The Light and Dark Side of Sweet



from the post: And Let the Holiday Baking Begin - Cannelle et Vanille



BBQ Pulled Pork Donut Sandwich, from This Is Why You're Fat



Tested: Ladurée de ma patience Part II

So I went through with making the macarons. I made a batch of 24 vanilla macarons which were about 1.5" and I'm quite surprised at how well they turned out.

Eye Candy: I may not judge books, but I will judge my food

Thank God for designers!
...working at making the food we buy look as good, if not better than it tastes. I'm pretty sure how we look at a design affects our experience of a product and Yes, I love my super market just a little more thanks to you guys... and had I of thought of it when I was younger, I would have joined your ranks.

3. Sultry Sally. God, sometimes those Aussies are geniuses.

Even though, Sultry Sally seems to me a bit of a Chatty Cathy, with a singing group and fan club associated with the character (check the website) it's still a very sleek brand. The packages are thinner then regular chip bags, and I really enjoy the colour scheme used. I'm not a fan of the website. She talks in the first person like she's a one-woman company, which is kinda irksome. Surprisingly "cheese" isn't listed among the available flavours.

2.liten ljus lajer (little light lager)- Swedish Lager designed by Amore a Swedish brand consulting agency. How great is the triple L? So simple and masculine and unassuming, but still looks like it would turn heads in a bar, because it'd be the only can not trying to stand out.

1. Swedish ciders by Krönleins Bryggeri. Also designed by Amore. Incredibly effective, and cute enough to be Japanese. One question though: are they marketing to women? I feel like they are, because it would seem that an appropriate reaction to the first sight of the can would be: "Super Cute!"

Tested: Ladurée de ma patience, Part I: Ingredients

I remember one Christmas back in highschool (ah youth!) when one of my dear friends presented me with a box of homemade confectioneries. I was touched. So, in lieu of store bought gifts this Christmas, I've decided to give out homemade boxes of macarons. Given their recent popularity and the wide range of flavours possible the idea seems reasonable. Also, for those of you who equate "homemade" with "cheap", check out Pierre Hermé's macarons which fetch a pretty penny. We're talking 25 Euro for a dozen macarons. You do the math.

Tested: When in Doubt, Bake Bread

Disclaimer: I regret to inform you that my camera has lost it's usb cable. Actually it's not lost, but sitting on a desk that is conveniently located in Melbourne, Australia. I (and my camera) reside in Canada. Therefore until I get another cable, this will have to do.

'Doodle bread' from design milk

I adapted this recipe from several recipes for plain bread. It's a white bread that is really good as a loaf or as rolls. There are no eggs or butter, but it ends up being really light and soft. I didn't expect it to turn out so well but it's now my official go to recipe for bread. It doesn't take long to make and it's pretty fail-proof!

From the Shelf: For the Love of Larousse

Time and time again, I return to my love that is Larousse. There is no crisis that cannot be solved by this book! Can't remember the name of that cheese you tasted two summers ago at a dinner party hosted by your ex's mother? Lookup 'cheese' and you probably find it there. Don't remember how to prepare 'pate choux'? It's in there, with pictures to guide you every step of the way. Are Marie Antoine Careme and Marie Antoinette the same person? Of course not, but you could learn about them both in the Larousse. Robbers in your house? Check the entry for Ratatouille. Chances are they'll be joining you for dinner. When they get a whiff of this old country favourite, chances are, they'll leave you and your belongings in peace, and be thankful they stopped by.

IMHO: With lips but half regretful. Eating a whole Lemon

Justin Heideman "Sad Lemon"

While searching for ways to alleviate cold symptoms, I came across a "cure". Eat a whole lemon. When I researched this further, I found another account of how by eating a lemon in its entirety, seeds and all, you can get rid of any cold. Hmmm... sounds like a challenge.

Being at work, I rushed down to the cafeteria, and asked to speak to the chef. Yes, we have a chef in our caf. Foreign Affairs has its perks. He confusedly handed over the lemon and I rushed back to my office.

Here's what happened.