Day 5: Fudge Fantasy

What's rich, smooth, and packed with butter? FUDGE! That's right ladies and gentleman today's post is about the one and only world of fantasy fudge. Technically, Fudge is a type of fondant or almost-fondant. In forming a fondant, it is not easy to keep all vibrations and seed crystals from causing rapid crystallisation to large crystals. Consequently, milkfat and corn syrup are often added. Corn syrup contains glucose, fructose (monosaccharides) and maltose (disaccharide). These sugars interact with the sucrose molecules. They help prevent premature crystallization by inhibiting sucrose crystal contact. The fat also helps inhibit rapid crystallisation (as well increase one's waistline). Controlling the crystallization of the supersaturated sugar solution is the key to smooth fudge. Initiation of crystals before the desired time will result in fudge with fewer, larger sugar grains. The final texture will have a grainy mouthfeel rather than the smooth texture of quality fudge. My favorite fudge recipe can be found on the back of the JetPuffed Marshmallow Creme Jar. It consists of butter, sugar, marshmallow creme, evaporated milk, and chocolate chips. And my favorite part? Licking the warm fudge off the spoon and scraping the batter if you will off the pot. It's a real shame that most things that taste scrumptious are so terribly bad for you...Well let's explore some fudge flavors, shall we?


Fresh macadamia nuts throughout a delightful white chocolate fudge


Chocolate fudge mixed with Amaretto and with a hint of cherries


Pumpkin with walnuts, nutmeg, cinnamon and spices


Chocolate fudge with freshly chopped walnuts


Ground coffee in chocolate fudge to produce a delightful coffee flavor


All peanut butter fudge


Chocolate fudge with freshly chopped pecans


Chocolate fudge with a layer and swirl of tasty peanut butter fudge


Chocolate walnut fudge mixed with marshmallows and with a marshmallow cream swirl


Bottom layer of dark chocolate with a topping of layer of white chocolate and pecans


Chocolate mint flavored delight


Maple flavors are mixed with white chocolate fudge and chopped walnuts


White chocolate fudge swirled with chunks of semi-sweet chocolate and chopped pecans


Chocolate fudge and white chocolate fudge mixed with Oreo cookies


White chocolate fudge with almond toffee candy and whole almonds


Chocolate fudge with some M & M's on top


Double chocolate chip fudge


Chocolate fudge combined with a swirled layer of delicious caramel

Day 5: Good Eats 10th Anniversary with Alton Brown

Good Day food Network Lovers!!! I have just discovered that Good Eats featuring Georgia's one and only Alton Brown is celebrating its tenth anniversary!! For those of you who don't know Good Eats n explores the science and technique behind the cooking, the history of different foods, and the advantages of different kinds of cooking equipment. The show tends to focus on familiar dishes that can easily be made at home, and also features segments on choosing the right appliances, and getting the most out of inexpensive, multi-purpose tools. Each episode of Good Eats has a distinct theme, which is typically an ingredient or a certain cooking technique, but may also be a more general theme. So to summarize, good eats combines cooking, comedy, and science! On August 29, the show will tape its 10th anniversary special. First, the special edition of the science-minded cooking program will be taped in front of a live audience at the Cobb Energy Centre in Georgia. Second, Food Network reps are also looking for folks who resemble Brown and fans who want to pay tribute to their fave foodie TV program. Six viewers will be chosen to meet Brown backstage and take in the taping as guests of Food Network. I think I may just enter that contest for the opportunity to meet my culinary idol Alton Brown. And it seems something good has come out of me moving to Louisiana. I will be in the area when this special is aired!!! (well, at least I'll be closer than I am in California) I may just have to buy myself a ticket!! Congratulations AB on your shows continual success!


What is that?? A cake knife or a samurai sword?!?!

Day 5: Dubble Bubble

A one pound bag of dubble bubble is my saving grace when I'm trying not to eat. The only problem is that I can eat the ENTIRE bag in one day. That's about 75 pieces of gum (55 if you take out the ones my brother eats). No matter how much gum u give me, whether it's ten pieces or ten hundred pieces I usually end up eating the entire amount I'm given. What happens is that the mosre I chew the less time I keep each piece in my mouth. I'll pop one piece in and then another only five seconds later. I don't even let the flavor go away. I just spit out the one and put another in. My mom says that the how much gum I can choose is just one of the many reasons while I'm not losing weight. I've always wondered if that was true and I've also wondered how many calories one actually takes in by chewing gum. So I've looked up some facts.

