cookies are super yummy! I didn't add raisins because that's how I roll. Both the Hubby & F.W. thought the cookies tasted like oatmeal snicker doodles. You couldn't taste the maple because the cinnamon is so overpowering.  

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

 Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Hershey chocolate frosting

My new favorite cookbook 

I've never been to the Primrose Bakery in London but I love their cozy simple cookbook. This cookbook is filled with lots of different cupcake recipes. Some very basic cupcakes like pumpkin or raspberry. Other more exotic flavors like lime and coconut. I made the peanut butter cupcakes. D loves them. He likes them without frosting and calls them a muffin. I might have to make these again for D's birthday.

Mustache Cake step by step

 Bake a round cake and cut it in half like a Ying Yang

 I used a fork to give the mustache texture.

I used the Buttery Cake recipe from The Dahlia Bakery cookbook. This cookbook is great because it gives VERY specific directions.

Absolutely Avocados Cookbook

Growing up I could not understand the appeal of avocados. They're mushy and turn brown when left out, gross. Now that I'm older with a mature palate...I LOVE avocados. I still have trouble picking a good one at the store. I love adding them to salads or burgers. This cookbook filled with ideas for using avocados for something other than guacamole. I want to try the open-faced avocado croque monsieur and avocado chocolate chip cookies. Absolutely Avocados by Gaby-Dalkin

French cooking

I watched the french film Little White Lies & now I am in a french phase. I got these cookbooks from the library to mix up our regular dinner routine...stir fry, pasta, soup repeat. I don't think I'll get a chance to try any recipes till next week since Sunday is St. Patrick's Day.

Red Velvet Cake

 This weekend was my Hubby's birthday. We celebrated at home with a yummy dinner. I baked a Red Velvet cake. I used a recipe from Cook's Country cookbook. The recipe calls for buttermilk that gives it a tender crumb. This cake really melts in your mouth.

 Make a wish 

I didn't get a good picture because it was eaten up so fast.

 Red Velvet Deliciousness 

Downton Abbey Scones

 Dough is looking good.

 Ready for oven.

I made scones in honor of Downton Abbey season 3 airing tonight. I got the recipe from a cookbook my Sister-in-Law gave me for Christmas gift, Holiday Baking By Sara Perry. The holiday this cookbook covers are Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa and New Years. I made the Boxing Day Scones. They are very plain (D thought they were "bland") however they taste GREAT with strawberry jam.

Last cake of 2012:Texas Sheet Cake

 Texas Sheet Cake
Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and roasted pecans on top.

For New Years Eve I made a Texas Sheet Cake from the Vintage Cakes cookbook. It turned out GREAT! So good and chocolaty! I am not sure why it is called a Texas Sheet cake but they say everything is bigger in Texas. This cake uses a lot of butter, Hershey's cocoa powder and sugar. Instead of icing a cooled cake you poor the warm frosting over the hot cake. This might be the cake I bake for every birthday in 2013...It is that good, people!

Kentucky Bourbon Cake

This weekend we were invited to a pre New Year's Eve party. I got 2 new baking cookbooks for Christmas. For the party I made the Kentucky Bourbon Cake from Vintage Cakes By Julie Richardson.

 The batter is so fluffy

 My sad first attempt at a bunt cake

  I couldn't throw out a whole cake just because it is ugly...I took it to the party any ways. It was so fun to go to a party just the Hubby and me. 

Me and the lovely hostess.

Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving Eve

 Here are the cookbooks I'm using for Thanksgiving dinner. 

Along with the traditional turkey and mashed potatoes I have some new recipes to try this Thanksgiving. I'm making Gwyneth Paltrow's My Father's Daughter caramelized Brussels sprout and America's Test Kitchen classic stuffing.

Fingers crossed!

My cooking taste tends to be on the traditional or simple side. I like classic foods. However this year I'm trying a different pumpkin pie recipe. I am making a pumpkin pie from the More from Magnolia cookbook by Allysa Torey. It uses 3 tablespoons bourbon. I am thinking of baking a second pie in case the bourbon pie bombs.