Daring Kitchen and Menu for the Week

Some of you may have noticed the addition to my blog of the Daring Kitchen Logo and my baking superhero, The Vanilla Fairy. The Daring Kitchen originated in 2006. Please see the link below about how they started (it's a great story). Some of my favorite food bloggers belong to this site. Every month a secret challenge is issued. All the participants, from around the world, bake the same recipe and then post pictures of their creations on their blogs. I have watched in anticipation as each new challenger posts. Sometimes I spend hours looking at all the blog postings. The idea is that you can share a passion of baking with others, learn new techniques, discuss them with others and try baking things that are out of your comfort zone. After sitting in the backround for quite awhile, I decided to take the plunge and join the group. This month will be my first post. Please check back on the blog on the 27th of each month (I will remind you), to see what we have baked for the challenge. I will also post a link to the recipe, if you want to try it yourself you can. Tastings of my creation will be on the Saturday following the posting. Of course, I appreciate your feedback and I hope this will allow you to be part of the fun, even if you don't want to make the recipe. So next time you have a few minutes (or in my case hours) take a look at all the talented bakers!
http://thedaringkitchen.com/

NOTE: For the next few weeks delivery schedules will be subject to change. My sister (who is kind enough to help care for my kids on the weekend) is taking a well deserved vacation. While she is enjoying the sites of Australia I will be responsible for getting seven kids to their sporting activities, etc. Therefore, this week I would like to do deliveries on Sunday/Monday again. Of course, no charge for dropping off, or let me know a pick-up time at the office. If you need anything for Saturday let me know and we can make arrangements. Thanks for your understanding!

Savory
Farmland Vegetable Pie - $5/pie
Tomatoes, corn, eggs, scallions, Muenster cheese, zucchini, aspargues and whatever else looks good all put together in a pie with a cornmeal crust.

Black croque monsieur pie - $4/pie
A crust made out of pumpernickel with proscuitto, mozzarella and eggs

Organic Chicken and Chorizo Empanada - $5/empanada
Chicken, Chorizo, olives put together in a flakey pastry

Sweet
Coconut Cream Pie with Rice Crust - $5/slice
The Rice Crust adds a nice crunch to the creamy topping

Orange Olive Oil Cake - $5/slice
Using local olive oil

Apricot Yogurt Slice $4/two slices
Greek Yogurt, Honey and Coconut with a crunchy cookie base

Chocolate-Orange pots de creme $4/pot
A dark chocolate custard wtih a hint of orange

Soup
Pasta and ChickPea Soup $5/quart
A hearty soup with macaroni pasta, rosemary, garlic and a little chili

Breakfast
Buttermilk doughnuts with vanilla sugar $4 (2 doughnuts)

You can email order to magpies.jen@gmail.com or call (707)439-5960. Have a great week everyone!

Moxie

J&L so generously gave me a gift certificate to a mid-town Sacramento restaurant for my birthday. It was a joint celebration as J and I share the same birthday. I did my research on Moxie before we went. I read the reviews as they don't have a website. Both J and I did the same homework so we went to dinner with a game plan, as Moxie has a limited menu. All the specials (and there are many) are recited quickly and with lots of flair by the owner. He greets each table, sends a waiter with water and drink orders and returns to tell you the specials. Since we went in with a plan (I knew I wanted lamb) and J new he wanted fish, so we concentrated on those specials. L decided that she just wanted something in the beef category and let the owner choose something for her. All the food came with the same sides of mash potatoes and fresh vegetables. My New Zealand lamb was juicy and tender - sheer perfection! I tasted J's Chilean Seabass with Macadamia crust (I hope I rememberd that right as I had a glass of wine). I thought the fish was good, not overcooked and enjoyed the crunchy crust. L had a filet mignon and it was butter soft.

It also happened to be Second Saturday Art Walk and this was a fun event. After dinner we walked through some of the galleries and enjoyed the fine art.

Thanks to J and L for such a thoughtful and fun evening. It was a great introduction to mid-town, Sacramento and I hope it won't be long before I visit again.