You've probably heard that if you swallow your chewing gum, it will stay in your stomach for seven years. Gum doesn't stay in your stomach, but continues on into your intestines, eventually finding its way out of your system in pretty much the same condition as when you swallowed it. In rare cases, however, frequently swallowing your gum could lead to the development of an intestinal stone, called a bezoar or enterolith. These form when a difficult-to-digest substance gets tangled or trapped, eventually calcifying and basically becoming a permanent addition to your digestive system. (Luckily, I NEVER swallow gum.)

I checked out some blogs about my mom's comment. On one blog a woman asked Is it true that chewing gum can lead to weight gain because the enzymes in your salivia try to digest the gum and therefore when you eat food it cannot digest properly? The answer...NO! chewing gum makes your stomach think its going to receive food and so will release stomach acid and some enzymes in preparation. This sometimes causes people to be hungrier which could be why people may gain weight. However, gum contains sorbitol which in high amounts can cause a person to lose weight.

Assuming you are not swallowing the gum once the flavor is gone(obviously the gum is made up of things that do nothing for the flavor, that probably contain some calories) If the chewing gum contains sugar, your body will certainly digest the sugar that disolves in the saliva and is swallowed. Sugar, obviously is a high calorie item,thus your body is absorbing some calories. Thus, the amount of calories you get from chewing sugar-containing gum will generally be lower than the amount labeled on the bag. Needless to say, you should always opt for the sugar-free varieties....that makes me sad :( Guess my mom is somewhat right...

Day 5: Petit Four Palooza

Let's talk about one of my mom's favorite baked goods...petit fours. These are actually French and the literal meaning is "small oven." Petit four has come to be a broader term encompassing all miniature pastries. The petit four to which I'm referring is the small cake with three to four layers and a filling. The cake can be covered in a pastel-colored glace icing, royal icing, fondant, or chocolate coating. Modern petit fours usually consist of a geometrically cut piece of sponge cake and commonly decorated with piped icing flowers or other embellishments. My mom and I prefer an almond paste with raspberry jam filling but the possibilities are endless. Here are some possible filling combos:



White Chocolate: Vanilla Cake filled with White Chocolate Buttercream

Strawberry: Almond Cake filled with Strawberry Buttercream

Luscious Lemon: Almond Cake filled with Tart Lemon and Sweet Vanilla Buttercream

Raspberry Creme: Almond Cake filled with Raspberry Puree and Vanilla Buttercream

Espresso: Almond Cake filled with Bittersweet Truffle Cream

Pineapple: Almond Cake filled with Pineapple Puree and Vanilla Buttercream

Chocolate Mint: Chocolate Cake filled with Mint Cream

Banana Cream: Vanilla Cake filled with Banana Buttercream

Coconut Cream: Vanilla Cake filled with Coconut Buttercream

Raspberry: Vanilla Cake filled with Raspberry Puree and Vanilla Buttercream

Lime: Vanilla Cake filled with Lime Buttercream

Mocha: Chocolate Cake filled with French Roast Coffee Cream

Truffle: Chocolate Cake with Bittersweet Truffle Cream

Milk Chocolate Clef: Vanilla Cake with Apricot Puree and Milk Chocolate Truffle Cream

Milk Chocolate Squares: Vanilla Cake with Milk Chocolate Truffle Cream

Triple Chocolate: Chocolate Cake filled with Bittersweet Truffle Cream and Paspberry Jam

Hazelnut: Chocolate Cake with Roasted Hazelnut Buttercream

Chocolate Almond: Chocolate Cake filled with Almond Buttercream and Raspberry

Strawberry Heart: Vanilla Cake filled with Strawberry Buttercream

Raspberry Blanc: Vanilla Cake filled with Creamy White Chocolate and Raspberry Buttercream

Plum Squares: Almond Cake filled with Plum Puree and Vanilla Buttercreme

Lemon Diamond: Vanilla Cake filled with Tart Lemon Curd and Sweet Vanilla Buttercream

Orange Truffle: Vanilla Cake filled with Bittersweet Truffle Cream and Sweet Orange Buttercream

