Hint of Vanilla

Baking with a time limit is not my ideal way of baking. I calculate the exact amount of time I have to make everything and photograph it, plus throwing in some extra time in case something goes wrong (which it often does). I freak out if I think I might not have enough time because what if it's still in the oven when I have to go to work? I always finish with at least an hour to spare before work, yet I freak out anyways.

Posted by : Hint of Vanilla
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Earl Grey Infused Chocolate Pots de Crème

Chocolate | Custards

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I can't remember the first cup of tea I ever had, but I do remember having tea almost every morning of my life. My grandma was a bit tea drinker (She was Scottish) and that was passed on to me. When I was very little, I remember waiting for my grandma to make my tea and bring it to me in a big green plastic cup. Most often, I would burn my tongue on the first sip.

Posted by : Hint of Vanilla
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Vanilla Macarons with French Buttercream

Cookies | Macarons

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Vanilla is probably the most versatile flavour in the whole world. Vanilla extract or vanilla beans are added to pretty much every dessert and baked good, even if the overall flavour is something like pumpkin, chocolate, or strawberry. It just makes every other flavour taste better.

And yet, vanilla gets a bad rap. It's 'boring', 'plain', and 'average' to some people. The fact that it is such a widely used flavour makes it nothing special. I'm here to tell you that that is wrong! Vanilla is a delicious, intense, and wonderful flavour. Have you ever smelled a vanilla bean? It's like sniffing those smelly markers back in elementary school, you couldn't get enough. You just keep on sniffing until eventually you get marker on your nose.

Posted by : Hint of Vanilla
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Pecan Brownies

Chocolate

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Pecans have quickly become one of my favorite nuts. It was like love at first bite when I made these pecan sandwich cookies. I had never had many desserts loaded with pecans until then and let me tell you, I was in love. Completely in love.

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Rhubarb Crostatas

Fruit | Pie

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Rhubarb was never really high up on my list of dessert fruits when I was growing up. This was just me though, I'm pretty sure everyone else was into rhubarb.

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Strawberry and Coconut Milk Tart

Fruit | Tarts

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I agonized for days about what to make with strawberries that would really show off the berries. I went through all twelve of my recipe books, but nothing seems quite right. I became frustrated and exasperated with my fruitless (or fruitful? Haha) quest.

Eventually, I gave up and decided to make something completely different. And you know what? It failed miserably.

Posted by : Hint of Vanilla
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Rhubarb and Brown Butter Tart