My Dear Willow Bird Readers,
This past year has been full of exhilarating kitchen challenges. Making puff pastry from scratch; frying up homemade cannoli; tackling a beautiful, historic Dobos Torte; piping everything from buttercream roses to butterflies to snowman arms . . . the list goes on and on! I’m excited and humbled when I think back on all the fun I’ve been able to have and share with you this year. Byrd and I have had a ball in the kitchen baking up treats to post here, and we hope you’ve enjoyed every visual bite!
Are you busy making resolutions? I was inspired by Megan of Delicious Dishings to set a few culinary resolutions for 2010!
1. Make more fresh, homemade bread.
2. Cook a lovely Beef Wellington for Mike.
4. Buy more ethically minded meat, dairy, and eggs.
5. Make homemade pasta.
6. Fashion a lovely Baked Alaska — hopefully with some flambé action.
7. Weather kitchen disasters with grace and humor!
What about you? Thinking ahead to the new year, what do you hope to accomplish in your kitchen life? No matter what your goals, best wishes for health, happiness, and blessings in the new year! Oh, and speaking of all the wonderful times we’ve had together in 2009, here are some of Willow Bird Baking’s absolute best, most delectable dishes from the past year. Enjoy!
Plum and Cream Mini Tortes: Sweet and splushy mini plum cakes with a smooth dollop of ricotta frosting.
Lemon Burst Fairycakes: Lemon cupcakes stuffed with fresh lemon curd and a raspberry “surprise,” and topped with lemon buttercream and royal icing butterflies.
Mango Raspberry Rosecakes: The perfect white cake stuffed with fresh mango curd and topped with raspberry buttercream roses.
Cheddar, Chive, and Bacon Cupfakes with Avocado Frosting: The cupcakes can’t have all the fun! These adorable dinner biscuits combine sultry bacon, fresh chives, and sharp cheddar with the smooth, rich flavor of avocado.
Giant Red Velvet and Oreo Kisses: Cake balls with a twist! Red velvet and oreo truffles get in touch with their inner “kiss” when wrapped with some cheap aluminum foil.
Best Ever Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Easy Caramel Frosting and Spiced Apples: The name says it all! The best ever rich, moist, delicious pound cake.
Peach Crisp Pie: Fresh peaches, oats, brown sugar, and butter meld inside a flaky, butter crust.
Mini Pies: Sour Cream Apple, Pumpkin, and Peach Crisp: These sweet little individual pies can be made with any pie filling you like!
Chocolate Tart and Raspberry Cream Cheese Tart: One of these tarts holds a tangy combination of raspberries and cream cheese, while the other boasts rich chocolate and mounds of luxurious whipped cream.
Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas with Mexican Sausage Rice: The best dinner of 2009! Cheesy, gooey, tangy enchiladas with a side of spicy Mexican sausage rice.
Oreo Truffle Snowmen: These little snowguys are so tasty and so sweet! Golden oreos, cream cheese, chocolate coating, fruit roll ups, and some sprinkles are used to create these winterfolk.
See you next year!
Share this post with friends!
Lauren
December 30, 2009 at 3:17 pm (15 years ago)Oh my goodness Julie! Now, all I want to do is race into the kitchen to make some of your glorious desserts =D. Your resolutions sound fantastic – you’re going to do wonderfully!
Sue
December 30, 2009 at 4:38 pm (15 years ago)WOW!!! Your Best of ’09 looks amazing!!! Like Lauren, I am ready to run to the kitchen and try some of your recipes…that can be part of my culinary resolutions for 2010! 🙂
Megan
December 30, 2009 at 5:11 pm (15 years ago)Ooh… a beef Wellington is a great idea! And maybe we can share our bread baking stories – provided I actually bake some — I really hope I make good on that resolution. And you’ve reminded me I still need to find time to make those mini pies of yours. They’re adorable! Thanks so much for linking to me. I think your resolutions are great. Best of everything in 2010!!
Barbara
December 30, 2009 at 7:41 pm (15 years ago)What a delicious year you had! I hope the new one is even better!
kellypea
January 2, 2010 at 5:32 pm (15 years ago)What a beautiful array of posts from your year. The piping on those mango raspberry cupcakes is fabulous. As for what’s on my food list — a full blown Wellington has always been there and I’ve made some pretty tasty individual ones but would love to do the real McCoy. Good call on that one!
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella
January 3, 2010 at 7:18 am (15 years ago)Great wrap up Julie and I hope 2010 is a fantastic year for you! Happy New Year! 😀 x
chayacomfycook
January 17, 2010 at 5:16 am (15 years ago)I am thrilled to have found your blog. Of course, now I have to make a decision, which recipe to start with.
Amelia
February 2, 2010 at 5:49 pm (15 years ago)Do you have an Earth Fare up by you? They have the cheapest organic eggs ($3.68 for a dozen large) and they have local grass-fed beef–I’ve seen ground, strip steaks, stew meat, and chuck roasts.