Kate Collins's Blog, page 213
November 9, 2013
Recipe Hoarding--Are You Guilty?
by Leann
The struggle in this rent house kitchen focuses a lot around the lack of a reliable stove (burners either do not work or have only two true settings--hot or too hot) and there is no prep space.
But the frustration I felt this week focused on my inability to find one of my favorite recipes. I have many many cookbooks which are all packed and inaccessible and though I tried to find this particular recipe online, I never found it. I had to improvise and it was an acceptable result, but just not the same. That inaccessibility to my recipes has made me realize I am a cookbook hoarder. In the past I called myself a "collector" but I now understand it goes beyond that. And I don't believe I am alone.
For all of my adult life, I have collected recipes that I cut from magazines and newspapers, recipes I got by subscribing to monthly recipe clubs (McCall's Cooking School is my favorite) and of course books both old and
new. I could spend hours thumbing through cookbooks and though pictures are nice, I don't need them. That's the sign of a true hoarder. Pictures not necessary.
I have recipes in little boxes, in scrapbooks and notebooks. I collected many of the Pillsbury
cookbooks that are sold at the grocery store checkout counter and in my hunt for a specific one of those little books, I bought a whole collection on eBay. It was a gold mine and I did get the one I wanted. It had a special cookie recipe in it that I have made for years and love. I lost the book (or it fell apart) and though I was able to write into the local newspaper that had a "Recipe Quest" column weekly and got the recipe, I still wanted that book. Hoarder. Yup.
When I visit my sister in Seattle every year, we always make time to go to a very special used bookstore that has a huge cookbook section. We spend hours there, sitting on the floor and looking through cookbooks. It's
a sister tradition! Low and behold one year, I was hunting and found a pristine edition of a cookbook that I had owned that had completely fallen apart. It was one that had been produced on a three ring binder. Someone had given it to me as a shower gift in the 1970's. You'd have thought I'd just won the lottery. Hoarder? Oh yes.
What about you? What do you "collect" that stretches beyond rational? Is it cookbooks? Or something else?
The struggle in this rent house kitchen focuses a lot around the lack of a reliable stove (burners either do not work or have only two true settings--hot or too hot) and there is no prep space.
But the frustration I felt this week focused on my inability to find one of my favorite recipes. I have many many cookbooks which are all packed and inaccessible and though I tried to find this particular recipe online, I never found it. I had to improvise and it was an acceptable result, but just not the same. That inaccessibility to my recipes has made me realize I am a cookbook hoarder. In the past I called myself a "collector" but I now understand it goes beyond that. And I don't believe I am alone.
For all of my adult life, I have collected recipes that I cut from magazines and newspapers, recipes I got by subscribing to monthly recipe clubs (McCall's Cooking School is my favorite) and of course books both old andnew. I could spend hours thumbing through cookbooks and though pictures are nice, I don't need them. That's the sign of a true hoarder. Pictures not necessary.
I have recipes in little boxes, in scrapbooks and notebooks. I collected many of the Pillsbury
cookbooks that are sold at the grocery store checkout counter and in my hunt for a specific one of those little books, I bought a whole collection on eBay. It was a gold mine and I did get the one I wanted. It had a special cookie recipe in it that I have made for years and love. I lost the book (or it fell apart) and though I was able to write into the local newspaper that had a "Recipe Quest" column weekly and got the recipe, I still wanted that book. Hoarder. Yup.When I visit my sister in Seattle every year, we always make time to go to a very special used bookstore that has a huge cookbook section. We spend hours there, sitting on the floor and looking through cookbooks. It's
a sister tradition! Low and behold one year, I was hunting and found a pristine edition of a cookbook that I had owned that had completely fallen apart. It was one that had been produced on a three ring binder. Someone had given it to me as a shower gift in the 1970's. You'd have thought I'd just won the lottery. Hoarder? Oh yes.What about you? What do you "collect" that stretches beyond rational? Is it cookbooks? Or something else?
November 8, 2013
Reader Poll - Kids in Mysteries
By Ellery AdamsThis post will be short and sweet, but the topic has come up several this year, so I thought I'd throw it out to you and collect some opinions.
When an author has a series with a romantic element, readers expect (at some point) for the romance to lead to a permanent commitment. In many books, this usually means a long engagement and finally, an action-packed wedding.
But what about after the wedding? If the couple in question is young enough to start a family, the next progression would likely be the arrival of a baby. But does a baby belong in the mystery world? How about kids?
