Baking and Cooking Blog – Evil Shenanigans

Playing in the Kitchen – Pork Chops

So let me start by saying that Nigella Lawson’s Mustard Pork Chops are SO tasty.  I can’t recommend them highly enough.  Not only was the recipe fast and easy, it was darn tasty and something I would be proud to serve for a dinner party.  If I had them. The sauce, really, is what makes [...]

A Long Night

Last night was a very long night.  One of my dogs has an infection in her paw and we ended up taking her to the 24 hour vet clinic to get it looked at.  It looks like she will be ok, we have drugs and ointments to give her, but we are keeping an eye [...]

A Weekend at Home – Gougeres

I had a busy weekend in the kitchen, and most of it was spent with Nigella Lawson’s cookbook Express. To start let me say that I think the principals of Express are wonderful.  Real food that does not take forever to make.  I can attest to the speed of the recipes, the five I have [...]

Surface to Mass Ratio

Well, I survived the first night of Laminated Dough, Pâte à Choux, Donuts, and Fritters.  Better than survived.  I did pretty well.  The class was busy and Chef did his level best to keep us working.  He does not tolerate slackers.  I love that.  A few observations: 1.  I love pâte à choux.  I love making [...]

New Classes Begin Today

I should be excited, filled with anticipation about the new semester, but I am not. Sad, isn't it?  I think I need an attitude adjustment, and fast.  Knowing you have a problem is the first step in getting well, so at least that is positive!  I'm sure once I get started I will feel that [...]

Cookbooks and Cakes

So, my best friend in the world is getting married in England this October.  It is a long story, but the short version is that she met him, a very nice man who is also a cutie, on the internet, went to meet him in person, fell in love, moved away, and is prepared to live happily ever [...]

So, I did something bad … and other things.

I'm not happy about something I did last night, but it had to be done. I dropped a class for the upcoming semester.  Aside from the faint blush of shame I feel that I dropped the class before it began, I find I am more relieved than anything else.  The class was on Saturdays, and [...]

Happy New Year

So, I start school next week and I am not all that jazzed about it.  Aside from not wanting to spend two nights a week not getting home until after 10pm, I am not sure it is worth my time anymore. Why, might you ask? No, I have not lost my love of baking or [...]

In the blink of an eye …

I am shocked that the year is nearly at an end!!  It doesn't seem like it could be Thanksgiving yet, but it is.  And so I sit here, after months of inactivity, and write about what I am thankful for this year. I am thankful that I am going to school.  I love what I [...]

Flower Basket

This is what I did last night.  I made it for one of my co-workers and it was pretty good.  I have had such fun making different flowers, but I like the roses the best.  School has been good.  I learned that I do not enjoy making fancy desserts, but I need to learn how [...]