Thursday, November 8, 2012

Family and Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes


I love my family.  That's it.  I'm always grateful that through the workings of the Universe we all ended up living within a short drive of each other.  That's a feat unto itself considering we were scattered like ashes all over the country for such a long time.    We lived in Utah, Florida, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, California,Pennsylvania, Massachusetts,and Virginia.  How did it happen that we all ended up living in Washington ?  We never had a family meeting to say: "Let's all move to Washington".  But somehow our spirits,our souls and our family bond brought each us together.

My sister and brother

Mel,Martha,Jorge,Deb

 I know we had to each find our own path in life and follow our wandering souls and we did.  If you put together a list of previous addresses and former jobs of ours,well the addresses I'm sure would number in the hundreds and the jobs probably in the fifties.  What were we searching for all those years ?  I've always believed it to be a home.  No matter where we were living or what we were doing we stayed close to each other-I have no memories of sibling rivalry or fights or not speaking (other than a few brief moments when we were pre-teens!).
Growing up 

Our common bond was the dysfunctional family we grew up in. We protected and loved each other while the craziness swirled like a cyclone around us. That love got us through some very difficult times; the untimely deaths of close friends; two aunts and an uncle killed in a plane crash; suicide of our mother; and all the baggage that came with these events.  We watched relatives fight over possessions and vowed we would never become them.  We watched relatives quit speaking to each other and vowed we would never do that.  It wasn't easy to make it to where we are today.  We all have probably funded the college education of a great deal of children of our therapists ! And here we are many many years later-still speaking,still loving and still bonded together by our love. I love that we can get together to celebrate each other.  And this past weekend we celebrated J's birthday and Mel & Martha's upcoming wedding in Hawaii.

Mel and Martha

J

Instead of a cake I decided to do cupcakes for our celebration.  And not just any ordinary cupcakes !  I made Martha Stewart's Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes.  So rich and so good.  These are some of the richest cupcakes I have ever made. Well worth the effort for the family I so dearly love. 



The Cupcakes
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar 
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 
3/4 teaspoon baking powder 
3/4 teaspoon salt 
2 large eggs 
3/4 cup buttermilk 
3 tablespoons vegetable oil 
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 
3/4 cup warm water 

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line mini muffin tin with paper liners. Whisk together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. With mixer on low speed, add eggs, buttermilk, oil, extract, and the water; beat until smooth and combined.

Spoon the batter into liners about two-thirds full. Bake approximately 15 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Transfer tins to wire racks and allow to cool for 10 minutes; turn cupcakes onto racks and let cool completely. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 1 month in air tight containers.

To finish, use a paring knife to cut a cone-shaped piece (about 1/2 inch deep) from the center of each cupcake and throw away the pieces. Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons warm Salted Caramel Filling into each hollowed-out cupcake. The caramel will sink into the cupcake a little, just fill it up each time it sinks-this takes about 30- 45 minutes for the caramel to finally settle. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the caramel filling.

Use a pastry bag with a medium open-star tip  and pipe Dark Chocolate Frosting onto each cupcake, swirling tip and releasing as you pull up to form a peak. Garnish each cupcake with a pinch of sea salt. Cupcakes are best eaten the day they are filled and frosted. Store at room temperature in airtight containers - do not refrigerate or your caramel will harden !



Salted Caramel Filling
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups sugar 
2/3 cup water 
1 tablespoon light corn syrup 
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream 
2 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, preferably fleur de sel 

Directions
Heat sugar with the water and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan over high, stirring occasionally, until syrup is clear; clip a candy thermometer to side of pan and stop stirring.

Cook until syrup comes to a boil, washing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush as needed. Boil, gently swirling pan occasionally, until mixture is caramelized and just reaches 360°F. Remove from heat and slowly pour in cream; stir with a wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in sea salt.

Use immediately; if caramel begins to harden reheat gently.






Dark Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients:
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon boiling water 
2 1/4 cups (4 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted 
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1 1/2 pounds best-quality semi-sweet chocolate, melted and cooled ( I ran out of semi sweet so I used bittersweet and it was delicious )

Directions:
Combine cocoa and boiling water, stirring until cocoa has dissolved.

With electric mixer on medium-high, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, and salt until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to low. Add melted and cooled chocolate, beating until combined and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in the cocoa mixture. 

