I got an urge to bake today. (This is almost a daily occurrence…) I walked down to the local supermarket to pick up some ingredients to make some Sour-Cream Anise Pound Cake Muffins (that I was going to invent), and low and behold, the Éxito only had star anise. I was bummed out, but I…
I moved cities a couple of weeks ago – from Bogotá to Pasto. I’m loving my new place – A LOT! The only thing (or things) is that my new apartment is lacking some appliances that make life a little easier: a fridge, a microwave, an oven, and a washing machine. I’ve learned to live…
My sister was making these cookies, so I joined her in the holiday baking for some childhood nostalgia – I used to love using the spritz press! ————————————————— Spritz Cookies Makes about 4 dozen Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 2 1/4 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon…
Being back in the States for a couple weeks at sea level seemed like the perfect excuse for baking – no worries about elevation in Indiana! There were some bananas browning in the kitchen, so I decided to whip up some banana muffins, with a little help from my three-year-old niece, Mikaela. ————————————————— Banana Chocolate-Chip…
Frosting is my favorite part of cookies, cupcakes, or cakes. But, only if it’s homemade with yummy ingredients – none of that Crisco wax! This recipe for an awesome buttercream frosting, made completely from scratch! It isn’t as pink as strawberry frosting might be, since it doesn’t have any food coloring. I’ve made it before…
Yesterday was one of my dearest friends in Bogotá’s birthday. I wanted to do something special for Ingrid, and what better way to show your love than through homemade cupcakes? Easier said than done. I have an awful cold at the moment, and was almost reduced to tears when the altitude destroyed my trustworthy recipe…
I made this strawberry syrup to add to some delicious strawberry icing I made, but I think it would also be delicious on pancakes, ice cream, etc. ————————————————— Strawberry Syrup Makes about 2 cups Ingredients: 2 cups strawberries, sliced 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup water Instructions: Add strawberries, granulated sugar, and water to a medium saucepan…
It’s finally the holiday season! December is here! I spent Friday decorating the office at the Ministry, and in order to further the Christmas spirit, I decided to make classic Christmas sugar cookies with buttercream icing. Sacrificing my 4 am morning run for cookie making seemed like a good plan! The supermarkets here are not…
I made this icing to decorate some Christmas sugar cookies that I made. It was delicious!!! This frosting was not only the perfect amount, but it was the perfect consistency. Next time, though, I will use clear vanilla if I am going to leave it white. ————————————————— Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Makes about 2.5 cups Ingredients:…
One thing that Colombia has no shortage of is potatoes. There are so many different varieties here that I have never even seen before! The only thing I had to do was decide what type to use! I ended up getting some that Leito told me were called papas pastusas. They tasted pretty much like…
Green bean casserole might be one of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes… and it is so simple – canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and french-fried onions! It is one of the few things that I never make “from scratch.” This was to quickly change, especially since I live in Colombia! Since I couldn’t find…
I have never been one to cook stuffing inside of a turkey – it just seems like too much hassle! Not to mention, I couldn’t find a whole turkey here in Bogotá. I ended up getting a turkey breast and a couple of drumsticks. I decided to make this stuffing, which turned out quite lovely!…
I looked high and low for sweet potatoes or yams in Bogotá. I went to supermarkets and corner stores, and yet these patatas were nowhere to be found. I showed a picture to Leito, who told me that they were called patatas, but even with pictures and my new vocabulary, I could not find them.…
Salad is one of my favorite foods. Hands down. Therefore, I had to have salad at my Thanksgiving dinner! I decided to make it a festive Thanksgiving salad, with cranberries, pecans, and feta cheese. ————————————————————————— Cranberry Pecan Salad Makes 6 servings Ingredients: 1 cup pecan halves 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1…
I couldn’t find yeast at the five different stores that I went to on my Thanksgiving hunt (although I am sure it exists, I just don’t know where to find it), and so I decided to make cornbread instead of wheat rolls. I found a recipe, decided to make it into muffins, and modified it…
Cooking in Colombia 