Daring Danish Braid

Daring Bakers is a member's only baking group that has one month to bake the assigned challenge following strict rules of silence. Then, all the members will post about their experience on the same day world wide. For fun right? My own little secret society! But you can join too, if, you click on the orange logo on my blog and agree to the rules.


For my first Daring Baker's Challenge we were given the Danish Braid from that Famously Famous Pastry Chef Sherry Yard of the Spago and Wolfgang Puck family. You know how when you go into a French Patisserie and smell that wonderful smell, and you think your nose is having orgasm's? Well that is how my house smelled for the first week of June. We are talking olfactory climaxes all over the place kids. But I digress.

• The Danish Braid is a Beurrage-laminated detrempe, or simply put; a layered with butter yeast-dough. That is where you roll and turn (fold) the dough with specific layers of butter in between. It is a process that should result with a baked braid with the texture resembling that of a Challah bread and a Croissant in one; according to pastry chef Nick Malgieri. Not too flaky and not too yeasty. This was the hardest part of the challenge for me. I almost needed a diagram to turning and rolling.
• The Sherry Yard recipe was chosen because of her philosophy that if we learn basic techniques, we can build upon them and create even more recipes. True, I would never have attempted this recipe on my own. But I will post later on one other creation that came from this one recipe.
• Strict temperatures in rising were necessary, certain strokes with the rolling pin were recommended, the dough had to rest between turns and it was expensive to do. It called for vanilla beans. Mine were pricey coming in at about 19.00 for two pods. Luckily I had the cardamom on hand and, that saved me about 15.00.
  
• We were allowed to use our choice of filling. I used Sherry Yard's recommended apple filling because, I like to follow a recipe exactly to the tee the first time I make it. I want to taste the food exactly like the author intended. I also felt apples would not overpower the cardamom and orange flavoring of the delicate pastry. However I did use my own raspberry freezer jam, and almond icing on the second and third braids I made.
  

That all being said kids, it was a great learning experience for this old chicken, bird, hen whatever. I lament the 6 pounds I gained that week. No kidding.. at the Weight Watchers weigh in I was up 6 freaky-deaky pounds!!! This was really good, but seriously it was NOT worth 6 pounds. I guess I shouldn't have eaten half of a braid all by myself.
The recipe is really long and it took me four pages to print it out so if you want the recipe, leave a comment and I will email it to you.

Lookie, the cookies I made with the extra dough! Palmiers extraordinaire!

Seeing Red!!!

Tournament Champions. The girls received their trophies yesterday. Every single girl deserved this moment.

Christina insisted I post this one.

Dare I Post About It?

Gasp... I am going out on a ledge, please pray for me everyone! I'll say it NOW.....

"As long as John McCain talks about exploratory oil drilling in the US.... I am voting for the other guy!"

Wah, wah, no I am not an environmentalist, pinko, leftist, anti-American, democrat, feminist. (Okay, I'm a Democrat, see... pray for me!). I am just a concerned Housewife (probably a hypocrite since I drive an Expedition), who thinks it is about time to put the money in alternative fuels. FYI: I am converting it to natural gas (the car).

"I say these things in the .......,, amen."

Have You Lost Your HEAD?!?!

Tooele family shocked when roofers find skull in attic

By Carlos Mayorga
The Salt Lake Tribune

Paul and Karen Dupaix have lived in their circa 1910 Tooele home with their children for the past eight years, but rarely go into the attic.
The family was shocked when workers putting on a new roof Monday made a grisly discovery: a human skull between a wall and the point of the roof where the eaves meet.
"That is the last thing we expected to find," said Karen Dupaix.
Tooele Police Lt. Jorge Cholico said investigators are now trying to contact surviving family members of the late Rex Stutznegger, known as one of Tooele's first dentists, and his wife, Helen. The couple were the previous owners and had lived in the home for about 65 years, Karen Dupaix said.

To read the rest of the creepy story click on the HEADline above.
Used by Permission of Salt Lake Tribune for this post.


What is the creepiest thing you have found?

The creepiest thing I found lately was on T.V. last night. "Rosemary's Baby" with Mia Farrow. Was it really filmed 40 years ago? I can remember my parents and their friends whispering about this Scandalous movie when I was a little girl. It is about this couple who move into a New York City apartment building, (The DAKOTA, where John Lennon was murdered) also occupied by a bunch of crazies. Rosemary's husband and the other dwellers make a pact with Satan and the result is the wacko pregnancy and even scarier ending of how Rosemary deals with the results of a disastrous 9 months.

On a lighter note. Mia Farrow's wardrobe was darling. Did you know her husband Frank Sinatra divorced her during the filming of this movie? It is said he didn't like her choosing her career over him, and he hated how she had to be so skinny for the movie. Not to mention her Vidal Sassoon pixie haircut, so cute. Oh my, she was practically Twiggy thin!

