Friday, December 21, 2007

Christmas Challenge -- a YULE log??!!!!

It was the night before Christmas (actually it was around the 14th of December) and the Aluxes (some people call them elves) were busy trying to bake a Yule Log that Miss Ifi could present for the Daring Bakers' December challenge....



The finally assembled ALL of the ingredients.... they kept dusting each other with the icing sugar, followed by the cocoa powder.. they were also extremely amused by the espresso powder, they kept dissolving the granules in the water just to make sure that all the granules dissolved at the same speed... and YES they drank some of the Rum as well



They baked the Meringue Mushrooms and right after they played with them in what they called "the mushroom forest"... after a while they baked the Genoise and they had so much fun rolling it up, they wanted to bake 4 more of those, but they knew they still had to make the Butter cream and so they did... but something happened and butter cream curdled. The Aluxes were so sad they did not know what to do but to douse the Genoise in liquor fill it with the curdled butter cream and some pecans, yet they knew they could not use the curdled butter cream to decorate the Yule Log.

The following day, they asked for help and the butter cream turned out PERFECT!! they were soooo happy they danced and wiggled their bums... Miss Ifi took photographs of the Yule Log and it looked something like this



Merry Christmas to everyone!!!! and a Happy New Year!!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

let's play... guess the movie!

Which movie is this from?

Johnathan Trager, prominent television producer for ESPN, died last night from complications of losing his soul mate and his fiancee. He was 35 years old. Soft-spoken and obsessive, Trager never looked the part of a hopeless romantic. But, in the final days of his life, he revealed an unknown side of his psyche. This hidden quasi-Jungian persona surfaced during the Agatha Christie-like pursuit of his long reputed soul mate, a woman whom he only spent a few precious hours with. Sadly, the protracted search ended late Saturday night in complete and utter failure. Yet even in certain defeat, the courageous Trager secretly clung to the belief that life is not merely a series of meaningless accidents or coincidences. Uh-uh. But rather, its a tapestry of events that culminate in an exquisite, sublime plan. Asked about the loss of his dear friend, Dean Kansky, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and executive editor of the New York Times, described Jonathan as a changed man in the last days of his life. "Things were clearer for him," Kansky noted. Ultimately Johnathan concluded that if we are to live life in harmony with the universe, we must all possess a powerful faith in what the ancients used to call "fatum", what we currently refer to as destiny.

Monday, December 10, 2007

ForgetfulMissIfi Mcgee

Yeah.. that is ME!!!
you see.. I had soooo many things to post about and now I've probably forgotten half of them, I must learn from my mistakes and next time just do a whole bunch of posts instead of trying to do a big one.
What happened this weekend:
-I bough a box of Mandarin oranges.. you know you are out doing some grocery shopping and suddenly you just feel like buying a whole box of mandarin oranges for yourself, well that happened to me on Friday.
-On Saturday Miss Martha (a.k.a Carrie) came over to my place and we made to Christmas cards and I gave her the Harry Potter scarf she's been waiting for.
-Because Miss Martha was coming on Saturday I decided to make some Yogurt Cake which turned out delicious, seriously... everyone should try this recipe is SO easy.. but sooo tasty I made mine with raspberries and blackberries and instead of almonds I used pecans, oh geesh was it ever yummy!!!




-Oh on saturday too I found this awesome thingie to wash the dishes with, it is SOO cool I <3 it

... so basically that was it, tell me.. how was YOUR weekend?

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Meow!!!

hello!!! meeooooooow



*puuuurrrr*



Find the pattern here

Sunday, December 2, 2007

On Christmas cards

I love Christmas cards! not only do I love making them but I also love receiving them. Unfortunately I don't usually receive that many Christmas cards, so I don't really display them, but I am hoping this Christmas a miracle occurs and I get tons and tons of cards *keeps fingers crossed and keeps believing in Christmas miracles*.

The reason that I love making Christmas cards is because I get to be creative and making something that will make people smile and be all like "oh!! would you look at that it is handmade... AWESOME!!! " and this year the cards are going to be soooo pretty!!! here is a sneak peak at what they are going to look like


Saturday, December 1, 2007

December is HERE!!

