Amy Ruth » Playa del Carmen

Who knows what’s around the corner?

Amy Ruth — Mon, 31 May 2010 11:30:07 +0000

Have you ever thought that you might be just scratching the surface when it comes to the possibilities? Okay, I know its corny, but seriously, we live in America where, at least today, so far, there are so many opportunities and possibilities.
I know, boring, no pictures. Well, maybe I can dig up a few to entertain and lure you into spending a few minutes to read, all one or two of you. hehe

Its been a while. Balance….an interesting concept. You see I struggle with it. I feel selfish spending time writing talking and doing this blogging thing. Not only that, living with particular culinary preferences, caloric intakes, all buzz words for, “I don’t like that,” or possibly just “too many carbs.” Ah yes, the dreaded carb excuse for not living your life to the fullest (just an opinion). I have to admit that it thrills me, to just for a moment, tempt my husband with something totally delicious that I have made. Watching him enjoy and swoon while tasting a delicious morsel is so fun. Three years ago he lost a significant amount of weight. He continues to maintain with lots of exercise and some culinary trade offs. Just trading good stuff for what? A few crackers from the pantry or out of a box of cereal? Ah Shucks people! Seriously, he is pretty diligent about his food for the most part. I admire and respect. I am very blessed with a different metabolism, or set of genes I guess. Whichever, I’m pretty fortunate to only have to deal with a handful of pounds from time to time.

The Hit List

What do you do with a stress fracture? Well, you get off the couch and “jump” in the pool? Not so much jump, but maybe if your friend teaches water aerobics (why, Oh Academia, is aerobics spelled A-”E”-ROBICS?) you might consider burning some of those calories moving around in the water. Or, I suppose if you like sitting on a spinning bike, which makes me sore, you could burn some calories that way too.

All that was brought on while training and running a 1/2 marathon in Nashville in late April, the Rock and Roll Marathon. Wow, I have never run that far. Don’t laugh all you running geeks. I know, you think I’m a baby but it was a thrill and I can’t wait to do it again. I ran it with my daughter and a neighbor, who, by the way was the catalyst for this whole adventure. I love her for that. Anyway, it was the thrill of a lifetime, and we both have already registered for next year. I could chatter on and on but I won’t bore you.

Here we are a week later on a birthday present to Mexico. Our other, “wanna-be” home away from home. How lucky am I to get to go to Playa del Carmen with my sweet husband for my birthday? I got to begin my post race recoop in Mexico. Yes, Way! Weather was beautiful, and “look” no spring breakers. We were previously there with the fam for spring break. How cool. We rarely ever travel without the kids. This was a real grown-ups trip. Just the twos of us. Great food, the sun and the sand. Who knew second quarter bonus could be so nice? he he

Another bit of excitement in my otherwise “normal” life. I began a part-time position in a grocery store bakery. Currently, baking smaller batches from scratch. Let’s just say there is a difference in the bakery and baked from home with tender loving care. I guess I just underestimated the different methods of production. My husband has always been complimentary and reinforced the difference in a home baked item versus from a bakery, any bakery. ”Amy,” he would say, “you don’t realize how much better it is baked from home.” So see, Dorie is right on the money. From Her Home to ours. I am so thrilled to share what I have learned over the years from wonderful bakers and authors like Dorie. I now am able to share it with my community on a limited basis through my workplace. We are cooking up some other ideas to market to the shoppers that we hope they love. Its been fun so far and I am hopeful that it continues to be a good trade off for them and for me. There is some chatter of some classes to be taught and some customer service to the shoppers. A total foodie thing, I guess. he he I’m pretty excited…. work and fun. How great is that?

Graduation time comes and I usually get to make desserts for a party of two. This year, I had the pleasure of catering the entire menu for a friend whose daughter is graduating high school. My daughter and my son Corbin, the photographer person in my life helped me, along with a great friend from the gym, Liz. Yep, one of my gym rat friends. Neat huh? Well, that has kept me busy.

So, my friends…. my list of excuses for not blogging.

Then there is summer…. and blogging and working. Journaling like this on the net is kind of scary to me. Is it to you? However, what makes me think anyone cares anyway, right? Chattering to the abyss. All one of us. Still I marvel at how much insight and sharing actually one can read on the net/blogs.

