tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25626410366426201102024-02-18T20:42:10.354-08:00ChallahMamaA blog about all things sweet and my journey with sugar...Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-81225243477285498212012-03-06T18:27:00.000-08:002012-03-06T18:27:08.079-08:00Low Cal Portobello ParmesanTruly one of my favorite dishes to make. Its easy, quick and low in calories & fat. This recipe is adapted from Giada De Laurentiis Mushroom Parmesan. I have made this dish dozens of times, with and without oil, with and without regular shredded mozzarella, with and without added veggies. After a myriad of variations I have come up with the my go to!! Here it is...
Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-28713192473815269342012-02-29T11:12:00.002-08:002012-02-29T11:23:44.093-08:00Going Banana's for Cancer Support Community The Cancer Support Community-Benjamin Center in west Los Angeles provides support groups, stress reduction classes, individual counseling, educational workshops, and social activities for people with cancer & caregivers - all free of charge!
When my Mom was diagnosed with Cancer in August of 2009, I was an active member of the community participating in the caregivers's Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-78818406925222285882012-02-27T05:27:00.000-08:002012-02-27T05:27:37.326-08:00Coming back and cooking too!So I have been gone for over a year and every month I say, "i'm gonna start blogging again"and then i never do. Not sure why but not going worry about it. I have ventured into the world of cooking and I have to say, I like it way more than I thought I would. What I love about baking is how precise and beautiful sweet treats are. What scared me about cooking is the lack of precision and structure.Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-7084414266853791452010-12-05T10:19:00.000-08:002010-12-05T10:19:37.491-08:00Happy Shabbatikkah! (aka Shabbat & Chanukah) which means Challah & Latke's on the same night!
It is my opinion that Challah and Latke's can take on any cupcake, cookie, or cake any day any time! I found this latke recipe two years ago at www.nycnosh.com and thankfully copied it down because I can't seem to access the site anymore. Either way, its your lucky day because now you can makeAlexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-9557131938821490432010-11-30T10:16:00.000-08:002010-11-30T10:25:40.460-08:00EZ PEZEE's {Brownies & Cookies}
A new friend from grad school told me about the MOST AMAZING brownies her mother-in-law makes. I told her if she got the recipe I would bake them...it turns out these brownies are the easiest brownies you'll ever make and with one simple addition you can serve what people will think are Gourmet Brownies or Symphony Brownies as I call them:-) Thx to Summer's MIL.
Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-59682307652057206102010-11-26T06:21:00.000-08:002010-11-26T06:21:42.617-08:00Grandma's Sweet Potato Pie
Bea's Sweet Potato Pie
Happy Thanksgiving!
For my family, this Thanksgiving was different than any other year. This was our first Thanksgiving without Mom. The "Firsts" in life are either wonderful or difficult. When you lose a loved one the "firsts" are the most difficult. I woke up feeling blue and didn't know how the day would unfold but I was going to be open to the blessings of Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-75659107632500090122010-11-25T07:15:00.000-08:002010-11-25T07:16:25.580-08:00I Scream, You Scream...We all scream for Ice Cream, Sorta. After making Hungry Girl Vanilla Cupcakes my Friend shared a secret recipe with me that is in line with the Hungry Girl Philosophy. These little 'Sorta like' Ice Cream sandwich's are worth screaming about and they are so easy to make.
Ingredients:
2 Trader Joe's Old Fashioned Cinnamon Graham Crackers2 Tbs Cool Whip (you can use Free Cook Whip Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-41962543024622507042010-11-24T11:47:00.000-08:002010-11-24T11:47:18.075-08:00Hungry Girl Vanilla Cupcakes!For those of you that don't know who or what Hungry Girl is, check out her page HERE. I was invited to a HG Potluck which means everyone brings a HG recipe. I love to bake so of course I chose something sweet. I found this recipe in the section Chew on the Right Thing.
I wasn't so sure about the recipe at first but thought why not...after a couple of hours these cupcakes were Darn Good!!!!
Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-64650839731775422262010-11-20T09:15:00.000-08:002010-11-20T09:18:23.426-08:00Peanut Brittle...worth trying!!!
I made peanut brittle several years ago to give away as gifts and it was a real winner.
During the last couple of week I kept dreaming of peanut brittle so Thursday night I thought I would give it a try. TRY is the operative word. I TRIED twice and twice I failed.
I always read food network reviews and wonder about those people that say "I followed the recipe exactly and it didn't look Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-66337952627119398522010-11-17T10:21:00.000-08:002010-11-17T10:21:48.971-08:00Cake Pops...Gotta Love'em!!I went on a cake pop marathon in the past few weeks. At first these little pops seemed difficult and time consuming but once you get the hang of it there actually quite easy and a joy to make.
These were the leftovers, just decided to play and have fund with them
My best friend and I made these for her children's school. It was Harvest day! These little pops came in first Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-84643908788552273422010-11-17T09:28:00.000-08:002010-11-17T09:28:26.640-08:00Homemade Oreo's-Take II
So the story goes like this...1. I went to a potluck shabbat and 2. Someone brought homemade oreo cookies. 3. They were beautiful and everyone loved them. 4. They were the perfect potluck dessert5. I wanted to make them.
Since I couldn't get the recipe from the baker, I had to do some recon work via the web. I found a few but could't pick just one until IAlexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-12733725504303951172010-11-17T09:07:00.000-08:002010-11-17T09:08:58.094-08:00Gingerbread and the Bullseye...
I got the cutest little gingerbread man cookie cutter at Michaels for .99 cents...and I just can't stop making these little men...I made these for one of my best friends who has been with the bullseye company, aka Target, since we graduated!!!
Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-84754281157694152552010-11-06T08:14:00.000-07:002010-11-06T08:14:15.788-07:00Challah...
6-Strand Braided Challah
Challah Dough Ball
I recently taught a challah baking class at The Wellness Community in West Los Angeles. The Wellness Community (TWC) is a not for profit organization that offers free services to those with cancer and their loved ones. Monday-Saturday there are yoga classes, tai chi classes, workshops, support groups
Poppy Seeds to compliment
all free of charge. Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-39702751839146613782010-08-08T11:50:00.000-07:002010-08-08T11:50:27.073-07:00December WeddingOne of my nearest and dearest friends from high school called me over a year ago to tell me that he was getting married to the love of his life. Have you ever met a couple who was absolutley perfect for one another? Well Bill & Julie are that couple. Their wedding was December 27 2009 and I had the honor to making their wedding cake.
Three tiers: bottom two were wedding white cake with Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-75676809595158452622010-04-22T09:48:00.000-07:002010-04-22T09:53:18.118-07:00Lemon Lemon and More Lemon
Its Big Ted's birthday this coming Thursday and I wanted to make him a cake that I knew he couldn't resist. Like my dad, he loves all things sweet and lemon flavored. As I continue to grow in the kitchen, I am finding there are some chefs who are spot on EVERY TIME and Ina Garten is one of them (also known as the Barefoot Contessa).
This Lemon Cake is the key that will unlock the Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-30587952101515612352010-04-18T12:16:00.000-07:002010-04-18T12:16:17.879-07:00Childhood Favorite: Mackerel Patties & Rice <!--StartFragment-->
So its been a very very very very long time since I have posted. Did I already mention that its been a VERY long time since I have blogged. Well it has and I have missed it. I just finished my first term of graduate school and moved my parents to Los Angeles so I can help care for my mother. LOTS going on to say the leaset BUT...today I am sitting on the lanaiAlexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-59896427658202649762010-02-10T21:37:00.000-08:002010-02-10T22:20:36.553-08:00Tajrish Restaurant, Marina Del Rey, CAI have had a lot of free time on my hands. I guess having the flu and being confined to my bed for four days will do that to a person. Haven't had a huge appetite until this afternoon when I started craving Persian food. I recently had lunch at my new favorite hidden find, The Ruby Room. Since that lunch I have been craving Persian food. So I am still confined to my bed but really, really hungryAlexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-27771535399607025362010-02-10T19:02:00.000-08:002010-02-13T07:43:19.237-08:00When life gives you lemons...
