Giddy Gastronome

Scones, Red Rocks, Colorado & Usher's new song!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:30:00 +0000

Tahitian vanilla powder, is my little twist on
my Late Mom's recipe of this delectable brunch confection!

Absolutely no pectin or loads of sugar in my
homemade preserves! Just lavish amounts
of sun-ripened berries & a modest amount
of honey!

Sure there are many recipes of this time-honored
tradition of the "Brits" around, but I have many
little twists in mine! Click here for recipe! & scroll
all the way down. I love my scones flaky, with a
"little give" in the center

Mascarpone mousse, lightened with whipped cream!

Publication

This fruit fondant Madeira cake, that I developed here, is featured in this British magazine below, the Fall issue #114 on page 114. Originally, I contacted them to thank them for the safe arrival of my package with the delectable fruit fondant powders, I purchased from them and much to my delight, they emailed me, asking for a head shot of myself & the pictures of this cake and publishing my little article in the ” forum” section on pg 114-115. Anyway, this cake was indescribably delicious, this fruit fondant powder turns into a rich fruit coolie when mixed with water!

This magazine is sold at Barnes & Noble.

Red Rocks, Colorado, is my escape from this sometimes
frenetic world!..........more here

Thanks for your visit, hope you enjoy my version of the scone!

Love,
Nazarina.

A trip to Telluride, Ouray & Durango, south west part of Colorado.

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:29:00 +0000

I live in Colorado, so this trip to the south western part was
imminent, sooner rather than later!

Hooray for Ouray, Colorado!

Hayden Trail head, Ouray, Colorado

More about this trip here......

Thank you for stopping by.
Nazarina

Sunflower sprouts, pine nuts, roasted tomatoes, dried fruits & a sour fig dressing.

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:58:00 +0000

This sour fig dressing is actually the star of this dish!
See the ingredient list & "how to" here @ www.giddygastronome.com

The sour figs are from South Africa! recipe here

Pine nuts should be toasted, tomatoes should be roasted.....etc

____________________________________________

This is our old guest bathroom, I can assure you that it
was"dislike" at first sight.....
see the complete new transformation done by my Sweetie

here www.giddygastronome.com

I love making soaps for kids & I really do not mind
when they take them home!

Thank you,
Nazarina.

Pina colada thumbprints, Easter & sea soaps & more!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 03:31:00 +0000

click on picture

Dessicated coconut rocks & the occasional pure-white
coconut flesh toasts perfectly into a delicious toasted
flake!

These Easter soaps were a cumbersome project but
what can I say, perseverance prevails every time!

More here

Soaps that make munchkins want to live in the bathroom!

These molds for the sea creatures above and terrestrial "monsters"
below were not meant for soap but I used them anyway!

I love the unexpected twists & turns in this recipe, it made the diners at this baby shower wish for more! They all wanted to know how I achieved this delicately balanced recipe & not sweet at all! What can I say freeze dried fruit does wonders!

Summer is here & I am stagnant no more!

I made the cookies & the soaps for a friend's baby shower www.giddygastronome.com....more here

Digestive biscuits & another pumpkin pie

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 22:49:00 +0000

To be chocolaty or cheesy? that is the question!

This biscuit had a "malty" overtone with a light crisp
& shortbread-like taste.....Mmmm! must be the barley malt
syrup & just the yolk I added! Absolutely Yum! A nazarina special.

A mousse-like pumpkin pie....vanilla bean whipped
double cream! Stop me please, how many more times
am I going to revamp this gift that keeps on giving? LOL!

Hello!

I developed my rendition of this digestive biscuit with my Mom in my mind, recollecting all those wonderful moments, when we had them for high tea! This pumpkin pie is another rendition of an older pumpkin pie I made last year where I just "Jackson Pollocked" the dark chocolate over the swirled vanilla bean whipped double cream! See all the recipes & pictures of foxes in my backyard......... HERE!

"Thomas", the train made from chocolate gingerbread!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:44:00 +0000

All my cherished bake ware is at the brunt of his rambunctious baking demeanor!

Recipe: Use organic ingredients whenever possible!

1/4 cup Valrhona French dark chocolate powder 64% ( Grand Cru de Terroire, “Tainori” Dominican Republic. I am now using this in almost all of my chocolate creations!

Click here for the template & the rest of the ingredients & pictures!

Have fun making this train!

Love,
Nazarina.

Curry pies made with a William Sonoma lattice mold

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 03:53:00 +0000

Have a happy new year!!!!

These are curry pies with chopped egg on top &
roasted apricot & chili chutney on the side
& ice cold glasses of Martinelli's sparkling apple cider &
marachino cherries as a garnish.