In my new series, the Book Lovers' Resort mysteries, the heroine is a single mom with six-year-old twin boys. I knew from the moment I starting writing that series that this woman needed children, but when I think of my other heroines having kids, I can't picture it.
Do you have a favorite mystery series that includes kids?
Or do you think the kids should stay in the background or as very minor characters with little space devoted to them?
Or do you think they should stay out of mysteries altogether?
November 7, 2013
Traveling 'til I dropped ...
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Okay, October is now long past (well, by just over a week), but it was the longest month of the year for me. Why? Earlier this year I signed up for the Novelist Inc. writers conference--because I learned so much at last year's conference. YAY!
And then our travel agency sent us the offer of a great fall trip: a vintage rail car from NY City to Montreal, with lots of stops in Quebec City and Vermont along the way. Wow--what a vacation. We were lucky to have the best crowd of travelers--including a couple that live only a mile or so from us.
But the schedule was brutal. We had the day to ourselves in Montreal (after a great city bus tour the day before, with gorgeous weather), but it was Canadian Thanksgiving and only a few restaurants and souvenir shops were open. (Thank GOD for Tim Horton's.)
Next up, we went to Quebec City. Because we'd traveled there via a cruise on the Queen Mary 2 just a year before, we weren't all that enthusiastic. But then we had a wonderful tour of the walled city with a terrific local guide who made history come alive. But best of all was our hotel. Actually, it was a bit shopworn and in need of a rehab--but the view from our room, overlooking the harbor, was spectacular at twilight (and after). I won't soon forget it.
Next we went to Stowe, Vermont and that's where we really got to know our fellow travelers. What a great bunch of people! But being bussed around the area for two long days was brutal. I recently found a postcard written to me by my dad back in 1989. In it he said, "I don't really enjoy this bus riding around anymore." He'd been on a number of bus vacations at that point. This was my first, but I could sure identify with him.
After ten days on the road (at one point getting up at 4 am so we could catch a train for the next destination), I was road weary. We finally got home on a Sunday night at 7 pm and 36 hours later jumped in the car to head to South Carolina for the conference. Were we tired? You bet. In fact, exhausted, but at least we were in one place for four nights in a row.
It was great to see friends P.B. Ryan and Kathryn Shay, and become better acquainted with Kelly McClymer, and Judith Arnold. Like last year, I learned so much. I can't wait until next year's conference.
After that, we went to Charleston for a couple of days. Beautiful city, lovely beaches, great food. But after so many days on the road (and with two more ahead of us), we were eager to head north.
We had the best weather in all our travels, but as soon as we got home, it turned cold and rainy. Time for me to cocoon for the winter. And you know what? I'm staying put for a while. I think the cats are very happy about that.
Have you ever had an exhausting (so-called) vacation?
Okay, October is now long past (well, by just over a week), but it was the longest month of the year for me. Why? Earlier this year I signed up for the Novelist Inc. writers conference--because I learned so much at last year's conference. YAY!
And then our travel agency sent us the offer of a great fall trip: a vintage rail car from NY City to Montreal, with lots of stops in Quebec City and Vermont along the way. Wow--what a vacation. We were lucky to have the best crowd of travelers--including a couple that live only a mile or so from us.
But the schedule was brutal. We had the day to ourselves in Montreal (after a great city bus tour the day before, with gorgeous weather), but it was Canadian Thanksgiving and only a few restaurants and souvenir shops were open. (Thank GOD for Tim Horton's.)
Next up, we went to Quebec City. Because we'd traveled there via a cruise on the Queen Mary 2 just a year before, we weren't all that enthusiastic. But then we had a wonderful tour of the walled city with a terrific local guide who made history come alive. But best of all was our hotel. Actually, it was a bit shopworn and in need of a rehab--but the view from our room, overlooking the harbor, was spectacular at twilight (and after). I won't soon forget it.Next we went to Stowe, Vermont and that's where we really got to know our fellow travelers. What a great bunch of people! But being bussed around the area for two long days was brutal. I recently found a postcard written to me by my dad back in 1989. In it he said, "I don't really enjoy this bus riding around anymore." He'd been on a number of bus vacations at that point. This was my first, but I could sure identify with him.
After ten days on the road (at one point getting up at 4 am so we could catch a train for the next destination), I was road weary. We finally got home on a Sunday night at 7 pm and 36 hours later jumped in the car to head to South Carolina for the conference. Were we tired? You bet. In fact, exhausted, but at least we were in one place for four nights in a row.
