Archive for 'Network of Love'
I heart Paula Deen. She’s just one of the bazillion reasons I heart the Food Network. Her southern drawl, her unbelievably amazing kitchen that I’d actually kind of like to live in (please, thank you), her down-home raunchiness… it’s all part of the (as my friend Hitch would say, “GLORIOUS!!”) Savannah-wrapped package.
I don’t know why I’ve never made this recipe before. I’ve watched her make this at least a handful of times on TV. And, it must be one of her favorite recipes, too, because I see it around all the time: in her magazine, on Food Network’s website…
That’s right, friends. It was finally time for the Fresh Fruit Tart.
And, as per (my) usual, I morphed two recipes together. I used Paula’s recipe for the crust and filling. Hers suggests using various kinds of fresh fruit, which I’m sure would make it both delicious and pretty. But, my friendly neighborhood SweetBay had limited items to offer. So, I opted for strawberries only. The strawberries down here are amazing right now, so I figured I couldn’t go wrong (and, I didn’t).
As far as the glaze, though, I used the one from Ina’s Strawberry Tart recipe. It was just apricot jelly and water, and it made a lot less (it doesn’t take much to glaze this tart), so I went that way instead.
And, BEHOLD!
Hello? Food Network?
It’s me…
Christy.
I hope I’m not moving too fast…don’t get freaked out.
But, you…complete me.
…
A few months back I filled out a survey for Food Network. I’m a sucker for that sort of thing because I was a market researcher in my former life. Plus, I’m a reasearch / stats geek in general (enter: spreadsheet infatuation).
Anyway, I think the survey was a pop-up thing on their website? I’m not sure. But, apparently my female, 25-34 demographic added to how (freakin’!) much I watch the network combined to raise a red flag that they needed to get me on Some. Sort. of Panel. Immediately.
It’s actually really cool. Some of the survey topics are hilarious. They’ll email one every few weeks or so, and it’s always super Food Network’ed up. The email’s always from someone like their Chief Alarmingly Infatuated Paula Deen Fans Correspondent…or something…who makes me feel like I’m one of the family. And, when I think I can’t love them anymore, they offer me a free issue of their new magazine! Score!
See, they always have some sort of prize that you can win…like an Amazon gift card or some Food Network cookware or something…usually it’s really cool. And, even though they tell me the panel isn’t very big and my chances to win are very good, I’ve never won anything (typical of my luck with contests of any kind).
But, this time, everyone gets a free issue! Yay. I’ve been considering switching from my Rachael Ray subscription (even though I do love that magazine…and, if you have a bargain-hunting friend like my friend Jenn, you can usually find a wicked good deal) to the Food Network one anyway…just to try it out, but I didn’t know what to expect. But, now I will! Honestly, I doubt I’ll pay three times as much for the Food Network mag (I’m, at times, extremely cheap frugal), but who knows…stranger things have happened, I guess.
I’ll be sure to share any great recipes I find.
Rock on, Food Network. Just when I thought I couldn’t love you any more…
You sure know how to keep a gal hooked.
Oh my gosh, dudes. I made the BEST cupcakes!
Coconut.
Cupcakes.
But, ah, let me back up. First thing’s first. I’m addicted to the Food Network.
Like, seriously addicted.
It’s weird. It was kind of a gradual thing with me. I’ve always liked to cook and bake, but I never really got into the shows about it. I always thought that cooking shows on TV were just boring old Donna Reed types who were strict about the “rules” and had the personality of…well, of someone who cooks on TV.
I remember the first time I really watched the Food Network, though. I had gone over to my sister’s place, and she had Paula Deen’s show on. Paula was making peach cobbler. Enough said. Between the deliciousness that was the cobbler and the awesomeness that was Paula, I was hooked. That was probably, oh, eight years ago.
Now, I like to watch it for the recipes and for the chefs that I love…and for its general food fantasy qualities. Aside from actually sitting and watching the shows, I even like to have it on just as background noise. The sound is like little food elves are hanging in my living room with me planning a holiday party.
Ahem.
Anyway, what was I saying?
I love Ina Garten. Sure, she says “fabulous” too many times, and sure, she acts like everyone has a house in the Hamptons and can afford all the specialty stores she frequents. But, I can’t hate. Girl used to work in the White House. And, she built a specialty food store into a successful business that she eventually sold to her employees. That’s heart.
So, really, the coconut cupcakes. They’re AMAZING. And, I’m not even a huge fan of coconut. They’re not overwhelming at all, though. I ended up making only half the recipe because, between CK and me, there was no way we would should go through all those cupcakes. As it was, I stuck a bunch in the freezer because half a recipe made almost two dozen cupcakes.
The batter was kind of thick, but since the recipe called for 5 eggs, halving it was, well, let’s just call it a little tricky.
I think I may have baked them a little bit too long, too, since the tops were kind of hard (but, I didn’t have any toothpicks, so it was hard to tell if they were done in the middle). But, the smell in here when they were baking…
Heaven.
And, the icing. MY GOD THE ICING. It made the whole cupcake. (And, it made a ton, so be prepared to freeze some icing for future indulgence). I decided to sprinkle extra coconut only on some of them (it’s a texture thing…I’m ok with coconut inside…but, for some reason, not on top).
So, please. Go find your inner Ina. You know it’s in there…
