Showing posts with label desserts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label desserts. Show all posts

Friday, February 23, 2018

Devon's Dish: [[THE TIPPING TEAPOT.]] restaurant review




 The Satori Tea Room was first introduced to me when I visited their location nestled deep in the center of downtown San Jose. Since then, that shop has moved to Saratoga, a tiny town  located at the base of the Santa Cruz mountains. I had the most wonderful time visiting this tea room, not to mention it was Superbowl Sunday.. so talk about having the place to yourself. :) 

My Aunt suggested that we come here for an afternoon and have some fun in memory of Nana. 
She was terribly British. I mean, a woman who was against getting her U.S. Citizenship because she was clearly a British woman and never converting. 


Here is my aunt, sipping her tea. I chose a Geisha green tea mix, which was light and airy but still remained true to its well-known flavor. My cup had the prettiest saucer, with dozens of flowers painted on it's surface. They have the best collection of dishes.. which, actually. it isn't a collection come to think of it.. Every cup a saucer is different and the tea pots are all different types, from classic hand painted roses, to funny shapes and colors. 

My sister had a gold elephant.  


We decided to get the "Tea for Two" but ordered two rounds so that would it would feed all four of us. I could have eaten about twelve more sandwiches, to tell you the truth ( they were so good ). Our scones were fresh from the oven, and they serve jam and clotted cream and lemon curd. The sandwiches I liked most were the pesto pumpkin seed and the pear, arugula and gorgonzola. 

Of course they have the traditional English cucumber and creme cheese, if you fancy. 


Just look at all the amazing pastries. The madeleine cookies were
 so good and I spread the jam on them, which was just divine. I could not stop with the chocolate french macarons, I think I even stole my Mom's share. They have dark chocolate and white chocolate petite fours which were decorated with tiny hearts. All the desserts were so pretty, but we managed to eat them.   


Here is a picture of my Sister, Nana and I.

The interior is a mixture of over-stuffed furniture, covered in all different fabrics. I loved the delicate vintage accessories, like the framed mirrors on the wall or the embroidery on the pillows. The colors in the shop are bright and inviting. The huge windows in front, light the gift area and show off all the tea mixtures available for purchase. The street outside, is lined with other shops, restaurants and tasting rooms. 






Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Bloody Brownies


I made something yummy over the weekend. I was test driving a Halloween recipe that I want to have for my party at work. . 

I thought they were delicious, especially with a little vanilia frozen yogurt on top.

 I was flipping through Emilys blog and saw the recipe there. But it originally came from here...


Usually when I'm making a recipe for the first time- I try not to tweak the ingredients list too much... for fear that they won't turn out well. This time around the only changes I made was the use of whole wheat flour and low fat cream cheese.

 Nobody even cared or asked about a difference in taste, winner winner!!

I love when I can substitue healthy iems to make a recipe even better. I give these Bloody Brownies two very enthusiastic thumbs up and I hope you enjoy them for all your Halloween spookiness too.







Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Paradise Bars


The other week I got the itch to bake. I knew the taste that I had in mind, vacation..  but I wasn't sure what to make. Instead of going off a recipe from online, I decided to make up my own concoction. Sometimes being creative pays off, and this was one of those times because they turned out delicious!!

My inspiration for the dessert came from my vacation day dreams. To me vacation is: adventure, authentic food, living like a local, relaxing and nature. No matter where I travel- tropical or chilly.. those are the experiences that I crave. Where do you like to go for vacation?

 It had a graham cracker base, caramel coconut center and a chocolate chip cookie top. I thought they were delicious and had just the right amount of coconut flavor. Give them a try in anticipation for Summer!
enjoy xo

Recipe

Base
6 graham cracker cookies
broken up for the base
mixed with 6 TBSP coconut oil
1 tsp of cinnamon
1/3 cup honey

Caramel Coconut filling
make caramel like here
stir in coconut flakes to your liking.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Topping
(If you would like to change the cookie topping, you can use the flavor you like)
I used this basic recipe, chocolate chip cookies are standard across the board, but I always add more vanilla extract and use coconut oil instead of butter.

After you crisp the crust (10 mins @ 350 degrees)
layer your filling and spread evenly- while it's still warm
Then plop the cookie dough over the top and bake @ 350 for 20 minutes (longer if needed)

Done.








yum :)

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

cheesecake and pie


As mentioned earlier this week.. I am in charge of the dessert table for Thanksgiving part one. I decided to go with a New York cheesecake and yummy Pumpkin pie bars. Classic always wins. This morning I am running in the San Jose Turkey Trot 10K. So I can be sure that I will be sampling both desserts tonight.

Last night, after I was finished baking, I decided the Cheesecake needed something else because it didn't look right naked. So I decided to add some caramel sauce with black sea salt- that was given to me as a Hawaiian souvenir . I love it, by the way. I figure you really can't go wrong sweet and salty..


