valentine sublime - red velvet whoopie pies

Ahh Valentine's Day...whether you love it, dread it, or believe it to be a Hallmark-manufactured holiday, there surely is no avoiding the love that's in the air. Personally, I don't have any particular affinity nor qualms towards this holiday, but I do love having a great occasion for making heart-shaped desserts. Of course, my favorite thing about making these whoopie pies (besides eating them) was sharing them!

2011 christmas dessert - pumpkin spice bundt cake

In a continuation of the Christmas cookies, I also made dessert for my family Christmas Eve potluck that we had. This will also be a quick post...I do apologize!

I was really glad that everyone enjoyed the Bundt cake, considering that most members of my family do not enjoy the taste or smell of cinnamon. (The spice isn't that strong in the cake. A lovely light aroma, really.) According to my aunt, she thinks cinnamon smells like...well, maybe I shouldn't write it here, because I honestly don't know where she got that idea. She's such a silly joker, all the time.

2011 christmas cookies

I sure do have "impeccable" timing, don't I? It's taken me nearly a week after Christmas to share the cookies I made before the holidays. It really doesn't help that I haven't been feeling well all of last week and the start of this week. Oh, but I do apologize, as that is a mediocre excuse.

I am just overall glad that I managed to get my baking done despite a mini crisis at the start of last week.

But my aunt so graciously lent her hand mixer so that I may finish making all of my Christmas desserts.

Alright, enough rambling about some nonsense. Well, 2 years ago I gave away a medley of cookies for Christmas. This year I will be doing the same, and am looking to make this a tradition. You really can't go wrong with cookies, or just food gifts in general.

2009 Christmas, L to R: Hazelnut Crinkle, Andes® Crème de Menthe, Oatmeal Raisin, Snickerdoodle

oreo cheesecake

What was one of the first things you've ever cooked or baked? Did it turn out the way you wanted it to? Did you get to share with your family and friends?

I started baking sometime during my last year in high school. The steady courtship of me and baking eventually blossomed into a fruitful love affair.

I remember my first major dessert was an Oreo cheesecake.

No, it wasn't for the sake of experimentation.

No, it wasn't for someone's birthday.

No, it wasn't for myself either.

the thanksgiving trio

Do you remember how you felt your first time doing something or going somewhere? Like your first day going into preschool/kindergarten. Or a first kiss. Or your first time going to Disneyland. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about.

This year was my first "official" Thanksgiving celebration. By official, I mean doing the whole cooking the turkey thing and making the stuffing and gravy and whatnot. And then everyone sitting down and eating together. Yes, in my more than 2 decades of existence, this was a first. Better late than never. Oh how excited I was; all that adrenaline pumping. like a kid with $5 standing in the candy aisle of the 99¢ store.

In all my excitement, I decided to make 3 pies...

Yes, THREE PIES. IN ONE DAY. This may not be a big deal for some of you out there, but I've never made a pie before. The crust always seemed like an elusive little thing; too fussy.

In all honesty, I intended to make the pies, or at least one, the night before. That way I could help out with the cooking of the main course and sides the next day. Procrastination sure is a tough habit to kick.

cheesecake-marbled brownies

It's been almost A YEAR [sad face status] that I've been on a hiatus from baking. I can't really recount how exactly it happened and whether it was a subconscious choice, but it sure feels good to be back in the kitchen. Honestly, I was actually afraid to stir up the flour again because I've been away for so long, and I wasn't sure whether my abilities have diminished from a lack of practice. Well, you've heard of that age old phrase "use it or lose it." I guess I just didn't want to find out.

bittersweet departure

After a good long many months, my stint as an amateur professional pastry chef has come to an end. I'll have to admit, it sure was one heck of a crazy way to go out. And all I did was put in a week's worth of slaving in the kitchen and a final 13.5-hour workday executing a big event for my one last big bang working at a restaurant: an Emmy Awards after party.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see any of the famous party-goers as I was so diligently working in my underground cave. However, some of the servers were so kind as to tell my assistant and me about the beautiful faces they saw in the house. But of course! Hollywood people are always so glam and glitzy