Let us briefly interrupt our coverage offood safety, fancy cookbooks, and Korean tacos for a look at watermelon baby carriages. Why? Because when your friends are having a baby, it feels good to throw them a party. And because this would make a great centerpiece for the party table. And because if you carve your friends a watermelon basket, you will. not. have. to. play. any. dorky baby shower games. Because I said so.
And besides, it’s easy. How easy? So easy that, while I made the salad, my husband simultaneously carved and videotaped this one. Here you go. We first got the idea from the parties my aunt and stepmother used to cater; when we started looking for directions on our own we found this good guide through the National Watermelon Foundation Board.
The big new Capitol Hill branch of Cupcake Royale opened July 22 with free babycakes for everyone who stopped by to say the magic words: “Legalize Frostitution!” After visiting for the pre-opening party, tasting more of the revamped recipes I wrote about a while back, and seeing the jumbo mixers and the 15-rack oven in the back kitchen, I think they’ll be prepared for the crowds descending on the pretty place. (Early bird note: The store will open for business at 6 a.m., and it’s at 1111 E. Pike St.)
Here’s a video to show you their techniques — we saw a few examples, using slightly different methods, but all with the same polished results. (Even on the last example on the video, where the froster — what a great job title! — is repairing my own clumsy first attempt.) For those of you who aren’t in the area, or who prefer baking at home, we also have a recipe for the shop’s new vanilla cupcake, scaled down for the home baker, which CR owner Jody Hall kindly shared. (The Medosweet dairy products would be tough for the home cook to find, and if you’re not in Washington you probably want to substitute your own local brands to follow the money-where-your-mouth-is ethos, but here’s how it’s done in these parts.)
Vanilla Buttercake Recipe
makes 1 dozen
2 3/4 c. Shepherd’s Grain cake flour
2 3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 c. local egg whites
1/2 c. warm water
1/3 c. Medosweet sour cream
5 ounces Medosweet butter
3 tbs expeller-pressed canola oil
1 tsp Gahara vanilla bean paste
Line a cupcake tin with your favorite cupcake wrappers, and set your oven to bake at 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients in a mixer and mix on low speed. In a separate bowl, combine water and sour cream. Add vanilla paste and egg whites to this mixture and stir until combined. Add the butter, oil, and 1/4 of liquid mixture to your dry ingredients, and mix on low speed until moistened. Increase to medium speed and mix for one minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and gradually add the remainder of the liquid mixture in three doses, beating for 20 seconds after each dose. (Editorial note: Do you see now why it took 57 tries to develop the new recipes?) Scoop batter into wrappers. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden. Set cupcakes aside until they are cool to the touch, then frost ‘em up with real buttercream.
@LtGovMattDenn No, no, your food choices are great! Except for the stuffing on a stick. I keep meaning to ask to print your waffle recipe. 19 hours ago
In which I inadvertantly insult @andrewzimmern by asking if he got punk'd at @seabreezefarm. Love the Seattle show: http://t.co/aE4ighQF19 hours ago
"I want everyone to receive the healthcare they need, not just the ones who believe as I do." Thanks @saltyseattle: http://t.co/VUGhsBhg2012/02/02
@Pretty_Veggie @SeattleTallPopp Regardless, I hope people would take the gesture in the lovely spirit it is meant. "Have a treat on me." 2012/02/02
@Pretty_Veggie @SeattleTallPopp the idea was "get some food, hungry person!" But this seems more like "relax, take a break, have a treat." 2012/02/02
@Pretty_Veggie @SeattleTallPopp Really? Seems if you hate SB, depending on the reason, you might also hate Subway. I'd do Subway cards if 2012/02/02
@Pretty_Veggie @SeattleTallPopp Also think $5 is perfect. Enough to get a drink+perhaps pastry and enjoy the treat, not enough to embarass 2012/02/02
@Pretty_Veggie @SeattleTallPopp I could give a card to my favorite indie shop or market, but what if they live nowhere near? 2012/02/02
@SeattleTallPopp @Pretty_Veggie I like the SB because they are so ubiquitous. Hard to find another card where most people could redeem 2012/02/02
RT @seattlefoodgeek: One night only (only... only... only...) @ModernCuisine's Maxime Bilet @BookLarder. Price inc. 2 tix, 1 book & bite ... 2012/02/02
I talk about this chili a lot, but it really is fantastic: http://t.co/yPB6uf6h2012/02/02
@gastrognome @chow Good point. Still, it'd be hard for me to draw the line on when hens become stew. 2012/02/02
Lovely idea, Traca! MT @SeattleTallPopp Every week I buy a $5 @starbucks gift card & spend the week looking for someone to give it to. 2012/02/02
@jonkauffman @springhill_ws But don't you want to visit to try some fried chicken with gochujang?? 2012/02/02
RT @waxwing: Really unhappy with Komen Foundation. Planned Parenthood provided me great healthcare when I was a grad student many decade ... 2012/02/02
