Fava Beans and Frozen Ganache!

Fava Beans all snuggled up.

We found a whole lot of fava beans for cheap at a market down the street from us.  I don't think either of us has had fresh ones, so opening them up to find a super fuzzy, soft interior was a surprise.  Those favas sure have a lot of cushy padding to travel around in. It was pretty cool. The other amazing thing about these, are that when you blanch them and take off the cloudy shell, it reveals a gorgeous emerald green bean! We made a garlicky, rosemary dip with them, but I did not snag a picture of it.  (it also didn't look supremely appetizing.)

Pardon the one handed plating. 

I felt dessert useless for the past week.  I wanted to make something tasty, but easy.  Something as easy as a simple ganache was going to hit the spot.  I used my left over 35% cocoa fat dark chocolate (to those who know it's called 'couverture' chocolate), something also very simple, but kind of tricky thing to do is a caramel sauce.  But I pulled it off this time. We had left over cherry coulis and some grounded almonds, and bam!  Late night snack galore!
I would like to point out, that, this plate above was plated using one hand, so I apologize for the shabbiness (and the frozen finger prints..teehee)
Enjoy the rest of your Sundays!


<3
-Jen

Seattle:  

On Saturday, David and I decided to drive down to Seattle for the day.  I haven't been able to work since my lovely clavicle was snapped in two, so time has been slowly drifting by during what is not really summer here in Vancouver.  (that was an awkward sentence, wasn't it?)  

Anyway.  

Compared to Vancouver's brown, oily water ways,  Seattle has blue, sparkly water (or so it seems).  I liked it.  The skyline was short and sweet, nothing like the gross display of glass and brick that plagues your vision has you enter downtown Vancouver....(it's not that bad, I guess, it's prettier).  It was a warm, beautiful day in the Northwest, so I can't complain!

We went grave hunting!

The traffic was crazy!  It was HOT! and it took at least an hour to get from the freeway to the water, so I propped up my scabby feet (from last Monday's epic fall) and waited it out.  

Fixing my sweet sling in the middle of the street.
(it constantly comes loose!)

 My left arm is almost fully functional, but at times I still need the sling.  Without David this past week, I wouldn't have had anyone to tighten my sling, pull up my pants, do up the clasps on my bra, zip up my zippers...etc... (much needed David love)

Yum Yum Charcuterie spread on the pier.
(meat, bread, cheese)

Near the end of the day, we drove to a neighborhood that is 'Fremont'.  I really, really liked it.  We found the Fremont Bridge Troll, Theo Chocolates and a wonderful bike path along a glistening water way (with lots of ducks)

Samples galore!  We also used this chocolate in a
taste test we had in School, I suggest  you find some.

A little Fremont Charm :)

All in all, it was a wonderful day spent.  I'm happy to live so close to some bigger cities in the States now, Portland is definitely next.  Take it easy out there.  Keep free of broken limbs and bad pastries.  

sling love!

Much <3
-Jen

Just started this blog and what happens?  Broken Clavicle!  My left arm and it's rotating movements are on hiatus for at least two weeks, so no baking (well at least I could do one hand baking)! 

Pictures to follow?  So in the meantime, fresh orange juice!

not a fancy scarf! just a fancy sling!

In case you were wondering, the clavicle is not the collarbone.  It's a weee bone that connects the shoulder to the chest!

<3 Jen

Detective and I, lazy Sunday.

Stuffed Yorkshire!

Two things I hold dear to my heart:  MEAT! and BREAD!  

What is better then yummy roast beef and yorkshire pudding?! Not much, I must say.

David and I decided to do a weeee old traditional English dinner last night.  Since I was craving a big chunk of meat and we acquired a beautiful sirloin roast, we decided to accompany it with some fresh garden peas, mashed potatoes and baby carrots.....and PUFFY GOODNESS that is Yorkshire pudding!

Yummy?  Yes!

I want to share a little bit of a secret when it comes to making the Yorkshires:  Fat! 

Want to know how to make them? Here's the recipe:

3/4 cup all purpose flour

pinch of salt

3/4 cup milk

3 eggs

duck fat 

• Sift flour and salt together.

In seperate bowl whisk eggs and milk together till frothy. Add to dry ingredients and let rest.  

In the meantime, put about 1/2 tbsp of duck fat (or the beef drippings) in the bottom of each muffin tin.  Heat up in 450F oven till piping hot!  Take out carefully and ladle batter in quickly but safely.  Put back in oven for approx 20 mins or until browned (not burnt!) and light as feathers! 

Crappy Photo, but fantastic result!

There might be a little bit of fat left over inside the Yorkshires, and it's good to save the rest of it that was caught in the bottom of the pan!  Don't let the fat go to waste! 

I didn't this time, but you can definitely add some cheese or herbs to these.  I'm going to try to incorporate a sweet version to figure out a new dessert.

This was my first post as the new 'Gettin Baked'!  More to come and definitely more sweets to come! 
-Jen

This is me.

I'm Jen. 

Prairie Ex-Pat

West Coast Cynic 

Pastry Connoisseur 

Recent bike enthusiast

Four letters:  WINE

This is David and me

We're dorks

We know how to make tasty food (him... somewhat better)

He's lovely!  

I will try my best to post what I'm most proud of.  My life is food and I want to share it!