Could this weather be any more perfect? The waking temps were a bit chilly but they rise by 9am to an ideal 65-70 with sunshine and blue skies. Getting outside and making myself at home in the shade with a book and bite to eat felt decadent. My morning run was quick and then I blew the leaves for the 19th time this week.
To ring in February I was going to make cupcakes. Time constraints this week shortened kitchen duty for me and the baking process. Without the frosting on top these are simply muffins. The reason I wanted to try this recipe was for the avocados. I'm a huge avocado fan.
I love Italy for many reasons; it's so eternal, the fashion, the language, the Amalfi Coast, the Italians, the renaissance art, and the food.
Ah, the food. This is my affordable way to enjoy a slice of Italy in my own home. During my visit years ago I took notes while I watched Luigi make pizza dough in the kitchen. Everything he did I did. Luigi made it by hand and so do I. Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes. I promise you, you do not need to buy a fancy food processor to mix the dough. It was as if he was communicating with me over some space and time continuum. Mixing the dough becomes magical.
Baking cakes is not a task I normally find myself involved in. If my convection oven could talk it would ask if I moved out or if my kitchen is under new management. But there I was standing in the kitchen, melting dark chocolate and looking for items I had long put away. This was not a cake for me but a birthday cake I was baking for a someone special I knew would love all the gooey delights that would follow.