Or a Ginger & Lemon Hot Toddy
Like most people this season I caught the flu and for the last four days-yes 1, 2, 3, 4 DAYS I have been in bed with the fever, sore throat, can't swallow flu. It has not been fun but like the sign says...when life gives you lemons, make lemonade or like I did make a Ginger & Lemon hot toddy. On Sunday morning when I realized that I had been caught Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-54529539018679678662010-02-09T13:31:00.000-08:002010-02-09T13:39:59.629-08:00Missing 2009 Sweet Treats...A few projects that didn't make the blog but I wanted to share with you...Ralph Lauren Inspired Baby Shower CookiesDiamond Engagement Ring vanilla sugar cookies with sugar accented sugar crystalsLouis Vuitton chocolate cake purse with Coffee buttercream filling.Individually wrapped Baby Bunny and Onesis sugar cookies Mini cupcake/cookie towerAlexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-45377893085762934092010-02-06T17:02:00.000-08:002010-02-10T23:40:36.609-08:00Strawberry Shortcake Cookies!What happens when you are given a great batch of strawberries and forget about them until its almost too late?Three words- Strawberry Shortcake Cookies. Preliminary reviews from Mom, Dad and friend, Jay, say this is a recipe worth trying. We are having dinner with new friends tonight-I thought I would bring them a few wrapped in this pretty basket!Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Cookies(from MarthaAlexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-68068946748136562822009-12-17T17:32:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:15:50.984-08:00Got Kosher?Got Kosher, anyone? Well if you don't, then you should. Got Kosher isn't your typical kosher restaurant, its a step into Tunisia and embodies the flavors of the owners best childhood memories. First known for his incredible challah, as a connoisseur of challah myself I don't know that I have ever had such a fluffy, melt in your mouth challah before. Imagine Grandma's Challah marrying Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-49569009272492690842009-12-09T08:40:00.000-08:002009-12-09T08:43:18.523-08:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY NORA!!!This is a special post to wish the Beautful Nora Marsh and very happy birthday. Nora is the grandmother of close friends of mine who won my heart the first time I met her. She embodies the beauty and grace of a strong successful woman. Today I honor Nora Marsh and celabrate another blessed year of her life!Love you!!!Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-53470353112664112582009-11-11T09:35:00.000-08:002009-11-11T09:42:32.922-08:00Happy 6th Birthday...Another delicious Kosher-Parve cake. The top tier was choclate with filled with two layers of pure vanilla flavored icing and the bottom tier was chocolate cake with my popular mint chocolate chip flavored icing. I had a lot of fun designing this cake. This was the first time I tested shooting stars and will make a few changes next time but really like the added flare it gives the cake.Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-12176248397745433012009-10-31T19:51:00.000-07:002009-11-11T09:35:06.632-08:00NY Cake West...NY Cake West is a baker's heaven-a cake (and much more) supply store in Los Angeles, CA that recently opened. I visit the store at least once a week, spend no less than 45 minutes and when I walk in NY Cake West it seriously feels like a real live version of Candyland! My eyes get wide and my wallet gets emptied...A special congratulations to NY Cake West as they have begun manufacturing some Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562641036642620110.post-63176777626968786352009-10-31T15:07:00.000-07:002009-10-31T15:12:29.100-07:00Happy Challahween Shabbat!Happy Challahween... This year I hosted a Callahween shabbat dinner for my parents...Mom and I made two amazing sweet challahs and tried a few new recipes. One of them included another Paula Dean favorite! Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus...For dessert, it was sweet sugar cookies, of course in the shape of little pumpkins. Notice the little halloween napkins-Nordstrom Rack $1.99...I couldn't resist Alexis Contact: aspeed@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11441628219048398232noreply@blogger.com0