I have a confession to make. Although I have no aversion to pretty, colorful mixed drinks when I am out, my liqueur collection at home has been constructed entirely from my baking needs. The very first alcoholic ingredients to grace my shelves were, I believe, Kahlua and brandy, which were called for in the tiramisu […]...
Archives for April 2006
Apple Phyllo Napoleons
As a self-proclaimed pastry fanatic, I am expected to eschew all things pre-made, processed, preservative laden- in other words, things that are the antithesis of home baking. I will admit I avoid the Chips Ahoy bags when I go to the grocery store. I will admit that the first time I brought cookies to work […]...
Linzer Tart
Linzertorte is of the most famous desserts to come out of Austria, along with Sachertorte (see Rick Rodger’s wonderful Kaffehaus for an absorbing history of Eastern European pastry). A delicate crust made with ground almonds, egg yolks (hard-boiled, different from French pâte sucrée),and spices, is filled with preserves and topped with a lattice crust. Interestingly, […]...
Just a Tiny Little Blip
Hong Kong Bakeries
Just as there seem to be an infinite number of cuisines you can taste in Hong Kong, so there is a myriad of sweets and desserts to choose from. Both traditional-style Chinese desserts and western/European style pastries seem to be increasingly in vogue, with dessert places popping up on every street. Whether you want traditional […]...
Cookie Mania
It’s been unexpectedly and tenaciously rainy in the Bay Area, enough that by last weekend everyone seemed to have a combined case of rainy-day blues and cabin fever. Spring’s supposed to have started – yet all that shows up in the forecasts is more grey skies. A day at home with the rain drizzling by […]...
Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. 
