Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The Cake

I love my family.
You love your family
We all love our families,
but sometimes,
sometimes that mostly fall around the holidays when you have to spend a few too many days under the same roof as your whole family you come to truly understand and embrace one of the fundamentals of the holidays … cocktails.


But what to do when you need the sustenance that cocktails cannot provide? Sure there is eggnog, but who wants to sit next to that old guy that has been drinking eggnog all day? When cocktails no longer pack enough of a punch to warm you up after a long walk outside and the ensuing slightly louder than is polite raised voices that greet you when you walk in the door, I offer you this as a form of comfort.


Whiskey & Chocolate & Cake.

It takes a bit of work ... but consider that at the end of the day you
get to indulge in whiskey & chocolate & cake.
All together.
All at once.
All delicious.


The Cake.
Recipe care of Orangette

2 sticks (8 oz.) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for the pan
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan

5 oz. unsweetened chocolate

¼ cup instant espresso powder
(We didn't have any, I just used coffee instead. It was delicious)
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup bourbon, rye, or other whiskey, plus more for sprinkling
½ tsp. kosher salt
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda


Confectioners’ sugar, for a snowy finish



Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a 10-cup-capacity Bundt pan (or two 8- or 9-inch loaf pans). In a heatproof bowl set over – but not touching – a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate until just smooth, stirring occasionally. Let cool.

Put espresso and cocoa powders in a 2-cup (or larger) glass measuring cup. Add enough boiling water to come up to the 1 cup measuring line. Stir until the powders dissolve. Add the whiskey and salt. Let cool.

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until fluffy. Add the sugar, and beat until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract, baking soda and melted chocolate, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.

With the mixer on low speed, beat in a third of the whiskey mixture. When liquid is absorbed, beat in 1 cup flour. Repeat additions, ending with the whiskey mixture. It may seem like there is too much liquid, but don’t worry; it’s okay. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes for a Bundt pan.
(Loaf pans will take less time; start checking them after 55 minutes.)

Transfer the cake, still in its pan, to a rack. Unmold after 15 minutes and sprinkle warm cake with more whiskey. (I did this by pouring a little bit into a teaspoon, and then shaking the teaspoon over the cake. I’m guessing that I used 3 teaspoons’ worth in all.) Cool completely before serving, garnished with confectioners’ sugar, if you like.


Yield: 10 to 12 servings.

kamsahamnida youtube

Sometimes the internet is the greatest best friend you can have.
It hides little gems on youtube and dares you to find them.
As far as Korean movies go - make sure you've seen Old Boy.
Next ... watch this.
Thank you Youtube.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Videos!


"Better Together" for Match.com from FriendsWithYou on Vimeo.



Un tour de Manège from Les Manèges on Vimeo.


Your secret from Jean-Sebastien Monzani on Vimeo.

I wish I had found all these videos on my own, aren't they wonderful?
Swedish isn't the easiest language to understand, but you can use online translators to understand what she is saying if you like .... but I don't.
I just like the pictures and the videos.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

A Lady ...

When it is cold outside, 
a lady should always have something warm and strong on hand for her guests.



After a little mulled wine, 
she prepares for the party ...


... where she listens to the boys, 
and always has something interesting to say.


Drinking the boys under the table, I'd say that's also in the description.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Don't Go Breaking My Heart


Don’t you hate fickle friends?
I was so excited when we met, I thought we were destined to 
go on long walks, and share adventures together, but you had other ideas.







I thought we were having fun. 
Didn’t you like the carriage ride through the old city?



You and Winston were pretty cosy,
or perhaps you were just jealous of my other film camera.




I will miss you camera.


Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Churchill & Trudeau - Québec City

One thing I love about airplanes is that regardless of how miserable and grey 
it is on the ground...


...once you are up in the sky everything is bright again, and you’re
reunited with the sun.


My mom and I went on a quick little trip to Quebec City for a few days. It’s a good thing she was sitting beside me because small airplanes can be awfully bumpy, and who better to calm you down than your mom?


Touchdown in la belle province, and we walked right into snowflakes.









We ate at our favourite restaurant...


twice.

(Isnt' my mom the cutest?)

+
+


And cocktails at the Chateau ... 


This is the Trudeau Martini.
It was good, but not quite as good as the Churchill Martini. 
Wiston & I both share a certain affection for a little gin with our scotch.
(That photo is on my mom's camera)


The next day I made a new friend.




... but you'll have to wait a few more days to see what she saw.
Hopefully you are more patient than I.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Une belle histoire - Coeur de pirate



Je viens juste de retourner d'une toute petite voyage à la ville de Québec avec ma mère.
C'était très belle, et je m'excuse Toronto. Je pense que j'ai rapporter la neige avec moi.


Translation: I just returned from a little trip to Québec City with my mom. It was quite nice. Apologies to Toronto, I'm pretty sure I brought the snow back with me.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Second Time Around

It started with a little bacon, booze...




... and boobs!


Followed by a tower ....






... and then a few delicious things ...









... and then it was time to go.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

j'm'en vais



YYZ to YQB tomorrow.
Hopefully it's not too cold over there.