White Chocolate: Vanilla Cake filled with White Chocolate Buttercream

Day 5: Kitchen Princess

Technically it's Day 5...it's just really really early on Day 5. I thought I'd mention one of my favorite mangas..Kitchen Princess!! A manga about a girl with a talent for cooking and that includes recipes in the back from each issue...of course I'd like that!! Not only does this manga feature intricate drawings of every food imaginable but the plot line itself is as moving as Nicholos Sparks novel (author of A Walk to Remember) The story follows Najika Kazami, an orphan and an excellent chef from Hokkaidō, and her arrival at Seika Academy, an escalator school. Not only does she plan to become a great chef like her deceased parents, but she also sets out to find her "Flan Prince", a boy that saved her from falling into a river and gave her a cup of flan with a silver spoon with the school's emblem on it. She promised him she would make the most delicious dessert in the world. However, as soon as she is placed into Class A, the special class, she has to deal with the constant insults of Akane Kishida and her group. Things become better, however, when she befriends Sora and Daichi Kitazawa, the school's most popular brothers, and possible candidates for the status of her "Flan Prince". The tenth and final volume has just been released in the US. I must warn you though, some of the events in this series are not for the faint of heart but it does end nicely. The English version is printed by delrey manga. And I have recently heard that a new book entitled "Search for the Angel Cake" will follow. In this book Najika faces a new challenge, and it may be her toughest one yet. Before their tragic accident, her parents, both famous pastry chefs, made a promise to the grandmother of a classmate of Najika’s: to duplicate a white cake the elderly woman once tasted abroad as a teenager. Now Najika hopes to re-create the cake herself.

To get an idea of the type of illustration I will include this beautifully-colored manga scan.

Day 4: Grandma's Goodies

Ever since I was a little girl I've always loved baking, cooking, and candy-making. The reason why I'm not quite sure. Once could say that it runs in my veins. My grandmother is an absolutely exceptional cook! And since I was little my grandma would send me and all my cousins a box of candy every year! I can remember how during the early days of December I woul eagerly run to the front door after school to see if the large carboard box with Christmas stickers had arrived yet. Two years ago my grandmother had a heart attack and had to have a pace maker put in. She sleeps a lot more now and candy is no longer part of her diet. Needless to say she no longer sends us any. She says she can't make any without eating it. (I guess I have that problem too...) One year when I'm more settled in and have a steady income I hope to continue my grandma's tradition. I'll send all my cousins and family members this nostalgic treat! Stay tuned for some of my grandma's special xmas recipes.

-Cranberry Walnut Fudge
-Snickers Caramels
-Magic Fudge
-Pecan Tassies
-Date Pinwheels
-Spiral Cookies
-Pretzel Caramels
-Rudolph Nutter Butters
-Rice Krispy Haystacks

Another reason behind my love of baking could stem from the fact that my mom ran a small but successfull bakery in the upper east side of Manhattan. Up until I was four or so my dad would take me to visit my mom at work. The countertop was line with character cookie jars and candy bins. At the time my favorite thing to watch was The Nightmare Before Christmas. My mom bought the Jack Skellington jar for me and I still have it till this day. We don't use it of course. Actually, I never saw the point of cookie jars unless you have a large family. Seriously if you make a batch of cookies from scratch you're gonna want to eat them hot from the oven. If you go putting soft, chewy cookies in a jar they'll just end up sticking together or breaking into pieces! That's certainly not good eats! Anyway, During my junior in high school I wanted to earn some extra money to buy my boyfriend a Christmas present. I was fifteen at the time so I couldn't get a real job. But one night I had this brilliant idea. I planned to sell my homemade cookies to me friends, family, and teachers. The next morning I hopped on the computer and printed out order forms. I took orders all through the week, made the cookies during the weekend, and distributed them Monday morning. Although it took up my entire weekends I made a good deal of money and really toned up my icing skills. I did the same thing during Valentine's Day and my business was just successful. I even named my company Munching Merriment. I'll include some pictures of my cookies but not too many. I would like to make it an actual business once I'm on my feet after completing school and I don't want people stealing my ideas.

Day 4: Bakery Review

On my past travels into the more northern parts of California, I went to the small city of Torrance and visited BookOff (used Japanese book store). Right next door was a beautiful bakery by the name of "Vanille." The ambiance was splendid, the display case stocked with creative desserts, and very detailed made-to-order cakes. They even made a cake after the Louis Vuiton purse, a bit pricy at (400 $) but had exquisite detail.