It was great to see friends P.B. Ryan and Kathryn Shay, and become better acquainted with Kelly McClymer, and Judith Arnold. Like last year, I learned so much. I can't wait until next year's conference.
After that, we went to Charleston for a couple of days. Beautiful city, lovely beaches, great food. But after so many days on the road (and with two more ahead of us), we were eager to head north.We had the best weather in all our travels, but as soon as we got home, it turned cold and rainy. Time for me to cocoon for the winter. And you know what? I'm staying put for a while. I think the cats are very happy about that.
Have you ever had an exhausting (so-called) vacation?
November 6, 2013
Food and Wine
by Julie
Guess where we just came back from?
If you said "The Disney Food and Wine Festival," you'd be right! And by the time this post goes up, there will only be three more days left to enjoy the event.
Held in Epcot, Walt Disney's Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, the festival usually begins in late September and runs to mid-November. We went in early November last year but decided to get there a bit earlier (mid-October) this year. There were two benefits to the October week: better weather; and free Disney Dining.
Yes, we realize that by opting to take advantage of the "Free" Disney Dining Plan, we effectively lose our ability to find room discounts, but this year we gave it a shot. Gotta say, we thoroughly enjoyed every morsel.
We kept accidentally choosing the same colors to wear!
On this plan, we were able to enjoy a sit-down dinner each of the four nights that we stayed. We also received a free "snack" (one each per day) and a free "quick serve" (one each per day). The snack credits could be used at the Food and Wine kiosks (woo-hoo!!!) and the quick-serve meals were about a thousand times better than I'd expected them to be. For some reason "quick serve" screamed hot dogs, hamburgers, or maybe a plate of fries with cheese poured over. Far from it. We used our quick serve meals for lunch. One day we had broasted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans, with carrot cake for dessert. Another day we had tacos with beans and chips, with a lime popsicle for dessert. We were impressed!
Did we eat too much? Oh, yeah. But would we go back? In a heartbeat!
Dinner at the Les Chefs de France at
Epcot's French pavillonWe've been lucky to take a few vacations in the past couple of years. One of the things I particularly like about Disney is that it's so carefree. We know the parks well enough to navigate without thinking. We had Magic Bands this year that allowed us to arrange for FastPasses ahead of time (3 per day!), and the parks and hotels are always sparkling clean. Disney cast members go out of their way to make sure everything goes smoothly and when we've engaged a few of them in conversation, we find out what brought them to Disney and why they stay. It's great. It's relaxing. When we travel elsewhere, there's always stress. It's good stress, but it isn't carefree like a vacation to Disney is. We kicked back, chilled out, and - yes - ate way too much.
No idea if we'll be able to take the time next year, but I have to admit, I'm already excited about the possibility!
While I wouldn't say DisneyWorld is my favorite vacation destination, it really does have a lot going for it when we need to chill. Do you have a favorite place to relax?
Guess where we just came back from?
If you said "The Disney Food and Wine Festival," you'd be right! And by the time this post goes up, there will only be three more days left to enjoy the event.
Held in Epcot, Walt Disney's Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, the festival usually begins in late September and runs to mid-November. We went in early November last year but decided to get there a bit earlier (mid-October) this year. There were two benefits to the October week: better weather; and free Disney Dining.
Yes, we realize that by opting to take advantage of the "Free" Disney Dining Plan, we effectively lose our ability to find room discounts, but this year we gave it a shot. Gotta say, we thoroughly enjoyed every morsel.
We kept accidentally choosing the same colors to wear!On this plan, we were able to enjoy a sit-down dinner each of the four nights that we stayed. We also received a free "snack" (one each per day) and a free "quick serve" (one each per day). The snack credits could be used at the Food and Wine kiosks (woo-hoo!!!) and the quick-serve meals were about a thousand times better than I'd expected them to be. For some reason "quick serve" screamed hot dogs, hamburgers, or maybe a plate of fries with cheese poured over. Far from it. We used our quick serve meals for lunch. One day we had broasted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans, with carrot cake for dessert. Another day we had tacos with beans and chips, with a lime popsicle for dessert. We were impressed!
Did we eat too much? Oh, yeah. But would we go back? In a heartbeat!
