Friday, July 5, 2013

Dear Baking

Back in March, I did a post that was an obituary. Yes, you read that right, an obituary. You can read it here: Death of a Weekend. Today I’m doing another feature that could have come from the newspaper. Well, sort of.

You see, like “Dear Abby” or “Ask Heloise”, I get a lot of questions. They come in to my Baking In A Tornado Facebook Page and my email. But I’m just a Mom who bakes to relieve stress and feed a never-ending pack of teenagers. So I don’t do real well with the question and answer portion of our program. But I try. I get points for that, right?

So I thought I’d share some questions and my best effort at answers. Of course some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent.


Dear Baking | www.BakingInATornado.com



Dear Tornado:
I’ve been sick so I didn’t get the grocery shopping done this week. All I have is Ground Beef, canned mandarin oranges, pretzels, flour and canned tuna. What can I make?
Dinner Dilemma

Dear Dilemma:
Yikes, starting to feel a little sick myself. I know that if I tried to put all of those ingredients together what I’d make would be a mess. But I’m guessing that doesn’t help you much.
Baking In A Tornado


Dear Baking:
I love the look of your Angel Food Trifle. I don’t bake so I like that you just put the ingredients together. I don’t have any Strawberries but I just bought some pears, can I use those? And I have a pound cake in the freezer, can I substitute that for the Angel Food Cake? And whipped cream is so fattening, can I just skip it?
Thanks,
No Bake Betty

Dear No Bake Betty:
I’m thinking that pears and pound cake soaked in jello might not be the best thing you’ve ever had. Be sure to try it, for the first time, when you won’t be having company over, K?
Baking In A Torando


Hello,
I was browsing through facebook and found your page. I have a website for recipes and would be interested in posting a few of your recipes on my site.
I also have a Facebook page. Please like it.
Food Guy

Dear Food Guy:
So you’re saying that you want to post my work on your site to entice people to your page instead of mine? Thank you for your kind offer. I hope you’ll understand, but I’m going to decline at this time.
Baking In A Tornado




Lemonade Mini Cupcakes | www.BakingInATornado.com
Lemonade Mini Cupcakes


Dear BIAT:
I love the look of your Mixed Berry Pie but we’re allergic to berries. Can I use apples?
Hopeful Baker

Dear Hopeful Baker:
I think that’s called an Apple Pie. Enjoy.
Baking In A Tornado


Dear Baking in a Tornado:
I think your "Watermelon" Sherbet is so cute. I’m making it for a picnic this weekend, but I don’t have room for it in my freezer. Can I just keep it in the refrigerator?
Picnic Pam

Dear Picnic Pam:
As you can probably imagine, the sherbet would melt in the refrigerator. My guess is that in order to serve it you’d need to leave the spoons at home and pack straws.
Have a great weekend.
Baking In A Tornado


Dear Baking Lady:
I just wanted to let you know that I tried making your Honey Bunches Chicken with Apricot Sauce. Instead of coating the chicken with Honey Bunches of Oats, I substituted Fruit Loops because my kids like them better. It was disgusting and my family wouldn’t eat it. You should take that recipe down. I just thought I’d let you know.
Helpful Friend

Dear Helpful Friend:
Speechless.
Baking In A Tornado


But every now and then, I get a message like this one that refers to my Potato Crusted Meatloaf. Words can’t express how it makes me feel:

Hi:
I just want to give you a big ol' hug!
My husband has an auto-immune disorder. It was full-blown a couple years ago but is now in remission.
Unfortunately, it left him 90% bed ridden and the rest of the time he's in a wheelchair. 
He has absolutely no appetite, but of course it's important for him to eat to keep his strength up. I'm constantly looking for taste-tempting things for him.
Usually he takes two or three bites of something and then says he's done . . . last night he ate TWO WHOLE SLICES of the meat loaf and mashed potatoes!!
If it weren't for you and your blog, I never would have found that recipe!
Hugs, hugs, and more hugs!
Cathy



Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com

                         
Lemonade Mini Cupcakes
                         ©www.BakingInATornado.com


Ingredients, 48 Cupcakes:
1 stick butter, softened
2 cups cake flour
1 TBSP baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp lemon extract
4 eggs
1 tsp Pink Lemonade Kool Aid powder (about half of a .23 oz pkg)



Ingredients, Frosting:
3/4 stick butter, softened
2 3/4 cups powdered sugar
the rest of the Pink Lemonade Kool Aid powder 
2 tsp raspberry extract
3 TBSP orange juice
1 TBSP light corn syrup

Directions, Cupcakes:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 48 mini cupcake tins with non-stick spray.
*Gently blend all of the cake ingredients with a beater on low. Once all is incorporated, beat on high for 2 minutes.
*Divide the batter into all of the mini cupcake tins and bake for 12 minutes or until the center springs back to the touch.
*Immediately run a knife around the edge of the cupcakes and remove from the tins. Cool completely.

