Ingredients, methods and measurements.

In my brain, it is a continuous stream of ingredients, methods and measurements. Measurements like deciding to add 1 more tablespoon of cornstarch to the sweet and sour sauce for the baked sweet and sour pork chops. Ingredients like sour cream being added to the vanilla cupcake batter so that the cupcakes are moist and soft. And methods like searing the herb and cheese stuffed flank steak before braising it in marinara sauce. I am feeling really good about the recipes I am producing. I am seeing a lot of myself in them. The way I cook, my own techniques and my favorite flavors. I have never been more excited about "The Family Flavor".

I have finished editing 85 recipes and have 40 left to go! Now that the bulk of the editing is done, I have a bit more testing to do, just to be sure I am pleased with what I am writing and developing. Since I decided to slow down recipe development and photography to focus more on editing, I am so much more inspired. Certain restaurant dishes are catching my eye. Ingredient combos are piquing my interest (peach and mint? I know it could be delicious.). It is getting so fun!

Today I finished the recipe development for the vanilla cupcakes with chocolate buttercream. A simple cupcake recipe that everyone should have in their recipe repertoire. I made the cupcakes for my daughter's 2nd birthday. I can't wait to light the candle on top, sing to my sweet little girl and then enjoy my creation.  Writing recipes and eating them after is the most fun in all the world.