We are having a very bad snow storm here. It feels like we are in Alaska(I am exaggerating a bit). The temperatures have dropped suddenly to one digit (in Fahrenheit). So thats what I wanted to create on this cake.
My latest interest is to create marzipan. I had heard about this name before but had no idea what it was. But then I came across Deeba’s gorgeous creations here . So I wanted to give it a try. If I know something about Marzipan today, its because of Deeba. Thanks Deeba for the recipe. Day before yesterday, after postponing it for too long, I made something like a marzipan (I am saying that because I didn’t follow the method exactly). But then I was too tired to make anything with it, so I just wrapped it in a plastic wrap and kept in refrigerator. Today when I reached home, I wanted to finish that off, because I was a bit worried that it may get spoiled.
Then I saw a picture of these cute little humans with snow costumes in a “cupcake fun” book. So I decided to make them. When I started, I had great plans of how this cake would turn up. But once again I realized today that I should not attempt such things on weekdays. By the time I finished this, I was totally exhausted and it had turned out quite different than the intended cake. Whatever that is, V had a huge smile on his face when he saw the cake. So every bit of the effort was worth.
I chose the blackberry cake because I had bought these berries few days ago and they were sitting in fridge without being used. Recently aayi read somewhere about the medicinal value of different berries, so she promptly told us to eat them. As usual, I bought them, but I had no idea what to make with them. I initially wanted to go with muffins, but I had to use up the marzipan also, I thought of making a cake. The cake was very delicious.
Marzipan (This is not the actual recipe, this is what I followed. Read Deeba’s recipe for actual marzipan): 150gms (1 cup) almonds 150 gms(1 and 1/2 cups) confectioner’s sugar 1 tea spn almond extract (I used vanilla extract) A pinch salt
Method: Heat about 2 cups of water. When it starts boiling, add the almonds. Cook for about 1-2mins. Take off the heat and take out the almonds on a clean kitchen towel. Peel off the skin of almonds. Grind it to a powder(Smoother the powder, better the final product). In actual recipe, it is first dried and then powdered. But I skipped the drying part. Now add salt, sugar. Add about 2 tbl spn of water and mix into a tight dough (add water little by little). Take out small balls of marzipan, add food color.
Whipped cream 236 ml pack of whipping cream 1/2 cup (50gms) sugar 1 tea spn vanilla extract 1/2 tea spn cream of tartar
Method: Mix all and beat at high speed till soft peaks form.
(Thanks Arjuna for the tip about cream of tartar , which helps the cream hold shape)
Blackberry cake: 170gms (6oz) blackberries 1 cup all purpose flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 egg 1/2 cup(1 stick) butter 1/2 cup milk 1 and 1/2 tea spn baking powder A pinch salt
Method: Preheat the oven at 350F for about 10mins. Bring the butter to room temperature. Mix sugar. Then add egg, milk and beat well. Now add the dry ingredients baking powder, salt and flour little at a time mixing continuously. Once everything is incorporated, add the blackberries and beat again.
Grease a oven proof baking dish with butter. Then pour the mixture and bake in oven at 350F for about 30mins or till a fork inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely.
Assembling: Spread the whipping cream on the cake. Then decorate as required. This can be served without decoration also.
I was working on my art & craft blog for about 2 months now. I moved it from one place to another and then finally made it as a sub-blog in Aayi’s Recipes itself. ArtCampus is a place to showcase some of my hobbies. I was never going to make it public, but few of my friends and well wishers pushed me enough to make it public.
Since my school going days, I loved any kind of crafts. If I saw a new craft, I would do anything to learn it. My aayi and pappa were greatest inspiration to me. Aayi taught me many things and Pappa would buy me any craft material I asked for. But unfortunately I could never learn anything properly. We didn’t have any kind of craft classes at my native place. I would learn from TV programs (Doordarshan used to have some craft programs in afternoons) and from my neighbors. Most of the things I started, I left half done. But whatever I finished, those items are still with my parents at my home.
When I started going to college, I could not work on any of my interests. But 2 years ago, when we moved to US, all these interests made their way on to become part of my routine. I knew I had to sit at home in an unknown country for a long time without a job. So I went to different art & craft shops in Bangalore and bought whatever I felt like – many different wool, knitting/crocheting needles, many starter kits for sand painting & cloth painting, colored pencils, many art books etc. I worked on few of them when I was at home. So I was on track again and I got the job too. But I could not stop pursuing my hobbies.
So I joined cake decorating classes in a nearby Micheals store. The classes were after office hours, so it was very convenient. V had to ask me to stop joining all different art classes there ;). So after I finished those, V and I both joined oil painting classes (which we attend every alternate Sundays).
All this time, I was struggling with my knitting/crocheting. I was planning on joining the basics of knitting/crocheting class too. But unfortunately, they don’t have these classes anymore. So, I started making whatever came to my mind. I neither could make up a new pattern nor do I have patience to follow a long instruction list without making mistakes. I can say after around 2 years, now I am a bit comfortable to follow instructions, but still lack the patience. I am sure one day will come when I will be able to do some neat work.
When all this was happening, I came to know about Sree . I can’t tell how much I adore her paintings . Her oil paintings, her pencil art and everything she posts on her blog is simply mind blowing. I get goose bumps when I see her art(I am not exaggerating a bit when I say that). Recently I have bought a colored pencil kit to follow her step by step pencil sketches . I showed her my personal art blog and as always, she encouraged me a lot.
Thanks to my friends Aruna and Purnima who are a constant support to AR and also believed that Art Campus should be part of AR.
Some two months ago, I showed my personal blog to my dear blogger friend, Manisha and she also suggested to make it public. She is the one from whom I got many good pointers about knitting/crocheting when I was struggling with it.
Then in one of our conversations, I came to know Sailu has a great talent with embroidery . I only wish I could meet her and learn it from her. May be when I go back to India, I may visit Vizag to meet her :). I am bowled over by her creativity with embroidery.
About 2 months ago, when I was blog hopping, I came across easycrafts blog . Oh my…the different crafts she has posted..its like a dream world for me. So I thought I should at least try few of the methods she has used. I made innumerable visits to art stores here to buy the tools. Because I didn’t even have a clue about some of these, I bought wrong tools most of the time and then had to go again to exchange them.
Now, the next thing I want to start is glass painting. I loved Shn’s paintings and asked her if she can help me get started with it. She sent me a detailed email with all instructions to get started. I will buy these soon and start something. Thanks Shn. Appreciate your help.
There are many more awesome people who gave me great suggestions and feedback about this. I thank them all.
So, that’s the story behind my art campus . I am hoping to get some constructive feedback & ideas from the art lovers/experts. Since I am just learning, I would love any pointers, like what kind of materials to use or anything that wold help me improve these. Again, thanks to all of you…
