MY jubilee

This year it´s also my jubilee since I am THE QUEEN OF THE KITCHEN!

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

The Home sweet Bakery was born in February 2010 and this year is celebrating its second anniversary!!!

Although it´s a very young activity I am always baking and have fix customers, new customers, glutton friends, and greedy relatives to satisfy with my sweet creations.

In two years I have learned much, experimented a lot, and baked even more...my creativity is never over and I really hope I will be able to nurture this passion of mine and celebrate many more jubilees ; )

Enjoy and take a look at what has come out of my oven these past years ♥ 

Martina

Carrots for horses

I love animals, I love all animals. 

Well maybe I am not that fond of snakes and insects which sting, but I would never kill them, I would rather go for a major rescue action involving a jar and a piece of paper : D

In our family we always had animals and as a child I never thought that people treated animals differently than we did, that people could also be so cruel. I don´t mean to be a fake moralist: I do eat meat, wear leather and fur, and take medicines when I am sick, still I do not agree with vivisection, animal experimentation, whale/shark/dolphin fishing, hunting and poaching, dog fighting and dog hunting (such as in Ukraine), battery poultry, and any other terrible practice against animals. One more thing, I hate circuses with trained animals.  

We have had dogs, cats, fish, and horses and it´s to these wonderful creatures that I want to dedicate this post with a carrot and almond cake, which I am sure they too would appreciate!

I have been very lucky to get to know two amazing horses during my riding career: Krokus which was a marvellous and strong Belgian stallion we used to call "the Emperor", and Landwind, a beautiful and kind  Oldenburger gelding. Unfortunately Krokus passed away two days ago, he was 25, and had a great life, but Landi still fills my riding moments with happiness!

I love them because not only are they incredibly graceful creatures but also great friends...

Enjoy ♥

Martina

Respect all animals!

Délice française

Welcome to another "On the Road"entry. Fasten your seat belts and let´s go!

more

When I started baking, making macarons was an extraordinary event! I was specialised only on muffins and cupcakes and international recipes were mere experiments. But french macarons did turn out great for my most incredible satisfaction! And the one of those who had to test-taste them!!!

The most famous macarons are the ones from Laduree in Paris, France. I love them and anytime my mom flies to Paris she buys some for me: framboise, pistachio, vanilla, cassis violette, petales de rose are my favourite ones. With each new season, Laduree creates a new flavour starting from the existing range, as the variety of colours is as important as the range of flavours and a vital part of their appeal. In Salzburg the Braun pastry also has macarons. The variety is not that big, but they are good and the shop is just outside my university!

My macarons are not as beautiful as the original ones, but considering I have no professional machines and only a small kitchen, I can be quite proud of myself!!! And anyways they taste good, are well appreciated, and none is ever left over. If you want to try them they can be found on sale at Doll´s Vis-a-Vis, in Salzburg.

The range of recipes is huge going from cook books to the internet. I personally recommend these two books:

"Macrons" by José Maréchal (AT Verlag)
&
"Feine Macarons" by Annie Rigg (Thorbecke)

I have been using them too and can say that if you follow all the steps correctly the macarons will turn out nice. The first book also provides many useful tips and an alternative between the technique of the Italian and the French meringue. I follow the first one and for this reason I use a kitchen thermometer (from Silkomart), which guarantees the result.

So if you are interested just keep following the Home ♥ sweet ♥ Bakery, I will soon post a couple of my usual recipes. If you need any help or suggestions leave a comment and I will write back.

Au revoire mes amis!

Enjoy ♥

Martina