Edelweiss Cafe Salad

The Pomelo is one of my favorite fruits! The ones in America usually come from Florida. They have a really thick rind and large thick membrane'd sections, just like a grapefruit. Except these are SWEET. We used to stop along the North South Express way leading from Thailand to Penang to buy these beauty's; 3 of them for 10 RM (Ringgit Malaysian) or about 2 USD. In a typical Malaysian wet market this is how you find them displayed. How cool is that! Followed below is a masterful salad that comes from Theresa Carpol, owner of the renowned Edelweiss Cafe in Historic Penang. She says this is the best seller on her menu. It is phenomenal and so dang easy.Everyone should try this mix of flavors. This is a great salad for your summer table.
4 sections of a large pomelo
1 very ripe mango chopped, (I like the yellow ones, found in Mexican markets and also sometimes called Elephant Tusk mango.)
1/2 of a red capsicum (bell pepper) julienned
1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes

That's all. Don't mix it. Place it all on top of
a platter of very fresh salad greens and pass
your best vinaigrette.

Have you seen a prettier salad?

The pretty platter is from a Palestinian shop. We bought it in Nazareth, on our way to the Sea of Galilee.

Please Release Me. Let Me Go!

16 Fish
All Caught and Released

They can't stop fishing!!!

Glad So Sad

Have you ever had a friendship, that had to end? That's a tough one isn't it? We have all seen that poem Reason, Season, Lifetime

I think it might be copyrighted, so I won't go through the trouble to get the permission to print it here, so I have provided the link to copy of the poem above. If you haven't read it you might need to get a tissue ready.

I went through a few friendships lately that were for a Reason. I had one lady who really came into my life when I needed her, but, some things were said, feelings of warmth never returned, misunderstandings happened and that friendship came to a crashing, screaming halt. Wow! that was hard to go through. But, she was there for a reason. I think I was in her life for a reason too. At the time it was a perfect fit. I wish her the best.

I have had some friends for a Season too. Ladies I have worked with come to mind, fellow housewives at married student housing are included here. We were all at the same job, or we were all in the same boat financially and our situations were very similar. Our commonalities were what brought us together. I still keep touch with a few of these friends, mostly by email, or mostly from hearsay. Those years we spent in that Season were warm and full of love. I remember them fondly.

Then you have those Life-timers. My friends in my ward family are included here. We have disagreed, laughed, argued, forgave, and been there for each other. I also have one lifetime friend that I need to repair some things with. We have been in each others lives as long as we can remember, and we have just let the relationship sort of go stagnant. I take most of the blame for that. She knows who she is and she knows I love her, but, I need to tell her.

Can you tell the Glad Housewife is a bit melancholy? My daughter just ended a ten year friendship. It would take a team of therapists and a mediator 6 months to untangle the mess that was made. Was there any one thing that put that kibosh in that relationship? We may never know. I only know that her friend was there for a Season. Maybe at the 25 year reunion they can sit and have a chat. I am sure they will both be ready to talk about it by then.

Gaddis Signature Cookies

First CookieFYI, the Provo City Sunbirds had a nail biter at the tournament last night. They came back in the bottom of the last inning 6 runs behind to win the game. Tad and Dave were all over that umpire for calling the end of the game 5 minutes early. The ump said, "There's so way you can win anyway!" Yes! We won anyway!

Second Cookie

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I don't know if these are the best cookies in the world. In fact, I know they aren't as I have had better. But, these are the ones that my family wants regularly. They are Dave's favorite. I must have made these at least one hundred times.

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 cups canned pumpkin ( just use one whole 15 oz. can)
• 1 cup oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 teaspoons each, baking soda and baking powder
• 1 teaspoon each, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon each, ginger and allspice
• 1 12 oz. bag chocolate chips or to taste (I prefer less, family wants more)

No creaming, no eggs, just mix and drop by tablespoons-ful on an ungreased baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 375 for 15-16 minutes.

Like any cake type baked good they taste better the next day. Hide them.

Oh, So 1990's Salad

I used to subscribe years ago to Bon Appetit. I threw all the magazines away since all the recipes are on-line, and, I don't like to let crap like that collect around my house. So I was at the local thrift store (looking to collect more crap...another story) and saw this magazine. I remembered it from 1994. Why, you ask? Because of the incredibly fake pretty people that accompanied the story! There was Libby and Michael sitting all tan and pretty with with their white teeth, out on the Hampton's posing for the photo op, with four other equally pretty people in their summer regalia; Laura Ashley skirts, and their Land's End top sider's. (whew, that was a long angry sentence, can you guess who spent her 1990's really fat?!!) There is even a picture of everyone singing "Kum-bai Ya'" around a beach bon-fire. It is the funniest article BA ever printed. I will NEVER throw this one away!