Dinner at the Les Chefs de France atEpcot's French pavillonWe've been lucky to take a few vacations in the past couple of years. One of the things I particularly like about Disney is that it's so carefree. We know the parks well enough to navigate without thinking. We had Magic Bands this year that allowed us to arrange for FastPasses ahead of time (3 per day!), and the parks and hotels are always sparkling clean. Disney cast members go out of their way to make sure everything goes smoothly and when we've engaged a few of them in conversation, we find out what brought them to Disney and why they stay. It's great. It's relaxing. When we travel elsewhere, there's always stress. It's good stress, but it isn't carefree like a vacation to Disney is. We kicked back, chilled out, and - yes - ate way too much.
No idea if we'll be able to take the time next year, but I have to admit, I'm already excited about the possibility!
While I wouldn't say DisneyWorld is my favorite vacation destination, it really does have a lot going for it when we need to chill. Do you have a favorite place to relax?
November 5, 2013
Genre Dreaming
by Hannah Reed/Deb Baker
I've always had wild and intense dreams. Rumor has it that we have between three and five dreams every night. I'm lucky (or unlucky, depending on the theme) if I remember one of them. Sometimes I wake up during a dream and that locks it in. Other times something triggers my recall later.
They usually aren't horrifying dreams, although I've had my share of those. Mostly I'm on adventures with friends I haven't seen in a while. It's one unique way to keep in contact. My dreams lean toward the thriller/suspense/mystery genre. Never, though, have I found inspiration in them for my writing. Rats! I envy authors like Stephanie Meyer, who dreamed the subject of Twilight and crafted it into a runaway best seller. But I'm perfectly willing to keep trying until the special one arrives.
Recently, I read that eliminating eating in the last three hours before bed makes for a more restful sleep. Last night, I experimented. Sure enough, the one dream I remember involved painting a water color landscape. The only conflict that arose was when I had to decide which blue to use for the sky.
Yawn. Suffice it to say, I'm back to snacking at bedtime in anticipation of the next big blockbuster dream.
So what genre do you dream in the most? Romance? Horror? Mystery? Fantasy? Another?
Have you ever found inspiration within one of your dreams?
I've always had wild and intense dreams. Rumor has it that we have between three and five dreams every night. I'm lucky (or unlucky, depending on the theme) if I remember one of them. Sometimes I wake up during a dream and that locks it in. Other times something triggers my recall later.They usually aren't horrifying dreams, although I've had my share of those. Mostly I'm on adventures with friends I haven't seen in a while. It's one unique way to keep in contact. My dreams lean toward the thriller/suspense/mystery genre. Never, though, have I found inspiration in them for my writing. Rats! I envy authors like Stephanie Meyer, who dreamed the subject of Twilight and crafted it into a runaway best seller. But I'm perfectly willing to keep trying until the special one arrives.
Recently, I read that eliminating eating in the last three hours before bed makes for a more restful sleep. Last night, I experimented. Sure enough, the one dream I remember involved painting a water color landscape. The only conflict that arose was when I had to decide which blue to use for the sky.
Yawn. Suffice it to say, I'm back to snacking at bedtime in anticipation of the next big blockbuster dream.
So what genre do you dream in the most? Romance? Horror? Mystery? Fantasy? Another?
Have you ever found inspiration within one of your dreams?
November 4, 2013
New Fall Season TV Shows
by Maggie SeftonWell. . .I can't admit I've seen all the new TV shows that premiered this season, but I've caught a few. I missed the first episodes of some of them so, I'll keep my comments short:
THE BLACKLIST----I think this is far and away the VERY BEST new TV drama of the new season. It's an espionage thriller and the actors are excellent. The plotting is waaaaaaaay better than anything seen on TV or in most movies, frankly. Filled with puzzles and characters who are not what or who they seem to be. A conflicted female FBI agent lead character is forced to work with a notorious international criminal. Their relationship has hidden depths that beg to be explored. I trust future episodes will do just that.
REVOLUTION---I missed the first three episodes so I'm definitely clueless about exactly what happened to the globe and/or the U.S. to have created such chaos and destruction---as well as the complete separation into different geographical "bases" around the country. It's an intriguing concept, so I'll give it a while longer to grab me. The acting is good, and I recognize several actors/actresses I've in earlier programs.
UNDER THE DOME---This series debuted during the Summer and had a dramatic/traumatic episode as the Season One finale. The concept is intriguing, sort of low-key sci fi. Even thought the idea of an impenetrable clear dome descending and capturing a whole small town inside is a little weird, the actors make it believable. So, I'll stay tuned for Season Two.
Again, some of my favorites have returned: PERSON OF INTEREST, ELEMENTARY, and REVENGE. Of those, I still believe Person of Interest is the best. I'm curious what everyone else thinks. What are your favorite Fall TV shows?
