Interview with a jin

Recently, the witty & clever Canadian, Passionate Dale, was interviewed by another blogger. He in turn, offered to interview other bloggers. I asked him politely to "Please Interview Me" (in a manner of speaking ;-).

1. If you were asked to audition for The Food Network, what would you prepare that would impress the producers and still be something the home viewers wouldn't be too intimidated to try?

I don't think I'd have quite that type of show. (Think Ace of Cakes. I *heart* Duff!) I would like a more reality based version of jinfullness. The kind where everyone gets to watch me do stuff. You know, "Behind the Scenes": a jin decorating a 7 tier wedding cake; a jin dealing with a bridezilla; a jin chasing mr. jin around the kitchen trying to ... uh ... next question?

2. If you didn't have your delectable pastry shop (online ordering available), what line of work would you involve yourself with?

This is a very very easy question for me & one that will probably shock a lot of people. (I am assuming you mean an entirely different path than food service, because of course, I'd love a fancy little vegetarian cafe/restaurant!) I would get myself certified as an ND (Doctor of Naturopathy). Alternative healing methods are something I'm very passionate about (and practice myself)!

3. You have eclectic tastes in music and your profile says you like opera (anything but Wagner). I braced myself expecting the worst of Wagner but found most of it to be emotional, dark and satisfying. What is it about Wagner that shuts you down?

Well, I must admit I have only heard a few. Lohengrin in particular is one that has turned me off. There is a story behind it: Saturday afternoons during the opera season I am glued to NPR. Saturday afternoons I am most always decorating wedding cakes. Let me tell you...one CANNOT decorate a wedding cake happily whilst listening to a Wagner opera! They are so depressing! They make me want to throw things across the room in despair. You tell me why, when they do play repeats, they always play Lohengrin?! Maybe they got a deal on it or something?!

4. Are there ever times when you just say 'screw it' and open a box of Mac and Cheese and let it do all the work? What's your favourite 'not from scratch' food?

Hell yeah! *grin* But I only buy Annie's Mac & Cheese. Seriously though, on nights when I want nothing more than a radiation filled quickie bite to eat I get a box of these for me & I get mr. jin a box of these. However, I never ever eat pizza out of a box...that's just sad.

5. Along the way, you've chronicled some pretty interesting 'Customer From Hell' stories. What kind of a customer are you?

Why, I'm a fabulous customer! At least, that's what the guys in the hardware store tell me when I ask if they can please help me find the perfect screw. I'm not missing something here, am I?!

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Want to be interviewed by the jin? Just leave me a comment or send me an email. I'd be happy to help you bare the skeletons in your closet!

I didn't do it & you can't prove it

A jin always acts like a lady & has perfect table manners.



Uh, unless there's espresso frosted chocolate dipped angelfood cake involved.

Breakfast in Bed

Ahhh...tis a lucky man that ends up at a jin's for Breakfast in Bed!

*ahem*

I was really talking about the breakfast part.

*wink*

I'd offer him a Jumbo Streusel Topped Muffin Crown.
(He'd probably be hungry enough to eat half a dozen. ;-)

Blueberry Cheesecake Swirl?

Decadent Caramel Apple?

Sugar Dusted Home Grown Rhubarb?


After breakfast we'd have dessert.

*ahem*

DESSERT!
See:

A selection of chocolate drenched cakes, petite fours, brownies & more.....that's what the "M" stands for. More.....

jin's day off

First stop:
My Organic Produce Guy.
I meant to take pics of his garden as it is phenomenal.
But I got lost in the moment...
smelling
tasting
enjoying sunshine & chit-chat
diggin' in the dirt
(note to self: next time don't wear a short skirt)

I filled my xB with succulent freshly picked greeeeen

A few dozen free-range eggs, potatoes (he doesn't sell these to anyone, they are only for his personal use, but I got me some...yes I did! Woo-Hoo!), sugar snap peas, squash, flowers (edible & decorative), baby lettuces, garlic & herbs herbs herbs!

Three bags full of French greens. MMmmm.


Next step:
Appropriate tunes for creating a delectable dinner.
Insert CD & turn volume to full.
(If the walls aren't shakin', it's not loud enough honey.)

I recommend dancing & singing until you decide what to make.
I practiced belly dancing to my fave song "Voodoo"
then decided upon Quinoa.
(Pronounced KEEN-wah)
I knew it'd be FAB with the fresh herbs.

Quinoa is a super-protein & tastes awesome if you make it right.
It's easy, I'll show you how!

Any combo of chopped veggies will do.
I used:
1 Vidalia Onion
1 Bulb Garlic (Not a clove, a whole bulb!)
2 Squash (pictured whole- bottom left & chopped- upper right)

Chop & set aside until ready to use.

I *heart* Monini Olive Oils. Superior flavour!

Heat a Tablespoon (or so) on medium.

Toss in about 1-1/2 cups Quinoa & stir constantly until they begin to crackle & pop. (It is not necessary to toast the grains before use, however it gives them a nice nutty flavour.)

I *heart* Rapunzel Vegetable Boullion. No chemicals!

Add 3 cups of filtered water & 2 vegetable boullion cubes to your popping Quinoa. jinny loves to hear it fizzle & spatter at this point! Look out!