But there is a really good potato salad with all those trendy 1990's foods like Hericot Verts and Balsamic Vinegar. I didn't have the red potatoes on hand for this and used Russets. It was not as good as the when I used red, but still tasty. I have made this several times and you can't mess it up. Thanks Libby, in my opinion, this is a great salad and those ingredients are never out of style in my kitchen! I loved the 1990's!

City League Champions...Whoo-hooo!

"Typical Chinese High School Team all girls (same hair cuts mandatory)"

I have never gone through a sports season as a parent. Okay we did go through volleyball in Malaysia, but that was way different than here. Those Chinese High Schools had drill sergeants as coaches and really butch 16 year-old's playing our tiny little 13 year old American girls. And it was fun, but they always played at our American school because our gymnasium was only one of three enclosed gyms on the island, and few of their parents came to cheer them on, so we didn't get defensive. We went into the game knowing we would get spanked, and knowing that their coach would scream at the girls in Chinese, (probably very directly about our girls).Dalat International School Gym. Open windows and right on the Indian Ocean, beach is about 100 feet out the window.

Jordan and Malaina played the radio and guitar respectively so, we didn't have any of their games to go through. But Christina is the one who likes sports. And more importantly, she is my baby! So, you can imagine my angst when she suffers losses and mess-ups. She is a team player and this year was quite an eye opener for me, for gentle readers, it seems that I suck as a parent. Here are a few reasons why...

• I typically have the biggest mouth on the home team. (Not a "good-ly" trait)
  
• I seem to be the only one who heckles the ump. (Also a "thou shalt not")
  
• I am the only parent who forgets which side her kid is playing on and sometimes root for the wrong team.
• My husband (Dave Jr.) can really yell at an ump, almost as good as Sparky Anderson or Billy Martin, and I am not ashamed!! (way to go Dave Sr., he learned from the best!)
  
• I yell at the other parents who criticize my kid.
• I didn't know that a batter can run for 1st on a 3rd strike if the catcher drops the ball!! (stupidest rule in the game). Therefore I lack knowledge of the damn sport.
  
• I hate the other parents on the opposing team who act like I do. I HATE them. (especially that fat cow....she knows who she is!)
  
• I didn't know I had so much hate in me?!? I had no idea it was there, festering beneath the sad shallow layer, that is my skin.

Pathetic loser right? Can you just picture me sitting there with Kujo like spittle dripping from my lips? I am the crazed, rabid sports mom from hell right? Please give me a shout out if you are like me. I know my sister-in-law Rena is like that. She went through years of team athletics/politics with Viewmont H.S. She says my brother wouldn't even sit with her at any of the games, she was so bad.

So, not to make this post ALL about me, I would like to congratulate the Provo City League Sunbirds for taking the city championship! Kudo's (not Kujo ) to Tad Walch and the girls!

Dave is in the blue hat. Tiny is pictured above.
10-1 record

Berrilicious Crisp

I have noticed lately how screamingly good the berries are. There are some really nice deals at Sam's Club and other places. Christina is always begging me to buy her some berries so she can make her favorite smoothies before softball practice. Well Christina is a sleepyhead and never gets up in time to do it, so I took these beauties and created this stunner. It is only 5 points a serving on Weight Watchers. Isn't it ironic that I have to eat like this to lose weight?

4 cups of mixed berries
2 apples
1 cup of cranberries, I always freeze them from the holidays
3 tablespoons of lime juice
1 1/2 cups of sugar
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
pinch of salt

Tossed it all up really pretty and poured it into a 13 x 9 inch Pyrex dish.

In my Cuisinart I pulsed
1/2 cup of cold butter with, 1 cup of flour, 3/4 sugar, 3/4 cup brown sugar

Then I patted it carefully over the pretty fruit and baked it for 35 minutes at 400 or until it was crusty on top and bubbly all over. You can kind of tell by the smell that it is done too. It will be reminiscent of a pie. If you haven't smelled a fruit pie before...get to baking already~

I couldn't resist a small sample.

I really do live to eat.

Gray Hair--Shmay Hair

I saw my brother and most of his family today. Happy Birthday Bro!
I asked my mother what she thought of seeing her children with gray hair.
She said it was really sad.
But look at our beautiful families! (his three sons aren't pictured) Don't you think we have earned it?

"Pop, Lock and Drop" that Lettuce

You may ask??? IS THIS DING-BAT REALLY POSTING ABOUT LETTUCE!!!!!