November 3, 2013
My E-book vs. Hard Copy Dilemma
by Kate CollinsWhen I buy a book these days, I have a tough decision to make: Should I get a hard copy or download an E-book? On one hand, I like to be able to slip my Kindle in my purse and go. It takes up very little room in a suitcase, too, and of course, I can store many books on it. Plus, the digital copies of many new hardbacks are a lot less expensive to buy -- a definite plus.
On the other hand, when I read a book for book club, our discussions often make me want to flip back through the pages to find a certain passage. And is it me, or are the E-readers freaking impossible to do that on? Making notes in the margins? ACK! Do I really want to type them in on itsy bitsy keypads and then do a search for them? What about deleting books that I didn't like? What if I change my mind down the road? I won't find it stuck in a box on a shelf, that's for certain.
And what about all the artwork that goes into a cover? On an E-reader like I have, you might as well forget about it.
Granted, I have an original, no frills Kindle, so the advanced E-readers may do all those things easily -- or not. But since I type all day on a computer keyboard, having to manipulate one more computer device does not feel relaxing to me. It feels like work.
At least I still have a choice of what kind of book to buy. I have a hard time imagining a world of all digital books. I hope that day never comes.
What type of book source do you prefer? Do you see a future of paperless books?
November 2, 2013
No Yellow
by Leann
It is time to choose my color palette for the new house. Part of this has been done already as I chose cabinet stain and quartz countertops already. Since there is quartz in the kitchen, laundry room and two bathrooms, I had to chose carefully. Taupe, brown, gray, cream and a hint of silver will determine the walls.
But while I was sitting in the eye doctor's waiting room this past week, with it's over-powering yellow walls, I know what color will
be avoided: yellow. I began to think about my aversion to yellow and came up with plenty of reasons. (And by the way, if you look in my closet and drawers--no yellow. Not one shirt or blouse. None.)
Before I was a writer, I was a nurse--for many years. Twenty of them were spent staring at yellow walls--pale, mustardy, depressingly bleak walls. I hated that color more and more as the years progressed. But it's not just that. When I put yellow next to my skin, I look like death warmed over. It's just not for me. I am no "fashionista." I pretty much wear jeans and T-shirts or flannel shirts all the time. But I am amazed how, during the few visits I make to a department store, I just push past yellow anything. It's embedded in my subconscious, I believe.
Unfortunately, this rental house has, you guessed it, pale, mustardy,
depressingly bleak yellow walls. Color does affect the psyche and prolonged exposure to a hated color has to have a negative effect. Cannot wait to get out!
What about you? Are there certain colors that make you feel good (I love coral and rose and burgundy)? Or colors that just make you want to puke? I'd love to hear if I have kindred spirits out there!
It is time to choose my color palette for the new house. Part of this has been done already as I chose cabinet stain and quartz countertops already. Since there is quartz in the kitchen, laundry room and two bathrooms, I had to chose carefully. Taupe, brown, gray, cream and a hint of silver will determine the walls.But while I was sitting in the eye doctor's waiting room this past week, with it's over-powering yellow walls, I know what color will
be avoided: yellow. I began to think about my aversion to yellow and came up with plenty of reasons. (And by the way, if you look in my closet and drawers--no yellow. Not one shirt or blouse. None.)Before I was a writer, I was a nurse--for many years. Twenty of them were spent staring at yellow walls--pale, mustardy, depressingly bleak walls. I hated that color more and more as the years progressed. But it's not just that. When I put yellow next to my skin, I look like death warmed over. It's just not for me. I am no "fashionista." I pretty much wear jeans and T-shirts or flannel shirts all the time. But I am amazed how, during the few visits I make to a department store, I just push past yellow anything. It's embedded in my subconscious, I believe.
Unfortunately, this rental house has, you guessed it, pale, mustardy,
depressingly bleak yellow walls. Color does affect the psyche and prolonged exposure to a hated color has to have a negative effect. Cannot wait to get out!What about you? Are there certain colors that make you feel good (I love coral and rose and burgundy)? Or colors that just make you want to puke? I'd love to hear if I have kindred spirits out there!
November 1, 2013
Opposites Attracting
By Heather Webber / Heather Blake
Mr. W and I have been taking a lot of weekend road trips lately, and you all know the best part of road trips, right? The junk food.Road trips are like free passes for calorie-ridden guilty pleasures, and I for one am all for that. (Nom, nom.)