That is right, December is here and it was an AMAZING day today (because of all the yummy things I made and ate)



as you can see by the picture I made some pumpkin pie (it was my first time making pie crust, it turned out okie.. but I need more practice). And inside the dutch oven there is some amazing Mexican style meatloaf, which I can't show you because you would begin salivating and is just not right, besides it is the secret family recipe so if I showed it to you I would probably have to kill you, but it is amazingly moist and spicy just ask Miss Martha a.k.a Carrie ^_^

And after all the cooking I put up my Christmas lights.. yay!!! *sings* is the most wonderful time of the year!!! can't wait for more holiday baking!!!

Monday, November 26, 2007

Tender Potatoe Bread!

This month's challenge for the Daring Bakers was a beautiful Potato Bread for which you need:




Making the Dough (Directions will be for making by hand):

Put the potatoes and 4 cups water in a sauce pan and bring to boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt and cook, half covered, until the potatoes are very tender.

Drain the potatoes, SAVE THE POTATO WATER, and mash the potatoes well. Tanna Note: I have a food mill I will run my potatoes through to mash them.

Measure out 3 cups(750ml) of the reserved potato water. Add extra water if needed to make 3 cups. Place the water and mashed potatoes in the bowl you plan to mix the bread dough in. Let cool to lukewarm (70-80°F/21 - 29°C) – stir well before testing the temperature – it should feel barely warm to your hand. You should be able to submerge you hand in the mix and not be uncomfortable.

Add yeast to 2 cups all-purpose flour and whisk. Add yeast and flour to the cooled mashed potatoes & water and mix well. Allow to rest/sit 5 minutes.

Note about Adding Yeast: If using Active Dry Yeast or Fresh yeast, mix & stir yeast into cooled water and mashed potatoes & water and let stand 5 minutes. Then add 2 cups of flour to the yeast mix and allow to rest several minutes. If using Instant Dry Yeast, add yeast to 2 cups all-purpose flour and whisk. Add yeast and flour to the cooled mashed potatoes & water and mix well. Allow to rest/sit 5 minutes.

Sprinkle in the remaining 1 tablespoon salt and the softened butter; mix well. Add the 1 cup whole wheat flour, stir briefly.

Add 2 cups of the unbleached all-purpose flour and stir until all the flour has been incorporated.
Tanna Note: At this point you have used 4 cups of the possible 8 ½ cups suggested by the recipe.

Turn the dough out onto a generously floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, incorporating flour as needed to prevent sticking. The dough will be very sticky to begin with, but as it takes up more flour from the kneading surface, it will become easier to handle; use a dough scraper to keep your surface clean. The kneaded dough will still be very soft. Place the dough in a large clean bowl or your rising container of choice, cover with plastic wrap or lid, and let rise about 2 hours or until doubled in volume.

Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead gently several minutes. It will be moist and a little sticky.

Forming the Bread:
Since I made rolls, I divided the dough into 16 parts, and then I put cubes of cream cheese (or feta cheese) inside the rolls and wrap the cheese with the dough.
I let the rolls rest for another 35 minutes.
Finally I brushed the tops with butter and I sprinkled some sesame seeds on top of each roll.

Baking the bread:
I preheated the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and then I put the rolls in for 10 minutes after which I lowered the heat to 375 degrees for another 20 minutes.

AND VOILA! you have amazing rolls filled with cheese!!
I am so glad I joined the daring bakers and now that I've finished my first challenge I must go and enjoy my reward.. AWESOME BREAD yay!!!

Friday, November 23, 2007

New boots?!



That is RIGHT! a new winter calls for new boots. I am sooo happy with my new boots, they are sooo warm thanks to their merino wool lining, is like walking on a cloud.
he he... I had so much fun making the Polaroid look old, but now I must go back to knit myself some mittens ^_^

Thursday, November 22, 2007

It is that time of the year again... /sigh



I woke up yesterday morning to discover that it had snowed all night, oh yeah winter is here!!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Nigglethor - ghouls part III



Tag line: "I AM NIGGLETHOR fear me!!!!"

Nigglethor's favourite food is cheese
any kind, he also loves to play with
the oven for some reason, I actually
think that he is into baking.

Nigglethor was specifically designed
to haunt nightmares, so whenever you
have nightmares a good Nigglethor
squeeshand the nightmares will
vanish!!