Deliveries will be on Sunday or Monday at your convenience. I am happy to deliver at no cost.

Savory
Tomato, ham and cheese turnover - $5
This turnover is filled with ham, pesto, melted Boursin cheese and sliced tomato

Green Pea and Corn triangles with cauliflower - $5
Organic Peas and Fresh Corn put in a parcel with filo pastry

Smoked Chicken and Dill Cake - 2 slices $5
Yes, a savory cake. This is filled with smoked organic chicken and fresh dill. Great with a salad or a bowl of soup.

Sweets
Lemon Grass, Vanilla, Red Currant Minicake $4/piece

Passion fruit/lemon brulee tart $5/tart

Hazelnut Toffee Square - $5 per bar Layer of crust , chocolate and topped with hazelnut and toffee

Chocolate Babka mini-loaf - $4 per loaf
Russian loaf of bread filled with bittersweet chocolate & pecans)

Soup
Curried Green Asparagus Soup with Root Vegetable Chips $5/quart
Asparagus is just coming into season. This fresh soup is served with root vegetable chips on the side.

Saturday - Celebrating St. Patrick,s Day

I like it when I can bake things that apply to certain holidays. Since I do weekend deliveries, it sometimes puts me in a quandary - shall I bake ahead of time, after the fact or not honor the occasion at all. However, being of Irish heritage, I decided I couldn't let St. Patrick's Day go without some sort of fanfare. I hope you are able to rustle up an Irish Coffee (for those who drink) and enjoy some of this weeks' goods:


Savory
Corn Beef Pie - $6/pie
A flaky crust with layers of Dijon mustard, corn beef and cabbage.

Colcannon Chicken and Apple Pie - $5/piece
Colcannon is a traditional Irish potato dish. This pie has a flaky crust with a filling of organic chicken, apples, tarragon with a Colcannon topping.

Blarney Cheese and Onion Tart - $4/tart
Originally made with Blarney Cheese, this tart consist of fontina cheese and softened onions.

Soup
Baked Potato Soup with Bacon - $5/quart
A creamy soup with organic bacon bits mixed in.

Sweet
Guinness cake with Brown Bread Ice Cream - $6/piece (includes ice cream)
Even if you don't like Guinness you will like this cake. The stout adds a richness to the cake. Sold with Brown Bread Ice Cream to top the cake off with.

Grasshopper Squares - $4/square
Not really Irish but really good. Brownie layer, mint layer (green for St. Patrick's Day) and topped with ganache.

Lime and Pistachio Pie - $5/piece
A creamy lime filling inside a crunch pistachio crust

Breakfast
Iced Buns - $4 for 2 buns
These soft buns are yeast based with a sweet icing.

NOTE: For next week I would like to do deliveries on Sunday or Monday. I am happy to deliver at no charge at your convenience or you can pick-up at the office at a pre-arranged time. It is Opening Day for Baseball on our normal delivery day and I have 4 kids who would be disappointed if I not there.

Saturday Goods

OK, I am sorry this posting is so late. I have had the worst time with getting anything to post this week. I am back at work this week so here are the offerings for Saturday's pick-up or delivery.
Savory
Spicy South African Bake - $6 for 5" pie
A mild curry flavored Lean Steak with minced, apple, mango chutney, sultanas and onions.

Caulfi Pie $5/Piece
Cauliflower and Cheese in a potato crusted base

Tartiflette with Brie and Bacon - $5/piece
Creamy cheese with smokey bacon

Sweet
Ovaltine and Milk Chocolate Kulfi - $5/piece
A traditional Asian/Indian dessert this has an American taste of chocolate malt.

Lemon Steamed Pudding with Berry Compote - $5/pudding
A moist steamed pudding with a tangy lemon filling with a flavored sweet berry topping

MagPies Nutter Butters - 6 cookies $5
Flavors of the ones your Mother used to buy, of course, made healthier.

