“Cuochi d’artificio”: Soft, sweet…Asia! / “Cuochi d’artificio”: Soffice, dolce…Oriente!

For this episode of “Cuochi d’artificio” I was given a very specific theme: steam. Not an easy one, especially since I was given the task of developing one or more idea for the long recipe part of the program. My first thought went to Chinese steamed bread, baozi, which I had been thinking of for a long time and planned to develop a sweet recipe soon.

Daring Bakers the Surpirse of “failed” Muffins / Daring Bakers, la sorpresa sta nel cannare i muffins!

For the July Daring Baker’s Challenge, Ruth from The Crafts of Mommyhood challenged us to bake a cake. But not just any cake; she asked us to add in a special surprise for our eyes as well as our taste buds!

As many of you well know the 27th of each month a group of enthusiast home bakers challenge themselves on the net through the huge Daring Bakers event, which connects many food bloggers from all around the blogosphere. Is an occasion I really enjoy taking part to, but the past months have been so busy with other projects I have been missing out two challenges already. This month Ruth from the blog The Crafts of Mommyhood threw her gauntlet to us with a very nice and funny theme: Surprise Cakes! I can’t describe the excitment felt when reading July’s instructions, as I can’t describe the feeling of total failure and disappointment that
followed my total failure. So much for trying out a new recipe/technique just on time to post. But I am putting this up anyway, in hope it will help other people to do better than me and, why not, just so you can have a good laugh. After all I am not one of those who hides her failures, am I? Not at all!

What I baked last weekend and a chocolate and orange plumcake / Cosa ho sfornato settimana scorsa e un plumckae al cioccolato e arancia

It has been a long one, last week. Full of appointments, things to do and unexpected events. I have baked and cooked, I’ve wrote posts, I’ve driven my car far and got stuck an a few queues. I got tired but didn’t let go, putting my alarm clock at 2 a.m. in order to bake a panettone I have been given at an evening at the bakery promoted by Migros and sleeping 4-5 hours maximum to bake ciabatte. I found the time to put together a quick pot bread but admit a little cheating with an addition of instant yeast (2 gr) which enabled me to bake a loaf in approx 4 hours avoiding the fridge proofing. And here I am, tired, trying to type up a new post for the blog.

Brioche obsession and Chocolate Babka / L’ossessione per la brioche e la Babka al cioccolato

Lately brioche has been the queen of my kitchen. It all started with italian facebook baking groups raving about this russian flower and the endless posting of pictures, videos and blog posts. I’m not usually inclined to follow trends, but admit the shape was so gorgeous I couldn’t help myself. And having friends around for dinner is always a great excuse, isn’t it?