Okay, so it's been a slow news week. But friends... I cannot keep quiet any longer! I have been liberated by the LOCK & LOCK. Ask my kids.. I have dozens of them. My husband watched me go to the store almost daily, before our move back from Malaysia, hauling back my booty, my treasure of 2 or 3 LOCK & LOCK's a day. If one of my kids takes leftovers to work in a LOCK & LOCK I make them promise upon their lives to guard them and bring them safely home! To hell with diamonds or pearls (also have dozens of those from a trip to Shanghi) give me LOCK & LOCK's!!

We eat a lotta lettuce! I go to Sam's Club and buy the bulk bag of Romaine Hearts. They are sold by weight so sometimes there are as many as 6 heads of lettuce in each bag. I am not particularly fond of the tough leafy outer leaves, so this is a perfect buy for me. Not a bad deal for about $2.50 a bag. I come home, and remove each leaf making sure to remove any of that rusty growth that lettuce gets. I learned in High School Home Ec., from Mrs. Lemmon, that it spreads, so remove it while you see it. Then I use one of my all time favorite kitchen gizmos the Salad Spinner to dry the lettuce. Then I layer it 2 heads at a time between paper towels into my extra large LOCK & LOCK container, that will hold the entire bag's contents. Now we have fresh, clean, ready to use salad that will stay fresh as an Irish Spring soaped armpit for over a week, though it never lasts that long at our house.

A note about the LOCK & LOCK. They are affordable, CLEAR, and very durable. I bought dozens of them while in Malaysia and I will never give them up. You can find them at Walmart or Kmart. I love Tupperware, but I find they are a bit tedious having to burp, and make sure they are sealed. As a foodie, I would rather burp myself. My food keeps better in the fridge with the LOCK & LOCK and, I can see what I have in there. I bought one small square Tupperware recently and I am still kicking myself. I could have had two LOCK & LOCK's for the price of one

Namaste

Every time a friend comes from Malaysia (hello....the "spice islands"), I have them bring me lots of spices. I literally have several pounds in my freezer. These are a few that I used in our meal today. I am especially proud of the shot above.

Our whole family ADORES Indian Food!

Christina made the Raita , a cooling yogurt condiment, to go with our Tandoori Chicken, which was actually grilled on the BBQ. We eat ours Southern Indian Style..spicy with red onion and lime. I found a really good Naan bread at Albertson's , in the bakery section, that saved me some time. And this whole meal was only 11 Weight Watchers points including 1/2 the Naan.

Malaina and I love Aloo Gobi. A very comforting dish made with Cauliflower, Tomato and Potato.

3 tablespoons oil
1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 baking potato cubed
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 large cauliflower, cut into florets
1 tablespoon chopped ginger
1 teaspoon of sugar

I heated the oil in a deep skillet. Don't use cast iron with tomatoes, it will make the food taste metallic. I added the mustard seeds and let them pop. Then I stirred in the potato and stirred for a couple of minutes.

Then I stirred in all the spices and let them fry for a few seconds to bring out their flavor. I added the tomato and cauliflower and mixed it all up well. Lastly I added the ginger, sugar and about a cup of water. Brought the water to a boil, covered, reduced the heat and simmered for about 15 minutes. Seasoned to taste.


Adapted from "The Food of India", Priya Wickramasinga and Carol Selva Rajah. The most incredible book on the cuisine I have EVER seen. (sorry Madhur Jaffrey).

And God Created the Fishes..

Dave took daughter number 2 for some much need R&R. This is one girl who stresses easy, just like her mom. He made her put down that Orgasmic Chemistry for just one day, stop thinking of her super boring job for one weekend. (boring because she is chained to the desk and can't go on field trips with her crew, 'cause of the O chem).

Daughter number 2 has a great smile!

Since gas costs 4 dollars a gallon, and they caught 4 fish, and they released them back into the lake, I figure each fish cost approximately 10 dollars. But that smile was worth every cent.

Great Bob's of Fire!

Now if this ain't the cutest haircut in history, I don't know what is. Thanks Katie H. and Victoria B. for the inspiration!
And Thanks Toni for the cut!

Peace, Love...Dove

Look who visited me outside my back door.
We have doves that love our Ponderosa Pine.
She let me snap a quick shot of her.
I have one thing to say..."Whoo, who, who, who."

Happy Family

How cute is my nephew's family?

A River Runs Through It

Christina and I have been having so much fun on the Provo River Trail. We have seen ducklings, calves, swarms of mosquitoes and beautiful wildflowers. It is fun to see Christina posing for the camera. Only she can get away with making those socks look really cool.
Leave a comment if you want to know what this symbol is. Maybe I will blog about it. And, no it is not a gay pride thing but, leave a comment and maybe I will blog about that too.