yes ma'am, that is backwash on the menu

"One rainy afternoon this past December, while visiting my cousin Martin in Ecuador, I found myself surrounded by eight grinning, scantily clad members of the Shuar, an Amazonian tribe with the distinction of having shrunk its last human head during the Reagan administration. I wasn’t in any kind of danger — just the opposite, in fact — but I’d have given almost anything to escape.
My cousin and I were being welcomed as honored guests, which among the Shuar involves the consumption of chicha, a mildly alcoholic drink that they make from boiled yucca root and human saliva. The situation came as no surprise to me, because I visited the year before, was received with due pomp and politely took a sip from the ceremonial gourd. What was surprising, however, was that I let it happen a second time."
continued at NYT here

More gingertecture!

(via Epicute)

Did someone say cupcake?

more at Martha

Cookie of the Week - Snickerdoodle

I suddenly feel the need to bake!

"A snickerdoodle is a type of sugar cookie made with cream of tartar and rolled in cinnamon sugar. It is characterized by a cracked surface and can be crisp or soft depending on preference. In modern recipes, the leavening agent is usually baking powder.^{[citation needed]}
Some people mistakenly refer to snickerdoodles as "sugar cookies". The difference between the two comes from the use of cinnamon, which is balanced with cream of tartar to give the cookies their sweet, spicy flavor

will report on progress later!

Its friday ... that means its time for ... baking!!!!

MINI CUPCAKES!!!!
aren't these cute?
didn't I make mini angel cake poofs for you guys once?
maybe i'll try my orange chocolate cupcakes with vanilla cream cheese icing to dampen the stuck in the city blues.

(via Smiley's Sweets and Creations)

Cookies - Java Cutouts

Java Cutouts - Recipes - Food - Canadian Living

NOTE: I made them without the chocolate topping and they were delish!!! Great cookie with tea or coffee or even maybe hot cocoa. A bit heavy which is kind of good because you feel satisfied after 2. I also didn't make shapes. I just rolled the dough into a log, then chilled it, then sliced the cookies, nice and thin. mmmmm

Ingredients
2 tsp (10 mL) instant coffee granules
1 tbsp (15 mL) vanilla
1/4 tsp (1 mL) cinnamon
Pinch salt
1 cup (250 mL) butter
3/4 cup (175 mL) packed brown sugar
2-1/2 cups (625 mL) all-purpose flour
2 oz (60 g) white chocolate, melted
45 chocolateespressobeans

Preparation:

In small bowl, dissolve coffee in vanilla. Stir in cinnamon and salt.

In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy. Beat in coffee mixture. Stir flour into batter in 2 additions, blending with hands if necessary. Divide in half; press into discs and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 4 hours or until firm. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.) Let come to room temperature.

Line rimless baking sheets with parchment paper or grease; set aside.

Between sheets of plastic wrap or waxed paper, roll out discs, 1 at a time, to scant
1/4-inch (5 mm) thickness. Using 2-inch (5 cm) cutter, cut out shapes; place on prepared pans, about 2 inches (5 cm) apart.

Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven for about 12 minutes or until lightly browned on bottom. Let cool on pans on racks for 2 minutes. Transfer to racks; let cool
completely.

With small spoon, dab each with melted chocolate; press espresso bean on top. Let stand until chocolate is firm. (Make-ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month.)

Ya think?

Jet Set Girl, I don't know if you went to Thirteen in London?

We tried it, and everything was delish, but incredibly, out of this world, bottom of the ocean salty.

This doesn't surprise me at all.

The boy and I have long-running inside jokes about 'pulling a Jamie', when we accidentally spill the entire content of the salt shaker.