Napoleon from Phoenicia

So, I just had to get a Napoleon when I saw it in the case staring at me saying, pick me, pick me!

Phoenicia's Napoleon was very good, the pastry was flaky and fresh and the pasty cream was made very well and tasted great!  It had powdered sugar on top, which is still not the traditional Napoleon, and it did have sliced almonds on the sides, unexpected, but tasty all the same.

Maureen's Bakery - Sugar Land

So.....there's this bakery that I've driven past a hundred times over the years, and only went in once a very long time ago (10+) years, but since I've started my search for the perfect Napoleon, the thought never occurred to me to go in there.  A friend of mine was having a stressful day at work and called me stating that she's standing in front of a bakery and asked if she should go in or not.  I was of no diet help and told her sure a pastry sounds great!  While on the phone she saw that they had Napoleons, so I said, bring it!  Great decision.  This was a really good one.  The top icing was a bit thick, but really good.  The pastry was very fresh as was the pastry cream.  It's a little lighter than what I'm used to, but it was still really good!  I'd definitely go for this one again!

The Little Delights in Life: Cake Tutorials

Cool blog I found with some great cake decorating tips.


The Little Delights in Life: Cake Tutorials: A new tutorial EVERY week! Come back each Tuesday! Subscribe to my YouTube channel ! Prepare your cake: Baking Tips and Tricks Butte...

The Personal Pie from Breville Part II

This device is amazing! My family and I had a pie making party and it turned out great! Everyone had fun with their fillings and I couldn't get them done fast enough before the next order came in! And it only took about 6 1/2 minutes to make 4 pies! This is totally worth it!

Fillings we made:
Bobotie (curried ground beef dish)
Chipotle Shredded Chicken
Onion and Cheese
Apple Pie

Just a casual observation: I do not understand why Meat Pies is not a huge think in the US. We were after all a British colony at some point. Most of the other former British colonies still eat meat pies and have them freely available. I know we kicked them out, but who doesn't like meat (or anything for that matter) in puff pastry? I wonder, would a pie shop (that sells savory pies) make it here in Houston? Your thoughts?

The Personal Pie from Breville

I saw this pie maker just before Christmas last year and it was apparently such a good seller that they immediately ran out of stock. I've been on a waiting list for months, and it finally arrived today. Of course I didn't have any fillings prepared, so I decided to use packaged pie dough and whip up a filling of peanut butter and whipped cream. (probably not the best idea for a filling...the whipped cream fell flat...but I had to do something) The first two items were a little too dark on the edges, but that may have just been because it was the first two. The next batch came out much better. I am so excited to try some new fillings and puff pastry instead of pie crust. I will keep you posted as I try new things.

This item is a Williams Sonoma exclusive and I believe that's who the picture is from. I will post my own next time I make pies.

Bacon Maple Sundae

It's Sunday morning, and I am watching some documentary when the new Denny's ad comes on. They start talking about some new campaign that they are running called Baconalia, most items seem pretty normal, bacon sampler, bacon and pancakes even the bacon in meatloaf, BUT then they mention something that breaks the barrier between yummy and totally absurd...a Bacon Sundae! First I thought that it was just a joke, something to make the ad more funny...meant to be absurd so that you'd remember the ad and go have the more normal bacon dishes. I did however feel the need to visit the Denny's web site...and low and behold...it's REAL! Vanilla ice cream, maple-flavored (yes...flavored, not actual maple syrup...yuck!) and bacon! I totally love bacon, don't get me wrong....but has this gone too far? Definitely....but for some strange reason, I really feel this strange need to try this! I will resist, I must!

If I ever cave, I'll be sure to post the review. If you have tried it, I look forward to your comments!

Mighty Leaf Tea

I've been really into tea lately, and the more I drink the more picky I am getting with my selections. I am very focused on Mighty Leaf Tea at this moment. I currently have the variety pack, but one of my absolute favorites is the Orange Dulce.

You can get this almost anywhere by now and the prices are reasonable.
Check out www.mightyleaf.com to see what they have to offer.