Strawberry Lemonade

Summer in a drink - Strawberry Lemonade.

Used strawberries we picked from Swanton Berry Farm. Picking berries at their Swanton Ranch with the Pacific in the background is dramatic.

Candied Ginger

Candied Ginger

Though not posted here, Ginger Snaps promptly followed. What struck me about the recipe was how gripped I felt looking at sugar syrup recrystallizing. The hurrah moment, when you know, you were doing it right all along and i secretly laughed at all the recipes that ask for ginger to be coated in sugar as the coup de grace.

Baklava

Happy Birthday DH! May the new year be as rich and fulfilling!

Mighty pleased, for I battled sheets that tore on me and sheets that stuck on me, yes I'm referring to the much feared, phyllo dough and I prevailed. Behold, the delicious baklava!

Some things to note:

Thawing phyllo dough in the microwave for 60 seconds instead of in the refrigerator or the kitchen, is a great idea.

Go ahead and put that plastic wrapping over the waiting dough and cover it with a damp tea towel (a few drops of rose water in the water does not hurt).

I ran out of the 8 ounces of clarified butter towards the end and resorted to oil. Next time, will have more handy!

I cut the baklava before putting it in the oven (the thought of cutting through fragile, crisp sheets was unnerving).

I see a lot of syrup still waiting to be absorbed. Next time, will try pouring it as soon as the pastry comes out of the oven.

Other flavourings i have read include, cloves and cardamom. And lemon zest and juice for the syrup.