Bring to a boil, cover & reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile:

Melt a few Tablespoons of Earth Balance (or Olive Oil or butter if you prefer) on medium. Add your garlic and saute for a minute, then add your onion & saute until translucent. Add your remaining vegetables & season to taste. I use:

because jinny likes it spicy!

Oh, look! The Quinoa is done!

Take it off the heat & leave it covered until you are ready for it.

Never interrupt & jin with her Cilantro.

MMMMmmmmm.....Cilantroooooo.
Smell it &
Taste it &
Chop it:

I've got about a handful of Cilantro & a handful of Italian Parsley.
Chop and set aside.

Now, stir up your cooked Quinoa
and
TASTE IT!

Hmmm....good, but it needs some:

MMMMMmmmm........Perfect!

Now stir your Quinoa into your sauteed veggies.

Finally, add the chopped herbs.

Voilà!

I served it with a few pieces of Garlic Toast, Calamata Olives & edible Nasturtiums (in the center of the plate). The flower petals are sweet, almost candy-like, but when you get to the center they are hot & spicy! YUM!

Here is mr jins plate. Notice the lack of olives. We disagree about the delicious mouth-watering perfectness of olives. He's wrong. :-P

There's even a takeaway serving for jinmom.


OH!
Almost forgot!
I served this for dessert:
;-)

PHOTOLICK

I just happen to know
that there's a certain Birthday Boy
who might see this post.

I just happen to know
that this certain Birthday Boy
may have eaten this cake:

I just happen to know
that there's a certain Birthday Boy's Wife
who might have eaten this chocolate ruffle:

She deserves to.
After all, Shelly surprised
her hubby Mark
with this cool cake!!!
Happy Birthday Mark!!!

*Yours truly also held off on this post because I didn't want to ruin the surprise & I wasn't sure which day he was being served the cake!*

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I Scream
You Scream
jin makes
AWESOME
Ice Cream!

Oh...it was HOT today! I also had the day off. I can't not bake on my day off you see. It's in my blood. So I decided to make 2 flavours of ice cream. Vietnamese Cinnamon Ice Cream & Cardamom Ice Cream. MMMMmmmmm. Above we have 2 dishes. One for D & one for me. We ate them. We moaned. We were satisfied ..... temporarily.

Two hours later I simply had to have another dish.

Oh. There's only one. For MEMEME! I tried to eat this quietly so D wouldn't hear my telltale "MMMmmmm's" emanating from the kitchen. O. M. G. I couldn't hold back cos I'm a total "MMMmmm-er" and this ice cream was fabulous!!!

MMMmmmm.........half way through & he hasn't come down to see what I'm doing. Good! I don't want to share. *evil grin*

Fear not dear blogfans! For I have willpower! Yay! I was able to save you one little bite! Wait.....what's this?! No! No! Brioche! Step away from the blogfans ice cream! Mummy says nooooo!!!!

Uh. Um. Oopsy. Sorry everyone. My pup overpowered me. She loves her Mum's cooking. It doesn't look like she even saved you a whiff:

But don't worry, there's more in the freezer! Who's coming over tomorrow night to eat Ice Cream with me???

Jin Loves *Unique* Requests

*Unique* Request #1
"jin, can you create a Vegan Wedding Cake for us?"

The top tier was created without any animal products what-so-ever, expressly for the groom and the vegan guests. Each tier was the same flavour: Almond Cake filled with Organic Strawberry Preserves. YUM!

What a sweet couple they were! An absolute pleasure to do business with. I would truly love more vegan orders.....it makes a jin feel good to create them.

Proof that everything happens for a reason (you just don't always know why... right away). Even on a busy weekend I was able to work this cake order in, thankfully because of the one that was canceled.

*Unique* Request #2

"jin, I'd like several different flavoured small cakes for a baby shower. Can you create something unique for me?"

Alternating White Chocolate & Chocolate Cakes filled with Lemon Curd, Dark Sweet Cherry Buttercream & Raspberry Buttercream.

Sometimes a jin forgets how much time is appropriate for decorating. (Er, shall I say the $$$ per hour ratio.) But, it turned out so damn cute...I couldn't help myself!

Look at the itty bitty baby booties! Hee!

I know some of you aren't into kids. No problem... I could do stacked condom boxes, too!

*Unique* Request #3

"jin, I need 2 gift baskets; one for children & one for adults. They prefer Organic foods & healthier, heartier, breakfast-type items. Can you include some nicely decorated personalized cookies for the kids?"

The adult basket was filled with Mini Banana Walnut Spice Bundt Cakes, Muffins with tiny Maine Blueberries & Organic Apples, Organic Zucchini Carrot Quinoa Muffins, a few Scones & some Cappuccino Brownies for any chocolate lovers.

There were also some of these tucked inside. OMG were they delish! I had to sample them. *jingrin*

Both baskets had a few of these in as well. Very simple yet so satisfying!

The kids basket was topped off with several all natural fruit leathers, a box of mini whole wheat bunny crackers & the personalized cookies.

The cookies were approximately 4" x 4" each. FYI- they are also suitable for adult noshing. *WINK*