Buttermilk Pie

Lemon zest, Jacobsen's Lemon Zest Sea Salt, and Buttermilk provide acidity and tang to the sweetness of this Southern Pie.  You know how a slightly-cooled cherry pie cuddles you in his silky warmth?  Well, this isn't one of those pies. ha!  It is the most heavenly when chilled overnight.  So good!

SMEG Standing Mixer

Sweet peeps, I once had a Kitchen Aid mixer which I loved, and which was incredibly well-made.  I sold it (long story) and have been without one for I'd say about 8 years.  Then, I fell in love with the Italian-brand SMEG.  I love their Jetsons-like retro lines.  I first got a toaster in baby blue.  Then a year later an electric teapot in the same color.  Any then just today, I finally, almost a month after my birthday, received this belated gift from my man (hmm--he didn't forget, it just was a special back order).

SOOOOOOOO, here it is.  My new stand mixer--in the same baby blue as its siblings.   I am in love, and immediately put it to good use by making an orange poopyseed cake.

Isn't she a beauty?!

My first creation from it (no way could I not use it immediately!) was orange-poppyseed cake.  Zest of 2 oranges, 2 T. of poppycakes, and almond extract, and almonds toasting on top made our house smell soooo yummy.

 

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Pie

I have been craving a rhubarb pie since March, and I finally took the time to make one yesterday.  Surprisingly, there was not a lot of rhubarb to be found at our grocery store...are we already past rhubarb season by mid-April?  Maybe everyone else, like me, had the urge to make some tangy dessert with rhubarb.  Well, in the end, I'm just glad I was able to grab some, mix it up with some strawberries, sugar, the juice of a 1/2 and the zest of a full lemon, some tapioca pearls, and a crumble topping to come up with what you see below.  Happy Spring! (-: