There comes a time in every Cream Puff’s life when you look around at the pastry box you’ve been sitting in and decide that a change is in order.

In December 2005, when the idea of Cream Puffs in Venice became a reality, I knew next-to-nothing about blogs and how to design them. Sadly, I still know next-to-nothing on the subject! What can I say? My interests lie in sugar, butter and eggs, not in anything related to the computer or the Web outside my very limited abilities to hit “Publish” once I’ve finished a blog post.

But once Cream Puffs in Venice was born, my little blog began to take on an identity of its own. It began to occupy a truly important place in my life, so much so that today, I cannot imagine my life without Cream Puffs in Venice.

Suddenly, ideas that were remote and unlikely have become very possible for me. And so it was that the idea of redesigning my blog took shape. Not knowing where to begin, I decided that I might as well take a chance and look for someone who designed blogs. My search for blog designers began and ended with Toronto’s The Blog Studio. Through The Blog Studio I met Lucia Mancuso and Peter Flaschner.

Attracted to their body of work, the fact that they’re based in Toronto and the ease with which I was able to work with them, I hired The Blog Studio. To put it mildly, Lucia and Peter are incredible. They worked with me every step of the way never making me feel silly for the questions I asked (and I’m sure some of them were very silly indeed!). I have something special in store for them but they may have to wait a week or so. In the meantime, the best way I can think of to thank them is to pass along your feedback. So please, let me know what you think!

As part of my blog’s new look, it also has a new place. While I enjoyed using TypePad, Cream Puffs in Venice has now moved to WordPress. With this move will come some technical changes that may cause a few unintended interruptions in accessing Cream Puffs in Venice. For those of you using the www.creampuffsinvenice.typepad.com address, you’ll have to change your links to www.creampuffsinvenice.ca. I apologize for any hassles this may cause!

Also, you may experience some interruptions in receiving the feed of my blog. If you do, simply click one of the feed buttons in the “Subscribe” box on the right side of the page. If you still have trouble subscribing to the feed, let me know and I’ll see how I can help!

I’m still working out a few little details here and there with the new site, but I’m excited to finally send it out there and hope that you will be excited as well!

And I also hope that this will be a new beginning of sorts for my blog, as well as another step towards all that is possible.

Ciao!

I owe an enourmous thank you to the talented Mari of the blog My Silly Little Thoughts. Mari baked and decorated these gorgeous cookies, packed them in a lovely tin and then sent them to me. I wish I could say that the cookies were admired by many but that is not the case.

They were demolished by a very hungry Cream Puff.

For those of you who don’t know, Mari is the brilliant and creative mind behind Mischief Mari Cookies. Intelligent, talented and a damn good baker, Mari recently offered cookies to the person who could correctly answer a question she’d posed on her blog. I was one of the two people who correctly guessed that the reason why Mari had pigs on the brain was that 2007 is the year of the pig according to the Chinese calendar.

True to her word, Mari sent me these adorable cookies and I couldn’t have been happier. Thank you so much, Mari. You’re wonderful!

Ciao!

What better way to begin the weekend than with a virtual library of comforting dishes to keep you warm and happy?

My dear friend Orchidea and I can only thank you for your incredible and enthusiastic participation in the one-off event:  Dishes of Comfort. I want to extend a very special thanks to Orchidea whose beautiful blog was the inspiration for this event.

Your beautiful entries have proven that food is nourishment for the body, the mind and the soul!

Let the round up begin!

Viaggi e Sapori:  Caffè e Latte

I’m beginning the round up with my event partner Orchidea’s post about caffè e latte and how it was such a staple of childhood breakfasts. I too enjoyed caffè e latte for many years, and still do from time to time. As always Orchidea, thank you for the sweet post!

All Things Edible:  Old-fashioned Tapioca Pudding

Based in Ottawa, Quellia decided that it was time to go back to her roots and make a tapioca pudding. I’ve actually never had tapioca pudding so Quellia has definitely inspired me to try it. But I found her memories of her grandmother’s cooking and her mother’s cooking most inspiring of all!

Grazie, Quellia!