Pictures of this mold here and recipe at www.giddygastronome.com

Love,
Nazarina.

Sweet potato recipes, "Lays style" potato chips & a sushi napkin fold

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:52:00 +0000

I have all the instructions on my new blog www.giddygastronome.com

The "how to" of these sushi napkins are extremely easy & will dazzle your guests!

A childhood favorite, tomato chips! Yes, that is a dried tomato spice blend and toasted pink peppercorns in the little container.
The sweet potato chips has my Chinese 5 spice & cinnamon blend sprinkled all over the warm , crispy chips!

See the "How to" & more pictures of a baked panko sweet potato salad
on my other domain by clicking HERE!

Enjoy,
Nazarina.

New growth: berries, tomatoes, mint, cherries, cucumbers

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 21:10:00 +0000

Click here for more of this fruit fondant cake, chocolate steam pudding recipe & my absence from blogging!

Love,
Nazarina.

A cute napkin fold, baked potato bonda, chili pesto & a great giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sat, 01 May 2010 05:18:00 +0000

This is super easy to do, gosh, even a child could fold this in less than a minute and will really amuse your guests!
Go to my new blog here www.giddygastonome.com for the "how to!"
Also, I have another fantastic giveaway ( a baker's dream). Details on the new blog!

Love,
Nazarina.

Easter bunnies, eggs, a bunny napkin fold & a GIVEAWAY!!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:40:00 +0000

Read here on my new blog, the details of these Easter goodies
and the fantastic spa essential giveaway!
Do not fret if you are not the winner of this prize because there
will be more such prizes in the future!

new blog www.giddygastronome.com

Love,
Nazarina.

Streusel topped pumpkin pie & a recipe for kumquat & loquat success!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:42:00 +0000

I had to laugh when one of the guests at the bed and breakfast said
"My Grandmother's pumpkin pie is fantastically stuck........... Read more here

Click below!

See the recipe and more pictures here at my
new blog www. giddygastronome.com

Much love,
Nazarina.

Mock moon cake & an unbelievably tasty, savory rice noodle cake

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:51:00 +0000

Moon cake (cookies) cooked coconut on the inside & dipped in intense dark chocolate!

Rice noodle ( rice stick and shrimp savory cakes).
Could be vegetarian and gluten-free as well, see my new blog!

Click here for more pictures and these recipes www.giddygastronome.com

Homemade roast chicken soup & crispy cheese straws

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:32:00 +0000

Click on pic.

More pics on new blog, click on link below!

If you are interested in the recipes of this Asian preparation of this
soup & the crispy cheese straws then you will have to visit my new blog at
www.giddygastronome.com

Love,
Nazarina.

Cheeca Lodge & Spa resort...where paradise is not lost, just hidden!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:21:00 +0000

See more of my pictures of the Cheeca Lodge & Spa, including
a review & a portrait of president Bush senior( participating in a fishing tournament)

here at.......
www. giddygastronome.com

Thanks,
Nazarina.

persnickety, perfect Pom Wonderful!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:44:00 +0000

See recipe here at www.giddygastronome.com .......

& another recipe called an "Iced Pom Lassi" inspired by my "Indian Mango Iced Lassi."

Coconut creme caramels, Pomtized!

Or here on Pom Wonderful. While you there
could you please vote for me?

Enjoy!
Nazarina.

Chocolate peanut butter cookies with melted dark Reese's peanut butter cups

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:31:00 +0000

You can find the recipe on my new blog:
www.giddygastronome.com

Thanks,
Nazarina.

Gourmet pizza, emulating the Chinese dumpling!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:51:00 +0000

See the inside of this "pizza bun" here at my new home

www.giddygastronome.com

I emulated the Chinese" dumpling/bun"concept here and in return got a healthy investment of smiles and hugs!

Love,
Nazarina.

Cooking pumpkin stew & enjoying a ginger beer libation while dancing to the beat of Shakira

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:33:00 +0000

Do you want a good pumpkin stew recipe and this ginger beer/ pear concoction? then come on over to my new blog site www.giddygastronome.com

Thanks,
Nazarina.

Easy entertaining: featuring fabulous fruity drinks & a scrumptious moussaka!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:52:00 +0000

I love to play with my food and in so doing armed with a craft knife, this little guy's fate ended up in my scrumptious vegetarian moussaka!

See what happened to him here( my new domain) www.giddygastronome.com

Organic sesame cookies kissed with dark chocolate!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:17:00 +0000

Join this tea convivial, see more pictures of this post and
get recipe here at my new blog www.giddygastronome.com

Thanks,
Nazarina.

Go to Las Vegas.....when possible!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:52:00 +0000

Read more about this trip here on my new blog www giddygastronome.com

.

Nazarina.

Cooking sweet potato love and sharing my fashion for less!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:48:00 +0000

Please go to my new home for the rest of this post and more exciting pictures!!!!

Click here www.giddygastronome.com

Thanks,
Nazarina.

I am leaving, but hope you will follow!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:24:00 +0000

There comes a time when one just has to move on.......to a new home that is! I hope you will visit me occasionally at my new domain!

click on www.giddygastronome.com

Much love,
Nazarina.

A dreamy chocolate ladyfinger cake and the birth of my book!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:45:00 +0000

Could this dreamy ladyfinger cake possibly dismiss
my inexcusable hiatus?

See recipe below.

(made with Godiva dark chocolate) & ( made with hazelnut TEECCINO)
Unequivocally the most delicious success!!!

Do you take this velvety chocolaty wonder,
to savor and at times, devour,
and let no man cast asunder?.........I do!
for this evocative image is indeed a welcome
appeasement to my undying, creative and hungry soul!.......Nazarina.

My absence, even though inexcusable, has however
produced an undertaking in me compiling a book of
my very own, chic sweet and savory treats. Establishing
parameters for this undertaking are by no means easy
but my goals are to reflect my attention to detail and
present you with flavorful cuisine! This book is still
in progress and will be worth the wait!

I shall continue to post recipes on this blog ( whenever
time permits me) but the best of the rest as they say,
will be saved for last and that is my book)
Recipes will somewhat be indicative of this ladyfinger
cake above and the custard cigars below. Even the savories
will not disappoint!

This vision of juicy cherries embedded in creamy custard
is just one of the recipes that will appear in my book.

I shall also share lots of tips and tricks in the book.
Here's one, how to maintain the crispiness of this baked
creamy custard and cherry cigars and you do not even
have to crack a single egg for the custard! Also pitting
cherries if you do not have a cherry pitter at hand!

This cherry soup is adorned with mascarpone and is a
perfect accompaniment to these custard and cherry cigars!

Go ahead and dunk that crispy cigar!

Thank you teeccino for sending me a wonderful
gift of different herbal coffees. It does my digestive
tract good! ( see picture of this coffee in my previous post).
I used the hazelnut flavor in the making of this ladyfinger cake.
All I can say is that the resultant gianduia aroma of this cake
drove my friends and relatives insane! Irresistible things come
in small packages!

Here now is the recipe for the ladyfinger cake. As usual, please use organic ingredients whenever possible! This is a 7 inch spring form ring, opened to its widest setting.
Do not use the bottom of this pan for this prep.

Brew a cup and half of hazelnut teeccino and add only the 1 cup to 1 cup of hazelnut cream. Use the other half in the prep below. Let cool completely and set aside.

Other ingredients:

half cup brewed hazelnut teeccino
8 fl oz organic milk
2 T cornstarch
2 packs of ladyfinger cookies ( You will not use all the ladyfingers!)
4 egg yolks
11 oz dark chocolate plus( use only 9 oz for the cake and the rest melt with some milk for the decoration on top of cake.
5 T unsalted butter( rm temp)
1 t pure vanilla ( I use the brand from Santo Domingo)

Method:
Beat the egg yolks lightly. Pour the 8 oz milk and teeccino into a pot and add the the egg yolks, vanilla and the cornstarch. Heat this mixture, stirring constantly until it bubbles. Set aside to cool slightly. Meanwhile break the 9 oz of chocolate and melt over a bain- marie ( hot water bath). Stir until smooth. Cream the softened butter and gradually add the melted chocolate. Add this to the egg yolk mixture beating constantly until thickened.
Lightly soak ladyfingers in the mixture of teeccino and hazelnut cream and cover the bottom of the spring form ring. Cover with a layer of the chocolate custard and then continue the layering until the top of the ring, making sure that the final layer of ladyfingers is arranged in a very pretty manner. Set the whole cake in refrigerator to set overnight . Tip: I removed the ring gently, ( the aluminum foil makes it easier to handle), after 4 hours and smoothed out the chocolate custard around the sides and then cooled overnight in the refrigerator.
Decorate the cake with the melted chocolate 1 hour prior to serving. Serves about 10 or 8 hungry people.

Please enjoy!
Nazarina.

Reeni, my dear, your Mom is the bomb! Thank you for the portrait of my cat!!!She is an incredible artist!!!!