recipe: lemon mochi cake

I was introduced to sweet rice flour about ten years ago when my high school friend, Azusa of Humble Bean, shared a recipe for matcha mochi cupcakes. The rice flour that I’ve been using is the Koda Farms brand and I have found it at Asian markets as well as at the grocery store. I love the chewy texture that rice flour gives to baked goods so I went on a search for something I could make that would also involve lemons. Because – and I don’t know why – I’ve been craving lemony treats lately.  I came across a recipe for “sweet rice lemon pound cake” and had to modify it a little bit because I ran out of sugar when I tried to make it. It turned out pretty great according to a couple of friends (and my taste buds) so I thought I would share it here with all of you too.  Enjoy!

diy :: food skewers out of buttons

I’ve been on the whole lunch box packing thing lately. There is a ton of inspiration out there for fun ways to jazz up what might otherwise be considered a boring meal.  One thing that is pretty common to use are food picks or skewers.  Fast forward to a trip to our local craft store and E eyeing a package of cute mermaid themed buttons.  I snuck them into our shopping basket when she wasn’t looking and decided to try to make my own plastic skewers that could be reused in her lunches.  Because you know me, I’m just crafty like that.  🙂

introducing crafty lunch lady

With our kid starting kindergarten soon, I’ve been practicing packing her lunch while using a spiffy Bentgo Box.  I love this thing!  We’re going to let her buy lunch at school a couple of times per month too (read: on pizza days!) but since she tends to be particular about what she likes to eat, this’ll be a way for me to make sure she’s eating well during the day.  She’s generally a good eater but she’s less likely to try new foods if we’re  not there with her.  Plus she said that opening up her lunch box each day will be such a fun surprise!

baking :: blueberry oatmeal crumble bars

I believe it took living sixteen years here in New England before I realized that blueberry picking was even possible.  Last summer was the first time my daughter and I made the drive up to Parlee Farms in Tyngsboro, MA to try our hand at the pick-your-own blueberry experience.  It was a particularly hot and humid summer day, and as the sweat on my forehead fogged up my sunglasses I wondered why in the world we were even there to begin with!  (It was still fun and worth it … just sweaty!)