An Open Cupboard:  Kashe Varnishkes

Frahnkenshteen (is that a cool name or what?!) broadened all of our horizons with her contribution of a dish called Kashe Varnishkes. The dish originates in Eastern Europe and is composed of pasta, buckwheat and mushrooms. I especially love the description of sneaking leftovers of this intriguing and special dish!

Grazie, Frahnkenshteen!

Appetitive Behaviour:  Tuna Noodle Casserole

Emily comforted us all with one of the most recognizable comfort dishes out there:  tuna noodle casserole. As with tapioca pudding, I’ve never had a tuna noodle casserole so I thank Emily for showing me the ropes. Perhaps I can finally try this dish! In the meantime though, I’ll just enjoy reading Emily’s sweet post on the subject.

Grazie, Emily!

Asian and Pacific Sweets and Treats:  Thai Rad Nah (Fresh Rice Noodles with Pork Gravy)

One of the pleasures of hosting blog events is that you get to meet new bloggers! I was so happy to make Yvonne’s acquaintance, in particular since she shares my name! Yvonne very generously shared a reliable cure for difficult matters of the heart. I suspect this dish would cure a lot of other things as well!

Grazie, Yvonne!

Avenue Food:  Mixed Bean Soup & Cheddar, Apple and Bacon Panino

Well Sarah gets a special award for contributing not one but two comfort dishes! What I especially liked about Sarah’s contribution is that she reminds us how delicious, nutritious and comforting beans are. So we’d better all get in that kitchen and start cooking up some beans! And since bloggers cannot survive on mixed bean soup alone, there’s a delicious cheddar, apple and bacon panino to go with it.

Grazie, Sarah!

Boxcar Kitchen:  Fontina Macaroni and Cheese (*UPDATED ON NOVEMBER 19*)

Esther of the absolutely lovely blog Boxcar Kitchen sent me a reminder that I forgot to include her in the roundup! My apologies, Esther! She has very generously shared a recipe for macaroni and cheese with Fontina. Now if you’ve never tried Fontina you must make a point of doing so. It’s such a delicious cheese! Esther also shares a very sweet tribute to her mom’s cooking.

Grazie, Esther!

Britt-Arnhild’s House in the Woods:  Oat Porridge

Ah, the simple life! A quiet home in the woods. Nature all around you. And oat porridge to keep you warm. Britt-Arnhild reminds us, with her lovely post, that simple things really do matter and really can be satisfying.

Grazie, Britt-Arnhild!

Champaign Taste:  Pastina

When I saw that we’d received an entry about Pastina from Lisa, I couldn’t help but smile! Anyone who was raised in an Italian household will instantly identify with this heartwarming concoction of chicken broth and tiny pasta. Lisa’s family added garlic slivers for flavour! This definitely brings back some happy memories!

Grazie, Lisa!

Chez Loulou:  Grandma’s Meatballs

Isn’t it funny how Grandmothers always end up being the best cooks?! Loulou provides more proof of this with her post on her beloved Grandma’s meatballs. Simply made with pork, eggs, parmesan, garlic, parsley and breadcrumbs, I can only imagine how satisfying and comforting these are.

Grazie, Loulou!

Coconut & Lime:  Chai

How I would love a cup of this chai tonight! Rachel shares her husband’s recipe for this lovely chai, which is sure to chase away the chills of autumn and provide lots of comfort. I’m relatively new to chai but thrilled that I have a recipe that I can now try at home.

Grazie, Rachel!

Coconut Cutney:  Zucchini Frittata

Don’t Monisha’s pictures make you want to run out and buy some zucchini?! I certainly longed for them when I saw her entry as I was suddenly overcome with the most overwhelming urge for zucchini frittata. As Monisha points out, while we may not always have time for these comfort dishes, the weekend is the perfect time to make them. Maybe I’ll try some frittata this weekend …

Grazie, Monisha!

Columbus Foodie:  NY Style Cheesecake

There isn’t a lot that excites this Cream Puff as much as a great cheesecake. Becke generously shared a post about her mother’s fabulous cheesecake. While it may be a simple cheesecake, it sounds like it’s been pleasing many people for many years. Understandably so!

Grazie, Becke!

Cook (Almost) Anything at Least Once:  Cavolfiore alla Besciamella (Cauliflower with Béchamel)

Only Haalo could make cauliflower look like the most irresistible vegetable on earth! Mind you I suppose you could drown anything in this luxurious béchamel and find it drool-worthy. Haalo very considerately took the time to weigh out the ingredients for the béchamel so that we can all reproduce it at home.

