Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
My feature on the "Christian Artists Street Team" blog of Etsy! check it out!
http://castteametsy.blogspot.com/2011/06/featured-artist-irene-of-craftluxuries.html
Enter the contest to win a special handmade brooch from my shop!
Enter the contest to win a special handmade brooch from my shop!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Irene's fluffy and yummy pound cake recipe
Pound cake - a truly king among cakes! Break your everyday monotony with this delicious cake or just have a slice with your tea or coffee.
I have baked this cake dozens of times but today I finally reached a point where I can say" this is the greatest pound cake that I have ever made in my life!" So fluffy, so yummy, wonderfully rich, moist and buttery with a lovely golden brown crust. I added a new ingredient which made it even tastier - crumbled oreo cookies! The important thing to remember when making this type of cake is to have all the ingredients at room temperature.
Ingredients
250gr. (9 ounces) butter, softened
1 1/2 cup sugar
3eggs
2 tablespoons brandy ( I used Grand Marnier liquor)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
zest of one orange
2 tablespoons baking powder
3 1/2 cups flour
crushed oreo cookies ( without creme filling)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Butter or spray with oil a 23 x 13 x 8 cm loaf pan. Sprinkle with flour.
In a medium bowl whisk together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one by one beating about 2 minutes after each addition to incorporte the egg and strengthen the cakes structure.
In another bowl combine the flour and baking powder.
Add the milk and orange juice and flour mixture and mix softly with a spoon.
Add the crushed oreos leaving some to sprinkle on the bottom of pan.
Srape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
Bake for about 55 to 65 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
I have baked this cake dozens of times but today I finally reached a point where I can say" this is the greatest pound cake that I have ever made in my life!" So fluffy, so yummy, wonderfully rich, moist and buttery with a lovely golden brown crust. I added a new ingredient which made it even tastier - crumbled oreo cookies! The important thing to remember when making this type of cake is to have all the ingredients at room temperature.
Ingredients
250gr. (9 ounces) butter, softened
1 1/2 cup sugar
3eggs
2 tablespoons brandy ( I used Grand Marnier liquor)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
zest of one orange
2 tablespoons baking powder
3 1/2 cups flour
crushed oreo cookies ( without creme filling)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Butter or spray with oil a 23 x 13 x 8 cm loaf pan. Sprinkle with flour.
In a medium bowl whisk together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one by one beating about 2 minutes after each addition to incorporte the egg and strengthen the cakes structure.
In another bowl combine the flour and baking powder.
Add the milk and orange juice and flour mixture and mix softly with a spoon.
Add the crushed oreos leaving some to sprinkle on the bottom of pan.
Srape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
Bake for about 55 to 65 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
The healthieast and tastiest french fries ever - the oven way!
There's nothing quite like the taste of deep fried french fries but as you must know, fried foods are quite unhealthy for everyone, not just those trying to loose weight.
I would like to share with you some tips on making the most delicious and healthiest french fries. Not by frying them but boiling and baking them.
1. First of all cut your potatoes into strips trying to maintain a uniform thickness (not too thin and not to thick). The quantity is up to you.
2. Boil them for 5 minutes in water just so that they moisten a bit (not too much).
3. In the meantime take an oven tray or casserole dish big enough to spread them out evenly, spread some oil in it so that the bottom is all covered and place in the oven on medium temperature. This way the oil will be heated when its time to throw in the potatoes.
4. When the 5 minutes of boiling are up drain the potatoes and sprinkle with salt. Any other herb of your choice like paprika oregano or cumin would also be fine. Toss to evenly coat.
5. Place potatoes in tray and mix to distribute oil evenly.
6. Bake on high temperature for at least half an hour or until crispy with a slight brownish color.
Let them cool a bit and watch them disappear! They are tastier to eat while they are still warm so dont let them cool out too much.
You will be amazed. They turn out to be so crisp on the outside and so moist on the inside. And also they are so much healthier than fried potatoes! Children just love them.
Bon appetite!
If you have tried this method leave a comment and tell me what you think!
I would like to share with you some tips on making the most delicious and healthiest french fries. Not by frying them but boiling and baking them.
1. First of all cut your potatoes into strips trying to maintain a uniform thickness (not too thin and not to thick). The quantity is up to you.
2. Boil them for 5 minutes in water just so that they moisten a bit (not too much).
3. In the meantime take an oven tray or casserole dish big enough to spread them out evenly, spread some oil in it so that the bottom is all covered and place in the oven on medium temperature. This way the oil will be heated when its time to throw in the potatoes.
4. When the 5 minutes of boiling are up drain the potatoes and sprinkle with salt. Any other herb of your choice like paprika oregano or cumin would also be fine. Toss to evenly coat.
5. Place potatoes in tray and mix to distribute oil evenly.
6. Bake on high temperature for at least half an hour or until crispy with a slight brownish color.
Let them cool a bit and watch them disappear! They are tastier to eat while they are still warm so dont let them cool out too much.
You will be amazed. They turn out to be so crisp on the outside and so moist on the inside. And also they are so much healthier than fried potatoes! Children just love them.
Bon appetite!
If you have tried this method leave a comment and tell me what you think!
New craftluxuries Etsy shop listing - Four color combination beaded stretch ring
A four color combination stunning bead weaved stretch ring featuring cornelian aventurine white and coral beads.
This a one size fit all due to the stretchy band and is very comfortable to wear.
Click here to view details and buy.
New craftluxuries Etsy shop listing - Four color combination beaded stretch ring
A four color combination stunning bead weaved stretch ring featuring cornelian aventurine white and coral beads.
This a one size fit all due to the stretchy band and is very comfortable to wear.
Click here to view details and buy.
New craftluxuries Etsy shop listing - Bird brooch necklace
This adorable little handmade brooch features a gold heart, diamond shapes and sparkly bronze and basalto green swirls on a turquoise bird.
A one of a kind handmade piece.
It measures 6cm wide and 3cm tall (2 1/2 inches wide and 1,20 inches tall)
Silver brooch pin is attached to the back.
Wear it as a brooch or a necklace.
Pin it on your blazer, jacket, jean pants, hair accessory, purse or handbag.
You can also add flower or feather embelishments for a fancier look!
Great as a gift or a keepsake piece to brighten one's day!
A one of a kind handmade piece.
It measures 6cm wide and 3cm tall (2 1/2 inches wide and 1,20 inches tall)
Silver brooch pin is attached to the back.
Wear it as a brooch or a necklace.
Pin it on your blazer, jacket, jean pants, hair accessory, purse or handbag.
You can also add flower or feather embelishments for a fancier look!
Great as a gift or a keepsake piece to brighten one's day!
Click here to view details and buy.
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