Posts Tagged ‘challenge’

March Flickr Group Challenge: Keeping it Green

March 17th, 2010
7 Comments

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everybody!!

Isn’t this the  most adorable little girl’s apron you’ve ever seen?!?

I have a fun little challenge set up for you! Last month’s flickr challenge was so much fun, we have to do it again!

For this month, Puking Pastilles, a sweet etsy pattern shop, is sponsoring this month’s challenge. The theme is “go green”. You know, it’s kind of a play on words, green is a great color and it’s also a great way to live (I’m so clever). Submit your crafts using either versions of the term “green” for your chance to score some fabulous boy-themed fabric and a PDF pattern of your choice from Puking Pastilles! If you don’t even know how to sew, it’s not a problem, Puking Pastilles offers virtual sewing lessons. Cool, right? You can check out a sampling of free videos on their YouTube channel.

This is going to be fun!!

Here are the challenge details:

  • Items must be made and photographed by you (unless you’re the one modeling the handmade item – but please, don’t hire a professional).
  • Photos must be uploaded and added to the flickr group by Wednesday March 31, 2010 at 11:59pm MST.
  • Judging is subjective and as non-biased as possible. Entries will be judged by Georgia of Puking Pastilles.
  • One (1) Winner will be announced Friday April 2, 2010.
  • US entries, only.
  • Multiple entries are encouraged.
  • Comments on this post are NOT entries.
  • To enter, join IS•LY’s flickr group (click here) and add your crafts that are earth-friendly and/or the color green!

Bonnes Chance, everybody!

Have questions? Please comment below.

February DB: Flourless Chocolate Cake

February 28th, 2009
10 Comments

For some reason this month has gone by SO slowly. I originally wasn’t going to do this month’s challenge, but the end of the month came so slowly I had enough time to do it. Weird. That will never happen again. I’m very glad I did it. Although I think I messed up a little. I may or may not have whisked the egg whites too much, and may have cooked the cake too long. I used Trader Joe’s Pound plus Dark Chocolate, next time I’m going to use milk chocolate for a sweeter cake.

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I love how this recipe only has 3 ingredients, and no flour or additional sugar. Genius. I served my cake like an over sized Oreo; sandwiched with chocolate whipped cream and chocolate ice cream on top. This is the chocolate triple threat. Delicious.

Chocolate Valentino

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

16 ounces (1 pound) (454 grams) of semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
½ cup (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons (146 grams total) of unsalted butter
5 large eggs separated

1. Put chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and set over a pan of simmering water (the bottom of the bowl should not touch the water) and melt, stirring often.

2. While your chocolate butter mixture is cooling. Butter your pan and line with a parchment circle then butter the parchment.

3. Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites and put into two medium/large bowls.

4. Whip the egg whites in a medium/large grease free bowl until stiff peaks are formed (do not over-whip or the cake will be dry).

5. With the same beater beat the egg yolks together.

6. Add the egg yolks to the cooled chocolate.

7. Fold in 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and follow with remaining 2/3rds. Fold until no white remains without deflating the batter. {link of folding demonstration}

8. Pour batter into prepared pan, the batter should fill the pan 3/4 of the way full, and bake at 375F/190C

9. Bake for 25 minutes until an instant read thermometer reads 140F/60C. Note – If you do not have an instant read thermometer, the top of the cake will look similar to a brownie and a cake tester will appear wet.

10. Cool cake on a rack for 10 minutes then unmold.

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Chris and I had a great time eating the oversized flourless Oreo, but we couldn’t quite finish it. Too rich. MMmmmMMMM.

The February 2009 challenge is hosted by Wendy of WMPE’s blog and Dharm of Dad ~ Baker & Chef. We have chosen a Chocolate Valentino cake by Chef Wan; a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Dharm and a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Wendy as the challenge.
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