The June Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Jasmine of Confessions of a Cardamom Addict and Annemarie of Ambrosia and Nectar. They chose a Traditional (UK) Bakewell Tart… er… pudding that was inspired by a rich baking history dating back to the 1800’s in England.
This was a really fun recipe to make. I filled mine with strawberry jam because I had just made some a few days before (It was just freezer jam following the recipe in the pectin box.) The crust and the jam where DELICIOUS together. I didn’t like the frangipane as much, but I don’t like almonds so that had a lot to do with it. I will hopefully be able to find the pictures I took and add to the post (computer virus + pictures = some lost pictures 
)
As many of you know last week I ended up having my gallbladder removed. My surgery ended up being a week before my original appointment because they had a cancelation at the surgeons office and then an opening in the surgery schedule.
I wanted to take a minute to thank all of the people who have helped me out in my recovery. I have had great neighbors bringing food in so I wouldn’t have to worry about meals. My mom has come up and gotten my kids ready every morning.
I wanted to give a special thank you to my little sister Holly and her husband Kasey. When she found out that I was going to need surgery she decided that she was going to come down and help me. I kept telling her that wouldn’t be necessary, but she wouldn’t listen to me. I’m SO glad that she didn’t. When I called and told her my surgery was going to be earlier she got her family loaded up and came down. Kasey spent his first father’s day here in Utah so Holly could be here to help me. He went without his beautiful baby and wife for 4 days so that I could get the help I needed. Holly’s daughter was thrown completely off of her schedule and at nights after Holly had helped me all day she would go back to our parents and her daughter would cry most of the night, but Holly wouldn’t complain about it. Holly has spent the last four days with me running my erands, taking care of my kids, and holding them when I wasn’t able too. I don’t know how I would have made it through the last week without her!! When she went to leave today I thanked her for coming and saving me and she said that she hadn’t done that much, but she’s wrong. She gave me time to heal and feel better. She gave me the chance to return to the mom that I want to be faster. Thank you Holly!! Thank you Kasey for sharing her. We love you and miss you.
The Daring cooks challenge was Chinese dumplings/potstickers. Scott was so excited when I told him what the challenge was because he LOVES potstickers!! I made the pork filling, but used beef instead. They are so YUMMY!! I think the dipping sauce is better if you make it a day before and let it sit in the fridge overnight.
Jen from use real butter is the host of this months challenge. She has a link in the instructions to her blog post about making the dumplings. It was SOOO helpful, so if you are interested in making them I suggest that you look there first.
My garden is starting to really grow!! It has been so much fun to go out and see the difference that even a day can make. I wanted to share some pictures.
The far left row is beans, lettuce, artichokes, and “popcorn.” The next row is tomatoes and potatoes. The third row is carrots and onions. The fourth row is squash (they didn’t come up the first time so we had to replant.) The end is my strawberries!! We’re so excited to start using what we’ve grown.
Scott and I decided that we really only need 1 cell phone. We’re going to be using Scott’s number, so if you call my number it has been disconnected. If you need Scott’s number let me know. (it’s the same as mine, but with a 7 at the end instead of a 6)
The May Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Linda of make life sweeter! and Courtney of Coco Cooks. They chose Apple Strudel from the recipe book Kaffeehaus: Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Cafés of Vienna, Budapest and Prague by Rick Rodgers.
This recipe was really fun to make. It came together a lot easier than I anticipated it happening. I made some changes to the recipe. My notes will be in green.
I took Annie to the doctor yesterday. She weighs 15 lbs. 8 oz. (90th percentile) and is 24 1/2 in. long (50th percentile). She’s doing great!! The dr. said if we wanted to start some foods with her we could. So tonight Scott tried for the first time.
She was excited for the first few bites!! Then the tears started. Hopefully a couple more times of trying and she will love it!!
Zuni Ricotta Gnocchi
Fresh ricotta. It’s much easier to make than I thought it would be.
These where so yummy and so easy to make the second time (the first time I tried store bought ricotta and it was a disaster!!). It was a fun first Daring Cooks Challenge.