Grazie, Haalo!

Culinary Concoctions by Peabody:  Orange Pecan Rolls

Anyone who lives in a place with lots of snow must remember the childhood joy of snow days! Those precious days when Mother Nature would ensure you had a holiday. Free of school, you usually spent it outside submerged in snow. But now that Peabody has so generously shared her mom’s recipe for Orange Pecan Rolls, I’m thinking we’d all rather stay inside to eat these as soon as they’re out of the oven! Peabody’s photos will make you swoon!

Grazie, Peabody!

Dans la Cuisine de Sophie:  Mousse au Chocolat (Chocolate Mousse)

Dear and talented Sophie shares the joy of beautiful and rich chocolate mousse with all of us. She invites us in to her kitchen for a reminder that simple is beautiful. And all the lovely spoons in her photo are just begging to be dipped into this rich mousse.

Merci, Sophie!

Food Lover’s Journey:  Beef in Red Wine Sauce

All the way from Melbourne, Australia, Anh introduced her blog to both Orchidea and I and we’re thrilled. Anh’s post is about how this dish comforted her on cold days. Interestingly, she also talks about how this dish, as so many dishes do, has changed and grown over the years under the influence of different cultures. I’m glad she shared it with all of us.

Grazie, Anh!

Foodbeam-100% Sweet:  Millionaire’s Shortbread

It’s a stormy night. Your home alone. The car won’t start. Sound like a scary movie? Well it’s not. It’s what inspired Fanny to bake these bars otherwise known as Millionaire’s Shortbread. Reading Fanny’s post, I knew she’d survive the storm. After all, she’s 100% sweet just like her blog says!

Grazie, Fanny!

Gattina:  Iron Lady’s Rice Noodles

For a tribute to mothers everywhere, check out Gattina’s post about Iron Lady’s Rice Noodles. Comfort often comes in numbers and it must have been quite comforting to watch all these incredible prepare this dish. And how lovely that Gattina shared this memory with all of us!

Grazie, Gattina!

Gluten-free by the Bay:  Knishes

I couldn’t help but laugh when I read this post about knishes (which I’d never heard of) and ByTheBay’s uncle … the Knish King of the Hudson Valley! Now there’s a title! But this post is so sweet and a real tribute to an ethnic food that was clearly beloved by many.

Grazie, ByTheBay!

Habeas Brulee:  Stuffed Cabbage

I have fond memories of my own grandmother’s stuffed cabbage so I was thrilled to read Danielle’s account of her own grandmother’s expertise with dish. Like all grandmothers, she was ready to produce it at a moment’s notice and even ensured that Danielle could enjoy stuffed cabbage when she was abroad … now that’s love!

Grazie, Danielle!

In Search of Dessert:  Upside Down Chili Pie

Based in Switzerland, Jessica writes about how thrilling it is to receive packages from home especially when those packages include all the fixings for a good ol’ upside down chili pie! A dish that features Fritos at the bottom, this one sounds like a must-try if only for the pure delight of telling people that you ate it! Seriously though, it sounds like it’s very comforting and I’m so happy that Jessica introduced herself. Anyone who is searching for dessert is okay in my books!

Grazie, Jessica!

Jumbo Empanadas:  Macaroni and Cheese

I was waiting for a post on macaroni and cheese, mainly because I love it so much! Creamy pasta smothered in cheese … oh it’s so good! Brilynn traces her history with macaroni and cheese and how she came to love the homemade kind. The entire post is mouth-watering!

Grazie, Brilynn!

La Mia Cucina:  Mom’s Roast Chicken

Roast chicken could probably be the emblem for all comfort food. Lisa proves that this is true by sharing her mother’s recipe for old-fashioned roast chicken with all the trimmings. So easy, so versatile and so comforting, if you like poultry, this is a dish you should learn. And of course Lisa presents it all in her own unique way.

Grazie, Lisa!

Ms. Adventures in Italy:  Lasagna

Who could possibly resist a piece of lasagna, warm out of the oven, with rich noodles, bold sauce and maybe some béchamel oozing out? Not me! Sara reminds us that lasagna is the king and that no matter where you are in the world, it’s worth trying your hand at.