Nightmares FEAR the power of
NIGGLETHOR!!


Thursday, November 8, 2007

Grunt - ghouls part II



Tag line: "Candy?... where??!!!"

His favourite food is cotton candy
but this is a secret, he wouldn't
like anyone to know he is such a
sucker for candy.

He has such a sweet appearance and
he looks so incredibly cuddly with
that arm made of flowery fabric, but
watch out for those sharp teeth!!


Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Boogalor! - ghouls part I



Tag line: "Boogalor was born to Boogie"

His favourite food is black beans
he lives to hang out by the phone
in case any of his friend call him.

His spaghetti like arms allow him
to grab on tightly to anything,
specially to you

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Sniffles & Coughs

That is right, that is what I am doing right now.. sniffling and coughing ... I had planned to do so many entries this week, because well it is Halloween and there's just soooo much crafty stuff to do, but NOOOOOO.. every time I sat down to write I just felt without energy and sad and just SICK! *grumbles* stupid cold

But I'll soon start posting the crafty Halloween stuff.. SOON!!!

Friday, October 19, 2007

I <3 October


The Addams Family
Originally uploaded by Miss Ifi
I've always liked October, not because it is my birthday, but because it is the FALL month and also because there is Halloween followed by Day of the Death.
Since I am from Mexico, I've always celebrated Day of the Death, and it is still my favourite day of the year, is just so special, the weather is different and there is this mysticism in the air, and we have special bread and candies.
Now, I celebrate Halloween AND Day of the Death, and I love it!!!
What I also love about October is the fact that there is so many good movies on, I love the old creepy movies... they are just soo gooood, and my favourite of course, The Addams Family. I wanted to be just like Wednesday when I was little, and maybe one day be just like Morticia.
Why can't there be more Halloweens in the year??!!! we need moooore, more creepy.. more unusal!!!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Happy birthday to ME.. happy birthday to me!


b-day cake
Originally uploaded by Miss Ifi
On October 14, my 24th birthday occurred , and this is the cake I decided to make!
a Ricotta cheesecake with a chocolate crust, which tastes delicious chilled, the recipe was found in the Falling Cloudberries book.
The cheesecake was too small for the 24 candles, which is why it only has one, but I didn't want to set the fire alarm!!!
well.. happy birthday to me! looking forward to next year .. the big 25!!! wheee!!!! I'll start planning the party next year, all of you welcome to come!

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Thanksgiving PIE... I mean.. weekend!

Well Thanksgiving weekend hasn't gone the way I expected, as I had hoped I could spent it with MY Monsieur Josh, but I did get lots of treasures from my old land lady's garage sale and I'll take lovely pictures for ALL of you!!!!

Also.. I'll get to eat PUMPKIN PIE tonight!!! yay for pumpkin pie!!!! I love pumpkin pie... have I mentioned how MUCH do I love pumpkin pie???

Last night, I watched "Must love dogs", it is a funny movie.. specially the part where they mention " If you happy and you know it clap your hands" *claps* come on now.. everybody clap your hands!!

Well... I must go for now, I have to do some handy work around the apartment and then.. to have some pumpkin pie YAY!!!!

and a Happy Thanksgiving to all of ya!

Monday, October 1, 2007

October -- Chapter I

October is a dangerous month.. well maybe dangerous is not the word, but still. And WHY you may ask is it dangerous? well, it is the month that I turn one year older and it can go 3 ways
a) Very well, I'll be very happy
b) I'll hate my birthday, hide and refuse to be one year older
c) Go about my business and make a seamless transition into my new age

Fall has settled, during the weekend we had a few quite chilly days, I am a fan of fall, but it seems it has arrived too soon. Just last week we were still wearing t-shirts and on Sunday we had to wear coats and cuddle (wishing a certain someone would be here so I could cuddle... where are you Monsieur Josh?).

We might not know what to wear with the changing climate but the trees do, they are changing into their orange and red colours. When I went out during the weekend, it seemed like they had given up being summer trees and transform, they are tired of holding their leaves and will now gives us a month of leaf carpets and fairy tale colours before they go to sleep for the winter.

And for now I must say goodbye, while the fall moon rises behind me.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Au revoir Monsieur Marceau

When I was little, my mom took me too see this wonderful gentleman.



I loved it, the way he could convey ANYTHING with his gestures was amazing to me, and now he is gone... all I have to say is THANK YOU Monsieur Marceau for making me deliriously happy on that day of my childhood.

My dad has always said that great ones leave in threes, first it was Luciano, now is Marceau... who is next?

wherever you are Marcel Marceau, I'll never forget you!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

want to come and have tea with me?

My day did NOT turn out the way I had expected or hoped, I was supposed to buy a rolling pin and also make some elephant ears.. AND some rolls with spinach and feta, and well... none of those things happened. That's life I suppose, it throws things at you unexpectedly just to see how you'll react. However, the day was worth it because of books and some experiment baking.

I went to pick up books from the Public Library oh yeah!!! there's so much I have to cook now, I have:
>Falling Cloudberries by Tessa Kiros
>Favourite Comfort Food from Martha Stewart
>Everyday Food from Martha Stewart as well

The experiment baking was a loaf of whole wheat bread.. which did not turn out quite like a loaf.. I think the temperature of the water was a bit too hot and the yeasties got mad at me (I am so sorry yeast, I'll be nicer to you next time). What did turn out amazing are these beautiful chocolate Madeleines (which have also some coffee in them yuuuum!!!)




so... who wants to come and have tea with me and eat some of these lovelies??

Friday, September 14, 2007

Me and my BIG broccoli


broccoli
Originally uploaded by Miss Ifi
While I was in class yesterday morning, I decided that as soon as class would stop I would go to the market and look around, and buy some much needed zucchini so I could make perhaps some zucchini fritters, or zucchini quesadillas.
When I got to the market, all the nice looking vegetables were calling me .. saying things like "pick me" and it was then, when I saw this HUGE broccoli, and I had to take it home.... would you look at the size of that one!!!
It was only 75cents, so I am lucky, and so I am making some more soup.. oh yeah!!!! it's going to be GREAT!!! but seriously.. the thing is HUUUUGE!
yay for my big broccoli!!!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Miss Ifi goes French!

This semester, I decided to take some French, I mean I've taken French before, but really I should put a lot of effort in it if it's going to benefit my career and my hopefully staying in Canada.

Well I registered on the beginners French (F1) and had my first class on Monday, and the teacher recommended that I take the placement test, since I am not an F1, well.. I do.. and the placement takes .. well it takes me all the way to F4!!! imagine that.. I was like.. WHAT?? yeah.. I know I understand a lot of things and come on... it is a multiple choice placement test, but I don't think I belong in F4. I panic a bit and I go see the people at the languages thingie, they say go to talk to another language person, I do.. she says okie.. you belong in F3, and proceeds to let me know there might not be room, I panic and then she says okie let's go to the main office, we go, they say no.. maybe I'll have to have classes on Friday afternoon (I panic even MORE), finally my schedule stays the same and I take F3.. well now I can say Bonsoir!!!

I've been finding lucky pennies lately, the one I found this morning helped me with the French, but I wish the other pennies could have helped in other aspects of my life, in the words of my wise mother: "You should eat cake", yeah.. with the way I feel I should be eating cake and LOTS of it.. unfortunately I don't feel like making cake nor do I feel like buying cake. I tried today an alternative to cake.. ice cream I ate almost a pint of it and it didn't help at all ... I better find me some cake soon... anyone willing to share some cake with me?

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Farmer's market sunday

I enjoy so much going to the Ottawa Farmer's Market on Sundays (though I am mad there is not a cheese vendor) all of the people seem happy picking up their vegetables and flowers and the colours are amazing!!!

The two treasures that I brought today from the market are peaches and cream corn and some ball yellow squash, and then when I went to the supermarket I found some broccoli on sale, which meant it was time to make some broccoli cream soup yuuuuum!! so I did I made some yummy soup and whole wheat bread.. mmmmm love whole wheat bread!!

