Vacation!

Hello Everyone! I've been vacationing this last week in Eastern Washington. The average day had a high of 99 degrees. We spent almost everyday Jet skiing on the Columbia river. It was wonderful; the wind blowing in your hair, the occasional refreshing splash, and of course the feel of flying across the water, barely skimming the top. Well, in my opinion a vacation can't be complete without some sort of culinary adventure! Boy, did I have one! I tried my first escargot!! It was delicious! These were sauteed in a scrumptious white wine and garlic sauce topped with caps. YUM! Not at all what I expected!

Also, I had heard of this charming little rustic French bakery nestled in the rolling hills of Cashmere, WA; Anjou Bakery http://www.anjoubakery.com/ . I just had to see it! So, on the last day, my brother in law took my sister and me to check it out. It was delightful! Their cinnamon rolls are actually a puff pastry in stead of a sweet dough. They were so light and melt in your mouth. Their bread pudding was to die for!! Well, despite how wonderful it was, I'm glad to be home!

Midsummer's night feast!

I have always treasured summer nights; the long, warm evenings, barbecues in the backyard, bike rides to the nearest park. Or just laying on your green grassy carpeted cathedral, listening to the cheerful yells of neighborhood kids, the smell of freshly mowed grass, the comforting buzz of busy bees, and having a happy contented feeling that you are home! This is how I like to spend my summer evenings! To top off this wonderful day, we had a resplendent barbecue, just my family and me! We had some juicy barbecued shrimp, accompanied with a jazzy horseradish dipping sauce ( SOOOOOO YUMMY!!), some roasted red potatoes, and a fresh green salad, dressed in a light refreshing vinaigrette. For dessert we had warm peach cobbler, topped in vanilla ice cream. (My little sister Ronni made the dessert with me at baking class today.) So all and all we had a summery feast. I will post some pictures and the recipes! You've got to try this sauce!!!

Outback Dipping Sauce
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons ketchup
• 2 teaspoons creamed horseradish
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 dash black pepper
• 1 dash cayenne

Peach Cobbler
Peach Mix:
• 2 peaches, diced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 vanilla bean /1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
Topping:
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter- melted
• 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Sauté peaches in butter, then add vanilla bean and sugar.
Mix all dry ingredients with the melted butter, buttermilk, and vanilla until dough is formed. Fill ovenproof dish with peach mixture, top with biscuit mixture, sprinkle brown sugar then bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 375 degrees until golden brown.
Serve with vanilla ice cream.

The Fourth of July with Good Old Apple Pie....

Happy Fourth of July! When I think of Independence day I think of barbecue fume filled air, fire crackers bursting in your eardrum, and a good cinnamony bite of apple pie in melting your mouth. Apple Pie is the most American dessert out there! I like my apple pie baked with a crisp streusel topping and, while still warm, smothered in some creamy, slow churned vanilla ice cream. My pet peeve about apple pies is that the apples must be marinated in a cinnamon sugar mixture before baking, until they are deliciously juicy and full of flavor. But whatever flips your pancake! Apple pie is the best no matter what. I hope everyone had a supercallerfragilisticexpialidocious Fourth of July! I sure did!!!!!