Grazie, Sara!

My Kitchen in Half Cups:  Navy Bean Soup

Tanna, so kind and encouraging, writes a lovely post about her mom and all the wonderful memories she has of her, especially when it comes to food. And when she misses her mother, she likes to make up this simple yet satisfying soup, which must have comforted the family on so many occasions. And she does it all in typical Tanna style!

Grazie, Tanna!

Nosh:  Tomato-Rubbed Bread

I’d never met Mia prior to this event and I’m so glad that I did. She has a lovely blog and she shares a very touching post about how this dish reminds of her mother. I hope this dish brings back only the happiest of memories!

Grazie, Mia!

One Whole Clove:  Boeuf Haché en Sauce

I was thrilled that Sarah Lou took part in this event since she was my partner for the recent Canadian Blogging by Post #2! Sarah Lou posts about a comforting beef dish her mom used to make for her when she was young … especially on those cold, dark and creepy November nights.

Grazie, Sarah Lou!

Only Turkish Food:  Yayla Corbasi (Yoghurt Rice Soup)

Ceviz, based in Melbourne, Australia, took the time to write about this fascinating soup that was an enormous comfort particularly on cold winter days. Made with rice, yoghurt and chicken stock, it’s an intriguing dish that must be creamy and soothing to the core. What an honour for Ceviz to share the recipe!

Grazie, Ceviz!

Ordinary, Average Girl:  Dutch Chicken Pot Pie

Based in Texas, Kelly should blog more about food in my opinion! Recipes like this Dutch Chicken Pot Pie should be shared with as many people as possible. This is Kelly’s first food blogging event and I hope she participates in more.

Grazie, Kelly!

Our Adventures in Japan:  Shrimp Pineapple

One of the very first bloggers that I met, Kat continues to be the best source I know for all things chocolate! She very kindly shared one of her mom’s special recipes with all of us. Kat is sweet and generous and I’m sure her mom must be so proud.

Grazie, Kat!

Qualcosa Blogga in Pentola:  La Genovese

Thanks to Orchidea, a number of Italian food bloggers participated in this event and I’m thrilled that we can all get to know more of them. LaCuocaRossa shared a mouth-watering recipe for a dish called "La Genovese" which is a meat dish that produces a very thick ragu that can be used on certain pastas or can be eaten on its own (with lots of bread I would imagine). The pictures alone are mouth-watering.

Grazie, LaCuocaRossa!

Rustic:  Rose Petal Jam

How lovely to see this post now that all plant life has practically disappeared here in Canada! The leaves are all gone and roses will not be seen for months and months to come. Betul of England shares this beautiful recipe for Rose Petal Jam to be enjoyed by all. Surprisingly easy, I hope to try this one soon.

Grazie, Betul!

Saffron and Pepper:  Memories of the Family Kitchen

Have you ever seen a more adorable child??? Saffron shares many sweet memories of her family’s kitchen and many of the incredible dishes they prepared.

Grazie, Saffron!

Something So Clever:  Baked Rice Pudding and Breakfast Rice

As I mentioned to Alicat in my comment on her post, I had to literally mop up the drool when I saw this entry. I love rice pudding and I love that now I have a new version to try. It is the most comforting dish and I’m so happy that Alicat generously shared an adaptation of her mother’s recipe with us! I was also intrigued by the breakfast rice which sounds like a great way to use up leftover rice.

Grazie, Alicat!

Tartelette:  Walnut Chocolate Cake

Helene is such a brilliant baker! And she sent all of us this lovely post about Walnut Chocolate Cake and how she "encouraged" her brother to ask for it for his birthday cake. Smart girl!

Grazie, Helene!

The Sour Dough:  Cinnamon and Sugar Toast

When the Breadchick sent us this entry, I was so happy because toast with butter and sugar was always such a special treat for me! It will cure what ails you as you Breadchick explains so well.

Grazie, Breadchick!

Tip of the Iceberg:  Oyster Stew

My sweet Sally writes a very funny and touching post about her mother’s oyster stew. I can just imagine Sally as a little girl eating this dish. Clearly, it brings her much comfort to this day.

Grazie, Sally!

