WE'VE MOVED

Hello!

Thank you for the amazing 8 years here at A Baked Creation, we can't thank you enough for the memories! But we've decided to move over to a new site - Sincerely, Syl. Please join us there for future posts on all the things you loved here!

Sincerely,
Syl

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Blogger Brunch with Smitten Kitchen

How many of you would wake up early on a Saturday morning and head into your office?
I'm guessing there's no show of hands.

But what if I told you that brunch would be served and you would get to meet Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen? And it wouldn't just be a meet-and-greet, you would get to have brunch with her, ask her any question, and have a copy of her cookbook signed? Yes, that early morning is starting to look enticing....

I was one of the lucky handful of bloggers invited to a brunch at Random House of Canada Limited. Even though I work there, I was sent an official invitation to attend as a blogger! Trust me, I was over the moon when I received it and quickly RSVPed with fan girl enthusiasm.

I had both my work and guest hats on. Before the day of the brunch, my colleague asked me to make some Smitten Kitchen items from the cookbook. We each called dibs on a recipe, made it, and brought it in for the brunch buffet.

This was truly a Smitten Kitchen brunch! And when you're with bloggers, you know that no one is touching the food until photos were taken.

Monique from the production department made these amazing Cheddar Swirl Breakfast Buns. Who doesn't like cheese? Who doesn't like swirl buns? As Deb writes on page 49 of The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, these "are dangerous, dangerous buns."

I agree, they are highly addictive.

Mike from sales really outshone us all with Mom's Apple Cake (page 239 of the cookbook). The cake was delicious and I probably could have eaten a couple more slices.

Our incredible host and organize, Lindsey, of the online marketing department treated us with Big Cluster Maple Granola (page 26).

Poor Deb! I don't think she got many bites in during all the conversations: we learn which appliances are kept in her tiny kitchen - just four major ones: a food processor, a stand mixer, a blender, and an emulsion blender. It's all about priorities when there's limited space! She recounts that she did not like Brussel sprouts as a child, but has grown to love them now. However, she still doesn't eat fish! And her favourite brunch dishes were all the ones we made. ;)

After we had our fill of the food, Deb was busy signing copies of her book for us!

Deb and Syl! Yay!!!

I would be wrong not to thank my fellow colleagues who also took time out of their busy weekends for this event. Many thanks to Lindsey, Monique, Sheila, and Michael for planning, organizing, and hosting such a lovely brunch.

Are you wondering what I made for the blogger brunch? Brownie Roll-Out Cookies (page 210 of the cookbook)!

They are ridiculously easy to make. The dough is so pliable and easy to work with and great at holding their shape after you cut them.

It's no secret, but these make such good ice-cream sandwich cookies! So if you're looking to make your own at home, make these cookies! They're soft and chewy and are great milk-dunking cookies.
The best part was when Deb saw them, asked who made them, and was overjoyed that they were similar in shape to her's. Then she proceeded to snap a photo, which I captured. I'm such a dork.

Oh, one more thing. I don't know if you're interested, but I have a signed copy of The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook to give away. Interested in winning it?

Giveaway contest regulations and conditions:
  • The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook giveaway contest is open on Sunday, November 18, 2012 until Sunday, November 25, 2012. Entries submitted after 12 midnight EST on Sunday, November 25, 2012 will not be considered.
  • To enter, leave a comment below telling me which Smitten Kitchen recipe you would like to make.
  • A winner will be randomly chosen and announced here on A Baked Creation.
  • Please leave an e-mail address or twitter handle, in the case that you are the winner, we will be able to contact you.
  • This contest is available to residents of Canada and the U.S.A. only!
  • There will be one winner. The winner will be chosen in a random draw. The winner will receive a signed copy of The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook by Deb Perelman. If the winner does not respond with an adequate mailing address in a week, their prize is forfeited and a new winner will be chosen. Best of luck!
  • UPDATE: A winner has been chosen and contacted. Congratulations to Stephanie! Thank you to everyone who entered our giveaway!

39 comments:

  1. I would like to make the caramel walnut upside down banana cake

    addibrae(at)hotmail(dot)ca

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  2. I would love to make the braided lemon bread - I love all things lemon!

    ajdoucette(at)shaw(dot)ca

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  3. PUMPKIN CUPCAKES ALL THE WAY!!! happy thanksgiving!
    http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2008/11/pumpkin-cupcakes/

    @onawadesigns via twitter

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  4. Deb has a squash recipe that I can't find but I have basically memorized at this point but these are the best...
    http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2008/09/raspberry-breakfast-bars/

    @kateplummer

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  5. I'd go into work on a Saturday morning for a treat like this. What a lovely spread and a fantastic opportunity too.