The pumpkin pie bars sounded like a good take on the traditional. Except they are made with a ginger snap crust. Plus the added benefit is that you can cut as much or as little as you like, depending on the amount of room you have left. Hopefully I picked the right treats and have something for everyone. I wish you a wonderful Holiday with those you love and lots of yummy dishes for you to enjoy throughout the day and many sweet memories for you to be thankful for next year.







Tuesday, November 20, 2012

stripes and natives


Thanksgiving is this week, I can't believe it. I have already bought all the needed items for Thanksgiving number one with my Boyfriend's family on Wednesday night. I am in charge of the desserts, no surprise there. It is my favorite thing to bring to any party. Maddie and I played around with the camera and I tried on possible Turkey Day outfits. A new top from JCrew that I got this past weekend, I am so addicted to stripes right now. I was out shopping with my sister. {We got matching tops}  That often used to be the case when we were younger. A family vacation was always cemented with my sister and I getting new matching outfits... I still find some comfort in it, maybe for the memories. The turquoise jewelery is worn to represent something the Native Americans might have had. I also have my arrow necklace on in memory of the events at Thanksgiving and leaf earrings to remember nature. Maddie, just in the tu-tu that I made for her.








Thursday, September 27, 2012

simply smile

Sunset in Canada

This past weekend was my mom's birthday and we went out to eat with them at one of her favorite restaurants. While we were sitting there, I couln't help but see the love that my parents had for each other radiating through their gaze. After all these years (thirty-something) and the up and downs that most couples face, raising two children and hanging wall paper [inside joke] they are still together. I hope that I reach that in my my life someday. Your life is filled with experiences that turn into memories. Someone once told me that "you know you've reached the half way point, when you share memories instead of drems."  I have too many dreams that have yet to be fulfilled and one is to one day open a restaurant in my neighborhood.

Speaking of neighborhoods- I have good news regarding the Whole Foods in Downtown San Jose While I was shopping at the Campbell location they told me that once the Whole Body opens next month, estimating the 10th of October, they will begin work with the downtown location. That may or may not be finished by the end of 2013. It is also supposed to have a two story brewery that will stay open past the grocery shop hours. This will only make the area more attractive to shop owners. I hope to be open on that street one day, soon. So while I'm dreaming in my head and typing with my fingers, these are some of the things that are currently making me happy.

favorite color in bloom

fairytails come true in Victoria, British Columbia- vacationed the previous year


who doesn't love a little champs served in a red cup... or blue?


baking this little beauty

stealing my Mom's cookies

freshly squeezed orange juice- see below

British breakfast



unique decorations


Friday, September 7, 2012

simply::smile




new "balance" necklace [c/o]

After a short work week, I feel like I'm cheating by getting another weekend so soon. I know, I know... everyone is dying to see what I bought this past weekend in San Francisco... but I'm so lazy I haven't taken any good outfit posts yet... next week
I promise

I think since last weekend was so chaotic/exciting/busy/action packed, this weekend we will just sloooowwwww it dowwwnnn

I have never brought it up on here, but I have had some health issues for a while and I finally got them resolved.. I feel so fantastic and so alive {{too cheesy?}} Anyway, my message to you is to get checked out. Don't live with the pain you have.. I mean it really takes a toll on your mental state and your disposition. And if you live in the South Bay, I recommend here.. if you need it. The shots today are the little things that have kept me smiling this past week. Hope they make you smile too. enjoy your weekend. XO



trying out this new recipe



fun water pitcher I got on sale!!


loving Fig season <3

buying funny Birthday cards for a friend

new treats for my candy jar

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

i can never make up my mind



For the person who finds it hard making decisions, I feel your pain. Sometimes, I have to ask the waiter for advice at restaurants- or have my boyfriend pick a number one through ten to help me decide. When I'm out shopping.. I literally get anxiety if there are two pairs of shoes I like.. sometimes its beneficial because it serves as a reason for purchasing both. But it is hard to go through life having the worst time making decisions. I just don't want to pick the wrong one and miss out!


 I was gifted from my manager this amazing Madagascar vanilla extract and cake enhancer from King Arthur Flour and really wanted to make cupcakes with it. But I really had been craving a chocolate cake... so of course why not make it swirled, duh. I made two different flavors by splitting the batter in half. I decided to use this recipe I found, and it turned out just as fluffy as she promised. I really like an airy cake.  When it's too dense- it's overpowering with the thick layer of frosting on top.

As far as the toppings go, I took it to the next level. I wanted people to have their choice when it came to them. I think I wanted a salty and sweet cupcake, which is where the pretzels came into play. I also had a super chocolate choice, with shavings on top. And a plain, run of the mill, cream cheese frosting- my boyfriend really loves it, so I always have it available (lol, I know). The best part was the fact that they were bite size so everyone could try a few different flavors.






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