by | Nov 30, 2011 | Home, Tarts and Pies
The original Almond Apple Pie was not decorated with almond pasty dough; I realized I had unevenness after I placed the dough in the pan. I, of course was going to continue and blind bake the dough, but I obsessed about the aesthetic perception for the entire baking...
by | Nov 29, 2011 | Home, Recipes, Tarts and Pies
Wow! Thanksgiving was brillant; coming down with the flu not so much. I had planned to bake this pie on Saturday, but my body would not cooperate. This is turning into a tradition (not the flu) baking this Almond Custard Apple Pie and decorating the house. DF and...
by | Nov 28, 2011 | Home
I awoken on Friday feeling tried; that is an understatement, I felt like a truck ran over me. I still put the trees up and partially decorated our house. I was in the kitchen when DF said the words I dread: “Bob you are sick! Go to bed” I argued for about...
by | Nov 26, 2011 | Family Hour, Home
This picture was taken two days after Thanksgiving 1995; we were having one of those sunny 50 degree days. Sydney and I were waiting outside for another family (we are still friends with to this day). Every year until Sydney was ten we all would go to Santa’s...
by | Nov 22, 2011 | Family Hour
Sydney and I were reminiscing Thanksgiving and Christmas’ past, she remembers having to sit through the entire meal, while her cousins and friends were allowed to leave the table to play. Though I strongly disagreed, and thought it was insulting to the host...
by | Nov 21, 2011 | Candies, Home
Many years ago, about fifteen to be precise, Sydney and I began preparing a special treat bag to hand out to our family and friends that have joined us in our Thanksgiving celebration. I love the look in each person’s eyes when they realize Sydney and I have...
by | Nov 20, 2011 | photography
With days becoming shorten, the sun is disappearing earlier. I would rather use the natural light than my soft boxes in my studio, but the sun refuses to adhere to my schedule. In the case of the almond pear tart photos we started around 3:15 in the afternoon, but...
by | Nov 18, 2011 | Cakes, Recipes
Every year on Thanksgiving I awake early, about 5:00 A.M. No need to gasp, I go for a five mile run and then meet Sydney in the kitchen for coffee and some breakfast as we write a cooking/baking schedule to guide us during the day and turn on The Today Show (Until...
by | Nov 16, 2011 | Recipes, Tarts and Pies
As I mentioned in the previous blog this tart recipe has been in my husband’s family for generations; I did completely change the custard and originally the pears were only an accent. I am almost sure each generation has added their mark. Since Sydney adores...
by | Nov 15, 2011 | Recipes, Tarts and Pies
Sydney’s favorite Thanksgiving dessert is a Caramelized Pear Tart, an old family recipe that we have tweaked to our liking. I was blessed to inherit a plethora of DF’s Italian family recipes when we became engaged. I can remember spending countless hours...
by | Nov 14, 2011 | Fruit Desserts, Home, Recipes
Cranberry sauce, is almost on every Thanksgiving table, it is expected. I remember, the first Thanksgiving I hosted as DF’s wife. I was excited, a little nerves, and meticulously designed a menu. I have to admit I was a tad neurotic, nothing could go wrong, and...
by | Nov 11, 2011 | Cakes, Home
Our Boston Cream Pie has 3 layers and a chocolate glaze The traditional Parker Hotel Boston Cream Pie has a chocolate fondant top with a white chocolate spiral. Both DF and Sydney are not found of chocolate fondant. Sydney and I chose to substitute the chocolate...
by | Nov 10, 2011 | Cakes, Home
Yesterday I shared DF’s birthday cake recipe and little history about why a cake is called a pie, The Boston Cream Pie. I must confess I still do not understand why the Parker Hotel (in Boston, Massachusetts) would continue to call this delicious cake a pie....
by | Nov 9, 2011 | Cakes, Home
Today is DF’s 47th birthday, every year he asks for the same cake: a Boston Cream pie. the Boston Cream Pie is an oxymoron; it is not a pie in anyway. I have pondered this for years, how did the Parker Hotel, where the first pie/cake originated, decided on two...
by | Nov 8, 2011 | Candies, Home
I planned to write a journey of DF’s birthday week of treats, however last evening we spent the night, as a family, talking and catching-up long after the meal ended. I wanted the night to remain special to DF; I tend to be a workaholic (as is DF). Lately I...
by | Nov 6, 2011 | Cakes, Home
It is Birthday Week again for the Noto Unit, this time it’s DF’s birthday week. Which means Sydney and I will be baking at least 3 different cakes, watching every football game on satellite, and driving to Breckenridge only to hike and eat. He has not...
by | Nov 4, 2011 | Home, Mousses and Pudding
With all the egg whites we have been using lately we have found ourselves with an abundance of rich orange yolks. Waste in our household is not an option, besides there are a plethora of baked goods (as well as savory dishes) that incorporate egg yolks. Crème Brulée...
by | Nov 2, 2011 | Candies, Gluten Free, Home
With Halloween finished and Thanksgiving peering around the corner, the aroma of apple cider is in the air, fresh cranberries and pomegranates are popping on the shelves in grocery stores. In fact some places are already putting out Christmas decorations. A mammoth...
