itty bitty fish

Many thanks to my friend [and neighbor], David, who provided me with this recipe and brought over fresh mint from his garden so I could make it! It is delightfully refreshing, and so simple. Also, you can get everything you need at your local farmer’s market. The ingredients are watermelon, feta cheese and fresh [chopped] mint.

After cutting the watermelon into small squares, I tossed it with the mint leaves. When serving, I tossed in the feta. Onefish decided he liked his without the feta, but thought mint with his melon was magnificent.

I’ve been in love with this itty bit of silicone since I first saw it at A.C. Moore a couple months ago. So, I jumped at the chance to make their Halloween treats for onefish’s preschool class so a) I had an excuse to buy it and b) so I could make delicious, cute treats for onefish and his class. I used an orange cake mix [if you have a good "from scratch" recipe you want to share, please do] and turned the little guys over right out of the oven so their wee faces [on the bottom of the muffins] didn’t get smooshed.

After they were completely cool, I covered their tops with vanilla icing so the kids could decorate them with sprinkles. They turned out delicious, and [I was told] they were a hit with the kids. Now I have to figure out what I’m going to do for their snacks week after next…

Not the b00bies. The bakeware. I love it. Silicone cups are wonderful for separating foods and flavors in bento boxes, but you can also use them to serve snacks [to the bitty ones or as mixed nut cups]. My favorite use for them, however, is actually, well… baking.

You cook at a lower temperature and for less time; saving energy and patience. And, you can bake healthy muffins in appealing wrapping. But the best part is that wrapping is recyclable! What’s not to love?

Things I have learned while attempting to make my first angel food cake:

* Do not lick the beaters. Raw egg whites are not so yummy. Even with lots of sugar in the mix.
* Do not cook the cake the suggested 37 – 47 minutes. Mine burned [slightly] at 25 minutes.
* Even [slightly] burned angel food cake tastes… off.
* Turn it upside down on a bottle immediately or your cake will fall.
* Wine bottles are too big for the standard angel food cake pan.
* Even if you ignore all of the above, your husband will [probably] still eat the entire cake.

I will be attempting Operation Angel Food: Part II later today.