Baked Goods

Pi Day in Tennessee

[13-16 March, 2024]

Our Pi Day celebrations date back to over 20 years ago back in my Corporate Planning days at Honda, in the early Aughts. At that time, pie-eating work get-togethers were organized by our office admins, with approval of course by the managers, and enjoyed by the entire department. We harked back to those times when my former boss and another former co-worker went on a road trip to visit one of our favorite pi day organizers who is now retired in Tennessee.

On the way down, we also made a side trip to Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY for a bourbon tasting and some purchases at the gift shop.

On 3/14, pies were purchased at a local bakeshop and enjoyed heartily. Later that day, we drove through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and visited Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. On Friday. it was a drive to Norris Dam for a look at that area of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s state-wide system of flood prevention, power generation, navigation, and recreation infrastructure of dams, locks, and reservoirs. (We are engineers, after all.) We headed back home on Saturday.

Overall, we had really nice weather, and a welcome late winter break for some time with good old friends.

Basque Burnt Cheesecake

Still feeling Spain vibes, whipped up a 10” pan of Basque Burnt Cheesecake this past weekend.

Fox in the Snow

The fourth Fox in the Snow branch opened in old Historic Dublin a couple of weekends ago and I got a chance to try it this morning for breakfast. It did not disappoint. The souffléd egg and bacon on ciabatta lives up to its title of ‘best breakfast sandwich in Ohio’, while the morning bun also deserved its own award.

Spinach and Cheese Egg Soufflé

Reprising one of my favorite homemade dishes during the pandemic, it is almost nostalgic making these Panera-style baked egg soufflés once again!

Zucchini Rose Muffins

My next-door neighbor has a vegetable garden and shared a couple of zucchini with me this past weekend. So, through the magic of pre-made frozen puff pastry, I turned them into zucchini rose muffins.

Kate's Birthday

[14 June, 2023]

Seafood pasta and homemade cakes for Kate on her birthday.

Homemade Madeleines

[29 March, 2023]

Madeleines are one of those French pastries that have simple ingredients yet can take a very long time to perfect. The crispy, darker side with the notable ridges, the distinctive “bump” on the lighter, softer side, the subtle hint of vanilla flavor, and the rich, soft lemony moist cake interior — all need to come together nicely in a scrumptious little bite-size cookie. They also have a very short life, best consumed fresh and warm from the oven. This is my first attempt; not too bad if I may say so.

Recent Eats

A sampling of most recent notable eats.

Not 'Nothing Bundt Cake'

[ 3 February, 2023]

I made a chocolate bundt cake with cream cheese frosting, in the style of Nothing Bundt Cakes for a family member’s birthday. I think it was a success, considering it was my first attempt.

Orange Bundt Cake

[8 January, 2023]

Some more carry-over baking effects from the holidays: this time, an easy but scrumptious, moist orange bundt cake.

A Christmas Bread Wreath

[22 December, 2022]

I made a simple-recipe cheesy, garlicky, and buttery bread wreath - a proper Christmas snack!

Fox in the Snow

[30 November, 2022]

I’ve been wanting to visit Fox in the Snow, a popular cafe/breakfast spot with a couple branches in and around Columbus. Some personal business that brought me downtown finally gave me the opportunity. Definitely worth the trip.

Nutella Babka

Fresh, homemade, chocolatey treat from the automatic bread machine.

LA Trip

Went to LA this past weekend to attend baby Kamille’s baptism and got to see old friends and indulge in a lot of off-diet grub as well.