Un Piozzo di Pane:  Sfinci della Nonna

This is my first time meeting Vally and I’m so glad she took part in this event. Based in Rome, Vally writes about her grandmother’s sfinci. Little fritters rolled in sugar, these bring back many happy memories for Vally. As I’ve said before, grandmothers rule!

Grazie, Vally!

Vannescipes:  Crock Pot Bean Soup

I may have to put a crock pot on my Christmas wish list. Between Vanessa’s delicious account of her favourite crock pot bean soup and the positive experiences many cooks have been sharing with me in terms of their own crock pot cooking, I’m thinking it would be a great investment. Vanessa made this for her mom so it’s extra special.

Grazie, Vanessa!

Veggie Friendly:  Cauliflower Cheese

Kate sent us this wonderful recipe all the way from Sydney, Australia! A family dish that would appear at special events, it sounds so luscious! Cheesy cauliflower … how can you go wrong?!

Grazie, Kate!

What Did You Eat?:  Meta Givens Tomato Bread

I’m so happy that Sher took part in this event. Her blog is beautiful and a joy to read and she is an incredible cook and baker. Her tomato bread had my mouth watering! The recipe is from a cherished family cookbook and I’d say we’re all lucky that Sher has passed it on.

Grazie, Sher!

What’s For Lunch Honey?:  Chinese Vegetable Noodles

Meeta is such a joy! Her blog is like home. Beautifully photographed, it’s impossible not to get hungry. Meeta’s post is a thoughtful piece about the street food that she’s had the pleasure of sampling in various places. I’m so hungry!

Grazie, Meeta!

Weekly Dish:  Angel Hair with Buttery Tomato Sauce

My long-lost blog sister Jennifer shared her recipe for a comforting buttery tomato sauce that features roasted tomatoes. How could I possibly live a carb-free existence with such beautiful dishes???

Grazie, Jennifer!

Yum Yum Mum Mum:  Venn Pongal

I just love learning about new dishes! This particular one was comforting on bad-weather days. As @ explains, the dish consists of white rice cooked in clay pots until the rice boils over. Garnished with cashews, among other things, it sounds so enticing.

Grazie, @!

That’s it for the round up! Thanks again for taking part and may your weekend be filled with dreams of all these comforting dishes!

Ciao!

Technorati tags:  dishes of comfort

Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/picturingdishesofcomfort/

We’ve got a busy post ahead so I’ll just get right down to the business at hand:  some news, some recipes and a long overdue MEME response.

News, News, News!

Earlier this year, the first edition of Canadian Blogging by Post was launched with great success.

I’m happy to announce that CBBP #2 is proceeding thanks to the witty, charming and talented Jasmine of Confessions of a Cardamom Addict and Sensual Gourmet (yes … she has two blogs!).

Jasmine stepped up to the plate and offered to host CBBP #2. She’s posted all the details here so if you’re a blogger and you live in Canada, take a moment to consider participating in CBBP #2.

The food blog world is fairly bursting at the seams with events and I for one am thrilled. Nothing gets the creative juices flowing more than a blog event.

The latest one to capture my attention is World Bread Day, which I first read about on Andrew’s blog SpittoonExtra. The event is organized by Zorra of Kochtopf. I’d never visited this blog before and I assure you that I will rectify that situation by visiting often. It’s gorgeous! The details of the event are here. As someone who is taking two bread courses this Fall, I think it is more than incumbent upon me to participate. I hope you do as well.

Recipes, Recipes, Recipes!

Many months ago, I took it upon myself to finally go through the mountain of printed recipes threatening to topple over and smother my family! And just as soon as I’d done that the mountain was quickly replaced by another mountain of recipes, except this time they were recipes I’d printed from all the blogs I visit. I decided it was high time to try some of them lest Mount Blog erupt and doom us all!

Here’s a list of recipes I’ve tried. There are no pictures, mostly because I was too anxious to eat the food rather than photograph it. Yes. I am a weak Cream Puff.

