19 Sept, 2009 - Bake-a-thon Day ARRRRRR....

Despite it being Yabber like a Pirate day..I had a fun day at home baking up a storm with my future daughter in law, Teeny (aka Christina...but rarely) :-).

Some old recipes, some new recipes, all fun! We baked from about 2pm until about 6.30.

My goal was to bake some things I could put in the freezer that we could quickly pull out for G'dad to have with a cup of tea when he comes home from the seniors group he goes to...or to have in the morning for breakfast. His appetite is not great..he eats well but prefers small portions.

We made about 60 Blueberry Bran Muffins. The recipe for this is an old one I picked up about 30 years ago while I froze my tender newly emigrated butt off in Winnipeg during my first Canadian Winter. WTH? What is Chill Factor? I found out when I walked to the bank ON THE CORNER OF MY BUILDING and almost froze to death...I kid you not!!!! Scared the you know what out of me. LOL The people in Winnipeg on the other hand were some of the friendliest folks you will ever hope to meet...and the friendships I made warmed me all through those cold months..and then I got_the_hell_outta_Dodge back to the west coast LOL and here I am 30 years later :-) baking muffins I learned to make In Winterpeg as we called it. The great thing about these muffins is that you can add anything to them...this time it was blueberries :-)

Next we made Pioneer Woman's Good Old Chocolate Chip Cookies...say no more...these are fast becoming a family favourite LOL

Next up...some Banana bread...but then we changed our minds and I googled a recipe for Banana Muffins and found one for Crumb Top Banana Muffins. I have not tasted these yet but they look AMAZING!!!

We doubled the recipe and there was no issues. Also used some bananas that had been frozen in the freezer mixed with fresh ones...no problems there either. Aren't they pretty? I'll have one in the morning

I have never made scones so we thought we would try that. The only thing I remember my mum telling me was not to over work the scone mixture or it would be dense and not light and fluffy.
 This recipe I found HERE was so easy...done basically in the food processor. Now I have to say...mine did not look anything like this one. I put the cranberries into the processor so they were mixed into the dough and chopped up finely..really nice. I didn't use sultanas..it's one or the other for me...is this a trend? We again doubled the recipe (apparently I don't share well LOL) When I had the dough on the board and ready to cut I just split it in two..made two rounds of dough and cut them like a pizza three times to create 6 slices...giving us a total of twelve scones...22 for me and 2 for Teeny...just kidding. I did not put the glaze on mine either...so they turned out more rustic looking but still wonderfully light and airy...especially hot from the over with gobs of butter melting on them..***sigh*** My mama would be proud of me. What do you think..

Then we made Rice Krispie Date Squares..a recipe mum used to make in Ireland...the best use of Rice Krispies on the planet people!!! I have not cut them up yet so this is just the top of the pan. I used to LOVE these as a kid and have not made them for ages. (BTW...There was another recipe that I saw in my old recipe book that I had forgotten and I will make that sometime soon...but it is deadly dangerous and I will only share it if you sign a release...but that will be in the future.)

Finally we finished with the sweet stuff...and moved onto Savoury Land...my very favourite place actually. I will always take savoury over sweet...unless it is Lemon Tart then I reach a conflict...but I'll deal with that on a situational basis :-)

Back we go to Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond will be the death of me...but I'll die happy) and her Bacon Onion Cheddar Biscuits. I knew when I saw her post with these that I was lost...and I will stay lost until I have eaten every one of these delights...YUMMO!

They look so pretty too. I think next time (OH yes my dear...there will be a next time..and another and another after that) I will try it with green onions...for a little colour.

Kiara my daughter-in-law came by after work and the three of us had a nice evening together. The guys were out together so it was fun. I feel so blessed to have these two wonderful ladies in my life.

We ate the savoury biscuits with pasta done with the pesto sauce we had made a while ago. I just added a little cream and chicken to the sauce and we had a lovely meal...and a couple of bottles of wine LOL! G'dad had one with his evening soup. He also had a scone in the afternoon with his tea...hahahha..I'll get food into him ;-) We Irish women are so conniving! LOL

Sorry for the long post! :-)

Time for bed..I am all baked out...but happy!