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  6. I like to try the cheddar swirl breakfast buns

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  7. I would make the Zucchini fritters!

    mmalavec(at)med(dot)umich(dot)edu

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  8. I'd love to try the pistachio petit-fours cake. It looks phenomenal!

    @carmenhungry

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  9. I am going to make the Blueberry Boy Bait cake (got to love that name!!)

    ayed2016 at aol dot com

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  10. I've been telling everyone I know about this book and I even put it on my Amazon gift wishlist! I hope I win it!!

    I would love to try the grilled eggplant with caponata salsa!

    marthalynn16 at gmail

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  11. I would like to make the Hazelnut Truffles recipe - perfect for the upcoming holidays!

    @stephanied4

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    Replies
    1. Hi Stephanie,

      Thank you for entering our giveaway, we're happy to tell you that you're the winner! Congratulations! Please e-mail us your mailing address - info@abakedcreation.com - or DM us on twitter!

      Cheers,
      Sylvia & Howard

      Delete
  12. I love to try new appetizers and the mushroom strudel looks awesome!v http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2008/05/mushroom-streudels/

    megnate at telus dot net

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  13. Yum!

    I've been looking for an excuse to make the chocolate peanut butter cake. Winning this would be a reason to celebrate, right?

    dancingcelt at gmail dot com

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  14. Wow, there are so many great-sounding recipes. One that I'd like to try is the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Sauteed Apples. Thanks for the opportunity to win this lovely book.
    carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

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  15. I want to make the Maple Bacon Biscuits. beyondbrynmawr@gmail.com

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  16. braided lemon bread
    gkuroda(at)gmail (d0t)com

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  17. Mushroom Crepe Cake sounds divine.
    kitblu [at] rocketmail [dot] com

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  18. i would really love to make the grapefruit yogurt cake. Anything grapefruit appeals to me!

    whirlwind310(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  19. I would like to make the banana bread crepe cake w/ butterscotch! YUM.

    tc48@duke.edu

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  20. cheddar swirl breakfast buns!! loveee cheese.

    steph.phm@gmail.com

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  21. I would love to make Deb's Raisin Toast French Toast. It sounds decadent & delicious! I can't figure out how to provide my e-mail address (!!) so I'll leave it here: rutgurry at gmail dot com. Thanks much!

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  22. I'M SO EXCITED THERE'S A CONTEST OPEN TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS!!!
    I've made so many of Deb's things before because I LOVE her blog, but I think the next thing I'd want to make is her apple pie cookies. They're just adorable! And I like the ratio of crust to apple in her recipe =D

    My twitter handle is @alimentageuse and my email is alimentageuse@gmail.com

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  23. I have already made many of her recipes, I would love to try that chocolate peanut butter cake one day soon...
    karenreichmann@hotmail.com

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  24. I'm glad I stumbled upon your blog and I love the look of many of your recipes, particularly the green tea cupcake! I also love Deb's blog, and would I'd love to try making her wild mushroom and blue cheese galette.

    Thanks,
    jccbear at hotmail dot com

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  25. I would love to make the banana bread crepe cake with butterscotch.
    they all would be happy with that one..John

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  26. I love Smitten Kitchen! Deb's recipes have never failed to disappoint. Next on my is is the delicious
    baked orzo with eggplant and mozzarella! I just picked up orzo today :)

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  27. Wow, where to begin... so many yummy ones to try! I'd like to try to Cheezy Breakfast Buns or the Yogurt Cake. Thanks for the chance.
    glennaroth123(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. the brownie cookies!!
    adried@yahoo.com

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  29. Wow, I want to try them all.
    I'd like to try the Nectarine Brown Butter Buckle. That sounds like a good place to start.
    nicolthepickle(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  30. I will try them all. The first one brownie roll out cookie for sure

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  31. Forgotten the email osiituus@gmail.com

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  32. I'd love to make triple berry buttermilk budnt cake. Again. :).
    My email is juliasalbumonline@gmail.com Thank you for the give-away!

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  33. I love all the original cupcake ideas I find here! rockstarangel@ymail.com

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  34. Hi :) I would love to make smitten kitchen green tea sandwich cookies! sound sososo good!
    robyn.jenns@hotmail.com

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  35. I want to try grasshopper brownies. Twitter: @klundine

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  36. I plan on making Deb's pumpkin waffles in the morning. I don't care that my year-old Frigidaire dishwasher died the morning after Thanksgiving, or that I am craving something I have never had.

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  37. the braided lemon bread

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