Directions, Frosting:
*Gently blend all frosting ingredients with a beater on low. Once all is incorporated, beat on high until creamy. You may need to add a little more juice to get the consistency you want, but I made mine fairly thick.
*Spread or pipe frosting onto completely cooled cupcakes.



31 comments:

  1. That last one was super sweet! I love it :)

    The one before it..well let's just say I'm an AWFUL cook and even I know better than to switch it with FRUIT LOOPS?!? Wow...

    I really want to try a few of your recipes...but I'm almost scared I will mess them up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you try a recipe and mess it up, you could end up making it better. And if not, you'll have a funny blog post.

      Delete
  2. People are so dense sometimes....lol.

    I still need to try that Honey Bunches Chicken recipe. When I try a new recipe for the family, I make a lunch sized portion to try before I make it for everyone else.....seems like the smart thing to do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so good to your family. I'll try something new ON my family before making it for company. In the worst case scenario, they end up grabbing a sandwich or a bowl of cereal for dinner.

      Delete
  3. OK... Fruit Loops instead??? Yikes!!!

    The Meatloaf story??? Wow!!! Nice...

    Happy Friday, Slu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yikes is right on the Fruit Loops. But Cathy's taking the time to tell me about her husband loving the Meatloaf made my day, and week and month and year. I'm so glad she gave me her permission to share it.

      Delete
  4. Hahahahaha. I love your lemon mini-cake recipe. But we're trying to eat healthy, so I'm substituting coconut oil for the butter, and dried lemon peel for the Kool-aid, and I would never EVER use corn syrup, so I'm substituting Agave Nectar, and I think it would be prudent to skip the icing entirely, and oh...I don't have any cake flour so I'm going to use organic coconut flour. I'll let you know how it turns out.

    Bwa ha ha. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You totally made me laugh. And I just LOVE when someone "gets" me!

      Delete
  5. This should be a weekly series and a must for the New York Times!

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    Raising-Reagan.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Do people actually think about what they're doing before they do it? Or what they say before they say it? Yes, sherbet in the fridge is totally acceptable, and a trifle with no whipped cream but lots of pears is surely finger lickin' good. And maybe next time instead of fruit loops that chick can try cocoa puffs! Sheesh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Sheesh" just about says it all. But good for a laugh, right?

      Delete
  7. what is wrong with people and I bet those people are the ones running our government or in charge of nuclear weapons and prisons, LOL

    If I EVER ask a stupid question please yell at me and set me right.

    that meatloaf story was quite touching...bravo babe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, silly questions are always good for a laugh. And I love that last one too, it was so nice of her to take the time to let me know.

      Delete
  8. This post had me rolling! Thanks for the laugh. It's amazing what some people try to cook.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you found it funny. It really is a lesson in perception.

      Delete
  9. Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Mondays! sharing on facebook and twitter

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the invitation, I'll check it out.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm so glad you did this post. I think this is a great idea and something you should keep up! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never thought of doing more of thewe, but it's certainly a possibility. I may have to start saving up emails and comments again. XO

      Delete
  12. ROFLMBO!!!! You are just AWESOME!!!!! This definitely needs to be a regular post!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, lets see if I get any more funny email. If I do, I'll share them again!

      Delete
  13. Hilarious. I'm TOTALLY trying Froot Loop chicken, but I may replace the chicken with Ramen noodles. Will that work?
    The comment from Cathy is absolutely worth dealing with the others right? She was so sweet.
    I'm off to make the lemonade cupcakes; I sure hope I can substitute the lemonade for olive juice. Wish me luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Froot Loops crusted Ramen Noodles? I may need you to do a Guest Post.

      And yes, Cathy was so kind to take the time.

      Delete
  14. OMG - I think I just hurt myself laughing! Some people are so interesting!!!! Glad you're able to respond via email and not video chat - can you imagine! And I'm sooooo thankful you get the nice messages - those must be very very rewarding!!! I will have to make your meatload soon! My kids love it - my husband loves it - I love to eat it - raw meat just makes me gag so making it is a true act of love in this household!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't mind the raw meat, but as much as I like eating turkey, cleaning one to prep it for the oven makes me feel the same way.

      Delete
  15. Dear Baking Gal! I just stopped by to let you know that when I'm in need of a smile, a good ol'laugh, a reality check or just say what's up to a friend, I come to your blog! oh...and your recipes are pretty good too!
    In all seriousness I really look forward to your posts...it makes me feel I'm not the only one living La Vida Loca!!hahahaha...great post my friend! and yes...your recipes are pretty yummy too...I came looking for one and ended up here...geezz :)
    Hugs,
    Lizy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lizy:
      A visit from you always brightens my day.
      My recipes aren't in the same league as yours, but I love the compliment!
      XO

      Delete
  16. Replies
    1. Feel free to take a picture and post it on my FB page, I love seeing pics when people make my recipes.

      Delete

Warning: Comment at your own risk. I have Comment Moderation, meaning I approve all comments before they show up here. So go ahead, I'm not scared!