Breakfast
Bakery Crumb Buns $4 for 2 buns
A cake-like bun with a crumb topping and a hint of almond flavor

Soup
White Bean Soup with Winter Vegetables $5/quart

The Ravens Restaurant in Mendocino

Vegan Chocolate Cake
Vegan Apple Crumble Cake
Vegan Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Chocolate Oatmeal Balls (vegan)

Months ago, I started dropping hints to friends and family that I didn't want this monumental birthday to pass without some fanfare. I am not sure why, I am normally quite happy to quietly let my birthdays slip pass. For some reason, I thought this big event of turning 40 was going to be life changing. My good friend K was the first to step up to the plate with the offer to go with me for a weekend away. Actually, she wanted to throw me a big party and I wanted to go away, so she kindly obliged. I randomly picked a place from the Internet. Not being a mainstream, kinda girl, I figured Napa was out. The thought of a spa weekend still appealed to me. It was the relaxation part that really held my attention. Mendocino looked nice from the pictures I found. It was near the beach, which I love and we got all the amenities of a Napa spa, including a great Vegan Restaurant. I couldn't have made a better choice, if I do say so myself. The Standford Inn was beautiful and provided many extras, including some great vegan chocolate chip cookies after our massage and facial. The rooms even came with mountain bikes, which we took advantage of. K provided some great movies which we watched on a rainy Saturday evening. Believe it or not, watching movies is a huge treat for me. Our first night at the Inn we ate at the Ravens Restaurant (attached to the Inn). We decided to try it, figuring we could eat in town on Saturday. We had a three course meal (completely Vegan) which was surprisingly delicious and filling. We liked it so much we had breakfast, tea and dinner the next day.

I arrived home on Sunday and my husband had prepared my favorite meal of steak and his famous mashed potatoes. Mocha Almond Fudge Ice Cream Cake (a tradition) for dessert. Great cards from my kids and a new set of screwdrivers from them. I really asked for screwdrivers! The presents I received were spectacular and I can't thank everyone enough. Overall, it wasn't such a life altering event. Maybe such great family and friends eased me into my 40th year. I am looking forward to going back to quiet birthdays (that is until my 50th)!

My 40th Birthday Trip to Mendocino!

Rainy Week!

Valentine's Day at MagPies was filled with lots of love and baking! I hope everyone had a great weekend.

I spent my weekend with my wonderful friends and family. Thanks Jeff, Lorie and Tim for lovely gifts. Flowers and Chocolate made it a special day!

I am going to try and do a review of a Sacramento restaurant before I am off next week. I will also post to the blog while I am gone so check back and see what a nice time I am having.

This week I got some tangerines from Mr. Inn. Thanks! So check out the menu below to see what I will be baking with them.

Savory

Carrot and Chorizo Tart - $5/piece

A little smoky and mildly spicy from the Chorizo and a little sweetness from the carrot - all in a crisp crust

Sage, Onion and Mature Cheddar Pie-$4/piece

Onions and strong Cheddar in a red potato crust.

Mustard Flavored Tuna and Vegetable Tartlets - $5/5"tart

Olive Oil Crust made with quinoa and filled with zucchini, goat cheese, tuna and dijon mustard

Sweet

Tangerine meringue pie - $4/piece

A sweet pastry, filled with fresh tangerine flavor and topped with meringue

Steamed chocolate Buns with Cinnamon Creme Fraiche - $4 for 2 buns

Moist chocolate buns with Vanilla Raw Sugar and topped with Cinnomon flavored Creme Fraiche.

Sweet Lime Pie with a Salty Pretzel Crust. - $5/piece

Organic Pretzels and honey make up the crust. Filled with Lime juice and Greek yogurt.

Magpies Oreo Cookies - $6 for 8 cookies

Rich Chocolate Cookie filled with a white chocolate filled cream.

Soup

Mulligatawny Soup - $5/quart

Mulligatawny means pepper water. This soup has chicken, carrots, turnips, red lentils, peppercorns and organic sultanas (small raisins).

Have a good week everyone! Remember, MagPies will be closed February 27,28 and March 1.