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May: Listen

For me reading is a form of listening so this month I am going to listen to the my intuition, while following the written instructions of famous chefs and cookbook authors, to make delicious treats, sweets and meals for our Hotelito family.

The part where I always seem to substitute something....usually honey for sugar will be my intuition as are the times I skip the salt.  I am always changing some ingredients because I just can't get everything for the North American and European recipes here in Nicaragua.

My culinary passion is baking, cookies, pies, cakes or muffins...as long as its a sweet I am in.  Since being a part of Dulce Mareas I have upped my savory game too...although that can include chorizo bread pudding or beef pot pie.

My planner side said I needed a list of inspiring cookbooks I have on hand in Nicaragua and in my ever growing digital library. Check and ready!

Milk Bar Life: Grandma's Oatmeal Cookies
My most used cookbook is definitely the Purity All Purpose Flour Cookbook and you can tell by its stained pages and not new appearance.  I have the spiral bound copy...it was my moms.  She has my grandmas copy that is hardcover.  I have been using this book for as long as I can remember and it has become a faithful baking companion.

This month I want to work on new things so I am going to focus on books I don't normally use or new ones that have inspired me.

My first recipe is from Milk Bar Life by Christina Tosi and they were enthusiastically endorsed by my executive chef friend in town.  I left out the white sugar in favor of honey.  I expected them to spread more but, oh well, the flavor was all packed in there so absolutely a must bake again soon.  I think I may add these by the dozen to my cakes to order page.

Something I really want to experiment with is using unusual ingredients to make things....like Christina Tosi's cereal milk or some variation of.  I have made pancakes with marble cake bits and pound cake bits....I used anzac cookies that didn't turn out well as a cookie crumb crust....it was a delicious flapper pie. 

Follow me and see what I come up with this month.









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