http://justbaking.net Need We Say More? Fri, 09 May 2008 13:01:05 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Imposters! I came up with the idea for Wannabe Portuguese Egg Tarts after seeing many pictures of egg tarts around the Web. I've never eaten an authentic egg tart -- heck, I've never even seen one in person. These were my attempt to get something in the ballpark of what an ... http://justbaking.net/2008/05/09/wannabe-portuguese-egg-tarts/   This week, our school is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. Every day this week, parents are encouraged to send in a little something for the teachers -- a note of encouragement, maybe some home-baked cookies, whatever. And every morning in the teacher's room, a continental-style breakfast awaits, supplied by parent volunteers. ... http://justbaking.net/2008/05/08/love-a-teacher-with-apple-walnut-muffins/ This morning my six-year-old woke up and was moping around before school, claiming "my tummy hurts." He wasn't running a fever, he ate a good breakfast, and was feeling good enough to torment his sisters. We walked up to school, I kissed him good-bye, and all was well. All was ... http://justbaking.net/2008/05/07/trust-your-instincts/ These are the cookies for when you need something dense, chocolatey, and brownie-licious -- in cookie form. Keep a box of brownie mix on hand (my hands-down favorite mix, store brand or otherwise, is Wal-Mart's Great Value. Really!), and when the craving for chewy, dense brownies strikes but you don't want to ... http://justbaking.net/2008/05/06/big-brownie-cookies/ Need a side dish for a steak or burgers? These oven-roasted potatoes come together in minutes, can be adapted to feed a crowd, and are a healthy alternative to French fries. Oven-Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary 4 russet potatoes, skin left on, well scrubbed and dried 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon dried ... http://justbaking.net/2008/05/05/oven-roasted-potatoes-with-garlic-and-rosemary/ Baking cookies is the best way to placate yourself and your kids, and for me, it's also a favorite pastime! What I love about cookies is that they can be simple and festive at the same time. I had thumbprint cookies on my mind for a long time. The name ... http://justbaking.net/2008/05/02/jam-thumbprint-cookies/ Empanadas, or hand-held meat pies, are common to many South American and Hispanic cuisines. Close cousins to the British meat pasties, the Australian meat pies, and the Indian samosas, their widespread popularity is no doubt due to their portability and their versatility.   Easily customized to cultural flavor preferences, the empanada is a perfect ... http://justbaking.net/2008/05/01/empanadas-smith-style/ When I think about tarts, I think about a crazy aunt who often jet-sets off to Paris and brings everyone back exotic gifts that cannot be found anywhere in your hometown. She is always traveling on glamorous adventures, leading a life of glitz, yet always keeps an element of mystery ... http://justbaking.net/2008/04/30/five-star-white-chocolate-fruit-tart/   Well, in my case, the answer is . . . rarely. But that's mainly because I love the process itself and so don't really look for the shortcuts, and also because I like food to be as close to its natural state as possible. (I'll refrain from climbing up on ... http://justbaking.net/2008/04/29/does-she-or-doesnt-she-use-premade/   As much as I've been looking forward to the vegetables of spring (hello, asparagus!), there are a few hearty winter staples I am reluctant to say my farewells to. Especially this particular preparation, Curry-Roasted Cauliflower, which I discovered only a few weeks ago, and which became an immediate favorite in ... http://justbaking.net/2008/04/28/curry-roasted-cauliflower-with-red-onions/