Earth Day Cheesecake with Candied Ginger Crust of Unrest
Cheesecake is the Universal teacher--no matter your age or Eco-proclivities.
Yes, this cake--like all baking and cooking experiences with kids--turned out to be an apron-gold experience for my 2 and 4-year olds...but I can't believe the way the watercolor painting technique turned out.
Looks...well...just like Mother Earth but doesn't taste like it.
(My daughter has a Duff Goldman fascination, what can I say?)
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5 Comments:
That looks amazing! And great job in teaching your daughter how to make tools multi task (yes a hammer can be used for nails, but look what it does for graham crackers!)
Oh, and I agree on the bookclubs. :-)
SayWhat at 8:13AM on 04/22/08
Well, I can't tell you how many things I've made which look Jurassic but taste splendid, or look pretty, but just taste like dreck--I am mystified that the planets (ugh) lined up on this experiment, but they did. I am plotting other painted cakes, applying this same method. You can't tell this from the photos, but the surface bakes to an almost burnished sheen; the color intensifies. Reminds me of an eggplant-skin in that way. It doesn't look "painted on" but embedded, like the natural striations in marble or yes, a vegetable.
Am I too lax that I let my daughter use my bread knife on playdough?
HappyHoarfrost at 10:27AM on 04/22/08
@HappyHoarfrost..........there is absolutely nothing you can make that is more spectacular and long-lasting than fun and memories with your children, and you even have fabulous photos to help them remember. They'll be telling their grandchildren about their creative, loving, fantabulous mother, as they create memories of their own. What a MOM!!!!
PerkyMac at 10:34AM on 04/22/08
PerkyMac: what a wonderful, generous comment! Thank you!--especially given the fact we just returned from the most exasperating, non-creative paper-towel-caliber Target-run of all-time, where both kids melted down loudly & conspicuously, making me feel ANYTHING but fantabulous.
I have very, very strong memories of cooking with both my grandmother and father; they ALWAYS let me use and learn with the "real" tools, knives, burners...get messy (vegetable peels flung up to the ceiling), and fold in the eggs whites (no matter HOW delicate the dish).
Since I find myself telling my daughter about learning to roll out phyllo dough on the dining room table with Gran or making yogurt with my Dad, I definitely agree that these are heirloom experiences.
Sometimes, in weak, over-caffeinated, under-rested moments, you wonder whether the mess is worth it--are they getting it?--Your comment renewed my sense that my prioroties are in a happy place, despite a child-like mise en place:).
HappyHoarfrost at 3:58PM on 04/22/08
@Happy........the best part is that you'll all forget moments or even days like the Target outing, but not the love that was always present. I am a grandmother now and I've caught my daughter saying things like, "I am a terrible mother", because she got frustrated or upset. I remind her that we all have those moments, but all anyone needs to do is spend a couple of minutes with that beautiful little girl and you KNOW she is happy, bright, creative, and LOVED. It shines out of her, and I know (from seeing your website and your kind comments) that loves shines from you and yours. You are all lucky! Keep on playing with them in the kitchen. They'll thank you in a million ways. And thanks for making my day. I miss those crazy days, too.
PerkyMac at 4:11PM on 04/22/08