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Amazing Angry Birds cake by Sweet Teeth Bakery

For my husband’s birthday this year, I surprised him with an Angry Birds cake, made by our friend Amelia Franada, who owns Sweet Teeth Custom Cakes & Pastries in Renton, Washington.

I’m constantly impressed by Amelia’s artistry and versatility. She can make everything from a kick ass ninja cake to elegant French macaroons. I also love her creative spins on traditional Filipino desserts.

Go ahead, “like” her on Facebook and visit her booth at the Renton Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays. You won’t regret it!

60 Seattle bloggers turn passion into compassion

Yesterday I ran into Lisa of Gluten Free Foodies, and she reminded me that this Saturday is the big “Will Bake for Food” event. Lisa, along with 60 other Seattle food bloggers, is creating sweet treats for a giant bake sale benefitting hunger relief organization Northwest Harvest.

For each can of food that you bring, you will receive tickets to spend on baked goods, locally roasted coffee and Skagit Valley apple cider. Check out this list to see which items Northwest Harvest needs most. Extra tickets will be given for donations of diapers, baby formula and gluten-free foods. (Psst! Lisa told me gluten-free pasta is on sale at Trader Joe’s.)

The event will also feature a special raffle with awesome prizes, and blogger, chef and all around nice guy, Eric Rivera, is hiding a golden ticket inside one of his chocolate bars that will be good for a dinner for two cooked by Eric himself.

“Will Bake for Food” will take place Saturday, November 20 at University Congregational Church, Ostrander Hall, 4515 16th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. (or whenever they run out of treats!)

Mobile Chowdown 5

Mobile Chowdown is back–this time with beer! The food truck extravaganza will be October 1 at the Qwest Field north parking lot from 5:00-10:00 p.m. It now costs $5 to get into the event, which is 21+ because of the alcohol factor. Pyramid Breweries is the official beer sponsor.

In addition to your favorite food trucks, there will be a live music stage featuring DJ Riz, Bandolier, Haiku-Chi and Piece.

Lines are always long at Mobile Chowdown, but here’s what I think is worth the wait:

• A shwarma sandwich from Hallava Falafel
• Gumbo and beignets from Where Ya At Matt
• Kalbi tacos from Marination Mobile

I’d also be interested in trying food from Buns on Wheels and Street Treats and I definitely want to check out Domo Dogs from Portland.

I’ll be volunteering at Mobile Chowdown’s “Geek Row” to help promote my graduate program–the University of Washington’s Master of Communication in Digital Media program. What’s the connection? As one of my professors, Anita Verna Crofts, says, “The food truck revolution is closely tied to the social network revolution.”

Sunday dinner = comfort food

I’ve always loved the idea of a Sunday dinner–a time when your family comes together to eat something special and spend time together before the start of another long week. Though my parents never did this when I grew up, the Sunday dinner is a tradition that I want to start with my own family. Last week, I made the first of what I hope are many Sunday dinners.

Since it’s now officially autumn, and the weather was crisp that day, I decided to make some classic comfort food–roasted pork loin, mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, green beans and an apple galette for dessert.

Name that deep-fried food

A few weeks ago at the Ballard Seafood Fest, my friend Nicole and I encountered this deep-fried treat, which has absolutely nothing to do with the ocean so I was a little mystified about why it was at a seafood festival. But hey–elephant ears are everywhere and nobody makes a fuss.

I’ve seen all kinds of deep-fried foods, but this was the first time I had even heard of this particular item. It certainly wouldn’t have occurred to me to drop one of these in a Fry Daddy. At first it sounded totally disgusting, and then I was intrigued. Nicole and I agreed to split half of one.

So what did we have?

Ah, Leo, at last we meet

I’ve heard much about Molly Moon’s big blue ice cream truck named Leo, but I had never seen it in person until a few weeks ago.

I had diligently been following the truck on Twitter for awhile, but wherever I was, Leo always seemed to be at the opposite end of town. Or worse yet, I would find out that I had just missed him.

One day at work, I saw that Leo was going to be in Belltown. My office was many blocks away in Pioneer Square, and I had an afternoon booked solid with meetings, but I was determined to finally track down the truck.

And I did.

But what to order?

I went with the “Parker’s Praline” ice cream sandwich–soft praline cookies with vanilla ice cream.

D.C. Cupcakes? I’d rather watch D.C. Cab.

After I wrote the previous post about the proliferation of cupcake shops in Washington, D.C., I saw a commercial on TV for a new show called “DC Cupcakes.” It’s a reality show all about sisters Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis and their shop, Georgetown Cupcake.

After watching the first two episodes, I don’t think I’ll be back for more. Instead of building a show around compelling characters, the show’s producers try to make Sophie and Katherine interesting–when they really aren’t. As a result, everything–from the sisters’ cardboard narration to the “wacky” supporting cast including their mom and surly baker–seems very forced.

I’d rather watch 30 minutes of pure video footage of cupcakes, or the so-awful-it’s-fabulous movie, “D.C. Cab.” My favorite exchange in this intro is when Mr. T. the cab driver throws out a prostitute attempting to, ahem, service a client in the backseat of his cab. She insists, “I need the bread!” To which Mr. T. responds, “Then get a job at a bakery.”

Is Washington, D.C. the capital of cupcakes?

When I was in Washington, D.C. last week, it seemed like no matter where I was in the city, there was a cupcake shop nearby. I unexpectedly managed to visit two of the top shops in the DC area.

After wrapping up a business meeting in Georgetown, I had some time to walk around the area. My friend had told me that I visit Georgetown Cupcake. I asked my DC colleagues about it, and they recommended that I visit Baked and Wired instead.

When I headed out on my own, I had the address of Baked and Wired but no map or directions so I didn’t think I would find it. But after walking for a few minutes, I found myself right in front of the shop.

I loved the way they display the baked goods under glass–especially the cupcakes.

Come fly with me

This time last week, I was headed to Washington, D.C. on business, and I was not looking forward to the trip at all. Flying from Seattle to the East Coast is a grueling affair. Even if you’re excited about your destination, it’s long–no matter the amount of reading material, Sudoku puzzles, iPod playlists or DVDs you bring with you.

It does help to have good food.