Quel q'un se es assis sur les eclairs?

Quel q'un se es assis sur les eclairs? Meaning, did someone sit on my eclairs?

Today my younger sister, Lilly, asked me what kind of cupcakes she should bake for her class this week (her birthday week). I myself like the idea of being different and everybody makes cupcakes on their birthday. Not original. So, me in my out-of-the-box way of thinking suggested we make eclairs instead! How cool would my sister look if she walked into school with a plate of French pastries? Too bad for her, I'd never made them before.

I started out with a very classic French pastry dough, pate a choux which is made simply from water, butter, flour, salt, sugar, and eggs. It's actually surprisingly easy to make, but of course that's where I messed up! We ended up doubling the recipe because we had to make these for 27 sugar crazed kids. Bad idea.

Pate a choux in my ghetto piping bag.

My sister Morgan, who shares my passion for cooking, has a professional piping bag and tips, but lucky me, the one tip I needed was missing. Thus the Ziplock bag. This led to a not too lovely looking piping job.

I know. I know.

I was hopeful, however, that these little slug-like buddies would puff up into cute, hallowed out lovelies just waiting for a creamy pastry filling. Ha.

Can you say.... flat?

Yup, my poor little eclairs were less than excited looking. After doing some research I came to the conclusion that we had too many eggs going on up in there. Moral of the story, don't double your eclair recipe, especially if it's your first time! But it's ok, because I refused to give up on my flat friends! I decided to dub them as profiteroles by cutting the bottoms off and creating sandwiches with them instead! Lilly whipped up some pastry cream, I melted up some ganache and viola! 

I call them, Lauren Eclairs.

While they didn't turn out the way I would have liked, at least they turned out into something! And I love the learning curve. Usually I get frustrated when I don't get something right the first time, but when it comes to cooking I welcome the learning opportunity!

Now, go cook something yummy! And bring me some, I'm starving. ;)

P.S. Lilly is taking cupcakes to class.

The humble beginnings of a vegan, gluten-free adventure.

Hello all you lovely people! Today's post is dedicated to a special friend of mine, Nannette Minley. I met this beautiful lady a couple of years ago as I pulled into the parking lot of a church in Arizona. She literally ran up to our car, wearing the biggest smile, to greet me :] Now a marriage, a big move, and a huge leap of faith later, she is courageously starting her own organic food cart, The Crue Cart (c). In her words, "think of a hot dog stand that serves vegan, gluten-free, organic and local-when-possible snacks instead." I think it's brilliant, and I'm oh-so excited.

Now here's where you come in and make a huge difference in the young stages of what I know will become a wonderful success. Nannette and her husband, Garrett (Gary is what I call him and he has an absolutely infectious laugh), have been incredibly smart and resourceful so far, but still need that extra "oomph" to get started. 

They are currently asking for donations to meet a humble goal of $200. With 17% of this already met and 37 days left until the deadline, Nannette is counting on the those who are willing enough to give even just $5. The smallest donations make a big difference and it won't go unnoticed. For every person who generously gives, a voucher will be given! "From free vegan and gluten-free cupcakes to stellar swag bags, the prizes will be glorious." Sounds like a good deal to me.

So if you have some spare change laying around or are feeling extra giving, why not support my dear friend? And if you really can't spare a dime, send a link back to this post to everyone you know. The more support the better!

PLEASE DONATE HERE! :]

I truly admire Nannette's go-getter attitude and self motivation. She's one of the rare entrepreneurs who actually makes sure that what they set out to do becomes a reality. It's really very inspirational :] Now check out some of Miss. Awesome Baker's works of art...

Sweet Potato Gluten-Free, Vegan Doughnuts! Yum :]

Sprawghetti. Healthy yellow squash dressed up as spaghetti! 

P.S. What do you think of the new layout? I was a little overwhelmed by all the pink, and I think this matches nicely with my new site layout :]