Yesterday I went to Value Village and I found some awesome stuff, like this really cute apron (the one on the picture) and some beautiful plates (also shown in the picture) among other things, it always makes me so happy to find beautiful stuff for my kitchen, and I always have to think what are the stories behind these objects, perhaps the apron belonged to a cake baker or to a Canadian Martha Stewart *giggles*



I know.. I need to get a decent camera.... I better ask for it for my birthday /sigh

Friday, September 7, 2007

Monsieur Josh cooks a Turkey - Part I

Yesterday, after my first day of class and after my delicious supper (which was lamb with sautéed zucchini on the side, my first time cooking lamb), I was on the phone with Monsieur Josh and we got talking about thanksgiving and the most exciting/disturbing/I don't know how to describe it piece of news was delivered:

"This year I am cooking the thanksgiving turkey, and YOU are helping me"

the echo of "and YOU are helping me" lingered for a bit....


when the echo was gone the first thought in my mind was OH NOES! It will just be like the tale : Dave cooks a Turkey by Stuart McLean

I tried to put my fear aside and be supportive of Monsieur Josh, but the truth is I am terrified of cooking a turkey, YES... terrified, specially for thanksgiving and specially for his family. I must begin the research, and if YOU (yes you reading this) have any stories or tips that you would like to share... PLEASE DO!!!



..... "and YOU are helping me"

Thursday, September 6, 2007

To Luciano

Is a sad day, one of three great tenors has died.


























Thank YOU Monsieur Pavarotti!
for delighting us with your voice

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

My longest relationship

The longest love relationship that I've ever had is with FOOD, that is right! I LOVE food!! I am addicted to it and I admit it. I've probably loved food since I was born, I was always a hungry kid (which would explain why I've always been a bit chubby) and I just love everything about food.

Why you may wonder? well I recently found a few words in the Joy of Cooking that explain it:
"Food is a central part of our lives. It provides the body with fuel and raw materials for maintenance, growth and repair. It draws together family and friends, anchors celebrations and rites of passage, and sometimes soothes the soul. It has the power to heal and also to harm"

When I moved my mom said: "Whenever you feel sad, EAT CAKE" and you know what? it helps, if I feel really sad a good piece of good cake will lift my spirit and help me go on, so food does have the power to heal. Nothing in this world can compare to eating a good meal, having some fresh salad with some smoked salmon, cream of celery, a steak so tender that almost melts in your mouth and a cake that makes you feel in heaven, all accompanied by glass of red wine.

I have to thank my parents for teaching me the pleasure of eating, and eating right, they always made me try EVERYTHING (and really I mean everything, I've eaten tongue, brains among other stuff) so I learned good eating habits and I never felt bad for being a bit chubby, it always meant that I was eating right and enjoying my food. As I get older I get more conscious about what I eat, and I try to eat healthier, but still a good balance is always the key, there is always room for cake, but not for junk food (I do fall into the temptation sometimes, but I try to cook healthy stuff and foods I can savor).

Well that is all I have to say about food for know "I <3 FOOD", I am going to go eat some of those cookies I made ^_^

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Chapter I - Introductions

You might be wondering and WHO? is this so called Miss Ifi who loves cake so much? well, allow me to introduce myself *curtseys* my full name shall remain a mystery for now but let me tell you a bit more about myself. I became a knitter in February 2007 and a proud cake lover in October 2006 and I am living in an apartment for the first time in my life, so this blog shall include tips on taming first apartments.
Now that you know a bit about myself (I don't really want to bore you, you will get to know me more later on) I shall introduce the main characters of my life.
First I shall mention my lover and cuddler (without forgetting personal chef) Monsieur Josh *applause*
I shall also introduce my partner in crime for the Knitting Mesdemoiselles, Miss Carolyn with whom I've been friends for.. well a long time ago, since we started university, probably 5-6 years ago.
My dearest friend Miss Martha a.k.a Carrie, to whom I owe more than I can say, she has saved me in countless occasions and feed me cake in others.
And last but not least, Lady Amelia a.k.a the "cake lady", I try to steal cake from her on regular basis.
As this blog develops I shall introduce more characters, but for now, I shall leave you to wonder what will happen to these characters, if they will soon feast on cake or be faced with the most important question of all "What to make for supper?"
Au revoir

Friday, August 31, 2007

happy NEW blog!


CAKE
Originally uploaded by Miss Ifi
Every new blog, deserves CAKE!!
I invite all of you to come and share this cake with me, and read this blog, leave comments and enjoy!! mmmm cake!!