Cookbookmaniac
  • Pecan Pie from Baking by Dorie Greenspan
    Pecan Pie from Baking by Dorie Greenspan
    American Recipes

    My very first job was at a sandwich store called Gourmet Fast & Fresh. It wasn't any ordinary sandwich shop, it was like a supermarket of sandwiches and baguettes. It was housed in a two storey building. The top level was where the sandwiches were made and packed, then downstairs was were they were displayed and sold. Customers simply came in and chose their pre-made sandwiches, selected a drink, picked up a sweet dessert and paid for them at the register. The managers were a married couple and they were very charitable and kind. At the end of every night they allowed the employees to take home whatever they did not sell and if there was anything left after that, they gave it to the Salvation Army. It introduced me to combinations of fillings that I had never seen before: Turkey + Cranberry Sauce + Camembert Chicken + Avocado +…

  • Whoopie Pies – Chocolate and Vanilla Buttercream
    Whoopie Pies – Chocolate and Vanilla Buttercream
    American Recipes

    I'll admit it right now. I am not very good at taking orders from people, especially when it comes to food. My eyebrows furrow and my toes curl up when I hear a command. The kitchen is the one place that I want complete control and complete freedom to do what I please. However, when Pizzaboy sent me an email with a picture of something he saw on the internet, my toes started to curl and I pursed my lips. 'What is it that you want now?!' I ask. The attachment was the most enticing picture of a whoopie pie. "Hell yeah! I'll make that!" "Really?" "Yeah!" "Oh... cool!." The things we do for love. I've never eaten these before. I am pleasantly surprised by it's soft cake-like texture and it definitely sinks right into your mouth. My mind is going insane with all the potential flavour combinations ideas. ps.…

  • Not a Scotch Finger Biscuit
    Not a Scotch Finger Biscuit
    American Recipes

    What's with the name? When I made these delicious biscuits I declared to Pizzaboy that they tasted like Scotch Finger biscuits. He shook his head in disagreement and said, "Its not a scotch finger." Both of us couldn't remember the last time we had eaten a scotch finger and made sure we bought a packet on our next trip to the supermarket. Well, it turned out not to be the same as a scotch finger. It was less crumbly, more wholesome and just as cheerful. The malted milk powder and cream cheese made it just that bit more special. It also tasted spectacular dipped in a cup of tea. Not a Scotch Finger Biscuit Adapted from Martha Stewart's Cookies 2 3/4 cups (315g) plain flour 3/4 cup malted milk powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, at room temperature 85g cream cheese, at room…