cakeaustin

Dear Friends,

I admit, I was absent Thursday night for reasons beyond my control and circumstances within my control. Having worked a health fair that afternoon, I raced homeward at 5:45 only to find myself stuck between W. Parmer Ln and the Office Space-esque start/stop cattle drive that is southbound Mopac. At 6:50 I pulled into my driveway and set about flash-frying shallots with Kitchen Pride mushrooms – shitake and baby bella. Snipped a few fresh herbs from garden, then drizzled Texas Olive Ranch olive oil atop the pretty pile as I toasted half a baguette.

I went to my computer to look up the address at which I was already overdue at that point, and sighed as it completely froze up. There was no reviving my computer. My mobile device could not recover the address – not from email or Facebook. I sighed. A little salty tear rolled down my cheek, reminding me to salt the shrooms, now that they’d not be at risk of giving up their juices.

Had the day’s schedule permitted, what I truly wanted to make for you were the little pasta packets described so lovingly by Bill Buford in Heat, the book we were set to discuss. Like a postage stamp on a love letter, he wrote. Rather than pea and mint, I had hoped to do pecan and basil – sort of an un-pesto. Alas, this was not to be, though I’d love to know whether one of you made it, and what else was brought along. La Vie Dansante made quiche I believe?

I realize I could have called any of you whose numbers I have in my phone. What the computer-freeze seemed to be saying to me, however, was: You Need a Night Off. Frequently asked, “when do you sleep?” I typically answer the question silently, in my head, so as not to disturb the enquirer, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” I think a lot of us probably feel that way, and it’s not particularly healthy. Modern life definitely takes a toll, and it’s this yearning to slow down, to experience things as they’re happening, that drew me to move here from NYC; to become active in Slow Food Austin and now, Slow Money.

Kitchen Pride Mushrooms to the rescue

Here was my dinner on Thursday night. I am sorry it was not shared with you, book club friends, but we’ll be together again soon. In the meantime, here’s to enjoying many good meals, whether alone in quiet reflection or together with those you love. In my case, I count you among them.

-SL

All right, all right. Without further adieu, here are some shots of the cake I made for Val and Fede. Lightsey Farm peaches with organic vanilla-bean buttercream and a touch of peach brandy:

Applause for the new Norises!

So, Val is Argentine and Fede is Italian. There is this incredible cake-related tradition in Argentina I had never heard of before, and I thought I knew all the cake lore! Instead of a bouquet toss, all the single ladies (all the single ladies) gather ’round the cake and pull charms – basically milagros – from the cake. I had to meet with Val to plan engineering the hiding of the charms so that we wouldn’t have a cakewreck with all those feisty females battling for the ring. We had other cute little charms such as a turtle (guess, slow-to-the-altar?), a baby (mm-hmm), an airplane and some woodland animals.

Ready...set...pull a charm!

It’s high time for a sunny, rosy post on things. So here you go.

What a truly fantastic Halloween we had. Folks were out in full effect with some of the most creative (even for Austin) costumes I’ve ever seen. The Zombie Ball was pretty cool and then the evening got even weirder when we headed across the street to Justine’s and ran into Dai Due + Duplechan crew enjoying a post-Cathedral of Junk dinner, dressed as USDA inspectors. I tol’ Tamara it was the best costume idea EVER.

Unfortunately Justine’s was out of duck confit so we ate some cheese and bread. Eh. Then, back outside, we hopped aboard the snake bike and rode down the street, practically to downtown:

Built by Austin Bike Zoo, it was a sight to see. I did not even think first; I just jumped on. It was exhilarating! Did you know that I’ve not been on a bike in earnest since I was 15? (Bad accident, broken bones, long story). Austin Bike Zoo inspired me  to “get back on the bike” – literally.

Lastly: I am SO nomming on The Rebeccamendations – another fab Austin blog – behold the truffles I’ll be making like an elf (though not Keebler!) throughout the holidays.