• Hungry in Hogtown’s Nutella Ice Cream:  It’s ice cream with nutella in it. You figure it out!
• Cookbook 411’s Apricot Mini Cakes:  If I had to pick one fruit that represented the summer recently past, it would be the apricot. We were blessed with a bounty of them, many of which found their way into these glorious little cakes which I reproduced with great success.
• Milk & Honey’s Chocolate Marble Cake and Spicy Honey Peanut Sauce:  Sweet Rorie is back to blogging and I couldn’t be happier. The Chocolate Marble Cake is a must-try and the Spicy Honey Peanut Sauce has become a family favourite.
• Nosheteria’s Roasted Garbanzo Beans:  When I was a child, we would snack on roasted garbanzo beans (chickpeas) all the time. At some point we stopped eating them so I was hit with a wave of nostalgia when I saw this recipe. Delicious and good for you … you just can’t go wrong.

A Long Overdue MEME Response

Speaking of Jasmine of Confessions of a Cardamom Addict, I am in her debt as she tagged me for a MEME a veeeeeerrrrrrrry long time ago and I have yet to respond. It’s the "You Are What You Eat MEME" and it made it’s way ’round the blogosphere for quite some time. The objective is to name ten foods that you cannot live without. Having recently taken time to answer the question that Melissa put forth, I won’t bore you by repeating my list of five. But I will add another five to my original list in no particular order.

• Chocolate:  No explanation required.
• Milk:  It does the body good.
• Doughnuts:  Dough that is fried and then dipped in sugar is very good for you.
• Tomatoes:  I cannot imagine a life without tomatoes and all the various dishes they inspire.
• Cheese/Yogurt:  Who knew bacteria could be so yummy!

And there you have it. Some news, some recipes and a MEME.

Ciao!

Happy Blog Day to bloggers everywhere!

I first heard of Blog Day when I read about it on Paz’s site, The Cooking Adventures of Chef Paz. The idea is to introduce the world to five new bloggers, all of whom should be new (or at least relatively new) to you. And to help make things interesting, the blogs in question should focus on a subject different from the one you focus on. So, for example, you won’t find any food blogs on my list.

I’d like to celebrate Blog Day by offering some Lime Cheesecake to the following bloggers who are all relatively new to me. I hope you’ll take some time to check out their sites and widen your blog horizons!

Love Venice

I discovered Love Venice thanks to The Old Foodie. Love Venice is the baby of Greybeard, a skilled writer whose blog is rich with the history, art and lore of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Even though I’ve never been to Venice (yet), reading Greybeard’s posts make me long for my journey there more than ever!

tsk tsk

This particular blog is the work of Tiel, a wonderful woman who has been reading my blog for awhile. However, it was only a few short weeks ago that I found out that Tiel had a blog of her own called tsk tsk. A talented designer and illustrator, Tiel’s blog is alive with creativity. Oh yes and she really likes lasagna!

Sommer Designs

Being a girl Cream Puff, I have a thing for shoes and purses. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I recently made the acquaintance of Carrie, the creative force behind Sommer Designs. Talented and inspired, Carrie blogs about her work, her life and her passion.

The Life I Chose

I came across this blog purely by chance. It is the story of Nickinpos who did something that I’m sure all of us, at one time or another, have dreamt of doing. She left one life for another. In this case, the new life is in Positano, Italy.

Knit Like a Man

While searching for information on knitting, I came across the blog of David Demchuk. I was hooked in seconds (no pun intended). A professional writer by trade, Dave is a man who knits. And what a knitter! Plus he’s from Toronto.

To the five bloggers that I’ve featured here today, great to meet you. And to everyone else out there, Happy Blog Day! Enjoy the cheesecake …

Ciao!

Lime Cheesecake

Adapted from Nigella Bites by Nigella Lawson.

• 20 chocolate chip cookies (I use President’s Choice The Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3 8-oz packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• juice of 4 limes

