And the "What are you eating" Contest WInner is...

Photo Courtesy of Yumi P.

     We thank you all for participating in the "What are you eating?" photo contest.  There were so many great pictures that we had quite a time trying to narrow it down to just one.  So thank you again for all of your entries!  But in the end we picked Drumroll please...this photo by Yumi.  I loved how it made me just want to pull the toast with figs right out of the picture!

    So congrats to Yumi! Look for your package of new earrings in the mail.

Until next time...

xoxoxo

Happy Friday!

     This past weekend I was able to spend it with Jean-Marie and her sister Tiffany (and all of the little people). We had such a great time! Tiffany made some really great raw food that totally inspired Jean & me. I think I was sold too since it looked like Tiffany had grown about a foot since the last time I saw her. She looks amazing, along with Jean-Marie. I kept thinking, “This is my friend who has cancer? She looks amazing!” So when they both mentioned that it was her diet, my ears were perked and at attention!!!


     So this is what she prepared for us and it was nothing short of deliciousness!!!

Preping the Raw Almond Cheesecake with cookie crumb crust





Vegan Onion & Sour Cream Potato Chips



Greek Salad



BFF's

L thought that his breakfast was borning without a Mimosa!

Z felt like such a big sister helping to feed baby N

Preperations for the Spring Rolls

Et Voila the finished product. Veggie spring rolls
with homemade peanut sauce (actually almond sauce)

P.S. Today is the last day to submit your entry for the food contest at 5pm (Pacific Time). You know your posting pictures of your food, why not just use the #btanJerinefood (remember it's tanJerine with a J) on Instagram, or you can email us at btanjerine@gmail.com and enter with the chance to win some really great earrings???

Have a great weekend!

Xoxoxo

BtanJerine





Everyday Foods Homemade: Caramel Sauce

Photo courtesy of Willow Bird Baking

Ok first of all this is my disclaimer.  Once you make this you will be addicted, and you will eat it all within day(s)!!! That being said,  consider yourself warned!!

The first time that I attempted to make caramel I swore that it would be the last, I burned my finger, started a small kitchen fire, and had to throw away the first batch....and then I tasted it!  I guess it’s like what they say about childbirth, you swear you’d never do it again, and then you see that babies face and you forget the whole 9 month ordeal (this was not my experience, but I have heard this said by more than one woman)!  And there you are pregnant again, (again not my experience).

This is the ultimate science experiment.  As the temperature changes the caramel goes through an amazing metamorphosis.  First it’s a liquid, then a solid, then it changes colors, then it turns back to a liquid.  It’s really quite fascinating.  I am always afraid that I’m doing it wrong every time.  I guess it’s just the nature of the beast to be extremely temperamental  (perhaps a thermometer would cure this problem.)

Anyhow I found the recipe on Pinterest via Willow Bird Baking.  They have a great blog with a fabulous collection of recipes.  This caramel sauce recipe was paired with a honey bun cake, and the recipe can be found here.  

Taste Tester Approved!

Simple Perfection atop a fresh strawberry

This caramel is so wonderful, my fave way to eat it is just atop strawberries.  This way you are able to get the true essence of the caramel with out it being overwhelmed by any other flavors.  Others in my household prefer to make caramel sundaes with toasted pecans.  Either way you are in for a real treat!

Caramel Pecan Sundae

Noteworthy: 
*** I usually quadruple the batch.  I figure for the trouble you might as well make it worth you time.


***I suggest that you do not attempt this around children since the temperature is extremely hot.  It's too dangerous to do around the wee ones.

Currently Obsessed With...Bouchon Bakery

Saying my mother is a foodie is an understatement! She is always trying new recipes and goes to different cities just to try new foods.  She turned me on to Bouchon.....and I was enlightened!!!

Photo Courtesy of Bouchon Bakery

Bouchon offers fantastic little patisseries just like a Parisian Boulangerie.  Their signature Bouchons which are a petit chocolate cake/brownie, a Nutter Butter sandwich cookie which is filled with a smooth peanut butter cream, an Oreo-esque chocolate cookie, just 100x better than the original.  Brioche loaves,  I have been know to have eaten a whole loaf in a 24 hour period (don’t judge me!).  

Photo Courtesy of Bouchon Bakery

And them my favorite... macarons,  (((sigh)))! Salted Caramel,  Pistachio, Vanilla, just to name a few but my favorite is the Passion fruit.  It reminds me of a tart little lemon meringue pie, in the form of a cookie the size of my palm.  It’s one of those things I like to eat in silence, when I can really savor it.  So I usually eat it while Z is asleep so I avoid being rushed, and to elude having to share.  Perish the thought, I mean Z can’t truly appreciate all that is... Bouchon, well not yet at least!