Are you bored yet? Surely, by now you’ve thought to yourself “What is the point of all of this chatter?’ that is if you have made it this far. Here it is….. I am a sometimes baker/blogger with the Tuesdays With Dorie baking group. I have remained in the group for sometime. Without all the fanfare and just trying to keep the nose on my face a little above the water. If you know what I mean. Now with all the new activity, like a job, which I haven’t had in a lot of years, I am going to actually be one of those people who picks a recipe. This month, or actually the month of June. I will actually get to be a busy body visiting as many blogs as humanly possible thanking them for baking along with me whilst I have my ownself, baked and blogged about a selected recipe from the book, Baking From My Home to Yours, by Dorie Greenspan.

Thank you for reading, if you have. I’ve enjoyed the therapy. That’s what it is, right?

Please visit me again.

Toasted Coconut Custard Tart

Amy Ruth — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:53:49 +0000

Your Mom would say, “Honey, have you finished all your dinner?” (Did you notice the emphasis on “all?”) You would manage your affirmative reply as you gulp down your last sugar snap pea and carrots. Knowing full well a pretty luscious dessert awaits. The payoff!
So this week, its all about custard and coconut. Beryl of Cinemon Girl was the honored selector. You know that she actually has the recipe posted on her blog so just click through and you too can enjoy the Payoff.

Coconut has been an acquired taste I have developed over my baking experiences. The aroma and taste of warm coconut custard is irresistible. I can never make it through a recipe without satisfying the need by getting out at least one tasting spoon. I was not disappointed. I am becoming more and more in love with coconut.

Mom’s know….wanna know how they know? Because their Mom’s taught them. That’s how.

I’ve made this tart before and so I shared this tart with my neighbor who graciously accepted the treat. Isn’t it so fun to surprise people? It makes me smile. So, if you were so kind to stop by this morning, or if this is your first visit, you should know this tart is GGGGGGRRRREEEEAAAATTT!!!!! I hope you’ll stop by the rest of the TWD blog roll and see all the variations our really creative group offers.

Corbin is so sweet and is responsible for the photos. Thank goodness he is back at it. Whew!

TWD~Four Star Chocolate Bread Pudding & a bit of Playa del Carmen

Amy Ruth — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:30:50 +0000

Playa del Carmen was our Spring Break destination of choice. We are beginning to feel very much at home there.

No, this wasn’t it, we flew. It would have taken way too long, but it was a nice way to get back and forth to the Paseo or to breakfast at La Cueva del Chango. Absolutely, without a doubt, our favorite breakfast and lunch spot. Come to think of it, a great place to have dinner as well! This trip, I got to have some of their fabulous Mole on my scrambled eggs one morning. Oh My Gosh!!!

Of course this is most of what we spent our time doing…..and my daughter (the middle child) was joined by three of her closest friends. Days of these and sunshine, books, salsa, guacamole…

The trip photos courtesy of Corbin. I hope you don’t mind that I am sharing his fun with you. We will get to the baking, I promise. The first born male child of 21 was the body guard, for the four young ladies, along with Corbin. It was pretty fun to watch them bond and enjoy their time together during break.

You know that question in the OSI on the Tuesdays with Dorie website? The Day Off question? Gloriously, I am having one of those days off. The hubs is off in St. Louis for a weekend with his Tri-sport friends. I am totally in the kitchen…. accompanied by, at the present, one of my favorite chick flicks. A Nancy Meyers film, (a woman whose work I adore) Something’s Gotta Give. Do you love it?

Dorie, you have provided a certain element of therapy for those who connect with the creative, organic practice of baking. Dorie, do you know how many lives you have saved, or been the object of seriously funny stories posted on TWD, how many temper tantrums you have thwarted or how many happy baking experiences you have facilitated??? Dorie…..are you reading? he he I hope so. Oh and how about eating the finished product and sharing with those you love? Okay now, I am not writing a romance novel, the bread pudding is coming.

“Four Star Chocolate Bread Pudding,” this weeks recipe selection by Lauren of Upper East Side Chronicle. It will be fun to see what she does with this simple concoction. Check with her for the recipe. She is an accomplished Pastry Chef whose blog I enjoy visiting to see her beautiful photos and her interpretation of Dorie’s recipe from Baking From My Home to Yours. Thank you Dorie for the suggestion of a fine little “bread sponge” such as challah or brioche. A nearby grocer makes challah, so for convenience that was what I bought and toasted for the suggested 10ish minutes. Besides its absorption quality, the buttery sweet flavor was unique to any other bread. I had a little over 3 ounces of 70% cocoa chocolate chopped up already and to that I added the balance of the bittersweet with 60% cocoa chocolate. For a person who really likes an intense chocolate flavor, by all means add more. I liked its simplicity and ease of assembly. That’s bread pudding for you. A nice comfort food.

The End! {It really is delicious chilled!!! Enjoy}