Monday, November 08, 2010

Fully operational

First of all, look at this:

perfect cupcakes

I made 18 perfect cupcakes on Sunday. They were perfectly even, not even a hint of browning anywhere. My easy bake oven days are officially OVER!

Now check this out:

Sink installed!

I can cook things and wash them as well!! Though I can say that, while washing dishes in the kitchen is a vast improvement over doing them in the bathroom sink, I will be very, very happy to have a dishwasher again tomorrow, as I am sick to death of washing every single dish already. Am I not the laziest person you ever met? Maybe not if I tell you that I'm treating the new wooden countertops every day to make sure they don't warp? I only bought one can of IKEA's magical oil treatment and it's half gone already!

So the cupcakes were obviously for Fry's second birthday, which we celebrated Sunday with Stéphane's brother and his wife. Despite the fact that they live in Troyes, we don't see them as often as I'd like, as they're busy social bees or off visiting their kids who are all at university and spread about France and beyond like the four winds. Fry managed to blow out the candle on his cupcake, much to everyone's surprise, including his.

Apropos of nothing, I'd like to get some feedback from y'all on something. After posting yet another photo of something I'd baked on one of those social networking sites, a friend of mine and I were joking around about making a cookbook about some of the things I've learned to cook since I've lived in France, and I actually got some positive reactions to that, but you know, they're my friends, they're supposed to say stuff like that. So I'm asking you, if I ever got focused enough to put something together and offered it up for a few bucks online, would anyone be interested in that? You know I've probably said "I'm working on a new idea" on this blog a hundred times, but this time I'm being open and up front about it. What do you think?

8 comments:

Amber said...

The cookbook is an excellent idea, especially if you could mention substitutions you make for things that are hard to find, like baking soda or baking powder. I was frustrated that in the states you can buy anything in a can -- vegetable stock, cream of mushroom, etc. -- when in reality, it's super easy to make from scratch. I think if you were willing to include things like that, it could be very worthwhile. Also if you could include basic things, like making vinagrette or beschamel. When I first got here, I felt lost in the kitchen, and i'm sure i'm not the only one!
anyway, i'd probably buy it because there's a lot of things I still don't know how to make from scratch (uh, cupcakes, for one!!) and I do love to cook.
p.s. the new kitchen looks great!

Vivi said...

Hi Amber! Ha ha, it's funny that you say that, because my friend was saying that it would be cool to include both metric & imperial for people that aren't used to one or the other, and also I was thinking of including tips about where to get stuff and substitutions and things. I seriously didn't know how to cook at all before I moved here and I've had to figure out loads of stuff on my own, so I'm happy to share!

KathyMac said...

i still don't know how to cook, so i think it's a great idea!

Anonymous said...

I think it would be a neat idea !
Linda from Alabama

Anonymous said...

I think it is a great idea. You once mentioned making a yummy quiche and I thought about asking you for the recipe but never did. I love cookbooks and have many in my collection and am always looking for new ones to browse.

Kinga said...

Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes! I love the photos of your food and everything you cook sounds yummy (also, I'm breaking into your house to get the recipe for those cupcakes -- how on Earth did you get them to rise so high? Mine are always dwarfish). I'll buy a copy...or two. :)

Ms Mac said...

I think you'd really have a market there, if you aimed it towards the expat community. Would be great to have tips as to substitutions for your fave foods from home, where to buy specialty goods etc.

Lisanne said...

I would LOVE that! Such a great idea! Go for it! :) I've been thinking that it would be neat to do a cookbook for my church. LOVE your kitchen! So beautiful! And aren't perfect cupcakes just awesome???