New Name -- New Blog

Hey friends -- I've moved. PLEASE follow me at the following blog:

http://rachelnoah627.blogspot.com/

What is it about fall that is so superior to the other seasons for me? Each have their beauty and magic, but fall makes me feel the most alive. The colors, the clothes, the baking, the holidays. I am so excited to get home tonight and put out a few little peices of Fall decor I picked up at Pier 1. Here's a sneak peak of my findings before I actually put it all together.

Lemon Curd

Never in a million years did I think you could just MAKE lemon curd. Nor did I ever imagine I'd eat any...unless it was on a lovely scone... which I've heard is divine! I'm eating alone tonight and was settled on cereal. But I decided to take a look-see in my pantry and behold...a sad little box of Vegetable Biryani Paste just waiting to be tried. I picked it up at the grocery store because I had learned to make the dish from scratch and wanted to see how it compared. However, after getting it home I realized the directions look way more complicated than a box meal should be so I've neglected it. However, on this lonely night when adventure is my only companion I did a mental check list of my veggies and decided I had what I needed. I diced the veggies and got them marinading in the paste...then read the next step -- add 2 1/2 tbsp lemon curd. Can you make lemon curd? Why yes you can! Did I expect it to turn out right on my very first attempt...no. But folks -- I had the simple ingredients it called for and was finished in no time...and it's DELISH. If you ever have the nerve to try it out, here's the recipe I used. (I cut it down to 1/3)

Lemon Curd Recipe:

3 large eggs

1/3 cup (80 ml) fresh lemon juice (2-3 lemons) (do not use the bottled lemon juice)

1 tablespoon (4 grams) finely shredded lemon zest

3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar

4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature and cut into small pieces

Directions:

In a stainless steel bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and lemon juice until blended. Cook, stirring constantly (to prevent it from curdling), until the mixture becomes thick (like sour cream or a hollandaise sauce

) (160 degrees F or 71 degrees C). This will take approximately 10 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately pour through a fine strainer to remove any lumps. Cut the butter into small pieces and whisk into the mixture until the butter has melted. Add the lemon zest and let cool. The lemon curd will continue to thicken as it cools. Cover immediately (so a skin doesn't form) and refrigerate for up to a week.

Makes 1 1/2 cups (360 ml).


Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/LemonCurd.html

"Day Off"

I love Thursday and Friday. When I was first informed that my hours were being cut in half, I was nervous about making ends meet. Noah and I have managed and I've been able to relax a bit and not feel guilty about working only 3 days. Anyway -- when I close up the office on Wednesday I get giddy about the to-do list I've compiled for my "days off".

Today:

Get pot roast in slow cooker...It feels strange crackin open the wine before 10 a.m. :)


Start online bookstore on half.com


Try to replant and salvage my $1 mum plants.


Sort files in home office (years worth between Noah and myself)


Trip to dry cleaner / Laundry

Excuses

I feel like I've moved into our little condo more than once! Noah and I have more belongings than can fit in our limited space. So I left 1/2 of my things in storage so we could slowly sort through everything and get rid of what we don't need/want and make a home for what will be kept. We picked up the final load from storage this week and it's mostly kitchen items and books. I'm up to my ears in items that need to be sorted through. Instead, I have had a lone worship session in my living room, caught up on messaging some of my much neglected facebook friends, put a facial mask on and updated the look of my blog...all to avoid THE PURGE...

Meanwhile, Noah's buds have thrown him a surprise birthday party/cigar night...I didn't realize I was invited until this evening. I was the one that asked his friends to put it together...but I was thinking guys night. It's evolved into something more. DARN! Perfect excuse to get outta here.

Maria's Birthday at Sur la Table

Click on the image for a slideshow! *Let me know if it works!



Sadly, I did not get a final picture of Maria's cake. :(

Cake Decorating Basics

Learn cake baking and decorating from the experts at Wilton. In this cake 'master class' you'll learn to cut, fill and ice a cake, fold and fill a parchment piping bag, and turn an ordinary layer cake into a true masterpiece. A beginner's cake decorating set is included in your class registration fee.

This Thursday, 11:30 a.m., my sister Maria and I will be attending a Cake Decorating Class. This would be a LONG overdue birthday gift for Maria from her siblings. Maria is, in our estimation, more of a pastry master than she believes (see below post). But she wants to start some training at the basic level to make sure what she's doing is right. We are excited to have this little adventure together!