Mr. W, who likes to eat super healthy, not so much.
Take a look at this.
It’s a receipt for a pit stop we made awhile ago. 2 bananas, a bottle of Coke, 1 blueberry Odwalla smoothie, 1 bag of Doritos, and 1 Snickers bar.
Can you guess whose items are whose?
I guess that old saying about opposites attracting is really true, and I’m glad it is. Today, Mr. W and I are celebrating our twenty-third wedding anniversary.
I think that calls for cake.
Do you think I can get Mr. W to have a piece? :)
***
Oh, and before I forget, I have a new release out this week. Look for A POTION TO DIE FOR in bookstores on Tuesday. Much happiness.
As the owner of the Little Shop of Potions, a magic potion shop specializing in love potions, Carly Bell Hartwell finds her product more in demand than ever. A local soothsayer has predicted that a couple in town will soon divorce—and now it seems every married person in Hitching Post, Alabama, wants a little extra matrimonial magic to make sure they stay hitched.
But when Carly finds a dead man in her shop, clutching one of her potion bottles, she goes from most popular potion person to public enemy number one. In no time the murder investigation becomes a witch hunt—literally! Now Carly is going to need to brew up some serious sleuthing skills to clear her name and find the real killer—before the whole town becomes convinced her potions really are to die for!
Mr. W and I have been taking a lot of weekend road trips lately, and you all know the best part of road trips, right? The junk food.Road trips are like free passes for calorie-ridden guilty pleasures, and I for one am all for that. (Nom, nom.)
Mr. W, who likes to eat super healthy, not so much.
Take a look at this.
It’s a receipt for a pit stop we made awhile ago. 2 bananas, a bottle of Coke, 1 blueberry Odwalla smoothie, 1 bag of Doritos, and 1 Snickers bar.
Can you guess whose items are whose?
I guess that old saying about opposites attracting is really true, and I’m glad it is. Today, Mr. W and I are celebrating our twenty-third wedding anniversary.
I think that calls for cake.
Do you think I can get Mr. W to have a piece? :)
***
Oh, and before I forget, I have a new release out this week. Look for A POTION TO DIE FOR in bookstores on Tuesday. Much happiness.
As the owner of the Little Shop of Potions, a magic potion shop specializing in love potions, Carly Bell Hartwell finds her product more in demand than ever. A local soothsayer has predicted that a couple in town will soon divorce—and now it seems every married person in Hitching Post, Alabama, wants a little extra matrimonial magic to make sure they stay hitched.
But when Carly finds a dead man in her shop, clutching one of her potion bottles, she goes from most popular potion person to public enemy number one. In no time the murder investigation becomes a witch hunt—literally! Now Carly is going to need to brew up some serious sleuthing skills to clear her name and find the real killer—before the whole town becomes convinced her potions really are to die for!
October 31, 2013
Sharing Recipes, Love, and Almond Cake
by Lucy ArlingtonI have an incurable sweet tooth, so I consider myself lucky that one of my sisters is a professional pastry chef. Not only does she satisfy that sweet tooth every time I visit with her, but she also shares her recipes with me.
Sharing recipes is a tradition among my family and friends. What I love about making something from a recipe that someone has passed on to me, is that the person comes to mind as I chop or mix ingredients. It’s as if a little piece of them goes into the dish I am preparing.And so it is with this almond cake. Whenever I make it (and savour it), Judy is there with me in spirit. It’s delicious and very easy to prepare. And it’s very popular with my sister’s customers. Thank you, Judy, for sharing your recipes!
Do you share recipes with the people you love?
JUDY'S ALMOND CAKE
1 cup flour1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/4 teaspoon salt3/4 cup sugar sugar1 egg1/2 cup buttermilk1/2 teaspoon vanilla1/3 cup butter, melted, room temp2/3 cup sliced almonds, toastedALMOND SYRUP6 Tbsp. water3/4 cup sugar1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. Whisk egg with buttermilk, add vanilla. Stir in melted butter. Fold into dry. Pour batter into a 9-inch springform pan.
3. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, until top springs back to touch.
4. While it's baking, make almond syrup: Boil water and sugar to 104 degrees. Mix in almond extract.
5. While the cake is hot, cover top with sliced almonds. Slowly pour Hot Almond Syrup evenly over, letting syrup soak into cake. Broil about 6" from heat until almonds are lightly toasted.
6. Cool on rack 15 minutes. Using knife or spatula, loosen sides between pan and cake, then cool completely before releasing springform pan.
