Cupcake Therapy

   
    I just read Joan Bauer's young adult novel Close to Famous in which Foster McFee bakes to get through the bad days. In Foster's words, "Cooking is about life. It gives us what we need to keep going, and it gives us something to share with other people." I have not broken my pact since the book does not contain lists of recipes.   Joan Bauer's signature quirky books don't have your typical teenagers or teen angst situations.  Foster is a tough twelve-year-old who is dealing with a move to a new town and getting over her fear of Elvis impersonators.  When her father passed away she started watching the Food Network and dreams of being the first kid to have her own cooking show.  Many colorful Southern townspeople pepper her summer experience.  I'd love to tell you more, but I don't want to give away the whole book.  Let me just tell you her cupcake creations are described in such detail that you will be inspired to close the book and rev up the mixer.   Stay tuned for the banana muffins and zucchini bread recipes that I cooked up after reading this tasty novel!

Peaches 'N Cream

    We brought out the basket to pick the hundred peaches off our tree.  The baseball sized fruit is ready and I am not letting any birds peck at them before I get them.  You can eat them right off the branch, but it's best to have 2 napkins for these juicy beauties. Somewhere in the back of my mind is the goal to can this abundance, but in the meantime my favorite treat is to serve them up sliced with whipped cream.  No there isn't any cobbler in there, just peaches and cream.  It's a wonderful, easy treat on a hot night. 

Whipped Cream
from: Betty Crocker's Cookbook

For 1 cup whipped cream: Beat 1/2 cup whipping (heavy) cream and 1 tbs powdered sugar in a chilled small bowl with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. I omit the sugar and opt for 1 tsp vanilla.