From Scratch

Ring in the New Year with...books!

That's right. I suggested it. Not gonna take it back. Reading is like a party in your brain.

In all seriousness now-this book, The Passage, was really good. It's epic and addictive. I must warn you though-it is very thick and will take you some time to read. Worth it though. The story is a haunting narrative about a new virus that has been unleashed on the modern world, turning it's victims into totally lethal and scary (not sexy) vampires. Yep, vampires. The only hope for the few remaining humans left in the wake of this new diseases torching path is one eight year old girl, who may or may not be the cure. It's so good! Oh and just so you won't be caught off guard like I was, this is a series. As in there will be a sequel or possible trilogy.

This novel, The Cookbook Collector, is much softer on the palette. A lovely story centered around two sisters who are starting their adult lives and falling in and out of love. There were parts where I wanted to cheer, parts where I wanted to cry and parts where I wanted to eat. Let me explain that last one. :) There are a bunch of gorgeous and descriptive food passages in this book, because one of the sisters finds and begins to study this massive and rare cookbook collection. Those parts were so lovely, I think this author might like food as much as me. Anyway, this was a wonderfully fun read that I highly recommend.

Happy New Year!

xo. Emma

2010 Has been a very yummy year!

This past year has brought so many wonderful and challenging changes to my life. I am so happy and thankful to be where I am. And as I look back over the past year, I realize...man, I ate a lot of good stuff.

From the top, left: I started a catering business this year. And with that move came a LOT of recipe testing, I loved these Carrot Cake cupcakes from the first bite. Hey, remember when I made Dark Chocolate Ice Cream in two coffee cans. Yeah, that happened. Yummy, chewy homemade pizza was a constant friend this past year. I made some from-scratch Cheesy Crunchy Crackers that lasted about 5 minutes at my house. :) This past summer I got a little obsessed with risotto, I loved this Citrus Risotto with Asparagus, and it still reminds me of summer! In autumn I jumped on the pumpkin-loving train and made these Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts. Yum! And even with my new job forcing me to make cupcakes most days (rough like, I know) I still pulled out my pans now and again on off days to make Oatmeal and Berry Muffins. Oh, and do you remember that time I made Steak. Yeah, I know, crazy. That totally happened.

2010 has been too good to me! I can't wait to see what this next year has up it's sleeves!

xo. Emma

So impressed...

I was so impressed by this little $50 dessert table created by Jen and McKenzie of We Heart Bliss

Their tips and tricks for creating this adorable dessert spread can be found over at Le Wedding Party.

xo. Emma

I'm alive

Waking up from the holiday food coma is tough. This is probably what bears feel like waking up from hibernation. Science.

Here is one of the culprits who caused my holiday food coma. Tiramisu.

I can't really say what possessed me to make this for our family's Christmas lunch. I had actually never had real Tiramisu before, just Tiramisu flavored stuff. Like coffee creamer, that sort of high class thing.

But I wanted to make something fancy for my family. And for some reason this came to mind, so I went for it. I followed the exact directions to make The Pioneer Woman's Tiramisu, because again, I had never made it or even tasted one before so I thought I better stick to a recipe. Although I did use Brandy instead of Marsala wine, couldn't find any at Dillons. Also I would highly recommend beating the mascapone before folding in the cream and other components, otherwise you may get a few lumps.

Ignore the lumps. Pretend I'm perfect. That's what I do...

Holy Yum! I loved it, it is a decadent but not overly sweet trifle drenched in coffee and alcohol. Divine. I wish I could claim I came up with this stuff. Maybe I will just start drenching everything in coffee and alcohol. What could go wrong with this plan? Hm....

Anyone else recovering from a holiday food coma? I need to go jogging so so bad now. Eesh.

xo. Emma

Just wanted to say...

Just wanted to wish you and your families a very happy and safe holiday season-I will spending the next two days baking and eating vast amounts of sugar and cheese, hopefully.

But not necessarily together. That might not be good.

xo. Emma

Yes!!!!!!!!!

My dear friend and fellow Red Velvet girl, Holly sent me a present in the mail today!

I opened it early, because I can. :) I was so excited-I've wanted one of these for, years. Seriously.

Thank you Holly!!!!!!!!

Back by Popular Demand

Part 2, Emma answers more questions from oh so quiet on Vimeo.

Just kidding, this was neither popular nor demanded.

Also you will notice that I am wearing the same outfit, as in I filmed this on the same day. Again, I am very professional at video making. Like Coppola.

xo. Emma

More Toasts. Because one is never enough.

Like I said, if you make enough toast it becomes a meal.

This is a yummy breakfast variation. It involves butter, brie and jam. I used apricot jam. Mostly because I couldn't get my strawberry jam jar open.

If you are too weak to open your own jam jars you might want to consider putting the jam down and doing a few push ups. Maybe.

Or you could skip the push ups and find a jar you can open.

All jams are good anyway. I've never meet a jam I didn't like.

Oh also...if you are pregnant right now (congrats!) and I'm sorry I keep posting about Brie. I can't help it, it's yummy.

xo. Emma

P.S. I may or may not have another video for you tomorrow....

Q&A: Part 1, (pssst...it's a video)

Q&A: Cooking from Emma Chapman on Vimeo.

That's right-I answered some questions, and made a video. I know it's not very professional, but I'm lucky I figured out how to get this darn thing onto this darn blog in the first place.

Technology is hard.

Cake is easy. I prefer easy. ;)

Also here is the list of cookbooks and cooking websites I promised:

Books: Martha Stewart's Cupcakes, The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook, and Food & Wine 2009 Annual Cookbook.

Websites: Annies' Eats, Joy the Baker, Smitten Kitchen, The Kitchn, The Pioneer Woman, Bakerella, Cakespy, and 101 Cookbooks. Just to name a few.

xo. Emma

Roasted Bell Pepper Toasts

I had planned to make a bell pepper soup. The night before I bought gorceries for this soup and then the next morning I woke up and decided a bell pepper soup sounded gross.

Do you ever plan on making something and then at the last minute deceide you are not in the mood?

I do. Apparently.

So I looked at the groceries I had and...I made something up. Theses roasted bell pepper toasts would make a great southwestern style appetizer. And if you eat, like, seven of them then they are basically a meal too.

Not that I did this...um...

You should make these for a party. Do you throw parties? I try sometimes, I like eating and I like telling jokes so parties are right up my alley. So to speak. :)

Roasted Bell Pepper Toasts

You will need: 1/2 loaf french bread (sliced thin), 2-3 large bell peppers, 1/2 onion, 2-3 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, powdered garlic, 3-4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, 2-3 ounces sour cream, chili powder and a handful of cilantro, chopped

Slice up the bell peppers and onion. Toss them in olive oil, season with salt, pepper, and powdered garlic. Roast them on a baking sheet (broil or turn that oven up to 450 F) for 8-10 minutes. Lay sliced bread on a baking sheet and cover with the roasted peppers and cheese, bake for 2-3 minutes (until cheese melts). Then top with sour cream with a bit of chili powder mixed in, and sprinkle on the cilantro.

You won't be sorry.