!
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first time making Tartine's Chocolate Souffle Cake
(( ! ))
(( ! ))
Ingredients:
3/4 c walnuts or pecans, lightly toasted and finely chopped
3/4 c + 1 tbsp unsalted butter
14 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
7 large eggs
3/4 c + 2 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
for ganache topping:
4 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 c heavy cream
Kitchen Notes: The success of this cake depends on two things. First, you must incorporate air into the egg yolk and sugar mixture, whipping them to a thick ribbon, or the cake will not have the correct light texture when it is baked. Second, you must be careful not to overbake the cake, or it will turn out dry. Many cooks are inclined to turn the mixer to high speed for beating egg whites to stiff peaks. But you will find that if you whip whites on medium speed and take a little longer, the whites will have a tighter, more stable structure and have fewer large, irregular air pockets.
Preheat the oven to 325. Line the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan with 3-inch sides with parchment paper cut to fit exactly. Evenly distribute nuts over the bottom of the pan, then gently shake the pan back and forth to fill in any gaps. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and then add the chocolate. Stir as the chocolate melts, blending it with the butter. Remove from the heat and set aside.
(recipe continued on next page)
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fresh surfaces
new ideas
going deeper
ps. you are exactly where you're supposed to be.
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the fire was waiting our arrival
soup and arugula and gingerbread with whipped cream and
christmas cookies and manhattans and hot toddies and chamomile tea and boxes.
christmas cookies and manhattans and hot toddies and chamomile tea and boxes.
lots
of
b o x e s .
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white swan/black swan
golden heart
and thoughts,
like the train passing nearby,
full circle
full moon
filled up
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i said, "you know what i want right now?!"
Jess and i looked at each other and grinned and at the same time exclaimed "a hot toddy!"
yes, wet, grey days like today are made for hot toddies.
i just so happened to have everything we needed to concoct them immediately.
(the following is from The Art of the Bar,
by Absinthe bartenders Jeff Hollinger and Rob Schwartz)
For One Hot Toddy:
4 to 5 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
1 teaspoon honey
½ cup boiling water
1 ½ ounces brandy
lemon wedge
Combine the cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, and honey in a heat-proof snifter. Top with the boiling water and stir to melt the honey. Top with brandy (i used bourbon instead). Squeeze the lemon wedge and drop into the snifter. (If this doesn't hit the spot, i don't know what does.)
4 to 5 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
1 teaspoon honey
½ cup boiling water
1 ½ ounces brandy
lemon wedge
Combine the cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, and honey in a heat-proof snifter. Top with the boiling water and stir to melt the honey. Top with brandy (i used bourbon instead). Squeeze the lemon wedge and drop into the snifter. (If this doesn't hit the spot, i don't know what does.)
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festivities soon await
spent the entire day
(with the exception of buying stamps at the post office & an evening yoga session)
at home,
making things.
heater on, music on, slippers on, & raindrops pitter-pattering.
days like this are made for crafting, singing, cooking, & dancing in the bedroom.
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spontaneous squash soup for dinner.
1 Tbsp thyme
2 Tbsp nutmeg
1 Tbsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
6 dried sage leaves
1/4 c butter
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 leeks, chopped
4 cloves garlic, smashed
1-2 Tbsp salt
1 buttercup squash, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch slices
1 delicata squash, peeled & chooped into 1/2 inch slices
4 small potatoes
4 c chicken stock
water
bacon, apple, pomegranate, parmigiano for garnish
toast spices for a few minutes in large pot till fragrant. add butter and onions, leeks, garlic & salt. cook for about 5 minutes. add chopped squash and potatoes. stir and cook for a few minutes. add chicken stock. add enough water to reach the level of vegetables. bring to a boil, then turn heat down and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes, or until squash & potatoes are tender. transfer, in batches, to blender and puree. i added no extra butter or cream because it was so creamy and flavorful without it. garnish with chopped bacon, julienned green apple, fresh pomegranate seeds, and shaved parmigiano.
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Jess asks what the best part of my day was.
The Bath.
my long lost companion. ritual.
fire, scent, dim shadows, water, warmth, exhales, & faith.
plus my Hypemachine playlist, a compilation reflecting the past 1 1/2 years.
gradually, i am transported.
put this on loud, and know that change is pending.
all kinds of good, big change.
2011 arrives shortly--and Rick, brownie mix is in the works.
ps. don't forget about mashed potatoes with their skins and carmelized onions and garlic and oregano and thyme and butter and nutmeg and pieces of kale and maybe some chanterelles--with a fried egg on top.
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go get this now.
(( haven't felt this way about a soap in a long time ))
also available at Afterlife in SF
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sometimes one must bake a cake.
and eat it.
(on no particular occasion)
with whipped cream and walnuts and maple syrup.
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the gratitude i feel is exponential
for the dear friends that are in my life.
thank you
(thank you)
((thank you))
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these days seem to blend into one another.
waking/dreaming/sleeping/living...
the lines become blurred.
it is all continuous.
in love with Hellen Van Meene's work:
waking/dreaming/sleeping/living...
the lines become blurred.
it is all continuous.
in love with Hellen Van Meene's work:
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you think you're okay. and then you realize you're not.
but then someone reminds you:
you think you're not okay, but you are.
{ f u l l c i r c l e s }
ps. savory tart with delicata squash, shitakes, carmelized onions, chevre, & kale
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