Tuesday, February 28, 2012

what's new....

Did you know there is an apple out there called a 'grapple'?


I wouldn't have known either...
but hubby came along to the grocery store with me recently.
While I shop the list...
he snoops.
He found grapples...


...grape flavoured apples 
...and thought we needed to try them.
Let's just say I prefer the apples straight off the trees of the Okanagan Valley.
The ones that have not been messed with.
Don't get me wrong...
I love grapes.

But not mixed with apples.

I bought a new Wilton Heart Tasty-fill Pan recently...
with intentions of baking a 'heart-filled' cake for Valentine's Day.
It never happened then...


...but I tried it out for our guests last week.


Chocolate cake...
with a chocolate mousse heart...
and whipped chocolate frosting.
If you ever need to bake a hearty cake...
you know where to find a pan!

Also new in my kitchen...


...is the amaryllis that has been teasing us for the past month.
It was worth the wait.

Have a terrific Tuesday...

19 comments:

  1. You gave me the joy of starting out my day with chocolate and flowers...thank you! That cake looks like it should be in a food magazine. You are quite gifted!

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  2. I actually do know about grapples...fancy that lol. They make a lovely pie and if you haven't tried it you should!!!
    The cake looks good, am baking a coconut cake right now (you'll see why if you visit me at One Cat Shy of Crazy this morning). Back to the grater!
    hugs
    Sandi

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  3. I've never heard of Grapples before. I think I'll skip them. My favorite apple is the Fuji... yum yum! Your header picture is lovely (as always!) Your cakes look delicious. Have a great day...

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  4. I've never seen those apples either...I am not sure we get them in the UK. I dont have one of those cutters either but have seen them and think I will buy one. I love apples but only like to eat them cut up. And that cake!! Clever!

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  5. What fun that cake pan is. Did not know about grapples. The Amaryllis really is stunning! Have a wonderful day!

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  6. I've never seen on of those grapples, and I doubt that I'd buy one. I like my apples from the Okanagan too - in a big bag or straight from the tree.
    Now that cake - I would certainly go for that!

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  7. Don't you love how your grocery list changes when hubby comes along! Your cake looks like perfection - what a treat for your guests.

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  8. Oh pretty flowers and beautiful cake! Grapples. I will have to try one. No, I know nothing about them nor have I see them, but when I do, I'll remember where I first heard of them.

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  9. I'd stick to regular apples too....but glad you tried these for me:)
    I'd try that cake any day!
    I smiled at your amaryllis....looks like several friends are talking about their tall red beauties.

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  10. I was hoping you'd show us how that pan works. The cake is beautiful and I'm sure tsted just as good!

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  11. Just yesterday I was checking out the apples at the grocery store. I didn't notice any grapples, but perhaps I wasn't looking close enough.
    Your cake is so pretty. Almost too pretty to eat :). It looks like it would taste heavenly. I think your guests were lucky people.

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  12. Grapples - now who thought of that? The cake pan is a much better idea - chocolate mousse in the middle, oh my. How delectable!

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  13. They have combined so many fruits in recent years. Apricots/peaches/plums/
    now GRAPES!
    I do like the plumcots but have not seen the grapple....yet.

    Beautiful pictures to go with this tasty post!!

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  14. Cake looks yummy! I think I will stick to apples that taste like apples, too!

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  15. Glad the ameryllis bloomed before you went out of town! Funny about the grapples. I love trying a slice of a new Apple variety, like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady, but wind up Gala, Cameo and Fuji.

    Read a lovely book called Sweet Hush about an apple growing family with rare heritage Apple trees. Made me wish I had the means of tasting more heritage varieties. Around here there are several heritage varieties that the Mormon pioneers supposedly brought. They are quite flavorful!

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  16. Your cake is so pretty - very creative decorating. I also love the photo of the apple cutter and apples. I bought that "From Plate to Pixel" book and am studying to improve my pictures. Your apple picture is so eye catching.

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  17. Wonderful pictures.....all of them.

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  18. This is the first I've heard of grapples. I'd love to try them, too!

    I have a weakness for fun shaped baking pans, Judy! i will be on the lookout for this one.

    Glad your pretty amaryllis bloomed--it looks worth the wait!

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  19. Oh I love this post! The cake and the apples and your amaryllis is looking beautiful. That cake pan is fantastic.

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'The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.'
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson