Butter, Big Mama and Aunt Sassy Cake!

Sassy Mama
{Imagine a cat call whistle here}

Hellloooooo Mama! Or should I say Aunt Sassy?

I would say both because they each have a permanent residence in my kitchen.

What a magical place. There is a lot that goes on in there. It becomes my very own little world, full of fun and joyful energy. Sometimes it’s a quaint little bakery, culinary haven, or cozy retreat, sparking memories of my smiling grandmother. And at other times it is transformed into a blues den, dance club or even a runway for that extra special occasion. It all depends on the day. One thing is for sure, it always promises to be a good time once you cross that entranceway.

Last week was no exception. I was planning to make a birthday cake for a friend who absolutely loves pistachios. I had the perfect recipe - Aunt Sassy Cake. This is yet another mouthwatering recipe from Baked Explorations.  I think it might be the best pistachio cake known to man.

When you make a recipe with a name like Aunt Sassy you must create the right atmosphere. There is a mood that needs to be set and a stage to be made in order to properly welcome this little creation into the world. It’s quite a production.

It's a time to be creative, make it your own and have a good time. Feel free to go all out. It’s not everyday that you get meet a celebrity like Aunt Sassy. Unless of course you are honored to be in the presence of Koko.

So, to start it all off, I made a sassy apron (to wear with some sassy shoes). I wanted to look my best.

I listened and howled to "Sassy Mama" by Big Mama Thornton (audio clip below) and blew a few notes on my harmonica as the oven worked it’s magic.

When she arrived it was heaven. Then, if she weren’t perfect enough, the honey vanilla buttercream threw me into state of pure delight. And the pistachios sprinkled generously over the top - forget about it.

Now, that’s the way to make a pistachio cake! If you would like this delicious recipe, click here (thank you Baked).

Dance, sing and celebrate my friends!

Hit the BLACK play button and enjoy-Sassy Mama

Love, Butter
P.S. Just in case you'd like to read a little more on foodie fun with music, here are a few that you might enjoy:

Big Mama Inspires One Delicious Cherry Pie
Cupcakes with 'Lil Walter and Little Boy Blue
Baking with Koko (and Miss Sassy)

Creative Words For Inspiration (Bakers, Foodies and Artists)

Live High (Album Version)

A friend of mine recently asked me what inspired me creatively. 

There are so many ways to respond to this. To start, I actually have a powerful list of words that are a great source of personal inspiration.

The Power of Words
I got the idea about six years ago after attending a corporate “retreat.” We all had to choose some “strong words.” Words to make us feel powerful when confronted with a challenge or emotion that would require one to get centered and calm. They would help us to shake our inner cynic. Unbeknownst to me, this exercise was in preparation for our time “in the field.” Needless to say I would need those words to inspire me when asked to climb and jump off of a 35-foot platform to grab a trapeze bar dangling at an unreachable distance, while strapped in the crotch with a leather harness …in front of my colleagues.

$##$@*(&?%!!

Unfortunately the words I used at the moment in flight (screamed) were not on my original list and they are nothing I wish to repeat here in this public forum. Let me just say they gave me a sore throat and are not carved into the butter blocks above.

So what does this have to do with anything? Well, as unsettling as that little freak show was, I limped away from the whole experience with what I now call inspirational words. Words that make me laugh or smile every time I see, say or think about them.

Inspiration and Creativity
Inspiration and creativity takes all forms and penetrates the senses. It could be an idea that is inspired by a color, shape, word, even an animal (like a squirrel), a book, a visual element, sounds, a person, etc. And for a foodie, everything can relate back to food.

As bloggers, cooks, bakers, writers…and other artists of any kind, I know you can relate. And for some of my readers who are saying to themselves “I’m not creative…” (You know who you are), yes you are. Trust me, you just need to allow yourself to be. Let go and allow yourself to get lost in the experience - whatever that is for you.

Pick A Canvas - Any Canvas Will Do
We can start with using this blog as our canvas. Let me show you an example of my recent endeavors and creative tribute to fall…

Get Physical
I recommend doing something physical, like going running or hiking and playing in the leaves – it’s a great way to get the creative juices flowing.

Note: Just be careful for the pesky leaf stems that seem to want to poke you in the eye. I left that picture out …didn’t want to disrupt the “flow” and mood that we are trying to achieve here.

Embrace Your Inner Foodie Farmer
As a foodie, farmers markets are a great way to get inspired. New Paltz has is one of my favorite places outside of the city. There are so many great markets like Dressel Farms, Wallkill View and Wrights. There are great views at the Mohonk Mountain House as well as the state park.

Play With Color
When you get back home from being out and about, you won’t know where to start. 

Break out some crayons, paints or pastels to revel in the color of fall for a while.
These are my very favorite pastels - French Sennelier. I could eat these!


Draw A Picture...

Get Into The Kitchen!
Go into the kitchen and find your favorite ingredients…These are my favorite kitchen pastels.

And what can you create with all of this butter? Why Puff pastry of course!  (487 layers of heaven)

To make Apple Puff Pastries with Almond Cream

Click for Recipe Here

Don’t forget some feel good music. How about, “Live High” by Jason Mraz singing, “Live high. Live mighty. Live righteously, taking it easy…”

(Take a few minutes to dance and sing to this. Feels good.)

A Finished Canvas
So if I were to fill that empty canvas that we started with, here is what I would put on it today,

“I am Fall
whirling beauty
all around me
blanketing Mother Earth with
sun drops”
Poem by Kim Cavanagh (@thejoyfulwriter)

So, you see, this started with some words and a list of questions sent to me from my friend Bill. And one single question created “movement”. It was a thought…sparked by a question, that inspired me, as well as everything before after and in between. Thank you.

I dedicate this to you my friends.

And I would love to sign off with a special thank you to Bill for the spark and inspiration for this blog post.

Love, Butter