Below is a Green Tea Mousse Cake. The decorations consist of a chocolate piece, a blackberry, and green tea powder. The top green layer is light and refreshing green tea mousse that is slightly sweet. Underneath that are layers of sponge cake and red bean paste. Generally I don't love red bean as a filling for pastries. The texture is often strange and tastes way too sweet. This is an exception however. The red bean filling has more texture and doesn't taste as artificially sweet.


This is a Orange Chocolate Mousse. Topped with a blackberry, strawberry, candied orange, and an orange jelly. Under that is a thin layer of vanilla mousse, a thick layer of chocolate mousse, and finally a layer of chocolate cake or brownie. This was the one my mom had so I won't be able to report on the taste unfortunately.


And below are the exquisite Louis Vuiton cakes! I would have either of these and I don't just mean in cake form. ;)

Day 4: Kawaii Japanese Toys!

At a used Japanese bookstore I picked up a magazine by the name of "Princess Quanto." Unfortunately the entire thing is is Japanese but the pictures are descriptive enough that I can figure out what the toys can do. I only have one question...how is it fair that Japanese toys are so darn cute!!! Not only are they cute but they have an entire genre dedicated to food-making and decorating toys!!
I mean what do we have in America?!! The stupid easy bake oven with the 100 watt lightbulb that takes 18 hours to cook a 3-inch high chocolate cake. So I visited www.megahouse.co.jp, www.takaratomy.co.jp, and www.girlschannel.or.jp (entirely Japanese of course) and was sad to see that the food toy genres generally fell under the girls' category. What's up with that? Guys can't cook? What about Bobby Flay, Mario Batali, Alton Brown, and Guy Fieri??...then again they may not have Food Network...oh but wait! What about Morimoto?? The point is guys cook too people! Then again I guess guys do, but boys don't...excuse my gender equality discussion...

So! Toy #1!
As far as I can tell this is a cupcake baking and decorating kit. Complete with an accessory plate to make animal and fruit-shaped cakes. And get this...you use the microwave (a real cooking device) to make these.




Toy #2!
Nothing too special...Wilton makes a small fondue pot that's pretty similar to this. But it's still cute.



Toy #3!
Cream Puff Maker...correction...MINI cream puff maker..I'm a fan of the swan



Toy #4!
Whipped Cream Maker. I doubt this works that well and I'm sure it takes a lot more time than using a can of RediWhip.



Toy #5!
Pudding Maker. Very Cute egg-shaped device. I've never tried any flan or egg-based custard although I have tried creme brulee....It didn't exactly set and I sadly did not have enough money for a mini blow-torch so I had to use the broiler...



Toy #6!
Ice Cream Pop Maker. Sure we have those cheap plastic pop-stick molds available at your local grocery store and megamart but are they character or animal-shaped? I think not!


Toy #7!
Now this is awesome! As far as I can tell this is some sort of noodle-making device. And those intent on consuming the noodles pick them up with the cho-sticks as they fall down the slide. It looks like a mini noodle water park paradise!


Toy #8!
Bread Maker. One of my favorite things about Japanese Breads are the many varieties and shapes they are available in. This toy allows you to create all those cute animals and shapes!




Toy #9!
Gyoza/Dumpling Maker and Sushi Maker. Now to me this doesn't seem like a toy..this just seems like a practival way to avoid the mess and time needed to make prefect dumplings and sushi rolls. And the sushi designs you can make are remarkable! I've never see heart-shaped sushi at any sushi bar here!


Toy #10
Crepe & Doughnut Maker





Toy #11!
Sandwich Presser...Using this would put a new spin on a PB&J, BLT, or a chicken salad. Just imagine a BLT with two slices of toast in the shape of a chibi pig!! Now there's a way to remind you that you're about to consume the parts of a poor, innocent animal. (I'm not a vegitarian. In fact, I love me some red meat but I still feel sorry for the animals. When I was at a lecture at DU featuring the Dahli Llama. He said he didn't feel guilty at about eating a McyDs hamburger or two as long as he was not the one responsible for killing the animal.)


Toy #12!
Mock Pocky Maker. Ok I'm not really sure what this is...they look like pocky sticks yet they're slices of bread dipped in chocolate. So I'll let you decide for yourself what this is.