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Using large pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil, wrap the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan two or three times to ensure that it’s water proof as you will be baking the cheesecake in a water bath; set aside.
2. Place the cookies in a food processor and process the cookies until they’re finely ground (about 30 seconds).
3. Add the butter and pulse 10 to 15 times.
4. Dump the cookie crumbs into the springform pan and using your hands, spread the cookie crumbs in an even layer across the bottom of the pan only (not up the sides). Place the prepared crust in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
5. Place the cream cheese in a food processor or mixer and mix until smooth. Add the sugar and mix well.
6. Add the eggs and the egg yolks one at a time and mix well after each addition.
7. Add the lime juice and mix well.
8. Pour the cheesecake batter into the prepared pan. It will be liquidy.
9. Place the cheesecake inside a large, shallow roasting pan. Pour hot water inside the pan until it reaches half-way up the sides of the springform pan with the cheesecake. Carefully put the cheesecake in the oven. Bake the cheesecake for 50 minutes and then check it. The cheesecake is done when it’s set, but not firmly set so that it’s still jiggly in the middle (the cheesecake will set further as it cools).
10. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and immediately remove it from the water bath. Carefully peel off the aluminum foil and set the cheesecake to cool on a wire rack.
11. Once cooled, place the cheesecake in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
12. Before serving, carefully unmold the cheesecake from the springform ring and bottom (Slide a knife under the cheesecake crust. The cheesecake should slide off the pan bottom easily.)
13. Enjoy!

Note:  I served my cheesecake with the Blueberry-Red Currant Sauce left over from the challenge issued to me by Meeta of What’s for Lunch Honey?.

Technorati tags:  BlogDay2006, lime, cheesecake, Dessert, Food

After sending off my postcard as part of the event hosted by Meeta of What’s For Lunch Honey?, I spent an anxious week or so quasi-stalking my mailman. For those of you that are regular readers of this blog, you already know how I feel about my mailman!

Finally, last week, I received an elegant envelope with the following written across the bottom, "For my favourite Puff … a protected postcard." A protected postcard?!

Eagerly, I tore the envelope open and found this lovely card inside. From the charming Janice of BakerBites, the beautiful postacard is the handiwork of naturalist painter Maryjo Koch. At Janice’s suggestion, I did some research on Ms. Koch and discovered that she is an accomplished artist. Among her creations are illustrations of old postcards. Lucky for me, Janice bought this card while visiting California recently, and decided to use the postcard for Meeta’s event.

Besides the enchanting quality of the postcard, what also caught my eye was Janice’s beautiful penmanship. As I’ve read the posts of all the different participants in this event, the one common theme was the pleasure of actually sitting down, picking up a pen and writing a message the old-fashioned way. With such beautiful penmanship, Janice, you should be writing all the time!

Thank you so much for the card, and for your beautiful words.

Ciao!

For me, a postcard is like a kiss. Unforgettable.

And like a kiss, the memory of it lingers. Whether you’ve sent a postcard or received one, it’s like sending a little piece of one place off to another.

This is why I had to tell you about the lovely Meeta of What’s for Lunch Honey? and the event that she is hosting. Meeta has organized a postcard event where all you have to do is buy a postcard and then mail it to another blogger. Contact Meeta and let her know that you’re interested. Over the weekend of July 29th and 30th, Meeta will let you know who the recipient of your postcard will be. You can read all of the details of the event here.

I hope you’ll all take part. How fun it will be to send a postcard kiss to someone out there in this great big world!

Baci!

Better late than never!

I’ve been out of Blog World for the last day or two and as a result missed some pretty big news about potential changes to U.S. laws regarding Internet usage. While this is currently a matter of U.S. law, ultimately it is an issue that will impact all of us.

If you’re interested you can read all about it at Chez Pim.

Ciao!

Technorati tags:  Net Neutrality, Day Without Food Blogs

I’m not sure why, but e-mail seems to have this strange hold over me. Every time I see that little envelope pop up in the bottom, right-hand corner of my screen, it’s all I can do not to squeal with delight! While I realize this qualifies me for the category of Extreme Nerd, I can’t help it. I am what I am.

Needless to say I was very excited when a certain e-mail, from Dave at KitchenSavvy, arrived in my in-box.

Allow me to explain. A few days ago, frustrated by my unsuccessful attempts to locate a certain ingredient, I decided to take a chance and e-mail Dave. I proceeded to ask Dave why I could not locate Greek yogurt anywhere in the fair city in which I live. Not only that, I also asked Dave if he could explain what exactly made Greek yogurt different from other types of yogurt.

Not only did Dave answer my question, he even suggested a way that I could make a very reliable substitute for Greek yogurt. You can read Dave’s very thorough and helpful reply here.

Dave, in Italian we say, "Mille grazie!" A thousand thanks!

Ciao!