Frosting can be refrigerated up to 5 days, or frozen up to 1 month in an air tight container. Before using, bring to room temperature and beat on low speed until smooth again.






You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. 

Desmond Tutu 






Thursday, November 1, 2012

Beignets and My Bucket List



 Last weekend we were  cooped up in Ruby on the WA Coast at Grayland Beach State Park.  It rained all three days that we were there.  From buckets pouring sideways to soft heavy misting rain.  Whenever there was a break in the clouds, we took advantage of it and walked on the beach.  



Normally we wouldn't let the rain bother us,just suit up in our rain pants and parkas and turn our face to the rain.  But we were both just at the tail end of horrible colds so that didn't seem like the wisest thing to do.  Instead,we snuggled up under a cuddly sheepskin (faux of course) blanket and while J read, I started daydreaming.  Mainly about sunshine but then I started thinking I never completed  the bucket list I started when I was struggling with my Lyme Disease. Yes, horrible diseases will do that to you, make you realize you might not have tomorrow and you should just grab for it now. That's why we've been doing so much camping lately. We don't want to just wait for J's retirement next Fall. So, even though we can't wander full time right now,we can wander and ramble with every free moment.  And as far as I am concerned a little rambling and wandering vs none is a zillion times better. 

So back to the window I was gazing out of. I love to travel-it's in my soul,don't know where it came from or how I got that way. J thinks its a sign that I'm a closet escapist-I don't see anything wrong with that-it's a great gig if you can get it. Anyway while I was snuggled in with my Bailey's and coffee I started daydreaming about places to visit and things I wanted to do while I'm still able to walk this glorious  Earth. And I thought, perfect, now I  will make my official bucket list. So Ta DA here it is.  In no particular order, just a list of random things I would like to accomplish,complete,do in my lifetime. Anything catch your fancy? Anything we have in common ?  What's at the top of your bucket list ?

                                              MY BUCKET LIST

GO DANCING WITH J ANYWHERE IN PARIS WHILE WEARING A DRESS LIKE THIS


DINE AT THE FRENCH LAUNDRY IN NAPA
EAT TAPAS IN SPAIN
DRIVE TO ALASKA AND SPEND 3 MONTHS CAMPING
CATCH HALIBUT AND CRAB IN ALASKA
BUY A PAIR OF CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN SHOES
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK
CELEBRATE NEW YEARS EVE IN SYDNEY
SPEND VALENTINES DAY IN A CABIN IN THE SNOW ANYWHERE WITH J
RENT AN APARTMENT IN PARIS FOR A MONTH & DRINK CHAMPAGNE EVERY NIGHT
TAKE A TRIP TO BALI
RETURN TO PROVENCE
TAKE COOKING CLASSES IN PARIS, PROVENCE, SPAIN AND SAN FRANCISCO
SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ANYWHERE REMOTELY CLOSE TO THE ARTIC CIRCLE
TRAVEL ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WITH MY SWEETIE FOR AT LEAST A YEAR
BE IN NEW YORK DURING A HUGE SNOWFALL
VISIT NEW ENGLAND IN THE FALL
LEARN TO PLAY PIANO OR SAXOPHONE
LEARN TO SPEAK MUCH BETTER FRENCH
LEARN TO SPEAK SPANISH OR ITALIAN
LEARN TO PLAY CHESS
LEARN TO MAKE A PERFECT CROISSANT
LEARN TO PRACTICE YOGA
WINE AND DINE OUR WAY THROUGH SAN FRANCISCO
EAST AT CHEZ PANISSE
SEE JIMMY BUFFET IN CONCERT JUST ONE MORE TIME
VISIT FOLEGANDROS, GREECE AND SANTORINI



TAKE J TO NEW ORLEANS AND EAT BEIGNETS AT CAFÉ DU MONDE
EAT AT THE ZUNI CAFÉ IN SAN FRANCISCO
FIND THE PERFECT LITTLE BLACK DRESS , WEAR IT WHILE EATING CREPES IN PARIS
LAY DOWN IN A LAVENDER FIELD IN SOUTHERN FRANCE
DRINK BORDEAUX IN BORDEAUX
EAT CANALES IN BORDEAUX
HIKE PATAGONIA
HIKE MACHU PICHU
WATCH THE GLORIOUS SUNSETS WITH MY SWEETIE WHEREVER WE ARE
GO SNOWSHOEING WITH MY SWEETIE AND HAVE A PICNIC IN THE SNOW
LEARN TO HAND QUILT
SKYDIVE JUST ONE MORE TIME
BICYCLE THROUGH THE FRENCH WINE COUNTRY OR PROVENCE LIKE THIS : http://gourmetcyclingtravel.com/bike-tours/provence-luxury
VISIT CAPE BRETON ISLAND IN NOVA SCOTIA
VISIT ISTRIA IN CROATIA
STAY AT THE ROMANTIC CONRAD MALDIVES HOTEL ON RANGALI ISLAND




GO BACK TO TASMANIA
EAT A TON OF STONE CRAB CLAWS WITH CHAMPAGNE
DRINK GUINNESS IN IRELAND
VISIT THE ISLE OF MULL, SCOTLAND
EVERYWHERE WE VISIT, FIND THE BEST STREET FOOD VENDORS
SPEND THANKSGIVING OR CHRISTMAS IN A CABIN IN THE WOODS WITH MY FAMILY
GET TO THE OCEAN AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE
WATCH THE PLEIADES METEOR SHOWER FROM A REMOTE WILDERNESS AREA WITH MY SWEETIE
LIVE EACH DAY AS THOUGH IT WERE THE LAST
LEARN TO WATERCOLOR
VOLUNTEER
DRINK RED WINE, GOOD RED WINE AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK
LISTEN TO MUSIC AT EVERY MOMENT POSSIBLE
WATCH THE RISE OF EVERY FULL MOON NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE
DRIVE  TO BAJA IN RUBY FOR AT LEAST A MONTH
VISIT THE GEORGIA OKEEFE MUSEUM
WATCH MORE FOREIGN FLICKS
LIVE ON A BEACH ANYWHERE
EAT AT ANY BOUCHON RESTAURANT
LEARN TO MAKE PERFECT FRENCH FRIES
SHOP MORE AT THE FARMERS MARKET
EAT ORANGES IN VALENCIA, SPAIN
LEARN TO FLY FISH
SEND MY SWEETIE ON A FISHING TRIP TO ALASKA
LEARN TO SURF AT LOS OLAS
LEARN TO KNIT
SWIM IN THE WATERS OF ROTTNEST ISLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA


Wow, that's a challenging bucket list 70+ items,but it's so much fun to put one together. It really starts to feel magical and it's such wonderful fodder for dreams.  And then you start planning to make those dreams come true-what better way to spend a rainy day on the Washington Coast.  I've decided to rename Grayland Beach State Park to Dreamland Beach State Park !  And all this Bucket List thinking has made me hungry; by the way , did you notice how many things on my list are food related ?  With a hot Bailey's and coffee I think  a beignet would be perfect .


I was very fortunate to have my very first beignet in New Orleans.  I was down there about one year after Hurricane Katrina, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity-not building but tearing down the interior of the houses because of  all the damage from the hurricane.  That was one challenging time for me-J and I had just split and I was in search of myself. Cliche, right ?  Working in the 9th ward , shoveling out mud and muck,tearing down water soaked and bug infested insulation-all that made me so grateful for the life I had.  And fortunately for me,it only took me two years to find myself and my way back to J. Before I left New Orleans I wandered into the French Market  and found Cafe Du Monde and had my first powdery bite of a warm sweet beignet.  Someday I will take J there and enjoy a cafe au lait and beignet with my love.



Beignets 
Adapted from Allrecipes.com


Ingredients:
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F
/45 degrees C)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
7 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup shortening
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions:
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water (110 degrees F). 
Add sugar, salt, eggs, evaporated milk, and blend well. 
Mix in 4 cups of the flour and beat until smooth. 
Add the shortening, and then the remaining 3 cups of flour. 
Cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
Roll out dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares. 
Fry in 360 degree F (180 degrees C) hot oil. Your beignets should float to the surface of the oil within 8-12 seconds as an indication your oil is hot enough.
Drain onto paper towels.
Shake confectioners' sugar on hot beignets. Serve warm.



This dough keeps very well, up to 1 week in the refrigerator. If you get tired of eating beignets (which I can't even imagine) you can roll the dough out and make cinnamon rolls from it !

I think I'll have another beignet ,Bailey's and coffee  and a little more daydreaming......


Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.  ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow